Silver and Black Report

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable talked at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this weekend. He shot down the notion that the Silver & Black draft based on attributes only – how Oakland focuses on speedy prospects – “How about the best player? Let’s talk that way,” Cable said. “… We need to get better in some areas, and so at this thing (the combine), find who you think the best players are, whether they jump the highest or run the fastest. That shouldn’t make a damn difference. He has to be able to play football good enough for us to become a championship team.”

Oakland has been scrutinized for years about their draft strategies and in 2009, the received criticism for selecting wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey 7^th overall – who ended his rookie campaign with 9 receptions, 124-yards and 1 score.

Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks and Kenny Britt were chosen in the first round after Heyward-Bey – all out-performed the Raiders rookie and showed to have more potential in their initial seasons.

Cable also hinted to an open competition at quarterback after the abysmal season JaMarcus Russell had and the way the team looked when other passers where inserted into the line-up.

“We’re getting ready to start offseason and get to OTAs and minicamp and let the (quarterback) job be competed for,” he said. “I think that’s where we’re at in terms of our starting quarterback.

“I don’t think you would discount (using a pick on) that or any other position.”

When Cable catapulted Bruce Gradkowski atop the depth chart, the team had their best offensive outputs and scored victories at home versus playoff bound Cincinnati and on the road against Pittsburgh.

Players stated that the attack was far more dynamic and that there was a jolt of confidence when Gradkowski was in there, as oppose to Russell.

Third stringer Charlie Frye even had his chances to show what he could do, as Cable elected to go with the journeyman instead of Russell prior to a game against the Broncos when Gradkowski went down with knee injuries.

“(JaMarcus and I) have talked a couple of times,” Cable stated this weekend. “I know he’s working. I’m anxious for the off-season program to get started where you get a chance to see him all the time.”

Cable also addressed the rumors regarding the team’s intentions with their roster.

“We get a ton of calls about a lot of players on our football team all the time,” he said. “In fact, before I came in here I was on the phone about something. To me, that stuff happens in the NFL and it’s going to happen and it’s going to happen all the time. People call you and you listen and see if anything interests you or doesn’t interest you. Sometimes it’s crazier than you think. … You really just take the call and listen.”

Tom Cable is still employed by the Oakland Raiders…

And per senior executive John Herrera, Al Davis and the coach in limbo could meet today again to talk about the job and his future in Silver & Black.

But what exactly are they talking about?

Isn’t it quite clear; you are either fired, or told to continue your duties as head coach.

Nothing is lucid in Oakland. Especially with Davis handing this situation and needing to make a correct decision in order to help his team get back to respectability.

I’m assuming the talks can be about one thing, and one thing only…

Davis setting up parameters for Cable’s return.

Why else will they meet over several days and prolong an outcome?

Cable wants the job. He needs this job. It’s not like he will be a hot commodity once he is jettisoned that will interview for any vacancies in the future. Sure, he’ll probably land as a position coach elsewhere and continue his football-teaching career. But there won’t be another chance to lead a NFL club; especially with the likes of Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden in waiting for openings.

Cable will do anything to keep this job. And making concessions to Davis, even if it’s grudgingly, is something he’ll have to do and that may be happening. Why else the waiting game?

Davis could be telling him that he would like to relieve him of his play-calling duties. Maybe Davis is giving Cable his thoughts on what the staff could look like if he remained as head coach.

Davis could be telling him that regardless of how he feels about JaMarcus Russell, the former no. 1 overall pick has to and will be given another shot to lead his club. Remember, it was Davis who had visions of John Elway when Russell was coming out of college and also stated, “He is a great player. Get over it,” during the September 2008 press conference in which he detailed his desire to draft Russell.

He could also be making other commands that Cable will have to concede to. Cable may have to live through weeks were Darrius Heyward-Bey struggles in the future, but since that was Davis’ selection, taking him out of the line-up won’t be an option.

And what is Cable going to say? He’s not going to tell him to take his job and shove it. He’s been loyal to the Raiders and wants to continue his work with this crop of Raiders. So bending over backwards and jumping through Davis’ hoops will have to happen.

That’s the only conclusion I can come up with regarding the delayed announcement.

