Silver and Black Report

Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson continued his audacious play calling on Sunday afternoon versus the Cleveland Browns.

A week after calling a fake punt, that ended in a 35-yard run by Rock Cartwright, Jackson picked the right spot to pull off a fake punt.

He said, “We are going to do whatever it takes to win football games.”

Even if it’s Shane Lechler tossing his first NFL pass. The lob to Kevin Boss, who scored for the first time as a Raider, gave Oakland a 24-7 lead.

Special teams kept them alive last week when Sebastian Janikowski booted some long field goals and they got a blocked punt. Dating back to last year, John Fassel’s unit has keyed many Raider victories.

Jacoby Ford returned a kickoff 101-yards for a score as well.

And let’s not forget the containment of Joshua Cribbs. Oakland held the dangerous return man at bay, led by Quentin Groves, who was pushed back onto the depth chart with the arrival of Aaron Curry.

“How about the play Quentin Groves made on special teams, down there on [Cribbs]? That’s what a team is. I put a guy ahead of another guy and the other guy went and did his other job and made plays,” stated Jackson.

Jackson’s daring decision making almost came back to haunt the Silver & Black. He went for it on 4^th and 1 at the Cleveland 5-yard line, opting to pass on a easy field goal and expanding their lead to 27-10. The Browns drove the length of the field, got a score, recovered the onsides kick and struck fear into the Black Hole in the closing moments.

“I kind of live on the edge,” said Jackson. “It didn’t burn me.”

CURRY AT HOME

Aaron Curry played his first game as a Raider and ended with two solo tackles. He started at weak-side linebacker and had glaring miscues. Not too shabby of a performance considering he only had one practice in Silver & Black. “I thought the guy was out there flying around and trying to make plays. As I told you when I traded for him, I traded for him for a reason,” commented Jackson.

LEFT IS THE WAY…

Rookie left guard Stefen Wisniewski and left tackle Jared Veldheer continue to get stronger as a pairing, as Oakland continues to pound away with Darren McFadden on that side of the formation.

McFadden tallied 57 of his 91 yards and the score on carries to the left side yesterday.

Jared Veldheer is becoming one of the steadiest left tackles in the AFC.

OTHER NOTES

• Samson Satele sustained a sprained knee. Jackson stated he would be day-to-day and the center said he would be able to play next weekend.
• “I love it,” Shane Lechler said about the trickery. “This is a very, very aggressive staff. Hue is an aggressive play caller. Some of the chances we take on special teams, a few weeks in a row, it’s fun to play for him. You feel like you always have a chance.”

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Oakland never looked back after Jacoby Ford's electrifying return.

In their first game at home since the passing of Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders (4-2) defeated the Cleveland Browns (2-3), 24-17. Here is a look at today’s top performers:

Darrius Heyward-Bey

For a third consecutive week, the wide receiver posted very good numbers, ending with 82-yards on 6 receptions. This week, he looked sharp as a route runner, caught balls cleanly and looked very much like a ‘go to’ target. In the first quarter, he converted a 1^st and 15 with a 21-yard catch. Then in the 4^th quarter, working with Kyle Boller, DHB moved the chains on 2^nd and 7 with a 16-yard grab and on 3^rd and 5 for 15-yards.

Jacoby Ford

Immediately after the Browns tied it at 7 in the second quarter, Ford ran back the fourth kickoff of his career for a touchdown. It was the longest on his résumé, 101-yards, swinging momentum back to Oakland. He also had three receptions for 43-yards, one a 27-yarder on 3^rd and 7 on a drive that eventually ended in a field goal, giving the Raiders a 17-7 lead. The kickoff return for a score was reviewed, as Ford tiptoed near the sideline at full-speed after a missed tackle.

