I'm considering having a weekly mailbag where I answer any questions regarding the Oakland Raiders from readers, if you're interested in having your questions or thoughts appear then please either leave them in the comments section (anyone can leave a comment, you don't have to be registered) or send me an email and I'll answer them in a new blog sometime in the next few days.
I'll see how the response goes before making it a permanent arrangement, thanks in advance to those of you who come up with any questions or thoughts!
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Monday, 24 September 2007
First win for Coach Kiffin
Sunday brought the Oakland Raiders first win after a horrendous 11-game losing streak and was also Lane Kiffin's first win as the teams Head Coach. The Raiders dominated the game but after costly mistakes it still game down to the last play of the game, let's break it down:
- Kiffin obviously learned something last week in the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos, as the Cleveland Browns were set to attempt a game winning 40-yard field goal he used the same strategy as Mike Shanahan did in the last game when he called a timeout right before the snap.
The first field goal would have been good but due to the timeout it needed to be rekicked, the second attempt was blocked by DE/DT Tommy Kelly and won the game for the Raiders, the final score was 26-24.
- The Raiders were at one point 16-0 ahead but gave up 10 points right before halftime after Josh Cribbs returned a kickoff 99-yards for a TD and LaMont Jordan fumbled on the Raiders next possesion, which resulted in a Browns FG.
- LaMont Jordan had another huge game with 121-yards rushing which included a 1-yard run for a TD, he also had a brilliant 27-yard reception on a 3rd and 23 play in the fourth quarter, in which Culpepper dumped the ball off to him on a HB screen play.
In the post game interview it was refreshing to see Jordans current attitude, several times he commented about how well the offensive line played and gave them the credit for his performance, he also commented several times about how he left a lot of yards on the field and is going to work hard to keep improving.
At times it seemed as if it was Kiffin talking and not Jordan, which really shows these players are buying whatever Kiffin is selling, this is so important if a team is to be succesful and is a total turnaround from last season. Jordan admitted he didn't like Coach Tom Cables zone blocking scheme at first but has really bought in now he's seen how well it works.
- You may have noticed Culpepper mentioned earlier, he came in for 1 play near the end of the first half and played the entire second half after Josh McCown suffered another injury when a defensive lineman rolled over his ankle. He even came back for one series to play through three seperate injuries but at half time Kiffin decided Culpepper gave the team the best chance to win.
Cheers were heard from some Raiders fans when McCown went down with the injury, it is horrible to hear a Raider being booed by his own fans, especially one who gives his all for the team. McCown played with total heart and commitment and he actually had a pretty good game until he went out injured, the highlight being a 41-yard TD pass to Ron Curry.
- Robert Gallery has silenced all of his critics with superb play at his new LG position, if he keeps playing at this level he's heading for the Pro Bowl. He did leave the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury but returned for the final series so it's hoped the injury is not too serious.
- Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard both had another fantastic showing with an interception each, Morrison now has 3 for the season and Howard has 2, one of which he returned for a touchdown last week against the Broncos.
In a post game interview with Morrison a reporter suggested a nickname for the two linebackers which he didn't seem to mind but had one better of his own; "The Pick Brothers". Well if the Pick Brothers keep putting in solid performances like that they're both absolute locks to go to the Pro Bowl.
- After poor play last week from DT Terdell Sands and CB Fabian Washington both started this game on the bench in favor of DT Gerrard Warren and CB Stanford Routt, both still played for much of the game but it remains unclear who Kiffin plans to start next week.
All things considered it was a fantastic day for Raider fans everywhere, bringing to a close the longest active losing streak in the NFL. Next week the Raiders are playing at the 0-3 Miami Dolphins before thier bye in week 5, as always thanks for reading!
- Kiffin obviously learned something last week in the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos, as the Cleveland Browns were set to attempt a game winning 40-yard field goal he used the same strategy as Mike Shanahan did in the last game when he called a timeout right before the snap.
The first field goal would have been good but due to the timeout it needed to be rekicked, the second attempt was blocked by DE/DT Tommy Kelly and won the game for the Raiders, the final score was 26-24.
- The Raiders were at one point 16-0 ahead but gave up 10 points right before halftime after Josh Cribbs returned a kickoff 99-yards for a TD and LaMont Jordan fumbled on the Raiders next possesion, which resulted in a Browns FG.
- LaMont Jordan had another huge game with 121-yards rushing which included a 1-yard run for a TD, he also had a brilliant 27-yard reception on a 3rd and 23 play in the fourth quarter, in which Culpepper dumped the ball off to him on a HB screen play.
In the post game interview it was refreshing to see Jordans current attitude, several times he commented about how well the offensive line played and gave them the credit for his performance, he also commented several times about how he left a lot of yards on the field and is going to work hard to keep improving.
At times it seemed as if it was Kiffin talking and not Jordan, which really shows these players are buying whatever Kiffin is selling, this is so important if a team is to be succesful and is a total turnaround from last season. Jordan admitted he didn't like Coach Tom Cables zone blocking scheme at first but has really bought in now he's seen how well it works.
- You may have noticed Culpepper mentioned earlier, he came in for 1 play near the end of the first half and played the entire second half after Josh McCown suffered another injury when a defensive lineman rolled over his ankle. He even came back for one series to play through three seperate injuries but at half time Kiffin decided Culpepper gave the team the best chance to win.
Cheers were heard from some Raiders fans when McCown went down with the injury, it is horrible to hear a Raider being booed by his own fans, especially one who gives his all for the team. McCown played with total heart and commitment and he actually had a pretty good game until he went out injured, the highlight being a 41-yard TD pass to Ron Curry.
- Robert Gallery has silenced all of his critics with superb play at his new LG position, if he keeps playing at this level he's heading for the Pro Bowl. He did leave the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury but returned for the final series so it's hoped the injury is not too serious.
- Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard both had another fantastic showing with an interception each, Morrison now has 3 for the season and Howard has 2, one of which he returned for a touchdown last week against the Broncos.
In a post game interview with Morrison a reporter suggested a nickname for the two linebackers which he didn't seem to mind but had one better of his own; "The Pick Brothers". Well if the Pick Brothers keep putting in solid performances like that they're both absolute locks to go to the Pro Bowl.
- After poor play last week from DT Terdell Sands and CB Fabian Washington both started this game on the bench in favor of DT Gerrard Warren and CB Stanford Routt, both still played for much of the game but it remains unclear who Kiffin plans to start next week.
All things considered it was a fantastic day for Raider fans everywhere, bringing to a close the longest active losing streak in the NFL. Next week the Raiders are playing at the 0-3 Miami Dolphins before thier bye in week 5, as always thanks for reading!
Friday, 21 September 2007
Catching up
Firstly I'd like to appologize for the lack of recent updates, this was due to unforseen technical difficulties which have now thankfully been fixed meaning that the blog will be updated much more regularly again, here goes with some notes to catch up on:
- The Raiders lost a brutally close 23-20 overtime game against the Broncos last Sunday in controversial fashion as the Broncos called a timeout as the Raiders kicked what would have been a winning field goal, only for them to retake and miss.
- Derrick Burgess picked up a calf injury late in the game and hasn't practiced all week, this could mean that Lane Kiffin is making sure he's fully rested for the Browns game this Sunday but judging by the type of injury it is doubtful that he will play, fifth round rookie draft pick Jay Richardson is the favorite to start in his place.
- LaMont Jordan has a slight back injury but is expected to be ready to play, Kiffin hinted that Adimchinobe Echemandu may be activated for the first time this season as insurance.
- Jeremy Newberry is reportedly close to full fitness after a hamstring injury and could see playing time against the Browns, Newberry would be a better matchup against ex-Raider NT Ted Washington as he has more power than Grove who has struggled in the past against bigger Defensive Tackles.
- With Burgess unlikely to play expect DE Chris Clemons to see a lot more action, Burgess and Clemons are the Raiders only 2 pass rush specialists on the roster after rookie third round pick Quentin Moses was surprisingly cut.
- Also expect more blitzes from Rob Ryan in this game with Morrison, Howard and Huff all likely to have thier numbers called to get to the QB, Ryan hasn't blitzed an awful lot so far this season but this will be the key to getting Browns QB Derek Anderson out of his rhythem.
- Poll results: 21% (8/37) of people voting in last weeks poll correctly predicted the Raiders would lose to the Broncos by 8 or less points.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the Broncos game to provide any in-depth analysis but I'll be watching this week against the Browns and will likely have another blog back up on Monday, as always thanks for reading!
- The Raiders lost a brutally close 23-20 overtime game against the Broncos last Sunday in controversial fashion as the Broncos called a timeout as the Raiders kicked what would have been a winning field goal, only for them to retake and miss.
- Derrick Burgess picked up a calf injury late in the game and hasn't practiced all week, this could mean that Lane Kiffin is making sure he's fully rested for the Browns game this Sunday but judging by the type of injury it is doubtful that he will play, fifth round rookie draft pick Jay Richardson is the favorite to start in his place.
- LaMont Jordan has a slight back injury but is expected to be ready to play, Kiffin hinted that Adimchinobe Echemandu may be activated for the first time this season as insurance.
- Jeremy Newberry is reportedly close to full fitness after a hamstring injury and could see playing time against the Browns, Newberry would be a better matchup against ex-Raider NT Ted Washington as he has more power than Grove who has struggled in the past against bigger Defensive Tackles.
- With Burgess unlikely to play expect DE Chris Clemons to see a lot more action, Burgess and Clemons are the Raiders only 2 pass rush specialists on the roster after rookie third round pick Quentin Moses was surprisingly cut.
- Also expect more blitzes from Rob Ryan in this game with Morrison, Howard and Huff all likely to have thier numbers called to get to the QB, Ryan hasn't blitzed an awful lot so far this season but this will be the key to getting Browns QB Derek Anderson out of his rhythem.
- Poll results: 21% (8/37) of people voting in last weeks poll correctly predicted the Raiders would lose to the Broncos by 8 or less points.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the Broncos game to provide any in-depth analysis but I'll be watching this week against the Browns and will likely have another blog back up on Monday, as always thanks for reading!
Monday, 10 September 2007
Accountability (Lions 36 @ 21 Raiders)
If you were told that Josh McCown passed for over 300 yards along with 2 TD's, that LaMont Jordan rushed for a TD and had 4.66 yards per carry and that the Oakland defense had 2 interceptions, you'd probably think the Raiders won the game. Well the problem with stats is they can look pretty but they don't win you games, since Lane Kiffin has been the coach of the Oakland Raiders he has stressed accountability, so let's take a look at it:
- The Raiders opened the game on offense in a 5-WR set which ended up with a completed pass to Ron Curry, after this the play calling was not as imaginative with passes usually being thrown short to Curry or being checked down to a Running back or Tight End.
- The biggest problem with the Raiders offense was an inability to stretch the defense, if a deep pass was called for by Kiffin then McCown usually looked deep, pump faked and then checked down to a back or threw it away. McCown only threw a deep pass once and that was 44-yard completion to Curry.
- So much for playing to your WR's strengths, Johnnie Lee Higgins is the teams best deep threat but wasn't thrown to during the game, Mike Williams is a 6-5, 240lbs huge mismatch problem for smaller cornerbacks and was thrown to only once for 11 yards and Jerry Porter is the Raiders best WR at gaining yards after the catch but was rarely thrown to on a quick pass, although he did drop a couple of passes in the game.
- The Raiders inability to really attack the Lions "no name" cornerbacks is the most mystifying thing in the game and brings up the question whether Daunte Culpepper would have been a better matchup, he gets the ball out much quicker than McCown and would be able to stretch the field a great deal more, opening up the running game for Jordan and the other backs.
- The 2 interceptions were both on McCown, the first one he had Curry wide open but pump faked before finally throwing after giving the defender time to close in for the pick, the second was a bone-headed mistake where he didn't even appear to look before he quickly threw the ball directly into coverage.
- What happened to the defense winning you games if the offense can get you 21 points? This loss is by no means all on the offense or McCown because the Raiders pass defense looked almost non-existant at times with Kitna picking them apart seemingly at will. Apart from interceptions by Morrison and Routt and some good pass rush from Chris Clemons and Warren Sapp, the defense didn't look close to living up to its #3 ranking from last season.
- The problem with being a top-10 pick in the draft these days is with the amount of money you earn and the media coverage you get, you're expected to be a top player at your position in the league. Well someone needs to tell Michael Huff he needs to work on his coverage skills if he's going to be a top safety, he looked good last season but good isn't good enough for the #7 overall pick and he needs to step up and start making some plays quickly.
- There were some good performances in the game, special mentions on offense go to Jordan who ran 15 times for 70-yards and a TD and also had 9 receptions for 89-yards and Curry who caught everything in sight and ended with 10 receptions for 133-yards and a TD. Defensive player of the game was without a doubt Kirk Morrison who was all over the field making plays for 9 tackles and an interception.
- Poll results: only 8.8% (11/125) of people thought Josh McCown would start the season at QB and even less predicted Chris Clemons would get the first sack of the season so well done to the 2.9% (3/104) of you who guessed correctly.
Next week the Raiders are playing at the Denver Broncos who bring a very different kind of threat which will mainly come on the ground, let's hope for better results and that the Raiders will be 1-1 this time next week, I'm still in!
