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R.I.P. AL DAVIS
FILM ROOM
Broncos feel the Raiders
Wrath10-25-10 6:10 pm pac
Photo Jack Dempsey / AP LB/DE Kamerion Wimbley
It was as if 7 years of frustration paid off all at once.
Oakland could do nothing wrong.
Okay, thats not entirely true, but even when they did botch things up, a stupid penalty, a blown coverage, a screwed up route, a fumble, none of it mattered and the vast majority of calls bounces and plays went the Raiders way.
Like we said, Oakland didn't play flawless football but it didn't matter.
It was the Raiders day.
All the almost catches. All the nearly broken runs for big gains. All the missed goal line opportunities all cashed in on one, mega, explosive, record setting day.
DT/DE Richard Seymour even flattened a Line Judge.
It wasn't perfect, it was better than perfection.
It was Oakland Raider football.
The kind many newer fans have never known and the kind old hats remembered fondly.
It was a good day to be an Oakland Raider.
QB Jason Campbell played a solid game making good throws and better scrambles.
His banged up knee didn't seem to be a factor at all.
At this moment Campbell seems like the perfect representative as the Raiders QB.
One week he's posting bitterly horrific numbers and the next he's a model of efficiency.
Against the 9ers Campbell posted the worst passer rating of his 6 yr career. (10.7) but against Denver he excelled coming a way with a passer rating of 127.9.
Just like the Raiders, from week to week Campbell has been Jekyll and Hyde.
Just because he played well in Denver doesn't mean he'll be the man when Seattle comes to town.
If Bruce Gradkowski's sore AC in his throwing shoulder is healed enough, he'll get the start.
Oaklands one, two punch of McFadden Bush looked awesome.
DMC's 165 yds on the ground on 16 carries included 3 touchdowns and a 10 yd average.
For good measure he took a screen pass to the house on 3rd and goal from the 19, one of his two catches for a total of 31 yds.
The thunder to McFadden's lightning, Michael Bush was tasked with short yardage work. As a result his longest run from scrimmage was 9 yds.
Bush dominated the Broncos. With the help of great O line play he moved the chains and even contributed a TD.
Bush finished with 52 yds on 15 carries and helped the Raiders eat the clock to seal the win.
All in all the Raiders posted the 3rd highest run totals in team history with 328 yds on the ground.
Becoming well rounded running backs, both Bush and DMac are establishing themselves as very capable pass blockers.
Again Jason Campbell had trouble establishing a rythym with any one wide receiver but Nick Miller made a beauty of a grab on a 39 yd deep ball from Campbell.
Louis Murphy had 2 grabs for 29 yds and rookie Jacoby Ford contributed 2 for 15 and helped move the chains.
TE Zach Miller of course had the 43 yard TD catch half way through the first quarter that started the Raider avalanche at Mile High.
He finished with 3 catches for 65 yds and was a factor in run blocking.
Speaking of...
We mentioned the fact Oakland linemen rarely got second level to block LBs but this Sunday they did and with devastating effect.
Even with in game injuries and players rotating in and out at different spots the Raiders O line kept pace and dominated the Broncos banged up D.
Rookie Jared Veldheer drew his 3 false start flags while at Left Tackle but was clean in the second half playing Center for starter Samson Satele who suffered a concusion in the 2nd quarter.
Mario Henderson came in to fill the vacancy left by Veldheer and played some of his best football this season.
The problem with Mario has been his mental toughness.
He looked plenty tough pancaking Denver defenders yesterday.
Back up lineman Khalif Barnes saw game time too filling in for Right Tackle Langston Walker when he re-injured his right elbow and in Oaklands mega jumbo package featuring 7 offensive linemen.
Against Denver's smaller defense it worked like a buzz saw.
Oaklands defense played superbly against the Broncos allowing only 75 yds rushing and 198 through the air.
CB Chris Johnson's 30 yd interception return for a TD on Denvers first offensive play signaled a dominant performance by the Silver and Black D.
Photo Jack Dempsey / AP CB Chris Johnson
Oaklands secondary took some heat about the D's lack of turnovers and decided to do something about it.
Safety Michael Huff forced a fumble on Denvers 2nd offensive snap of the game.
3 plays later Darren McFadden waltzed in for a 4 yd touchdown.
Fellow Safety Tyvon Branch still gets burned in coverage but helped the Raider cause by scooping up a fumble by a scrambling Kyle Orton.
Orton was stripped on the play by another Raider safety, #34 Mike Mitchell.
Raider linebackers made plays and sealed the edges with Quentin Groves and Rolando McClain having very good performances.
This was by far Groves best game in Silver and Black even though he's coming off an injury.
McClain, blitzing untouched off the edge, even added a sack to his resume.
Fellow LB/DE Kamerion Wimbley sacked Orton on 3rd and 10 pinning Denver at its own 14 and giving Oakland good field position.
On the play Wimbley showed he's developed another pass rushing move to his arsenal.
Now offensive linemen have more to worry about than Wimbley's impressive "dip and rip" technique.
DE Matt Shaughnessy is demonstrating each week that he is an edge setting run stopper and a 3 down player with burgeoning pass rushing skills.
He suffered a concusion in this game. No idea of the severity but he might be back in time for the Seattle match up this week end.
Each week it seems he brings a new and successful technique to his pass rushing abilites.
The 2nd year man makes it really hard for O coordinators and line coaches to defend against him.
DT Tommy Kelly came alive and showed he does in fact have the ability to play good football including run defense and rushing the passer.
We just need to see it more than twice a season.
King Richard Seymour is a monster.
He may not be blowing up the stats but he did contribute a sack and flatten an official while scooping up an errant ball.
Seymour is a pleasure to watch on the field.
He stands up double teams and shows incredible quickness off the snap.
He can be counted on for taking a cheap shot at an opponent at least once a game too.
Thats the kind of Raider nastiness we need back in Silver and Black.
Aside from his propensity for controlled violence Seymour is a fundamentally sound football player who splits double teams, stuffs the run, bats down passes and levels the Quarterback.
What more do you want?
He's a complete player at DE or DT.
It was all Oakland this week end folks.
Enjoy the hell out of it.
"The O line, the injuries, the coaching. Three things that could be hampering Oakland."
3 Keys to Raider Woes
10-04-10 1:17 pm pac
Photo Paul Sakuma / APHead Coach Tom CableThe Raiders managed to put up 24 points yesterday but came up short as the Texans posted 31.
Oakland always seems to find a way to lose and what seems like a positive one week is a negative the next.
The O line
LG Daniel Loper was limited in practice this week with a sore knee but thats no excuse for getting smoked too often on Sunday.
Loper’s been good filling in for the injured Robert Gallery but yesterday was his worst outing in that capacity.
Several times he was simply beaten off the snap and cost the offense with negative plays.
Loper wasn’t the only one getting shoved around by the Texans D line. Guard Cooper Carlisle can’t seem to anchor and looks like he’s on skates too often as the defenders simply bulls him into the pocket.
RT Langston Walker was torched by Pro Bowl caliber DE Mario Williams but thats to be expected.
What wasn’t expected is that Texas didn’t flip flop Williams more to exploit him.
Samson Satele seems to be playing better at center after nearly losing his job to rookie Jared Veldheer.
Veldheer saw a lot of action yesterday rotating in for Mario Williams at left tackle and played decently enough.
He still struggling in protection but Oakland isn’t using him in that capacity as much.
Khalif Barnes was all over the field filling in and one wonders if the Raiders over rotation might have something to do with their erratic O line play.
Sub par players and over the hill vets mixed with in with green as can be rookies rotated into a hybrid straight line / zone blocking system sounds like a mess and sometimes it is, but frankly the Raiders O line isn’t doing a terrible job.
It may look that way on some plays but they are finally producing yardage and points.
The Walking Wounded
Add in inexperienced and injured WRs to a 2nd string QB and you can begin to see where and why the Raiders just can’t seem to get the job done.
Photo Ben Margot / AP
DMC
Now with RB Darren McFadden sidelined with a hammy (No official word from the Raiders on how long he’ll be out, but we’re guessing at least 2 games if not more) the Raiders will need to lean on RB Michael Bush to tote the rock.
Bush may not be as productive as McFadden because frankly McFadden made a lot of those yards on his own.
Some guys, like QB Jason Campbell make the O line look bad. DMAC made them look good with his incredible quickness and elusiveness.
Mike Bush is a solid RB but he doesn’t have McFadden’s moves.
Moves Darren waited until this year to display.
Now he’s on the sidelines again and its looking like critics are right. He can’t stay healthy at this level.
If only Oakland could field both Bush and DMC at the same time.
We’ll have to see how Oaklands long and ever expanding dinged and injured list looks this Wednesday but it ain’t good folks.
4 games in and its looking like a M.A.S.H. unit.
Oakland has suffered various dings and bruises through out but the main injury stat that leaps out is the amount of hamstring pulls they’ve had since off season camp.
11 players have been hobbled so far including DMAC, Richard Seymour, Robert Gallery, Bruce Gradkowski, Chris Johnson and Johnnie Lee Higgins.
Its called warm ups and stretching people.
The Coaching
Several times yesterday the Texans scorched the Raiders and it was obvious they’d done their homework.
Oaklands zone defense inside the red zone was easily exploited for a TD when TE Joel Dreessen caught a quick pass off the line and waltzed in uncovered into the end zone.
This was just one example of the Raiders coaching staff getting burned and it seems like they’re making questionable rotations of players on crucial plays and calling bad plays on offense too.
Of course the old adage "Its not the play calling it’s the execution" can be chucked out there but Raider fans are hardly seeing the razzle dazzle they expected from new Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson.
Some people felt Jackson was simply waiting in the wings until Coach Tom Cable got the axe.
And he may be but hasn’t shown why he would be any better.
Oaklands vast and ever expanding injury list, questionable coaching, coupled with over the hill vets and inexperienced players has meant under performance and loses so far.
Are they better than last year?
Yes.
Are they ready to break .500?
It doesn’t look like it from here.
"What does Oakland have to do to come away with a win on Sunday?"
Tackling the Texans10-02-10 3:01 pm pac
Photo Getty Images
DT Tommy Kelly chases down QB Matt Shaub
We don't even know who's going to be playing on game day or how much.
Chess game.
Chess game on the offensive roster.
Chess game on the defensive roster.
No one knows how much DTs Richard Seymour and John Henderson will or will not play. Oakland hopes at least one of them can play the majority of snaps if the other can't but look for them to rotate the big men as much as they can.
Tommy Kelly will need to have his best game of the season.
This is something Oakland hasn't done very well by the way.
Their player selection in critical situations is highly dubious.
Most people know about the Raiders DT situtation but one of the more key battles hasn't been mentioned much and could be affected by injury as well
CB Chris Johnson hasn't been healthy since mid way through camp.
A litany of dings from hamstring issues to ankle injuries have slowed him this year but whether or how much he plays could factor on Sunday too.
Rookie nickle back Walter McFadden re-injured his hammy last week and won't be back anytime soon.
That means Johnson's the man at nickle against the Texans.
Photo Getty Images
CB Chris Johnson
There are conflicting reports from reputable sources about whether Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha will shadow Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson.
Johnson may or may not play with a high ankle sprain but if he does play, Nnamdi should shadow him because of the injuries and lack of depth in the secondary.
Oakland cannot afford to leave Johnson covered by LB/DE Kamerion Wimbley or simply let him run free like they did with Pro Bowl MVP WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Texan QB Matt Shaub is not Derek Anderson.
Shaub will find him and exploit those mismatches where Anderson could not.
That is if he's upright.
The Cowboys kept constant pressure on Shaub last week sacking him 4 times and forcing 2 interceptions.
The Raiders need to score quickly and force the Texans into their hands by running the ball and eating the clock so Houston can't ride on its League leading rusher to sit on its own lead.
Have no illusion, if Andre Johnson doesn't play or is limited, they have other receivers.
Shaub's good but he may be missing another potential target without Pro Bowl alternate TE Owen Daniels abilites on Sunday too.
He'll be another game time decision.
So, the game plan should be pretty simple.
Limit their offenses time on the field by maintaining drives and scoring.
Stop they're 5th ranked rushing offense and its League leading running back with two of your best run stuffing DTs injured and or out.
Take advantage of their 32nd ranked pass defense with both starting WRs injured and or out.
Simple enough.
All things aside Oakland can win this game.
When they show up to play they can beat anyone in the NFL.
Its just a question of consistency.
D solid, but subs hurt
09-27-10 11:11 am pac
Photo Matt York / AP
DE Lamarr Houston
Oaklands played well against Arizona but loading the defense with scrubs in critical situations continues to cost them.This isn't an abberation or an over sight. Its something the Raiders have done for years now and it needs to be addressed.