Shane Lechler

He tossed the game’s best pass, a short lob to Kevin Boss that led to a 35-yard score off a fake field goal attempt in the 3^rd quarter. It was the punter’s first ever pass in the league. After losing Jason Campbell due to injury, Kyle Boller came on, with Lechler serving as his back up. Lechler also averaged 48.5 yards per punt.

Matt Giordano

Recorded a sack early in the game against Colt McCoy and later clobbered the young passer on a blitz in the 4^th quarter. His coverage was solid, the run support he provided was helpful and the pressure he applied at times helped the Raiders derail McCoy’s rhythm.

Matt Giordano made some noise with his play versus the Browns.

DeMarcus Van Dyke

Jumped a route and almost got his hands on an interception. He wiggled quite a few times after throws his way, as he provided the best coverage to date, in his young career. Proved to be important since Chris Johnson was inactive again, so was fellow rookie Chimdi Chekwa. The Browns were held to 203-passing yards. “He’s talented, we drafted him for a reason. I think he’s doing a good job,” commented Hue Jackson after the game.

Kyle Boller

Ending 8-of-14 for 100-yards is not impressive, but he came in relief and did not make any crucial mistakes in a contest that ultimately was contested late. He made key throws to convert first downs and scrambled for 5-yards on a 3^rd and 4. On a 3^rd and 8 on Oakland’s ensuing drive, he ran for 3-yards, setting Sebastian Janikowski up for a 48-yard attempt that gave Oakland a 17-7 lead. “I’m really never a nervous guy,” Boller said in his post game conference. Some throws sailed, but otherwise, he settled in towards the end after a few drives.

Quentin Groves

He lost his starting job this week to Aaron Curry, but that did not derail his play on special teams. Had the special teams tackle of the day when he took down Joshua Cribbs on a kickoff return. “I’m a dynamic special teams player. I need to refocus on how I got into the league, playing special teams, making tackles, doing what I do, doing my part,” said Cribbs after the game, visibly frustrated about his role with the team.

GAME NOTES

• Kevin Boss’ touchdown reception on the fake field goal was his first as a Raider. “It’s just taking advantage of what the defense is doing,” Boss said. “It’s a pretty simple pass and a pretty simple catch. I think all the credit goes to Coach Fassel for being able to recognize it’s something we should take advantage of. And to Coach Jackson for having the guts to call the play.”
• Rock Cartwright, Matt Shaughnessy, Marcel Reece, Chris Johnson, Chimdi Chekwa, Bruce Campbell were inactive for the contest.
• Louis Murphy made his first appearance this season, targeted once, but failing to make the reception on a route in which he appeared to pull up on the ball due to the presence of the safety that was targeting him for a big hit.
• Tyvon Branch had an interception overturned, as officials saw the football hit the turf on the replay. The Raiders starting strong safety scooped from the turf a ball deflected off Mike Mitchell’s chest.
• Raiders had only five penalties in the contest, with only two in the second half.
• Oakland ran the ball for 151-yards. They held the Browns to 65-yards rushing the entire game, with only 26 of them coming in the second half.
• Early reports are that Jason Campbell broke his collarbone and could be out the remainder of the season. “This football team will be fine,” coach Jackson said. “This team is a little bit more resilient than everyone thinks they are.”

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Lane Kiffin got his first win as head coach of the Oakland Raiders during a week-three match-up versus the Cleveland Browns in 2007.

The then 32-year old learned a week earlier from Mike Shanahan, who called a time-out right before Sebastian Janikowski’s potential game winner against the Broncos. The Raider kicker nailed the first field goal, which was blown dead, but missed the ensuing attempt.

Browns kicker Phil Dawson was lining up for a final kick, but his initial attempt, which split the uprights, was disallowed after Kiffin called a late-second time out.

“The rookie coach learned something from the veteran last week,” commented wide receiver Ronald Curry.

Tommy Kelly blocked the final kick and Oakland snapped an 11-game losing streak with a thrilling 26-24 victory.

