Oakland Raiders 2010 Strength of Schedule, Futures Odds and Predictions

The Raiders can't possibly get any worse, right? Oakland finished 5-11 last season for its NFL-record seventh consecutive season with at least 11 losses, and the Raiders are 29-83 since losing to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII.

But perhaps Oakland will have a little addition by subtraction this season after cutting loose overweight, unmotivated 2007 No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, who could go down as the biggest draft bust ever. Last season Russell completed only 48.8 percent of his passes and had three touchdowns to go with 11 picks and a 50.0 rating. Oakland pulled the plug following a dismal Week 10 game against the Chiefs, although he did get into a few later games because of injuries to Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye. Overall, Russell earned an obscene million and led the team to a 7-18 record as a starter.

Nfl 2012

The Raiders should have at least some stability at the position this year with former Redskin Jason Campbell, who came over from Washington for a 2012 fourth-round pick. Campbell started 52 games for Washington since being a first-round pick in 2005. He has thrown for 55 touchdowns, 38 interceptions and has a career passer rating of 82.3. That is absolutely an upgrade over Russell. The Raiders were second to last in the NFL in scoring with 197 points last season and gained the second-fewest yards.

Oakland should have a solid defense, as the Raiders love 2010 first-round NFL Draft pick Rolando McClain, a linebacker from Alabama who should be in the Defensive Rookie of the Year running. Oakland also acquired former first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley from the Browns, and he had four sacks in the preseason win over the Bears. Plus Nnamdi Asomugha remains the best cornerback in the league not named Revis.

But these are, of course, the Raiders, and 2008 first-rounder Darren McFadden hasn't been able to get on the field much in camp or the preseason because of a hamstring issue, pretty much handing the No. 1 running back job to Michael Bush. Last year's first-rounder, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, also has missed time with fatigue (fatigue?). Neither looks like they will live up to where they were picked. And up-and-coming receiver Chaz Schilens may need arthroscopic surgery on his knee that could put his status for opening day in jeopardy. Schilens had 29 catches for 365 yards and two touchdowns last season after missing the first eight games with a broken foot.

At least Oakland has one of the best kicking games in the NFL!

Many oddsmakers have pegged the Raiders as a potential surprise team this year - not playoff-contention surprise but at least able to not lose double-digit games again. Oakland's 'over/under' for NFL season win totals is 6. Let's break down the 2010 Oakland Raiders schedule (all times Eastern):

Week 1: Sunday, Sep. 12, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 19, St. Louis, 4:05 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 26, at Arizona, 4:15 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, Houston, 4:05 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, at San Francisco, 4:05 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 24, at Denver, 4:15 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31, Seattle, 4:15 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, Kansas City, 4:15 PM
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21, at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28, Miami, 4:05 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5, at San Diego, 4:05 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19, Denver, 4:15 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, Indianapolis, 4:05 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, at Kansas City, 1:00 PM

This schedule is rated right in the middle (T16) among NFL teams in opponents' 2009 winning percentage of.500 (128-128). There are only four games against playoff teams.

This may not rank as the easiest schedule in the league it certainly looks like one of them when it comes to NFL picks. As bad as the Rams and Cardinals have looked in the preseason, it's realistic to think Oakland could actually have a 2-1 September, probably losing at Tennessee (which is a 6.5-point favorite). And travel shouldn't be a problem for this team as after playing at Tennessee, the Raiders don't cross the country until Week 11 when they play at Pittsburgh.

The Raiders don't play a divisional rival until Week 5 against the Chargers. And they don't play any back-to-back games against AFC West opponents. Is this the year Oakland finally beats San Diego? The Bolts have won 13 in a row in the series, the longest active NFL winning streak by one team over another.

That Oct. 3 game against Houston likely starts three in a row against 2010 playoff teams, but then the Raiders - believe it or not - could go on a three-game winning streak. The NFL handicapping indicates they should actually be home favorites against the Seahawks and Chiefs and have won in Denver the past two years.

Probably the only legitimate road chance Oakland has after the bye comes in what should be the team's lone cold-weather game, in K.C. But the Raiders have won there the past three years.

I love the 'over' 6 here because I don't think there's a chance that the Raiders do worse than a push. But I expect a 7-9 record and maybe even a second-place finish in the AFC West. Better things may finally be ahead for this team.

