August 17, 2008
Oakland Raider Analysis: A few major mistakes and miscues overshadow strong performance
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The Oakland Raiders stormed into Tennessee and their first team punched the Titans in the face. JaMarcus Russell looked especially sharp, and Darren McFadden showed why he was the Raiders top pick. The defense played aggressive, spending a lot of time in the face of Vince Young. The Raiders run defense was inconsistent, stuffing the run one moment and giving up first down runs the next. The Raiders had a lot of positives they could take from this game, but ultimately the game was decided by miscues from Johnnie Lee Higgins, Nick Sanchez, Hiram Eugene, and Rob Ryan.
First Team Offense:
The offensive line did their part to control the Titans' defense. They were able to open holes for Justin Fargas and more so Darren McFadden to make plays in the running game. They also gave Russell the time to show that the concerns about him were overblown. Russell's key play was a roll out where he threaded a laser pass past a diving Kieth Bullock to Zach Miller for a touchdown.
Darren McFadden had a gorgeous run off of left tackle near the end of the first half, where he broke off 25 yards to set up Aaron Elling's first field goal. He nearly broke it the distance, but two Titan defenders were able to make the tackle. Michael Bush looked like a steam roller, battering Titans with every run.
On the down side, Ronald Curry was the only starting wide receiver who looked like he showed up to play. The much maligned Javon Walker had two drops and no receptions. Drew Carter also looked unimpressive.
First team defense:
When Vince Young dropped back to pass, he often found a Raider defender or two in his face. Thomas Howard had a sack early in the first quarter. The run defense was a mixed bag, it seemed the Raiders would be getting on track in keeping the Titans running backs at bay, only to follow that up by giving up a run of 10 or more yards. It seemed like counter plays were giving the Raiders fits, which means that gap discipline is lacking. The backers are not staying home to cut off the cut back lanes.
Second team offense:
Mario Henderson nearly got Andrew Walter decapitated. Henderson missed a block, and a Titans defender came free and knocked Walter from the game for a play. Walter must have been having flashbacks to the 2006 debacle in that play. Henderson is far from what the Raiders envisioned when they traded up in the third round to grab ham in the 2007 draft. He has had a rough camp, and after Friday may have jeopardized his chance to make the team.
Louis Rankin and Adimchinobi Echemandu both looked good. Echemandu ripped off a 72 yard run, but was unable to punch it in from short. Water had a rougher game than he did against San Francisco, but he still looks like he is far ahead of where he had been. Marques Tuiasosopo proved he could hand off the ball. Chaz Schilens had two spectacular catches from Walter nearly back to back. Todd Watkins also acquitted himself well.
Overall, the team played well enough to win as they were able keep the Titans in check for most of the game. It was mistakes that doomed the Raiders, and Kiffin needs to work with the team from keeping them from making the same ones over and over.
Mistakes:
- Johnnie Lee Higgins looked lost in both the receiving and passing games. His key play was fielding a punt at the six and fumbling in his own end zone, where the ball was recovered for the Titans' first points. He also looked awful as a receiver. His only highlight was an eight yard carry on an end around, but he seemed to lasck the speed that he was touted for.
- Mario Henderson nearly got Andrew Walter killed.
- Oren O'Neal fumbled on a third and goal play from the one. That set up the Titans' final drive.
- Hiram Eugene looked to be continually out of place on the Titans' final drive. His missed tackle on the game's penultimate play set up the Titan's field goal.
- Al Davis should have handed Nick "Dirty" Sanchez a bus ticket and not let him anywhere near the Raiders' team plane or the city of Alameda. Sanchez was beat repeatedly as the Titans moved down the field. After that sorry performance, why bother holding on to him until cut down day.
Odd Sights and sounds:
Reserve offensive lineman Paul McQuistan fielded a short kickoff, but he was able to field it almost cleanly, and advance a few yards.
It seemed like the Fox crew calling the game was far too obsessed with the headsets on defense.
Writer on the Papa Joe Show: Click here to listen. I come on at just about 2 minutes into the second hour. (1:02:00:00)
Discussion
15 Comments on "Oakland Raider Analysis: A few major mistakes and miscues overshadow strong performance"
#1
Posted by LDizzle, August 17, 2008 12:53 AM
LMAO SpokaneOakfan "I hope they get a camera on the sideline close up on the defensive coordinator the exact moment he craps his pants." nicely done.
Patrick I just listened to the first couple of minutes of the radio show and I gotta say, after meeting you, I would have no idea you used Avacor. I gotta get me some of that stuff just in case.
#2
Posted by Raider Blues, August 17, 2008 10:58 AM
I like the post. Question is whether the D will show up an entire game or get wore down. Can the Rookie just take Walker's spot? He looked like the type of thing we need to develop. More DMac passes with Bush/Fargas playfake! Do it Lane!
#3
Posted by KUSHMAN, August 17, 2008 11:31 AM
good write up pat. almost as good as rob's! haha jk .. i agree with you on pretty much all of these things. you forgot to mention how improved kwame has gotten since the first preseason game.. the tom cable magic is showing up in this man!! at the very least.. he will be an adequate pass blocker on a consistant level.. and obviously a MONSTER rush blocker.
raider blues.. you think lane wants to expose his trick plays and what he has planned for our star backs in a preseason game? i wouldn't want to that's for damn sure.. don't give the broncos anything like that to study off of ... we will need the element of suprise and a huge holes for dmac&bush to get those big plays happening ... keep those cards up your sleeve lane i emplore you! and that's the beauty of having 3 awesome RBs... say like dmac does so-so and bush just totally bombs it hypothetically.. we still have huggy bear jr to punish those defenders... DID ANYONE CATCH fargas's 3 yard run PLOWING DOWN A DEFENDER forcing the man to do almost a backflip? i noticed and heard the hit... fargas's muscle strength has gotten more solid this year... look for him to be a speedy bulldozer this season.. as rob said.. looks to be the hardest runner on the team... now 10 lbs heavier than last year... and that's just scary when running full steam at you.
yes the offense looked great on that passing drive.. i knew they wouldn't do much the first 3-4 possessions.. but on it only took till the 4th to start pressing down the field.. by passing mostly no doubt! impressive against guys like haynesworth.. like raider blues says about the d-line having to be consistant thro 4 quarters, the o-line must do the very same as they will be on the field more than the defense will this season with a stout rush game draining time and moving the chains... so keep up the good work and i can't wait to see this offense and defense live next week against a not so great defense like the cardinals. DIE DEVIL BIRDS!!
RA-RA-RAAAIDDDERRSSS
#4
Posted by SpokaneOakfan, August 17, 2008 11:37 AM
Anyone else see visions of a goalline or two-point play that features all three backs in the backfield, sans Russell? I hope they get a camera on the sideline close up on the defensive coordinator the exact moment he craps his pants.
#5
Posted by LDizzle, August 17, 2008 1:05 PM
You know what Patrick, after listending to it from the beginning it turns out I only missed about 30 seconds of which was jokey small talk about Joe being a Steeler guy.
#6
Posted by Rebel2124, August 17, 2008 4:43 PM
Many may disagree!
First let me start by saying I do like Kirk Morrison, but here comes the but. He's one of the best LB's when it comes to pass defense. Not many LB's have the agility it takes to cover down field. However, I think he lacks some crucial things in his run defense. Being a Raider fan and taking last year into account I took a long look at our guys, repeatedly rewinding the running plays from the Titans game. And repeatedly, I saw the same things. Our D-line didn't do a bad job in any way. What I did see is Morrison over running plays, getting caught up in traffic and easily getting blocked. In order for us to be successful this year, he's going to have to develop a better nose for the football, be better at the point of contact and be able to disengage and get to the ball carrier. I saw the guy fighting for a position, Ricky Brown, do this and save what could have been long runs down after down. We better keep our eyes open for some LB's on the waiver wire, just my opinion, or look forward to Morrison being exposed when it comes Charger/Chief game time. This time it won't be the fault of the D-line. Wasn't he originally slated to play the outside? Perhaps a move back would be best and we find someone else for the inside.
