October 5, 2008
Bright days ahead for the Silver and Black?
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Now that the business of winning football games is the only thing on minds at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, what is it that the Oakland Raiders need to shore up before that winning can begin? The Raiders went into the bye-week ranked 19th in total offense, 25th in points per game, 17th in total defense, and 22nd in points allowed per game. Nobody can deny that the Raiders are better than at least eight teams in the NFL, but if they plan to be one of the top eight in the AFC they'll have to figure out ways to get better on both sides of the ball.
What do they need to do to get better? Raider Nation hopes that the answer is in the minds and gameplans of the coaching staff. There are some aspects of the game that will take time to improve, but the Raiders aren't far from being 3-1 right now either.
Defense wins championships
The Raiders defense has been a two headed beast this season. One beast is an undefeatable monster that makes even the best offenses look silly. The other beast is a soft, confused Teddy Bear allowing offenses to do whatever they want. In order for the Raiders to begin winning games, they'll need to make that cuddly side a little less cuddly.
The Raiders biggest problem on defense right now is the health of their best defenders. Nnamdi Asomugha, Stanford Routt, Derrick Burgess, and Gerard Warren were all walking-wounded the last time we saw them. The Raiders need to get these guys healthy or find guys to step up in their place.
The change in coaching shouldn't have much of an affect on the playcalling, but it might. I don't think that it's a stretch to say that the defensive staff wasn't as big a fan of the former head coach as they might be of the new one. Whether it's Al Davis or Tom Cable that has a say on the defensive scheme, both men will want to be successful going forward.
The Raiders rank 19th against the pass and 16th against the run. They also rank 14th against third-down conversions. The main thing that the Raiders need to improve on is their defense against the pass. In order to do that, they'll have to maintain the pressure that has helped them move into the top-10 in sacks (tied for 9th).
Offense sells tickets
The Raiders running game ranks 3rd in the league. Their passing game ranks 29th, and that's not going to get it done unless the defense gets closer to perfect. The raiders rushing shouldn't be affected much, except possibly fewer opportunities, but the passing game is sure to get more chances.
If it's true that Greg Knapp was the guy calling more passing plays in the last game, then expect the Raiders to begin airing it out more. Al Davis couldn't talk enough about 'the kid from LSU,' at his bi-annual coaching change press conference, so that is probably one of the stipulations that both Cable and Knapp have agreed to.
Getting Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden would be big for the Raiders. Having only one healthy back isn't something you want to do for too many games in the NFL. Despite the talent and production of both Bush and McFadden, the Raiders have really missed Fargas' veteran leadership on the field. The simple fact is that right now, he's the Raiders best running back and it would help if he was healthy.
Maybe now that Cable is the head coach, Javon Walker will begin to be what the Raiders paid him for - a number one NFL receiver. The Raiders best receiver during the preseason, Todd Watkins, hasn't been active much this season. The Raiders need to be more like Raider Nation and just care about production baby! If Cable and the offense can't get production from Ronald Curry or Javon Walker, then get them on the sidelines and put in someone that will get them catches.
All of these improvements require the offensive line to continue opening holes for runs and keeping JaMarcus Russell alive when they pass. As Russell develops into the type of quarterback that Al Davis believes he'll be, the offensive line needs to become the type of safety net he needs in order to give him his favorite target, Zach Miller.
Final Analysis
There are a bunch of 'ifs' in regards to the rest of the Raiders' season. Can they turn it around? A team that the first-string Raiders dominated in the preseason is the 5-0 Tennessee Titans. What does that tell you? Ok, so preseason doesn't mean anything, but you can look at the Bills or Chargers games as further proof that this team should be winning.
Holding a glimmer of hope here at TFDS
Discussion
14 Comments on "Bright days ahead for the Silver and Black?"
#2
Posted by Grilla RFL, October 6, 2008 7:32 AM
Just win baby. Raider for life.
I hope Cable is up for the task.
#3
Posted by RichGannon4EVER, October 6, 2008 7:59 AM
Hmm. I'm still not sold on "J Rock". I wasn't onboard with him being drafted. I wanted Trent Edwards and Calvin Johnson just a "Lance" Kiffin did. I totally agree with Kiffs assessment on how we should have drafted. The meddling old man is senile and his best football days have long passed him by. We'll see what happens with Tom "John Goodman/Fred Flintstone" Cable. Then again, maybe Al should just stop hiding in the owners box and come down to the sideline and strap on the head set since he is really the "Coach" anyway.
#4
Posted by Raider Scott, October 6, 2008 8:11 AM
I have not given up on JRuss but I am not convinced we needed him. He's a young guy and has minimal experience. This is the growing pains of having a young guy behind center. It doesn't help that our receiving corps seems to have disappeared. He is definitely a work in progress and it will take a few years to know if he will become the great QB we need him to be. Let’s hope this is his last coaching change for the decade.
#5
Posted by KUSHMAN, October 6, 2008 8:41 AM
wow i love how everyone judges russell RIGHT NOW as a ROOKIE in the nfl .. i mean, cmon now... how many games has he started? plus, you have to like what you see from him considering that WE DONT EVEN HAVE A #1 WR ... there's just a bunch of nobodys and stone hands runnin around out there. don't you guys find it sad that our #1 receiver is the TE? he connects well when he's got some time to throw the ball.. yes he overthrows sometimes and ducks his head under pressure when he should keep his eyes downfield... but THATS WHAT ROOKIES DO. by critizing him now people, that means you are all expecting too much too quick.. which is just stupid. wait until we get a couple of quality tackles on the o-line and a #1 and #2 receiver that can get open a lot more often..
but hey good article pat, we'll see how good they do against the saints
#7
Posted by RaiderDoc, October 6, 2008 10:09 AM
I think a lot of fans have at least some new sense of hope with the coaching changes. I can't say I have the same feeling, but any hope is good.
Thanks for the link "messenger." Another piece of evidence that our fearless leader has lost it. You think he would know the person he is hiring to "run" his team inside and out. Maybe he does know all about Cable in his lucid moments. But all of us who are realists know that everyday those are fewer and farther between.
#8
Posted by Diamond Jim, October 6, 2008 11:25 AM
Regardless of who was right or wrong, it's just a good thing that it is over and we can move foward. Three positives that will come out of this are; 1. We kept Cable. He is the coach we could most ill afford to lose. 2. I think the 'D' will be that much better now that Kiffin is gone. It's no secret that Kiffin wanted Ryan gone. That is not exactly the chemistry you wan't on a team. I think the relationship between Ryan and Cable will be better and help the team overall. 3. Hopefully, this last episode by Davis will help in getting him out of there. Someone close to Davis, other than his 'YES' men need to tell him to really step down and go out with some class before it's too late.
#9
Posted by OregonRaider, October 6, 2008 2:26 PM
Kushman,
I believe the poll that was on this site overwhelmingly said give Russell at least two years to develop before we start calling for his head. Don't know where those people are now. He definately need to improve but you are right he is just a rookie!
#10
Posted by KUSHMAN, October 6, 2008 7:27 PM
yea i remember the poll and i voted for 2 seasons too... and that's what i'm saying.. you have to be happy about how well he handles the ball (when he's not getting blind sided and fumbles) and the connections he makes.. with a terrible receiving core. the fact that the line gives him no more than 3 seconds the majority of the game, and he's still able to look downfield and throw it before he gets clobbered.. you have to love his progress, i see a lot of potential. like i said, judge him when he's got a couple of receivers that are actually threatening to defenses.. which will spread the field more and free up zach.. with no threat at wideout.. the offense will continue to struggle.
#11
Posted by raidersmith, October 6, 2008 8:40 PM
Ok you got rid of kiffin (wrong person) now fire Davis (right person) Kiffen was band out of D meetings by Davis. Rayn is Davis yes boy IF he was so good why he not head coach? Kiffin hired Cable so he wont be around long. get rid of the old raiders as coaches they were good players get uptempu coached not Davis yes men. Russel needs to learn touch passes that will take 2 yrs becasue he wont pu tthat ttpe of work in to learn. find soemone that can run adn teach him how to catch if you have no deep threat and a QB that cant throw short with touch your dead in the water. If I coud get on the field I would cut the line from davis he is the problem why you think no other real coach will come to Oakland as long as davis is in charge. many more things I have sat and talked with other ex raiders that live this way said he jsut needs to sit and relax let a coach COACH AL!!!!!!!!!!!
#12
Posted by the510, October 6, 2008 9:55 PM
Unfortunately, the business of winning football games in never the only thing on the minds at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. Bill Parcells has got the Dolphins headed in the right direction in less time than it took Al to realize he didn't like his coach. Being a Raider fan stinks nowadays. We're ranked in the low 20s, and you want to talk playoffs. Please hook me up with whatever you're on.
#13
Posted by Raider Scott, October 7, 2008 9:18 AM
Rookie QB, a head coach change, lack of wide receivers and some injuries that have hurt us (losing Carter in preseason, McQuistan, Fargas out for a few weeks, Oren O'neal, etc). Walker has not produced and we were counting on him heavily when we signed him. There have been some hurdles for the offense early on. This was not a seasoned offense but a young team starting to come together. The only pleasant surprise was watching Mario Henderson out-play Kwame Harris. Nothing wrong with that, I just wish we didn’t pay Harris so much money to get beat out by a guy we were told was not ready to play. I am an optimist at heart and I think since we made a change by firing Kiff (I don't agree with it) our team needs to view this as an opportunity. Put the negatives to rest and hope Cable can bring these guys together. The shame is if he doesn’t I am worried about the changes that will happen at the end of the season. I worry that we get another coaching change and more importantly, they may change the system just as our offensive line is establishing another good season running the ball. If I were in charge of building an offense, having a good running game is a great set-up to establish a passing game. We have the makings of a good team; we just need to finally catch a break and overcome Al’s bad management.
#14
Posted by Ed, October 7, 2008 1:05 PM
The Raiders best receiver during the preseason, Todd Watkins, hasn’t been active much this season?
He hasn't been put on the active (45) roster (of 53)... yet.
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