If Cable were canned, no way would there be such a calm within the facility. If Cable was a goner, just state it and move forward with the hiring process.

The meetings could be indicators of the above scenarios.

Could Davis be that vindictive in keeping Cable awaiting a decision?

All that negative press with the Randy Hanson situation and the uncovering of the history of violence towards women reported by ESPN could have left Davis with that bad of a taste in his mouth? Would he leave Cable in limbo due to Russell’s benching?

Many questions surround this situation in Oakland.

And very little answers are ever even substantiated during these times when the Silver & Black are involved.

A decision will come, but it won’t be soon enough it seems.

To everyone in the Raider Nation – enjoy a safe and prosperous Holiday Season with best wishes for the New Year. Since this is the season of giving, SBReport.net will hand out presents to a few Oakland Raiders:

JaMarcus Russell:

Hopefully Santa will bring him accuracy, better footwork, pocket awareness and a little more motivation this Christmas. On second thought, the jolly old fat-man and his reindeers may not be able to lug that around on his sleigh. He may not be able to give Russell a ride either – poor reindeers.

Luke Lawton:

Clean blood and urine samples.

Shane Lechler:

Continued strength on that powerful right leg so he can destroy Sammy Baugh’s 51.4 punt average set in 1940. He is currently at 51.5 per punt.

Nnamdi Asomugha:

Another Pro-Bowl selection.

Tyvon Branch:

More recognition around the league as he continues to develop into one of the better safeties in the AFC.

Darren McFadden:

More touches in varying formations and glue for his hands.

Cornell Green:

A new address in 2010.

Darrius Heyward-Bey:

An injection of instant wide receiver skills.

Tommy Kelly:

A functioning belt.

Mike Mitchell:

More reps and clean targets for his fury.

Nick Miller:

A one-way ticket off the inactive list.

Javon Walker:

A time machine to speed up his departure out of Oakland.

Greg Ellis:

A healthy set of knees.

Johnnie Lee Higgins:

A new barber.

Louis Murphy:

His own set of referees that won’t overturn any of his receptions.

Tom Cable:

A punching bag, a new playbook and hope for two-more wins and a chance to keep his job.

Sebastian Janikowski:

Ten more clean attempts at a 70-yard field goal.

Oakland is hoping to have tight end Zach Miller back in time for practice in preparation for their match-up this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

Miller sustained a concussion against the Redskins. On Monday, he took a battery of tests on a computer to test his mental acuity. The results will then be compared to a similar exam taken prior to the start of the season to see if the results are comparable or whether there is some distress after the head trauma.

“I took it today, I don’t know, I haven’t got the results yet, hopefully it went good today,” Miller commented yesterday.

This season, Miller has tallied 50 receptions for 657 yards and 2 touchdowns. Since his rookie season, the Raiders best weapon has played in 45 contests and compiling a team best 150 receptions during that span.

If he misses any more game action, it can derail his output, as the former 2^nd round pick has improved his catch and yard numbers in every year as a pro, and was headed toward another campaign of enhanced stats.

“I feel like once the symptoms are gone and all that, there’s no reason not to play and I want to get back on the field,” Miller stated. “It sucks not playing.”

DHB ON DHB

Darrius Heyward-Bey is in limbo with his sprained foot. “Same old, same old, day by day, week by week,” Heyward-Bey was quoted. His injury has given Louis Murphy more playing time, and rightfully so, as he has been the better of the two rookies and the Raiders best receiver in 2009. Unfortunately, it took an injury for that to happen and not the ineffectiveness of the speedy first round pick. “Don’t want to rush anything but also want to get back out there, you know? Want to help out my teammates.”

ANALYSIS

Brandon Myers left Sunday’s game with a concussion. Miller is dealing with one. Jon Alston had to be shutdown due to symptoms from head trauma in a span of a few weeks. And Charlie Frye had to leave the contest on Sunday after being dazed with one.

The NFL acknowledges the many concerns related to head trauma. And the league should look into a protocol this off-season on how teams should handle players suffering from concussions and what should it take for them to get back on the field after sustaining one.

“It’s quite obvious from the medical research that’s been done that concussions can lead to long-term problems,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said this month.

Concussion management is vital and these players future lives are in jeopardy whenever they take the field in hopes of performing for their team, a possible contract or other scenarios that they may feel obligated to play through with trauma.

The NFL announced new stringent rules, such as requiring players that exhibit any significant sign of concussion to be removed from a game or practice and be barred from returning the same day. But concussions can linger and there is no definitive way to medically clear a player as concussion symptoms can reoccur hours or days after the initial blow.

It’s time for the league to set a protocol and start avoiding the mass critique on how they handle players after these types of injuries. And with high profile players such as Kurt Warner, DeSean Jackson and Ben Roethlisberger making headlines after the trauma, it will surely be a hot topic during the off-season and league meetings in 2010.

Starting left guard Robert Gallery is out for the remainder of the season with a lower back strain injury sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.  Gallery hurt his back blocking on the trick hand-off to Darren McFadden and lateral to Bruce Gradkowski that loss 16-yards.

Tom Cable said after practice that the injury would require surgery. “He’s a very good player, was playing very well before he got hurt in Kansas City, so he comes back and gets back in the groove,” Cable stated. “It’s disappointing for him and our team. He’s not had these types of things that have kept him out of games in the past. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the game, and it does it to a lot of people.”

The former number two overall pick in the 2004 draft has been Oakland’s best lineman since being moved to guard in 2007.

So far in 2009, Gallery has missed time in camp due to an appendectomy and six-regular season games with a broken leg suffered during a week-two contest. If Samson Satele is healthy and ready to start at center, Chris Morris will take Gallery’s position in the line-up. If Satele cannot see action due to his strained calf, recently acquired Langston Walker will start at left guard for the first time in his career and Morris will man the center spot.

In the six-games Gallery has played in, the Raiders are averaging 120.3 rushing yards per game. During the six-games he was out, the team ran for an average of 89 yards per contest.

OTHER NEWS

• Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and defensive end Greg Ellis did not practice today. Both are not looking to be ready for Sunday’s game.
• The game will be blacked out for the sixth time this season. Against Cincinnati, the recorded attendance was 34,112.

ANALYSIS

He may not be the dominant all-pro tackle many predicted he would become prior to the 2004 draft, but Gallery’s presence will be sorely missed along the Raider trenches. The 29-year old is the best offensive lineman on the Raiders and one of the better run blocking interior lineman in the AFC. His mobility and ability to pave lanes on counters, sweeps and trap plays will effect the production on the ground. And that will directly effect what plays Tom Cable is able to call as the season winds down. With Bruce Gradkowski at the helm, Oakland has not relied upon the vitality of their rushers, as oppose to when JaMarcus Russell was in the line-up. So leaning more on the passing game, their fiery quarterback and the development of their young targets is in order for the Silver & Black. The Raiders are not a physical bunch along the offensive line. When they have short down and distances or goal line situations, it will be interesting to see how they handle their play-calling.

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey will be inactive for the Oakland Raiders today in their match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The team disclosed late Friday that the rookie had a foot injury and today, they listed him as out. Louis Murphy will start in his place. He leads all receivers on the the team in receptions (19) and yards (283).

Murphy lost his starting spot when Chaz Schilens came back from a broken foot. Heyward-Bey had started all 11-games, but has struggled all season posting a meager 9-catches for 124 yards and 1 score.

Greg Ellis will also sit today with a knee injury and he will be replaced in the line-up by rookie Matt Shaughnessy.

Todd Watkins will be active and for the seventh time in 12 games, Javon Walker will be on the sidelines in street clothes.

Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski starred at Seton-La Salle Catholic High School from 1997-to-2000 in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL); the same league that produced Dan Marino, Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas. On Sunday, he goes back home as the starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders. “It’s always exciting getting back to Pittsburgh,” Gradkowski commented. “My whole family’s from Pittsburgh and grew up watching the Steelers.”

Gradkowski hopes to have a better showing this weekend than his first two starts as a member of the Buccaneers and Browns. He has a 50% completion percentage no touchdowns, five interceptions and a rating of 20.3 against the Steelers.

Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin said today that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to start against the Raiders. “We’re not anticipating him having headaches this week,” Tomlin said. “But if he does, of course, we’ll act quickly.”

Second year back-up Dennis Dixon started last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens after Roethlisberger suffered post-concussion symptoms. “I think the entire week Ben was prepared to and expecting to play,” Tomlin said. ”He realized he was experiencing some discomfort, he realized that was a part of the process. He had been through that before. But based on [the doctor's] suggestion, we did what we felt was appropriate. Whether he agreed with it or not was really irrelevant at that point. We had a game to play.”

Safety Troy Polamalu will be out and is not expected to play for at least a week or two.

Defensive end Greg Ellis (knee swelling) will be questionable, as well as running back Justin Fargas (stinger).

Darrius Heyward-Bey finally recorded his first touchdown of his career. Tom Cable hopes that his young receiver hitting paydirt will lead to better things as the season unwinds. “Every time those young guys do something like that, score a touchdown, hit a couple of big plays, go through a game without a drop, those are breakthroughs,” Cable stated. “You just want to keep piling them up, and pretty soon that confidence factor will kick in, and you got what you wanted.”

The rookie commented “Going into these last five games, we hope we just hit those big plays and go into the off-season with a good feeling.”

At 6-5, the Steelers are starting to feel the pressure of trying to get on a roll in order to defend their title in January. Tomlin stated, “We will unleash hell here in December because we have to. We won’t go in a shell. We’ll go into attack mode, because that’s what’s required.”

Pittsburgh will point to their maddening losses to Kansas City, Chicago and two at the hands of the Bengals as vital performances that could cost them a chance at a playoff spot. “We have to win out,” defensive end Brett Keisel stated. “There’s no other ifs, ands or buts. We have to win out in order for us to be playing in January.”

FOX Sports reported that Al Davis is selling a chunk of ownership of the Oakland Raiders. “The Raiders are trying to sell 10 percent of the franchise in an effort to raise capital,” detailed Jay Glazer. “The team has been seeking potential buyers recently and it’s unclear whether anyone is close to becoming a new partner.”

Forbes valued the Silver & Black at nearly $797 million, the lowest net worth of any franchise in the league.

On October 29, 2006, the Raiders defeated the Steelers 20-13 in front of the ‘Black Hole.’

The Raiders got a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Chris Carr to seal the victory, after the Silver & Black opened the game with Nnamdi Asomugha’s 23-yard interception return for a score.

At that point, the Steelers were 2-5 – like the Raiders – and the reining Super Bowl MVP stated: “Two wins for the year — that’s not the way you imagined the Super Bowl champs would start the year off,” Hines Ward said. “When you turn the ball over as much as we did, it’s hard to beat anybody.”

Similarly, Roethlisberger went into that contest in 2006 suffering from concussion symptoms after being knocked around by the Falcons a week earlier.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

QUARTERBACK: C-

Bruce Gradkowski ended the game 18-of-35 for 200 yards one touchdown and no interceptions. Many times, he had to get rid of the football under the gun, which affected his accuracy. On back-to-back plays to open the game – on 2^nd and 6 and 3^rd and 6 – he was not able to set up his feet or release the ball cleanly to keep the drive alive. A few times, Oakland attempted to stretch the field and Gradkowski stated after the game, “There were plays there to be made downfield and I didn’t make them.”

His elusiveness helped the Raiders on their scoring drive and in total; Gradkowski’s feet helped him tally 30-yards rushing. Oakland’s passer misfired on plays that could have been converted which would have moved the chains.

RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACKS: B

Justin Fargas’ first half was superb. He ran hard and gained big chunks, compiling most of his team leading 63-yards rushing. Darren McFadden finished the game with 6 carries for 23 yards, but he was mostly used as a receiver, getting split out wide in one-to-one match-ups with the Cowboys’ cornerbacks. On 2^nd and 5 on the Raiders’ first drive, he hauled in a quick slant for 16-yards. McFadden had 4 catches for 43-yards.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: D

Zach Miller recorded 5 grabs for 73-yards in the dual between two of the top tight ends in the NFL. Miller on national television demonstrated he ranks right up there with Jason Witten (5 rec. 107 yards) and was one of the few bright spots for the Oakland offense. Chaz Schilens outstretched on a 3^rd and 4 on the game’s third drive but could not haul in a make able reception. On the Raiders next possession, he ran a sloppy slant that the defender broke up on a 3^rd and 4. Schilens ended with 2 receptions for 32-yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey finally hauled iin his first professional touchdown. “I tried to help the cause with that play,” Heyward-Bey commented, “but when you lose, it’s all that matters. You want to win at the end.” The rookie had a nice block on McFadden’s best run of the game – a sweep for 12-yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE: D

