New coach, new hope for Raiders in opener

Darren McFadden missed all of pre-season
with an orbital bone injury.

As the Oakland Raiders set to open another season under yet another new head coach, there are many questions left to be answered about this 2011 squad. Here are five that need to be answered during their Monday night opener against the Denver Broncos:

1) How will Hue Jackson fare?: The first game may not mean a whole lot, but for young team led by a rookie head coach it means the world. Jackson needs to start his regime on a positive note and beating the Broncos on national TV would be a very positive one.

2) Will the defense stop the big "home-run" play?: This has been a question that has plagued the Silver and Black for years. They seem to play well on D, but one big play gets through and it changes the mood of the game. If they're able to stop this Monday against, what should be, a good Denver defense then they should play well.

3) No Nnamdi, no problem?: The pass defense will be scrutinized very closely by the Raider Nation more so this season then years' past due to the departure of All-Pro Nnamdi Asomugha. Defending the pass will fall on the shoulders of veterans Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson. Rookies DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa will be leaned on to provide coverage too.

4) Turning point for Jason Campbell, Darrius Heyward-Bey and receivers?: TE Zach Miller has migrated north to Seattle, newly signed Kevin Boss is injured so where does QB Jason Campbell turn? To his wide receivers of course. But, are they prepared to carry the passing game? They showed glimpses this pre-season, but not on a consistent basis. DHB is entering his third-year and has yet to show that he is worthy of being picked seventh overall in 2010. For the Raiders passing game to succeed in 2011 he needs a breakout season.

5) McFadden ready to run again?: After not playing at all in the pre-season RB Darren McFadden is adamant that he is ready to build on a breakout 2010 season. If this offense, and team, is going to move forward and do any damage this season it all begins with Run-DMC. There's a lot of firepower on this Raiders squad, but none more important than those weapons in the running game. For each man to be effective, McFadden has to prove last year was no fad.