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R.I.P. AL DAVIS
2011 REGULAR
SEASON
Though there are countless between war and football suffice it to say football is still just a game. That doesn't mean those involved can't suffer post traumatic stress disorder.
Its been a long, harrowing season fraught with death, casualties, crime, joy, hope and soul crushing loss.
DEATH OF THE RAIDERS
Mr. Davis was the Oakland Raiders.
Other owners have passed by the way side but Davis was truly the last of his kind when it came to operating a team as an individual and not as a Corporation accountable to share holders.
Davis flexed and used his power as he saw fit which endeared him to many and infuriated others.
Davis was the Von Strohiem of football. The man you loved to hate.
With his passing Oakland will never ever be the same. Whether chain of command he left behind chooses to operate in hommage to the great Mr. Davis and run the Raiders as they have been for the vast majority of their existence or completely re-vamp the Raiders and throw away the Legacy Al made his lifes work.
Those who chose to love the Raiders but hate Davis never fully understood.
Davis was the Raiders.
Special Teams Save
the Season12-24-11 3:33pm pac
Photo Ed Zurga / AP K Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski's 38 yd FG in over time sealed the win for the Raiders and with a Broncos beat down handed out by Buffalo Oakland stays alive in the play off hunt.
Heres how the AFC Playoff picture breaks down. If Cincinatti wins, they’re in. If Denver wins the West and Oakland still wins and it’s Oakland/Cincinatti /New York Jets/Tennesse at 9-7, it’s Oakland
If Oakland wins the West and Cincy /Jets/Titans are all 9-7 Tennesse goes. IF Oakland wins the West (or loses) Tennesse loses at Houston, Cincinatti loses and Jets win…they go.
Yikes!Missing Weapons Hinder
Raider O
12-12-11 9:05 am pac
Photo / Getty Images WR/KR Jacoby Ford
The most bizarre timeline for injury return we can remember. If it doesn't add up its not true but when ever, if ever Raider weapons come back on line this season, Oakland will be a completely different and dangerous team.
IF Hue Jackson is holding his weapons in reserve for one final and massive offensive assault on the play offs he better unleash them (100% or not) next week or never.
Jackson will have to deal with even more injuries after the Green Bay fiasco.
Center Samson Satele hurt his shoulder. (We feel bad for him but this is actually a good thing for the ground game)
FS Michael Huff hurt his hamstring after wrecking into CB Stanford Routt while defending an end zone threatening throw.
Thats bad.
Oaklands secondary is already devasted by injury. Good news, CB Chris Johnson should be back on line giving Oakland a legit 3 veteran CB set in Nickle and Dime formations for the 1st time this year.
Huff had been dropping into the slot as a CB in some formations in Oaklands Hybrid system they tried this year.
Expect to see it again next year where it will have a chance to operate without 17 injured players.
Depending on severity, Oaklands injury woes look like they became even more critical today, but in reality, like the Satele, / Huff injuries, if Oakland gets WRs Moore and Ford back on line, they will actually still be in a much better position than they have been.
Why do we say that?
Schilens, bless his soul, has never been healthy for any stretch. Bey is terrible. Plain, simple no two ways terrible as a WR. Horrid routes, bad hands, catches with his chest plate, completely unable to track the ball in flight or adjust on the fly. Just a bad WR who is trying really hard.
Sure, hes made improvements and hes no doubt in our mind been hampered by injuries of his own and 2nd yr WR Coach SanJay Lal.
Lal's second year mind you, EVER of Professional Coaching anything as a lead.
Were not sure he ever even played WR.
This was a Davis hire we felt made zero sense given the lack of veteran presence and youth of the Raiders Receivers and it still doesn't even with the addition of veteran TJ Houshmandzadeh whos very presence by the way, is an indictment against Lal.
We're pretty certain Mr. Lal is a decent man but he shouldn't buy any real esate in the Oakland (or LA market) anytime soon.
Look for Lal and Defensive Coordinator Chuck Bresnahan to be looking for employment else where before next season.
IF Oakland can field at least a few of its offensive weapons it will change the way Defenses have to defend the Raiders and make them more than the one dimensional small ball team they've been fielding for weeks.
Not excuses but Facts
12-05-11 5:01 pm pac
Photo Tony Gonzales HC Hue Jackson
Hue Jackson and the Raiders have stated it plainly.
They got beat.
Out played, out Coached in all 3 phases.
The Miami Dolphins had 10 days to prepare and they did.They are also a very talented team.
"No excuses."
Quite right, but there are excuses, and then there are facts.
Oaklands has been riddled with disasters this season from the loss of starting QB Jason Campbell to the death of Al Davis, the loss of players like RB Darren McFadden, Cornerback Chris Johnson, DE Matt Shaughenessy, to 2nd yr 8th overall draft pick Middle Linbacker Rolando McClain's recent arrest.
Its been a massive roller coaster ride.
Add that to 16 player injuries and the Miami blow out comes into clearer focus.
No excuses, but some very hard facts.
Its been a hell of a baptism by fire for Hue Jackson.
Oakland is now tied with Denver after their sickening Tebow win streak continued on Sunday and even the Chiefs could be back in the hunt after their own miracle finish against the injury devastated Bears.
Its easy to be frustrated at the Raiders who's 8 yr skid has left even die hard fans jaded but all things considered, this team was due a let down and it came on Sunday.
What happens from here on out though is another matter.
