The NFL’s Future Powerhouses: Pt 3

The Oakland Raiders
Yes, Yes I know this seems like quite a reach and shock to all FSB readers, but keep in mind, this article is assessing the brightness of the future of these franchises; it says nothing about being great at the moment. Keep an open mind while reading this article and you will understand how, if managed and coached correctly (which is understandably a large IF considering their current ownership/GM/lord in Al Davis), the Raiders could potentially be a contender in the NFL again relatively soon.

Because of the mass of negative media coverage surrounding the Oakland Raiders and their poor play, people seem to forget that their defense showed potential throughout the last season. While their rush defense was notably poor allowing 155.5 yards per game on the ground (good for 29th out of 32 in the league), their pass defense was a very impressive 7th overall in the NFL allowing a total of 206 yards per game through the air. While same say that this statistic is inflated due to the lack of ability to stop the run, I say it is a combination of that as well as the talent which the Raiders hold in their secondary.
Let us begin with the increasingly recognizable CB, Nnamdi Asomugha. Fortunately for the Raiders, Asomugha is a rare blend of speed and physicality which allows him to be one of not only the most complete, but also top overall corners in the NFL (I dare say the most complete corner before the incredible emergence of Darrell Revis last season). While Nnamdi is an incredible first round pick out of Cal, 30 year old Chris Johnson out of Louisville was equally impressive opposite Asomugha last season and was considered by some as a borderline Pro Bowl snub because of his high level of play. While the age of 30 is not exactly young for a corner, the Raiders have invested decently well in a stockpile of young speedy talent who have high upside such as 26 year old Stanford Routt and 24 year old John Holland out of Louisiana Tech.

On top of their dynamic corner tandem, the Raiders possess a nice group of young safeties at their disposal. At the FS slot the raiders rotate hard hitting Hiram Eugene and center fielder Michael Huff, while neither has been incredible, Huff showed his first round potential this past season with 59 tkls and 3 ints in a reserve safety role. However it is the SS position where the Raiders are well off as former CB Tyvon Branch out of UConn emerged last season as a top level safety. His season which included 124 tackles, 1 sack, 2ffs, and 8 passes defended showed nothing short of a miraculous transition from corner to safety. The Raiders really hit on this guy with the 100th pick in the draft, his blend of size and speed made him an incredible corner, however his inability to consistently stay square in man to make coverage forced his transition to what has ended up being his top position.

While the secondary traditionally is defined as corners and safeties, the Raider’s young linebacking tandem of Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison are so strong in coverage, that they must be placed into the secondary category. Howard (26 years old) logged 6 interceptions just one season ago and his elite speed for a linebacker (4.49 40 yard dash in the combine) allows him serious upside coverage. Morrison, while not quite as savvy in space as Howard, logged a 4 INT season just 2 seasons ago, and this year was not so shabby as he led the Raiders with 133 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Both of these linebackers offer high ceiling over their already high playing levels, however it will be up to the Raiders to realize this potential and to help them achieve this as I have already seen reports that the Raiders may allow Morrison to go free soon (As the disclaimer above stated, I am simply speaking on the talent which the Raiders possess, however I cannot speak to the ability of Al Davis to realize that talent and keep a hold of it).

While the Raiders have unlimited upside on the defensive side of the ball, their offensive side is where they have the most work to do. Their offensive line is in shambles as only Mario Henderson (LT) and Samson Satele are the only linemen offer any long-term potential. However Henderson lacks the footwork to become a viable LT, and Satele was released just the past season from the Dolphins because of his inability to move defenders off the ball in the run game. The Raiders do however offer extremely high potential in their impressive stable of halfbacks. Michael Bush and Darren McFadden are seemingly household names because of their famed collegiate careers, and Justin Fargas is gaining ground through his strong play during the past two seasons. While I feel Fargas will eventually be the odd man out of this trio because of this age (30 years old), Michael Bush’s incredible blend of size and speed make his ceiling limitless, and McFadden’s collegiate playmaking abilities make him a threat to hit a homerun with each touch he is given (if he ever unlocks it).

The Raider’s last positions of high upside are their TE and WR spots. TE Zach Miller out of Arizona State has displayed serious ability in the short to intermediate game and occasional deep ball, as shown by his leading the Raiders in receiving with 66 catches for 805 yards and 3 tds. His blend of average blocking but consistency as a receiver reminds us at the FSB of his fellow Sun Devil, Todd Heap who fits the bill as a top notch tight end (who has had his career unfortunately derailed by constant injuries). At the WR position, the Raiders have high upside in Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens, and in PR/KR Johnny Lee-Higgins. Murphy continually flashed in the pre-season as a rookie to watch last season, and throughout the regular season he did not disappoint as he hauled in 34 balls for 521 yards and 4 tds, with his best game coming against the Pittsburg Steelers to the tune of 4 rec for 128 yds and 2 tds. Schilens, the consensus number 1 receiver going into the last season was slowed by injury holding him to only 8 games, however he made a strong case to keep his position as he closed the season strong with 12 rec and 163 yards in the final two games of the season. In conclusion, the Raiders offer seriously high potential to whoever looks deep enough into their depth chart. If the described potential is ever unlocked, and a few critical pieces are added (mainly a QB and D/O line pieces) to the puzzle, the Oakland Raiders could be a force to be reckoned with for seasons to come.

The NFL's Future Powerhouses (pt 2)

The San Francisco 49ers

Another team which will be more than competitive in the near future is the San Francisco 49ers. While surprising to few that I added the 9ers to this article, I will not only explain why the 49ers are on the path to success, but also why they will stay there. Their record last season (8-8) was no mistake, their schedule was difficult, they played well, and they found an identity towards the end of the season. Two seasons ago the struggling 49ers were the laughing stock of the NFC West (believe it or not the Rams were respectable!). They lacked offense (more specifically a QB), defense, and their coach (now Denver Bronco’s defensive coordinator Mike Nolan) seemed more interested in battling to wear suits on the sidelines of games than fixing the whimpering 9ers. This all began to change when Nolan was relieved of his duties and defensive assistant Mike Singletary was elevated to the head coaching position.

Singletary’s reign began on a sour note as San Fran was thrashed by the Leonard Weaver led Seahawks (34-14) during his debut, however his passionate actions of sending, then “bust” Vernon Davis to the showers early, as well as exposing his posterior to the team during half time (in order to show them “what was being kicked”) seemed to rejuvenate the once proud franchise. The 9ers began playing with a passion and newfound fire on defense under Mike’s no nonsense style finishing the season 5-4 under Singletary after a 2-5 start. This success carried over to toe 09-10 season as the 9ers started out hot (3-1) only to struggle with offensive identity and injuries to key players (Joe Staley, Nate Clements, and Frank Gore, etc.) and finish an improved but mediocre 8-8. This places Singletary’s record at a successful 13-12 in SF (successful compared to his predecessors) allowing me to consider his coaching future bright (for both wins and classic audio/video clips). While coaching can’t be counted on as what has the 49ers on this list, it is an integral piece.

The 49ers history of poor play can be traced back many years to the departures of WR Terrell Owens, RB Garrison Hearst, and QB Jeff Garcia (essentially removing the integral pieces of what was an already scotch taped together franchise). This decline took the Niners from their annual 9-7 record towards a bevy of top 10 draft picks. The Niners drafted many players chalk full of talent and potential, and it is that potential which is now beginning to be realized and turning this franchise around. Defensively San Francisco is built for upside and long term success. They are lead by all-world MLB and Ole Miss Alumni Pattrick Willis who in 3 short seasons has become the NFL’s standard for linebackers. He is flanked by athletic freak Manny Lawson (Mario William’s bookend at NC State, 6’5” 275lbs and runs a 4.45), and the surprisingly effective Parys Haralson (15.5 sacks in 4 seasons) and is complimented by former Bengals and Bills stalwart Takeo Spikes. Also, don’t’ sleep on Ahmad Brooks at OLB either, this former Virginia Cavalier was heralded as a first round pick until a slew of injuries derailed his senior season and he fell in the draft; he flashed his potential this past season spelling Haralson and Lawson racking up 21 tackles, 6 sacks, and a whopping 5 forced fumbles.

