Silver and Black Report

The Oakland Raiders (5-5) will try to get back on track this week in preparation for their match-up against the Miami Dolphins. Most of the players admitted that their loss to the Steelers was a bump on the road, and not a derailment.

The majority of the locker room reasoned that that was not the real Raiders that got pushed around in Pittsburgh. And more importantly, that the lost re-focused them during a true litmus test to gauge their ranking in the AFC.

“That wasn’t us. We didn’t play the way we normally play,’’ said Rock Cartwright. “Take it in stride, put it behind us, and go forward with the next game because you can’t beat a dead horse. We’ll go and watch the tape, go forward and get ready for Miami this week.’’

When they start picking up the pieces and get back to work, Oakland will be without the services of Trevor Scott. The DE/LB sustained a torn ACL on his left knee yesterday and will likely be out the season. Scott has been one of the steadiest members of the defense dating back to late last season, whether at end or at outside linebacker.

The story that gained the most notoriety out of the contest on Sunday was Richard Seymour’s ejection. Oakland’s defensive lineman was booted at the 1:23 mark in the 2^nd quarter for swinging at and connecting with Ben Roethlisberger.

The open-handed attack will land Seymour a hefty fine, but could it cost the Raiders one game without their anchor?

Seymour was fined $7,500 last season for an incident against a Denver lineman and $10,000 for contacting a Cleveland Brown during a dead ball. Because of the NFL’s strict guidelines with protecting passers and the nature of the play, its foreseeable to expect him to miss at least one game due to his actions.

Teammate Quentin Groves stated, “You get suspended for anything right now, but I don’t know. I’m going to let commissioner Goodell and the powers that be decide that. If he’s there he’s there, if he’s not we have to still get ready to go out and play Miami.”

Mike Tomlin took the high road yesterday, saying, “I got big-time respect for Richard Seymour as a football player. That guy’s got an 11-year resume that’s pretty impressive as a professional. I’m not going to let that play cloud my opinion on Richard Seymour. I think he’s an awesome football player and a professional. It just got away from us, all parties involved today.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the 2^nd quarter with a Rashard Mendenhall run for 4-yards on 2^nd and 10. On 3^rd and 6, Mewelde Moore caught a slant for 7-yards to set the Steelers up with 1^st and goal at the 5. There, Mendenhall punched it in to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead. The drive compiled 85-yards on 14-plays (8:06 time consumed).

The Raiders sputtered on their first possession of the 2^nd quarter. James Farrior sacked Jason Campbell on 1^st down and then on 3^rd and 16, his pass failed to hook up with a diving Zach Miller.

Antonio Brown’s 67-yard punt return for a score was nullified by two holding infractions by the Steelers.

Matt Shaughnessy and Tommy Kelly gobbled up Mendenhall on 1^st and 10 for a loss of 2-yards. Roethlisberger then hit Hines Ward for 10-yards before connecting with Heath Miller for 18-yards. Oakland then got stout; Kamerion Wimbley stuffed Mendenhall for a loss of 4 yards on 2^nd and 6 and on 3^rd and 10, Chris Johnson blanketed Emmanuel Sanders to force a Steeler punt.

Oakland took over at their own 11-yard line after a Nick Miller one yard punt return.

The Steeler defense did not budge, corralling McFadden on a one-yard run. On 2^nd and 9, Campbell waited too long in getting the ball to Jacoby Ford, which fell on the turf for an incompletion and then on 3^rd and 9, he was unable to hook up with McFadden on a short dump off.

Pittsburgh extended their lead on the next drive. The possession started with a Mike Wallace 19-yard run and a vital 21-yard Antonio Brown reception on 2^nd and 15. Three plays later, Roethlisberger jolted into the end zone from 16-yards out, juking Stevie Brown as he broke the goal line to make it a 14-3 contest.

Oakland with their backs to the end zone, went with Michael Bush on 1^st and 10 and only managed 3-yards. Campbell avoided a disastrous situation when he recovered his own fumble, forced by James Harrison on a sack. On the next play, 3^rd and 14, Campbell went deep to Louis Murphy and Ike Taylor was infracted for pass interference (27-yards). But on the ensuing play, Taylor got revenge when Murphy caught a short toss and was stripped by the cornerback. Lawrence Timmons recovered and the Steelers had the ball at the Oakland 35-yard line.

Roethlisberger connected with Matt Spaeth for 8-yards and Hines Ward for 5 before hitting a streaking Sanders for 22-yards in the end zone against Jeremy Ware. The 22-yard score gave the Steelers a commanding 21-3 lead. After the play, Richard Seymour was ejected for striking Roethlisberger. The official first announced that Tommy Kelly was thrown out of the contest, but corrected the miscue a few minutes later.

SCORE: Pittsburgh 21 – Oakland 3

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

One of the great rivalries in NFL history is renewed on Sunday when the Oakland Raiders (5-4) face the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3). The Silver & Black stunned the Steelers last season at Heinz Field with 21 fourth quarter points, in a Raiders 27-24 victory. “Oakland’s a pretty good team. Last year they beat us. That’s fresh on a lot of guys’ minds,” said wide receiver Hines Ward. Oakland will go with Jason Campbell at quarterback and he’ll have a healthy Louis Murphy and Zach Miller in his huddle.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Oakland is glad to have Murphy and Miller back in the line-up. Their prowess as targets will surely help an attack that could open it up against the Steelers 26^th ranked pass defense (268.3 yards per game). Tom Cable hinted that his club is not equipped like opponents that have had success against Pittsburgh, saying, “We’re really not. You hit it on the head. We have to be who we are. At the same time, you look at some of the issues that they had on Sunday night was about spreading them out and mixing them up,” but a pass first approach may be seen in spurts to keep their defense off-balance.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, who missed last season’s contest versus the Steelers, has been limited in practice with a strained hamstring that Cable stated could worsen, “if you push it too much too quick.”

Chaz Schilens is out again, as the wide receiver is “still not very smooth yet,” according to the head coach.

What to Expect:

Oakland has to pound the football against the Steelers – it’s what they do best. Darren McFadden leads the league with a 108.1 yards rushing per game average. And even though the Steelers rush defense ranks first in the NFL (63.2 y/ per game), Hue Jackson’s play action plays and down field threats will be dismissed without a reliable ground attack. With Miller and Murphy back, they’ll be able tp spread out the Steelers and dink and dunk. Oakland cannot afford a bad half from Campbell this week.

On Defense:

“I think you have to keep him in the pocket. We’re very aware that one, escapeability, he may be as good as there is. Outside the pocket, he’s dramatically, to another level, dramatically better than most,” commented Cable on Ben Roethlisberger’s abilities.

Oakland, who can get blitz happy, will have to contain the mobile passer and hold their coverage responsibilities a lot longer against a scrambler who can extend plays.

“He’s probably the best pump-faker in the league. He’s so big he can palm the ball in one hand and pump it all the way like, full throwing motion. Whenever you’re going against a quarterback like that, it definitely makes the receivers more effective, because anytime you can get someone to, like Michael Vick with his feet or Ben Roethlisberger with his size and pump-faking ability, anyone who can prolong the play, that gives his receivers more time to get open, run around, this that and the other. It makes a cornerback’s job tough,” said cornerback Stanford Routt.

What to Expect:

Rolando McClain’s ability to pursuit from his middle linebacker spot will be highlighted this week, especially when Big Ben is scrambling. Oakland still has to apply pressure against a weakened offensive line and trust that their defensive backfield can blanket the opposing targets while singled up.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

On Offense:

This is a game where Pittsburgh may just have to keep it on the ground. Rashard Mendenhall leads the team with 752-yards rushing and 7-scores. Left tackle Max Starks and left guard Chris Kemoeatu are injured, so establishing the run, keeping their quarterback from taking major hits and attacking the Raiders 24^th ranked rush defense (124.8 y/per game) will be their best shot at putting up points.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians was predictable with his play selection against the Patriots, running primarily to the right side of the formation.

When they take shots down the field, Chris Johnson will be their primary target, especially if they get Mike Wallace on the shaky cornerback. Wallace leads the team with 30-receptions for 643-yards and seven touchdowns.

What to Expect:

Roethlisberger’s improvisational skills are second to none. And those are the type of plays Pittsburgh will need from him when Oakland blitzes. Mendenhall wants to show that McFadden is not the only rusher in the AFC putting up big numbers. If the Steelers can get him 24 or more carries that means the Raider run defense is struggling.

On Defense:

“We did take a hit. No excuses,” cornerback Ike Taylor said after the New England game. “We have to come back and do what we need to do, feed off of this and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Steelers have allowed 272.6 passing yards per game the last four weeks.

“You can’t start dredging up things from the past,” safety Ryan Clark said. “This is one night, and one night we need to get better from. Obviously, for our defense, it hurts more because we’re not used to playing this way. We’re not used to giving up yardage the way we did.”

Their heart and soul – Troy Polamalu – has a strained Achilles tendon, but he’ll play on Sunday. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons has a hip bruise, but Mike Tomlin has indicated that he’ll play.

What to Expect:

With a rookie left tackle and an offensive line that is more adept at running the football, the Steelers want to stuff Oakland on early downs and force Campbell into 3^rd and long distances. The Steelers believe they can derail Oakland’s passing attack, which does not feature short tosses that can counter a team that likes to apply great pressure. They do have to be aware of McFadden out of the backfield, as Oakland does feature screens that can go for big yardage.

GAME NOTES

• Mike Tomlin on Zach Miller: “Their tight end is as good and as complete a tight end as you’re going to find in football. This guy is capable of doing it all, similar to our [Heath] Miller. He’s good on the line of scrimmage, good at blocking. He’s a vertical threat.”
• Tomlin on the Raiders: “This is the kind of opponent that we need coming off our last performance. We’ve got to get back in the world of the competent and the competing.”
• Louis Murphy tallied receptions for 128 yards and two scores last season versus the Steelers.
• “I don’t think it matters [who’s starting],” cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said about the QB situation. “The guys aren’t really worried about it, either. As long as we’re winning, everybody’s happy. You look at Bruce, and he’s still excited we’re winning games. So, as long as we’re winning games, everybody’s o.k.”
• On his injury, Asomugha said, “I’m just itching to get back out there. I want to be a part of every second of it. Whatever the percentage is that I am, if I’m good enough to go out there and play, I’m just going to do it.”
• “I want to beat Pittsburgh so bad, because that not only solidifies us in first place, that we earned that, but people are really going to start talking about us for playoff contention,” Mike Mitchell was quoted.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Mendenhall vs. McFadden

Whoever has the most impact for their club, will be the victor.

Big Ben vs. the Raiders Pressure

Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly are playing at a high level. John Marshall has been dialing up the blitz more. It will either devour Roethlisberger or hurt them for big gains.

PREDICTION

Steelers 23 – Raiders 20

GAME INFO

Sunday, November 21, 2010 1:00 p.m. ET | Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA

Home Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) Home: 4-1  Road: 1-3

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (5-4) Home: 4-1 Road: 1-3

BROADCAST INFORMATION (cited from the Official Raiders web site)

TELEVISION: The game will be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle providing play-by-play and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts handling color analysis.  The game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game also airs on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. RADIO: Greg Papa and Tom Flores will call the game live on Raiders Radio Network originating on KITS LIVE 105.3 FM and KFRC 1550 AM, with pre and post-game analysis on KFRC. Papa and Raiders two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Flores will man the booth for the 13th straight year. The radio pregame and postgame shows will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm as well as local veteran radio personalities Bruce Magowan and Jason Ross.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Tom Cable gave his team updates, describing team injuries, what he and his players are looking forward to Sunday’s matchup against the Steelers, and he elaborated on the energy and tempo displayed during today’s practice.

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Pittsburgh Steelers passer Ben Roethlisberger, in a conference call with the media, stated, “I would send this warning to him. Be careful with our field, because it’s terrible.” The message was intended for Nnamdi Asomugha, who is questionable with an ankle sprain.

Asomugha was on the field during practice, in pads and warming up.

The Oakland Raiders are aware of Roethlisberger’s scrambling ability. Cornerback Stanford Routt stated, “He’s probably the best pump-faker in the league. He’s so big he can palm the ball in one hand and pump it all the way like, full throwing motion. Whenever you’re going against a quarterback like that, it definitely makes the receivers more effective, because anytime you can get someone to, like Michael Vick with his feet or Ben Roethlisberger with his size and pump-faking ability, anyone who can prolong the play, that gives his receivers more time to get open, run around, this that and the other. It makes a cornerback’s job tough.’’

Zach Miller also suited up during practice and is a lock to play on Sunday. John Henderson was active today during drills, and if he doesn’t play against Pittsburgh, he’ll be ready to go versus the Miami Dolphins.

Oakland was missing wide receivers Chaz Schilens and Darrius Heyward-Bey. The second year speedster out of Maryland is questionable with a hamstring ailment, but you have to wonder if that impairment will really force him out of the line-up, or is the play of Jacoby Ford, the return of Louis Murphy and eventual activation of Chaz Schilens the real reason as to why he will miss some reps.

“My mindset was always to keep pushing forward, keep taking each game one game at a time and prepare yourself each and every day to go out and win,’’ Jason Campbell stated today about having the starting spot. “It’s no different now. You still have to go out there and prepare yourself to go out and play hard and win a game.’’

OTHER NOTES

• “People are really going to start talking about us for playoff contention if we do that,” safety Mike Mitchell said about a possible four game winning streak. “Everything that we’ve done up to this point is going to come down to what we do Sunday. We just want to keep all that momentum going.”
• Hines Ward passed his post-concussion tests and practiced in full-pads.
• Safety Troy Polamalu (Achilles) and safety Will Allen (concussion) sat during practice. Limited today were linebacker Lawrence Timmons (hip), Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) and defensive end Brett Keisel (hamstring).

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

So all of the sudden, there may be another veteran quarterback on the block that the Oakland Raiders could be linked to.

The prospect now: Ben Roethlisberger.

‘Big Ben’ is a franchise passer. And he has proven to be the Pittsburgh Steelers top guy during his career, adding an AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2004 to his resume, becoming the youngest starting passer in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, being a Pro Bowl performer and tallying a second championship under his tenure to the illustrious history of the Steelers in 2009.

But team president Art Rooney II cares immensely about the image portrayed by his players. And Roethlisberger has become a poster boy of unruly behavior and questionable judgment in various off-the field distractions.

“He’s going to have to work very hard to rehabilitate his image,” Rooney said. “There’s no question that it’s taken a hit and we’ve told him it’s going to be a long journey back and he’s going to have to be up to meeting the challenge.”

The NFL could suspend the quarterback and the subject of counseling and/or rehabilitation may be in the works after his latest incident in which a college student accused him of sexual assault.

The Steelers won’t act first in punishing him, as they await a decision from the league.

“There were a lot of pieces to the puzzle that probably prevent us from moving ahead on our own at this point,” Rooney said.

But you can question whether or not they are fed up with Roethlisberger after standing by his side throughout the motorcycle accident in 2006, sexual assault allegations in Nevada and the latest indiscretion in Georgia.

Could the Steelers field offers and finally part ways with their troubled passer?

Sure – they already jettisoned Santonio Holmes and considering that image means a lot to the Rooney’s and that they’ve milked a great deal of success out of ‘Big Ben’ so far, it may be time for a new scene for the quarterback and the organization.

But are the Raiders a fit?

He’s without a doubt better than any of the options the Raiders have currently on their roster. Roethlisberger is an instant upgrade. But is the baggage enough of a deterrent?

No!

On the field, he’s had success. Something the Raiders need. He’s enough of a presence and vocal enough to captain a group that needs a player of his stature and of his accomplishments to lead them.

And for anyone that says; well, with this offensive line and scheme, how would Roethlisberger succeed?

Well, with this with this offensive line and scheme, how would JaMarcus Russell or Bruce Gradkowski succeed?

Neither is as good as the Steelers passer. Neither has proven that they can lead a club over the course one season – Roethlisberger has rings.

Regardless of what dysfunction Oakland may have in the front-office, along the trenches or on their coaching staff, if Roethlisberger is up for grabs, the Raiders should be making inquiries and gauging what it would take to take a chance on a talented quarterback.