need solid all-around year from Johnnie Lee Higgins

Raiders need solid all-around year from young WRFormer third-round draft pick Johnnie Lee Higgins can certainly learn from his rookie campaign in 2007. Don’t do it again.The 99th overall selection in the ’07 draft, Higgins capped off last season with just two fewer fumbles (4) than catches (6) and averaged just three receiving yards per game and 5.2 yards per punt return. Had it not been for a 54-yard return in Week 17, Higgins would have averaged a dismal 2.5 yards per fielded punt last season.Now it seems Higgins will be relied on 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
even more this season, particularly as a slot receiver and also as a return man.With the recently-signed Javon Walker and 28-year-old Ronald Curry currently primed to take on the two starting wideout positions, Higgins, along with ex-Carolina Panthers pass catcher Drew Carter, will likely be the major factors in the slots.Carter, 26, turned in a career year last season (38 catches, 517 yards and four TDs), and will likely be considered the No. 3 guy. Outside of the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, however, Higgins appears to be the most viable backup remaining.Last season’s primary slot option, veteran Tim Dwight, still remains unsigned, while the team’s other depth receivers -- Will Buchanon, Drisan James, Todd Watkins, Jonathan Holland and Chris McFoy -- have combined for just two career catches. As a third-round pick with six career grabs and 20 fielded punts, Higgins is an experienced veteran by comparison.As a receiver for the UTEP Miners, the 5-foot-11, 180-punder hauled in 190 passes for 3,218 yards and 32 touchdowns. As a senior in 2006, Higgins put up career highs with 82 receptions, 1,319 yards and 13 TDs.The speedster (4.48 40-yard dash) also was an above-average kickoff and punt returner with the Miners, which is something the Raiders will look to take full advantage of next season.Oakland’s all-time kick returner, 24-year-old DB Chris Carr, was signed to an offer sheet last week for just under $2 million by the Titans, and appears all but ready to make the move to Tennessee. That leaves a gap to fill on special teams -- one that Higgins will certainly compete for this offseason.As a senior, Higgins, along with his 12 fielded punt returns for 281 yards and two TDs, took back 18 kickoffs for 275 yards. In the two years prior, he also ran back another 34 kicks for 758 yards.The only other players to field kick returns outside of Carr in 2007 were RB Dominic Rhodes (16 for 312 yards) and WR Tim Dwight (one for 30). Rhodes will be returning next season; as of 36 Bettis Black Jersey
now, Dwight won’t be.Whether it be on special teams or as a receiver, the Raiders will likely look to Higgins next season to make the big plays he couldn’t in 2007.The 24-year-old certainly has the speed and athleticism to make those plays,