Photo Paul Sakuma / AP

                                                                                                    S Michael Mitchell

2^nd round pick Michael Mitchell in all likelihood will miss the pre season opener with Dallas and maybe the rest of pre season if his troublesome hammy doesn’t get better soon.

The 6-1, 220 lb safety suffered the first of several hammy issues before his pro day. He rehabbed in less than a month and was able to post numbers that saw him plucked from obscurity.

Mitchell tweaked his hamstring again earlier in OTA’s and this could be a symptom of a lingering problem that could see him miss significant time. Time the former Ohio University speedster could use to get up to NFL speed.

But the injury could be a sort of blessing in disguise.

Before his most recent hobbling Mitchell was struggling in coverage and against the run.

If Mitchell came out against Dallas tonight and got torched repeatedly or blown up on run plays, the already controversial picks psyche could set his confidence back and give Raider haters and draft day nay sayers something to point to.

Davis is known for doing something rare in todays League, allowing players to develop over a season or several if need be and that couldbe just what the former Bearcat needs.

Nnamdi Asomugha was considered a bust before his 2006 season, taking 3 full years in silver and black to get up to speed. Once he did though, he snagged 8 interceptions and garnered a reputation as the finest CB in the game.

Raider fans and Mitchell himself may be disappointed he won’t get to play later today, but all things considered, maybe its for the best.

Photo Michael Macor / The Chronicle

                                                                                                                                     Mitchell at camp

Mitchell is falling behind due to his inability to get on the practice field and that could affect his entire rookie year, but Raider fans may be pleasantly surprised by the man who’ll likely get the start regardless of Mitchell’s health, Hiram Eugene.

Eugene made noise last season in limited action making TD saving tackles on a far too regular basis and laying the wood old school style on several heady occasions.

He could be this seasons sleeper and allow Mitchell not only to heal, but to take the time to hone his craft and maximize his incredible physical gifts.

Photo Broken Sphere / Wikimedia Commons

                                                                                              S Hiram Eugene

They may not be the names you think of immediately when considering the mainstays of Oaklands defense, but they could be central to a successful campaign and Raider turn around this season.

Safety Hiram Eugene

Though Oakland has two potential big hitters with 2^nd round (47^th overall) draft surprise Michael Mitchell out Ohio University and last years 4^th round selection (100^th overall) Tyvon Branch from U Conn slated for the lions share of time in the safety slots, NFL Europa and practice squad grad Eugene is making a name for himself. Last year he made several open field TD saving tackles in limited action. He did see 5 starts and contributed in all 16 contests.

Look for more of Eugene who’s quietly working his way into the line up and compiling a reputation as a mean hitter. Just ask Houston’s Andre Johnson who’s 115 catches and 1,575 yds and 8 TDs meant nothing to Eugene who punked him proper with a perfectly placed shoulder to the chest that dropped the Pro Bowl violently on his hindquarters.

Expect more of the same in 09'.

Corner back Stanford Routt

I know I said it last year and if not for the incredible the spectacular disaster of DeAngleo Hall the starting slot was Routt’s to take.

Unfortunately, his play and effort by the time of Hall’s $8 million dollar departure saw the job fall to team mate Chris Johnson who seized the opportunity with the help of Deion Sander’s PRIME U and locked down not only the starting spot but nearly every receiver he opposed.

No mean feat considering teams refuse to throw to the other way at Nnamdi Asomugha leaving Johnson’s side the only other option.

Routt may have frittered a golden opportunity with lax special teams play and less than stellar commitment, but if early camps are any indication, the 6-1, 195 lb 26 yr old seems to have elevated his game for 09' at least preliminarily.

Odds are, Oakland will need him at some point this year and more than just at nickle back.

09' could be make or break for the former Houston track star.

Linebacker Ricky Brown

The 6-2, 235 lb Boston College LB signed as a UFA in 2006 and has steadily worked his way into the line up. Brown survived the departure of benefactor Rob Ryan’s departure and even the mercifully brief Lane Kiffin era though Kiffin wondered aloud what the undersized player was even doing on an NFL roster.

Brown won the strong side job last season, but was out at the mid way point with an injury.

He had sports hernia surgery in the off season and signed his restricted FA contract that netted him nearly 3 times the almost League minimum he made last year or roughly $1.54 million for 2009.

Photo Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

                                                                                                                          LB Ricky Brown

 He’ll have to earn his money but seems to be growing every year actually seeing time at MIKE linebacker at this years camp.

He’ll also have to prove he can stay healthy. Oaklands seriously thin line backing reserves will need him.

The D line

Everyone on the D line has as much to prove in 09'.

DE Greg Ellis

Ellis, a 12 yr vet, came over from Dallas where he openly complained about his lack of playing time and his misuse in a 3-4.

He’ll get his chance to shine in 09' more so now that main competition DE Derrick Burgess shipped off this week to New England.

DT Terdell Sands

Sands showed up at this years camp in a tank top. At 6-7, 335 lbs Sands looks to be in the best shape of his NFL career after working his way up the practice squad culminating in a stand out 2006 season where he had 41 tackles. His efforts landed him a surprising 4 yr $17 million dollar contract he so far, hasn’t lived up to.

09' could silence a lot of critics...or prove them right.

DT Gerard Warren

The former Brown / Bronco took a winding, troubled path to reach the Raiders. The 3^rd overall pick of the 2001 draft, Warren underperformed in Cleveland and Denver before falling to the Raiders in an unlikely trade between division rivals.

The 6-4, 330 lb 31 yr old has suffered niggling injuries through out his career. He tore a pectoral muscle in a week 3 loss last year, but continued to play and produce posting a 40 tackle season for the first time since 2002 and adding 4 sacks.

09' could be a big year for Warren. Oakland hopes so.

DT Tommy Kelly

Despite serious under production and season ending knee surgery in 2007, Kelly signed a contract on February 28^th of 2008 that saw him become the richest player at his position ever.

A veteran of the 4-3 and 3-4 Kelly can play every slot along the line, but hasn’t excelled recently at DT where they need him the most.

09' will be key to whether the Raiders gambled and won or got ripped off on a high paid former FA.

The 6-6, 300 lb line man may also have to answer for a September 15^th DUI that could or could not see him suspended for a time in 09'.

DE Trevor Scott

The departure of former pro bowl DE Burgess puts pressure squarely on the 6-4, 256 lb former 6^th round (169^th overall) 2008 draft pick who shined in several brief appearances last year.

Though they have Jay Richardson and newly drafted rookie Matt Shaughnessy in reserve, the void left by Burgess will likely need to be filled by the 2^nd year DE out of Buffalo.

Photo Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

                                                                                                                     DE Trevor Scott

The Raiders are praying Scott can add to the 24 tackles, forced fumble and 5 sacks he posted last year.

He'll need to improve his run stopping and reads.

Oaklands defense has a lot of questions to answer in 09' along with a new D coordinator from Seattle John Marshall, but if he can instill the discipline and competitiveness lacking during Rob Ryan’s tenure, Oakland could surprise.

They’ll need help from an offense thats been anemic since the losing began.

Even with a new D coordinator, the scheme is likely to remain the same and Oaklands pass rush / coverage defense needs sustained drives and 3^rd down conversions to keep them fresh late in games, optimally forcing offenses to abandon the run game and throw into the teeth of Oaklands defensive strength.

2009 will be telling for Oaklands D.

                                                                             DE Derrick Burgess

Sketchy at this point, inside sources say the Raiders will receive a 3^rd and 4^th round pick in 2010 for Burgess, but it may be conditional. New England would supposedly like to give only a 3^rd and 5^th rounder, but currently don’t have a 5^th.

Look for them to acquire one in the interim.

The true scope of the trade likely won’t be known for years depending on the picks and their performance (John Bowie anyone?) And of course how Burgess does, but even if he some how cobbles together a productive and injury free season or even makes the pro bowl it doesn’t mean he would’ve done the same in Oakland.

Burgess’s absence likely didn’t come as a shock to Oakland who picked up 12 yr vet, 6-6, 265 lb DE Greg Ellis from Dallas this off season perhaps in anticipation or insurance, but the fact is, with the injury of tackle Khalif Barnes and the trade of Burgess, the Raiders are now arguably weaker on the ends of both their offensive and defensive lines.

Despite Ellis’s seniority, of the DE’s listed on the Raiders roster, Derrick Gray, Greyson Gunhiem, Jay Richardson, Matt Shaughnessy and Trevor Scott, all have exactly 2/3rds of the experience Ellis does.

Combined.

How the Raiders new defensive coordinator John Marshall will compensate for the loss of the former back to back pro bowler remains to be seen, but if recent history has been any indication, he likely would’ve had to replace Burgess at some point in the season anyway.

                                                                        DE Greg Ellis

Still, with many predicting a contract year effort from Burgess, Oaklands now on the short end of the stick at the position.

Rookie Trevor Scott came on strong last year helping to tilt the tables with a double sack game in an over time victory over Brett Favre and the Jets week 7.

In limited action, he tallied 24 tackles and 5 sacks by seasons end.

The 6-5 , 255 lb former 2008 6^th round pick out of Buffalo saw the field in all 16 games and was productive on special teams, but had a nasty tendency to bite on inside fakes that cost big in the run game.

3^rd yr DE Jay Richardson, with his 6-6, 280 lb frame was meant to set the edge and force plays back into the middle but was too inconsistent to be reliable and hasn’t developed a pass rush counter move yet. If his first move is thwarted, he’s often stymied.

He’s currently working with the 2^nd and 3^rd teams, perhaps not seeing as many first team reps because of surgery to a knee he injured in June OTA’s.

With Burgess’s departure, look for his role to increase.

Matt Shaughnessy’s progression will be interesting to watch.

The 6-5 270 lb Wisconsin Badger was taken in the 3^rd round (71^st overall) of this years draft to stack the edge against the run like the Raiders want Richardson to.

Shaughnessy has a lot of work to do though and needs to prove he can remain healthy after suffering several season ending knee injuries through out high school and college.

He actually broke his right fibula at the Badgers Spring camp in 08' and played through the pain to started every game.

                                                                       DE Matt Shaughnessy

Undrafted free agent Derrick Grey was signed to the practice squad in 08' and Gunheim out of the UW is a 2^nd year FA signed from the practice squad on November 8^th last year.

Pressure form elsewhere maybe dialed up to compensate for Oaklands apparent lack of edge rushers.

Given its Davis’s team and defensive scheme, its difficult, but not impossible, to see Oakland sending pressure from different areas instead of their traditional four man rush.

The Raiders work on blitzes at camp every year, more to give its offense a look at what they’ll face rather than to hone it as a defensive staple, but they blitzed more than most were led to believe last year to varying degrees of effect.

They certainly have the speed to send their safeties.

Former U Conn stand out and 2^nd yr man Tyvon Branch and 2009 2^nd round pick Michael Mitchell both have impressive "football speed."

Theoretically the Raiders have the coverage to send them, but its not something their accustom to doing by rote.

Oaklands line backing core of Morrison, Howard, Brown and Alston had exactly two sacks for the year.

Even with Burgess injured, Oakland finished with 32 sacks last year and ended the season13^th in the category.

They’ll likely need help to do as well in 09'.

Its still pre season and though unlikely, Oakland could still pull a rabbit out of its hat and make a trade, (Jarvis Moss?!) Somehow, they’re going to have to find a way to generate pressure with out Derrick Burgess.

                                                                                               WR Javon Walker

Wide Receiver Javon Walker

This ones a no brainer.

Has he been bilking a doddering old man? Or is he about to prove Al right for giving him a "Plunkett pass" and allowing him to acclimate, heal and get his game together?

Aside from  a pre season procedure to his knee, Walker says he feels the best he has in years.

He's doing well in camp so far and thats good, he has the most of any Raider to prove. 

For Walker, its put up or shut up not only for his chances with the Raiders, but for his football career.

Tackle Mario Henderson

The Raiders (Al) were questioned for trading up in the 3^rd round of the 07' draft to get the former Seminole line man and many a fan vocally disapproved of "yet another wasted pick" as Henderson donned street clothes on the sidelines for the entire year.

The fact was, Henderson was raw but talented and was never meant to enter the line up right out of school.

Suffering a broken ankle in drills earlier this week, the injury to former Jaguar Tackle Khalil Barnes places the onus squarely on Henderson.

WR Johnnie Lee Higgins

Can Higgins improve upon last year? He struggled early on even running the right route at the beginning of the year, but with his electric return game and some well coached special teams the former UTEP speed merchant began to make a name for himself not only on returns but in the passing game.

Higgins has a limited route tree and at 5-11, 188, needs, like the rest of the Raider wides, needs to work on polishing his game and to block down field.

With a new ST coach and an anti wedge rule change, it will be interesting to see if Higgins can continue to make Raider special teams, special.

Oren O’ Neal

The Raiders are counting on O’Neal to return but have hedged their bets with former Charger FB Lorenzo Neal.

O’Neal has been seen working on the sideline, apparently at full speed, so thats encouraging.

He’ll be needed to give 16 yr vet Neal a break and to assist as a receiver out of the back field, something he was progressing nicely at till last years devastating pre season knee injury.

                                                                         FB Oren O' Neal

C Samson Satele

Oakland swapped out centers essentially picking up the Hawaiian born Satele from the Dolphins who acquired former Raider Jake Grove.

Grove never lived up to expectations and suffered dings throughout his checkered career in silver and black.

The 6-3, 300 lb Satele was a 2^nd round selection (60^th overall) in 2007 and has played in every contest since, but experienced trouble with bigger nose tackles (who doesn’t) but displayed toughness playing through 08' with a torn labrum he had surgically repaired this off season.

Quick, mean and mobile, Oakland hopes they’ve shored a position thats been weak since Barrett Robbins melt down and is especially important to the Raiders zone blocking scheme.

They may not be the first names that pop into your mind when thinking of the Raiders offense, but they will likely play a big part if Oaklands offense is to right itself in 09' .

                                                                    All Pro Punter Shane Lechler

Watching tape of last years loss to the Chargers in Oakland I was struck by a special teams play made by safety Tyvon Branch.

Even with a cast on his arm and double teamed Branch used his remarkable "football speed" to smash teeny, yet super elusive return man Darren Sproles for no gain, pinning San Diego inside their own 5 yard line.

Though injuries sidelined his rookie season early, ( He was placed on IR Nov. 5^th last year.) there are early signs the 6-0, 205 lb U Conn speedster Branch may live up to his draft day billing as "the number one gunner in the national football League, day one."

Even with the untimely passing of LB Marquis Cooper, the Raiders special teams should be pretty special this year.

Coopers death in a tragic boating mishap shouldn’t affect Oakland too badly, even though Cooper quickly became a team favorite and an effective special teams player. Ironically enough, it was likely Branch’s injury that saw free agent Cooper brought on board with the Raiders.

He was signed the same day Branch was placed on injured reserve.

Oakland bolstered its already high performing special teams this off season by keeping not only one of its better special teams tacklers, but by doing what many considered impossible, re signing the Leagues best punter, Shane Lechler.

On February 18th Lechler agreed to a record setting 4 year deal to stay a Raider after being voted to the Pro bowl for the 4^th time in his 9 year career. (Keeping Lechler and signing super star corner back Nnamdi Asomugha was considered "impossible" by naysayers, but thats exactly what Davis managed.)

On March 3^rd Oakland announced it had signed a new deal with LB Isaiah Ekejuiba setting another record and making him the richest core special teams player in history after a 3 year $5.4 million dollar deal. Ekejuiba received $1.25 million to sign.

In the end, Davis’s "outlandish record setting deals" may pale compared to what may happen in a no cap 2010, so his contracts may just be considered smart business a year or two from now.

In keeping with his secret special teams arms race, on the 16^th Oakland gave a 2 year deal to 2006 special teams pro bowler Justin Miller who joined the Raiders late last year and made a splash with 2 TD returns in 7 games.

Photo Getty Images

                                                                                                                DB / KR Justin Miller

Miller was waived by the Jets to make room for veteran CB Ty Law. Miller spent 2007 on IR after injuring his foot in the 3^rd game of the Jets 2007 pre season.

The 5-10, 195 lb DB / KR Miller gives Oaklands other dynamic, but at times erratic, return man Johnnie Lee Higgins a break so he can concentrate on pass receiving something he led the woeful wide outs in last year.

After a sometimes very shaky start, the 5-11, 185 Higgins found his wheels, returning 3 punts for TDs in 09'.

Further solidifying Oaklands special teams were the signings of LB John Alston and LS John Condo to their tendered $1.01 million dollar deals that will keep them in silver and black for another year.

Perhaps the biggest special teams loss this off season was special teams coach Brian Schneider, who defected to USC.

Whether it had anything thing to do with it or not, he was a Kiffin hire, but during his brief 2 year stint, Oakland enjoyed some of its most productive special teams play since the Raiders came home to Oakland.

To fill the void Davis went in house with the promotion of Schneider’s assistant John Fassel who came on board the same time as Schneider.

Fassel is the son of former Giants head coach Jim Fassel and is in part responsible for Oaklands outstanding special teams play.

Lets hope he was paying extra attention.

Though he has yet to become a fixture in late, game winning heroics, kicker Sebastian Janikowski has become the Raiders all time scorer and is always one of the Leagues leaders in touch backs.

                    
Photo / Rueters

                                                                     K Sebastian Janikowski                          

Though he had a few problems off field early with the Raiders and never really recovered from past coaches "getting into his swing" and trying to slow and alter his approach, in his 10 years as a Raider, he’s averaged 77.2% of his field goal attempts, booted 2, 57 yarders and made 296 of 299 extra point attempts.

He may never live up to his 1^st round draft status, but he hardly deserves the scorn some ill informed Raider fans heap upon him.

For Oakland special teams, new coaching remains the big question in 09'.

Special teams are 1/3rd of the game and though under rated, they can often decide the outcome of games and seasons.

The Raiders have stacked the deck in their favor in 09' and it will be interesting to see over the next few years how and if this will pay off.

It will also be interesting to see how the Leagues new "anti-wedge" law will affect special teams play, but all things considered and even with the money spent, if they can keep getting better, the Raiders may have gotten a bargain on what could be a very special, special teams unit.

Photo Paul Chin / The Chronicle

                                                                                                        DE Derrick Burgess

Let us not forget former Ole Miss grad Derrick Burgess was a business major.

His absence from camp really hasn’t ignited the type of controversy some might expect.

Part of it could be Burgess’s under performance the last few years, after back to back Pro Bowl appearances.

Many out side the organization and the Raider Nation forget just how dominant Burgess was because Oaklands offense during that time so wasn’t.

After assisting the Eagles to their first Super Bowl in 24 years in 2004 Burgess became a Raider and in 2005 earned his right to a post season in Hawaii by posting 56 tackles, 16 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 recoveries.

He started 12 games but played in all 16 and even played on special teams.

Burgess continued to be a terror in 06' recording 3 multiple sack games and finishing with 51 tackles, 11 sacks, a forced fumble and started all 16 games.

The 6-2, 260 lb pass rushers production dipped in 2007, tying for most sacks, tallying 8 to finish the year, but missed 2 games after injuring his calf in the 4^th quarter of a Sept. 16^th 23-20 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos.

