Biggest Question Marks for the Raiders coming into the new season

Personally I like to look at the positives coming into a new season but sometimes the negatives get in the way. Here are the biggest question marks for the Raiders that are worrying me heading into the new season.

Can Darren McFadden stay healthy? - Not only does McFadden getting injured every year hurt the Raiders but it also wrecks my chance at fantasy football glory. When healthy McFadden is a game changing player and one of the best backs in the league. But that is When healthy. Last year McFadden only played 7 games before suffering a season ending linsfrac injury. This year for the first time we will see both Palmer and McFadden play together and it should be scary good. IF McFadden can stay healthy then I don't see why the Raiders can't make a deep playoff run.

Can The Raiders defense get it together under Coach Allen and co? - Last year Chucky Bresnahan failed to turn the Raiders defense into a 'bully' like Hue Jax wanted. In reality it was the 29th worst defence and looked appalling especially in pass defence losing us key games against the Lions, Packers, Dolphins and Chargers. Reggie McKenzie came in and immediatly fired Hue and brought in Allen, a defensive minded HC. Hopefully Allen can do what he did in Denver and turn around a poor defence.


Can Palmer return to his best and lead the team to Playoff glory? - Palmer was very hot and cold last season as he shook off the rust after seating on his couch for half the season. There were glimpses of his old self and it looked promising in week 10 when he connected with D.Moore on some big plays but after that he didn't really look much better that Jason Campbell. In a recent CSN interview he claimed his best days were still ahead of him. Lets hope he really means it.

Can our new players replace old ones and be difference makers? - Stanford Routt, Kamerion Wimbley and Michael Bush are all former Raiders. All 3 were key players last year and all 3 must be replaced. At CB the Raiders have signed Ron Bartell and Spencer. At LB we signed Phillip Wheeler and drafted Miles Burris and at RB we traded for Mike Goodson. Aswell as these player the Raiders have brought in several other free agents as well our 2012 draft class. Nobody truly knows how well these players will perform which is why it is a big question mark. Hopefully they will not only replace but improve from last years players.