Right tackle Cornell Green left the game for a few plays with an injury and was replaced by Langston Walker. He eventually went back into the game. Cooper Carlisle’s holding penalty thwarted any movement on Oakland’s second drive. The front looked good early in opening holes for their rushers, but did very little at times to keep Gradkowski’s pocket clean or his passing lanes paved. They allowed three sacks.

DEFENSIVE LINE: F

Dallas ran up 195 rushing yards against this defense. It all headed downhill after Tashard Choice’s 66-yard run to open their third drive in the 1^st quarter. To the defenses credit, they did hold the Cowboys to a field goal on that drive. But on the very next Dallas possession, Felix Jones erupted on a 46-yard scamper for a score. “What is Rule No. 1 in Pop Warner?” nose tackle Gerard Warren pose to reporters after the game. “Stop the run.”

LINEBACKERS: C

Trevor Scott had a stellar game at weak side linebacker. Due to injuries on this unit, Oakland mixed it up placing the defensive end in coverage situations and giving him the opportunity to use his instincts in space. Scott could’ve had an interception on a 3^rd and 9 in which Tony Romo carelessly tossed the football away,  on a 2^nd and 13, he dissected a screen and closed in on the pass catcher for a 4-yard loss and he ended with two-sacks when he pass rushed. “A few days ago they said they wanted me to start at (Will) this game so I was like, `all right, let’s run with it,’ ” Scott was quoted. “If it’s an opportunity to get on the field, so be it. Some guys don’t feel comfortable in a two-point stance, so if they stick with it, great.”  Sam Williams was beat a few times by Witten.

SECONDARY: F

Miles Austin torched this unit for 7 receptions, 145 yards and 1 touchdown. Nnamdi Asomugha was the victim a few times on man-to-man coverage. Michael Huff started the game nicely on a 3^rd and 24, breaking up a pass intended for Roy Williams and then on the next Cowboy possession on 2^nd and 9, jarring a pass out of Austin’s grasp with a solid hit. Romo had a field day with his 18 completions for 309 yards. Tyvon Branch had a beat on a deflected ball that could’ve been an interception for a touchdown, but Trevor Scott gave chase as well and both took each other out on the play.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

The anemic return units continued with their struggles. Gary Russell did very little to add some pop to the kickoff returns as Oakland looked for a change of pace after trying Jonathan Holland in that spot for a few games. Shane Lechler punted nine-times for a 54.8 average. His season average is now 51.9 – keeping him ahead of Sammy Baugh’s single season record.

COACHING: D

On defense, it was nice to see the Raiders pressure from the linebacker spot and John Marshall mixing up the formations and disguising the coverages. But many times, the attacks along the line of scrimmage led to big plays due to the Raiders being out of position.  Not too much praise though can be given especially after Dallas racked up 494 total yards of offense. Tom Cable has altered his game plan and feels more confident with Gradkowski at the helm of the offense. The Raiders are mixing up more passing a play, but at times, that has taken away from their bread and butter – running the football.

GAME NOTES

• Jon Alston was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, after suffering two concussions in four weeks. Rookie Slade Norris was activated in his place after spending the majority of the season on the practice squad.
• CB John Bowie, forever linked as the player selected with a 4^th round pick acquired from the Patriots in the Randy Moss trade, was waived this week. His final stats with the Raiders – 2 tackles.
• Greg Ellis did not finish the contest due to swelling in his knee. “I don’t know what happened. I just know swelling, a lot of pressure, going down my leg, going down my knee down my shin and my calf. I don’t know if I did something during the game,’’ Ellis stated. “It started off swelling some but that’s to be expected coming off the scope but when we started playing, it was just killing me.”

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Yesterday; one reception for 22-yards. For the season six catches for 96-yards. Oh, lets not forget his two-carries for 19-yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey has been in over his head in his rookie campaign.

