Silver and Black Report

The Oakland Raiders placed wide receiver Ashley Lelie on injured reserve, ending his season and almost certainly his stint as a member of the Silver & Black.

In 13 games this season, Lelie has only 11 receptions for 197 yards and 2 scores.

The already thin and pedestrian receiving corps is expected to be without Ronald Curry this weekend because of a turf toe injury. His future is also in doubt, as there has been talk about the team parting ways with Curry and that his days may be numbered in Oakland after a disappointing season. 

Oakland has put four wide receivers on injured reserve in 2008; Javon Walker (ankle), Drew Carter (knee), Arman Shields (knee) and Lelie (calf).

With probably the weakest receiving unit in the league, the Raiders are averaging a league worst 142.9 yards passing per game. Their 6.0 yards per completion is 29^th in the NFL and the 26.8 pass attempts per contest is the worst in the league for the vertically challenged Raiders.

The Raiders activated Darrell Strong from the practice squad on Saturday.

STATUS REPORT – TEXANS

QUESTIONABLE

LB Xavier Adibi (groin)

PROBABLE

TE Clark Harris (illness), DE Jesse Nading (knee), G Chester Pitts (ankle)

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

On Wednesday

LB Xavier Adibi (groin), G Chester Pitts (ankle)

On Thursday

LB Xavier Adibi (groin), TE Clark Harris (illness)

On Friday

RB Steve Slaton (not injury related)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

On Wednesday

DE Jesse Nading (knee)

On Thursday

DE Jesse Nading (knee), G Chester Pitts (ankle)

On Friday

LB Xavier Adibi (groin), TE Clark Harris (illness)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Friday

DE Jesse Nading (knee), G Chester Pitts (ankle)

STATUS REPORT – RAIDERS

OUT

LB Ricky Brown (groin)

DOUBTFUL

WR Ronald Curry (toe), WR Ashley Lelie (calf)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Luke Lawton (concussion)

PROBABLE

DT Tommy Kelly (knee), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

On Wednesday

LB Ricky Brown (groin), WR Ronald Curry (toe), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), WR Ashley Lelie (calf)

On Thursday

LB Ricky Brown (groin), WR Ronald Curry (toe), WR Ashley Lelie (calf)

On Friday

LB Ricky Brown (groin), WR Ronald Curry (toe), WR Ashley Lelie (calf)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

On Wednesday

RB Luke Lawton (concussion), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)

On Thursday

DT Tommy Kelly (knee), RB Luke Lawton (concussion), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)

On Friday

RB Luke Lawton (concussion)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

On Friday

DT Tommy Kelly (knee), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)

 

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

QUARTERBACK — B+

JaMarcus Russell was an efficient 10/11 for 152 yards with one touchdown toss. A week after a death in his family and after Tom Cable raved about his practices leading up the game; the young passer was poised and led the team with his solid outing. With Cable, the Raiders are stretching the field more to suit his abilities. Today, the 51-yard pass to Ashley Lelie was put where his receiver can make a play on it and on a pass to the former Bronco for 22 yards, he showed off his cannon arm. One of the nicer executed plays for Russell was on a 2^nd and 7 in the 2^nd quarter, when he faked a toss and then bootlegged and found Zach Miller for 30-yards to the Denver 3 yard line.

RUNNING BACKS — B-

Justin Fargas ran hard as always, but he was ineffective in short yardage situations. Many times he left his feet or did not show a solid foundation when running, as he failed to stick it in the end zone near the goal line and was clipped off his feet when trying to pick up first downs in short down and distances. Darren McFadden became the only Raider in 2008 to tally two offensive touchdowns after he scored form 1-yard out in the third quarter. His second touchdown of the day to give Oakland a 31-10 lead was on 3^rd and 1 from the 1. He was used as a receiver and lined up all over the formation. Early in the 4^th quarter, a pass interference call on a Denver defender trying to cover McFadden placed the ball on the Bronco 6-yard line, setting up a Raider score.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS — C+

Ashley Lelie had his best game in Silver & Black against his former teammates. His 4 receptions for 92 yards and touchdown may be the best performance any Raider wide receiver has given all year. His 51-yard grab set-up Oakland’s first offensive touchdown in 206 plays.  Zach Miller was solid blocking on the edges, had 3 receptions for 41 yards, including a one handed 8-yard stab to reel in Michael Bush’s first career pass on a 3^rd and 3.