Its unclear at the time of this publication whether the Raiders will be in much better shape to make an end run for the play offs or still in the injury riddled life boat.
Coach Hue Jackson cryptically stated today that he certainly does expect Darren McFadden back on the field...before the season ends.
If McFadden doesn't play against the Packers, it wont totally justifiy our assertion that Jackson and Raiders have been lying about the severity of McFadden's "mid foot sprain" but it won't make it less credible either.
Thats up to you to decide.
On the injured WR front theirs scant good news either.
Rookie deep strike threat Denarius Moore was on his way to evaluation to determine his viability for practice this week and an appearance agaisnt Green Bay hasn't been ruled out but it didn't sound good.
When asked if he'd play or even practice Moore stated Moore said he isn’t speaking about his injury “because we really don’t know yet.”
Not exactly a "I feel good, I'm ready."
Fellow WR/KR Jacoby Fords outlook seems more optimistic but like Moore, his ankle injury has yet to be evaluated.
If neither is at practice on Wednesday its doubtful they'd play on Sunday.
Making the WR position even more tenuous is the foot injury to Chaz Schilens suffered in Oaklands loss to Miami.
Jackson said Schilens is day to day but that he expects him to play at Lambeau this week end. Same for DT John Henderson and TE Kevin Boss, both dinged up against the Dolphins.
Fans have been expecting McFadden and others back for the Packer game especially after the disasterous outcomes of yesterdays games.
We hope they won't be dissapointed.
Special Teams Special in
Win over Bears11-27-11 5:33 pm pac
Photo Ben Margot / AP P/Holder Shane Lechler, K Sebastian Janikowski
On display today at the Coliseum were two of the finest Special Teams players in history and certainly the best combo ever fielded.
Punter Shane Lechler and Kicker Seabastian Janikowski demonstrated their prowess and ability to save and win games all by themeselves.
Only the 2nd Kicker ever taken in the 1st round "The Polish Canon" has more than justified Mr. Davis' controversial selection and closed the mouths of naysayers.
Janikowski set a Raider record by scoring 6 Field Goals from 40, 47, 42, 19, 37 and 44 yds respectively. He also helped negate return threat Devin Hester with touchbacks and all while injured with a hamstring strain.
Punter Shane Lechler boomed punts and pinned the Bears deep with Coffin Corner kicks with Ray Guy-like precision and even booming a record shattering 80 yarder.
Lechler said afterward:
I’ve hit a lot of footballs in my life but that one’s probably top ten of ones I even hit in practice.”Oaklands kicking game saved the day when the Bears stout defense could not be broken in the red zone.
They eventually did surrender a touchdown after an 8 play 74 yd drive that included a Louis Murphy deep strike on 3rd and 4 that gained 47yds and culminated with a Michael Bush 3 yd TD run.
Bush finished with 69 yds on 24 carries and caught 4 for 24. The burly back up acquitted himself well but over the course of his post McFadden starts has shown that he is a liability in protection against anything bigger than a Cornerback.
Oakland, as they are wont to do, immediately gave back all they had taken by surrendering a ridiculous 81 yd deep strike to WR Johnnie Knox that changed the complexion of the game.
The Bears drove in and score a Touchdown on Hanie's 9 yd TD pass that made the score 25-20 with 1:36 left on the clock.
The Bears almost had the onside kick but the tie at the bottom of the scrum went to the Offense and rookie TE David Ausberry came up with the crucial dig.
After another fantastic punt by Lechler pinned them deep the Bears began to drive with time winding off the clock.
A botched spike attempt by Bear QB Chad Hanie in his first ever NFL start drew a flag with :04 seconds left and the ensuing mandatory :10 run off killed the clock and ended the game.
Raider injuries are finally beginning to show. The Raiders should've dominated today at least on Defense and they did play well, but gave up huge plays and points.
The Raiders eeked out a win at home against Chicago and thats what matters.
Lets hope the wait was worth it for two of Oaklands come on line, hopefully, next week.
Raiders fend off Vikes
11-20-11 1:29 pm pac
Photo Andy King / AP RB Michael Bush
The refs got flag happy on Oakland throwing 3 person fouls their way and aiding the Vikings on a long scoring drive to put Minnesota ahead 7-0 on RB Adrian Peterson's burst up the middle from the 12 yd line.
Oakland kept its head down and managed to move the chains assisted by TE Kevin Boss, allowing K Sebastian Janikowski to nail a field goal and shorten the lead 7-3 Vikes.
Viking fans were stunned when a short time later Peterson hobbled off the field with a rolled up on left ankle. Looked bad. He was carted off the field and did not return to the game.
Oakland then deftly moved the ball down field on a 53 yd, 7 play drive that ate up 3:53 seconds and culminated in a TD reception by WR Chaz Schilens.
He was double covered in the right corner of the end zone but QB Carson Palmer's pass was perfect. The former Bengal QB was 4 of 5 for 48 yds on the drive.
Minnesota tried to answer with a chain moving drive of its own but stalled out and attempted a 43 yd field goal.
K Ryan Longwell stopped his kick mid swing because SS Tyvon Branch came off the edge and disrupted the play, tackling the kick holder and negating the FG try.
RB Michael Bush picked up 28 yds on a great block from LG Stefan Wisniewski and FB Marcel Reece on their next possession. WR Darrius Heyward Bey made a nice catch and run to pick up a 1st down on 3rd and 8 moving the ball into the red zone at the Viking 16 at the 2 minute warning.
