NFL 2012: Oakland Raiders Season Outlook

Quick Review of 2011

Offense—No. 11 passing, No. 7 rushing, No. 9 total

Defense—No. 27 passing, No. 27 rushing, No. 29 total

Perhaps, no regular season in Oakland Raiders history was as heart-breaking and frustrating as 2011 was.

After posting an 8-8 season in 2010, breaking seven years of losing at least 11 games, and sweeping the AFC West that year, the Raiders were hoping to be contenders last season.

With new coach Hue Jackson, the team started 4-2. During that good start, the Raiders lost iconic owner Al Davis. Davis, who held virtually absolute power and had been with the Raiders since 1963, died on October 8.

The Raiders' heartaches continues as they lost quarterback Jason Campbell for the season. He went down with a broken collarbone against the Cleveland Browns.

The Raiders then made a trade with Cincinnati for quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer, who had "retired" in Cincinnati, led the Raiders into December with a 7-4 record.

However, the Raiders' 29th-ranked defense played horribly down the stretch. They were blown out in consecutive road losses at Miami and Green Bay before a frustrating 28-27 loss to Detroit.

Then, after a penalty-filled win over Kansas City, they lost the finale to San Diego 38-26 to finish again at 8-8.



They lost a three-way tie for the division against Denver and San Diego, and Hue Jackson was fired after only one season.

 

New Additions

CB Ron Bartell, G Mike Brisiel, WR Duke Calhoun, DE Hall Davis, RB Mike Goodson, OT Kevin Haslam, G Nick Howell, TE Troy Humphrey, G Zach Hurd,  RB Rashawn Jackson,  CB Terrail Lambert, CB Pat Lee, QB Matt Lienart, WR Eddie McGee, C Colin Miller,  RB Lonyae Miller, FB Owen Schmitt, CB Shawntae Spencer,  S Curtis Taylor, DE Dave Tollefson, CB Brandon Underwood,  OT Ed Wang, LB Philip Wheeler
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders