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"D" is the key
for Oakland in 2000. Eric Allen
(above) provides stabiilty in a
talented secondary.
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One Year
Wonders?
2000 has been a year of questions for the Oakland
Raider. First, would Barrow return to guide the
team another year, and second, can they have the
type off success in the new millennium that was
enjoyed last century. Now that we know the answer
to number one, Barrow sets out to prove the
skeptics wrong and turn in another stellar season,
the same type that help him garner PFL coach of the
year honors. If the Raiders are to challenge for
the AFC west again, they will have to take care of
the perennial AFC West giant, Waymon Gresham.
Barrow still has yet to prove that he can handle
Gresham when it counts. Barrow is 0-5 vs. Gresham
during the regular season, although he has won some
preseason games. Also the resurgence of the Forty
Niners should make it tough to dominate the
division as he did last year, winning all of his
division games, except those against Denver
(Gresham). However, Barrow did defeat Allen, and
the Niners three times last season, twice in the
regular season and also in the playoffs.
WINNING THE
DIVISION
The fact that
Oakland must at least split with St. Louis and San
Francisco will make it tough for him to win the
west outright. Although he was 3-0 vs. Allen, prior
to last year, the Niners were 5-0 against the
Raiders. This makes Barrow a combined 3-10 against
Gresham and Allen. Until Barrow proves he can win
against Gresham when it counts, he will not be
viewed as a serious contender in the west. However,
the rest of THE LEAGUE best look out as the Raiders
went 12-2 against the rest of the PFL.
GRADING THE
RAIDERS
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Offense
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B+
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Defense
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B+
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Special
Teams
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A-
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Coaching
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B+
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PREDICTION
Because of the
Raiders tough schedule, I look for them to struggle
a little . Tough games against the Jets, Buffalo,
San Francisco twice, St, Louis twice, Kansas City,
Tampa Bay, and Minnesota, could be a bit much for
the Raiders to handle throughout the season. I see
Oakland struggling early to get to 3-3 before
finishing at somewhere around 9-7, 3rd in the
division.
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