10-06-11 4:40 pm pac                                  

 Photo David Duprey / AP                                                                       CBs Joe Porter and Chris Johnson

Contrary to reports FB Manase Tonga has NOT been elevated from the practice squad though he has been practicing with the Raiders the last two sessions.

Depth is and was a concern at the FB spot previously occupied by FB Marcel Reece.

Reece suffered and ankle injury and a return date remains unknown leaving Oakland in a lurch.

Scheme wise traditional FB wasn't going to be a large part of Oaklands game plan this season based in part on O Coordinator Al Saunders style and the fact Reece has been a phenominal hybrid success as a 245 lb WR turned FB.

Reece was clearly much much more than a traditional 2nd level blocker.

Thats why it wasn't a huge leap for rookie TE Richard Gordon to take over for Reece but now Gordon is apparently out with a broken hand. He injured it in the loss to the Patriots but returned and played in that game.

He has been held out of all of this weeks practices and it looks like he may not play Sunday.

That leaves Oakland with a few options though.

TE's like rookie David Ausberry or Brandon Myers could sub at FB and in a pinch so could versatile Specialist Rock Cartwright who has filled in at FB before with the Redskins before joining the Raiders.

None of these options are particularly appealing but would do in case Oakland decides to pass on Tonga as a decidedly less dimensional FB.

DE Matt Shaughnessy sat out again with a shoulder injury making his appearance on the field in Houston Sunday questionable.

If he and fellow DE Jarvis Moss can't go (Moss suffered a chest injury at practice yesterday, not thought to be severe) Oakland may have to rely on undersized and under productive Trevor Scott who gets washed in the run game.

This would be a very bad idea.

Thye notion of moving versatile veteran Lineman Richard Seymour out to end might remind him of his New England days and that might be a good thing.

If they do this veteran DT Big John Henderson would likely see more reps especially on run downs.

FB, DE and CB are all postions testing Oaklands depth 4 weeks into the season.

Particularly troublesome is the back half of Oaklands depleted Defense. rookie CB Chimdi Chekwa did an admirable job learning on the fly when he had to replace veteran CB Chris Johnson who is out indefinitely with a hanstring injury.

Now Chekwa has come down with the same. Whether its bad enough for him to miss the game or limit him is undisclosed but were saying yes, yes he will miss the Houston game.

Its bad enough he s a rookie but to force an injury hampered rookie to play after missing an entire week of practice doesn't seem wise.

Neither does replacinghim with 2nd yr UDFA Joe Porter or rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke but those are the seemingly most viable options.

Oaklands depth is being tested already but it can't be an excuse for a loss to Houston.

It just can't.

10-05-11 10:44 am pac                

Photo / AP                                                                                                                        WR Louis Murphy

WR Louis Murphy rejoined his team mates today for the 1st time since an August 1st groin injury bad enough to require surgery.

Murphy joins a WR roster jam packed and productive for the 1st time since the start of the century.

Considered a starter before the injury Murphy now looks like depth especially with WR/KR Jacoby Ford back from a hamstring injury and the emergence of rookie Denarius Moore, veteran Derek Hagan and 3rd yr WR Darrius Heyward Bey who had a career 115 yd performance against the Pats.

Good news for Oaklands ground game. Both Darren McFadden and Michael Bush were on the field today as well.

McFadden has a had a shoulder ding and Bush an ankle injury.

Speaking of...

CB Chris Johnson  is out with a hamstring, DE Matt Shaughnessy remains out with a shoulder injury, FB Marcel Reece's ankle is still bothering him, MLB Ricky Brown  is out with a concussion and TE Richard Gordon all sat out of todays practice.

Gordon may still play as he did against the Pats, even with a broken hand.

He's been filling in for Reece at FB on some plays.

We mentioned Ford and Moore earlier and it looks like both of them will be returning kicks on Sunday.

Both can be exciting Touchdown scoring play makers in the return game and both shoujld be used as such.

We advocated NOT letting Moore take the duty because we felt he simply couldn't be risked.

That was when Murphy and Ford were both out of the line up.

We'd just hate to see the spectre of Tim Brown rear its ugly head. Of course, that turned out all right, but to see Moore injured on a kick off would truly be a blow.

Those hoping for the return of CB and Oakland area native Sterling Moore are in for a dissapointment.

Moore was signed by the Patriots off the waiver wire.