Injury struck again in 2008 seeing Burgess miss 6 games mid way through the season with a torn right triceps.

These nagging injuries not only saw Burgess miss games and playing time, but limited him while he was in and his lack of top flight performance was evident.

Being the business major that he is, Burgess knows he needs to either get traded to a team that will sign him to a long term contract or earn his keep as a Raider with the former being more likely.

So, despite missing out on camp in 2009 and facing possible fines of just over $17,000 a day, the former Rebel may have calculated or even cleared his absences from Oaklands decidedly non contact practices.

Burgess meekly protested last year in March about his contract by sitting out of voluntary work outs during the Lane Kiffin blip, but as Kiffin generalized Burgess’s play and work ethic earned him the right.

He showed up in his usual tip top shape, but suffered a minor shoulder injury in a game one blow out that may have had something to do with his being held out the rest of the game.

Then in September, the triceps injury.

There were grumblings Burgess may not have been injured had he worked out with the team, but given his condition arriving at camp, that seems ridiculous, but he has been noticeably slowed with nagging injures the last 2 years.

Burgess is walking a thin line by holding out, but its very possible the business savvy DE has taken into account the effects and risks of "holding out" for a better pay check from Oakland in 09', while balancing how possible suitors might view the potential free agent come the end of the season.

If he ends up with the same nagging injuries and sits out a lot of contests again, he may never get that mega deal and may even stay a Raider, with a pay raise most likely. If he has another pro bowl performance he likely would reap a large contract from another team and head for greener pastures.

But first, he has to show up.

Look for him on Monday when contact drills begin. If he holds out longer than that, he may be more disgruntled than previously thought and hoping someone will offer the Raiders enough incentive to move him prior to the regular season.

Photo Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

                                                                                RB / WR / QB Darren McFadden

Michael Bush at full back. Jamarcus Russell lined up wide. Darren McFadden at QB.

Even with new faces, rookies and severe instability at times in 08', Oakland showed flashes of the offensive diversity they could bring to the table.

After last years aforementioned musical chairs at play caller, it will be interesting to see what Cable and "passing game coordinator" Ted Tollner can come up with.

Tollner’s got 46 years of coaching experience and hopefully between himself, Cable and whom ever else, they can create some packages and plays that exploit the vast amount of offensive firepower now at their finger tips.

A major problem with Oaklands defense has been the offenses inability to put points on the board, exemplified by a 206 play TD drought at one point in the 08' season.

Oakland offenses since the slump began have been guilty of not only failing at putting up points, but sustaining drives and completing crucial 3^rd downs.

In 2009, its hoped stability is in place at play caller finally, after "rookie" QB Jamarcus Russell went through 3 last year.

Trick formations and special plays are well and good on paper, but their success will count heavily on the Raiders maintaining its solid running game.

If Oakland can actually improve their top ten finishes they've enjoyed the past two seasons, some of its big gun arsenal can likely find their way open and into the end zone more often as defenses suck up to try and stuff the run.

New rookie speedster Darrius Heyward Bey is on board to stretch the field at wide out, complimented by last years surprises, Johnnie Lee Higgins and 7^th round pick Chaz Schilens, but the X factor could be current PUP lister, WR Javon Walker.

Photo Ezra Shaw / AP

                                                                                     WR Darrius Heyward Bey

Walker won’t go into specifics of the procedure he had this off season to his knee, but stated today he feels better physically than he has in ages.

If he can get and stay fully healthy through out 09', he could be, believe it or not, the one making big plays for the silver and black.

If not, wide outs like Darren McFadden and Michael Bush can always chip in.

A lot of teams are diversifying, Baltimore’s rookie QB Joe Flacco actually caught a pass last year and Miami is expected to expand on last years success of the "Wild Cat Offense" it used, on occasion, to stunning effect.

Yes, other teams are getting creative and diverse with their offenses too, but few have the explosive young talent Oakland has been stockpiling.

Lets hope they put it to good use in the years to come.