Scroll down and you’ll find the item about Bush. I didn’t make it up or use a 2008 article. That’s the word that’s out there – clearly he’s not the bruising blocker that Neal (or even O’Neal) is but maybe they just want to get him on the field more often w/o taking away touches from McFadden and feel this is a way to do it.

Also, at no point have I said Bush isn’t a capable receiver. I saw him play against SD in Wk 4 when he caught seven passes for 80 yards, but guess what? Kiffin was fired after that game, and Bush only had 11 grabs the rest of the season. McFadden, despite missing three games after that point, had 22. That underscores my point, McFadden is their best receiver out of the backfield from a fantasy perspective.

Bottom line, I think Bush has enough statistical upside to be drafted in a standard league, which is pretty high praise for a guy listed third on the depth chart and getting fullback ink. Anyone reading this that believes I don’t think Bush is a talent is dead wrong. It just boils down to how many touches the Raiders will give him at the expense of McFadden and Fargas.

As for the AFC West as a whole, you’re absolutely right, it’s probably the worst division in football (NFC West is right there as well). But, the Chargers are still the class of that division and picking Oakland to finish higher than second is being optimistic. Is it possible? Of course. Is it likely? No.

Finally, as far as a comparison to Miami, keep in mind the Dolphins brought in an entirely new front office (led by Parcells, who has a history of turning franchises around) and a veteran quarterback that played at a Pro Bowl level. Plus, they drew the NFC and AFC West — see the above paragraph for my thoughts on those divisions — which helped immensely. This year, OAK plays NYG, PHI, DAL, WAS, PIT and BAL in addition to two against SD, who I don’t think they’ve beaten since the Reagan administration. I just don’t see it. I will say this, though, it wouldn’t surprise me if Oakland wins 7-8 games and breaks their run of 10-plus-loss seasons.

With Oren O’Neal healthy and Lorenzo Neal now in the fold I don’t think anybody’s really planning on lining Bush up at FB unless absolutely necessary.

Get Current Please.

I also agree that Bush as a receiver is just as capable as McFadden in terms of catching the ball. He doesn’t have the kind of speed McFadden has after the catch, which obviously inflates yardage and fantasy numbers, but he’s a VERY capable receiver.

The other thing you failed to mention is the opportunities that will arise from our division being so weak this year. Even though the Raiders (unfortunately) have to square off with the NFC East, we have a pretty favorable schedule.

Otherwise….the piece is solid. Better than some of the fanboy crap I’m forced to read from other Raider fans.

Beyond that, most of the comments on here scream defensive Raider fan. To pretend Russell’s accuracy issues – he’s a career 53.9% passer – are imagined (or that they’re the fault of an admittedly poor receiving corps) is laughable. Yes, he’s drawn some favorable reviews this offseason, and the presence of Garcia should push him to raise his game, but he’s still being characterized as “hit or miss” with his accuracy from one day to the next… and those are reports from THIS offseason. Do I think he’s a lost cause? HELL no. He was the No. 1 pick because he has immense talent and tremendous physical gifts, and the Raiders have not put him in a position to succeed. That being said, from a fantasy perspective I stand by what I wrote – a standard league consists of 10 teams/15 rounds (150 picks), and I was recently in a 14-team expert draft (w/ dudes like Karabell, Engel & Pianowski) where Russell went with the 223rd pick (a full 73 selections outside that range). He’s not draftable in standard leagues. Period.

Michael Bush is a better passer than Darren McFadden? How is that relevant to anything? For better or worse McFadden is Davis’ guy, so much so that John Clayton recently had an article where he mentioned how Bush is unhappy in Oakland because they might put him at FB, comparing it to Le’Ron McClain’s situation in Baltimore. Also, Bush is a capable receiver, but come on now, he’s not McFadden. The Raiders have been lining up McFadden in the slot AS A RECEIVER during the offseason. There’s no way, barring injury, Bush has more receptions than McFadden.

And lastly, we’re talking about Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy? Schilens played here at SDSU, I like him, he’s got upside, but he’s not getting drafted in a fantasy league. Murphy, aka James Jett 2009, is a deep guy and not much else at this point, which isn’t a recipe for immediate success in the league. Maybe a flier in a DEEP keeper league, but he’s gonna be what? the 5th receiver? Come on now, you know better.

I stopped reading when you described Bush’s college injure as a knee injury.

HE BROKE HIS LEG AND HAD A ROD INSERTED!!!!!!

Do your homework.