A shovel pass to Reece picked up 12 yds and Bush bashed his way up the gut to put 17 unanswered with 1:20 left in the half.
17-7.
On the ensuing kick off Return man Lorenzo Booker was blasted by TE Brandon Myers and the fumble was recovered by CB Demarcus Van Dyke.
Always great to see the under rated 6-1, 185 lb rookie Van Dyke do well.
An 11 yd pass to TE Kevin Boss brought the Raiders inside the 5 with a 1st down and :22 seconds remaining in the 2nd.
On the play C Samson Satele appeared to suffer a blow to the head and cost Oakland an injury time out as LG Wisniewski shifted over. A QB sneak failed and ate 10 seconds off the clock but the QB sneak worked the second time and J.Kow booted the extra point for a 24-7 lead.
At the half Palmer had hit 7 different receivers, Oakland had rushed for 82 yds and thrown for 104.
With the TD, the Raiders led the League in 2nd quarter points scored with 115.
Brand new Raider Bryan McCann took the opening kick off in place of injured return super star Jacoby Ford and the newly signed CB took the ball to the 18.
A busted play after a Palmer audible set up 3rd and 17.
With C Samson Satele officially out with a concussion the rookie Wisniewski slid into Center and 6yr vet OL Stephon Hyer took over at Wizzer's Left Guard spot much like they did against San Diego.On the Vikings next drive CB Lito Sheppard, another new Raider, came on a CB blitz and smashed rookie QB Christian Ponder which led to a punt.
After a 3 and out by Oakland DE/DT Desmond Bryant crushed Ponder with his second sack of the day and forced another punt that Moore, this time, took back to the Viking 47 yd line.
Intense pressure on Ponder led to a tip drill that ended with DT Tommy Kelly snagging another Raider INT that led to a 26 yd FG.
27-7 with :51 seconds left in the 3rd.
On the next Viking drive WR Devin Aromashodu picked up a big 42 yd gainer on 3rd and 6 as the 3rd quarter ended. On the very next play WR Percy Harvin took a screen pass 26 yds for a TD after Oakland had put up 27 unanswered making the score 27-14.
McCann looked good returning the ball to the 46 yd line on the ensuing kick off and could be one to watch.
His knock is fumbling. He put six on the turf last year playing for he Cowboys.
A 20 yd grab by Bey extended the Raiders next crucial drive and took Oakland into Viking territory once again but a sack by DT Kevin Williams led to a 3rd and 12.
On the next play Bey made a 4 yd grab and was knocked out of the game with an apparent concussion after posting solid numbers.
Immediately after Bey was carted off the field Janikowski's 49 yd FG attempt was blocked giving Minnesota new life.
Janikowski had not attempted anything longer than 41 yds in pre game.
Hes been plagued by a sore left hamstring for weeks.
A sack by Kelly on 1st set up a 4th and 2 and an incomplete seemed to end the drive but a P.I. by Lito Sheppard kept the Vikings alive.
He atoned with a great tackle for a loss but a bone head late hit by Bryant added 15 yds and a new set of downs.
Another penalty by the flag happy refs kept giving the Vikings yardage and new downs but CB Stanford Routt snagged a scrambling Ponder's rocket into the end zone and tip toed the chalk for Oaklands 3rd pick of the day.
Not the way you'd like to draw up your defense but it worked and was Ponder's 2nd pick of the day inside the Raider 25.
The Vikings 6th ranked run D will no doubt slip a few notches after Michael Bush became the 1st 100 yd rusher since December of 2010 but the Raiders desperately tried to give the game back to Minnesota with bone head penalties and a fumble by Bush on the next play.
Ponder immediately hit TE Visanthe Shiancoe for a huge gain to the 1 and then hit rookie TE Kyle Rudolph for a TD with 5:08 left making the score 27-21 and a 6 point game.
Another flag on the kick off, this time against back up LB Darryl Blackstock, set the Raiders back on their own 9 yd line but a 14 yd burst up up the middle by FB Marcel Reece got them out of trouble temporarily.
Flags began plaguing the Vikings but a sack on 3rd and 4 with 3:16 left saw Minnesota's 4th QB take down and another Raider punt.
On 4th and 8 with 1:58 left a nice pass defense by SS Tyvon Branch gave the ball back to Oakland with 1:52 left and put their destiny back in their Offenses hands.
Conservative play calling led to a 4th down with :13 seconds left and led to a Shane Lechler punt and giving the Vikes one last play that LB Aaron Curry scooped up to end the game.
Hanging on to win after an ugly game sees Oakland now with sole possession of the AFC West.
Aside from the fumble and another blown pass protection assignment Michael Bush finished the game with 109 yds on 30 carries and a TD against a stout Viking run D.
Carson Palmer carved up the Vikes and is looking every bit the top notch QB Oakland has lacked since Rich Gannon.
Its refreshing to see a Raider QB make reads, audibles and proper adjustments prior to the snap.
Palmer was an impressive 17 of 23 for 164 yds and TD.
Bush and Raiders bash
dinged up Chargers11-10-11 10:53 pm pac
Phtot Gregory Bull / AP RB Michael Bush
NFLN Network's Rich Eisen spent the better part of the 3 hour lead up to the game talking about how the Raiders haven't won since RB Darren McFadden went down with a "mid foot sprain".
It was reported that McFadden had suffered "no structural damage" according to MRIs but the term "Planter fasciitis" keeps coming up.
If McFadden had such an injury, it would've shown up. Before the game, Coach Jackson said their is "no timeline" for when McFadden will be back.
The good news is, RB Michael Bush dominated the woeful and dinged up Chargers who have now lost 4 in a row.
Bush posted 157 yds on 30 carries and auditioned for a major contract and starting slot elswhere next season.
Bush's contract is up and the end of the year.
Bush added 3 catches for 83 yds including a crucial 55 yd screen.
RB Taiwan Jones showed his unique speed and ability to slip hits and read blocks.
Hes nowhere near as complete a back and Darren McFadden but his skill set is just short of super natural.
Jones finished with 7 touches for 39 yds and 5.6 yd average. He was an eyelash away from breaking big gainers several times.
Oaklands pass rush finally showed tonight and even it it was against 3rd and 4th string Linemen, the Raiders posted 6 sacks and harrassed San Diego QB Philip Rivers mercilessly.
Hybrid LB/DE Kam Wimbley had 7 tackles and 4 sacks tonight, as he should have against San Diego's rag tag O line.
The real story of the night was QB Carson Palmer.
All but one of NFL Networks broadcasters and analysts picked San Diego despite their 3 game losing streak.
Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk knew better and called Bush to have a huge game and for Oakland to win.
Palmer was posting a perfect passer rating of 158.3 into the 4th quarter right up till the announcers mentioned it.
He was hit and fumbled late in the 3rd when he failed to sense back side pressure in time.
It was no wonder.
Its was really the first time he'd been pressured from the blind side.Left Tackle, 2nd yr man Jared Veldheer is like the perfect rock drummer. You never know hes there until he ****s up.
He and his fellow line men, which included fill in Stephon Hyer at LG for Steven Wisniewski, who slid over to play Center for the injured Samson Satele, played exceptionally well all things considered.
Wisniewski and Hyer did and excellent job as did the entire O line.
With the ground game cranked up Palmer was able to enjoy pocket time and used it to great advantage, at one point completing 11 passes in a row.
He broke things open with his first bomb, a 44 yarder to WR Jacoby Ford who made a great adjustment coming back for the ball but tweaked his ankle hard while breaking away from the defender.
He went down and then out for the rest of the night.
Rookie 5th round pick WR Denarius Moore took over and made highlight catches including a 45 yd sticky fingered diving catch Moore caught by the back end tip of the ball.
Palmer hit him again for a 33 yd TD soon after and again in the 3rd on a 26 yarder for 6 points.
Moore finished with 5 catches for 123 yds and 2 TDs.
Palmer was 14 of 20 for 199 yds and Moore's 2 TDs and Oakland is atop the AFC West at 5-4.
Implosion not the End
10-23-11 6:37 pm pac
Photo Paul Sakuma / AP "This is what it looks like when doves cry"
The Carson Palmer era began today and we were vehemently opposed.
If he wasn't ready to start, he wasn't ready to salvage a 21-0 deficit where the run game had all but been eliminated through circumstance and injury.
After a nighmare 1st half in which League leading rusher Darren McFadden and 2nd yr 8th overall draft pick MLB Rolando McClain both went to the locker room, fill in QB Kyle Boller threw 3 costly interceptions leading to the ill advised insertion of QB Carson Palmer 5 days after joining Oakland via a massive surprise trade with the Bengals neccesitated after last weeks loss of QB Jason Campbell for the season with a broken collar bone.
Phew!
Its been an intense couple of weeks Raider fans.
We think rampant speculation will begin regarding Jackson's "greatest trade ever!" comment after watching Oaklands Icarian spiral into the abyss but frankly, who gives a rip?
So we dropped one to KC.
Good on ya, but when we meet up with them again the day before Christmas, its going to be a different story.
Oakland had been riding high on emotion after the passing of its legendary owner and several last second emotional wins.
After the distraction of the Palmer trade its no wonder they impoded.
They'll take a week to shake it off, heal up, work the tape and get us ready to destroy the hapless Broncos on November 6th.
The fact is, today and in previous games Oakland has been out Coached.
Today it caught up with Hue.
Granted the super trade was a big distraction but Boller's shot at a resume builder exploded on lift off and Jackson's descions furthered the damage.
To our thinking, if Carson wasn't ready to start, he wasn't ready to fill and on his 2nd play ever as a Raider he was hit below the knees and nearly crippled.
The roughing flag gave Oakland a new set of downs which they squandered.
WR Darrius Heyward Bey had another solid game and is quickly establishing himself as a valued possession receiver.
Go figure...
Unfortunately WR Louis Murphy is done. Heres one of those serious coaching mistakes made by Hue.
Carson Palmer is filling after 5 days on the job. Louis Murphy is a shell shocked never was. Do not mix.
We hate, hate, hate to say it but watching Murphy's painful play since his return from injury makes us want him pulled and quarantined immediately.
NOTHING ON EARTH IS MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN FEAR.
One final word about Hue's descisions and the O.
Samson Satele is the smallest Center in the National Football League. He's injured. The big Samoan won't tell you so but his knee is bothering him.
Put Wisniewski in on short yards and goal line. Get Palmer some snaps with the kid and make this happen.Oaklands last two games have featured disasterous 4th down conversion attempts.
All of them after Satele got dinged.
Hintity-hint-hint-hint.
LB Aaron Curry was a bright spot on Defense flying all over the field and making plays against the run and the pass.
