Former head coach, now current head coach, Art Shell is back in the building, after being unceremoniously kicked out the first go around with the Raiders.  But, let bygones be bygones.  Shell will bring some discipline back into Oakland and it will be his way or the highway.  The Raiders in recent years have been prone to stupid penalties and that should change with Shell back.  But there are other more important changes happening.

Last season, owner, Al Davis was hoping to beat teams offensively by airing it out to newly-acquired, Randy Moss, who would team up with another burner in Jerry Porter.  Unfortunately, that never happened for whatever reason.  It’s not like they didn’t have a QB with a strong arm (current Tennessee Titan, Kerry Collins), they just didn’t get it done. 

However, RB LaMont Jordan did… at least whenever he actually got the chance to touch the pigskin on a consistent basis.  With Shell now coaching the team, you can expect him to give Jordan every chance to bull rush his way to success this upcoming season as he gets more touches than what he got last season.  So, what does this mean for that air-it-out offense?  That means there is less counting on the enigmatic Moss and new Raiders QB Aaron Brooks, who isn’t the most consistent of performers. 

DE Derrick Burgess led the league in sacks last season with 16.  However, that’s pretty much all he does as he can’t play the run or hold down O-linemen and either make plays himself against the run or open things up for teammates.  But, you’ve got to give him his props for his speed.  Warren Sapp is average nowadays, but he’s a solid player for the Raiders, especially considering that the rest of the defense isn’t exactly going to leave your mouth hanging at how good they are.  The LBs are eh, but maybe rookie Thomas Howard makes it okay.  The secondary is eh, but maybe rookie Michael Huff makes is okay.  Sense a pattern?  The defense isn’t good when you have to rely on rookies to improve the squad.

I know that Raider Nation will attack me and will hate what I’m saying, but c’mon guys… it’s not like I’m telling you anything you don’t already know.