Part of it is the schedule, made difficult with the AFC West matching up against the AFC North and NFC South this season. That means bouts against several teams that made the playoffs last year, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
But teams within the AFC West have also improved, most notably the Denver Broncos, who added Peyton Manning this offseason.
And very quietly, the Kansas City Chiefs improved as well. Along with getting back key players like Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry—all lost for the season with injuries last year—the Chiefs were quietly very busy in free agency.
They added Peyton Hillis to the running game. Ex-Raider Kevin Boss was brought in to provide the team with a solid second option at tight end. Eric Winston was signed to solidify the offensive line. Ex-Raider Stanford Routt was brought in to play corner, since they were unlikely to keep Brandon Carr.
But what did the Raiders do this offseason?
Sure, they added a new general manager in Reggie McKenzie and a new coach in Dennis Allen. But up against the salary cap, they began to shed talent.
Routt, Boss, Kamerion Wimbley, Chris Johnson, Hiram Eugene and John Henderson were cut. Chaz Schilens, Rock Cartwright and Michael Bush went elsewhere in free agency.
It should be noted that the team wasn't totally silent this offseason, adding Phillip Wheeler, Mike Goodson, Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer, though none of those players are especially exciting additions.
And it certainly won't help the team's cause that they are without a first-round selection—or any pick, for that matt...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
