NFL: Oakland Raiders will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

If: There is finally a little stability behind center. The last time the Raiders had a quarterback start all 16 games was Rich Gannon in 2002, the year he was named the NFL’s MVP and the team reached the Super Bowl.

Much-maligned Matt Schaub, obtained this offseason from the Houston Texans for a sixth-round draft choice, hopes to not only resurrect this franchise but his own career as well. A two-time Pro Bowler, Schaub had his struggles with the Texans late in 2012 and certainly this past season, when he set a dubious NFL record by having an interception returned for a touchdown in four consecutive games.

Still, the veteran signal-caller may have a fight on his hands for what has been assumed will be his job this season. McKenzie used a second-round pick in May’s draft to grab Fresno State’s Derek Carr, the younger brother of David Carr who in essence Schaub replaced in Houston some years ago. The younger Carr is a promising prospect who has made a good early impression with the team.

In any case, the Raiders’ three starters last season (Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn and Matt McGloin) combined for 16 touchdown passes, 20 interceptions and five lost fumbles. Those numbers must improve dramatically and having a veteran wide receiver such as James Jones, late of the Green Bay Packers, should help as well. And Jones’ presence can only aid the development of young pass-catcher such as wideouts Rod Streater (team-high 60 catches in 2013) and Denarius Moore, as well as tight end Mychal Rivera. That trio combined for 13 of the team’s 17 touchdown receptions this past season.