Cornell Green and John Wade did not commit to excellence. I saw these two diving for the ground hoping to make a cut block and their man simply hurdle them or go around them and disrupt the offense. I couldn't believe how lazy and nonaggresive it looked. I thought O-lineman were supposed to either put a guy on his back and go after someone else or try to get a hold of a guy and drive them all the way out of the play. Green barely got a hand on his guy on many plays before letting him go and his guy frequently made the tackle or pressured Russell. We need more!
I hope Chaz makes the team! He's a big, strong, physical WR who'll go up after it. I likes that.
Peace.
#7
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raider Analysis: A few major mistakes and miscues overshadow st, August 17, 2008 7:11 PM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#8
Posted by Bill, August 17, 2008 10:01 PM
I'm pretty high on Chaz too. Morgan of SF looks like a stud also. Rob brought to our attention Hawkins of Tenn. Which brings me to this point. Where are all the 2nd round WRs. Most of these guys had first round grades on them. Why is it so hard to grade WRs when they are entering the draft? Most talk about all the first round busts at QB. Is it because QB is the more important position? I see far more misses at WR in the first and second round then QBs.
#9
Posted by netraider, August 18, 2008 12:40 AM
GALLERY: While I wish the best for Robert, he still is a weak spot. He avoided the major blunders but did miss key blocks that would have resulted in nice gains. He also seems lost at times. The more I watch him the more I doubt his "situational awareness". Comments on Gallery so far?
#10
Posted by NateDawgSnB, August 18, 2008 12:56 AM
Im a die hard raider fan but i have got to say, If davis keeps running this team the way he is we are going to do worse than the 19 wins over the last 5 years. He needs to listen to kiffin. Swollow your pride and get rid of bowie. Just cause he made quite possibly the worst trade in NFL history for this guy doesnt mean he has to hold on to him and hope he becomes more valuable than moss. Listen to kiffin the guy is the COACH of the team. Im pretty sure he knows what he needs out there to win other than someone who isnt on the field half of the time watching the team play. He needs to stop spending so much time picking out new walkers and white jump suits and strengthen his team. Oh yeah, and he should have let walker go and retire, bouldin and Roy williams and chad Johnson are FA next year i gaurantee if we could of spent the money on one of thsoe guys who are all better recivers and picked one of them up. And for this year we can develope our young wide recivers. ANd damm what happened to Stick'M. We need to soak our wide outs gloves in that 2 weeks prior to the games, maybe our wide outs could catch somethin. Can i get a Amen?
#11
Posted by netraider, August 18, 2008 1:04 AM
Agree with letting Walker retire. Question is, is it still an option? What did he and Al agree to?
#12
Posted by NateDawgSnB, August 18, 2008 1:43 AM
To totaly F*** our season up i guess. And blow a good amount of money that could be used for some decent back ups, some offensive tackles and some DT's. He needs to realize why we have blew total A** this last 5 years is him. He TOTALY controls the team. And we have not won more than 5 games. Like serisouly come on. Is he popin xanex everyday or somethin that makes him forget that? I would be if i realized him ruining the best franchise ever and im blowin 240 million dollars in a season. Sh** the least he can do is go blow 100$ on a bottle to forget about all of it
#13
Posted by KUSHMAN, August 18, 2008 8:24 AM
give walker a chance to get back to form... if by the 2nd reg season game he's doing the same dance as he's doing now... dropping passes and such... then yea put him on the practice squad and let him think about it for a year... go train with the camp arms and learn how to catch again.
#14
Posted by Bill, August 18, 2008 10:19 AM
Word Kushman! I think Walker is going to explode against the donkeys! Then have a set back against KC. All in all he might be a little inconsistant this year but will do enough to help us win some games.
#15
Posted by UK Raider, August 19, 2008 2:40 AM
Kush- I think I'm right in saying that as a vet he couldn't go back to practice squad.
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