Oaklands D was not the problem but they did miss MLB Rolando McClain who went down early and hopped off with an ankle injury. Not sure if its the same one or the other...
Safety Matt Giordano injured himself in pre game warm ups(!) and thanks to injury Oakland fielded only 2 CBs and brand new hire, Safety Ndukwe Chinedum saw time and snagged a meaningless interception.
Oakland needs rookie Chimdi Chekwa back. Oakland may not admit it but CB Chris Johnson may be done. Rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke had an interception too but the way he shies away from ball carriers and meekly tosses his body toward the play is an embarrassment.
All in all though, you can't lay this one at the defenses feet.This game was not a make or break since Oakland was 4-2 coming in and has a bye afterward so they'll be able to hopefully get Palmer up to speed but forcing his debut today was a mistake.
Bringing Carson on board this week after Campbell's injury may have distracted the Raiders who were finally talked about as a play off contender by the Raider hating media.
Oaklands complete collapse after some progress is tired and typical but legitimate this time because as all super heros eventually learn, "Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness."
With 2 pick sixes on the board and McFadden on the bench Oaklands vaunted running game never materialized although RB Michael Bush did twist and pound the rock 99 yds on 17 carries.
We published earlier this season about "Oaklands Dangerous New Dimension" in reference to its new found short and mid range passing game bolstered by uncommon depth at WR and a QB in Jason Campbell who flew them out on his dime, housed them and gained that rarified timing that makes those all important micro-seconds instinctual and not forced guesstimations.
Campbell had his detractors but his two bone headed turn overs this season pale in comparison to todays 6 interceptions.
Campbell sat on the sideline with his arm a sling and thats where Oaklands offense was without him or McFadden.
When DMC went down rookie RB Taiwan Jones saw his first successive action and looked great.
Compared to McFadden, everyone has holes in their game but if McFadden is out for a while the Offense will have to adjust to Jones' limitations.Jones is great though and is the type to make something out of nothing.
Our guess is Palmer and the Wides will be spending some quality time together and Oakland will get back to formulating and football thinking rather than Mr. Davis and block buster trades.
They're going to come out sharp and focused against Denver because THATS where their play off run begins.
This wasn't a great win by Kansas City, it was a bad loss by Oakland.
Special Plays, Special
Day but Raiders Lose
Campbell for the Season10-16-11 4:20 pm pac
The Raiders rose to the occasion and honored their fallen Leader with a win over the dinged up Cleveland Browns. Oakland helped with the dinging by playing a dominating physical game in the trenches, beating up an already hurting Orange and Brown squad.The Peyton Hillis controversy will continue as the Madden cover Running back sits out another game. A few weeks ago it was with "strep throat". This week, it was a tweaked hammy.
Oddly he sat out most of the first half and then tried to play in the 3rd.
He is in serious contract kung fu with Cleveland.
Speaking of dings...
QB Jason Campbell is his own worst enemy on the scramble.
The first time he did it today he fumbled untouched as he stretched out awkwardly for a 1st down.
The second time he dove forward again and hesitated indecisively again and this time LB Scott Fujita came down awkwardly on his shoulder. He went down and stayed down.
Broken clavical. He's gone for the season.
QB Kyle Boller came in and was as expected, pretty rusty. He over threw several receivers and had the ball swatted away for a fumble while in the pocket but once he settled in he began finding WR Darrius Heyward Bey who finished with 6 big catches for 82 yds.
The biggest pass and catch of the day didn't involve either one of them.
After a terrible 3 and out that involved Boller's fumble Sebastian Janikowski was sent out to attempt a 52 yd FG.
Or so everyone thought.
Punter Shane Lechler (a former QB) reared up and tossed a nice spiral to TE Kevin Boss who rumbled 35 yds for an Oakland TD that ignited the Coliseum.
Added to WR/KR Jacoby Ford's electric 101 yd TD return and Oakland was on its way to salting the game away.
The Browns rallied with and made a game of it with a late TD strike over Stanford Routt but after recovering an onside kick the Raider D stopped the Browns on 4th down with :33 seconds left to seal a meaningful but costly win.
Raiders defeat the Browns at home, for Al, 24-17.
KC up next...Raiders win a Wild One
10-09-11: 3:39 pm pac
WR Darrius Heyward Bey
Texans fans weren't completely disrespectful when asked for a moment of silence for our dearly departed Leader but it lasted all of about 3 seconds before the house P.A. came on and the fans started cheering.
Oakland would have its moment of silence.
QB Jason Campbell was 15 of 35 for 190 yds a TD and a pick but he completed enough to move the chains, keep drives alive, kept the Texans Defense honest and from stacking the box.
Completely stifled in the 1st two quarters Oakland made excellent half time adjustments on D and O, taking full advantage of the departure of All Pro DE Mario WIlliams with a 1st half pectoral injury and the diminished play of LB Brian Cushing who had a monster first quarter until Oaklands big bad O line bloodied his nose.
For real.
Blood streamed down Cushing's face after a tackle resulted in a possible broken nose.
He was silent for the remainder of the game.TE Kevin Boss did not have the impactful game predicted, nor did rookie WR Denarius Moore, instead it was former 7th overall pick Darrius Heyard Bey who had 7 catches for 99 yds including a 34 yd catch and run for a TD.
Who would've guess Al Davis' deep threat with "bad hands" would become a viable possession receiver?
