Oakland Raiders: Rod Streater A Real Contender For C.P.O.Y.

ByJonathan George|

A lot of things are seemingly coming together for the Oakland Raiders in 2015. For one, they had a pretty good draft when you look at the targets on offense they added for Derek Carr to use. Secondly, their free agent signings have provided both quality depth and several reliable starters in several positions. But one of the biggest “additions” they could have added was a player already on the team, but hurt in 2014: Rod Streater.

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Streater was without a doubt one of the few Raider players from the last several years that could be pointed at as a young guy on the rise. From the time he broke into the league until early last season, Streater has gotten better and produced bigger numbers each time he got on the field. He almost doubled his receptions from his rookie year in 2012 to his sophomore season, and in 2013 just missed being the first Raider since Randy Moss in 2005 with 1,000 yards receiving.

When Streater started 2014 he had every reason to believe he was going to surpass those numbers, as he saw in Derek Carr the future of a Raider high-octane passing attack. He said as much when discussing Carr during a recent interview with raiders.com’s Eddie Paskal: “I feel like last year I wasn’t playing with a rookie, I feel like I was playing with someone who’s been in the league for a while. I believe he’s special and the sky’s the limit for him.”

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Then in week 3 he hurt his foot and suddenly found himself on I.R. for the rest of the year. Without a doubt, it had to be a frustrating season for a player that expected to lead his team in receiver production. As Streater prepares for his return in 2015 he knows that a lot of eyes will be on him to see if he will be able to produce the same numbers he did in 2013.

If Streater is able to have that type of season, it would definitely put him in the discussion for comeback player of the year in the NFL. And there is a lot of reasons to believe there is a real chance it could happen. Streater was able to produce the numbers he did in 2013 without much around him to take the pressure off his shoulders. Quarterbacks Terrell Pryor and Matt McGloin are not Derek Carr by a long shot, and the passing offense was ranked near the bottom of the league that season.

With the threats the Raiders have at all of the receiving positions, Streater will have favorable match-up’s, as many teams will focus their attention on rookie Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree. And the improvements Oakland has made to their offensive line in terms of starting talent and depth can only point to more time for Carr to pick apart the defense. Strata will benefit from that as well.

It’s possible that if things go right the Raiders could have multiple receivers close to 1,000 yards receiving in 2015. That type of production, along with seeing the end zone with regularity, would give Streater some fuel for the C.P.O.Y. argument.

But the best news for Raider fans is that Streater isn’t thinking about personal stats this season. He is saying all the right things, and told Paskal his main goal is winning.

““I’m trying to go out there and win a Super Bowl,” Streater said. “That’s what I want to do. Personal goals are cool, but I’m really focused on the team goal. I’m tired of losing. I want to go out here and win, win it all. That’s my biggest goal right there, to win a Super Bowl.”

A Super Bowl win is a lofty goal, but Streater and the Raiders might have the formula for one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history.

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