S
Michael Huff showed that his off season whiffs were likely to save himself for the 2010 season, a contract year for him. He's been stout against the run, several times taking on broken field runners one on one like 6-2, 228 lb running back Beanie Wells and making the tackle.
He's pretty good in coverage too.
The pass interference penalty he accrued in the frist half was actually on Nnamdi who grabbed WR Larry Fitzgerald's left arm as the Card receiver tried for a catch.
Former 2nd round draft pick Mike Mitchell has done very little to prove Al Davis right for taking him so high.
Mitchell's always looking for the kill shot and yesterday took himself out of the game by leading with his face while trying to assist Asomugha in a tackle on Fitzgerald.
Wouldn't be surprised if he suffered a neck stinger or even a concussion.
Oakland fielded S Stevie Brown yesterday and he played decently during his brief appearance but one has to question his insertion considering the 7th round pick has been ping ponged on and off the team in recent weeks.
Fellow safety Tyvon Branch simply isn't having a good year. He's reactionary and guessing wrong too often.
He and Oakland struggled making adjustments to Arizona's offensive sets often reverting to back yard football and simply slapping any defender on who ever wasn't covered.
On one play 6-4, 255 lb linebacker Kam Wimbley ended up covering WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Oakland can thank its lucky stars Cardinal QB Derek Anderson isn't a good QB because this gaffe wasn't the only one Oaklands defense commited when trying to cover Fitz.
Branch posted 9 tackles on Sunday but all too often its Branch blowing it when it really counts.
Like former Raider MLB Kirk Morrison, big numbers in tackling don't mean much when they come after a big play.
CB
Nnamdi allowed one 18 catch by Fitzgerald when he was in coverage.
The Pro Bowl caliber Wide out had 2 catches on the day, one for a TD but that came as Oakland stupidly played zone coverage with the Cardinals on the 8 yd line.
Nnamdi's the best corner in football.
Stanford Routt had another good game but was flagged for a P.I. early in the game that gave up 27 yds and led to an Arizona field goal.
Routt and his fellow CBs are playing the run much tougher this year and its good to see.
Photo Matt York / AP
CB Stanford Routt
Rookie 4th round pick Walter McFadden saw his first reps after injuring a hamstring against Seattle in pre season but was nailed with a P.I. himself by flag happy refs. He managed a tackle but was victimized on the goal line as the Raiders fielded 2 rookies (W.McFadden and fellow CB Jeremy Ware) on the right side of a Cardinal goal line spread formation.
Arizona ran an pick play (Oakland was flagged for this earlier and it negated a sweet 33 yd pass to WR Louis Murphy) that sprang WR Steve Breaston for the walk in TD.
Safety Tyvon Branch was there but again a step late.
His protests over the pick used by Arizona fell on deaf ears.
W. McFadden left the game shortly after re injuring his hamstring.
Oakland can be forgiven for fielding so many rookies on this play because their simply may not have been enough CBs to cover but it still hurt.
Not sure if Stanford was even in on the play though.
OLB
Quentin Groves snagged a pick off a deflection but is doing his best Kirk Morrison impression with poor and often late diagnoses of plays.
He's especially tentative rushing the passer which is supposed to be a specialty of his and was in college.
On one play he was set to rush the passer or contain the edge as a "stand up DE" outside of DE Matt Shaughnessy who collapsed inside.
Groves wasin place to make the play, but couldn't decide if it was a pass or run when it was obviously a run. Beanie Wells ran right by him untouched for a 12 yd gain.
He's a weakness and still can't understand how he made the team, let alone is a starter.
LB Thomas Howard can't be much worse.
Groves is a wonderful, god fearing man, but not an instictual player.
Perhaps Oaklands hoping he reaches his potential one day...soon.
Trevor Scott was a wash. He contributed an assist on a tackle. he gets eaten alive when he's manned up on the O line and can't cover when he's off it.
He's looking like a speed rusher and not a great one at that.
Kam Wimbley applies consitent pressure, can cover backs and TEs and is a very solid all around player who's pass rush is one of Oaklands better defensive weapons.
He needs to develop more pass rushing moves though.
MLB
Rolando McClain's quietly coming into his own.
He made better reads and reacted alot quicker to the run, several times meeting the ball carrier at the LOS and stuffing him for little or no gain.
Oakland looked flumoxed by an Arizona offense they've never really played against and McClain's responsible in large part for Oaklands success yesterday on defense.
He looks like he's starting to let it go and play now instead of reading and reacting.