OFFENSIVE LINE — B

The Kwame Harris and Cornell Green bashing will have to be held off for at least one week. Both did a solid job keeping Denver’s pass rush away from Russell. John Wade was far better this week starting in place of a still injured Jake Grove, and Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle were steady, but not spectacular. The one major concern was their inability as a group to run block effectively in short yardage situations. Oakland had multiple chances near the goal line and in short distances, but Denver won many encounters at the point of attack and thwarted drives with their fiery play in those situations.

DEFENSIVE LINE – B+

Kalimba Edwards was disruptive in the first half and made plays in the backfield versus the run. Derrick Burgess finally got on the field after a six game absence. But Terdell Sands and Tommy Kelly along the interior were the driving force behind the resurgence of the front seven. The tandem in the interior slowed the Denver rush game and made them one-dimensional as the game wound down. Sands pancaked Peyton Hillis on Gibril Wilson’s fumble recovery and he batted a ball down at the line of scrimmage on a Denver three and out after the Raiders took a 17-10 lead.

LINEBACKERS — B

Thomas Howard was flagged a couple of times for unnecessary roughness. But that did not stop his aggressiveness throughout the game, as he attacked the line of scrimmage on various blitz plays and when in coverage, he made his presence felt, especially in the 4^th quarter when he picked off a Cutler pass after Oakland took a 24-10 lead. Jon Alston started the game with a stuff on a delayed hand off to Hillis.

SECONDARY — B

Chris Johnson was tested many times, but Denver failed to beat the aggressive cornerback. Mike Shanahan took advantage of DeAngelo Hall in their first meeting, and after praising Nnamdi Asomugha earlier in the week, the savvy play-caller attempted to go after the speedster. Johnson had an interception return for a touchdown negated by a holding penalty. Gibril Wilson was very good around the line of scrimmage in run support and as a help defender in coverage. Stanford Routt struggled covering the elusive Brandon Stokley and missed a few tackles due to poor technique.  

SPECIAL TEAMS — A

Johnnie Lee Higgins did it again, igniting the Raiders before the half with a stellar 89-yard punt return for a score. After evading the first two tacklers, he tiptoed down the sideline and followed a convoy lead by a helmet-less Alston. Oakland could’ve lived without the 15-yard penalty for celebrating when he flipped in the end zone after the score with his teammates surrounding him. Trevor Scott made a nice special teams tackle on a punt return and Shane Lechler continued his solid punting with a 58.7 average. Sebastian Janikowski took advantage of the thin air and booted a kickoff from his own 15-yard line, 85-yards to the goal line after Higgins’ score.

COACHING – B+

Tom Cable mixed up the play calling a lot better in the second half. Using McFadden in ‘wildcat’ formations as well as Ronald Curry kept the Denver defense off-balance. The Raiders were able to protect up front, allowing them to get the ball down the field when they went deep. Cable won a couple of challenges, one particularly in the 4^th quarter on a 18 yard reception on the sideline by Tony Scheffler, which was over-ruled, slowed the Denver attack. Rob Ryan mixed in blitzes well with Howard, and placed his best cover linebacker in coverage conveniently on 3^rd down late in which he hauled in an interception. The Raiders struggled to get Denver off the field in the first half, as they converted 6-of-9 third down conversions, but only 3 in the second half. Credit the coaching staff also on tightening the ship in the second half with the penalties, as the Raiders had 9 prior to halftime and ended with 10 for the game.

MIAMI, FL – The Oakland Raiders have designated CB Michael Waddell, FB Jason Davis, DE Derrick Burgess, LB Ricky Brown, C Jake Grove, T James Marten, WR Javon Walker and QB Andrew Walter (3^rd QB) as inactive players for today’s game versus the Miami Dolphins.

For the home team, WR Ernest Wilford, CB Joey Thomas, G Shawn Murphy, Lionel Dotson, T Nate Garner, TE Joey Haynos, DE Rodrique Wright and QB John Beck (3^rd QB) will be inactive.

Line up changes are the following:

• #87 Ashley Lelie will start at WR for the injured Walker.
• #71 John Wade will start at Center for Grove.
• #58 Kalimba Edwards will start again at DE for Burgess. Sam Williams will start for Brown.

 DB Justin Miller, picked up from waivers earlier in the week will wear #22. 

Bitter rivals renew their rivalry under the lights of Monday Night Football to kickoff the season. The Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos will compete for the 96^th time since both first met in 1960. The Silver & Black holds a 54-39-2 regular season advantage, and they are 2-0 during home openers versus the Broncos.

Last season, both clubs split their meetings, both winning at home. JaMarcus Russell saw his first action as a pro during their second meeting at the ‘Black Hole’, a game in which the Raiders earned the second of back-to-back divisional victories for the first time since 2002.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

It’s time to unveil Darren McFadden if you’re the Silver & Black. Yes, it’s the first time Russell will start a opener as the team’s first string quarterback, but the Arkansas rookie will have the spotlight due to his game breaking ability, versatility and what many will hope is a positive influence on an offense that is in need of pop.

Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin has talked about bringing him along slowly and letting him absorb the playbook and nuisances of the game before utilizing him as they envisioned. But considering that this offense has shown little in the pre-season and will want to get out of the gate quickly in front of their fans, Mcfadden should be unleashed and given opportunities to do what he does best…

Give him the football as a rusher and receiver and let him go.

“By the time we get halfway through the year, I think he will have had a big impact on this team,” Kiffin said on Wednesday. “You’ve just got to be nervous how much you do with him. You won’t see him doing as much stuff as you’d like I’m sure in this opener. Especially because you’ve got a Monday night game as well. He’s got to worry just about getting a handoff. We’ll be very careful with him this week.”

What to expect:

Oakland will run the football. Heck, they need to run the football. Justin Fargas has earned every right to start and take the bulk of the load, but a sprinkle of McFadden and the insertion of Michael Bush on short yardage situations and in spots where they want to punish Denver will be on Kiffin’s ‘to do’ list for Monday.

If they are successful on the ground, then you can expect some longer developing passing plays for Javon Walker, Ronald Curry and the newly acquired Ashley Lelie.

“When you kind of stop making plays, then the league keeps going and forgets about you,” Lelie commented after being cut by the 49ers. “So this will be a prime example Monday night, to kind of showcase what I can do, and what I can do to help the team.”

On Defense:

This will be the first test for the run defense. One of the major concerns of Rob Ryan’s unit is their ability to consistently stuff opponents along the line of scrimmage and force teams to match-up against a very talented secondary.

Arch nemesis Mike Shanahan has had great success running the football against the Raiders, and he won’t stop until they show an ability to slow them down. “We’re not going to get away from running the ball,” Shanahan said. “You may write about it more when we’re throwing the ball well, but we’re still going to run the football and we’re running it well. The great teams that usually win championships can run it.”

Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and Tommy Kelly will be in the trenches this year, and if this three-man rotation can get out of the gates quickly with a solid effort, it could lead to a major improvement on defense.

Sands’ size and strength is a major asset, but he will be the reserve and unless he shows competence as a defender in their basic packages on all downs, he will likely remain as the back-up, as Kiffin brutally stated, “he’ll never be an every down player in the NFL.”

What to expect:

Derrick Burgess will have a match-up he must win if the Raiders want to put Jay Cutler in tough spots. Facing the rookie Ryan Clady, Burgess should open the season the way he ended 2007, attacking quarterbacks with his speed and re- gaining his form as one of the best pure pass rushers in the AFC.

On Special Teams:

Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler will be ready to go after a pre-season in which they saw limited action, and botched plays in their final tune-up a week ago.

What has been a major concern has been the return game, and whether or not they have talent to give them steady play on kickoffs and punts. Johnnie Lee Higgins will be fielding punts, and his up and down pre-season is what worries the Raiders. What Kiffin made clear this week was that McFadden will not be returning kicks. When asked, he simply stated, “No, no.”

DENVER BRONCOS

On Offense:

Jay Cutler’s development is under the microscope, and if he is able to settle down the volatile quarterback position in Denver since John Elway’s retirement, this team will have a solid chance to get back to the playoffs.

After being diagnosed with Diabetes, monitoring of his condition and now his ability to cope and play with it, Cutler feels he will move forward and lead this team as Denver expected when they drafted him.

“Oh, yeah, when you’re the quarterback, being in that position my whole life, you’re kind of in that leadership role whether you want to or not,” Cutler commented. “So, if that’s what you want to do, you just grasp it and run with it.”

Denver’s top target, receiver Brandon Marshall, will be out for the opener after being assessed a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct code.

“He’s the best player on offense when I look on film,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. “To be honest, I’m glad he’s not playing because he gives you a lot of problems. Even as good as our corners are, he’s a great football player.

“Yeah, we’re pleased he’s not playing.”

What to expect:

Denver will try to run the ball against the vaunted Raider front-seven with the trio of starter Selvin Young, veteran Michael Pittman and second year stand out Andre Hall.

Young ran for 729 yards as an undrafted rookie last season, and with their historically successful zone blocking scheme and ability to find rushers for their offense, it will be interesting to see how they fare against a Raider defense that added a solid tackler this off-season at strong safety (Gibril Wilson) and that will emphasize stacking the line of scrimmage in 2008.

On Defense:

Denver struggled to stop the run last season, ranking 30th in the league. If they can’t slow down Oakland’s onslaught on the ground, it will make life easier for Russell and keep the ball away from Cutler and his offense.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Javon Walker vs. His old teammates

Walker has had a shaky start in Oakland and after signing a big contract during the off-season, it is imperative he start the season with some chain moving receptions. Russell needs a ‘go to’ target, and if he is it, it could make a world of a difference on how this offense progresses as the year winds down.

Burgess vs. Clady

Rookie against speedy rusher…this could spell trouble for Cutler.

Raiders Rush Defense vs. Shanahan’s ground game

In their last 10 meetings, the Raiders have allowed over 100 yards rushing to the Broncos on 8 occasions.

Forcing Cutler to make plays with his arm/Forcing Russell to do the same…

If the Raiders commit to stuffing the run, and do it with success, Cutler will have to find a way to roll away from the pressure Oakland will try to apply in order to force turnovers in their secondary. Denver will attack the Raiders offensive line to see if a) they can protect the young passer and b) can Russell be poised under pressure?

GAME NOTES:

• Since 2003, the Raiders have allowed 150.9 yards rushing per game against the Broncos.
• Kalimba Edwards (groin) and Walker (hamstring) were held out of drills this week, but are expected to play.
• The Broncos have been lead in rushing the last five years by five different ball carriers.
• McFadden in the pre-season compiled 182 yards on 34 carries.
• Center Tom Nalen is out for Monday.

PREDICTION:

Raiders 27 – Broncos 19

Oakland will run the ball effectively. And when Denver creeps their safeties up for help, Russell should be able to find his favorite target, Zach Miller, for a score and possible big plays down the field with his newly acquired targets. The Raiders offensive line will have to hold up early pressure from Denver, and if Oakland has to face 3rd and longs, it could be a very tough night for Russell. Oakland is too deep at running back and they will keep the fresh legs rotating in and out and exposing the weak front seven of the Broncos.

TV & Radio

This week’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN, with Mike Greenberg handling play-by-play, former NFL player and coach Mike Ditka and former NFL player Mike Golic as color analysts. Suzy Kolber will handle sideline reporting duties. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will also be broadcast in the Bay Area on over-the air station KPIX Channel 5. The game will air on ESPN International in 180 countries and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. In addition, Westwood One/CBS Radio will air the game nationally with Don Criqui and former NFL coach Dennis Green handling announcing duties. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders web site) 

GAME INFO

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

Road Team: Denver Broncos (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

When and Where: Monday, September 8, 2008, 7:15 p.m. PT  McAfee Coliseum – Oakland, CA

On Tuesday, the Oakland Raiders officially added Ashley Lelie to their roster, and to make room for the wide receiver, they released defensive tackle William Joseph.

Joseph, the former 25^th overall selection in the 2003 draft, was deemed expendable with the presence of Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren and Terdell Sands and his position as a reserve tackle along a defensive line that will go with a three-man rotation.

Oakland was in need of a speedy, down the field target to replace the injured Drew Carter, who will be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Lelie will wear no. 87 as per the official Raiders web site, and he is expected to practice on Wednesday with his teammates.

NFL writer Jerry McDonald reported on his blog that Oakland will look to sign Luke Lawton on Wednesday, which will mean that another player will be given their release to make room for the fullback that was initially claimed off waivers on 8/25/2008 before being cut last Saturday.

 

According to ESPN reporter John Clayton, the Oakland Raiders reached an agreement with wide receiver Ashley Lelie on Monday.

Lelie, 28, was a casualty on Saturday as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, as he attempted to make the club after missing most of training camp with a calf strain, a year after signing a two-year deal worth $4.3 million and a $2 million signing bonus. Mike Nolan cited his injuries as a major reason why they released him, stating, “When it comes down to it, it really just became a durability issue. If you can’t count on someone for whatever reason … it’s a tough call.”

The former Denver Bronco also fought through a quadriceps injury last season, which limited him to 10 receptions for 115 yards, his worst season as a pro.

Terms of the reported one-year deal are undisclosed at this moment.

Lelie has played in 94 league games, compiling 206 receptions, 3,552 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first six years.

A former first round draft choice of the Broncos, Lelie has never been able to live up to the expectations of being a consistent down field threat when he came out of college as Hawaii’s all-time leader in receiving.

Lelie was traded to Atlanta when he became unhappy with the situation at receiver, ironically, the year they traded for Javon Walker, now a teammate with the Raiders. In Atlanta, he floundered and his contract was bought out, leaving him a free agent in 2007.

The Raiders have been searching for targets at wide receiver for Jamarcus Russell, and became a pursuer of Lelie after losing Drew Carter this pre-season, a speedy target that was looked upon to complement their passers big arm. Lelie will now take on that role, and try to give the Raiders a third option with experience behind Walker and Ronald Curry.

Oakland’s receiving corps is a major question mark going into the season with Walker being inconsistent since his arrival and Curry coming off foot surgery. Their best receiver this summer has been Todd Watkins, a waiver claim from Atlanta that has little success at the pro level.

With an already strong ground game, the Raiders need to find more of a balance with their aerial attack, something that has eluded them all summer.

And with the shaky pass blocking offensive line, one of their more dependable targets, Zach Miller, a favorite of Russell, may have to be used often in pass protection due to him being one of their better edge blockers.

All of this has put Oakland’s passing game in question.

Whether Lelie can impact the Raiders remains to be seen, as the Raiders are also hoping that Walker can bounce back after a down year and the huge deal forked over to him during the off-season.

At this point, too many ‘ifs’ going into the season for a team that ranked 31st in the NFL in passing last year.

Russell’s big arm and playmaking ability is a welcome sight to many. But does Lane Kiffin have the right combination of targets and adequate protection to help facilitate the immense talent Russell possesses?