Oakland Raiders
In an effort to bolster their offense, in early 2005 the Raiders acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss via trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and signed free agent running back LaMont Jordan of the New York Jets. After a 4-12 season and a second consecutive last place finish, Turner was fired as head coach. On February 11, 2006 the team announced the return of Art Shell as head coach. In announcing the move, Al Davis said that firing Shell in 1995 had been a mistake.[47]
Under Shell, the Raiders lost their first five games in 2006 en route to a 2-14 finish, the team’s worst record since 1962. Oakland’s offense struggled greatly, scoring just 168 points (fewest in franchise history) and allowing a league-high 72 sacks. Wide receiver Jerry Porter was benched by Shell for most of the season in what many viewed as a personal, rather than football-related, decision.[48] The Oakland Raiders also earned the right to the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft for the first time since 1962 (as members of the AFL) and the first time as being members of the NFL, by virtue of having the league’s worst record.[49] One season into his second run as head coach, Shell was fired on January 4, 2007.[50] On January 22, the team announced the hiring of 31-year-old USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, the youngest coach in franchise history and the youngest coach in the NFL.[51]
In the 2007 season, The Raiders finished 4-12 and were once again in last place in their division. But throughout most of the season the Raiders showed more effort in their games only to come up short late in the 4th Quarter. The Raiders hope to improve in 2008 with JaMarcus Russell as their starting quarterback. In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the #1 overall pick. In the 2008 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected running back Darren McFadden with the #4 overall pick.