His replacement, DB Ron Parker was signed to the team but may be a roster casualty when 3rd rnd supplemental draft pick Tyrelle Pryor comes on line.

His suspension ends after the Houston game and he'll be eligible to participate in team activities starting Monday.

Oakland and Pryor swear Pryor play QB.

It would be a shock, even with special packages, to see Pryor at all week 6 against Cleveland.

With so many weapons on Oaklands burgeoning Offense, theres simply no need and judging by how Pryor has looked, he's nowhere near ready for this level.

10-03-11 5:57 pm pac

Photo / AP                                                                                                                     RB Taiwan Jones

Some bad news today in the Raiders war of attrition. TE Richard Gordon, who has been filling in for injured FB Marcel Reece, was himself injured against the Patriots.

As part of Oakland total wave of the future hybrid theory we felt Oaklanf would covert one of its TE draft selection from last darft into a pass receiving FB like former WR turned FB Marcel Reece. 

We felt the Raiders would select former USC WR David Ausberry would be the choice but Gordon stood out as a better blocker and looked passable in pre season. So much so when Reece went down with an ankle sprain, Oakland selected Gordon to replace the highly successful WR covert.

Gordon's not quite the passing option deep threat the unique Reece is but he's been very serviceable versatile lining up at TE, blocking in 2 TE sets and lining up in the backfield to catch and block for Darren McFadden.

Gordon's broken hand may limit him but not necessarily rule him out against Houston even if Reece is able to come back.

Even after he broke his hand Sunday Gordon simply got it wrapped up and returned to the game, performing well.

RB Michael Bush suffered an ankle sprain. No idea of its severity but should he not be able to go when the Raiders tavel to Houston, RB Taiwan Jones may see more field time.

He's young and but talented and ooh so fast.

No official word on FS Michael Huff but word is if not for a memo last week from on high about ultra conservative concussion protocols erring on the sideof caution, Huff would've played.

We think he'll be back this week despite the Leagues over re-action to a new, massive class action law suit against the NFLPA by a dirt bag group who on facebook go by the sickening misleading and pandering "Dignity after football".

There are other "Dignity" sites now for other sports but this is clearly not an attempt to right a great wrong or protect players. Thats ancillary propaganda.

The real objevtive of these low life lawyers is the plumb the owners deep pockets. Owners, who in turn, will pass the expense on to us.

We're all for the men who built this League into what it is today but as an example, my Father, a former iron worker who worked on the Oakland Alameda Coliseum, never sued Al Davis because in his advanced age his back is bad.

Enough about that though.

Oakland travels to Houston this Sunday to face a burgeoning Texan team know for its run game and a stout defense.

They will be a test for Oaklands shredded D and its fledgling but high performing O line.

All Pro WR Andre Johnson hasn 't been ruled out but we know he's a no go for action against Oakland.

That helps against Oaklands dinged up Secondary but its Houston's ZBS run game Oakland will have to stop.

The hallmark of the ZBS is the cutback that punishes mis-reads and over pursuit.

Look for the Raiders to field FS MIchael Huff and MIke Mitchell for the 1st time this year. We hope DE Matt Shaughnessy, who sat out against New England with a shoulder injury, is back in time for the trip to Texas, but rumor has it he may not be field ready by Sunday.

We'll know more on the injury front on Wednesday.

Sunday was a tough loss mainly because we defeated ourselves but we think we'll see a rebound by a refocused and statement ready Raiders on the road. 

09-30-11 10:33 am                   

Photo Jed Jacobsen / AP                                                                 

Good and bad news for Oaklands devastated Secondary.

SS Mike Mitchell let slip he likely will be active for Sundays game against the visiting Patriots.

 "They got a bunch of good tight ends. I'm a guy who guards tight ends good. I think I'll be guarding tight ends."

We think so too.

The bad news, FS Michael Huff, who returned to practice Wednesday but did not participate in team reps. Reports are he did not participate again today.

Thats a pretty strong indicator he may not play Sunday.

DE Matt Shaughnessy, FB Marcel Reece, MLB Ricky Brown and CB Chris Johnson were also out.

WR Jacoby Ford returns from a hamstring issue and looked good returning kicks, a task he'll likely see against New England.

This is good news because Oaklands Special Teams units have be lack luster so far this season.

Without Huff and CJ the Raiders will likely have to field more of its rookie CBs like DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa.

Chekwa won cheers for tight coverage on the Jets Plaxico Burress when injury forced Chimdi on to the field but the fact is, Van Dyke has played just as well despite a reputation for being burned by some of the very best the game has to offer.

Whoever mans the Secondary against Brady and the Pats will hope for a pass rush and / or that its rushers remember to get their hands up and cut off passing lanes when they can't get to Tom.

The Raiders did an exceptional job of this last week end against Sanchez and the Jets.

09-27-11 4:21 pm pac


                                 
Photo Susan Walsh / AP                                                DT Albert Haynseworth: "All the way to the bank!"


Sundays match up with New England could be telling for the Raider Nation. Oakland beat hell out of New York but Tom Brady and the Patriots are another animal.

Brady and the Patriot Offense looks unstoppable.
WR Wes Welker posted 16 catches last Sunday against the Bills, but despite having the number one Offense in the League (and its not even close) the Pats ended up losing, in part because of Brady's uncharacteristic 4 interceptions and in part because of New Englands troubled D.

Ranked dead last in the NFL the Patriots defense is similar to the Oakland D in that it is razor thin at Safety.

Oakland has compensated well with solid Coaching and reserve players stepping up.

New England has not been as successful.

Starting Safety Patrick Chung is sporting a big black cast on his hand courtesty of the surgery needed to repair a broken thumb.
The Patriots were hoping to have him back in time for Buffalo. He may be active against Oakland.

Even with a one handed Chung the Patriots are dangerously thin and inexperienced at the 3rd level.

New England already has a one handed Safety mannning the back half. Including last week, one handed S Josh Barrett has 3 games experience in a Patriots uniform. DB Sergio Brown has also gotten playing time in the first two weeks, in just his second season since joining the team as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, Brown was elevated off the practice squad midway through last year.

DB James Ihedigbo is seeing time in the secondary as fill in as well.

Fellow DB Ross Ventrone was promoted from the practice squad this weekend. Barrett seems to have the most potential of the group but remember, has a cast on his right hand.

Ihedigbo is more experience on special teams than defense in his career.

DB is not the only area New England's D is thin. With DT Myron Pryor and Ron Brace out of the line up the Pats will look to stalwart Vince WIlfork and maybe the most over paid player in the history of the sport, Fat Albert Haynesworth, who missed last weeks game due to his persistent back injury.

Have no illusions though, when motivated this selfish player can dominate. We hope he doesn't read this and that he sits out another one.

If he plays we hope Darren McFadden posts 200+.

The Patriots are also thin on their O line and with 15 players out and injured last week they'll hope return some and bolster their roster this week and have made a living off of system over talent.

Given the dichotomy of New England's #1 Offense and 32nd ranked Defense its pretty obvious Oaklands game plan should be to give the Pats a steady diet of their top ranked rushing offense in hopes of putting up points and eating up the clock, thusly keeping the Brady / Welker / Ocho Cinco / Gronkowski scoring machine off the field.

The good news is, even if they fail to run, Oakland now has the capability and depth at WR to take the game to the air if they need to and thats the Raiders dangerous new dimension. 

Even so Oaklands dinged up 3rd level and struggling second level defenders will have their hands full this Sundays when  New England comes to town.

Full strength or not.

Its also a chance for Oakland to drive a dagger into a dominant football monster that has plagued the League for more than a decade and in doing so stake their claim as a legitimate contender.



 

09-25-11 6:02 pm pac                  
Photo Paul Sakuma / AP                                                                                                     RB Darren McFadden


Raider RB Darren McFadden is among the walking wounded after Oakland triumphant home opening 34-24 win over the Jets.

McFadden ran for 171 yds and 2 TDs but pulled up in the 4th with an apparent groin injury.

Coach Hue Jackson announced it but doesn't know the severity.

McFadden stated shortly after that it just tightened up on him and that he should be ok.

If he's out for next weeks match up with the visiting Patriots nex t week end, Michael Bush and rookie Taiwan Jones would see more reps.

FS Micahel Huff left in the 1st half and may have a concussion.

Bad news for Oakladns alreaqdy deplet3ed Safty spot. We'll keep you posted on Mike Mitchell's return. Her might be back next week and we'l need him.

CB Chris Johnson pulled a hammy and left early as well.

Even wth the Raiders razor thin Secondary they managed an impressive win thanks in part to good plays by S Jerome Boyd and rookie fill in CB Chimdi Chekwa.

Cenet09-25-11 4:44 am pac

                                                                                                                                            C Colin Baxter

At the beginning of the month Center Colin Baxter found himself claimed off  waivers after the Chargers decided to release him.

Today, a scant 3 weeks later, he'll be asked to replace All Pro Center Nick Mangold and defend franchise QB Matt Sanchez from Oaklands Death Row.

In his first ever NFL start.

In Oakland.

DTs Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour are the primary concern for the under sized, inexperienced Center but Desmond Bryant and big John Henderson will test him with speed and power as well.

God help him if Oaklands is smart enough to move Lamarr Houston over him and play Bryant at DE.

Houston's violent hands and low pad drive decimate interior Linemen. 

The Jets O line hasn't done much but under perform in the run game this season and Oakland could gain back some respectability with a strong showing against it.

And if they  don;t they won't hear the end of it.

MLB Rolando McClain took a ration of guff dcrom media types and us alike but as we stated publicly, on further review the 8th overall Alabama Linebacker did make many critical plays.

He'll need to be on point against New York and call a good game. A few more sacks and turn overs generated would be solid too.

Oaklands D will need to supply the pressure even when the Jets go dink and dunk like Buffalo did in last weeks 2nd half nightmare.

Thats behind us now. Its a new week and a new team and they are in our back yard.

Time for our Defenses redemption and for our opponents to experience a Silver and Black nightmare their own. 

09-23-11 1:57 pm pac                         

Photo Joe Mahoney / AP                                                                                                         S Jerome Boyd 

Pretty much what we thought. WRs Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy did not practice and will not play Sunday. Thats not optimal but at least their is depth and competition at the receiver spot.

The same can't be said for Oaklands depleted Safety position.

The Raiders run D was exposed by Buffalo last week end as back up Safeties Matt Giordano and  2nd yr 7th rounder Jerome Boyd were taken to task on several run plays.

The unavailability of SS Mike Mitchell against the Jets could be telling. 

New York has struggled to ignite its run game and Oakland looks like just what the Doctor ordered.

The Raider run D has been traditionally weak in part by design and execution. Oaklands traditional man Defense has DBs and LBs in coverage with their backs to the ball meaning they can be late re-acting.

If the Jets choose not to go run or if it fails Oaklands air coverage is suspect too. Buffalo carved up the Raider D through the air with a West Coastian 2nd half game plan so New York may try the same.

Either way Oaklands D will be under the microscope and how they re-act when the inevitable big play happens.

Veteran Richard Seymour and others will need to rally this D, take some pride in their home and step up against a Jets offense ready for take off.

Of course the best Defense is a good Offense.

If Oakland can establish its own offense and keep New York's off the field, all the better for the Raider D.

On Special Teams WR/KR Nick Miller has struggled. In practice we've seen rookies Denarius Moore and RB Taiwan Jones fielding kicks and they may take the duty this Sunday.

Jones has elusive speed and moves but Moore is clearly the better option but given the state of Oaklands depleted WR corps and his 5 catch 146 yd performance against the Bills, Jones seems to have the edge.

09-22-11 12:35 pm pac

 Photo Jeff Gross / Getty Images                                                                           Safeties Mitchell and Huff

WR/KR Jacoby Ford is still out from a hamstring injury but that could clear the way for rookie RB Taiwan Jones to see more field time. Jones has blazing speed, supernatural agility and field vision and does have some college experience in the return game.

WR/KR Nick Miller has handled return duties since Ford has been injured and Oakland has suffered because of it.

In 2 games the Raiders have failed return a kick off to the 20 yd line.

WR Denarius Moore looked amazing returning kicks in pre season but the reality is, with Oaklands talent laden but depleted WR corps, Moore is much too valuable to risk.

WR Louis Murphy set the Jets home opener as his goal to recover from a severe groin / hammy injury but isn't quite ready yet.

Fellow Wide Out Darrius Heyward Bey has been dinged with a knee injury and was limited yesterday but looked good running around today and we think probably will see time against New York.

Hopefully Oaklands receivers will be relegated to down field blocking as the Raiders running game tears through the New York defense.

Helping toward that end will be former NY Giant Kevin Boss who will make his regular season debut as a Raider after missing 23 days and the first 2 games of the year with an MCL bruise.

Though Oakland showed against the Bills that they can move the ball through the air, it would be a daunting task against Darrelle Revis, Antonino Cromartie and the rest of the Jet D.

On the defensive side of the ball Oakland looks to recover from an epic and humiliating second half collapse against Buffalo.

First they'll have to stop the run and a Gang Green attack that includes Raider killer, RB LaDanian Tomlinson.

If they do that, they'll have to prove their depleted and dinged up secondary is capable of supporting the run D and making plays on the ball.

The bad news is Louis Murphy's likely not the only injured Raider who probably won't be back in time for the visiting Jets.

Oaklands depleted Safeties will have to make due again with UDFA Jerome Boyd and multi-team practice squad cast off Matt Giordano both of whom were exposed by the Bills run game last week.

SS Mike Mitchell wants to be back for this game and the Raiders desperately need him but the undislosed meniscus tear he had surgically repaired simply may not be game ready and even if it is one has to question his readiness after nearly a month of no practice. 

The good news for the Raiders beleaguerd secondary is Jets QB Mark Sanchez throws picks. He's thrown 3 so far this year and dinged up his arm in a blow out win over the dreadful Jags but completed 70.8% of his passes. Hes also thrown 2 TDs in each of the last two games.

Odds are the Jets will test the Raiders with the dink and dunk Buffalo used to such great effect last week, shredding the Raiders new zone heavy pass coverage. CB Chris Johnson was torched and re-aggravated a groin injury sustained earlier in per season but is back today and should be ready for Sunday.

MLB Rolando McClain will have to recover from one of the worst games of his football career.

Though he had 10 tackles and a pass defense, the 2nd yr, 8th overall draft pick took bad angles, over ran plays and dropped a game changing interception with time running out deep in the 4th.

The Silver and Black can beat the Jets and it might help that All Pro Center Nick Mangold will likely be replaced by a back up who has been with the organization for 3 weeks but the Raiders need to be focused, sharp on both sides of the ball and play every play all the way through till the whistle.

09-21-11 1:11 pm pac

                                                                                                                        Raider fan Bobby De La Cruz

PERSPECTIVE

We're all manly men here at RNS (except our love Ms. Charity of course!) but even Kevin was moved to tears when we received this today on our Facebook site:

"This is a note sent to Raider Nation Station from Demi Laupati, Case Manager for Sub-Acute Saratoga Children's Hospital with regards to Bobby De La Cruz, the young man who lost both of his parents and was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor.

Thank you so much for your generous gift and wishes towards Bobby De La Cruz's Raider Nation Wish. Your contribution helped Bobby's dream come true. He was able to go on the field and was greeted by all the players! He had a wonderful time and an experience he will never forget. Bobby was greatly touched by the incredible response by the Raider Nation and 49er fans. He is grateful to be able to realize his dream and is still glowing from the experience!"

We're humbled and grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of helping this dream to come true.

Go Raiders, Go Bobby!~

Now then, back to it baby...

MISSING IN ACTION

WRs Louis Murphy and Jacoby Ford sat out todays practice. Murphy may have surgery to correct a groin / hammy issue but stated he wanted to be back in time for the season home opener againts the Jets. Ford has been out 10 days with a hamstring issue and has already been sorely missed in the return department and as a viable reverse and receiving option.

Fellow WR Darrius Heyward Bey was spotted with a large wrap on his knee today and that makes us question his status for Sundays match up too but he did practice some today.

Fortunately, Oakland has shown surprising and highly unusual depth at the normally devoid WR spot.

Rookie Denarius Moore showed up big time with 5 catches for 146 yds and TD against the Bills but asking him to do the same against the best CB tandem in the game in Chromartie and Revis will be a tall order.

We think hes up to the challenge.

SECONDARY PRIMARY CONCERN

Worse news for Oaklands paper thin secondary, CB Chris Johnson was a no show as was SS Mike Mitchell. Johnson may have aggravated a groin injury suffered in camp, Mitchell's been MIA with an undisclosed meniscus tear that required surgery. He said last week he hoped to return for the Bills game. We hope hes full go against the Jets.

 We need him.

FS Michael Huff was present today and thats good news. He was dinged as well. TE Kevin Boss practiced and during the limited media window looked fine.

Coach Jackson said he could've played against the Bills, but opted on the side of caution and held him out.

Its a long season, we'll need him and he could be a difference maker.