“I told [the official] I was going to call it, and he gave me the ‘You’re going to have to give me the signal,’” Kiffin detailed. “I guess I don’t have as many years in the league as Mike. I got it in a second later than I wanted, but it worked out.”

Derek Anderson drove the Browns from their own 9-yard line to the Raiders 23 in the final 1:04 without a time out. “I actually didn’t hear the timeout or the whistle,” Dawson said at the end of the contest. “I thought we had won the game. They did a good job of waiting until the last second to call the timeout.”

Here are some shots from the game from SBReport.net’s archive:

Kirk Morrison (#52) tallied his third interception of the season early in that contest.

Ronald Curry scored on a 41-yard pass from Josh McCown in the 2nd quarter and ended with 3-receptions for 62-yards.

LaMont Jordan (#34) had 29-carries for 121-yards and a touchdown. Facing a 3rd and 23 in the 4th quarter, Oakland moved the chains with a screen to Jordan that went for 27-yards, leading to a key Janikowski field goal. ”It feels good. It’s a good start,” Jordan said. “My name will be the one in the headlines, but I’m happy for my offensive linemen.”

Warren Sapp (#99) gobbles up Jamal Lewis. Cleveland’s leading rusher ended the game with 56-yards on 15-carries. ”They don’t ask you how you get them done, they just ask did you,” commented Sapp. ”We’re a ballclub that is trying to learn how to win. Last week, we took a step closer and this week we got over the hump.”

Michael Huff (#24), Stuart Schweigert (#30) and Gerard Warren (#61) swamp Joe Thomas on the game’s final play – a blocked field goal.

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Stay logged on to SBReport.net for exclusive coverage of tomorrow’s game between the Browns and the Raiders. SBReport will be there live to bring you images from the O.co Coliseum.

Terrelle Pryor will now be able to don the Silver & Black on game days.

Terrelle Pryor talked to the media yesterday for the first time since joining the Oakland Raiders. Here’s a transcript of the session, per Jerry McDonald.

It was interesting to read his comments about how he feels entrenched in the system knowing he’ll be a passer. Hue Jackson is sure Pryor will be a quarterback and Oakland at this point has no intentions of making him anything else. You can make parallels to what they are trying to accomplish with recently acquired Aaron Curry, when the Raiders head coach stated, “I don’t want to put him in a whole bunch of spots. I want to let him play one thing and let him become great because the guy has great talent.”

As for Curry, it appears that the Raiders will get him at a bargain for the remainder of the campaign. Mike Florio first reported Oakland is only on the hook for $370,000 in 2011 and that his $5.7 million salary for 2012 is not guaranteed. This is the ultimate low risk, possibly high reward trade for the Silver & Black, who now have a motivated and rejuvenated talent who was widely considered the best linebacker prospect in many years when he was being scouted in 2009.

Curry stated in his first media session, “Run. The best thing I do is run. Wait for the runner to make a move and run in his direction. That’s my best asset. “

Oakland currently ranks 22^nd in the league against the run. Rolando McClain has yet stamped himself as a force in the middle, especially versus the run. So it will be interesting to see how Oakland can pair both of these highly talented linebackers, both whom are high first round selections, in order to improve a front-seven that can be leaky at times.

Curry will replace Quentin Groves on the weak-side of the formation. It’s been a long-time since Oakland had a trio this talented at linebacker: Curry, McClain and former Browns’ first rounder, Kamerion Wimbley, who will face his ex-mates on Sunday.

Wimbley was selected 13^th overall by the Browns in 2006, Curry 4^th overall in 2009 and McClain 8^th overall in 2010.

Wimbley could see action as a rusher on 3^rd downs, as many times, Oakland will convert to a nickel formation, adding Mike Mitchell, and going with two linebackers.

Former Raider linebacker Eric Barton, who was a starter along with Napoleon Harris and Bill Romanowski, in their last Super Bowl appearance, is Curry’s brother.