Oakland Raiders 2010 Strength of Schedule, Futures Odds and Predictions

Doc Moseman is one of the pioneers of college football and the NFL Handicapping industry. Check out his Web site for up-to-the-minute NFL Odds and his famous winning college football and NFL picks.

How To Build Size, Strength and Razor-Sharp Shape in Your Legs

Have you ever noticed the upper and lower leg development of elite soccer players, sprinters or NFL running backs? If not, you should because all of these athletes have extraordinary leg development. If you're like most beginning bodybuilders, you spend most of your time checking and working on the "t-shirt" muscles of your upper body. But ignoring your legs as part of your bodybuilding program is like a tree trying to grow without roots. A balanced physique requires powerfully built legs to complement your arm, chest and shoulder development.

For powerlifters, heavy squats are the beginning and end of virtually all of their leg training efforts. And if all you want is to be able to squat 500 pounds, you should stop reading right now because this article won't show you how to do that. But if you want to develop strength, size, shape and flexibility in your legs, keep reading because I've got some useful suggestions for you.

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First, forget about spending all of your time doing nothing but squats, squats and more squats to build up your legs. While barbell squats are a good primer to start building strength in your quadriceps or "quads," leg training limited to heavy squats won't provide balanced development of this area. Additionally, you must always be mindful of your ultimate weight-training goal. If you ultimately want a bodybuilding or athletic type physique, you shouldn't spend too much time training like a powerlifter. While heavy squats can provide an overall anabolic effect, a leg-training plan limited to this exercise usually produces a blocky or shapeless lower body.

As I've said repeatedly, there's nothing wrong with training like a powerlifter if powerlifting is your ultimate goal. But if you're prime objective is to simultaneously build power, size and shape in your legs, you need bodybuilding techniques to reach this goal.

These training techniques include hack squats and front squats for the lower quads, dumbbell squats for the mid-thigh area and machine leg extensions for overall shape and flexibility. You can perform each of these exercises with weight sufficient to force muscle growth and produce gains in overall quad strength. For variety and examples of bodyweight leg training for your quads, try box jumps, hill walking with a weighted backpack or high intensity stationary cycling. Always make sure that you stretch your quads before and after training them to decrease the likelihood of a cramp or injury.

When it comes to adding strength, size and shape to your hamstrings, what can heavy squats do for you? Well, in a word, nothing! To develop your hamstrings or thigh biceps you need exercises targeted specifically to build and strengthen this area. Chief among these exercises are machine leg curls (seated or standing), stiff-legged deadlift and, when done with light weight, good-mornings. Your thigh biceps are relatively small muscles so be careful about using heavy weight with these exercises. As with your quad training, make sure that you stretch before and after working your thigh biceps to reduce the chance of cramping or muscle soreness.

On your lower legs, the calf is the most visible muscle area. Whether your calf is high or low, consistent training of this area can produce excellent results. To get started try some standing calf raises with both leg simultaneously using a machine or wood block with free weights. If you're using a barbell, you can do this exercise with the barbell resting comfortably on your shoulders as you contract and extend your calves on wood block or platform. If you're more comfortable with dumbbells, simply hold a dumbbell in each hand with your arms naturally extended at your sides as you raise and lower your body on the block or platform.

In addition to standing calf raises, you should balance out your calf workouts with seated calf raises, donkey machine calf raises and single leg calf raises with a dumbbell. As with your quad training, you can perform each of these exercises with weight sufficient to add size and strength to your calves. However, in my experience, your calves will experience the most growth and display the best shape from high rep work with moderate amounts of weight.

So, the next time you go to the gym, instead of eye-balling your GUNS or pumping your pecs, try paying some attention to your legs. Your quads, hamstrings and calves will return the favor by making you look great in a pair of shorts!

How To Build Size, Strength and Razor-Sharp Shape in Your Legs

Mark G. Winston, "The Master Gunslinger," is author of the ground-breaking training manual, "GO For Your GUNS - 7 Simple Secrets to AWESOME ARMS." He has also created GOforyourGUNS.com, a bodybuilding and fitness website dedicated entirely to helping you build big, muscular arms. Mark's forthcoming book will be jammed with workouts and training techniques to help you build the big, muscular arms that you deserve! To learn about the GO For Your GUNS bodybuilding system and get free arm training tips that really work, visit http://www.GOforyourGUNS.com