Campbell's other TD was an improvised 18 yard strike to WR Chaz Schilens swooping over the middle and into the left side of the end zone.Raider Special Teams were today. The Return game still struggled but Denarius Moore is very special in that aspect.
Oakland made its bones by blocking a punt with LB and Raider legacy Bruce Davis that resulted 3 points on a 54 yd Sebastian Janikowski field goal.
Things really didn't ignite for the Raiders until Jacoby Ford returned a kick off after Texans Kicker Neil Rackers made the score 17-5 Houston with 2 minute left in the 3rd.
Ford's exciting 45 yd return from 6 yds deep sparked Oaklands offense led by 3 huge runs by Darren McFadden that set up a 3rd and 9 from the Texas 19 that Oakland coverted to the go ahead TD 22-17.
Perhaps the biggest and guttsiest call of his young career was the decision to fake the punt on 4th and 3 with 11:38 left in the game.
The direct hike to RB, veteran and Special teams Ace Rock Cartwright resulted in a 28 yd scamper, a first down and eventually and 42 yd field goal from Janikowski giving Oakland 25 points and its eventual win.
Oaklands Defensive line batted down 7 passes(!) garnered 3 sacks , forced 2 interceptions, held Houston's vaunted running game to 70 yds.
Houston did shred the Raiders through the air with several big passes to WRs, TEs and RBs but Oaklands 2nd and 3rd string Secondary held when it counted and FS Michael Huff pay homage to Al Davis with two crucial plays including the game ending pick in the end zone with no time remaining.
After a huge collective, dissapointed gasp by shocked Texans fans who immediately and quietly shuffled toward the exits.
A former 7th overall draft pick from Texas, Huff made sure at the end of the game Al Davis had his moment of silence.
Team Leaders Meltdown
10-2-11 4:20 pm pac
Photo Ben Margot / AP
Team Leaders Richard Seymour on D and QB Jason Campbell on O both set the tone with massive gaffes that stole momentum and allowed the Pats to capitalize with points and the win.
Seymour freaked out immediately and drew 2 flags on the Pats opening TD drive.
He was forced to dial it back and never found the right setting. Same with the entire D.
The former Patriot veteran D lineman wasn't alone drawing flags, Oakland did what teams that hope to beat the Patriots can never do, make countless errors.
Worst of all Seymour was completely silent the rest of the game.
The refs made infuriating calls and picked up game changing flags but this loss was squarely on Oakland who had an opportunity to ignite their season.
The loss to New England is a set back but its not a season ender.
The Patriots are good.
Our Secondary is riddled with injury and youth but the most disturbing thing was the big runs New England tore off against the Rolando McClain led D.
Scrutiny will surely come his way and deservedly so. Really starting to wonder if his new baby isn't keeping him up late at night. He looks sluggish and slow on occasion.
The Pats gained around 200 yds on the ground and shredded the Silver and Black Defense at will with deft passes to WR Wes Welker who finished with 9 grabs for 158 yds and a TD.
Oakland Offensive Leader, Quarterback Jason Campbell, had brain farts, plain and simple.
He set the tone for the offense after a nice opening drive with a ridiculous interception to a wide open Patriot Safety Patrick Chung with a little over 2 minutes at the half.
He also threw another highlight reel intercpetion to fat Vince Wilfork who rumbled for yards after the pick.
Campbell finished with a respectable 25 of 39 for 344 yds and aTD but his mistakes cost Oakland dearly.
The pick at the half was even more humiliating because Chung has a cast on one hand. The Patriots of course drove down field and scored before the half and Oakland never recovered.
New England scored on every offensive drive of the second half except a 4th and goal stand with 1:17 left in the game and a 31-13 deficit.
Oakland looked for redemption and something to build on by launching a 99 yd TD drive capped by a 6 yd TD grab over the middle by WR Denarius Moore and a sweet 58 yd bomb to Heyward Bey in double coverage from our own 1 yd line.
AGAIN the Raiders Defense stayed in the locker room.
They did the same in the Bills loss and huge questions about their focus and scheme have to be answered as they face the burgeoning Texan running game next week.
DMC helps
Raiders Win Heidi Bowl
Two09-25-11 4:33 pm pac
Photo Paul Sakuma / AP RB DMC
The Jets won the toss and defered allowing Oakland to launch a hurry up offensive drive that ended up in the end zone with barely anytime off the clock.
The Raiders then went 3 and out 3 times as the Jets put up 17 unanswered.
7 of those points came from former Charger RB LaDanian Tomlinson reared his ugly head and scored on a 74 yd scamper after poor tackling allowed the prolific RB to break free.
Safety Tyvon Branch sprinted from the LOS on the far sideline to knock him out at the 1. Amazing football speed. The Jets punched it in for the score but Oakland found their footing and their O.
The Jets came out and moved the ball thanks to a boat load of Raider defensive penalties but like we've said, Oakland plays better when they have a boat load of penalties.
One of the Al Davis' Raider paradoxes that we love to hate.
Bizzaro Silver and Black.
Jekyll and Hyde...
Raider depth was responsible for saving their bacon especially in the 2nd half when they struggled to extricate themselves from 3rd downs.
CB Stanford Routt had 3 P.I.s and his fellow Defenders contributed too many more but the depth, the talent and the violence of Oaklands bigger, stronger, faster philosophy was on full display.
Razzle dazzle play calling by HC Hue and a fumble by CB Antonio Cromartie on a 2nd half kick off return saw the Raiders with a 14 point swing inside of :40 sedonds reminding us of the all time classic against the Jets "the Heidi Bowl".
