Silver and Black Report

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The Oakland Raiders are one win and some help away from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2002. It all boils down to one more game, but how did they get to this point? Here are five reasons why the Silver & Black have a shot at a post-season berth:

Carson Palmer

Plain and simple, trades of that magnitude featuring quarterbacks of his caliber just don’t happen during the regular season. Especially after a team looses their starter due to injury. Oakland was very fortunate that Palmer and the Bengals were at odds. They were also very lucky that they could pull off that trade and bring in a veteran, who even at his semi-retired state, could potentially bring more to the table than a Kyle Boller or any other journeyman that was out there for the picking.

Jason Campbell entrenched himself as a starter and the team was playing well while he was under center. A significant dip would have been the outcome if any other passer took over. A rarity in the league, Oakland may have upgraded their quarterback position in the coming years with an in-season move.

Michael Bush

Darren McFadden’s injury would have crippled other teams. The most dynamic player on their offense, McFadden was the league’s best rusher when he went down. But Oakland’s depth and strength at running back kept them afloat.

Bush’s presence was needed, even though the team has not been the force on the ground they were when both shared time in the backfield. This proves Bush’s value and how imperative it will be to keep around for next season. Oakland could tag him to keep him from testing the free-agent waters. It would be foolish to trade either back, especially since McFadden missed the entire second half of the campaign, Bush has demonstrated to be valuable and no other rushers on this team that has proven they can produce at this level. It’s an area of strength… and Palmer hasn’t even had a full complement on offense to his disposal.

Richard Seymour

Missing in action in a few games, the veteran for a couple of weeks did not impact games the way Oakland needed him to. Against Miami, Seymour continued his streak of ejections and many were wondering when would this former Super Bowl champion make plays to help this team turn things around?

In Kansas City on Saturday, he had two blocked field goals, one at the end of regulation, which kept the Raiders alive to see another weekend.

At times he’s had penalties that have hurt Oakland and his play may have been slowed due to injuries. But his leadership in the locker-room and winning past may begin to pay dividends.

Special Teams

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a team record six field goals versus the Bears, Bryan McCann had a 91-yard return at Kansas City and Shane Lechler continues to help Oakland shift field position on opponents.

This valuable component is an x-factor in every game Oakland wins. John Fassel is one of the more underrated unit coaches in the league and if the Raiders can get Jacoby Ford back healthy, they could put more pressure on foes with another special teams threat.

New England and Buffalo

Two teams that Oakland were defeated by have helped the Silver & Black in the last two weeks. The Broncos have lost two in a row, losing 41-23 to the Patriots and 40-14 to the Bills.

Wins in those games would have put the AFC West out of reach for Oakland. Instead, Tim Tebow and the Broncos face a crucial final game against the Chiefs, starring at a possible three-game losing streak to end the campaign after wining six in a row to take a lead of the division.
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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is pointing towards an AFC East title.

This weekend’s match-ups in the NFL will be the last for the month of November, as the league heads for its stretch run towards the playoffs. SBReport.net will take a weekly look at the playoff contenders and pretenders in the AFC until we hit the post-season.

LOCKED IN

New England Patriots (7-3)

They have an easy schedule, with games lined up against the Colts (0-10), at Washington (3-7), and at Denver (5-5), before closing at home versus the Dolphins (3-8) and Bills (5-5). They are destined for an opening week bye in the playoffs, but nothing is guaranteed after that with a shaky defense.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

They are unbeaten at home, so expect the Ravens to go hard to ensure a bye and home field advantage. Baltimore is a contender to come out of the AFC, but Joe Flacco has to step his game up a few notches.

ON THE RISE

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

Mike Tomlin’s bunch is playoff tested and if they get in, regardless of venue, they’ll draw from that past success and Ben Roethlisberger’s clutch play to carry them through. With two games remaining against the Browns and a match-up against the Rams, it’s foreseeable they’ll be on the road on Wild-Card weekend with double digit wins.

QUIET THREAT

Oakland Raiders (6-4)

Carson Palmer is hitting his stride – and he hasn’t had Darren McFadden in the line-up since he took over as starter. Things broke right for the Silver & Black this week: facing a Jay Cutler-less Bears squad. The rest of the division is floundering and as long as Oakland takes care of business the final two weeks of the campaign, they’ll have a home playoff game for the first time since 2002.