KICKED WHEN HE'S DOWN

K Sebastian Janikowski was recently charged with an unlawful detention and assault.

While he has a spotty history from years ago, the charges seem suspect because the victim reported it the next day and admitted to heavy drinking that night. Prosecutors took 8 months press charges and it sounds like people figured out who he is and are smelling money.

Official injury report due out later today, we'll keep you posted on FB.

Enjoy the day, appreciate what you've got and take care of the ones you love.

One Nation....

09-19-11 8:43 pm pac               

 Photo David Gee / AP                                                                                 Huff-McClain Pain Sandwich        

In the Raiders favor, Jets All Pro Center Nick Mangold is reportedly out . They say 2-4 weeks maybe with a high ankle sprain.

Raider D line tried to play it off like they got out coached and they did, but truth be told whats their excuse for piss poor run D?

McClain had 10 tackles and a bad game.

Safties Goirdano and Boyd got exposed when RBs broke contain and McClain coasted after 2nd level ball carriers then failed to make plays when it counted.

Bad, bad, bad...

SS Mike Mitchell and TE Kevin Boss would be welcome additions after prolonged injury absence.

Boss can hopefully help the ground game aka clock management and sustain drives with chain moving grabs.

Speaking of chain moving, Oaklands rag tag Flying Tiger Wide Receiver Corps lit up the Bills secondary.

With  Oaklands top 3 WRs out on Sunday, the Raiders fielded 6 yr multi-team practice squad veteran Derek Hagan and 5th round rookie draft pick Denarius Moore to great effect and over 300 yds arieal offense.

All without TE Kevin Boss.

Boss may be back but the Raider back up Wide Outs won't be facing a Terrence McGee-less Buffalo secondary this week.

CBs Antonio Chromartie and Darrelle Revis are likely the best tandem in the League but they'd better not sleep on Oakland receiving options including Chaz Schilens and Darren McFadden.

Raiders Coach Hue Jackson said Boss could've played against the Bills but said he erred on the side of caution.

If Boss is not full go in Oaklands home opener it may indicate there is something seriously wrong with him and the Raiders "almost cleared for take off" stance on the former Giant TE may have been a smoke screen to force opponents to game plan for him anyway.

All speculation aside, lets just hope he plays and dominates.

Assuming the addition of Boss, Oakland has a rare and deep arsenal of weaponry available for O Coordinator Al Saunders and HC Hue Jackson to choose from.

An arsenal so deep in fact its matched really only by a few teams, like the Jets.

WRs Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress could present match up problems, TE Dustin Keller is making plays not to mention former Charger and leading rusher against Oakland, RB LaDanian Tomlinson. 

The Raider defense will no doubt work on shutting down the West Coastian offense weilded so effectively by the Bills. An offense that negated Oaklands formidable pass rush and exposed its depleted and run shy Safeties.

Strong Safety Mike Mitchell has been out of commission since the first of off season camps but says his goal has been to be ready for the Jets home opener.

Lets hope he is.

New Yorks visit to the Raiders back yard will be the perfect opportunity for the Raiders to exact revenge for a dissapointing result in Buffalo and redeem their defense for its second half collapse and inability to adapt on the fly.

Oakland can win this game and they'd better because if Mark Sanchez and the Jets destroy them using the Buffalo blue print the Raiders will be hard pressed to stop the ultimate dink and dunk offense in Tom Brady's Patriots who visit the very next week.

09-19-11 3:05 am pac                         
              
Photo David Duprey / AP                                                                                                    SS Tyvon Branch

In our article "Trench Warfare" prior to the game we noted  this contest would come down to a battle of the trenches and it did.

On one side of the ball the Raiders performed very well. On the other they were out schemed and out bullied.

Its not coincidence Jason Campbell was 23 of 33 for 323 yds, 2 TDs and enjoyed a QB rating of 108.

His only pick was a Hail Mary to finish the game.  A Hail Mary that was nearly caught by rookie WR Denarius Moore and reviewed over and over for 10 minutes after the game before an official announcement on the field was made.

Raider play calling was much more vanilla this game and it seemd to help, though a nifty double reverse to Moore gained 25 yds.

Unknown if the blatant fact 2 possession type receivers lacking 4.3 speed allowed Oakland to move the chains and put help put up 35 points will be appreciated by Mr. Davis.

WR Derek Hagan had 5 grabs for and 61 chain yds.

Moore stunned on lookers with a leaping 50 TD grab in double coverage but a 5 catch 146 yd performance was not enough to save the Raiders beleagured D.

Oaklands Defense was simply over powered at times and out coached at others.

The Bills Offensive play calling negated the Raiders pass rush and its ill advised zone coverage was a large part of the reason Buffalo posted 34 first downs.

CB Chris Johnson played off farther than DewAngelo Hall and apologized for his worst performance as a Pro but he shares culpability with a Raider D that surrendered 481 yds total offense including 361 in the 2nd half alone.

Raider 2nd stringers did not play up to par as they had against Denver, in the secondary especially.

Veteran Safety Matt Giordano was exposed. His run coverage was beyond suspect, whiffing on tackles, taking bad angles and worst of all looking like he wants nothing to do with RBs coming out of the back field.

Same for Jerome Boyd.

Who ever had the idea he should be dropped into the slot against WR Stevie Johnson on 3rd and goal with 3:41 in the 3rd should be fired and the dismal failure of Oaklands 5 Safety "Wolverine" experiment should be decommisioned. (Remember the Jags game last year?)

One of those schemes that makes sense "in theory" but explodes on the launch pad in the real world and especially when populated by 2nds and scrub Safeties including Boyd, Girodano and green rookie Chimdi Chekwa.

SS Mike Mitchell hopes to be back for the upcoming Jets home opener.

FS Michael Huff dropping into play CB has been a failure so far but he is developing into something special. He needs to be returned to what he was doing last year.

DVD is ready to play but that won't save them from bad personnel choices in critical situations compounded by hair brained schemes.  

MLB Rolando McClain had 10 tackles and deflected a pass but also took bad angles, over ran plays and was engulfed by blockers.

No idea what happened to him at half time but he looked like he was NyQuil'ed right from the 3rd quarter.

Too many shots of him dragging ass and jogging after ball carriers.

As proponents of sleep we think Coaches messing with players circadian rythym's should stop.
Sometimes when you're a new Coach you tend to be enthusiastic but can go overboard. These vets know what works and what they can do best.

Let them.

In McClain's defense the Bills O line manhandled Raider linemen and routinely reached second level Linebackers unmolested.

For whatever reason D coordinator Chuck Bresnahan did not dial up enough blitzes and when he did they were ineffective and ill timed yet despite all this Oakland still had ample opportunity to win the game with an end zone interception whiff by Branch that resuklted in a TD, a late drop by McClain, another by Johnson and blown assignment thatt allowed a wide open TE into the end zone for the go ahead TD with :18 seconds left.

An infuriating loss because even though the Bills were tenacious, The Raiders were again Jeckyll and Hyde but cruel Lady Luck and an uninspired, ineffectual D cost us a winnable game and a 2-0 start.

09-15-11 9:15 pm pac                       
  

Photo Tony Gonzales                                                                                                    Safety Matt Girodano

Safety Mike Mitchell is the type of guy who will run through a wall for you so you have to take the notion of him being an option for this Sundays match up at Buffalo with a grain of salt.

 Mitchell has been seen running along the sidelines but his knee surgery will likely be brought along slowly given Oaklands precarious postion at the third level of their Defense.

Mitchell was a surprise and undeclared loss this off season. One day he twittered "Pray for me." and the next was gone. He eventually resurfaced on crutches and our sources say he suffered a miniscus tear and had surgery.

Even if Mitchell's spirit is willing his cardio may not be up to par after such a prolonged down time.

Safety Hiram Eugene was awarded a sizable contract before the lock out but a pre season hip dislocation saw him placed on IR for the year.

Safety Michael Huff came into camp with a new long term deal, rocked up with huge arms and an assassin attitude. A groin strain against Denver could see him sidelined, further depleting Raider Safety reserves.

His loss is particularly daunting because the Free Safety has been sliding into Nickle Cornerback duties as part of Oaklands Hybrid Nation experiment.

If he and or Mitchell are a no go Sunday look for 5-11, 210 lb 7 yr vet Matt Giordano to  take the Lions share of reps bolstered likely by 2nd yr UDFA Jerome Boyd.

Both Boyd and Giordano made game changing plays in Oaklands 23-20 Monday Night victory over Denver.

#28, 2nd yr man and former Rutger's track star Joey Porter will likely see time too.

Porter, like Giordano was cut this off season but re-signed by Oakland.

Lucky thing too.

 

09-13-11 4:43 am pac
 

                 
Photo Rick Stewart / Getty Images                                                                            RB Darren McFadden

Oakland flies out to Buffalo this Thursday and faces a shortened week to prepare. We'll do our best ot help them along...

"To D or not to D..."

The verdict still out on Buffalo's run defense.

Even after a week one win over the Leagues best rushing team its still unclear where last years worst run defense stands.

Thats why this week end, last years 2nd ranked rushing attack should test them.

The Bills blow out win over Kansas City precluded last years rushing champions, the Chiefs, from answering the question of Buffalo's run D dilema.

With a turn over on the opening kickoff and subsequent touchdown, things spiraled out of control immediately for KC and they never recovered.

Circumstance dicated the Chiefs abandon their vaunted run game early. 

RB Jamal Charles was 3rd in the League with 1,476 yds last season. Against Buffalo, Charles was limited to only 10 carries for 56 yds including a 22 yd scamper.

Thats 5.6 yds per carry.

Its not definitive, but it bodes well for Oakland RB Darren McFadden, who currently leads the NFL after week one with 150 yds on 22 carries.

Dareus, Captain Kirk and the revamped D

Oakland punched holes in Denver's D when it counted but this years 3rd overall draft pick Marcell Dareus is another kind of animal.

Buffalo's 6-3, 340 lb DT is freakishly agile and exceptionally violent. He'll be a handful for C Samson Satele and rookie LG Stephan Wisniewski.

Under sized but gritty 11 yr vet Cooper Carlisle has the veteran savvy to get the job done at RG but if left unattended could be sitting in QB Jason Campbell's lap.

The Bills added Dareus, LBs Nick Barnett, Shawne Merriman and Kirk Morrison in hopes of improving its 32nd ranked run defense. Merriman is a long in the tooth former Charger and Morrison a former Raider known for bad audibles, over running gaps and giving up big plays. 

Secondary Concerns

At the 3rd level Buffalo's Safeties stepped up big at Arrowhead.

Starters George Wilson and Jairus Byrd, along with subpackage hybrid safety/linebacker Bryan Scott were active on Sunday and look like they'll figure heavily against the run. The 6-1, 220 lb Scott in particular made an impression with 8 tackles and a sack.

Tackling drills this off season looked like they were paying off against KC, but Oakland will be another matter.

Buffalo may have dodged the first true test of its revamped run D against KC but in week two the Raiders will look to bring the thunder.

Raider D-Questionable or Contender?

On the opposite side of the ball the Raider D will try to stop the Bills ground game which churned up 163 yds and helped their offense control the ball for 37 minutes.

Aged RB Fred Jackson posted 112 of those and speedy CJ Spiller contributed as well.

The Bills much maligned O line shoved a demoralized KC D around pretty good, but Death Row with Seymour and Co. should be a different story.

Again Oakland faces an inexperienced O line. In his 7th yr, only former Raider / Bronco castoff Eric Pears has more than 3 yrs under his belt. At left Tackle now, Pears will face off against DE Matt Shaughnessy. 

Should Oakland stop the run, Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will try to emmulate his 208 yd 4 TD performance against a KC D without Pro Bowl caliber Sophomore Safety Eric Berry who suffered an MCL tear in the 1st quarter. 

This allowed unknown 6-7, 263 lb TE Scott Chandler to collect a career high 5 catches including 2 TDs.

Oakland looks like it may be without starting FS Michael Huff who suffered a strained groin against Denver. No word on the return of S Mike Mitchell who's out with an undeclared meniscus tear. He's had surgery but Oakland refuses to give a return date.

Our guess?

Not in time for Buffalo.

S Matt Giordano made noise with a good game with a pick and a fumble recovery but Oaklands last line looks thin. Hiram Eugene is on IR, Stevie Brown was dropped by us and then Carolina.

Oakland looks like they will be forced to lean on their rookies and reserves. That means more time for Jerome Boyd and rookies, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa.

The Bills QB Fitzpatrick is a guy who can make things happen but after watching the win over KC, Oaklands D and varied blitzes look like they could make things very uncomfortable for him.

The Raiders shouldn't expect a cake walk in Buffalo but if they want to build a bully they'll have to enforce their will on the Bills in the trenches.