Oakland Raiders: Offensive Preview – Carr and Co on the road to the top
The Oakland Raiders may be on another level in terms of offensive firepower entering the 2017 season. Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper are a fearsome trio. Now, by adding Marshawn Lynch they just became unstoppable. Last season was a one for the ages as the Raiders averaged 26 points per game.
However, 2017 looks to be even better.
With Lynch taking over for Latavius Murray, the Raiders ground game will be just as feared as the Dallas Cowboys.
Lynch is a winner and will bring that to Oakland as well as his ability to make tacklers miss. Besides the yardage, Lynch will give the Raiders a better option for play-action. Murray was good but he does not carry the respect that Lynch does. 2nd & 8 will mean nothing for Derek Carr and Co.
Nevertheless, the season will still come down to the wide receivers.
What Crabtree and Cooper have been able to do has been nothing short of remarkable. Cooper was seen as a can’t miss talent but Crabtree has been the real surprise. His time with the 49ers was marred with inconsistencies and questions regarding work ethic, needless to say, he has put that in the rear view.
One thing that was missing in the Oakland Raiders passing game was a quality TE. They now have one of those. They signed veteran TE Jared Cook. Cook has seen playing time with his fair share of teams. This may very well be his last stop in his career. However, it could be one that is rewarding.
The Raiders have the offense that could make even the best of defenses wish they never stepped on the same field.
What transpired in 2016 has no measure to what they can do in 2017. It is easy to say that Lynch is the difference maker but Carr is really the man to watch. His growth over the first three seasons of his career has been Tom Brady-like but he is still learning. The tools are there, the weapons are ready and the sky is literally the limit.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
