The team is coming off their first non-losing season since 2002, and it is important to the franchise and their fanbase to come back with a positive season in 2011.
Almost half of Oakland's roster is made up of potential free agents depending on the new CBA.
There are a lot of key players included in that list: Nnamdi Asomugha, Richard Seymour, Michael Bush, Michael Huff, Robert Gallery, Stanford Routt, John Henderson, Langston Walker, Zach Miller, Mario Henderson and Samson Satele are all on the list and started at least a game for the Raiders during the season.
Other longtime Raiders include Thomas Howard, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Hiram Eugene, Sam Williams, Ricky Brown, Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski.
Continuity has been a big issue for the Raiders in the years past, especially on the coaching side. This year there will be yet another coaching change for the Raiders.
It's easy for everyone to hit the panic button and worry about the Raiders' chances of being a competitive team next season. It's natural because last season was the best season the Raiders have had since they lost in the Super Bowl in 2002.
The reality is this team is headed in the right direction, and Al Davis will do what he can to bring back the players that will be essential to the Raiders' rise.
In 2010 the Raiders may have improved on their record, but they didn't improve in the standings. They finished third in the AFC West and still missed the playoffs, despite winning all their division games.
The most important person to retain on the coaching staff this year was Hue Jackson and not Tom Cable. Jackson's offense was in the top 10 in the league, and it will be important for the Jason Campbell and the Raiders offense to be in the same system.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