This imposing linebacking core is made even better by the MASSIVE (yet athletic) defensive line trio of DE Justin Smith (285 lbs), Nose Tackle Aubrayo Franklin (317 lbs), and DE Isaac Sopoaga (330 lbs). All three are under the age of 30 and all three are improving with every game, especially Franklin, who is being considered by many scouts around the league as a potentially top tier NT in the NFL (now of only potential 1st round bust Kentwan Balmer (DE) could get on track this team’s line would be absolutely loaded with young talent!). The Niners are also chalk full of secondary talent as Shawntee Spencer continues to impress alongside (over paid but) talented Nate Clements while Longhorn Tarrell Brown continues to develop (40 tkl 2 INT, actually sent Clements to the bench this last season because of his strong play during practice and in nickel packages). Lastly, the 49ers also have a potentially top notch playmaker at free safety in Dashon Goldson. At 26 Goldson finally passed the oft burned Mark Roman for the top spot on the depth chart and all he did was register 94 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions (I realize most were in 1 game but what a showing of talent that was!). All of these pieces work together to form a solid defensive squad that stops the run, pressures the QB, and (through solid drafting and development) will soon be able to shut down the pass as well.

While the 49ers have shown some serious upside on the defensive side of the ball, they have equally impressive prospects on offense as well. Their offensive line is strong across the board and has shown flashes of dominance in the run game. While Frank Gore has already shown that he is a top level RB in the NFL, he is helped out by players like Joe Staley at LT, who is already establishing himself as a top tier blindside protector at only 26 years old. Staley is further supported by the 49ers depth in veterans Adam Snyder (G), David Baas (G), and 2nd year USC Alum Chilo Rachal (G) who has shown serious promise (and inconsistency) during his starts at RG. This, along with the presence of grey-beards Eric Heitmann, and Barry Sims (who filled in admirably for an injured Staley this past season) allows the Niners to keep their path even when injuries to the OL strike.

While the 9ers have upside in many facets of their team, the 49ers are built for serious success at their skill positions. Their Firstly, 2nd year wide out Josh Morgan and rookie sensation Michael Crabtree have the 49ers set at the WR position for years to come. On top of that, young reserves Brandon Jones and Jason Hill are no slouches either. Furthermore, former mega bust Vernon Davis (TE), emerged this year in a big way under Singletary’s tutelage. While Vernon has always been a physical marvel (6’3.5 255 lbs, 4.38 in the 40 yd dash/42” vertical leap) his attitude and work ethic had made him little more than a circus freak. However, Singletary’s hard-nosed approach to teaching, and a rejuvenated interest for football (along with the responsibility of being named captain of the team) led to Vernon’s emergence as one of the top TE’s in the NFL this past season (78 rec, 965 yds, league leading 13tds for TEs). 

While all of these pieces make for a very talented offense, it was the resurfacing and rediscovery of former number 1 overall draft choice Alex Smith (QB) which has carried this team from future potential to NFC West favorites in the upcoming seasons. Smith’s unique combination of arm strength and mobility allowed the 49ers to jump start their 2009 season after their Shaun Hill lead offense stalled mid way through the season. Written off as a lost cause, Smith restarted his career throwing for an incredible 2350yds and 18tds with during only 10 starts. The potential of this team is incredible, and as long as their young talent continues to buy in to Mike Singletary’s hard-nosed program there is no telling the ceiling of their future.


Gore/Smith Photo Credit- Kyle Terada, US Presswire
Willis/Staley Photo Credit- By Paul Sakuma, AP