DE
Matt Shaughnessy posted a sack after demonstrating a "Freeny-esque" spin move that shows he's been working on rounding out his game.
He still faulters occasionally setting the edge against runners but he's looking like a very solid DE who's becoming a 3 down player.
Lamarr Houston's size and speed is undeniable. The 2nd round rookie will be a monster once he gets some more experience and a few more moves in his arsenal.
He consistently sets the edge against the run and his burst to the QB is undeniable.
DT
King Richard is a beast.
That term gets over used but is certainly applicable to the versatile veteran.
Seymour defeated blockers and stuffed the run very well yesterday often making plays on his own or stone walling linemen so team mates could make a clean play on the runner.
He also had an impressive sack on second effort.
Tommy Kelly on the other hand is a wash.
Though he was held on occasion, Kelly disappears from games and is too often is easily blown several yards off the LOS.
Watching Seymour and Big John Henderson consistently stack the middle makes Kelly look all the worse.
Desmond Braynt saw a little time in this game but it seems like his elbow injury is still a factor.
DT Jay Alford made one solid play against the run but was emabrrassingly thrown away on a critical short yardage play.
Oakland seems to bestow reps on players that never deserved them and consistently pay for over and over again.
In recent years it was FB Luke Lawton who had no business on an NFL field and couldn't make the practice squads of several other teams before starting in Raider land.
This year Lawton's finally gone but the Raiders signed DT Alford in the 11th hour and immediately starting giving him game reps for no good reason.
He's supposedly a pass rushing DT but you'd never know it by watching him and he's a liability against the run.
Big Kellen Heard who is currently on the practice squad couldn't do much worse.
Bryant is a developing player who flashes brilliance on occasion but placing him and awful Jay Alford in the line up in critical situations and goal line stands makes almost no sense unless you're trying to lose.
Veteran players need a breather after long drives, but to replace them with scrubs when it counts the most is folly and the Raiders do it or allow it way too often.
This isn't an isolated event either. Lane Kiffin was guilty of it too and its something Oakland really should do something about.
A tired vet is way better than a fresh newbie or never was.
Watching this happen over and over again as the years and losses pile up is beyond aggravating.
Oakland looked good against the Cards at times and at others confused and out of sorts.
Frankly they were out coached by Arizona and didn't look prepared as well as they could have been.
Again, critical rotations and player selections when doing it continue to sink the Raiders.
"They were error prone with some clearly performing better than others, but the Raiders defense showed a nasty streak and a motor that wouldn't quit in this Sundays win at home over the Rams."
Defense of the Realm09-21-10 11:30 pm pac
Photo Paul Sakuma / AP
The Raiders defense played tough against the Rams, stifling the run and attacking the pass.
Heres the break down...
S
Michael Huff played well against he pass and the run. He wasn't spectacular, but he was solid.
He was flagged for a P.I. late in the game that helped keep a Ram scoring drive alive but had evey right to attack the ball in flight and showed his field vision and instincts are alomst there.
Tyvon Branch has proven several times already this year that he is a liability not only against the pass but now even against the run, He appears in too many Ram highlights.
He and Michael Huff should've split credit for a sack on a double safety blitz on the Rams opening series.
Credit John Marshall for "betting the farm" with an all out blitz and with the double fire safety call early in the game.
Safety Mike Mitchell must be no where near ready and seems to have a rep as a headhunter rather than playing good angles. Stevie Brown made it into the game on special teams and made a great looking tackle on kick coverage.
He just seems to be around the ball all the time.
CB
Chris Johnson has been silent the first two games. A tender hamstring may be hampering him after he cleary had the best camp of all DBs.
Nnamdi played on the right side predominantly but did shadow the X a time or two. Against the Rams with no real receivers and rookie QB Sam Bradford, keeping him on one side an shutting down that side of the field made sense.
Stanford Routt saw alot fo duty in Johnson's spot on the left side and had one of the best games of his career making a nice TD saving tackle on RB Stephen Jackson after running him down from behind.
Routt also snagged a one handed interception in the 4th quarter.
Photo Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP
CB Stanford Routt
OLB
Quentin Groves isn't making waves at linebacker or rushing the passer. He had 5 tackles against the Titans, but only one against the visiting Rams.
MLB
Rolando electrified the faithful with his suplex of unfortuntate WR Danny Amendola but his roughing penalty kept a Ram scoring drive alive late in the 4th that could've cost Oakland the game.