The controversial seventh overall pick in April’s draft has done very little as a member of the Silver & Black. His route running has been critiqued; Heyward-Bey’s one virtue – his speed – has been a non-factor. Fellow rookie Louis Murphy has fared better, but until yesterday’s loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, Heyward-Bey has not been in the mix or been looked at to make plays when it counted most.

And when he had a shot to give the Oakland Raider fan base some glimmer of hope – he failed.

Heyward-Bey had a ball sail out of his hands and into the mitts of a Kansas City defender, sealing the Chiefs seventh straight victory in Oakland.

Oakland will stick to their guns that the product out of Maryland was who they wanted in the draft. They claimed to like his abilities as a pass catcher, but at this point there is no reason to believe that the one man calling the shots selected him based on one thing only – speed.

Far more polished targets such as Michael Crabtree (18 rec. for 215 yds.) and Jeremy Maclin (31 rec. 413 yds. 4 TD) were selected three and twelve picks later respectively. Percy Harvin (31 rec. 422 3 TD) went at the 22^nd slot to Minnesota. And Hakeem Nicks (23 rec. 407 yds. 4 TD) and Kenny Britt (22 rec. 351 yds.) were taken back-to-back at the end of the first round. But none has struggled or has been as dormant as DHB.

“I know Darrius works every day catching the ball,” said Chaz Schilens. “I’m out there with him. I don’t know what to say other than at game time, you’ve just got to make the play.

“That’s all there is to it.”

The rookie had an opportunity to do what Oakland drafted him for in the second quarter. And on one of the few times JaMarcus Russell was able to hit his target accurately, DHB let a 50-yard bomb near the goal line go right through his arms.

It’s too early to say he’s a bust. Yet its hard to bypass the fact that: a) Oakland could have taken far better targets at their slot in the draft, or b) could’ve had him a lot lower, paid less money and not be as scrutinized for it if someone was willing to move to their spot.

Matt Shaughnessy started in place of the mending Greg Ellis at defensive end. He recorded a sack and had 4 tackles (including one behind the line of scrimmage). The rookie was one of the bright spots during a 1^st quarter in which Oakland beat up the Chiefs offensive line and held their rushers to -4 yards and a measly 57-yards at the half. Oakland’s run defense was swarming at times and ended the contest allowing 112 yards on the ground. Their one blip was Jamaal Charles 44-yard touchdown scamper (KC first TD on the ground in 2009).

NOTES FROM SUNDAY

• Chris Johnson tallied his third interception of the season.
• Robert Gallery came back from his injury and started at LG. He had a costly penalty in the 2^nd quarter when Russell connected with Murphy for a 52-yard gain. The play was negated due to a tripping infraction. “It was one of those things, I’m not going to let the quarterback get hit,’’ Gallery stated after the game. “I can’t put myself in that situation. It is what it is. It cost us pretty big, so it’s a hard one to swallow.’
• Sebastian Janikowski’s streak is over. The hefty kicker connected from 50-yards, but missed a 45-yarder in the 3^rd quarter. The 20-consecutive converted field goals were the longest streak of his career.

MVP (Offense)

Zach Miller, TE

28 receptions 421 yards 15.0 avg. 1 TD

It’s quite impressive to put up those numbers on a team ranked near the bottom of every offensive team category like the Raiders are. Plus, he’s their only legitimate threat on offense, yet he still gets open and produces at an adequate level. Imagine if he was on a well-rounded offense, with complementary talent around him and an accurate passer? His blocking is top notch, Miller’s effort is never in question and he is legitimately one of the better tight ends in the conference.

Honorable Mention: Robert Gallery, LG

Since he broke a bone in his right leg Sept. 20 against the Kansas City, the offensive line has not been the same. He is Oakland’s best lineman.

Least Valuable Player LVP (Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

5 receptions 74 yards 14.8 avg. 0 TD

The seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft has been non-existent. Oakland took him in hopes of pairing his blazing speed with JaMarcus Russell’s huge arm. Instead, they have a un-polished receiver who gets mugged at the line of scrimmage, does not run clean routes and cannot get open; one of the main reasons to why this offense has struggled. Until he can get open on shorter routes and become a skilled route runner, no one will fear his track star velocity.

Honorable Mention: Javon Walker, WR

Walker has said he is ready to play several times this season. Oakland has consistently placed him on their inactive list. He’s banked a lot of money since signing with the team in 2008. At this point, we are all just waiting for the season to end so we can see the two part ways.

MVP (Defense)

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

Pro-Bowl bound once again…

Honorable Mention: Richard Seymour, DL: 28 tackles 4 sacks 1 FF

His arrival changed the dynamics of the front-four. Yes they have struggled versus the run, but Seymour’s ability to apply pressure has made this defensive line a tough one to defend.

LVP (Defense)

Chris Johnson, CB

When you play opposite Asomugha, opponents will test you. But he’s been torched way too often and has played inconsistent football, not worthy of the $4 million signing bonus and $3.825 million per season average salary he got from Oakland after a brief stint as a starter last season.

MVP (Special Teams)

Shane Lechler, P

Lechler’s 44.0 net punting average is way above his NFL record for a season (41.2). His 52.3 average is currently higher than the league record for a year set in 1940 by Sammy Baugh (51.4).

Pleasant Surprise

Michael Huff, S 27 tackles 9 PD 3 INT

Took over the starting job a few weeks into the season with his solid play defending the pass. Early in the campaign, Huff looked like the playmaking safety the Raiders thought they were getting coming out of Texas.

The ‘I am Mr. Perfect’ Award goes to…

Sebastian Janikowski, K

The hefty kicker is a perfect 12-for-12 so far in 2009, including 7-out of-7 from 40-to-50+ yards out.

Biggest Disappointment(s)…

JaMarcus Russell, QB 48.4 completion% 38.3  QB rating 2 TD 9 INT

He looks overwhelmed, has been inaccurate, with no sense of leadership and a feeling from the fan-base that he may not be able to carry this moribund franchise.

Darren McFadden, RB 47 carries 146 yards 1 TD 2 lost Fumbles

The speedy running back missed four contests and has not been the dynamic presence Oakland wanted when they used the 4^th overall pick on him in the 2008 draft.

Best Rookie

Louis Murphy, WR 16 rec. 232 yards 1 TD

Wildly inconsistent from play-to-play, but he plays with fire and looks to be a keeper.

Rookie to look out for the rest of the season…

Matt Shaughnessy, DL

Has played well in spurts and recorded a sack versus the Chargers.

Best Moments…

1. Zach Miller’s 86-yard touchdown catch and run, aided by two stellar blocks by rookie Louis Murphy, during the Raiders 13-9 victory against the Eagles.
2. Murphy’s 57-yard reception on 4^th and 14 late in the 4^th quarter to give Oakland a 20-17 lead versus the Chargers in week-one.
3. Todd Watkins’ 28-yard reception on 3^rd and 15, late in the 4^th quarter to extend a Raiders’ drive. Two plays later, McFadden scored to give Oakland a 13-10 victory in Kansas City.

Worst Moments…

1. The 38-0 shellacking in front of the home crowd versus the New York Jets, a week after beating the Eagles.
2. Johnnie Lee Higgins and Louis Murphy bumping into each other as they came off the line of scrimmage, and taking themselves out of the play against the Chargers.
3. Russell being pulled after going 6-for-11 for 61 yards with 2 interceptions and a lost fumble against the Jets.

We should see more…

Mike Mitchell, SS

Hiram Eugene should not see the field, and Mitchell should share more time with Huff and Tyvon Branch as the season winds down. It’s time to see what the rookie can do in extended action.

Justin Fargas, RB

Fargas runs harder and has more determination than any of the other Raider rushers. McFadden’s explosiveness is needed when he is healthy, so that means less of Michael Bush.

Chaz Schilens, WR

Ok, so how much longer do we have to hear that is almost ready to play? Once he is active, Schilens and Murphy should be the starters. Heyward-Bey’s role needs to be simplified and his reps should be shrinking.

Blackouts

Fans are not filling those seats and why should they with the product Oakland has put out since 2003?

Father Time is creeping on…

Greg Ellis, DE

Since his knee started acting up, the defensive end’s production has slowed down. The bye was needed, but will it rejuvenate him?

We miss you…

Johnnie Lee Higgins, PR

The return units have been abysmal. And Higgins has not been the game breaking player he was in 2008.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist