Silver and Black Report

Huff hovering in the secondary

The Oakland Raiders finally have the right alignment in the secondary. One reason for the optimistic outlook in the defensive backfield is the return of Michael Huff to his natural free safety position. Now, his athleticism will be on displayed, not shackled by the rigors of playing closer to the line of scrimmage, a duty that belongs now to Gibril Wilson.

Huff recorded an interception against the Arizona Cardinals last night during the Silver & Black’s 24-0 defeat. A sight many fans hope to see more often now that he is at that spot where he was most effective as a collegiate.

“I’m getting more chances to make plays,” Huff stated. “Instead of focusing on one guy, worrying about being in the box covering tight ends, I can just read the quarterback and make plays.”

OH BOY – O-Line woes

JaMarcus Russell is a statuesque quarterback. He doesn’t go down easily and is mobile enough to scamper away from pressure. But the Raiders have to be very worried about what his protection will be like in his first season as a pro.

Last night, the Cardinals sacked him four times, and it could’ve been six if not for his physical attributes.

With his ongoing development, which is one of the major keys to this organizations resurgence, a lack of quality depth at quarterback and the need for him to stay on the field and provide the team a big-armed passer, it is imperative that the offensive line plays a lot better in pass protection.

“I was very discouraged,” Lane Kiffin said of the pass blocking. “It just kind of reminded me of who we are.”

Tackles have struggled all pre-season and if last night was an indicator of what could occur, Russell will have a tough season in the pocket evading pressure and looking for anyone to step up down the field to make plays for him. Or worse, Raider fans may have to see their prized passer on the sideline injured.

OUCH – Injuries to key contributors

“Very disappointing night, right from the start,” Kiffin stated. “That’s the last thing you want to have happen in a preseason game. It wasn’t a very good sign.”

Fullback Oren O’Neal who was expected to be a key contributor on short yardage situations and goal line packages at fullback was injured on the opening kickoff and will likely miss the entire season. A proto-typical lead blocker, O’Neal is just the opposite of what Justin Griffith is as a fullback, and that variation of style was going to help the Raiders change up the pace as needed in their powerful rushing attack.

The left knee injury will be revaluated, but early signs are not promising.

Free-agent acquisition Drew Carter was also lost to a left knee injury in the 1^st quarter.

When he went down, it appeared to have deflated the Silver & Black’s night before it even got started.

“The outcome really doesn’t matter,” Kiffin said. “We lost two significant parts of what our offense hoped to be, so not very good from that perspective.”

Justin Griffith elaborated: “Aw man, those are frontline guys. Just to see those guys go down, that takes the air out of the team.”

GAME NOTES:

• Javon Walker had his best outing of the summer, compiling 60-yards on four receptions.
• Huff was not the only one to record an interception. Cornerback Stanford Routt and safety Rashad Baker picked off Matt Leinart also.
• Johnnie Lee Higgins bounced back from his last effort versus the Titans, this time on kickoffs, amassing 88-yards during three returns.
• Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler were given the night off again, and replaced with Aaron Elling and Glenn Pakulak.
• Oakland felt they needed to put a jolt in their passing game last night. That led to the smallest output in rushing yards all season (54-yards) and a shutout defeat. After losing Carter and the offensive line being so shaky, it is clear that if this team doesn’t emphasize the run and cannot pound away at opponents on the ground, it will have many problems putting up points in 2008.
• Conversely, the rush defense that appeared a lot better over recent weeks and that has been troublesome for the Raiders in recent years allowed 215 yards last night.
• DeAngelo Hall played briefly with his injured hand.