Although JaMarcus Russell didn't get a lot of playing time last season, you have to think that the Oakland Raiders are a lot better than they were with an offensive threat like Russell taking the snaps.

Last season, it was painfully obvious that the Raiders really had no chance of getting to the post season even with the AFC West being as bad as it was, but with the little time that their first pick got in on the action, you could tell times were a changing for fans of the Silver & Black.

In the off season, the Raiders, believe it or not, made some pretty prominent changes to make the team much better for the up coming season like signing both wide receiver Javon Walker and corner DeAngelo Hall. With these two Pro Bowl type football players, the Raiders have upgraded both on defense and on offense.

Personally, I think the Raiders biggest problem last season was scoring points. They had a decent defense as they always seem to have, but when it came to the offensive side of the ball, they were for the lack of a better word, useless, but with JaMarcus taking all the majority of the snaps, Justin Fargas becoming a better running back in terms of efficiency, Javon Walker being a down field threat and DeAngelo Hall shutting down Pro Bowl wide receivers, the Raiders a damn good chance of at least getting the Wild Card next season.

Not to mention, the Raiders have another high pick in the NFL Draft this year with the #4 pick in the first round, which gives the Raiders a good chance of getting Arkansas running back phenom Darren McFadden. With McFadden in the mix for the Raiders, we can start talking snatching the AFC West from the San Diego Chargers.