- The Raiders opened the game on offense in a 5-WR set which ended up with a completed pass to Ron Curry, after this the play calling was not as imaginative with passes usually being thrown short to Curry or being checked down to a Running back or Tight End.
- The biggest problem with the Raiders offense was an inability to stretch the defense, if a deep pass was called for by Kiffin then McCown usually looked deep, pump faked and then checked down to a back or threw it away. McCown only threw a deep pass once and that was 44-yard completion to Curry.
- So much for playing to your WR's strengths, Johnnie Lee Higgins is the teams best deep threat but wasn't thrown to during the game, Mike Williams is a 6-5, 240lbs huge mismatch problem for smaller cornerbacks and was thrown to only once for 11 yards and Jerry Porter is the Raiders best WR at gaining yards after the catch but was rarely thrown to on a quick pass, although he did drop a couple of passes in the game.
- The Raiders inability to really attack the Lions "no name" cornerbacks is the most mystifying thing in the game and brings up the question whether Daunte Culpepper would have been a better matchup, he gets the ball out much quicker than McCown and would be able to stretch the field a great deal more, opening up the running game for Jordan and the other backs.
- The 2 interceptions were both on McCown, the first one he had Curry wide open but pump faked before finally throwing after giving the defender time to close in for the pick, the second was a bone-headed mistake where he didn't even appear to look before he quickly threw the ball directly into coverage.
- What happened to the defense winning you games if the offense can get you 21 points? This loss is by no means all on the offense or McCown because the Raiders pass defense looked almost non-existant at times with Kitna picking them apart seemingly at will. Apart from interceptions by Morrison and Routt and some good pass rush from Chris Clemons and Warren Sapp, the defense didn't look close to living up to its #3 ranking from last season.
- The problem with being a top-10 pick in the draft these days is with the amount of money you earn and the media coverage you get, you're expected to be a top player at your position in the league. Well someone needs to tell Michael Huff he needs to work on his coverage skills if he's going to be a top safety, he looked good last season but good isn't good enough for the #7 overall pick and he needs to step up and start making some plays quickly.
- There were some good performances in the game, special mentions on offense go to Jordan who ran 15 times for 70-yards and a TD and also had 9 receptions for 89-yards and Curry who caught everything in sight and ended with 10 receptions for 133-yards and a TD. Defensive player of the game was without a doubt Kirk Morrison who was all over the field making plays for 9 tackles and an interception.
- Poll results: only 8.8% (11/125) of people thought Josh McCown would start the season at QB and even less predicted Chris Clemons would get the first sack of the season so well done to the 2.9% (3/104) of you who guessed correctly.
Next week the Raiders are playing at the Denver Broncos who bring a very different kind of threat which will mainly come on the ground, let's hope for better results and that the Raiders will be 1-1 this time next week, I'm still in!
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Final Roster Announced with Surprises
When Lane Kiffin first arrived at the Oakland Raiders he stressed that no players place on the roster was safe and that competition was paramount, everyone would have to earn their position and there would be no more scholarships... well with the roster cuts yesterday he was true to his word, lets take a look:
- Players cut to get the team down to the final 53 are; WR Alvis Whitted, OT Chad Slaughter, RB Zack Crockett, WR Carlos Francis, WR Chris McFoy, TE O.J. Santiago, TE James Adkisson, OT Mark Wilson, C Jesse Boone, DE Dave Tollefson, DT Josh Shaw, LB Kurt Campbell, CB Marquice Cole, S Donovin Darius, S Eric Frampton, K Tyler Fredrickson, DT Anttaj Hawthorne, DE Quentin Moses and G Kevin Boothe.
- The most surprising cut is Moses, who was taken with the first pick in the third round of this years draft and thought of as the future RE for the Raiders, Moses had a lot of pass-rushing ability but was sometimes considered a liability against the run and was outplayed by fellow rookie Jay Richardson and free agent signing Chris Clemons.
- Other notable cuts include Kevin Boothe, who was the teams best offensive lineman last season after starting 14 games at RG, but was not a system fit in Coach Tom Cables new zone blocking scheme. Donovin Darius was heralded as a fantastic signing earlier in the off-season but never lived up to the hype and struggled with injuries and Al Davis favorite Alvis Whitted is finally cut from the roster, proving that this truly is Lane Kiffin's team.
- There are 22 new players on the roster (in silver) brought in under Kiffin, not including younger players who only made the practice squad or were cut last year such as Adimchinobe Echemandu, Chris Morris and Hiram Eugene.
- QB (3): Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown, Andrew Walter.
- RB (3): LaMont Jordan, Justin Fargas, Adimchinobe Echemandu.
- FB (2): Justin Griffith, Oren O'Neal.
- WR(5): Jerry Porter, Ron Curry, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Mike Williams, Travis Taylor.
- TE(3): Zach Miller, John Madsen, Tony Stewart.
- OL(9): Barry Sims, Robert Gallery, Jeremy Newberry, Cooper Carlisle, Cornell Green, Mario Henderson, Paul McQuistan, Jake Grove, Chris Morris.
- DL (8): Derrick Burgess, Terdell Sands, Warren Sapp, Tommy Kelly, Jay Richardson, Gerard Warren, Tyler Brayton, Chris Clemons.
- LB (6): Sam Williams, Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Robert Thomas, Ricky Brown, Isaiah Ekejiuba.
- CB (7): Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt, Chris Carr, John Bowie, Chris Johnson, Duane Starks.
- S (4): Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigert, B.J. Ward, Hiram Eugene.
- ST(3): P Shane Lechler, K Sebastian Janikowski, LS Jon Condo.
~ RB Michael Bush: Reserve/Non-Football Injury (PUP)
~ RB Dominic Rhodes: Reserve/Suspended
~ QB JaMarcus Russell: Un-Signed
This isn't the end as more roster moves are likely before the season begins, players from other teams can be claimed off waivers and the Raiders have their 8-man practice squad to organize, then there's the whole Russell debacle, watch this space...
- Players cut to get the team down to the final 53 are; WR Alvis Whitted, OT Chad Slaughter, RB Zack Crockett, WR Carlos Francis, WR Chris McFoy, TE O.J. Santiago, TE James Adkisson, OT Mark Wilson, C Jesse Boone, DE Dave Tollefson, DT Josh Shaw, LB Kurt Campbell, CB Marquice Cole, S Donovin Darius, S Eric Frampton, K Tyler Fredrickson, DT Anttaj Hawthorne, DE Quentin Moses and G Kevin Boothe.
- The most surprising cut is Moses, who was taken with the first pick in the third round of this years draft and thought of as the future RE for the Raiders, Moses had a lot of pass-rushing ability but was sometimes considered a liability against the run and was outplayed by fellow rookie Jay Richardson and free agent signing Chris Clemons.
- Other notable cuts include Kevin Boothe, who was the teams best offensive lineman last season after starting 14 games at RG, but was not a system fit in Coach Tom Cables new zone blocking scheme. Donovin Darius was heralded as a fantastic signing earlier in the off-season but never lived up to the hype and struggled with injuries and Al Davis favorite Alvis Whitted is finally cut from the roster, proving that this truly is Lane Kiffin's team.
- There are 22 new players on the roster (in silver) brought in under Kiffin, not including younger players who only made the practice squad or were cut last year such as Adimchinobe Echemandu, Chris Morris and Hiram Eugene.
- QB (3): Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown, Andrew Walter.
- RB (3): LaMont Jordan, Justin Fargas, Adimchinobe Echemandu.
- FB (2): Justin Griffith, Oren O'Neal.
- WR(5): Jerry Porter, Ron Curry, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Mike Williams, Travis Taylor.
- TE(3): Zach Miller, John Madsen, Tony Stewart.
- OL(9): Barry Sims, Robert Gallery, Jeremy Newberry, Cooper Carlisle, Cornell Green, Mario Henderson, Paul McQuistan, Jake Grove, Chris Morris.
- DL (8): Derrick Burgess, Terdell Sands, Warren Sapp, Tommy Kelly, Jay Richardson, Gerard Warren, Tyler Brayton, Chris Clemons.
- LB (6): Sam Williams, Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Robert Thomas, Ricky Brown, Isaiah Ekejiuba.
- CB (7): Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt, Chris Carr, John Bowie, Chris Johnson, Duane Starks.
- S (4): Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigert, B.J. Ward, Hiram Eugene.
- ST(3): P Shane Lechler, K Sebastian Janikowski, LS Jon Condo.
~ RB Michael Bush: Reserve/Non-Football Injury (PUP)
~ RB Dominic Rhodes: Reserve/Suspended
~ QB JaMarcus Russell: Un-Signed
This isn't the end as more roster moves are likely before the season begins, players from other teams can be claimed off waivers and the Raiders have their 8-man practice squad to organize, then there's the whole Russell debacle, watch this space...
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