Read More: Jason Campbell (QB – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Bruce Campbell (G – OAK), David Ausberry (TE – OAK), Terrelle Pryor (QB – OAK), Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos

The Oakland Raiders are leaving the bay to visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and the team recently released its official inactive list for the game. The team posted the list on its Twitter feed, but you can see it below in all of its glory:

- RB Darren McFadden

- QB Jason Campbell

- QB Terrelle Pryor

- CB Chris Johnson

- CB Chimdi Chekwa

- OG Bruce Campbell

- TE David Ausberry

The big name here is obviously running back Darren McFadden. He’s one of the game’s elite running backs and playmakers, and a key reason that Oakland has the league’s second-best rushing offense through the first half of the season. Jason Campbell is another big omission, but we all already knew that he was going to miss the remainder of the season.

For more on Sunday’s game, check out Mile High Report, SB Nation’s Denver Broncos blog, and Silver And Black Pride, SB Nation’s Oakland Raiders blog. For more on the NFL, check out SB Nation’s NFL page.

By Joel Thorman

– NFL Editor, SBNation.com

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Sep 1, 2011 – The 2011 NFL season is almost here which means it’s time to preview every team’s chances this year. SB Nation’s Silver And Black Pride gives us the scoop on the Oakland Raiders. 

Record Prediction

The Raiders have a huge variance in their projected win total. A couple of injuries in the wrong spots on defense could really cripple this team. They have two solid starting cornerbacks in Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, but after that they have a group of first and second year players and the recently acquired Lito Sheppard-who was a disaster last season for the Vikings. 

Corner isn’t the only depth concern on this squad. This team is thin at linebacker. Second year player Travis Goethel was lost to the season with a blown ACL. This has left the Raiders without a backup middle linebacker. The hope was also that Goethel could take over the weakside linebacking duties for the underwhelming Quentin Groves.

So, barring reasonable health in these positions…

Prediction: 9-7

The offense is showing signs of being able to carry this team. Jason Campbell looks more confident in the pocket and he is surrounded by weapons. Rookie Denarius Moore and veteran acquisition Derek Hagan add depth to a young and promising receiving corp. And this team is absolutely loaded in the backfield. 

Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Taiwan Jones and Marcel Reece form the most talented backfield in the league. If this offense gets some blocking they are going to succeed. And to that end, things are looking up. 

The re-signing of center Samson Satele has allowed this team to move rookie Stefen Wisniewski to left guard. Also, Bruce Campbell has looked good early and should soon take over starting duties at right guard. 

Best Game on the Schedule:

San Diego in Oakland, Week 17

These two played two fantastic games last season, and there is the possibility that this game could be for the division. Of course, there is the possibility that this game will be meaningless, but that is the nature of pegging a Week 17 contest as the must see event on the schedule. 

Player Who Takes a Step Back This Year

Kamerion Wimbley

Wimbley had a fantastic year rushing the passer last season. However, he only gets an opportunity to rush the passer on third down passing situations. The rest of the time he is playing linebacker and the Raiders almost never blitz their linebackers. It is hard to see him duplicating his sack numbers this season.

Breakout Players

DE, Matt Shaughnessy – WR, Denarius Moore

Best Raider That Other Fans Don’t Know About

DE, Matt Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy is a tremendous DE. He is solid against both the pass and the run. He is an every down player, and will be years to come. 

Most Underrated Player

Stanford Routt

Most people around the league snickered when the Raiders gave Routt his large contract, but this guy has turned into a legit number one corner. 

Fantasy Football Outlook

If Darren McFadden stays healthy, he is going to be a top ten fantasy producer. He has the complete package and the Raiders are committed to getting him the ball. If he gets hurt, Michael Bush instantly becomes a highly rated fantasy back.

Stay away from the passing game. The Raiders want to be a run first team. The one person to watch here is Jacoby Ford. The Raiders will try to find ways to get him as many touches as possible.

Definitely draft Sebastian Jankikowski. He is in top form and is hitting 64 yarders in practice and has drilled everything right down the middle in the preseason.

Best Media Personality

Hue Jackson

Jackson’s energy is infectious. He speech is custom made for sound-bytes. He is personable and he never shies away from an interview.

Best Player to Follow on Twitter

Joe Barksdale @BazookaJoe72 

Barksdale is always on Twitter. He is a down to earth guy, and he offers perspective of the life of an NFL rookie. 

Read More: Kamerion Wimbley (LB – OAK), Stanford Routt (CB – OAK), Michael Bush (RB – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Matt Shaughnessy (DE – OAK), Travis Goethel (LB – OAK), Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings

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As the Oakland Raiders head into their second preseason game of the year, the position battles have become much more interesting with the flash flood of injuries that the Raiders have incurred recently. Specifically, the injuries to cornerback Chris Johnson, center Samson Satele and wide receiver Louis Murphy, the Raiders will need to take a serious look at their depth in those positions and evaluate talent heading into the regular season.

Offensive Line

Samson Satele will likely not be playing in the game against the 49ers this Saturday after leaving practice early this week and having x-rays done on his leg. While coach Hue Jackson does not think the injury is serious, he will still need to take a good look at options along the offensive line just in case.

The injury means that rookie Stefan Wisniewski will be getting snaps as the first team center. Wisniewski had previously been working with the first team as the right guard, playing alongside Satele. Moving Wisniewski over means taking a look at other possible options at right guard. The most likely potential starters at right guard should Satele remain injured are second year player Bruce Campbell and veteran Cooper Carlisle.

Raiders fans are still waiting to see if the massive Campbell will be able to crack the starting lineup. Meanwhile, many thought former starter at right guard Cooper Carlisle would be cut this off season. However, he had a good game against the Cardinals last week and may be knocking on the door as the back up and potential starter should the injuries continue.

Wide Receiver

Currently, the only healthy wide receivers the Raiders have on their roster that stand a chance to get real playing time this year are Darrius Heyward-Bey, Nick Miller, Derek Hagan and rookie Denarius Moore. Hagan and Miller are both fighting for roster spots and as such will not be in real competition for serious playing time unless they really have a special final three weeks of the preseason.

DHB is still an Al Davis pick who will continue to get opportunities to prove himself despite his disappointing first few seasons in the NFL. Meanwhile, rookie Denarius Moore just keeps impressing in everything he does. While injuries are never good, giving Moore the opportunity to get reps with the first team in the preseason will give him the opportunity to show whether or not he is the real deal.

Cornerback

The Raiders cornerback situation was already severely limited by the departure of Nnamdi Asomugha. However, with the injury to Chris Johnson, it has become uncomfortably clear just how dire the situation at that position is. With Johnson out for the remainder of the preseason, rookie Demarcus Van Dyke and second year players Jeremy Ware and Walter McFadden are going to see expanded playing time.

Both second year players, Ware and McFadden, have been terrible in the preseason thus far. Both made major mistakes in the game agains the Cardinals while playing against second and third team players. In addition, neither has made thier mark during training camp.

DVD had a rather impressive showing in his debut with the Raiders. Most have been discouraging of his performance in week one, but I think that is an unfair assessment. The fact of the matter is, DVD did not play a lot of man coverage in college and man coverage was not thought to be his strong point. In addition, he was matched up against one of the league’s best receivers in Larry Fitzgerald for a good portion of his playing time. Despite this and the lack of OTA’s and a legitimate off season, DVD did pretty well. I did not once see him allow a receiver to get good separation. In addition, he did a great job of getting his head around to look for the ball and putting himself in a good position to make a play. While he did not make that many plays, he has shown the ability to do the little things that a good cornerback must do well.

Due to the lack of depth at corner, we can also expect to see Michael Huff spending some time at the nickel back position this weekend. After being re-signed, Huff expressed a desire to play more positions like he did at Texas. Specifically, he mentioned the desire to play more nickel cornerback this season.

It should be a good game with plenty to watch for, especially considering the Raiders are probably still a little bitter about the embarrassing performance they put on in San Francisco during the regular season last year. This is one preseason game the Raiders really do want to win.

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We’ve completed to-do lists for the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers from the AFC West. That leaves you know who as the remaining team in the division.

Are the Raiders a team on the upswing after their best record in eight years?  Or are they just another 8-8 team adrift without a real solution at quarterback?  

The Raiders took care of a lot of business by retaining a handful of players before the lockout started, but there is still plenty of work to do.

1. Re-sign Zach Miller.

Miller is a cornerstone to Oakland’s offense, not to mention one of the game’s most underrated players. Miller seems like a guy who should be a Raider for life.  He’s also one of the best tight end free agents in years, so Oakland will have to pay up big money.

2. Make a competitive offer to Nnamdi Asomugha.

He’s worth it. Will Asomugha get a monster deal elsewhere?  Probably, but we’re still not sure where it will come from.  It’s at least possible the best offer comes from Oakland.  Shane Lechler wound up staying when he thought he would leave.

3. Reconfigure offensive line.

Mario Henderson, Langston Walker, and Khalif Barnes are all not under contract. Robert Gallery is going to leave.  The team is mostly transitioning away from zone blocking, which played to the strengths of Samson Satele and Cooper Carlisle.

The Raiders drafted two linemen early, but they may be asking too much of the rookies and 2010 pick Bruce Campbell.  This is a huge rebuilding project for new line coach Bob Wylie, and perhaps the biggest reason to doubt Oakland as a playoff team.

4. Look for value at quarterback, especially Vince Young.

Jason Campbell hasn’t shown he’s the answer yet, and he’s not under contract in 2012.  The Raiders are in a good position because they aren’t desperate for a quarterback, but they should be looking for value.

There are too many interesting quarterback names available this offseason, and not enough jobs.  Al Davis loves to rehab talented quarterbacks, and Young has shown he can produce at a high level.  VY in Oakland: What could go wrong?

5. Retain Michael Bush.

There is some question about Bush’s status because he was on the NFI list as a rookie.  We believe he’ll be a restricted free agent, which should make him easy enough to retain.

6. Bolster cornerback depth.

This assumes list item No.2 doesn’t work.  The Raiders are better situated to handle the departure of free safety Michael Huff than if Asomugha leaves as expected.  Rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke looks like a project.  The Raiders don’t want to rely on Chris Johnson and Walter McFadden too much.

7. Find a linebacker.

It didn’t happen in the draft, but the Raiders could use an alternative to Quentin Groves on the weak side.

8. Stay hungry.

The world isn’t out to get you, Raiders Nation.  The NFL would love to see Oakland be relevant again after being one of the worst franchises in the league for nearly a decade.

Despite those struggles, we sense an odd overconfidence bubbling within the franchise after one .500 season. This team is talented enough to make a run at 10 wins, but not so talented they couldn’t collapse right back to five wins.

There is a lot of work to do and we hope Hue Jackson is the man to let this roster know 8-8 was just a start, not something to be overly excited about when a lot of talent could leave town.