Oakland’s rush defense sinking; Raiders must make a move on Walker
Well, we got our answer this weekend and over the course of the last two games, as the Oakland Raiders have allowed 388 yards rushing versus the Chiefs and Broncos. This after their impressive effort in week-one against the Chargers when John Marshall’s group held Darren Sproles and LaDainian Tomlinson to 21 first half yards and 77 the entire game.
They are allowing 155 ground yards per game (28th in the NFL), and after an off-season of talking about being disciplined, staying in gaps and the acquisition of Richard Seymour, the Raiders look like the same team that cannot stop the bleeding against the run.
“We were not able to stop them from running the football,” said Tom Cable after the game.
And the disappointment of not being able to hold their own in the trenches boiled over, especially when Richard Seymour got flagged for a personal foul in the 2nd half. “I think there is a lot of stuff that goes on in the line of scrimmage. He could have been. His frustration probably was more on the fact we weren’t getting of the field and we are getting the ball run on us,” Cable continued.
Oakland now faces a stretch where they will face Houston, who has struggled to run the football, but feature a capable Steve Slaton (38 car. 127 yards), New York (the 8th ranked rushing offense in the league averaging 142.0 per contest), Philadelphia (ranked 12th in rushing) and the New York Jets (12th ranked rush attack), before facing San Diego again.
WALKER; IS HE IN, OR OUT?
The Raiders need to make a decision on Javon Walker. The former Bronco receiver who was inactive yesterday said after the game that he was ready to play, stating, “I’m more than healthy enough.”
If that is the case, why is he not on the field?
JaMarcus Russell is struggling, partly because of the inexperience at wide receiver and the lack of talent on that unit. So why not play a veteran who claims to be healthy and that you have paid a lot of money to? It seems like Oakland is fine with Walker collecting a check and not contributing to this club. And that is a bad message especially since Walker is saying all the right things and claiming he is ready to go.
With the offense ranking 30th in points scored per game, last in passing yards per contest and struggling mightily, why is he inactive then?
“I watch those guys make plays on the opposite side of the ball. It’s kind of weird because every time they made a catch, they would look at me because they know that, they know my mentality playing football. I was in Denver with all those guys.”
Walker continued, “They know my aggressiveness when it comes to attacking balls and making plays. That has not changed here.”
Chaz Schilens may come back this week, but that won’t suddenly make this offense more potent. Schilens has 15-career receptions and is a project himself, even though he may be recognized by the staff as their best receiver.
“I’m just going with the flow,” commented Walker.
I guess I would too if I already banked $12 million in my first year as a Raider and have close to $4 million coming to me this season.
NOTES:
Mike Mitchell, exciting the crowd prior to a thumb injury
- Prior to the game yesterday, Oakland activated Jonathan Holland from the practice squad and waived running back Louis Rankin.
- John Bowie had an MCL injury, Michael Huff could not finish the game with quad and rib injuries and Mike Mitchell sustained a thumb injury.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