McClain is making the adjustment to the pros very nicely and called a very good game against the Rams. When Kirk Morrison was at MLB fans in the know would cringe every time Morrison made a defensive adjustment on the fly because 9 times out of 10 it was the wrong call and resulted in a big play or points.
Thats not happening with McClain. McClain had 3 tackles and was all over the field.
Pass rushings still not there yet though. He still needs to pull the trigger a little faster but his supposed vulnerability against the pass hasn't materialized.
OLB
Thomas Howard really looked good against St. Louis having one of his best games diagnosing and crushing the run making a particularly strong tackle behind the LOS from the Will LB spot.
He's always been good in coverage.
DE
Kam Wimbley is a monster coming from the DE position. His speed off the egdge and athletic dip move to keep O Tackles from laying a hand on him is remarkable.
He had 4 tackles and should've been credited with 1.5 sacks instead of just the 1.
He's better at OLB than many realize but gets held an awful lot and can be late in coverage occasionally.
Trevor Scott showed some fire but drew a uneccessary roughness penalty after his frustrations with 2nd yr Tackle Jason Smith boiled over.
He's deadly in Oaklands 3-4 look psycho package but is starting to look like a one dimensional speed rusher as the rest of his game at OLB lags.
Can't begin to tell you how great Lamarr Houston looks especially against in pass rush.
His run stuffing and edge setting is coming along nicely and he is partly responsible for the Rams lack of run lanes.
His burst to the QB looks like Warren Sapp in his heyday.
DT
King Richard Seymour was out with a hammy which meant more time for Jay Alford and recently recovered Desmond Bryant.
Alford's simply not good enough and often costs the Raiders when he's in.
Bryant is the opposite.
He may not get his due yet, but Bryant is quietly looking like a very solid D tackle.
He lacks burst to the QB but seems to play in the back field alot. At least once a game he's made a great play using speed power and techinique to blow up a run play.
Its impressive and he's one to watch for.
Tommy Kelly proved way more of a hinderance than a help. His number was called more for penalties than for good plays though he did make 3 tackles and dealt with double teams alot.
With Seymour out against the Rams excellent RB Stephen Jackson the onus fell to veteran Big John Henderson and he was spectacular. Not that the average fan would know it.
Hendu split double teams and stood linemen up straight as he anchored the D line and stuffed the run.
In recent years opposing backs would get 2 yds before they were touched as Raider DTs got blown backward by the initial bull rush but even against linemen double teams Henderson rare gave and inch and it showed Sunday.
Big John was a huge reason why Jackson and the Rams gained 75 yards total on the ground.
Who said he was washed up?
Too many penalties some real, some imagined by refs marred their performance.
It wasn't pretty but Oakland managed a win against the Rams in large part due to the sometimes erratic but stout and violent play of its under rated defense.
"In the first half the Raiders offense was offensive, in the 2nd Bruce Almighty led the charge to victory but it was Darren McFadden who
silenced the Rams."
Despite O line Raider
Weapons begin to Fire09-20-10 10:10 am pac
Photo Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP
"Bruce Almighty"
Oaklands Offense sputtered through out the 1st half but came to life with Bruce Gradkowski under center in the 2nd.
QB
Jason Campbell was pulled from the game at half time but the play calling and O line had alot to do with his failure. Fans need to remember he hasn't been working the Oakland system very long and could simply need more time to develop.
Bruce Gradkowski came in and did what he does, move the ball and score points.
He's a fan favorite because of it, but wether he can stay healthy behind the Raiders suspect O line is another matter.
RB
Darren McFadden gained 145 on 30 carries against the Rams and showed he can be a legitmate starter.
The possible return of Michael Bush to the backfield will be welcome though considering McFadden's injury history.
FB
Marcel Reece got his knee dinged in but still contributed blocks that sprang DMC and made 2 catches, one for 19 yds.
WR
Darrius Heyward Bey was mauled by DB London Fletcher much of the time which negated the long bomb but had his best game as a pro with 6 catches for 80 yds including a 33 yarder.
He used good technique and after the catch his lightning fast turn and run looks like he'll be a threat to break away on just about every play.
Louis Murphy seems to have a connection with QB Bruce Gradkowski. They combine for big catches and TDs nearly everytime they're on the field.
TE
Zach Miller had 3 catches for 49 yds but had a sure first down with 4:22 left in the game but made a rare unforced error when he dropped a Gradkowski pass on 2nd and 10 that would've been a 1st down.
Miller's drop led to a Veldheer penalty on the next play and a Gradkowski pick on the next that led directly to a Rams TD late in the game.
2nd yr TE Brandon Myers blocked well but dropped easy catches both times he was targeted.
T
Jared Veldheer subbed in and out for Mario Henderson with poor results. Doesn't mean the 3rd round Division II pick is a bust, he's simply not ready for prime time in the NFL.
The fact Veldheer came in for Henderson speaks volumes.
On the right side Langston Walker had one of his better games but protection is a still a major issue especially when Oakland tries to force the ball down field.
G
Daniel Loper stepped in for Robert Gallery who is out with a bad hamstring injury.
Loper played well against the Rams who were without DT Clifton Ryan. Loper seems to play well once and then disappear. He did help blast open holes for McFadden and his protection was better than his fellow linemen could muster.
Cooper Carlisle gets thrown around too often when it counts most, in pass protection and certainly isn't leveling 1st line defenders to blow open running lanes.
Like RT Cornell Green in recent seasons past, Carlisle has stayed on board too long.
If he's capable, look for T/G and 4th round draft pick Bruce Campbell to start seeing reps later this year.
C
Samson Satele is terrible in pass protection. There. I said it. He's not much better run blocking either and rarely reaches 2nd level defenders but he was way less error prone than Veldheer week one against the Titans.
Play calling and Campbell's timidity exposed Oaklands sub par O line with alarming results and frequency.
Oakland was able to play some good football in the back half where it counts and despite an ugly, personal foul filled game, the Raiders behind Bruce Almighty posted the only stat that really counts, a W.
Titans, Raiders
Breaking down the D09-16-10 7:59 pm pac
Photo Wade Payne
S Eugene and LB Howard strip TE Bo Scaife
S
Michael Huff got burned on the Titans 1st offensive play as Titans QB Vince Young executed the designed roll out and ran right past him. Huff never even knew he was there till he was by him.
Huff did make several nice plays to make up for it. On one running play Huff absolutely destroyed Chris Johnson on spinning and dumping him hard for a big loss.
Then Huff hurt his knee.
Tyvon, Tyvon, Tyvon. We've covered it alot. A stupid P.I. on 3rd down, a blown read that left CB Stanford Routt out to dry and 7 points on the Titans score board and oh yeah, the highlight whiff on Chris Johnsons TD 76 yd TD run.
Ugly, but he got it out of the way. We hope...
CB
Contrary to whats written by some Raider sites and by people that never saw the game, Nnamdi DID play both left and right sides of the field.
He even lined up at safety.
Results were the same. He was solid but made no game changing plays.
Stanford Routt was left holding the bag as Titan WR Nate Washington caught a 56 yd rainbow over him but again, Tyvon's boo boo.
Routt played well, covered the run with aggression and made a pretty play to bust up a pass early.
Chris Johnson faired well until he was taken out of the game with a stinger. He was back at practice today.
OLB
Quentin Groves had five tackles but was embarrased by Young in the open field (lots of LBs have and will have that happen) but he needs to be a better tackler, often glancing off ball carriers.
MLB
Rolando wasn't a game changer but showed some serious speed on that first play running down VY in full gallop. Young has been clocked at sub 4.3 in game film.
Not saying Rolando's a sub 4 anything, just saying, it was an impressive play by McClain.
On the CJ TD run McClain was opposite the call so not his fault.
He still looks hesitant but Sunday was a huge test and he passed.
OLB
For those who haven't seen it, Kam Wimbley's shoulder dip pass rush move is a thing of beauty but only worked once. Not sure if he possess any other moves.
He got held most of the game and was therefore negated to a large extent.
OLB
Ricky Brown was the LB engulfed blocked out of the way on Titan RB Javon Ringer's 15 yd TD run.
Thomas Howard the victim on another big play.
You rarely ever see Raider linemen blanketing second level defenders so efficiently, but Oaklands LBs still needed to make better reads and plays on the ball.
DE
Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston had a couple of impressive plays with Shaughnessy getting a coverage sack on Young and Houston celebrating a back side pursuit tackle for a loss on CJ by letting out a war whoop.
Need to see more of that out of Oakland. Their "Can't get too high, too low" philosophy is a recipe for failure. Play balls out all out and play to win because obviously you're going to make mistakes anyway...