Curry said yesterday, “Yeah, Eric’s way more excited than I am. I’m excited, and he’s like over-the-mountain excited. He’s like, I mean, when can I come up? Where can I stay? I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll see you tomorrow. What’s the defense look like? Tell the coaches I say hey? I think he’s revisiting his time here and he had some special time here.”

CRIBBS CAUTION

Oakland has to be aware of the dangers kicking the football to Joshua Cribbs.

“Janikowski has a big leg, even their punter, he out kicks the punt coverage. But, that’s what he’s known for, so to combat that we will take deeper drops. I’m going to be standing back there like I was the first game against Cincinnati; I will have my foot on the edge of the end zone ready to bring them out. We’re going to make it happen when they give us an opportunity,” said Cribbs.

He continued: “We love for them to out kick their coverage because that gives them the disadvantage.”

OTHER NOTES

• “He’s a physical player,” LG Jason Pinkston said of Richard Seymour. “He plays hard every down. He goes through the whistle.”
• Rich Gannon, who helped the Raiders win three straight AFC West crowns, from 2000-2002, will be covering the game for CBS Sports, and surely one of the many former players that will be on hand to celebrate the life of Al Davis.

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For the first time in 52-years, the Oakland Raiders (3-2) will play at home without Al Davis.

The Cleveland Browns (2-2) travel to the Black Hole, and head coach Pat Shurmur has addressed his team regarding the circumstances surrounding this contest. “I have made the team aware. I’ve had two team meetings so far, one Monday and then one this morning and I’ve made them aware.  The players are very well aware of what the organization is going through with the passing of Al Davis,” said Shurmur.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

“We didn’t play typical Oakland Raiders offensive football and I take responsibility for that because we’ve got to play better and we will,” stated Hue Jackson, this week. “But, I think we have got to get ourselves on offense back on schedule and play good.”

The Raiders want to get back to running the football, especially after the Darren McFadden was held to 51-yards rushing last weekend against the Houston Texans.

Cleveland is allowing 124.5 ground yards per game (25^th overall).

Darrius Heyward-Bey is playing the best football of his career, aiding a passing attack that currently ranks 22^nd in the league. Shurmur stated of Oakland’s first round pick in 2009, “I think he’s a very talented young receiver that has improved.  Some of his big plays were not throws down the field, he caught a hitch the other day in a full blitz mode and broke a tackle and scored.  It wasn’t like they just bombed it down the field to him.  I think he’s improved his total game. He’s catching the ball well and he’s a big athlete that’s hard to tackle.  I think Hue (Jackson) and their staff has done a good job of bringing him along.”

On Defense:

Oakland will be without defensive end Matt Shaughnessy and cornerbacks, Chimdi Chekwa and Chris Johnson.

The Raiders got back to pressuring opposing passers last weekend, tallying three-sacks and knocking around Matt Schaub consistently.

Shurmur stated: “I think their front four, obviously the two inside guys are doing a heck of a job, (Tommy) Kelly, obviously (Richard) Seymour and (John) Henderson.  They’ve got some big guys in there and you’re starting to see a lot of production from the inside guys.  The outside guys are playing steady and then I think the linebackers, they’re very talented players. “

Oakland will start newly acquired linebacker Aaron Curry on the weak-side. “I don’t want to put him in a whole bunch of spots,” Jackson commented. “I want to let him play one thing and let him become great because the guy has great talent.”

CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Raiders special teams will be put to the test vs. Joshua Cribbs

On Offense:

The Browns gained 416-yards of total before their bye week against the Tennessee Titans.

Colt McCoy tossed for a career high 350-yards, breaking team records in completions (40) and attempts (61).

Pro bowl center Alex Mack worked out on Friday and will make the trip to Oakland. Peyton Hillis, who missed the Browns’ Sept. 25 win against Miami, has just 197-yard son 54-carries.

Oakland usually has difficulties against shifty rushers who can break long runs. Hillis is more of a bruiser, and if Mack is infective, the Raiders front-seven could have one of their best run stuffing days in 2011.

On Defense:

Cleveland ranks 4^th in the NFL versus the pass, tallying 11-sacks, allowing a league low 782-aerial yards.

Joe Haden could be out, as he’s been held out of practice all week. Shurmur stated that Haden “did his work inside, but again, we feel like he’s getting better.”

Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron commented this week, “It would be a big blow obviously, there’s no way around that one.  Joe has played at a very, very high level so far this year and is a very enthusiastic player.  He’s important to us, but like every team in the league, it’s a rough game and people get hurt and they sometimes they can’t go. We will just have to wait and see with Joe.”

He stated about Darren McFadden: “I haven’t seen anyone in a long time that he reminds me of.  He obviously is having a tremendous year and he’s a tremendous talent.  He’s always looked the same, I believe that he’s had injuries that have kept him limited at play time at different times in his career.  Now, he’s staying healthy which has been really good for them and really bad for their opponents.  He’s a unique back.  He’s skilled obviously running the ball and they run it well.  I think they are second in the NFL and first in the AFC.  He’s very skilled at catching the ball too.  He’s got really good hands.  They will put him out on the edges and try to create mismatches in that way.  He’s a rare talent.”

GAME NOTES

• The Raiders will have a ceremony and tributes to Al Davis on Sunday. Details have not been disclosed, but fans are encouraged to get into the stadium early, as a who’s who of ex-Raiders are expected to flood the O.Co Coliseum.
• The Browns have won four of their last five meetings against the Raiders.
• “It’s been very eventful, very exciting,” Curry said after his first practice with the Silver & Black. “Just to know that coach has faith that I can come in and play right away is a great confidence-booster for me. Just to know that he believes in me. My job is to get out there and do my job, be held accountable, to play hard, play fast and just fit in with Raider football.”

KEY MATCH-UPS

Kevin Boss vs. Cleveland’s LBs/Safeties

The Browns struggle against active tight ends, and the Raiders need to get their free-agent acquisition going.  Boss had no catches and no targets versus the Texans. He could be kept busy this Sunday.

Alex Mack vs. Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour

Mack is a Pro-Bowl talent. If he plays, he has to be stout in helping the middle of that line open up holes for Hillis. This is the second time this season Oakland has faced a team that could either have a back-up center in the line-up, or a guy coming back from an injury.

PREDICTION

Raiders 34 – Browns 17

This has all the signs of a trap game for the Raiders; playing at home and being over-confident, coming off an emotional win on the road, playing against a team off their bye week and possibly looking forward to the next few games against divisional rivals. Oakland will jump over that trap with ease due to the stimulating environment the home-crowd will provide. The game is a sell-out, as this could be the most attended game in Oakland since their championship game against the Titans. Oakland will be able to run the ball, and if Haden does not play, Jackson will find ways to get the ball down the field. If Hillis can’t run it for big yardage, control the clock and pound away at the Raiders defensive front, McCoy will not survive an entire game dropping back 40+ times against the Raiders.

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This Sunday, the Oakland Raiders will pay tribute to Al Davis at the O.co Coliseum, in their first home game since the passing of the legendary figure.

On their official web-site it states:

Please be sure to join us at this Sunday’s game between The Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at O.com Coliseum in Oakland as we honor and celebrate the life of Al Davis. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT.

CEO Amy Trask and the Raider organization gave complimentary tickets to season-ticket holders, stating in an e-mail, “Your guests, will be our guests.”

A who’s who of ex-Raiders will likely be there, as they pay their respects to Davis.

JANO RECOGNIZED

Sebastian Janikowski has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the week after his NFL tying three field goals from 50-yards and beyond versus Houston in week-five.

It’s the second time this season he has been given this distinction, the first being in week-one after he got into the record books with a 63-yard field goal.

The all-time Raiders leading scorer was Special teams Player of the Month, for September.

ONLY 10…1 IN SPIRIT

Yes, on the decisive play of Sunday’s victory at Houston, the Silver & Black only had 10-men on the field.

Oakland’s Michael Huff intercepted Matt Schaub’s pass as time expired, preserving a Raider win. The scramble and pass attempt was shut-down by the Raider defense, adding to the already growing lore of the game, the fact that they came away with a victory and they played one-man short.

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The Oakland Raiders open a very important home stretch this weekend when they face the Cleveland Browns.

They have three home games in four weeks – sandwiched with a bye – to propel themselves atop the AFC West. But all the focus should remain on the next one. “We got another opportunity to go out and get another win under our belt here at home in front of our fans, and I think that’s what our players are looking forward to doing,” said head coach Hue Jackson.

This Cleveland contest could have all the makings of a trap game if the Raiders don’t stay focused at the task at hand. Pat Shurmur’s bunch is coming off a bye week and is traveling to the west coast frustrated after a poor performance against the Titans. Oakland shouldn’t feel too comfortable at home, thinking that the emotions of their first game in the Black Hole without Al Davis will be an easy one. Especially since they have two games against west rivals right afterwards.

Cleveland’s coach stated yesterday: “I think they’re a very talented team.  They’re some of the best looking players you’re ever going to see in the league.  I think they played a very resilient game [on Sunday].”

The same fire Oakland had against the Texans, the same intensity they played with through four quarters this past Sunday, will be needed to snag their second straight victory.

“I don’t know how that’s going to affect this week, but I do know that [Al Davis] meant so much to that organization and I’m sure they’re going to play hard,” said Shurmur.

Shurmur on Monday talked about three key players who are battling injuries before their trip to Oakland:

“You noticed today in practice Joe Haden wasn’t out here.  He’s continuing with his rehab and we felt leaving him inside was the best approach right now.  Alex Mack, as you saw, was out here.  He was able to get some mental reps on some of the stuff we’re getting ready for Oakland, but he wasn’t able to perform either. Joshua Cribbs was out here, he was limited.  He’s feeling much better so he was out here and did some things a little more than we thought, so, he’s moving forward there.”

CHAZ NEEDED THAT…

Raiders will try to get the ball into Jacoby Ford's hands more often as the year goes on.

Chaz Schilens contributed to the win versus the Texans with an 18-yard score and 25-yards receiving. His first touchdown of the season was needed, now that Louis Murphy is practicing and getting ready to make his return. Schilens needs to produce more as a pass catcher or he could get lost in the mix with Darrius Heyward-Bey playing the best football of his career and Jackson’s desire to get Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford the ball more often.

PRIMING FOR PRYOR

When asked if the Raiders needed to make a move for Terrelle Pryor, this is what Jackson stated:

“No, we don’t. Obviously we get a weeks exemption on that. He’ll count as the 54th player and until we make a decision exactly what were going to do in that direction then we have to do anything. So I think we’re going to in a really good spot as far as Terrelle Pryor is concerned.”

Manase Tonga could find his way back to the practice squad once Marcel Reece is healthy. Tonga will probably be the guy moved when Pryor’s exemption runs its course. If Oakland decides to put another player on injured reserve, as they did with Ricky Brown, then that can open up a spot, as well.

WINNING IT ALL?

Jackson: “Why not us? I said that way back in training camp, and I’m not going to quit saying it. Why not? Why can’t we not win it all if we keep working and getting better. And please, nobody say that Hue Jackson said we’re going to win the Super Bowl. That’s not what I said. I said why not us. Just like every other team that’s sitting at 5-0, 4-1 or whatever that is. I’m sure their coaches are saying why not us neither. Who knows what’s going to happen over the next several weeks of the season. Why not the Raiders? Why can’t we not win it if we continue to grow and get better and keep working at this thing.”