Cromartie spouted off to the Bay Area media this week that Oakland wanted him and offered more than NY but he wanted to stay with the Jets because they were closer to the Superbowl.
They maybe but to day Cromartie ate crow. Before leaving the game in the 2nd half with a rib injury he had 4 P.I.s to go with his botched kick return.We've touted what a great story Jarvis Moss would be and that he was indeed poised for greatness based on our assement this off season but he waited till he was home before he caught fire.
Against D coordinator Chuck Bresnahan's ugly Prevent D the Jets drove 93 yds and scored on a perfect pass over rookie CB Chimdi Chekwa. Excellent coverage, just a perfect Sanchez pass.
Chekwa was mis cast as a Safety until forced in to service with the injury to starter Chris Johnson early on.
Chekwa was magnificent.
Oakland drove the ball down field in part thanks to a great scamlbe and improvised feather pass to a sideline streaking Michael Bush that set up a 43 yd J. Kow field goal that put the Raiders up 34-24 close to the 2 minute warning.
Jets QB Mark Sanchez drove their offense into Raider territory after a 50 kick off return. Oakland coverage units were the one let down today.
TheJets drove the ball to the two yard line and it took a booth review with :49 seconds left on a 4th and goal to give Oakland the ball and the big big win.
RB Darren McFadden shredded the Jets D with a career high 171 tds rushing on 19 carries and 2 TDs and Oaklands depleted Secondary, now missing Chris Johnson, Huff and a host of others still managed a solid win with help from an at times ferocious blitz and with well timed lepas to bat balls at the LOS.
A great win and a wondeful home opener for the Raider faithful.
Much more to come...Raider D with Epic
Second Half Collapse09-18-11 1:40 pm pac
Photo David Gee / AP
The Raiders went pass heavy its first few drives with little success. A solid strategy considering the Bills were missing starting CB Terrence McGee but Oakland was missing WR's Louis Murphy, Jacoby Ford, DHB and TE Kevin Boss.Oakland finally went ground and cut Darren McFadden loose for big gains and finishing the half with 51 yds and a TD on 12 carries.
In the 2nd half RB Michael Bush barreled in from 1 yd out after a 14 play, 71 yd drive to give Oakland the lead.
The Raiders would go on to have a 21 point 2nd quarter but completely fell apart especially on D, in the second half.
The Bills put up 21 unanswered points and the Raider D looked like its traditional sieve as Buffalo chewed up huge chunks of yards on the ground.
Oakland finally cranked things up in the 4th quarter with an 80 yd 8 play drive culminating in a Darren Mcfadden 12 yd TD catch and run.
but the Bills answered back with a 9 pkay 80 yd TD drive of their own. In fact, the Bills had the ball 5 times inteh 2nd half and scored everytime.
D Coordinator Chuck Bresnahan played alot more zone than usual but he did send LB and DB blitzes, Oakland just failed to appy pressure most of the day and was picked apart by deft passing and shredded by long Buffalo runs.
We'll have to review game film to figure out who is most to blame but early on, it looks like CB Chris Johnson and MLB Rolando McClain had horrible games.
After an old school 50 yd TD bomb to rookie WR Denarius Moore (5 catches 146 yds 1 TD) the Raiders finally had a commanding 35-31 lead with a little over 2 minutes left on the clock.
The Raider D had several golden opportunities to close out the game like a McClain dropped interception on 2nd down and then another pick swiped away from CJ in the end zone on 3rd that set up a 4th and 1 from the 6 yd line with :18 sedconds left.
A blown coverage by LB Kam Wimbley and McClain was the culprit.
Oakland competed a 24 yd pass to Moore but was unable to get J.Kow into range as the clock ran out on a horrible horrible half of football for the Raider D.Raider Team effort
Downs Denver09-13-11 3:31 am pac
Photo Joe Mahoney / AP RB DMC
After all the pre game hype about "Vroom and Doom" (rookie LB/DE Von Miller and LB/DE Elvis Dumervil) destroying the Raiders and becoming instant legends, both of them tallied exactly zero sacks.
Miller forced and early Jacoby Ford fumble but that was about it. Dumervil suffered a shoulder injury that saw him miss some reps but he was back in for much of the second half.
In fact, Denvers vaunted pre season sack attack never materialized and they came away with 1 token sack / fumble on the night.
Thats not to say Oaklands O line was great. They drew alot of yellow flags Monday night and most of them actually deserved.
OL Stephon Hyer was horrible spelling RT Khalif Barnes when Barnes took a break or played "extra TE" in Oaklands Jumbo sets.
Oddly enough, 10 of the first 11 times they lined up in the run heavy formation, they passed the ball.In limited action Hyer had back to back false starts and was responsible for that fumble / sack we mentioned earlier. C Samson Satele had a good day as did LG Cooper Carlisle.
Rookie Stephan Wisniewski drew some yellow for his indiscreations but played well in his NFL debut. On RB Darren McFadden's 47 yd game breaking scamper up the middle Wisniewski showed his trademark play to the whistle attitude. If Wisniewski hadn't stuck with his block tenaciously, like he always does, that play would've been a 5 yd gain.
Though McFadden finished with 150 yds on 22 carries, it was lesser known team mates making plays that helped propel Oakland over the top at Mile High. Like LB Daryl Blackstock who's blocked punt shifted momentum and field postion in favor of Oakland in the 1st half.
Safety and last minute addition Matt Giordano intercepted the usually stingy Kyle Orton just :05 before the half to kill a scoring opportunity. The surprising Giordano applied crucial pressure, made tackles and forced a fumble tonight too.
Back up RB Rock Cartwright made several solid special teams plays to stop Bronco break aways. We've said it before. Rock is one of our favorites because he's a tone setter. The vet steps up and selflessly contributes.
FB Marcel Reece carried the ball only once for 11 yds but caught 3 for 23 including a TD and threw some devastating, springing blocks.
K Sebastian Janikowski kicked a record tying 63 yarder and his 3 points were the difference in the end.He also booted 5 touchbacks.
P Shane Lechler blasted one 77 yds...in the air. What a leg, what a weapon! Instead of a return and decent field position Denver comes away with a touchback.
WR Derek Hagan was a surprise omission from tonights depth chart. The veteran WR performed well this off season and a calf injury suffered a week ago is considered healed.
Maybe he's being saved for depth and insurance against a long season.
WR Darrius Heyward Bey had no drops and 4 catches for 44 yds. 2 of them were nice 3rd down conversions.
Oakland can't wait for TE Kevin Boss to join the line up. Brandon Myers was sub par taking the lions share of duty with Boss nursing a pre season MCL bruise.
QB Jason Campbell played well and managed the game. He came away 13 of 22 for 105 yds and a TD.
On defense the Raiders crushed the run giving up a paultry 38 yds to the Broncos. Denver did move the chains through the air especially against CB Chris Johnson.
Denver QB Kyle Orton came away with 304 yds on 24 out of 46 passes and 1 TD and 1 interception.Orton also felt Raider heat all night and was sacked 5 times, twice by veteran DT Richard Seymour and once each by Tommy Kelly and Matt Shaughnessy.
Shaughnessy was a violent, edge setting force at DE tonight. He's going to be great and packs a punch on contact with ball carries and QBs.DE Lamarr Houston recovered a crucial Kyle Orton fumble that led to Raider points.
Stanford Routt faired better than fellow CB Chris Johnson making some good plays but whiffing open field on a Knowshon Moreno catch and run in the open field.
He did more than enough to atone.
Despite the penalties and some sloppy play, the Raiders got contributions from unexpected sources to pull out a solid win over a hated division rival.
Oakland opens the 2011 season 1 and 0 for the 1st time since their 2002 Super Bowl season.
Raider Fett blasts a
Professional Hater09-12-11 11:57 pm pac
Photo / AP J.Kow from 63..."Forgettable?"
It takes a special kind of hater to deny defeat, but one un-namable Bay Area writer took a Bronco like beating for his diatribe about Oaklands pitifully ugly and ignored "victory".
First of all this person is a well known in house hater. Nothing new but his last few offerings have been blatantly slanted, so much so he himself almost ellicits pity.
But alas, where in he shows none, neither shall we...
This is a verbatim repost from one of our new favorite fans.
The views of this Bounty Hunter and his opinions are his own and Raider Nation Station happens to agree with portions, ok hell, all of it.
Nicely done sir.
RAIDER FETT:
I can tell by the story you never even watched the game.
You claimed "that a nation probably tuned out, with good reason."
"They don't care that the proceedings Monday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High were completely forgettable to football observers from coast to coast."
"Probably"? Then in the next sentence you go ahead and just accept your lie.
First of all, the game started late.
You'd know that if you cared even a little. No one tuned out. You assumed that cuz you did.
The Patriot game went long. You know, the lopsided slaughter you probably found more entertaining than a close game with sacks, turn overs, punt returns for TDs, a record tying 63 yd field goal, big hitting countless scuffles and fights ect ect."Forgettable"? Please...
You actually went on to say:
"McFadden was the rose on an unexceptional Oakland performance, in what by any measure was a thorny game."
Not the first time you've pummeled us with purple prose. Just quit and be a florist. Screw Dad.Yes DMC did have 150 yds on 22 carries. You didn't want to mention quite how good that rose smelled did you?
But...Oaklands D had 3 forced fumbles, 5 sacks and a pick. You didn't want to mention that either did you?
"Unexceptional"? Come on...
You don't know what you're talking about.
Instead you went on:
"It was clear, almost from the start, that this once passionate and often significant rivalry has seen much better days. The national TV audience, at least those who stuck around past midnight in much of the country, could not have been impressed with the quality of football."
There were 25 penalties but...
Most of them were bullsh*t. Plain a simple. Raiders had 15, Broncos 10 but there were several including a blatant illegal block on the punt return touchdown announcer Trent Dilfer went over at length on replay, but again, you'd have known that if you'd watched the game.
Yeah, it wasn't pretty, but what is pretty clear is that you don't know enough about what you're talking about to be taken seriously.
Yes, you do make some points but the clear bias and digging for the worst possible angle is really disconcernting and frankly kind of sad.
You must hate your job or love to be negative.Since your not a Raider fan or even watcher I'll enlighten you.
THAT was a typical Raider win. If you knew about Oakland, you'd know they are far more successful posting W's when they are heavily penalized.
It was ugly, but we beat up Orton (5 sacks) and collected 5 turn overs.
We moved the ball on the ground and even DHB made big third down drive extending catches.
Bet you hated that.
In fact, its clear you hated us winning at all.
And thats why we love it so much...Kudo's Fettman. Kudos.
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