Silver And Black Pride

Oakland Raiders Offensive Update: The Receiving Core

2009-11-06T15:20:27Z

With the Bye Week upon us, I think we should take this time to reflect on the first half.Of course, with a 2-6 record there will be much to look at on the disappointing side, but, there will be a few things that we can look at on the positive side. Unfortunately NONE of those will be on the offensive side of the ball.

Regardless of what the players on the scoring side of the ball say, (Darrius Heyward-Bey from the CC Times, "I've been very solid") they have stunk, and they have stunk regularly.

As I pointed out last week, and many local columnists have also since, they are at a "Bed and Breakfast level" of scoring.

Coming into last week, they reached the Red Zone the least amount of any team in football, 9 times, 9 MEASLY times. That is two games worth for most, decent offenses, so that should put their futility into some perspective. They aren't even giving themselves a chance to score, thus, they only lead the hapless St. Louis Rams (9.6) in scoring and are tied with Cleveland at 9.8 points per game.

So, how have they arrived here? Let's start with the most glaring weakness, the receivers.

First off, they are starting two rookies that THINK they are World Beaters. I mean, just reference the DHB line above and then listen to Murphy talk about how, "They are a GREAT team", and you'll soon get the picture. In all fairness to the squad, the three receivers with the best hands have not found their ways onto the field yet this year.

Chaz and Miller should be back soon and the only reasonable explanation for Javon Walker not playing is the Marcus Allen treatment he MAY be receiving from AL Davis due to him having off-season surgery and doing it on his own without telling anyone.

The ONE bright spot in the entire receiving core is Zach Miller, without him, I shiver to think how poorly this team would play.

Zach has hauled in 28 passes for 421 yards. Murphy and Bey have combined for 21 catches for 306 yards. In fact, the entire wide receiving core has 28 catches for 373 yards. That is just downright terrible. Especially when you see that Johnnie Lee Higgins, last year's top wide-out has only 2 catches for 8 yards.

This really is disgusting and, I believe, is much worse than the time spent under Shell and Walsh, this team actually has talent on the offensive side of the ball and they are terrible. There is no excuse for NOT getting the ball to Johnnie Lee more and for sitting Javon Walker on the bench so that DHB can watch another perfectly thrown TD bounce off of his facemask.

What do you think of the Receiving core's perfromance, so far, Raider Nation?

This post was sponsored by Comcast Red Zone

Talkin' With Tyvon - #10

2009-11-04T11:22:48Z

Greetings Raider Nation and the Silver and Black Pride community! I am pleased to bring to all of you the 10th installment in the series, Talkin' With Tyvon, from Raiders starting strong safety Tyvon Branch.

With the Raiders having entered their bye-week, Tyvon was good enough to answer some questions and provide some insight into the Chargers game before he takes a well deserved short break. Tyvon and the Raiders will be back in action on November 18th when they face the Kansas City Chiefs at the Coliseum.

The Community is invited to pose some questions for Tyvon in the comments section and he will do his best to get as many of them answered as quickly as possible:

Hello Raider Fans!! Thanks for all the support over the weeks. We tried to get the intensity back where it needs to be this week. We needed to make a few more plays and stop them from their long passing game. Going into the bye this week we can evaluate and hopefully get healthy. Getting some of our dinged up guys back on the field will hopefully get us going on the right track. We have eight games left to turn this around.

TB

SABP: I know players only like to count victories as the result from the scoreboard and not moral ones, but you and the defense had to at least be satisfied that the Raiders played a hard fought and competitive game. Did the way the defense played against the Chargers give you all hope going into the bye you will regroup and come out strong for the 2nd half of the season?

TB: Moral victories do not get us into the playoffs, and counting them just means you didn't win. Having two wins at this point of the season is not where we want to be. We need to build off the things we do well and remove the things that are slowing our progress. Hopefully this bye week will allow us to recoup and get some things going for the second half of the season.

SABP: The bye week I'm sure will be used to get everyone healthy, but will you use the extra time to work through some of the problems that have plagued the team for the first part of season?

TB: Definitely. We have a lot to work on. We just need to stay focused and get better.

SABP: Once again, great job Tyvon, you really showed up big AGAIN last week. You led the team in tackles and you played the receivers and Gates as well as anybody. I an wondering though, what happened on CJ's interception return? Did you give him a little grief for just tossing you to the ground?

TB: Oh man...did he ever. He ran me over. I was slowing up trying to set and get back for him and he comes and runs me over. I felt as if I rolled 10 yards. After watching that on film I will know to stay out of his way from now on.

SABP: Your size and speed are starting to get noticed around the league. Are starting to feel more comfortable with the speed of the game and the league in general that you are able to maximize your skills and play on pure instinct?

TB: Definitely. Last year I was starting to feel more comfortable then I got hurt. Now I am starting to recognize things quicker and make better football plays. Experience and comfort level are important to really play a pure instinct.

Thanks Tyvon, have a good bye week and look forward to you coming back and cracking the Chiefs.

Oakland Raiders Postgame Recap: Raiders 16, Chargers 24

2009-11-02T02:08:40Z

                             Originally Posted: Sunday, November 1: 6:05 p.m.

      Are they yelling or shaking hands? You be the judge. [via www.pe.com]

Coming in as 17-point underdogs, many people expected the Oakland Raiders to get blown out at the hands of the San Diego Chargers. While Oakland never led at any point in the ball game, they battled back from down 21-7 to make it a little too close for comfort for San Diego in a 24-16 defeat.

Early on, it was "here we go again" with the Raiders. A good drive was halted due to a terrible pass by quarterback JaMarcus Russell resulting in an interception for Antonio Cromartie. Russell, 14-for-22 on the day, was much more accurate due to more passes being from a short range. That pass, however, was deeper down the field and ill-advised. A deep bomb from Philip Rivers to Malcom Floyd set up a six-yard touchdown for LaDainian Tomlinson, who had 56 yards on the ground. Just minutes into the second quarter, though, the Raiders cashed in on an interception of their own. A three-yard run by tough-running Justin Fargas capped a very short 27-yard drive to tie things up. Fargas' 59 yards led the team in rushing for the third straight game.

Malcom Floyd's impressive catch against Michael Huff was the key play in the drive. [via a.espncdn.com]

Moving along, the Chargers utilized wide receiver Vincent Jackson to perfection. Jackson alone had almost 60 yards on the team's next scoring drive on five grabs. Fittingly, he scored the touchdown to end it. Another LaDainian Tomlinson touchdown with 54 seconds to go had many thinking that it was over right there with halftime approaching. In the words of college football analyst Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friends." Kickoff return "specialist" Jonathan Holland, who the announcers repeatedly referred to as being from Louisiana Tech, had the best return of his career that eventually set up a Sebastian Janikowski field goal. You had to feel good about points before the half.

LaDainian Tomlinson had two touchdown runs against the Raiders on the day. [via a.espncdn.com]

To start the second half, the Raiders defense came up with a three-and-out. The offense responded with a field goal to make it a one possession game, 21-13. Later on in the quarter, a reverse to Louis Murphy had Oakland on San Diego's 18 to close the quarter. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and the team had to settle for three points. A field goal by Nate Kaeding had made it a 24-16 game with just over four minutes to play in regulation. Could JaMarcus Russell lead the troops down the field to tie it up?

The Chargers brought the blitz all day, led by linebacker Shaun Phillips. [via a.espncdn.com]

With the game on the line and a first down at San Diego's 44, Russell dropped back to pass; however, Shaun Phillips' sack had killed basically all of the momentum right there. A penalty and Shawne Merriman's first sack of the season had made things basically impossible. An 11-yard pass to Zach Miller, leading the team with 52 receiving yards for the day, had set up a fourth down with the team needing 20 yards. A bullet over the middle to Johnnie Lee Higgins was incomplete, as the attempted to quickly grab it and toss it back to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Well, Higgins never caught the ball. It would have definitely been interesting to see what Heyward-Bey would have done as it appeared that he had some space to make something happen. With 54 seconds to go, the Chargers took two knees and came away with a 24-16 victory.

Head coaches Tom Cable and Norv Turner shake hands after the game. [via a.espncdn.com]

The Raiders, now 2-6, have a bye and then take on the Kansas City Chiefs to complete the season series with them on November 15. The Chargers, 4-3 and two games behind the Denver Broncos for first place, will be heading to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants.

Vincent Jackson was the player of the game, posting 103 yards and a touchdown. [via a.espncdn.com]

All in all, with the way some of these games have gone for the Raiders this season, it was nice to see some competitive football. The end result wasn't what we wanted, sure, but the team played hard and continued to fight until the end. The defense was marvelous in the second half and gave us a chance to win. Drives stalled and we had to settle for field goals, so it would have been nice to see them punch it for six. Wide receivers had only two grabs for 16 yards on the day, so production from that spot continues to be the weakest in the league. I hope to get healthy with the bye week coming up. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we'd like to have Chaz Schilens, Robert Gallery and Darren McFadden back against the Chiefs in two weeks.

For all Oakland Raiders coverage, check out Comcast SportsNet California. [via csnbayarea.com]

Game Thread: Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers

2009-11-01T20:30:24Z

Everyone knows how this game is supposed to end up, BUT, if the games always followed suit, there would be no need to play them.

So, now is the time for the Raiders to Answer the Bell, much as , according to Charlie Frye, JaMarcus Russell did at 6:30AM this past Wednesday. Heck, the 60 million dollar man probably woke up earlier than me that day!! (Cue Gomer Pyle, "Surprise, Surprise!!!".)

It would not "Surprise" me at all to think that this is Tom Cable's last hurrah, if he doesn't get a win this week. 2-6 going into the break, with a last place scoring offense that you call the plays for and an owner with a quick fuse, well, you get the picture. If this team loves Cable as much as they say they do, they'd better leave it ALL on the field.

Here is to hoping that, once again, this team does the unthinkable and beats a team that nobody picked them too.

So, raise a glass of whatever you are drinking, and, toast with me:

"Here is to the Good Times And Bad,

The happy times and sad,

And here is to Every Sunday,

Where the GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK!!!"

RRAAAIIDDEERRSS!!!!!!

Oakland Raiders Football:Pre-Game Thread Week 8

2009-11-01T08:16:25Z

More photos » by Tony Avelar - AP

Um, maybe now that I am coming in at 6:30 in the morning I might learn some things that I should have already known that will keep from getting benched today. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Browse more photos »

Oakland at San Diego

Regular Season Week 6

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: 1:05 p.m. PDT

2009 Records: Raiders (2-5), Chargers (3-3)

History: Oakland leads the series 54-43-2

Head Coaches: Tom Cable (Raiders) and Norv Turner (Chargers)

Raiders Radio: Listen live on KSFO 560 AM

Television: CBS

Line: Chargers by 17 points

SB Nation Raiders vs Chargers Preview here

The Raiders had four "3-and-out" drives against the Jets and now have 31 total on the season -- the most for any team in the league. During the "Bed & Breakfast" 2006 team, with Aaron Brooks at QB, it wasn't thought possible that an offense or QB could play worse. Well, last week, Russell 6-11 for 61 yards and 2 Interceptions, pretty much brings the this Raiders offense right on par with the 2006 team.

Now the Raiders tumble into San Diego to face the team that has now defeated them 12 straight times. The Raiders have been playing sort of a Jekyll & Hyde, with their strange ability to follow a promising win with a demoralizing, blowout loss. So, now after the 38-0 drubbing by the Jets last week, what are we to expect from the Raiders against the Chargers?

What is clear now, is that this team looses confidence quickly and realizes that when they are way down, that there is little hope of coming back. Starting with the very first play of the game against the Jets, Russell's fumble took the wind right out of the Raiders defense. Now the thing to see is how he will respond to his benching and sudden, apparent realization that "some" of the Raiders' problems are actually his fault. So if the Raiders are going to have any chance today, it's going to start with ALL the players executing the game plan, protecting the ball and not loosing confidence. In order for the team not to quit on themselves, they will be looking to Russell to really see if he is going to be the one who can lead them.

For the Chargers, it still may be to late to catch the Broncos, but they are playing better after their typical slow start and have now really become a passing team. Despite their struggles on the ground, San Diego has had little trouble scoring this season, averaging 26.8 points. The Chargers' defense, however, had given up an average of 27.2 points before holding the Chiefs to 203 yards. San Diego is also starting to get healthy, which still cannot be said for the Raiders, probably until after the bye. The Raiders will once again be without the services of Chaz Schilens and probably not Gallery. They will also once again, adventurously, start Khalif Barnes at right tackle, with his career one game of experience on the right side.

Beyond the obvious key that the Raiders offense needs to do SOMETHING, the Raiders defense needs to play that same aggressive, hard-hitting defense they played for the first 58 minutes of the opener. With the Chargers going more to the pass now,one great match up watch will be the one between Antonio Gates and Tyvon Branch.

So Raider Nation, what are your thoughts, your keys to this game and how do you think the Raiders will respond coming off of the shut out loss at home to the Jets last week?

Poll

After the humiliating defeat at home against the Jets, what are your expectations for today's game against San Diego?

They will play the same as the did against the Giants and Jets and get blown out

40 votes

They will take the Jets game personally, show they have pride, not quit and play a very competitive game

37 votes

As long as Russell starts, they will be doomed

53 votes

The benching of Russell was a wake up call and he will respond by giving the Raiders a chance to win

27 votes

I wonder how many Raiders fans will be in the crowd today

26 votes

183 votes | Poll has closed

Oakland Raider Scoring Offense and Red Zone-Less Performance:

2009-10-31T23:59:40Z

By now you know that Comcast Red Zone sponsors this article every week:

What you may not know is that the 2nd to last place in scoring team, Tampa Bay, is scoring 30% more points than the last place Oakland Raiders!

Here is another alarming stat: The San Diego Chargers, our Week 8 Opponent, have scored 56 Touchdowns while JaMarcus and his Merry Men have scored 12. This is over 4.5 times as many Touchdowns!!!

That is despicable and Tom Cable needs to hold himself culpable for this. He calls the plays that DON'T Score, so he wears the blame.

As far as the Red Zone scoring goes, the Raiders had their Red Zone trips last week, ahem, I mean TRIP, stopped as First Round Disappointment let a ball go threw his hands for a sure TD. Did I mention that this came with the game over and the Jets already booking their post flight dates!

Once again, this is inexcusable! Tom Cable abandons the run MUCH too soon and panics. He should know that this is a running team and he needs to run it like that. That is unless being Offensive Line Coach, Offensive Play Caller and Head Coach is too much for him!

The bottom line in this League is results, and Tom has shown Bed and Breakfast like results!

Quick Note to Tom Cable:

Sorry Tommy, I had to go there. The job you've done warrants it.

Now, get Javon Walker in the game and run the ball 2-1 this week. That is, twice as many times as you throw it. Do not abandon this and see what your defense can do, and allow JaMarcus to take his shots deep the few times a game that the defense sags and he reads it.

This entire Community thought that this was a running team for the past two years, and we hope that you begin to see this Too!

Talkin' With Tyvon - #9

2009-10-28T19:39:34Z

Greetings Silver and Black Pride community! I am pleased to bring to all of you the 9th installment in the series, Talkin' With Tyvon, from Raiders starting strong safety Tyvon Branch.

Just when we thought that the Giants game was the worst possible game, we had last week's game with the Jets. Thankfully, Tyvon is man enough to come back here following the ugliness of that game to answer your questions.

The Community is invited to pose some questions for Tyvon in the comments section and he will do his best to get as many of them answered as quickly as possible:

Hey Raider fans....it was a tough week. First off sorry about not getting in to answer the questions. I will be sure to answer the questions for this week. It was a tough game Sunday. After the big win with Philly we should have played better. Hopefully we will be able to rev up the intensity this week and play well against San Diego.

TB

SABP: The loss to the Jets was the worst loss at home in franchise history. It's understandable that the defense would be discouraged by having to start the 2nd play of the game after a turnover backed up at your own 5 yard line. What are your thoughts as to what the game got out of hand so quickly and why the momentum of the Eagles game did not carry over to the Jets game?

TB: We had a great week of practice, and I thought we would come out of the gate firing. Things went south quick and it was hard to recover. When the Jets got that initial boost of confidence they put it to us.

SABP: The Jets amassed 316 yard on the ground, an incredible figure, especially since they did what everyone thought they would do coming into this game, run. With the Raider defense in a one-gap set, it theoretically would be up to the individual player to maintain their assignments, execute and make tackles. From your perspective, knowing the Jets were going to run the way they did, what was the principle reasons for the failure to manage their run game?

TB: They blocked extremely well and through some schemes in there we had not seen before. We need to learn to recognize this quicker and adapt. No excuses in this league.

SABP: Once again you led the team in tackles. This is great from the perspective that the Raiders have a strong safety than actually can tackle, but not so good that you have to be making all of those tackles. Do you think at this point that there needs to be some adjustments in the scheme to better match the personnel the Raiders have and put the defense in a better position to succeed?

TB: The coaches continue to try new things every week. Whether you guys can notice them or not, there are some significant changes happening within the schemes. Right now we need to build on the positives and learn from the negatives.

SABP: You have Antonio Gates once again with your game down in San Diego just before the bye week. It would be great to go down there and get one back from them after the opener and go into the bye with a win and get healthier. How do you see the preparation for you and the defense for this game following the kind of loss you had to the Jets and knowing this is the 2nd game against the Chargers?

TB: It is one of those things where we will watch film and learn. We know what worked to open the season and we will revisit some things and how they exploited certain situations. Going into the bye with a win would be huge for this team.

Thanks Tyvon and good luck down in San Diego.

2010 Offseason

2009-10-27T21:51:31Z

I figure since the season has died, been gutted, flushed down the drain, then eaten by a sewer gator, i may as well get into speculation as to what the 2010 offseason should be for the Raiders.

Three plans come to mind for what Oakland should do and could realistically do:

Start from the ground up again. Bring in a new rookie QB and trade away a lot of the talent for as many draft picks as possible. Sort of like how KC, Cincy, and Denver have rebuilt.
Build the team to accommodate Russell's ineptitude to possibly salvage him. The most likely scenario though the least preferred by me. Receiver can't be drafted with so many young guys trying to develop, so look for the lines to be rebuilt. This is only a bad scenario because Russell still starts.
A combination of one and two. Trade some guys for draft picks but not all of our talent. New QB and attempts at rebuilding the lines.

Ahead is what I think should be done with in realistic boundaries for Al Davis.

WARNING: IF YOU DON'T LIKE "RUSSELL BASHING" THIS IS NOT THE POST FOR YOU

First off, Russell needs to either get a LOT better or be released. Too inaccurate, holds onto the ball way too long, doesn't know how to checkdown, doesn't care to try, doesn't care about the fans or the team, doesn't work on his faults, fumbles far too often, can't evade pressure.

But he can heave it deep so he's clearly a miracle and the rest of the team is the problem (sarcasm)

I know you'll say Davis will never release Russell, but he just might. Davis hates to be proven wrong, but he hates losing a lot more. Plus, with no cap next year, there'd be no penalty for releasing him. So if you're gonna do it, next season is the time.

Now we all know I want either Colt McCoy in the first or Ricky Stanzi in the second, but the possibility of Jason Campbell in Oakland, though unlikely; is very intriguing.

I'll get back to Colt and Ricky in a minute, but let's look at Jason Campbell.

via www.nflgridirongab.com

Campbell may very well not be returning to Washington following this year. He's been inconsistent at times and has definitely struggled. Plus, with this extremely stacked QB class coming, Washington may be chomping at the bit for one of these physical specimens. So then why get Campbell is he was so inconsistent in Washington?

Because he's a free agent and not a draft pick. Getting Campbell allows for our picks to be focused on the O-Line, D-Line, and linebackers. And though he's been inconsistent, he's been a lot better than Russell. He has a strong arm, but actually has some accuracy. Campbell has played behind banged up and bad O-Lines but he always manages to evade pressure and make a decent throw. Oh yeah, he also cares and works unlike Russell.

I won't say he'd do much better than Russell in these circumstances, but Campbell has proven a much more solid QB than Russell has at any point in his career.

With Campbell, this team could in theory recreate an 07 type Redskins playoff team. Strong running game, a decent enough O-Line, great defense (when motivated), and playmakers at receiver (assuming they develop somewhat). There's even the great tight end underneath in Miller who's much like Cooley. Of players would need to be added and whatnot, but we'll get to that later.

Now let's look at a McCoy/Stanzi team.

via lastrow.files.wordpress.com

via marcmwm.files.wordpress.com

Over time, I've actually decided I'd like to have Stanzi more than McCoy. Mainly because he's projected to be in the second round, allowing us to draft Suh or a great OT in the first. Also, Stanzi is used to be playing with a below par receiving corps and has managed to be successful despite it.

Anywho, both quarterbacks have proven hard workers in college and can clearly lead a football team. Both have the speed to avoid pressure, or make plays with their feet. Both have very strong arms, though both are also pinpoint accurate unlike Russell. Fast, strong armed, sounds like Al Davis quarterback to me. Except these two make sense.

There might be some problems integrating McCoy to a pro-style offense, though Texas runs pro-style a lot of the time with spread mixed in as well. Stanzi plays in a pure pro-style set so no problem there. These guys are adept at making very smart throws and adjust to defenses very calmly and fluidly.

If you're to draft either of these guys, you must build up the offensive line. Defensive draft picks will fall by the wayside as picks toward the right side of the O-Line become top priority. Nothing worse than a rookie used to having a lot of time to throw in college, getting a lot less time in the pros.

From there you do whatever it takes to get the run game back to what it once was. This follows the pattern of the Ravens as we have a McGahee type power back (Bush) and a Rice type scat back (McFadden), and if all goes to plan the line should be great in the run game and at least decent in the passing game. Run the ball whilst McCoy and Stanzi make the occasional play in the passing game to keep the defense honest. Just a 5 or 7 yard scramble by these guys is enough to make the defense back off a bit.

Receiver development is still the make-or-break thing here. Needs on the defense at linebacker and NT would have to be free agent issues as you need to do whatever it takes to get the offensive line built up for the young guns.

But if Davis does what I fear and tries again with Russell, the plan shouldn't be much different. Build the O-Line, but use that first round pick on Suh, that one Alabama linebacker, or Brandon Spikes. Then build the O-Line accordingly. Defense will once again be the focus of free agency.

You still face receiver development problems, and the major problem of Russell not getting any better at all.

In all of these, talent must be retained and not traded away. Just keep building up the team and trade only guys like Fargas, Warren, Huff (yes Huff), Routt, Green, Carlisle, and even Satele. If you start from ground up, everyone should be up for grabs except Schilens, Murphy, Henderson, Gallery, Bush, McFadden, Howard, Miller, and Nnamdi.

No matter what QB situation you go with, the defense does not need the amount of work the offense does. A big 320 or 330 pound NT beside Kelly, and either an OLB or MLB (depending on where you put Morrison) are the only major needs. Yes cornerback depth is an issue, but not as big as the aforementioned. Stopping the run is still the key, from there the pass defense should come along.

The big thing is blitzing though. It seems as if blitzing dropped off the map versus NY. Blitzing works, and this team needs a D-coordinator with the stones to keep blitzing no matter what Davis says. i thought this was Marshall but it appears I was wrong.

This defense plays great ball when it's got good morale (early on in games, all of Philly and SD games). But you have to get an offense together that can keep this team's heads held high. With the malcontent of Warren most likely out the door next year, morale might be easier to come by.

The keys to success with the team next year:

Get the O-Line built up on the right side where consistency is an issue.
Use more power running than speed running. Pound the ball and grind it out, then worry about the big sweeps and pitches.
Play-action. No matter who's quarterback, the receivers won't develop into superstars. At best they should be just about average next year, so play-action Miller and the fullbacks will be key.
Manage the game with the passing game, don't rely on it. As previously stated, the receiver development is questionable. Only when running fails or when a big play is needed to make the defense back off the run should you pass.
Blitz on defense more frequently.

All this depends on Al Davis so all of the above might end up a pipe-dream, but in a murky 2009, all we have are dreams and aspirations of a brighter 2010.

Jamarcus Russell's QB Ranking!

2009-10-27T15:29:28Z

Okay, there are 32 teams in the NFL and apparently every week, the quarterbacks from each team are given a rank based on their performance over the weekend. Out of 32 starting QB's, guess what JM's rank was after the Jets game? An embarrassing #34th out of 32.

That's a damn shame!

I am a die hard Raider fan! However, I don't go to very many games. Only about 1, maybe 2 every season. Some friends that I grew up with come to town so we can all get together, and we go to a game together once a year. We had planned to attend the Eagles game, but 1 guy couldn't make that game so we changed it to the Jet's game. Last year was the 9th year in a row that we went to our annual Raider game together. It was against Favre and the Jets, and would you believe that in 9 years it was the first "annual" game that we attended, that we won! Not only that, but that was the game when Janokowski appeared to have won the game in the last seconds of the 4th Qtr and we were all exstatic! Not so fast buddy! The Jet's pulled the old "time out" trip and Sebass had to do it again. As luck would have it, he just missed that sucker so suddenly we were faced with the realization that we could actually lose this game like the 8 before it! Come on Man!

Well, it took another whole quarter and for a minute there, I thought we were gonna have to settle for a tie, until finally, with like a minute or 2 left in the 5th qtr, Janikowski made a 54 yard field goal I believe and we did witness our first victory in our "annual" traditional setting.

So, naturally it seemed as if perhaps not making the Eagle game was a blessing, since it pushed us up to the Jets game where we were poised to continue where we left off against the Eagles, ride the momentum wave after the public statement made by Seymour that "The Raiders would be in the Playoffs", and beat an AFC team on our way back to one game under 500%! What's more, I brought my son because he was with me all of the previous games that we lost but not the game last year that we won.

Being born and raised in Oakland myself, I was raised by my father as a Raider Fan. That meant, turning on the TV every Sunday, and turning down the sound, and then turning on the Radio in order to hear Bill King do the play by play as we watched the TV. Those are some of the best memories of my childhood and I'm welling up with tears right now, just reliving those days, of our Bad Ass, highly respected, Oakland Raiders who were known as the NFL's "Most Winningest Team". To this day, just hearing any old Bill King play by play, brings the tears to my eyes every time! And to this day, I still turn down the sound and turn on the Radio for Greg Papa and Tom Flores to give me the play by play.

Point being, back then, in the "Pre LA" days, I managed to attend at least 5 Raider Games, 2 of which were in our Cindarella year when we were the first wildcard team to win a Super Bowl. So it wasn't until after 1995, when they returned from LA that I ever saw a game live, where the Raiders lost. Every single game I went to as a kid, we won! And every Super Bowl we played in, we won! So when we made it to the Super Bowl in 2001, it happened to be the like the first season that my own son had taken an interest to football and I was so happy that he was gonna see them win a Super Bowl in his first year following the team! I assured him not to worry because "We don't Lose Super Bowls" I promised him. Well, we all know how that story ends. We lost! And to top it off, every game he's ever gone to, we've also lost. Man, I feel so bad for him. Here, I never saw the Raiders lose a game when I was a kid, but my poor son has never seen them win. My how things have changed.

So this time I was all excited for him about to see his first Raider win live against the Jets. And just as were getting to our seats, the Jets are scoring a touch down. I mean, the clock still had over 13 minutes left in the first quarter and we're already down 7! And you know, it didn't get any better, with the final result being the Raiders getting smoked like a rock, 38-0!

Now, after benching Russell, Cable teased us with the idea of making a change. And although Grabowski didn't do much better, I honestly think that he should be allowed to start a game instead of being put in after were losing 24-0. At least the guy was mobile, in good shape, accurate and able to move the football. No, he's not the future but I really believe that it would suit Russell to watch a game from the bench and be given the understanding that he needs to work for his start, and not a moment before. Once he shows that he's dedicated to becoming the first string QB, put his slimmer ass in and let his hard work reap some rewards. But until he earns his spot, he will continue to repeat the same piss poor performances. That's the way I see it. Thanks for Reading!

Listen to the post game show to hear my weekly comments live on the radio with Rich, George and Hummer.

I'm "White Mike from Oakland"

Black Sunday: Tom Cable's Infinite Wisdom and JaMarcus Russell's Best Quality

2009-10-26T22:03:14Z

Tom Cable is a wise, wise man. I was not fully aware of this until I read Sunday’s Jets post-game comments. In fact, I was probably placing him somewhere, on the wisdom spectrum, that found the wise end of the teeter-totter flying in the sky like a kite. Now, however, I am beginning to understand the endless scope of his intellect.

“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite.” In the light of William Blake’s genius I began to see this statement by Tom Cable, “he just kind of threw it up there,” for what it is: an amazingly succinct and appropriate summary for all things that happened to the Raiders and their fans on Sunday.

This is a Sunday that has grown all too familiar to Raider Nation with its annual arrival over the past seven years. We, the members of Raider Nation, are not sure which Sunday it will be and have become adept at living in the blissful denial of its pending arrival, despite the fact it always does.

It is the Sunday where all silver fades away and we are left with only black. A Sunday that rides in like an unannounced overbearing dinner guest.

I realized this would be Black Sunday while enjoying the comforts offered by a local place of business that serves delicious food and stiff drink. That’s right, I was at church. A church with walls ordained by flat screen TV’s decorated by the action of each NFL game.

Black Sunday’s invariably find me kneeling on the ground next to hope’s carcass, straining to hear her final thoughts before that fatal last breath dissipates into the sky. Then right as hope struggles to enunciate a point that will make all of the madness and misery come together in some unifying and meaningful way, that last breath slides out.

Left, in the wake of silence, I am filled with questions and scorn for a hobby that, for seven years, has brought me nothing but lost hours spent caring about a floundering franchise prone to creating disappointment.

Or as Tom Cable more succinctly said I, “just kind of threw it up there.” Don’t worry; I cleaned it up (I don’t want to be banned from church).

During his enlightening post game conference it became apparent that this game was over before it really started. "He was really out of sorts early in the game," Cable said when referring to Russell.

Yeah, we know Tom “he just kind of threw it up there.”

Tom Cable called out Russell more today than at any other time of his career. Which is saying a lot because Russell has had some horrible games. Was Russell that much worse and unprepared today or were these comments the results of strain and a last ditch attempt to reach a seemingly unreachable player?

What exactly, does it mean when a coach, that has been protecting his quarterback, says to the media he was “out of sorts?”

Was JaMarcus stoned? Was he so hung over that the fog had not lifted from his brain enough to, as Cable informed us in his post game comments, get his team aligned properly on the first play?

Was it peyote? I hope so…that is a hell of a lot more interesting than just another hungover athlete.

Maybe he was in Mexico the night before with Barrett Robins as they tried, in a fiendish peyote/mescaline binge to exercise whatever demons Barrett awoke on Super Bowl Eve.

If this is the case, more power to the young lad, but “he should have just thrown it up there” before the game started. Just get it out of his system, so he could focus on getting his team aligned right on the first play.

Maybe I am being too hard on him. The NFL game moves fast. Strategies and game plans change and it can be hard to get your team into the huddle from the previous play and sometimes coaches get the plays in late. Or maybe all of these things would be more applicable had it not been the first play from scrimmage of the game.

In any case, as helpless fans watched the disaster unfold, we were not aware that JaMarcus was “out of sorts,” we saw our hope quickly dim on the first play as the rush was bearing down on him.

Tom Cable was thinking, as he pointed out in his post game statements, “Russell should check it down to a back.”

I was yelling for him to just, “throw it up there. Somewhere! Here he comes! Tuck it away! No, don’t try and throw it nowwww…oh Christ! Nice hand off to the Jets.”

The collective groans, of the few Raiders fans in the bar, caused the rest of the establishment to look at the screen showing the Raiders action. This inspired a room full of sly grins. This is a grin that everyone who is not a fan of the Raiders enjoys often.

All those beaming grins and smiles of superiority are pointing right at Raiders Owner/GM Al Davis. The kind of smile reserved for an egotistical man, who had his glory and rubbed other's faces in it.

Now that he is slipping down a huge slope, despite the efforts of his crypt keeping death grip, he has to eat crow from all those he stomped on his way to the top.

“Damn it!” I screamed out in frustration, as it was quickly 7-0. “You let the vultures smile like this after one offensive play, really? Russell should have just thrown it up there.”

I had to remind myself that there is plenty of game left. They can still get something going. “Russell seems unfazed,” I thought as the camera showed him on the sideline sitting comfortably by the Gatorade cooler in his Raider stocking cap.

“He looks healthy and ready to get something going,” I hopefully thought. Maybe whatever was bothering him “he just threw it up there.” That would explain his close proximity to the Gatorade cooler. One needs fluids after something like that. At least he has that stocking hat, in case the chills set in.

“This was a rough start, but they can still turn things around.” I said to myself as I flexed my helpless Raider hope muscles.

Russell takes the field and things are looking a little better as the Raiders approach midfield. Then Russell, under a fierce rush and backpedaling, “just kind of throws it up there,” hitting the only player within ten yards of that area in stride. Unfortunately, for the Raiders and Raider Nation, that player was wearing the famous colors of the Titans.

Wait, who are the Raiders playing again? I don’t know. I thought the Titans were supposed to blue and white. Aren’t the Raiders playing the Jets today? What about the Oilers? Maybe the Texans should play in Tennessee and the Titans could be the Oilers, but then who would the Raiders be playing right now?

I quickly moved past this confusion. While it was not obvious who they are playing, it was obvious that they were way better than the Raiders!

The guy who is not a Raider and caught JaMarcus’s backpedaling heave is about to score. “Not so fast Mr. Titan/Jet! JaMarcus is getting good at this tackling thing” I exclaimed as Russell helped force him out of bounds at the four.

I am not a quarterback coach, but I am pretty sure it is bad when a quarterback is showing more signs of progress tackling then he is throwing.

“Damn it! Football is stupid” I blurt out to a bar that is again filled with sly grins, “I wish they were playing a high school team! I am tired of watching them play teams that are so much better than they are. Stupid schedule! The NFL hates the Raiders!”

After the game, Richard Seymour would let me know that these hopes were foolish too. "I don't think we could have beaten an Oakland high school team today."

Maybe Richard forgot that some of the smaller schools still only play with eight men on the field. I bet they could beat one of those teams.

Back to the game, good news for JaMarcus he gets to put his beanie back on, grab some more water and sit down next to his best friend, the Gatorade cooler. Maybe he should “just throw it up there.” Maybe the Raiders should dress a coach like a Gatorade cooler and he could slowly introduce Russell to the reality that coolers can show you pictures of the game action and advise you on ways to more successfully “just throw it up there.”

Shockingly enough, the Jets put together another impressive drive while they marched it four yards down the field for a touchdown.

At this point I couldn’t help think to myself, “I don’t think I like the way this is going. At least JaMarcus looks unrattled. He must be ready to go this time.”

And he was. The Raiders put together a little drive. Until, on a first down play in the Jets/Titans side of the field, he dropped back and “he just kind of threw it up there” into the endzone. Darnelle Revis picked it off.

After the game, this was the actual play that inspired Cable’s “throw up” comment, JaMarcus responded, “I thought I gave (Watkins) a chance to make a play ... a 50-50 chance. I thought I made a throw where he should go up and have a chance at the ball."

Uh…really? First, the throw was a to the wrong shoulder. Second, it was Todd Watkins against Darnelle Revis. JaMarcus must have been a little “out of sorts” because last time I checked Watkins really sucks and Revis is really good. I wonder if JaMarcus’s lineman would block better for him if he shared his drugs?

By this time, people in the bar were looking upon the Raiders fans with pity, like we were a colony of lepers or those starving children, from the TV commercials, that only need 3 cents a day in order to get food and medicine. People were now offering me food and medicine/shots while pointing out all the awesome action going on in the other games.

“Oh look!” I said while still watching the Raider game but trying not to, “JaMarcus put on his beanie. Go sit next to the cooler fat-ass! You never even drink the Gatorade. What the hell is wrong with you? Look at a picture or talk on that red phone…anything! Just pretend like you care!”

It was at this point while talking to a friend, who is not a Raider fan, that I finally settled on the fact that the best thing about JaMarcus Russell is how easy it is to make fun of him by just using his name: JaBust, JaWalrus, JaBurrito, JaSuck, JaFumble, JaBeanie, JaOut-of-sorts. This activity continued while even new nicknames emerged: JaBenched, JaCheerleader, etc.

In this game, Russell got plenty of time next to his friend, the cooler. His demeanor was unchanged by the benching and he showed as much emotion cheering Gradkowski as he has shown all season.

The game was so uncompetitive that Mark Sanchez decided to have a hot dog picnic on the sidelines, during the game. “I wish he would just kind of throw that up there,” I thought to myself, as I was trying not to watch the Raiders game.

Mercifully, the game ended and Gradkowski’s insertion reaffirmed that the problem with the Raiders goes way beyond who is playing quarterback, but that the Raider with the biggest problems is Russell. Unless, of course, you take his word for it.

Russell’s cool demeanor continued in his post game comments and he seemed to disagree with Cable’s assessments. When told Cable said he was “out of sorts” Russell responded, "Actually, I wasn't."

Was this because he “kind of threw it up there,” or is it due to the fact that being high on mescaline doesn’t really count as being out of sorts- it just counts as being high?

When asked at his locker what's been the biggest obstacle in his development, he replied: "Up and down. Up and down.”

Asked if he was referring to himself or the team he responded, “I don't think it's me, personally. I really don't. It's been a bad combination of one guy not doing something right one time, one guy another time.”

"Personally, I don't think so. Do you?" Russell added after a pause.

Well JaNot-take-the-blame, I think when you suck, you say you suck and you my friend suck. At that point you can point out your teammates suck too, but first you make it evident that, indeed, it is you sucking the most.

Then try adding that you realized, as you were in the bathroom before the game “throwing it up there,” that you will never try to play an NFL game on peyote again.

Most Amazing (and revealing) Stat Ever

2009-10-26T07:04:47Z

Raider fans still out there, I want to ask you a question:

In the 17 losses JaMarcus has been quarterback in the last two-plus years (2 in '07; 10 in '08; 5 this year), how many times has he led us on touchdown drives?

Again, in all his losses how many times has JaMarcus led us on touchdown drives?

Here are some conditions:

1) The drive can't include a 50+ yard touchdown. It has to be a drive of multiple plays with some time off the clock.

2) The drive can't be a short field of less than 30 yards.

3) The drive can't be when the other team has the game on ice (20+ point lead).

All right, given those conditions, how many touchdowns has JaMarcus led us to in our losses? Have an answer yet?

For comparisons sake, Alex Smith led the Niners on 3 such drives today. And in '07 before JaMarcus took over, McCown and Culpepper led us on 9 such drives in ten losses.

How many TD drives has JaMarcus led us on in his 17 losses that weren't short fields or quick strikes or garbage time?

I'll tell you how many:

That's right, in those 17 losses JaMarcus has led us on one touchdown drive that wasn't a short field or a quick strike or in garbage time when we were down by 20+ points. He did it in the second drive of the opener against San Diego this year. Every other touchdown drive has been a long pass, like the ball to Louis Murphy against San Diego; or a short field, like the one-yard drive against K.C. at home last year after a pick; or in garbage time, like the meaningless points we put up against the Broncos in the 4th quarter when they went up 27-0 in last year's opener.

That's probably why when the Raiders got down by 14 today, everybody knew the game was over. He can't lead us on touchdown drives. It's a remarkable statistic. It means that in losses the Raiders are never, ever controlling the ball. They either get lucky or they don't score. That's it.

More than anything, this for me is a reason to bench the guy permanently this year. He's completely incapable of leading a touchdown drive. Give him too many plays and he'll screw it up. Like on the pick in the end zone today.

We need a quarterback who can manage the ball and lead us down the field. JaMarcus so far appears incapable of doing that.

Jets @ Raiders 2nd-Half Game Thread

2009-10-25T21:38:06Z

24-0 Jets. Can the Raiders do anything to salvage this and keep it from getting any uglier then it is?

If so, it's now up to Bruce Gradkowski to do it.

New York P-E-T-S @ Oakland Raiders: Game Thread

2009-10-25T19:30:22Z

Bring it Raider fans!!! This is YOUR SITE and this is OUR DAY!!!!

A win today makes us 3-4 with a showdown in San Diego next week!!!

OOOAAAKKLLAAANNDDDD!!!!!!

RRRAAAIIDDEERSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P-E-T-S, PETS PETS PETS!!! Oakland Raider Pre-Game Thread:

2009-10-25T16:34:21Z

Cue Jane's Addiction:

They make great PETS, they make great PETS, THEY M-A-K-E GREAT PETS!!!

P-E-T-S..PETS...PETS...PETS!!!

It's a good thing that I am not drinking today, because I can just see myself leaving the Coliseum acting like a 225 pound Perry Ferrell and singing that song until I lose my voice!!!

Today IS the Day Oakland!!! I've been saying that all season and truly, once again, TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Today is the day to see if Richard Seymour is right, 4-4 going into the break would open some eyes in the League, and the Raiders need to TAKE CARE OF THEIR PETS today in order to have a chance at that.

The Raiders will need to stop the run in order to be effective and I am praying that Chaz will be able to go today: (Can someone please post the 45 man active rosters for today ASAP)

The Jets come in with a running game that is second in the NFL in Yards per game, with 163, and third in yards per attempt, with a gaudy 4.9 average.

I wonder if we will be run blitzing and if Mike Mitchell will be the choice at nickel?

I do expect much less of a passing blitz, unless it's third and 10 or more. And even then you have to keep someone, Branch in the middle to protect against the draw, and also someone home on the outsides to protect against the screens.

Both of these teams need a win BADLY today, so this one will be UGLY from the get-go.

GO GETTEM RAIDERS!!!!

(In case you missed Noontide's Excellent Breakdown, here it is)

Oakland Raiders Defense: #1 in Sacks per Pass Attempt In The NFL!!!

2009-10-25T16:12:02Z

As I have been doing this season, oops, before I continue I must tell you that this post is being brought to you by A Big Old Can of Whoop Ass, brought to you by the Silver and Black Mob Squad, where Branch, Seymour, Howard, Nnamdi and Morrison bring IT weekly, it is time to update some defensive numbers.

As you, who have been reading this Blog for more than a season, know, I look at a value of indicators and then compile them together to get a true Defensive Ranking. It is not an exact science, and I am open to suggestions to add to the matrix, but here it is:

Here is one EXAMPLE (Interceptions in relation to Scoring Offense):

I am compiling yards allowed, with points allowed and turnovers forced. The best score would be a three with the worst being a 96.

Here is where our Raiders rank:

In total Yards allowed: 26

Total Points Allowed: 25

Turnovers forced: 16

That is an aggregate of 77, and is a pretty indicator of a 2-4 team.

Now before you go crazy about the defense being terrible or it all being the offense's fault, you must lean heavily on the side that blasts the offense. Quite simply put, the Oakland Offense is historically bad. So Let's try this:

Average Per Rush: 20th

Average Per Pass: 10th

That is an average of 15th, which is fantastic for a defense who has seen the field more often than Clay Wood! (A Little Shout to the A's/Raider fans on the board)

Turnovers and sacks are a product of how many oppurtunities a defense gets, especially against the pass, so let's divide those by the number of opportunities:

The Raiders have seen the 16th most passing attempts in the League, and are 17th in interceptions and 6th in Sacks!!! That is VERY solid. In fact the Raider lead the NFL in sacks per pass attempt!!! THANK YOU JIM MARSHALL!!!

The Raiders have seen the 4th most rushing attempts and are 20th against the run in yards per attempt, that is pretty stout. IN comparison, the Cardinals see the least amount of rushing attempts and are ranked first.

Teams are running the ball against the Raiders because the offense cannot score, not because they have a terrible run defense.

So, as you can see, when you really look into the numbers this defense is a fantastic pass rushing defense that, IF, the offense can score some points, can, perhaps carry us to the Playoffs!!!

Today may be the day that we can get some picks and really improve our, Defensive Ranking!!!

GOOO RAIDERS!!!!!

Sprint and the Palm Pre Keep Football Fans Dialed IN!

2009-10-24T16:25:20Z

Before I go any further with this, I do have to let you know that this is a sponsored post by Sprint, I also have to let you know that I am more than happy to do this because the Palm Pre allows me to follow all of the action of the game in the "Palm" of my hand and I LOVE IT!

In fact, this Sunday, I will be Live Blogging from the Jets game, on my PHONE!!!

If you haven't heard about their NFL Mobile Live function, here is how it works:

There is an NFL Icon that is preloaded on every Palm Pre. Once you click on that icon you can set it up to follow your favorite team, of course I picked the Niners...NOT!

You can then listen to any and all games while they are being played and get LIVE updates sent to your phone. I no longer have to wait for the scores to update to know how the Donkeys, Dolts or Chefs are doing. I can hear it LIVE while I am at the game. This function is SICK!!!!

The Pre does not have 85,000 apps, but the ones that they do have are by far the best. Even if this wasn't a sponsored post I would highly recommend getting the Palm Pre to EVERY NFL fan.

Silver and Black Pride: One Million Served!!!

2009-10-24T15:46:52Z

I remember when I was a kid, it was a huge deal that McDonald's had served their one millionth Big Mac!

They were so proud of this fact that they had it displayed on every restaurant, and they even made T-Shirts out of it!

Now they serve 47 million people a day, around the World. Boy how things have changed.

I am very pleased to announce that Silver and Black Pride, after Four Seasons of writing and rooting for the Oakland Raiders has passed the one million visitor mark!

Thank you to all of you who have made this happen, from regulars to some-timers, posters to lurkers and old schoolers to newbies...Thanks!

Raiders vs. Jets: A Battle For Hope- Preview and Prediction

2009-10-23T22:01:52Z

I guess the Jets are now a de facto AFC West team. It seems that way, as the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders are getting ready to battle again for the tenth time since 1999. Eight of those meeting have taken place in Oakland. Out of those ten meetings, the Raiders have the edge: winning six.

History means next to nothing when assessing current matchups in the NFL as team turnover often finds teams vastly different from year to year. One has to look no further than the Jets to see this is the case.

Last year when the Raiders prepared for the Jets, they were getting ready to face arguably the most decorated quarterback of all time and now they may be facing the least decorated quarterback in the game. Last year, the Jets were run by a veteran coach, who was coaching for his job, while this year a defensive minded rookie head coach is at the helm.

The Raiders won last year’s battle 16-13, in overtime, when Sebastian Janikowski booted a 58-yard field goal. It was a game the Raiders led most of the way until Farve displayed some of his fourth quarter magic and even the score.

JaMarcus Russell had some magic of his own on this day and led a game winning drive, which featured two nice throws to Javon Walker and Zach Miller. Russell finished the game 17/30 for 201yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. The Raiders won the turnover battle three to zero.

Enough of these fond memories- it is time to move on.

The Jets are reeling right now. They come into this game, losers of three in a row, and are depleted by injuries.

The Raiders are coming into this game off a defensively fueled win that likely staved off a full fan mutiny at this week’s game. It was a win so promising it moved Richard Seymour to guarantee the Raiders would make the playoffs.

Injuries:

Jets:

All world Nose Tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the season after sustaining a knee injury last week. Leading Jets receiver, Jerricho Cotchery, will miss his second straight game with a hamstring issue, while fellow receiver Brad Smith and cornerback Lito Sheppard will miss the game due to quadriceps issues.

Defensive end Shaun Ellis is has been limited in practice and is listed as questionable. Cornerback Donald Strickland is listed as questionable after missing four weeks with and ankle injury, but head coach Rex Ryan expects him to play.

Raiders:

The Raiders are not without injury concerns of their own. On the offensive line Robert Gallery and Cornell Green are both out, as well as linebacker Rickey Brown and running back Darren McFadden.

Cooper Carlisle is expected to make his return to Guard and this week will be the long awaited, much anticipated ’09 debut of wide receiver Chaz Schillens.

This is an important game for both teams. The Raiders need to prove that this season is not a lost cause and that last week was not a fluke. The Jets cannot suffer a fourth straight loss in a game they are favored to win.

With that in mind let’s take a look at the:

Matchups

Raiders O vs. Jets D

The Raiders offense is struggling to score points. At 10.3 points per game the Raiders offense is ranked 31st in the league. It will not be an easy task to improve the scoring numbers this week, as the Jets defense is not surrendering many points. Giving up 17.3 points per game, the Jets are ranked 6th in the league.

The Jets defensive strength is its secondary. Led by cornerback Darnelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes, the Jets have faced some of the best receivers in the league and held them in check. The only receivers that have had success against the Jets come in spread formations and were not the first or second options.

Patriots’ rookie Julian Edleman who recorded eight catches for 98 yards turned in the best performance by a receiver against the Jets. For anyone keeping track, Edleman was drafted 225 spots after Darius Heyward-Bey. Overall the Jets are surrendering 9.8 catchers and 96.5 yards to wide receivers per game.

The Raiders receivers have not had success against anyone and while they are bolstered by the return of Schillens, this looks to be a tough team to return against.

Tight ends have had decent success against the Jets this year. The Jets have surrendered either four or five reception to tight ends in every game this year while averaging 9.4 yards per catch. Last year Zach Miller had four catches for 57 yards against the Jets.

The Jets impressive pass defense numbers have been accumulated largely without the aid of a pass rush. They are ranked 31st in sacks with only five on the year. The Raiders have surrendered 17 sacks on the season.

The Jets come into this game ranked 21st in rush defense and they are now missing the anchor of their defensive line, Jenkins. They are giving up four yards per rush, while the Raiders are averaging 3.3 yards per rush.

Jets O vs. Raiders D

The Jets offense is only a juggernaut when compared to the Raiders. The Jets find themselves ranked 22nd in the league with a 19 points per game average. The Raiders defense is surrendering 23.2 points per game, which ranks them 22nd.

Mark Sanchez is having all the problems one would expect of a rookie quarterback. He is coming off a game where he threw five interceptions, some of which bounced of wide receiver Braylon Edwards’s hands.

After the game Sanchez admitted he might have been forcing the ball to Edwards. He clearly missed having his main target, Cotchery, on the field.

Sanchez is only hitting 51.8 percent of his passes for 155.7 yards per game- both of which rank the Jets 30th in the league. The Raiders are surrendering a 58.7 completion percentage at 220.2 yards per game which ranks them 10th and 17th respectively.

The Jets are a rushing team. They are ranked 31st at 27.3 pass attempts per game and 3rd in the league at 33.5 rush attempts per game. Teams have predominantly featured the run against the Raiders. They are giving up 145.3 yards per game on the ground on 33.7 attempts. These numbers rank them 28th and 29th respectively.

The Jets have been winning the time of possession and the Raiders have not. The Jets are ranked 11th and the Raiders 31st.

Overview

The Jets are a run first offense and this will only be accentuated this week as the Raiders weakness is: stopping the run. It is unrealistic for the Raiders, or anyone, to stop the Jets run game. They don’t need to stop it, however, they just need to slow it down and force the Jets into some passing situations.

With the Jets loss of Kris Jenkins, the Raiders will try and establish the run and pound it with Justin Fargas between the tackles. Look for both teams to try and establish the run to set up the play action pass game.

As was mentioned, the Jets strength is their secondary which has taken away teams wide receivers. As the Raiders have shown, teams do not need to have even a decent secondary, to take away their receivers. The Raiders are used to functioning without much an addition by their wide receivers. I do expect Schillens to break free for at least two third down receptions and give a boost to the entire offense.

This could be the key to the game. Russell now has his go to guy on in obvious passing situations and Sanchez will be without his.

While the Raiders found a huge amount of success blitzing last week- this is not the week to continue that. They need to focus on stopping the run. When they do force the Jets into passing situations they should rely on defensive lineman to generate pressure and leave defenders back, waiting for the interception prone Sanchez to let it fly.

The Jets’ defensive line has not produced pressure on the quarterback and will likely send a number of defensive blitz packages. While the Raiders’ offensive line has struggled, we saw last week that the combination of Fargas and Gary Russell is extremely adept at picking up the blitz.

Prediction

The Raiders will come close to matching the Jets rushing game and make a few more key plays in the passing game. This will allow them to edge the Jets in a close, low scoring affair.

Raiders 17 Jets 13

Let your predictions fly…

Poll

How many catches will Chaz Schillens have?

0

51 votes

1

21 votes

2

73 votes

3

101 votes

4

136 votes

5

142 votes

6

50 votes

7+

84 votes

658 votes | Poll has closed

KA1Z3R's Previews and Predictions: Week 7

2009-10-23T20:42:38Z

In last week's post I was 7-7. I guess i was looking for upsets in all the wrong places. But this week I look to improve from a lowly 7-7 and hope to give you guys some more tips on who to start in your fantasy leagues and who to maybe pick in Pigskin Pick Em' on ESPN.

Read on to see who I have winning the marquee matchups such as Minnesota versus Pittsburgh, Bengals versus Bears, Falcons versus Cowboys, and even the Monday night match of Philly versus Washington.

Colts vs. Rams

via nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com

via www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

The Rams are coming off a very upsetting 20-23 overtime loss to the Jaguars while the undefeated Colts aee coming off a bye week feeling fresh and ready for football.

The Colts will undoubtedly be just about impossible to stop on offense as they're the #5 scoring offense and going up against the 30th scoring defense. The most disheartening stat, #1 pass offense versus 26th. pass defense. Wayne and Manning will be a lot harder to disrupt than Garrard and Mike Sims-Walker. Don't expect that Rams D to get 2 picks this week like it did last week. Unless the Rams can manage to get a ton of pressure on Peyton, this offense is going to be too tough for the Rams to handle.

As if things weren't bad enough, the Rams offense will be facing the #2 scoring defense and 7th. overall defense. Once again, if the Rams want any hope of winning, it's going to have be in the form of Steven Jackson and the running game, ranked a surprisingly low 20th. They shouldn't try to pass at all until they get that running game established because that 8th. ranked Colts pass D is dangerous, especially with the pass rush they'll be bringing on a still young Rams offensive line.

With Colts all rested up and the Rams reeling, expect a Titan-style blowout this week.

Winner: Colts

Vikings vs. Steelers

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Two teams that are so very alike in their styles of play will be facing off in one of Sunday's marquee matchups. The Steelers have reclaimed their first place spot in the division and will look to hold on to it, while the Vikings appear to be starting to run away with their division.

Pittsburgh's offense had troubles with fumbles last week against lowly Cleveland, but once again the passing game came alive. After an embarrassing performance by Minnesota's pass defense last week, expect that 3rd ranked Steelers passing game to get rolling early and often. If I'm Pittsburgh, I see no reason to run on the 9th. ranked Vikings run D when I can pass on their 23rd ranked pass defense.

When Minnesota has the ball, look for them to play the same football that's got them 6-0. Run the ball as early and as often as possible. Doesn't matter if they're facing the 2nd best run defense, that won't stop them from pounding it with AP and Chester Taylor. However, look for the pass attempt number to keep steadily increasing for Minnesota. Brett Favre is finally looking like he no longer just manages the Minnesota offense, he gives them balance. A deep ball to Berrian or Harvin is a possibility on any given play, and creates a constant never-ending fear of a deep play-action pass on defense. I don't think the Pittsburgh corners or pass rush will fare well against this Minnesota team, which means the run D might in turn struggle more.

This is no doubt the game of the week. Both teams' defenses will be struggling with the incredible balance of the opposing offenses, but I think Minnesota brings more balance on offense and that pass rush incredibly tough for this struggling Pittsburgh O-Line to handle.

Winner: Minnesota

Patriots vs. Buccaneers

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After a record-breaking victory last week, New England will be looking to post big numbers once more on a crumbling Bucs team.

For all the credit that Brady and Moss get on a week-to-week basis, this New England running game is lacking some much-deserved credit. For a team so hellbent on passing, their running game is a profound 16th and has looked better and better each week. Though their stable is banged up with Taylor and Morris still injured, Maroney and Faulk are still dynamic in their own right. Though their primary concern is New England's 5th. ranked pass offense, the Bucs can't simply drop everybody back or else Maroney or Faulk could get some huge yardage. Especially with the Bucs being 30th in run D.

While New England will most likely be passing like crazy on the bucs surprisingly good 9th. pass D, the Bucs won't be passing much at all. This 23rd ranked pass offense won't be getting much yardage on the Pats 5th. ranked pass D. Though those numbers might be a bit inflated due to an atrociously drop-heavy game by the Titans last week. If tampa is to have any hope, they must consume clock and run the ball on this 18th. ranked New England run D.From there, you might be able to set up play action if New England's blitzes don't throw off Josh Johnson.

New England is very balanced on both sides of the ball, while Tampa is one-dimensional in both. New England should pick up an easy win.

Winner: New England

49ers vs. Texans

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San Francisco looks like it could be a great team this year, but Houston upset a great team last week in Cincy, and could very well do it again.

Houston finally got the running game going, sorta, but it'll be much harder to do that this week with the 7th. ranked run D and Pat Willis coming to town. Though they don't want to become one-dimensional, the Texans will want to pass early and often as their 4th. ranked pass offense should fare incredibly well on the Niners 19th. ranked pass D. Especially Owen Daniels. Daniels is officially one of the premiere tight ends of the league and will be playing a slower LB unit and a group of very below average safeties. Look for a monstrous day out of Schaub and Daniels.

While Houston might find themselves having a great day on offense, there could be mixed results for the Niners. Houston has their moments on defense, as do the niners on offense. 19th. rush offense versus 22nd run D, 29th. pass offense versus 18th. pass D. But it's tough to gauge how San Francisco's offense will be with Crabtree starting and with the triumphant return of an elite running back in Frank Gore. My guess, Gore will bring back a great running attack which will open up the play action and passing game. Meaning, this offense will look much better than it has the past couple weeks.

Houston would be my pick, IF it wasn't for the return of Gore and the possibility that Crabtree might actually be pretty good.

Winner: 49ers

Bills vs. Panthers

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Two of the league's worst will square off in what should actually be a pretty good game.

Fred Jackson is slowly becoming one of my favorite running backs in the league. He doesn't have elite speed, elusiveness, toughness, etc. But he does everything well. He's got power to him, but he's also elusive and has some burst to him. He's a also a great pass catcher and blocker. Blocking is what the Bills will need as their O-Line is still giving up pressure. Can't say I like their odds versus Peppers on the outside. But Jackson and this 6th. ranked rushing offense should have no trouble against Carolina's lowly 29th. rush D. Jackson and Lynch will both have great games this week because Carolina doesn't dare stack the run with Owens and Evans on the outside.

Carolina is finally getting their run game rolling as they're now ranked 9th. Expect that number to go up as they face the 32nd ranked run defense this week. Stewart and Williams will both be getting nice numbers for sure. Though ranked 11th. in pass D, they can't bring anybody extra up to the line either with Smith and Muhammed out there at wide receiver for Carolina.

Don't start either of these defenses on your fantasy league, but make sure to start any of the four primary running backs. This will be a run fest. Whichever team's running game proves more dominant will be the victor. With superior backs, I have to pick Carolina.

Winner: Panthers

Jets vs. Raiders

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The Raiders are coming off a major upset over the Eagles, but the Jets are looking to stay in th playoff battle after dropping 2 straight.

Oakland did a great job disrupting the 12th. ranked Eagles pass D, and if they stick with this new-look scheme, they should do the same against the shaky rookie Sanchez. But the real issue for the Raider D, is this #2 ranked Jets ground game. Not good for the 28th. ranked run D. Oakland's got to shut down the Jets ground game from the get-go and force the Jets to pass against a dangerous pass rush and opportunistic secondary. Easier said than done.

After finally getting their ground game going again, Oakland will look to follow the same gameplan this week against the Kris Jenkins-less Jets. Already a disappointing 19th. against the run, the Jets will be struggling more-so against the run without their dominant DT, who pretty much made the D-Line great. Bart Scott is majorly underachieving and the rest of the Jets D is suited to be pass rushers than run stoppers. From there, expect lots of passing to Gary Russell and Zach Miller on underneath play-action plays to possibly open things up for the healthy Schilens. But with guys like Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis on this Jets 8th. ranked pass D, expect some struggles.

If Oakland wins, it'll be because of great defense once again. But I think the Jets running game will be too much for Oakland to handle, though an upset may be in the works.

Winner: Jets

Falcons vs. Cowboys

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The Falcons struggled to pull one out versus Chicago last week, and will be facing another brick wall in the form of Dallas this week.

The Bears brought pressure to Matt Ryan frequently last week, so expect Dallas to do the same. After a pretty slow start to their pass rush, Dallas now posts 10 sacks and DeMarcus Ware has started to really get going. But the with their 28th. pass defense going up against a Falcons passing game loaded with weapons, this doesn't appear to be a favorable matchup. The Falcons have struggled to get a run game going though, but Dallas won't give them many problems with a very average 16th. ranked run D. Ryan should have a good game against a very weak Cowboys secondary.

While the Falcons will be passing, the Cowboys will be running as their 3rd. ranked rushing attack with Marion Barber and Felix Jones goes up against the 21st Falcons run D. Though they can just as easily pass the ball with their 10th. ranked passing game facing a lowly 21st. Falcons pass defense which won't be bringing and pressure whatsoever. The Cowboys should be bringing a very balanced offense which can fall back on a strong running game if need-be.

This should be a high-scoring game where whoever's D manages to force a turnover or two will be the victor. With a very weak defense, I can't see the Falcons doing this. I'm picking an upset here by the Cowboys.

Winner: Cowboys

Bears vs. Bengals

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Both teams are trying to get back into their respective division races, as the Bears and Bengals face-off in an important game for both teams.

If the Bears want any chance, they have to establish the run, something they still have yet to do all year. Not even against the lowly Falcons run D. It won't be easier by any means this week with the 11th. ranked rush D up against them. Though they'd much rather not, Chicago's going to have to rely on their passing game to win. Not necessarily a bad idea. A 17th. passing offense with some big play threats going up against the 28th. pass D. If the Bears can keep the Bengals pass rush off Cutler, their passing game might be able to open up the run game.

The Bengals, however, should not try to make their main focus the passing game. Chicago did a nice job against Matt Ryan and the Falcons, who are much better than this 20th. ranked Bengals pass offense unit. With crafty blitzes and an opportunistic secondary, the Bears are going to be a very tough unit to face. The Bengals need to establish the running game, much easier said than done when facing the 6th. ranked run defense. Cincy is going to be struggling to move the ball, but they seem to be able to make big plays when it counts. They'll have to hope that trend continues against this monstrous Bears defense.

Neither team should expect to light up the scoreboard, but Cincy's defense is weaker and their offense is running right into a brick wall. Chicago stays relevant.

Winner: Chicago

Saints vs. Miami

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Miami is trying to get back into the division race while New Orleans is looking to put away the division very early on.

I'm not lying when I say this Saints offense might be better than the 07 Patriots. Most teams' primary focus is Drew Brees and the passing game, but this Saints running game is ranked 4th. You can't stack the run either because Brees, Colston, and Shockey will be making big plays. I don't really know what kind of defense would be able to stop this team. But if Miami and their 3rd ranked run D can neutralize the run, they might have a chance with Joey Porter coming on blitzes. I thought the Giants could do the same, but notice how that turned out.

Things aren't much better for Miami on offense either. Though their 1st. ranked rushing offense is the equivalent to a many teams' passing attacks, they'll be facing stiff opposition in the form of the 5th. ranked Saints run D. Though it is the 26th. pass offense versus the 13th. ranked pass D, I advise Miami to come out passing. They have to loosen up this Saints D is they want any hope of their running game to get rolling. It's the only way that I see them winning is to play a very balanced game.

I honestly think the Saints are better this year than the Patriots of 07 were. They're just so perfect at every single aspect of football. Look for that to continue this week.

Winner: Saints

Unfortunately I find myself at a time constraint and will not be previewing the Giants-Cardinals game or the Philly-Washington game. I apologize, but i did pick both.

Giants versus Cardinals Winner: Giants

Eagles versus Redskins Winner: Eagles

Comcast Red Zone: This Service IS Blowing UP!!! (Sponsored Post)

2009-10-22T19:21:49Z

As you know, the SBN Blogs in Comcast's Areas, including ours, have been asked by Comcast to do weekly write-ups on their new Red Zone Channel.

So, I have decided to track the Raider's performance in the Red Zone on a weekly basis:

Last week was the biggest win of the season for the Silver and Black, but their red zone performance is still horrid!

In fact, last week, the Raiders only reached the Red Zone once, and still scored 13 points! That is amazing in itself, but this team will have to reach the red zone more often if Richard Seymour's prediction is going to come true!

What do you think of our Red Zone performance?