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30-year old cornerback Chris Johnson is really playing well for the Raiders this season. He has played in 14 games for the Raiders this year and he has made 66 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, defensed 18 passes and he has 3 interceptions. Teams have been challenging Johnson all season long and he keeps responding by making big, game altering plays.
25-year old running back Michael Bush started his NFL career rehabbing but he is now starting to pay dividends for the Raiders now that he finally appears healthy. Bush has played in 14 games for the Raiders this season and he has carried the ball 103 times for 519 yards (5.0 ypc) with 3 TD runs. He has also caught 15 passes for 94 yards (6.3 avg) this year. Bush has outplayed Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden this year so he might be able to win the job as the main ball carrier in 2010 if he finishes this season strong.
26-year old QB Bruce Gradkowski replaced JaMarcus Russell two weeks ago and the Raiders’ offense has improved. He has completed 35 of 69 passes (50.7%) for 383 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 INT in his two starts. He has also carried the ball 9 times for 38 yards (4.2 ypc). Gradkowski has been a good game manager and he has done a great job of protecting the football. He has now played in 5 games (2 starts) this season overall for the Raiders and he has completed 52 of 99 passes (52.5%) for 546 yards with 3 TD passes and 3 INTs (66.3 QB Rating). He has also carried the ball 12 times for 72 yards (6.0 ypc) so far this season. Gradkowski is playing for his future right now so look for him to keep doing a decent job for the Raiders.
28-year old CB Nnamdi Asomugha is such a good player that teams really try to look to throw to the other side of the field and that’s a smart thing. Asomugha has played in all 10 games for the Raiders so far this season and he has 24 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3 passes defensed and 1 interception. He has now played in 102 games in his NFL career (all with the Raiders) and he has 281 tackles, 55 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and he has 11 interceptions (1 returned for a TD). Maybe the Cowboys will make a mistake or two by challenging him tomorrow.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler have been outstanding for the Raiders this season. Janikowski has made all 12 of his field goal attempts and all six of his extra points. So the Raiders have not left any points on the field this season due to Janikowski’s strong left leg. Shane Lechler has been booming punts all season for the Raiders. He has punted the ball 46 times for 2,407 yards (52.3 avg) so far this season. Lechler only has 4 touchbacks (8.7%) and he has pinned the opposition inside their own 20 yard line 14 times (30.4%) this season. These two guys have been outstanding for the Raiders so far this season and they need them to keep up the good work.