10 key issues for Raider Nation

True Raiders fans have not given up hope, but they have taken to speaking in whispers. How galling it must be for the franchise that once terrorized the NFL, now reduced to perennial losing records (19-61 since the end of 2002) and constant front-office disarray.

Yet there is guarded optimism as the team prepares to open training camp Thursday in Napa.

Oakland now has two of the most exciting young players in the league in quarterback JaMarcus Russell and running back Darren McFadden. Both are unproven, more mystery than mastery, but watching their development could be highly entertaining.

Here are the major issues facing owner Al Davis’ team in 2008:

1. The uneasy truce: Coach Lane Kiffin appeared to be close to losing his job in January, when he attempted to dismiss defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Davis reacted in anger.

The owner didn’t fire Kiffin, the coach didn’t walk away, and here they are, beginning Year 2 of a strange alliance that could easily become a soap opera. Kiffin went only 4-12 during his inaugural campaign, but he won points for his confident, almost cocky demeanor, and for the improvement he engineered on offense.

2. JaMarcus in charge: We saw glimpses of Russell late last season, but his camp-long holdout scuttled any real chance of a breakthrough rookie season.

Now the big young quarterback is squarely in command of the offense. He has enjoyed a full offseason of working overtime with coordinator Greg Knapp and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, and is reportedly making great strides in Kiffin’s offense.

Russell was inconsistent during organized team activities and mini-camps, but he makes throws that teammates stop to watch in awe.

3. The state of Javon Walker: When the Raiders gave this talented wide receiver $16 million guaranteed as part of a free-agent contract, many questioned the commitment because of Walker’s injury history.

Now people are more worried about his mental state. Walker created the Raiders’ biggest offseason headlines by getting knocked unconscious and robbed on a Las Vegas sidewalk after an ostentatious party spree. Is this really someone they can rely on for 60 catches and 1,100 yards?

4. Crowded backfield: It’s an old axiom — better to have too many options than not enough. Still, it will be interesting to see how Kiffin balances the carries this season.

McFadden was considered the best running back in the 2008 draft. He joins a proven 1,000-yard rusher in Justin Fargas, and another intriguing player in Michael Bush. Bush is healthy after missing his entire rookie season with a devastating leg injury, and could emerge as the Raiders’ short-yardage back.

5. No more Sapp: Defensive tackle Warren Sapp retired after a stellar 14-year career, leaving a big hole in Oakland’s D-line and a bigger one in the locker room.

The Raiders will never replace Sapp’s bluster, humor or knowledge. On the field, they hope to plug the middle with young tackles Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands. Neither is a sure bet. Sands was a mega-disappointment in 2007. Kelly is coming off knee surgery and has missed all of the offseason.

After giving those two $22.125 million in guaranteed money in 2007-08, the Raiders are expecting a lot of bang for their bucks.

6. Sealing the edges: On the other side of the line, the Raiders still have some serious issues. Offensive line coach Tom Cable worked wonders last year, turning his maligned group into a top-notch run-blocking unit.

Pass protection was another matter, and Oakland has done little to improve the situation. Kwame Harris is currently slotted to start at left tackle, with second-year pro Mario Henderson pushing the oft-injured Cornell Green at right tackle. All of them have much to prove as protectors of JaMarcus.

7. Unhappy star: Heading into training camp, you could argue that the Raiders’ best player remains without a contract. That would be cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who has yet to sign the franchise tender the team offered him.

Asomugha would seem an unlikely candidate to hold out through training camp, as fellow corner Charles Woodson did to protest the franchise designation in 2004. But you never know. In any case, Asomugha has missed offseason workouts with his team, and could be distracted when he finally gets into uniform.

8. The Jordan situation: Nearly eight months after the end of the 2007 season, LaMont Jordan remains in limbo.

It’s clear that the former starter doesn’t fit into the team’s plans at running back, and that he has little interest in wearing silver and black in 2008. Jordan didn’t attend a single offseason practice. But for whatever reason, the team has yet to release him. Look for it to happen soon; Oakland has little chance of trading him at this point.

9. Can anyone here tackle?: The Raiders have been dreadful against the run for several seasons, and shoddy tackling is at the root of the problem. One man won’t change that, but the hope is that physical safety Gibril Wilson, fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Giants, will be a more reliable downfield tackler than predecessors like Stuart Schweigert and Hiram Eugene.

With Wilson stepping in at strong safety, Michael Huff can move to free safety, perhaps his more natural position.

10. The local boy: In the grand scheme of things, defensive end Greyson Gunheim probably won’t have much impact on the Raiders’ fortunes this year. But Sonoma County sports fans will be watching to see whether the Analy High grad has a chance to make the roster as an undrafted free agent out of Washington. Consider him a long shot.