McNabb to Oakland?

I'm not sold that McNabb makes the Raiders an instant contender, even in less-than-stellar AFC west.

1.) The Raiders still can't stop the run. Their linebackers are better suited in pass coverage. The secondary losing Asomugha means you have Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson in coverage, big step down. The defensive line is decent with Seymour in the middle, but they don't have anyone on the defense who is a certified stud, just a collection of average to above average players. This is a defense that gets absolutely murdered by power running attacks like the New York teams.

2.) The running game is always a question mark. Michael Bush has been chomping at the bit to get the lion's share of the carries, and at this point he has to be considered the favorite due to McFadden's durability issues and general ineffectiveness as a between the tackles runner. If McFadden is healthy, he's better suited in the 3rd down back, part time receiver mode. I'd even wonder at this point if they would consider moving him to receiver ala Eric Metcalf. He can also take snaps out of the wildcat.

3.) The offensive line is average at best. Robert Gallery is an above average guard, they still don't have a good left tackle, and the rest of the line is just not very good. They need some beasts up front like they had back in the glory days of Steve Weisnieski, Lincoln Kennedy and Barrett Robbins (before he went crazy), etc.

4.) The receiving corps is a mess. Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens are your likely week 1 starters and neither of those guys would be starting on other NFL clubs. Johnnie Lee Higgins is a good punt returner, doesn't have what it takes to be a receiver. Heyward-Bey is fast and thats it. No instincts, no hands, no route running, just another Al Davis scholarship. The lone bright spot is Zach Miller, who is underrated and with a dominant QB could put up Pro Bowl numbers. Problem is that he's such a complete tight end that he is relied on for his blocking, which limits the passing game severely.


So in short, I don't see how adding McNabb could put them over the top, but you never can tell until you see it happen in the NFL.

 

McNabb has been sent to Washington according to Schefter.