Silver and Black Report

Raiders win the toss, and received the opening kickoff.

Justin Miller’s return was out to the 24 yard line. Raiders open up the game with a Darren McFadden rush off the right side for 1 yard. On the second play, McFadden gets no gain, as Oren O’Neal is also in the backfield with the second year pro. The fullback was ineffective on his first few plays getting to the second level; the line was not able to get push either. On 3^rd and 9, JaMarcus Russell’s first pass, an out patter was wildly incomplete intended for rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey. On the punt, Hiram Eugene made a nice tackle.

On the 49ers opening play, Alex Smith rolls out and gets pressured by Greg Ellis. The Raiders blitzed on 3^rd and 7, but Vernon Davis gets open for 1^st down yardage, safeties Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch were not on the same page, as the linebackers attacked the line of scrimmage. Frank Gore picks up 4 yards, up the gut of the Raider defense a couple of plays later. Then on 3^rd and 5, Kirk Morrison blitzes, the 49er offensive line protects Smith, but the intended receiver dropped a would be 1^st down.

Oakland’s second possession opens on their own 20-yard line. A quick screen to McFadden is set up nicely, and the rusher’s patience on the play got him 5 yards. Russell hits TE Tony Stewart on the next play for 20 yards. After two rushes that net minimal yardage due to an ineffective offensive line, the Raiders faced a 3^rd and 5, Russell appeared to change the play at the line of scrimmage, but as he dropped back, the quarterback tumbled to the turf and was sacked for a loss. It appeared that his feet were cleared from the center, and he stumbled on his own as he stepped back into the pocket. Oakland on the punt again played swarming coverage.

Gerard Warren made the first stop on the ensuing drive on RB Glen Coffee. Coffee on the next play, a pitch on the left side, tallied 16 yards. Raiders continue to struggle on the edges versus the run. Ellis again pressured Smith, as the 49er tossed the ball away incomplete. Warren also had pressure, and Ricky Brown blitzed. The 49ers faced a 3^rd and 7, Smith had time, and he connected with Arnaz Battle for a 1^st down. Battle on the next play was given the ball on a end around, but the play was stuffed by William Joseph for a loss of 6 yards. Ellis was lit up by Smith,; blocking on the play. On 3^rd and 9, the 49ers sent 4 receivers out on routes, the ball was tipped by one of Smith’s intended targets, but LB Ricky Brown came down with the interception and he returned it for 46 yards.

Oakland started at the 49ers 7-yard line. Zach Miller hauled in a 3-yard catch on the first play of the drive. On 2^nd and goal, Justin Fargas gets no gain, as the offensive line is not able to get any push near the goal line. On 3^rd and goal, the Raiders are not able to hit paydirt; Russell to Louis Murphy was incomplete. On 4^th down, again, Russell is not able to hit Murphy, on a spread formation; the timing on the play appeared off and the toss was not optimal for the rookie.

The 49ers first play was nullified by a neutral zone infraction penalty on the Raiders. On 1^st and 5, Coffee gets stuffed by the interior of the Raiders’ defensive line. Coffee picks up first down yardage on the ensuing play. Smith gets pressured by the front four on the next play, rolls out and throws incomplete. Coffee ends the 1^st quarter with a big gain of 18 yards, Eugene was the last person between the rusher and the end zone.

Score: Raiders 0 – 49ers 0

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist