Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Rich Gannon
Backups - Marques Tuiasosopo, Rick Mirer

Starting Quarterback: What a ride it has been for Rich Gannon in the NFL. From 1987 to 1997 he was basically a fill-in guy, never having control of a football team for an entire season. The most passes he threw during that era was 354 attempts back in 1991 and he had six seasons with less than 200 attempts. During the 1998 season, he began to show something while with the Chiefs and the Raiders liked what they saw enough to give him a chance. He put up solid numbers in 1999 and he has been simply incredible since that time. He has finished 2nd, 4th, 4th and 4th in fantasy points at the quarterback position over the last four seasons and has become one of the best passers in the entire league. His passing numbers in 2002 were staggering and it appeared as though Dan Marino's single season passing yard record was in jeopardy until the final few games when the Raiders failed to pass for more than 204 yards in a game. Gannon is now 37 years old, but he is in great shape and should be ready to go with another terrific season in 2003. He is a terrific option as a starting fantasy quarterback.

Backup Quarterback(s): The Raiders like Marques Tuiasosopo but don't yet want to see him on the field. Ideally, he will continue to hold a clipboard and learn from Rich Gannon from the sideline until Gannon is ready to step down. He is a talented player and could be a valuable free-agent pickup if something happens to Gannon.

Running Backs
Starter - Charlie Garner
Backups - Tyrone Wheatley, Ronney Jenkins, Madre Hill, Justin Fargas
Fullbacks - Zack Crockett, Cecil Martin, Chris Hetherington

Starting Running Back: Charlie Garner is perhaps the premier double-threat running back in the NFL - he has exceptional speed and acceleration to the hole, and is blessed with super-soft hands as a pass-catcher. He came close to a 1,000/1,000 season last year (180 rushes for 959 yards and 7 scores with 91 receptions for 941 yards and 4 touchdowns). The two knocks on Garner, which keep him out of the elite tier of fantasy backs, is that he gets pulled from goal-line situations in favor of short-yardage specialist Zack Crockett (40 carries for 118 yards and 8 touchdowns last year), and usually sees ~100 carries a season go to fellow running back Tyrone Wheatley (105 carries for 411 yards and 2 scores last year, with 12 catches for 71 yards). With the high-powered Oakland offense ready to tear up the AFC again in 2003, we expect Garner to once again excel with 215 carries for 1,011 yards and 6 scores, adding in 75 receptions for 645 yards and 2 scores via air. As of 6/29/03 that puts Garner at #14 on our list of fantasy backs, a solid #2 RB who could possibly sneak into the top ten if things break right for him in 2003.

Backup Running Back(s): As detailed above, Oakland is blessed with a deep stable of capable backs. Tyrone Wheatley is an excellent change-of-pace guy who has been the starter in Oakland before. Ronney Jenkins, Madre Hill and rookie Justin Fargas round out the list of reserves.

Fullback(s): Zack Crockett is perhaps the premier FB in fantasy land, and he has score at least 6 touchdowns in each of the past 3 seasons. He would be an excellent back-up/bye-week back for basic scoring leagues. His backups are Cecil Martin and Chris Hetherington.

Update - 8/27: Charlie Garner has been nicked up in pre-season, but we still think he'll slash through opposing defenses once the regular season starts. Justin Fargas has stated his case in pre-season with some strong runs and he looks like an excellent prospect for dynasty and keeper leagues. Also look for Wheatley to have some carries and Crockett to continue to vulture TDs.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Jerry Rice, Tim Brown
Backups: Jerry Porter, Marcus Knight, Alvis Whitted

Starting Receiver(s): The oldest pair of receivers in the league combined for 2,141 yards last year. Jerry Rice, who will be 41 this year, never had great stopwatch speed, but has always been able to outrun cornerbacks by getting them off-balance first. He's still got that trick, as he proved last year with receptions of 75, 56, and 53 yards, in addition to a 48-yarder in the Super Bowl. Rice runs the best patterns in the game, and has excellent hands and concentration. Tim Brown is slowing down, but still caught 81 passes for 930 yards last year. Brown only had two touchdown catches last year; he needs three more to bring his career total to 100. Brown is no longer a deep threat, tending to work the underneath routes and then gain yards after the catch. His role in the offense may decrease further this year with the continued development of Jerry Porter.

Backup Receiver(s): Jerry Porter is the Raiders' primary deep threat. After watching and learning from Jerry Rice and Tim Brown for his first couple years in the league, Porter had a breakout season in 2002, garnering 51 receptions for 688 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. Porter has an excellent combination of size, strength, and speed; and we are expecting him to supplant Tim Brown as the team's #2 WR this year. All three will get plenty of playing time, in any event, since the Raiders use three-WR formations a great deal. Marcus Knight is the team's fourth WR. He has good speed and elusiveness, but is unproven at the NFL level. Alvis Whitted is the fastest player on the team, but is quite raw at WR.

Update - 8/27: No big news. Brown is still the starter, but you can consider Porter a starter as well since the Raiders will line up in 3-WR sets most of the time.

Tight Ends
Starter - Doug Jolley
Backup(s) - Roland Williams, Teyo Johnson
Doug Jolley exploded onto the scene with a tremendous second half of 2002. Roland William's knee injury put him on injured reserve and Jolley never looked back. Jolley's second half included some great games in the playoffs as well. The Raiders short passing game utilizes the tight end and is sure to produce a top 10 fantasy tight end in 2003. Even if Williams returns fully from injury, he may be used more as the blocking tight end while Jolley is more involved in the passing game.

Update - 8/27: Doug Jolley is battling an ankle injury and the star of the Raiders training camp has been Teyo Johnson. If Jolley is unable to play, Johnson could be the TE steal of the 2003 season. Regardless of Jolley's health, Johnson will see a good deal of action this season. Williams has been cut by the team.

Place Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski: Janikowski not being in the news is a good thing. Hopefully his troubled past is just that, in his past. He's got a monster leg and he kicks for a team with a dynamite offense. He finished up hitting 90% of his last 20 field goal attempts last year and appears to be a lock to finish in the top 5 again as long as the Raiders don't fall completely apart.

Offensive Line
C-Barret Robbins; G-Mo Collins; G-Frank Middleton; T-Barry Sims; T-Lincoln Kennedy
This is the same group that started the season in 2002 and they are a good unit surrounded by proven players at the skilled positions. Tackles Kennedy and Sims are a gifted tandem who can dominate their opponents at times during a game. The question mark going into the season is the mental health of Robbins. If he has recovered from his bipolar condition and can effectively return to the team, it will be a big plus to the Raiders championship dreams. The Raiders also have excellent depth with Matt Stinchcomb, Brad Badger and Langster Walker all having NFL experience.