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Out of Tom Cable’s 11-wins as the head of the Oakland Raiders, the only time his club was able to put together back-to-back wins was at the end of the 2008 season.

His record after Raider victories: 1-9. Opponents have outscored the Silver & Black 215-78 in those contests.

Here’s a breakdown of Oakland’s struggles under Cable after victories:

2008

Oakland coming off a 16-13 home victory versus the New York Jets, laid an egg on the road at Baltimore.

Final Score: Ravens 29 – Raiders 10

In this game, Oakland allowed 192-yards rushing. The Ravens recorded a safety, sacked JaMarcus Russell four times and the Silver & Black only managed 47-rushing yards while going 2-13 on third downs. “The first half, we just got our tails whipped at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Cable said. “There’s really no other way to put it.”

“It’s just challenging them,” Cable said. “I’m going to say this again: We have a good football team that’s got to believe … in itself. That’s where it starts, and it starts with me.”

After the game, I spoke to Thomas Howard and mentioned the 242 yards allowed versus the Jets the prior week and the 192 on the ground that afternoon and he said, “I don’t think the Jets ran for that many yards against us last week. I mean they only scored, what, 10-points against us last week. If that. I don’t know how many they had tonight….”

After a 31-10 road victory in Denver, the Raiders came home and lost 20-13 to the Kansas City Chiefs

At that point the Chiefs had a worst record than the Raiders, notching their second victory of the campaign (2-10). Kansas City ran for 145-yards, snapped a seven-game losing streak, but left Oakland with their six straight win in front of the ‘Black Hole.’

Cable’s team botched a field goal that was returned 67-yards for a score and when they lined up for a 43-yard field on a 4^th and 10, they attempted to fake it by flipping the ball to Sebastian Janikowski and expecting him to scamper for a first down. “We haven’t had a problem handling it for almost two years now,” Cable said. “It’s been something we’ve worked for really two years. We’ve handled it well. It’s something we’ve come up with. We just didn’t execute it.”

The Chiefs had allowed a franchise worst 54-points the prior week versus Buffalo. Yet Oakland had their eyes set on a bigger, unrealistic prize at that point.

“It hurts just a little bit because we were thinking about the playoffs,” stated Nnamdi Asomugha. “Even though we were 3-8, we were still thinking that there was a chance that we could get to the playoffs. It hurts us because now it’s pretty much out of the way. So, we just got to keep playing and, hopefully, get some more wins before the season’s over.”

2009

The Raiders went on the road and beat the Chiefs 13-10 in week-two. The following weekend, Denver blasted them 23-3 in Oakland.

Oakland only managed 137-total yards with Russell under center and fans began to boo the former first overall pick consistently. “I know that the guys in my locker room are behind me,” Russell said. “When the fans get to that, it’s kind of where they seem like they’re fed up. But again, until you come out and play like I know we should and get back on track it will be a different story.”

Oakland shocked the Philadelphia Eagles 13-9 in week-six, but again failed to get a back-to-back win due to a dismantling at the hands of the Jets, 38-0.

Mark Sanchez came into the contest struggling, New York had lost three in a row, Kris Jenkins was lost for the season a week prior, the defense was ranked last in sacks and torched the last four weeks during Rex Ryan’s most tumultuous stint of the season.

The Jets ran for 316-yards and forced four turnovers. “I don’t think we could have beaten an Oakland high school team today,” Richard Seymour said.

Oakland takes it to the Bengals 20-17 in week-11, but gets embarrassed the following game on national television.

Final Score: Cowboys 24 – Raiders 7

The Raiders went into the contest excited after a huge home win. But Dallas torched them for nearly 500-yards of total offense on Thanksgiving Day. Oh, the starter that day – Bruce Gradkowski.

Oakland stuns the Steelers 27-24, but follow it up with a stinker against the Redskins.

Washington was coming off a tough home defeat, but Jason Campbell led a 17-point 4^th quarter, helping his team tally only their fourth win of the campaign.

“I feel for the guys here, because we don’t come into the week saying, ‘Well, we got our one, so who cares about this next one,” stated Asomugha. “Guys are really actually going out there saying, ‘Let’s get two. Let’s get three.’ And then for some reason it has always happened this way. You can’t put your finger on it. But this is one we thought we gonna be able to get. Guys came in confident. That second-in-a-row thing got us again.”

Denver falls to Silver & Black 20-19 at home. Oakland then goes back to the ‘Black Hole’ and gets manhandled by the Cleveland Browns.

Final Score: Browns 23 – Raiders 9

Charlie Frye amasses 333-passing yards for Oakland, but the 5-win Raiders fall to a 3-win team. Cleveland ran for 164-yards and Cable’s bunch tallied 13-penalties and had two players ejected.

2010

After getting by the Rams 16-14 at home, Oakland falls to the Cardinals on the road in week-three.

Final Score: Cardinals 24 – Raiders 23

“We had a lot of opportunities, but that one goal-line stand is right now killing me,” Gradkowski said.

Janikowski had a shot at the end of the contest to get the Raiders a victory, but failed with a missed 32-yarder as time expired.

Which one of these two coaches will be under fire after Sunday's game?

NOW THIS WEEKEND: Oakland faces the winless San Francisco 49ers (0-5). Mike Singletary’s club is coming off heartbreaking contested defeats. Their owner Jed York proclaimed, “We’re going to win the division,” in a text message to ESPN.  Alex Smith is under the gun, with the home crowd chanting for back-up David Carr. Oakland snapped a long losing streak against the Chargers. They pulled off stunning victory on Sunday and don’t even have to travel far for this road game. They’ll be a large contingent of Raider fans in San Francisco. If Oakland wants to get to .500, make some noise in a weak AFC West, validate Cable’s proclamation that this is a good team and turn the corner on what has been a historic double digit losing record year-after-year, they have to win against a club with far more and bigger issues.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders struck a deal with the trade happy Cleveland Browns on Sunday, acquiring linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

The 26-year old was the Browns 13^th overall selection in the 2006 draft when then general manager Phil Savage stated, “The very first time I saw Kamerion in person I said, ‘This is the prototype’ — the arm length, the knee bend, the athletic ability, the flexibility.”

When Cleveland selected him, Savage proclaimed, “There’s no reason to think he won’t have an outstanding, Pro Bowl-caliber career.”

As a rookie, Wimbley tallied 11 sacks, but as the team struggled on defense in his second campaign, so did he with a sophomore jinx although he led the team with 5 sacks.

As the 2009 season was winding down, Browns head coach Eric Mangini commented, “Kamerion Wimbley has made a ton of progress from the beginning of the season to where he is now in terms of his approach to the game plan. It’s dramatic.”

Mangini praised his work ethic, study habits and discipline on the football field.

“The amount of mental errors he has made is dramatically different,” said Mangini. “It’s a great thing to see.”

Wimbley had five sacks in the first seven games of the season. He missed a game against the Steelers with the flu and when he got back into the line-up, opponents keyed the linebacker, which freed up other teammates.

“I’ve been doing a lot of positive things as far as growth and development,” Wimbley said. “I’ve put in a lot of hours off the field, learning more about defensive schemes and everybody’s role within our scheme and how it affects me. Just knowing a lot more about the game and the Xs and Os has helped me play faster.”

The Browns moved him around on defense, another reason why he Mangini was happy to see his development.

“It gives opposing teams a different look and made it a little more difficult for them to prepare,” Wimbley said. “It gives us things that we can play around with in the game, bringing other people from different spots and then not knowing where they’re coming from. It just mixes it up a little bit.”

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, as many outlets are reporting Oakland gave up “undisclosed draft compensation.”

At the end of the 2009 season, Wimbley stated, “I think I’ve gotten better every year and I plan on continuing to do that.”