Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

In 2002, the Oakland Raiders went 11-5, which was tied for the best record in the AFC, and represented that conference in the Super Bowl, which they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the seven seasons since, however, they have gone 29-83 (.349 winning percentage).

Though the team has had a series of coaches over the past seven seasons, a pair of constants has been in place for the Raiders – 1) horrific drafting (with the exception of Nnamdi Asomugha); and 2) the Crypt Keeper (Al Davis) is calling the shots. Just take a look at the players Oakland has selected in the first round from 2000 on. 2000 - Kicker Sebastian Janikowski (17th overall); 2001 - safety Derrick Gibson (28th overall); 2002 - cornerback Phillip Buchanon (17th overall) and linebacker Napoleon Harris (23rd overall); 2003 - cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (31st overall) and defensive end Tyler Brayton (32nd overall); 2004 – tackle Robert Gallery (second overall), 2005 – cornerback Fabian Washington (23rd overall); 2006 – safety Michael Huff (seventh overall), 2007 – quarterback JaMarcus Russell (first overall); 2008 – running back Darren McFadden (fourth overall); 2009 – wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (seventh overall).

KEY ADDITIONS

Jason Campbell (QB) – Campbell’s quarterbacking career has been akin to the film career of, say, Jennifer Aniston. There’s a hell of a lot to like just by looking at them, and the results haven’t been atrocious, but there’s just something that’s … missing. So it was for Campbell in his very quotidian and unfulfilling time in Washington. He left there with a career completion percentage of 61.2 and a TD-INT ratio of 55-38 with a QB rating of 82.3. Which is all fine and well, but there’s no denying the promise that went unfulfilled. It will be difficult for Campbell to gorge on that same promise now that he’s with Oakland because, like with Washington, he still lacks enough talented teammates to raise his game. He’s nothing but a QB2 in fantasy football.

KEY DEPARTURES

Kirk Morrison (LB) – Morrison’s 133 tackles last season led the Raiders, and he led Oakland in tackles each year from his rookie season of 2005 on. But he was moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to make room for rookie Rolando McClain to take over in the middle. He should remain a tackling machine down in Florida.

Justin Fargas (RB) – Fargas was the team’s second-leading rusher last season, picking up 491 yards while scoring three times. He had a decent run for the Raiders from 2006 on, including 2007, when he compiled 1,009 yards and four touchdowns and a YPC average of 4.5 He was released by the team after reportedly failing a physical, and his departure is important because it means the team now has to rely even more on Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. As for Fargas, he recently signed a contract with the Denver Broncos.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Rolando McClain (LB) – The Raiders were absolutely awful against the run in 2009, ranking 29th in the league in run defense and allowing 155.5 yards per game on the ground. They also tied the St. Louis Rams for most rushing scores allowed – 24 – and only four teams allowed a higher yards-per-carry average than the 4.8 Oakland did. Enter McClain. The bruising middle ‘backer from Alabama was the eighth overall pick in the draft, and though that was thought to be a bit high for him, few criticized the Raiders for the pick because he was the best middle linebacker in the draft by a wide margin. As a bonus, he’s an outstanding player to look at for those in IDP fantasy football leagues, as he should rack up tackle after tackle.

Need help organizing your fantasy draft? We’ve got you covered….

NFC WEST:  ARI  |  STL  |  SF  |  SEA

NFC SOUTH:  ATL  |  CAR  |  NO  |  TB

NFC NORTH:  CHI  |  DET  |  GB  |  MIN

NFC EAST:    DAL  |  NYG  |  PHI  |  WAS

AFC WEST:  DEN |  KC |  OAK  |  SD

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

The Bruno Boys have once again teamed up with Commish Kit to sell fantasy football draft boards. The 2010 draft boards are available for purchase and you can pick one up here… DRAFT BOARDS

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.