OVERRATED

Houston Texans (7-3)

They lost Matt Schaub, so they’ll lean heavily on Arian Foster (740-rushing yards) and Ben Tate (686). Andre Johnson should be back soon, but will their defense show up in big spots? Will their rankings on defense  translate to playoff football?

FLOUNDERING

Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

They could end up with a better record than the West winner and not make the playoffs. Still, this team is too young and not ready for primetime action – and it will show.

New York Jets (5-5)

They don’t ground and pound anymore, and regardless of what Rex Ryan and the staff says, questions are surrounding Mark Sanchez’s development and ability to carry a club. The defense has been broken in key spots, as this could be the weakest of Ryan’s units since he landed in New York.

Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Not the same team that was on a roll at the start of the season. Goes to show you in the NFL, is not whom you play, but when you play them.

Denver Broncos (5-5)

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow didn't stop winning after he left Oakland.

Yes, floundering, but on the prey with Tim Tebow. If Denver can covert a few more 3^rd downs and get more dynamic on offense the next few weeks, they have a solid enough defense to scare the Raiders atop the division. Heck, who am I to question Tebow? I don’t want to get struck by lightning.

Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Unless there is a collapse in Houston, the Titans will be on outside looking in. The Texans have taken advantage of a weak division and a soft schedule, winners of four in a row, to put distance between themselves and the Titans.

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SBReport.net will take a look at the best and worst moments for the Oakland Raiders (4-3) in the midst of their bye week; including top plays, standout players and performances, and a lot more…

MVP (On Offense)

Darren McFadden, RB – Leads the team with 614-rushing yards; good for second in the AFC. McFadden is their spark plug and alters the look of the offense when he’s rolling. In the year of the quarterback, where offenses are pass happy, McFadden could make a case for himself as a MVP candidate in the league with a strong second half, leading Oakland towards playoff contention.

Honorable Mention:

Jared Veldheer, LT – In his second year, Veldheer is developing into one of the better young left tackles in the league. Oakland has cut down their sack numbers significantly. Their ground attack is powered on the left side. But what has been impressive is his steady play lined up next to a rookie.

MVP (On Defense)

Richard Seymour, DT – A leader, the go to guy in the locker room and the one defender who has a history of championship caliber play. When he’s on his game, Seymour can dominate his match-ups and free up other linemen in the trenches. He leads the team with 5-sacks and on his way to another Pro Bowl.

Honorable Mention:

Tyvon Branch, SS – Has a team high 35-solo tackles. When he’s in the box and playing around the line of scrimmage, Oakland’s run defense generally improves. Branch is a sure tackler and his coverage abilities are underrated.

MVP (On Special Teams)

Sebastian Janikowski, PK – Other teams blink and don’t even attempt long distance field goals when they are near midfield. Oakland can confidently send out Janikowski to put up points and alter the look of a game. His presence is comforting, especially when drives stall. During kickoffs, the coverage teams can nap, as Janikowski will drive the football into the back of the end zone with regularity.

Honorable Mention:

Jacoby Ford, KR – He rounded out to shape the last few games and his return for a score against the Browns was a momentum killer after Cleveland tied the game at seven.

BEST COACH

Bob Wylie, Offensive Line – Veldheer has stabilized the left tackle position and Samson Satele has proven to be reliable and durable. Stefen Wisniewski is not playing like a rookie and the right side, which was a major question mark coming into the season, has held their own. With a top ranked running game and very few sacks allowed, Wylie has to be commended for his work.

MOST IMPROVED (On Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR – Leads the team with 27-receptions and 434-yards. Since tallying 115-yards against the Patriots, the speedster has enjoyed his best four game stretch as a pro.

MOST IMPROVED (On Defense)

Jarvis Moss, DE – Forced into more action after Matt Shaughnessy’s injury, Moss has proven to be a solid acquisition. Has provided reliable depth and was key in Oakland’s win against the Jets.

BEST ROOKIE

Denarius Moore, WR – Has disappeared as of late, but Moore had a break-out performance against Buffalo and had a touchdown rushing on a reverse against New York.

PLAYER WHO THEY NEED MORE OUT OF…

Rolando McClain, MLB – They need more impact plays out of the linebacker. A few run stuffing tackles and a interception or two could ease up some of the pressure he’ll start feeling, as fans are beginning to worry about this pick. There’s no denying his mental capacity or desire, but can he become a force in the middle of the defense?

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Boss, TE – The free-agent acquisition has eight receptions for 160-yards. His only score as a Raider came out of a fake field goal. Oakland’s offense could be more diverse with Boss in the mix. He’s a big target and can get down the field. If defenses’ have to worry about him, it could only free up the young wide receivers as the season winds down.

PLAYER WHO HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE INJURY…

Trevor Scott, DE – No sacks and four tackles so far for Scott. His teammates love his work ethic and motor. But since his ACL tear and eventual rehabilitation, Scott has not been effective. Whether at linebacker or end, Scott was a gamer in 2010 for the Silver & Black.

PLAYER THAT NEEDS THE BALL MORE ON OFFENSE…

Jacoby Ford, WR – The Raiders need to find ways to get Ford the ball in space. When he was injured, the reverses and screens that made him a great find as a rookie, went to Moore. One of Hue Jackson’s favorites, expect Ford to touch the ball more after the bye.

BRING IT IN THE SECOND HALF…

• Kamerion Wimbley – Only one sack after leading the team last season.
• Marcel Reece – Will be back from injury after the bye. He presents match-up problems out of the backfield and lined up wide. Could help receivers and Boss get more touches.
• Lamarr Houston – Just one-sack, as I said, Oakland needs their pass rush to be more productive.

SAY GOODBYE TO…

Jason Campbell, QB – With Carson Palmer locked in for a few years; Campbell’s future in Silver & Black looks bleak. He’ll probably want to start, something Oakland can’t give him. The cold facts about the NFL were on display after his injury – a team leader one day, likely seen his final snap under center for the Raiders the next day.

Honorable Mention:

Matt Shaughnessy, DE – He’ll be back next year, but placing him on injured reserve and ending his year was a costly loss. The young end was primed for a break out year and is one of the Raiders best edge defenders.

THREE THINGS THAT MUST IMPROVE:

• Carson Palmer – The Raiders need him to absorb the playbook quickly, get in sync with his targets immediately and lead them forward towards a playoff push.
• Defending against the Pass – Oakland is allowing 279.3 passing yards per game. One way their play will improve against the pass; more consistent pressure up front.
• Mistakes, mental lapses and turnovers – Hue Jackson has harped on the penalty problem, but playing clean football and eliminating mental miscues is a must if they want to win the AFC West.

BEST MOMENTS:

• Rallying versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing – On a emotional afternoon, with heavy hearts, Oakland overcame a deficit and held on late, on the game’s final play to win their first game without the legendary owner.
• Bullying the Jets in front of the ‘Black Hole’ – They ran for 234-yards, beat up Mark Sanchez and enjoyed a 34-24 victory against a top team.
• John Madden lighting up the torch – It was the Raiders first game at home without Davis, and during halftime, the coach who made his mark with the Silver & Black, lit up a cauldron during a ceremony to remember his life.

WORST MOMENTS:

• Al Davis Dying – It’s still unimaginable that the man synonymous with the Silver & Black will no longer be with us.
• Second-Half vs. Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Oakland, as Buffalo scored at will on every possession in the second half. One stop by the defense, and the Raiders could’ve had another win.
• Chiefs Stomping – Losing to the Chiefs is always painful for the Raiders. But getting trounced at home 28-0 was just embarrassing.

BEST PLAYS:

• Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal versus Denver – Tied for the league’s longest kick and gave the Raiders a 16-3 halftime lead. Oh, Janikowski didn’t really hit it cleanly.
• Moore’s 50-yard TD catch in Buffalo – That gave Oakland a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bills eventually won, 38-35.
• Huff’s INT versus Houston – The free-safety sealed the game with his interception, as time expired, and with the Raiders one-man short.
• Lechler’s TD – Oakland went up 24-7 against the Browns when Shane Lechler connected with Kevin Boss for a 35-yard score, off a fake field goal.

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The Oakland Raiders played two different football games on Sunday when they visited the Buffalo Bills. The first two quarters were clean, penalty-free, efficient on offense and opportunistic on defense. Darren McFadden ran the ball effectively, Stanford Routt got his hands on an interception and the offense converted that turnover into points.

But in the second half, Hue Jackson’s team was penalized, looked lost on defense and were out-bullied by a team who was also looking to go 2-0, was missing their owner at a home-opener for the first time ever and that rallied in front of their sell-out crowd.

Here’s a capsule of what went wrong for the Silver & Black:

PENALTIES, AGAIN…

Oakland got sloppy in the second half, and that came back to bite them on several plays. It started early in the 3^rd quarter when Chris Johnson was flagged for a 17-yard pass interference call on the Bills opening drive.

Matt Shaughnessy thought he had a sack on 2^nd and 10 at the end of the third quarter, but Rolando McClain made illegal contact in coverage. Two plays later, Buffalo took a 24-21 lead.

On 3^rd and 8 in the 4^th quarter, Ryan Fitzpatrick missed David Nelson in the back of the end zone, but Johnson was infracted again for defensive holding. Two plays later, the Bills went up 31-28.

Buffalo’s game winning drive started with a pass interference call on Johnson.

A SOFT RUN DEFENSE

An Achilles heel for the Raiders for a long time, but a facet of the defense that was overlooked coming into this game versus the Bills.

Buffalo ran for 217-yards, at a 8.7 yard per carry average. Fred Jackson’s explosive runs gave the Bills life. CJ Spiller ran tough, and even Brad Smith had success when in the Wildcat formation.

That running game help slow down the Raiders pass rush. “We couldn’t get their offense off the field in the second half. That effort isn’t going to be good enough, period,” commented Richard Seymour.

TALKING ABOUT THE PASS RUSH…

In 46 pass attempts Fitzpatrick was not sacked. Oakland harassed Kyle Orton last week and were among the NFL sack leaders in 2010. The defensive line received a lot of recognition after week-one, but they failed to make their mark in Buffalo. “We blew it,” tackle Tommy Kelly said. “We blew a golden opportunity. I don’t know what happened.”

POOR COACHING…

An indictment on the coaching has to be the 21-3 at the half and the way the Raiders left their defense and sense of urgency in the locker room.

A 2-0 start heading home to face the Jets and Patriots would have had the fan-base buzzing. Instead, they came out flat and let a team who had no momentum going into halftime just light up the scoreboard.

Chuck Bresnahan’s defense was shredded, and when he tried to throw in some zone looks, Buffalo was already rolling. Oakland tried to outmuscle the Bills. Chan Gailey and his staff out-smarted the Raiders and adjusted accordingly when they needed it most.

“No excuses,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “Our players have got to dig down and finish a game. When you’re up, 21-3, you’ve got to finish.”

THE GOOD FOR THE RAIDERS:

Denarius Moore – The rookie receiver stepped in for Darrius Heyward-Bey and tallied 146-yards and a score. He added 25-yards on a reverse, proving that he’s no summer sensation. Twice he went up for balls against defenders and came away with the catch. The 50-yard touchdown was clutch.

Darren McFadden – At this point, you just expect tough running and explosive plays from the multi-dimensional threat. The fumble in the 3^rd quarter did hurt, but he continued to stay aggressive in his running.

Jason Campbell – He was poised for most of the game and accurate. He ended 23-33 for 323-yards and two scores. Clutch throws to Moore and Derek Hagan in the second half were some of the highlights. Campbell is also not forcing the issue and smart enough to dump it to McFadden so he can work his magic.

Derek Hagan – Inactive last week, the veteran posted 61-yards. He had a penalty to stall a drive, but he made up for it by hauling a 25-yard pass on the next play.

Hue Jackson’s aggressiveness – At the end of the 1^st half, he attacked and came away with touchdown to make it a 21-3 contest. He surprised me with his willingness to stretch the field. Jackson was not afraid to air it out on the road in key spots. His offense was the reason the Raiders had a chance to win the game.

First Half Play – Goes to show you that this team just needs to be more consistent and focus more. They played penalty free in the first half and looked like a legitimate bully. According to STATS LLC, the 35 points were the most given up by the Raiders in a second half and the most points the Raiders have scored in a loss since a 43-37 loss to Seattle in 1998.

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Was that Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, or Frank Reich?

The Buffalo Bills (2-0) overcame a 21-3 deficit, scoring 21-unasnwered points at one point, while lighting up the scoreboard in the second half of their exciting 38-35 comeback victory versus the Oakland Raiders (1-1).

Fitzpatrick toyed with the Oakland secondary, going 28-46 for 264-yards and three touchdowns, orchestrating an offense that ran 40-plays in the second half for 366 yards and five touchdowns on all of their possessions after halftime.

Oakland was up 21-3 at the end of the 2^nd quarter and looking pretty much in control with a solid ground game, while playing a clean contest on the road. They had forced a turnover that directly lead to seven points and the penalties were nowhere to be found.

But that all changed at the start of the second half.

Oakland, who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage against Denver, let Buffalo back in the game when Fred Jackson jolted 43-yards into the end zone to cut the lead to 21-10.

The Raiders answered by converting three 3^rd downs on the ensuing drive before Darren McFadden fumbled at the Buffalo 41-yard line. The first of a long line of miscues for the Silver & Black that aided the Bills comeback.

Seven plays later, Fitzpatrick and Steve Johnson hooked up for a seven-yard score to cut the Oakland lead to 21-17.

Hue Jackson’s offense went cold on the following drive, going three and out. Then seven plays later, Fred Jackson scored form one-yard out to give Buffalo their first lead, 24-21, in the fourth quarter.

Oakland showed spunk on offense, as Jason Campbell answered back with a nice drive featuring completions to Denarius Moore for 10-yards and Derek Hagan for 25-yards, before finding McFadden for a 12-yard score to give the Raiders the lead, 28-24.

But Oakland’s defense had no answers for Chan Gailey’s attack, as they ran and passed at will and the Silver & Black reverted to their self-destructing ways. A defensive holding penalty on 3^rd and 8 against Chris Johnson fueled the Bills drive that gave them a 31-28 lead.

Moore, who was a camp sensation for the Raiders, made his regular season splash late in the 4^th quarter, hauling in a bomb from Campbell from 50-yards out to give Oakland their last lead, 35-31.

Fitzpatrick’s game-winning drive featured a 4^th and 3 conversion and ended on 4^th and 1 with a pass to David Nelson from 6-yards out with 14 seconds remaining to make it 38-35.

It was a tale of two half’s, with Oakland playing mistake free, dominating football in the first two quarters and Buffalo pushing around the Raider defense in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters.

Buffalo tallied 34-first downs, 217-yards rushing, and averaging 8.7 yards per carry.

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Jared Veldheer anchors an OL going into Buffalo

Both the Oakland Raiders (1-0) and the Buffalo Bills (1-0) are looking for surprising undefeated starts to their campaigns. The Silver & Black arrived on the east coast on Friday after a short workweek due to their Monday night contest. A victory for either team could help propel them forward. The Raiders have the daunting task of facing two of the upper echelon clubs in the AFC the following weeks, so this game could be looked at as an early must-win contest. “It would mean a ton to this football team, so that’s the plan,” said Hue Jackson. “We’re not going with any other plan other than that. We understand what the situation is. We know we have to travel, we know we’re going back East, we know we’re playing a team that is 1-0 also, and a team that played very well in Kansas City.”

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense, the Raiders will try to lean on the strength of their power ground game. Darren McFadden carried the football 22-times for 150-yards versus the Broncos. Oakland could have similar success this week due to their size in the trenches. “This week is a big challenge for us,” Bills nose tackle Kyle Williams. “It’s another team that was high up on the rushing charts. Good running back, solid offensive line.”

On Defense, if the Raiders can continue to generate pressure with their front-seven and then, mix in blitzes to confuse Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills offense could sputter.

“Up front, this is maybe the biggest, most physical team that we’ll see,” Fitzpatrick said. “All those guys have great size, they have great motors, they’re going to be able to get some pressure on me.”

BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills need to slow the Raider rush with a short and precise aerial attack. This will keep Fitzpatrick safe from the heat the Raiders can bring with their pass rushers and put the pressure on the defensive backfield.

Spreading the Raiders may be beneficial to the Bills, as they can get the ball in space to their rushers – Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller.

They are familiar faces on the Bills defense for the Raiders. Kirk Morrison was a captain for the Silver & Black a few years back and Shawne Merriman enjoyed some of his best moments as a pro against his old nemesis from the AFC West.

Last time both of these teams met, Kirk Morrison was wearing Silver & Black

The linebacker likes the team’s current anonymity: “I’m trying to keep it like that for as long as possible,” Merriman said Tuesday. “I’m used to always being on the radar. In San Diego, I got a lot of attention, and for three or four years, we were considered a team that could win the Super Bowl. That’s tough to go out and play with those expectations. Now we’re under the radar, and I think it’s going just fine. I like it.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Oakland will be without the services of Jacoby Ford. Buffalo will have former Jets multi-purpose threat Brad Smith to their disposal. “That’s who I am,” Smith said. “I do what it takes to win. Whatever coach [Chan] Gailey wants – offense, special teams, defense – it really doesn’t matter, I just want to help my team.”

NOTES:

• Tight end Kevin Boss will make his debut for the Raiders. Boss caught 119 passes and 18 touchdowns in four years with the New York Giants and helped them win a Super Bowl as a rookie.
• Jackson talked about WR Derek Hagan’s inactive designation last week and cleared the air on where the target stands along the depth chart: “OK, let me, because this has come up several times, about Hagan,” Jackson declared. “I just said Hagan’s done a great job and, obviously, he was our leading receiver in the preseason, right? But I never once said he’s the best receiver on our team. I never once said that.” He continued; “What he did in the preseason gave him an opportunity to be on this football team,” Jackson stated. “It did not make him the starting receiver on this football team. So, let’s make sure we understand where I was with Hagan.”
• WR Louis Murphy [groin] and SS Mike Mitchell [knee] are ruled out.

PREDICTION

Raiders 27 – Bills 16

Oakland has the better roster, but the travel schedule and short work week, along with it being the Bills’ home opener adds many intangibles into a game that features two teams trying to build some early success that could help in the long-run. If the Raiders cut down on their penalties, play a turnover free game and don’t allow any big special team returns, then they should be 10-points better than the Bills. Fitzpatrick will face a furious rush, so how he handles being under the gun will be vital for Buffalo. Oakland needs this game. With upcoming contests versus the Jets and Patriots – both at home – starting 2-0 under a new regime, while on the road the first two games could mean good vibes for the first time in many years in the Bay Area.

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The Oakland Raiders booted JaMarcus Russell off the club and now, the hefty passer will realize how hard it will be to get a new lease on life in the National Football League.

Russell cleared waivers; not surprising considering that any team claiming him would inherit his $9.45 million salary. Oakland had already paid him over $39 million over the course of three disappointing seasons, but the 24-year old will now have to work extremely hard to rehabilitate his image.

The Buffalo Bills could be a destination for the former LSU star. Buffalo is starving to get a starting caliber signal caller, featuring a mix on that unit that is uninspiring.

Brian Brohm, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick are battling for the top spot. The offense has been horrific in seven years, finishing 25th or worst in the NFL in yards gained during that span. At least five quarterbacks have started eight games or more, including Drew Bledsoe, J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb.

Ironically, Buffalo was rumored to acquire Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins prior to the Raiders landing his services.

The New Orleans Saints have already nixed the notion of bringing in Russell.

“I don’t think [we'd consider signing him] right now, with where we’re at,” Saints head coach Sean Payton said.  “I’m sure he’s going to look for that other opportunity and our league usually provides that. Certainly, any time the first pick of the draft after three years is released, it’s newsworthy, and that next opportunity for him is going to be important.

“Outside of that, I really haven’t had a chance to study him a lot.”

According to CBS Sports’ web site, the Indianapolis Colts could be a landing spot. The Colts have not commented on their interest and that speculation at this point could be far fetched considering the environment Russell would be stepping into.

Peyton Manning is the anti-Russell and the expectations of offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and senior assistant Tom Moore could be insurmountable for a passer that has very poor work habits and what appears to be a limited football capacity as evidenced by his inability to handle simpler schemes while in Oakland.

Russell is in limbo right now. And if he wants any life in the NFL; he’ll have to work harder than he ever has to gain the confidence of an organization and earn a roster spot based on effort, production and accountability needed to be a solid contributor at any capacity.

But with a bank account that is healthier than when he was a prospect in high school or college, and perceptions around the league that are not to complimentary, Russell will have very few shots to polish that image and will have to locate a newfound desire to be a pro.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Cornell Green (#74) could be headed to Buffalo

WIVB.com is reporting that the Buffalo Bills will meet with Oakland Raiders right tackle Cornell Green.

Green, 34, has been entrenched at right tackle for the Silver & Black the last three campaigns, tallying 38-starts. His unstable play and tendency to rack up penalties has been one of the major issues along the trenches for the Raiders.

The Bills have a need along the offensive line and Green is one option that won’t be pricey and that has starting experience.

With Khalif Barnes signed and the possibility of the Raiders targeting offensive linemen in this upcoming draft, Green’s departure will be a welcome sight to many.

UPDATE***

Green inked a a 3-year deal with the Bills.