DT
Tommy Kelly did little but at least ate up blockers as he should. That freed Richard Seymour to go one on one, a battle he's going to win way more often than not and he did.
Seymour had 4 very solid and impressive tackles especially against the run.
He was blatantly held several times, none uglier than on CJ's TD run.
Contrary to what other sites have said DT Jay Alford was a liabilty. He was in on 2 scoring plays including Ringer's TD run, took bad angles and got burned.
Hopefully Desmond Bryant is back from a hyper extended elbow suffered against San Fran in the pre season. He showed some promise and figures to be a better rotational option.
They'll need him to play well against RB Stephen Jackson and the Rams.
He's back at practice and could be good to go. The 6-5, 290 lb DT quietly had a good off season before the injury.
"One game into the season and the "new" Raiders look shockingly like the same ole same ole. Is it Davis? Is it Campbell? Is it Cable or is it worse?"
Titanic Troubles09-13-10 11:50 am pac
Photo Wade Payne /AP
QB Jason CampbellFor a team that loses this is often, film study can be the worst part of Monday.
What we learned.
WR/KR Yamon Figurs
Figurs returning kicks was a mistake. Blatanly obvious because he fumbled the opening kick off of the 2010 NFL season, but he'd done the same thing twice in pre season.
Hard to tell us no one else could've done the job with Nick Miller or even marginally better Johnnie Lee Higgins in the wings.
QB Jason Campbell
22-37, 180 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
He's who we thought he was. An upgrade from Jamarcus Russell...barely. Eerily similar looking with the fumbling and bumbling. Yesterdays game actually makes Russell not look like a complete A hole.
Campbell is a capable QB if he's got blocking and time. With our O line. He doesn't.
RB Darren McFadden
18 rushes, 95 yds 6 catches, 55 yds TD
Looked like a 1st round running back which begs the question, "Where has that been all this time?" Injuires have taken their toll on his young career and frankly, some of his production came in garbage time when the Titans were already up by 3 or more TDs, but he was the lone bright spot on O.
He didn't fumble and he made guys miss. More please.
C Jared Veldheer
Epic fail.
He handled pass rush better than Satele would have but his errant snaps wreeaked havoc and cost not only possessions but points. Some exchanges and mis cues would've been funny if they weren't happening to us.
Frankly the kid from Division II wasn't ready for prime time. Is that a shock to anyone other than Tom Cable a supposed O line guru?
With Kwame Harris, Khalif Barnes and now this ugly O line debacle under his considerable belt Al Davis better check this Cable's references again.
Talent evaluation is not his strong suit.
T Khalif Barnes
Barnes showed up at Left Tackle for Mario Henderson early in the 1st quarter and at "TE" in a jumbo set designed to give max protection for Jason Campbell on a pass play and whiffed completely on a delayed blitz that got Campell crushed.
Our O line is unbelievably bad.
Theres a chance they can gel a little more but it doesn't look good.
G Robert Gallery
Gallery is clearly the best lineman the Raiders have ( for what thats worth) but can't stay on the field. He suffered 3 injuires last year and pulled a hammy giving a herculean effort to run down Titan DB Chris Pope who was trying to score off a Jason Campbell interception.
Whatever Oakland needs to do to improve its O line needs to be done with a quickness.
Photo Wade Payne / AP
TE Zach Miller
TE Zach Miller
4 catches, 43 yds
Zach Miller blocked well and caught 4 passes but man, he gets lit up for it. We need him because frankly, he's our best receiver and yes, he's a TE and yes, thats sad for our wide receivers.
WR Louis Murphy
4 catches, 28 yds
Murph leaves too many on the field. His drops hurt morale and stem more from a mental block than lack of skill. With Chaz Schilens a breath away from being a never was, he needs to come into his own...soon.
Is there hope for Oakland?
Yes, yes there is.
Honestly, they look like they were frazzled and overwhelmed but at the same time you can see they do have some weapons in place. Its rough to put it all on one person or unit, but in this case its appropriate. The offensive line is the culprit and thats the unkindest cut of all.
If G Logan Mankins is still available, Oakland should take him.
Its not all wines and roses, sorry folks, but how could it be after yesterdays performance?
The good news? We've got the Rams at home next week.
"Fix the O line, Save the Raiders."
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Breaking down the D...
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