ALAMEDA – On the heels of consecutive feel-good victories to close out the 2008 season, the Raiders entered 2009 seemingly on the same page.

There was no infighting on the staff. The coach was getting along with the owner. Players with impeccable character were brought in. And quarterback JaMarcus Russell was entering his critical third pro season and seemed motivated.

At the midway point, though, the Raiders are 2-6 for the sixth time in the past historically bad seven years.

What happened? Injuries have wreaked havoc with the roster. Russell has regressed. The defense is serviceable, but the offense, ranked last in the NFL (215.8 yards per game), is unforgivably bad.

And coach Tom Cable has become a lightning rod of controversy, and not just for his suspect play-calling. Claims that Cable assaulted former assistant Randy Hanson early in training camp dominated the news until the Napa District Attorney's Office declined to pursue criminal charges. Then, Cable's ex-wife and a former girlfriend told ESPN that he had been violent with them.

While the Raiders investigate their latest off-field mess, their on-field debacle continues. The team is a league-worst 26-78 since 2003 and faces losing as many games in the past six-plus years as they did in Al Davis' first 20 years with the team.

The preseason assignments seemed simple enough. The midterm reports and grades? Not so much.

Overall midseason grade: D.

QUARTERBACKS

The assignment: JaMarcus Russell didn't have to be Rich Gannon, Jim Plunkett or even Ken Stabler. But entering his third season, Russell was supposed to show improvement and manage an offense featuring a good running game and playmakers.

Progress report: Russell has been more Jay Schroeder and Marc Wilson and is flirting with becoming the next Ryan Leaf. Being pulled for Bruce Gradkowski in Oakland's 38-0 loss to the Jets should light a fire under him. He's ranked No. 32 (out of 33 eligible QBs) in passer rating (48.3) and completion percentage (48.4). We'll see.

The grade: D-

RUNNING BACKS

The assignment: The Smash, Dash and Flash three-headed attack of Michael Bush, Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden was expected to keep opposing defenses honest with a variety of styles while allowing Russell to take the occasional shot downfield.

Progress report: Fargas began the season injured, Bush has looked tentative lately, and before McFadden was lost in Week 4 with a knee injury, his myriad talents were wasted on between-the-tackles runs. McFadden is back this week.

The grade: D

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

The assignment: Javon Walker, sound of mind and body, would provide the veteran presence while Chaz Schilens and Zach Miller continued to jell with Russell. Rookie speedsters Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, meanwhile, could learn on the fly.

Progress report: Walker is in the doghouse, Schilens has not played after breaking his left foot in camp, and Russell does not trust DHB or Murphy. At least there's still the dependable Miller.

The grade: Incomplete

OFFENSIVE LINE

The assignment: With coach Tom Cable's background as a line coach, this would be a strength, especially with left guard Robert Gallery coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber season and the acquisitions of center Samson Satele and left tackle Khalif Barnes.

Progress report: Injuries – Barnes breaking a leg in camp, Gallery doing the same in Week 2 and right tackle Cornell Green suffering a strained calf – have made this a patchwork experiment. Mario Henderson has been a pleasant surprise at left tackle.

The grade: D+

DEFENSIVE LINE

The assignment: The additions of Richard Seymour and Greg Ellis would add a level of professionalism not seen around Oakland in years. More importantly, they would help Gerard Warren and Tommy Kelly shore up the Raiders' woeful run defense.

Progress report: At times, the D-line grunts have dominated the line of scrimmage, as they did for most of the opener against San Diego and in harassing Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb. At other times, they have been invisible.

FULL REPORT CARD | C5