NFL Oakland Raiders

5 Things the Oakland Raiders Must Improve Over the Offseason

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By @Kevin_Saito

5 Areas Oakland Must Improve Upon Over the Offseason

Open Slide
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When you go 3-13 over the course of a season, it's pretty evident that there are a lot of things that need fixing and improving. Though they showed tremendous improvement in many areas over the latter half of the 2014 season, there are obviously still many areas Oakland will need to work on over the course of the offseason if they want to continue building toward relevance. Here are just five things the Raiders must improve this offseason.

5. Generating a Rushing Attack

Murray
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Generating a Rushing Attack

Murray2
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland generated a woeful – and league worst – 1,240 yards on the ground this season. Their 77.5 YPG, 21.1 attempts per game and four rushing touchdowns were the worst in the NFL by far. Second-year man Latavius Murray provided the offense with a spark late in the season by stringing together a number of solid games. If Oakland hopes to have offensive success in 2015, they will need to establish a solid rushing attack.

4. Third Down Efficiency

Third Downs
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Third Down Efficiency

Third Downs2
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland was terrible on third downs this season – on both offense and defense. The offense couldn't sustain drives – thus giving their defense a rest – and the defense couldn't stop anybody when it mattered. Again, the team showed tremendous improvement in the latter stages of the season, particularly in winning three of their last six games, but the team will need to learn to improve their third-down efficiency rate in 2015.

3. Putting Consistent and Sustained Pressure on the Quarterback

Pass Rush2
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

3. Putting Consistent and Sustained Pressure on the Quarterback

Pass Rush
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

With 22 total sacks for the season, Oakland ranked near the bottom of the league – only Cincinnati had fewer. As a result, with so much time in the pocket, opposing quarterbacks were able to pick apart the Raiders' defense – even by second- and third-tier quarterbacks like Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Shaun Hill. Oakland's defense must learn to apply consistent and sustained pressure on opposing quarterbacks this offseason.

2. Improving a Highly Inconsistent Receiving Corps

Receivers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. Improving a Highly Inconsistent Receiving Corps

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent acquisition James Jones was supposed to provide leadership as well as mentor the younger Raiders receivers this season. With 73 receptions for 666 yards, Jones had a decent season, though far from a stellar one, which can be said for many of the Raiders' receivers. Drops, fumbles and inconsistent play plagued a talented and promising, but highly inconsistent group of receivers. It's critical that Oakland's receivers improve.

1. Game Planning and Play Calling

Play Calling
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Game Planning and Play Calling

Play Calling
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland's troubles went deeper than just inconsistent play on the field. The inconsistency on the sidelines only exacerbated the problem. But with a presumable change in Oakland's coaching staff coming – and the probable removal of OC Greg Olson and DC Jason Tarver – this is an area that fans can expect to improve over the course of the offseason. If it doesn't, it could be another long season in Oakland.

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