Richard Seymour takes time out to speak with the media about the Raiders’ defensive line play and life with fellow DT Tommy Kelly.
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Tommy Kelly and co. should be happy with Mike Waufle
Several media outlets on Friday reported that the Oakland Raiders have hired Mike Waufle to coach the defensive line.
Waufle was the Silver & Black’s defensive line coach from 1998-to-2003 and was in that same capacity the last six campaigns. The Giants fired him earlier in the year.
Waufle was one of the more beloved coaches on the Giants staff for some time. His teaching techniques were applauded by standouts such as Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora – players who strived and were very productive linemen within his schemes.
Tom Coughlin admired his style – tough work ethic – as the former Marine was methodical in his approach with his players.
“I am extremely saddened by it,” Umenyiora reported to The Associated Press in an e-mail after his firing. “He is a great coach and we have a special relationship. I’m sure he will be OK though because there should be very high demand for a coach of his caliber.”
Waufle, 55, will inherit a unit with a lot of young talent.
But the biggest key will be the return of Richard Seymour. If Seymour is back in Oakland and Matt Shaughnessy and Desmond Bryant can continue to develop into competent contributors, this bunch could be very good.
Veterans like Greg Ellis, Gerard Warren and Tommy Kelly should benefit from Waufle’s arrival.
But the keys here is how he will improve their discipline, gap control and make them a better run stuffing unit.
The Raiders have had one of the worst run defenses since 2003:
2009 – 29th in the NFL – 155.5 yds/g
2008 – 31st in the NFL – 159.7 yds/g
2007 – 31st in the NFL – 145.9 yds/g
2006 – 25th in the NFL – 134.0 yds/g
2005 – 25th in the NFL – 128.1 yds/g
2004 – 22nd in the NFL – 125.8 yds/g
2003 – 32nd in the NFL – 156.9 yds/g
Dwaine Board was the Raiders defensive line coach last season.
So far this off-season, Oakland has done a great job adding good coaching to their sideline. But this is just one move – hiring Waufle. There are many to go, and one of utmost importance that we have awaited for weeks.
Chaz Schilens was boisterous after his 60-yard reception versus Baltimore in 2008
In the season finale, the Oakland Raiders (5-10) will play host to the Baltimore Ravens (8-7). And it’s a simple formula for the Ravens – win the game and you’re in the playoffs. Oakland has lost five of the six meetings against Baltimore, the last time being a 29-10 thrashing in which they allowed 192-yards rushing during week-eight of the 2008 campaign.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
It will be Charlie Frye again under center, as Tom Cable continues to reiterate how the journeyman gives his club the best chance to win as oppose to the mega-bust in the making JaMarcus Russell.
Frye may have the services of Darrius Heyward-Bey and Brandon Myers this week. Both took the field during Wednesday’s practice session and Tom Cable stated that either might have a chance to see a reserved role on Sunday.
Justin Fargas (knee) and Langston Walker (ankle) don’t look as promising as they sat out during mid-week practices.
What to Expect:
It’s the last game of the year, so its time for Cable to throw the kitchen sink at the Ravens and open up the offense. Chaz Schilens has been a nice spark since coming off his injury and the combo of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush in the backfield could provide enough diversity to make some plays against the Ravens 3rd ranked defense. Since there is no tomorrow for the Silver & Black, they should display ‘Wildhog’ formations with McFadden and let Frye air it out against a team that will desperately need the win to continue their season.
On Defense:
“It doesn’t motivate me to be no spoiler,” defensive Greg Ellis said yesterday. “I want to be the one that’s going there and somebody’s trying to spoil my stuff.
Ellis has enjoyed a solid season with the Raiders, although knee injuries have hindered his availability to practice during the week. His ability to get to the passer this week will be of importance against Joe Flacco.
Oakland’s rush defense will be put to the test by Pro Bowl bound Ray Rice, who has paced the Ravens offense with 1,269 yards on 240 carries for a stellar 5.3 yards a carry average, 7 touchdowns and leading the team with 74 catches.
What to Expect:
Again, the Raiders have no tomorrow after Sunday, so John Marshall’s bunch should blitz alter their coverage’s and try to confuse Flacco and the Ravens offense. In recent weeks, we’ve seen solid outings from the front-seven in trying to slow the bleeding versus the run. Baltimore averages 130 yards per game on the ground and will pound away all game in order to make big plays in their aerial attack.
Kirk Morrison hopes to close the season with some celebrations
BALTIMORE RAVENS
On Offense:
When the Ravens win, Flacco is usually upright and making plays. The second year pro wants to take his team to the playoffs once again and if he does, it will behind the strength of their offensive line and their ability to pave lanes for Rice and protect their franchise passer.
“We just have to execute better,” left guard Ben Grubbs stated this week. “When you watch the film, there’s no special remedy to our problems. Literally, it’s sometimes about taking the right step or using our hands better. It could’ve been a different game. So we just have to focus on the little things, which could lead to big things.”
Jared Gaither has missed has missed the last three-games but could be available Sunday. “We’ve just got to block them. That’s as simple as it is,” he said.
What to Expect:
Ravens want to punish the Raiders’ front seven to slow down their rush and make Flacco’s play action more effective. In Baltimore’s eight wins, their passer has been sacked 14-times. During their seven losses, he has been taken down 18-times.
On Defense:
Ray Lewis still remains the emotional leader of this organization and this week, he has set the tone in regards of going into Oakland and coming out of there with a playoff berth.
“We don’t overlook anybody,” he said. “I don’t care what their record is or what their situation is.
“Everything is about beating the Raiders. Period. We will be ready.”
Ed Reed – who has been out of action with a groin injury – could play. Reed talked about an ESPN report that stated he would play Sunday, saying, “[Reporters] seem to know the decision before I even make it. It’s funny, but none of it is right. I don’t really pay no mind to it.”
“Honestly, it will be a game-time decision,” Reed said.
What to Expect:
The Ravens defense will play on emotion and with determination to get them into the post-season. But if they are down early, will they begin to panic or make mistakes that Oakland can capitalize on? If the Ravens just bring some consistent heat and don’t allow the Raider rushers to dominate on the ground, this game will be over and decided before the start of the 4th quarter.
GAME NOTES
KEY MATCH UPS
Where is Ray Rice?
The Raiders need to be aware of this multi-faceted star. If he runs wild, the Ravens roll.
Cable vs. the Ravens defense
What does the coach implement this week to combat this tough defense? And more importantly, how does he get his team to perform at a high level to close out another terrible season?
PREDICTION
Ravens 27 – Raiders 9
TV & RADIO
The game will be televised on CBS with Jim Nantz providing play-by-play and former NFL player Phil Simms handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited directly from the official Oakland Raiders web site)
GAME INFO
Sunday, January 3, 2010, 4:15 p.m. ET | Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, OAK, CA
Home Team: Oakland Raiders (5-10) Home: 2-5 Road: 3-5
Road Team: Baltimore Ravens (8-7) Home: 6-2 Road: 2-5
LINE: Ravens are a 10.5 point favorite
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
QUARTERBACK: F
JaMarcus Russell continues to look lost, overwhelmed and his passing woes carried over this week again, which directly led to the ineptitude of the Oakland Raiders’ offense for a second straight contest. He was 12-of-21 for 61 yards and 2 interceptions. The 2.9 yards per completion was embarrassing. Oakland attempted to shorten routes, limit his attempts to dump offs and screens to his best players on offense – the running backs – and that still could not get the big-armed passer going. His interceptions led to ten Denver points. At the start of Oakland’s second drive, Russell was not able to hit his fullback on a short pass in the flat that Champ Bailey almost picked off. A play later, he went deep to Darrius Heyward-Bey, a poor decision due to the double coverage presented, being backed into your own end-zone and needing to be more of a game manager, playing smarter football in keeping your team in the game early, as the ball was intercepted by Renaldo Hill. His next throw was another overthrow to his speedy rookie receiver which fell into the hands of Andre’ Goodman. His best toss of the game was in the 2nd quarter; an 18-yard rocket to Louis Murphy on 3rd and 4 that hit his target in stride. Before the half, he appeared to hit his tight end for a gain of 29-yards, but a booth review determined that Zach Miller was not able to stay in bounds. Russell is not getting better. His confidence looks shot. And through this, Oakland is trying to run basic plays to get him out of the funk.
RUNNING BACKS: F
Darren McFadden looked fragile this afternoon. Denver rocked him a few times, which led to him going down easily on a few plays and coughing up the football in critical spots. On the second play of the game, a poorly executed screen pass, McFadden lost handle of the football. On 2nd and 11 in the 2nd quarter, he had the ball ripped out of his hands by Mario Haggan (a play that almost took them out of FG range) and in the 3rd quarter, he fumbled away the possession in the red-zone during Oakland’s only realistic threat to hit paydirt. He ended with 12 carries for 45 yards. Michael Bush did not perform any better, tallying 20-yards on 6 carries. Justin Fargas recorded his first touches of the season in mop up duty. Luke Lawton made a cameo early in the game.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: F
Again, Louis Murphy was the lone receiver to record some touches, ending with 2 grabs for 25-yards. Bush led the team in receptions with 4 for 20-yards, but most of them were off broken plays, short dump offs that were ineffective, as opponents are not afraid of the Raiders vertical attack. Defenses are collapsing on the Raiders, which is causing a lot of traffic around the line of scrimmage. Heyward-Bey is not ready to handle a starting role in this league, and it is showing week-to-week. Javon Walker was inactive. Oakland is pinning their hopes on Chaz Schilens’ return; a receiver with only 15 career catches to ignite a dormant aerial attack. Zach Miller had 2 receptions; his 12-yard gainer on a 3rd and 16 helped the Raiders set-up their lone scoring opportunity.
OFFENSIVE LINE: F
This unit has gotten progressively worse since the 1st half of the Charger game. They are not playing with any fire; they cannot push around anyone and are passive during run plays. Tom Cable’s favorite group is beaten at the point of attack consistently and it has a serious impact on their inability to run the football. They managed only 38-yards rushing at the half and 95 for the game. Robert Gallery’s presence was missing. Cornell Green would have added to his resume of penalties this week with another hold, but Denver had mercy on the Raiders and decline it to force a 3rd and 10. Erik Pears had a false start infraction late in the game and looked mediocre at best in his first start as a Raider. The line allowed three-sacks and was out of sync for the majority of the game. Chris Morris was flagged for a holding penalty, negating a Raider first down and putting them in a 2nd and 13 trap. Any success Oakland had running the ball came from rushing behind RG Cooper Carlisle.
DEFENSIVE LINE: F
Well, after three-games, we can establish that not much has changed concerning the run defense. The Raiders are allowing 155 rushing yards per game, as they allowed a season high 215 yards against Denver on Sunday. Correll Buckhalter ran for 108 yards and the rookie Knowshon Moreno added another 90. From the start of the contest, Denver gashed the Oakland front-seven, attacking Greg Ellis on edge runs and pushing aside Gerard Warren and Tommy Kelly in the interior. Richard Seymour was flagged for a personal foul on the opening drive of the 2nd half. That 15-yard infraction gave Denver the ball on the Oakland 15-yard line, and two plays later, the Broncos hit paydirt to take a commanding 20-3 lead. The Raiders did not record a sack, nor did they even come close to Kyle Orton all afternoon. That lack of pressure let the Denver passer sit in the pocket comfortably and make solid decisions all afternoon. Oakland mustered up courage on Denver’s opening drive, stuffing 5 straight rushing plays before getting them off the field on 4th down. Trevor Scott appeared out of position at times, as Denver took advantage of Oakland’s aggressiveness up the field.
LINEBACKERS: F
We observed poor tackling and an uneventful afternoon for starters Ricky Brown, Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard. Morrison was torched early by Brandon Marshall; not being able to stay with the explosive receiver on gains of 14 and 11 yards on Denver’s opening drive, and on 3rd and goal on Denver’s first touchdown, a 2-yard pass on the Broncos’ second drive. John Marshall did not adjust early to Denver’s game plan, isolating the linebackers underneath with shallow routes and causing favorable man-to-man match-ups with some of their elusive targets.
SECONDARY: D
They only allowed 157 passing yards, but only because Denver played a conservative game at and Orton was able to go to shorter routes to get his team down the field. Nnamdi Asomugha tried to help in run support, but to no avail. He even got beat late surprisingly, as Orton connected wit Marshall on a very good pitch and catch for 17-yards. Stanford Routt was beaten a few times by Jabar Gaffney, once on a 15-yard gain to set up a 1st and goal. On 3rd and 11 in the 3rd quarter, Gaffney drew a pass interference flag on Chris Johnson and a few plays later, the Raider defense looked lost on Daniel Graham’s 24-yard reception on 2nd and 15. Rookie Mike Mitchell recovered a fumble and was in on the Raiders only stout series at the end of Denver’s opening drive that ended at the goal line. Michael Huff almost came up with another interception on one of the few plays Oakland actually got pressure on Orton. On a 3rd and goal, the Raiders blitzed and Huff jumped in front of Orton’s dump off option. That play at the time saved a touchdown and held the Broncos to a 13-3 lead.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
Jonathan Holland will not make anyone forget about Justin Miller. Holland was not very good, nor did he put any fear into the Denver coverage unit. Sebastian Janikowski nailed his 48-yard field goal attempt and Shane Lechler punted four-times for an average of 47.5.
COACHING: F
Tom Cable’s team was not ready for this game. Was that Josh McDaniels on the sideline or Mike Shanahan toying with the Raiders’ defense? Oakland was out of position, off-balance on defense and it took them far too long to adjust to Denver’s schemes. McDaniels is off to a 3-0 start with a quarterback that plays it safe, can manage a game and that puts his team in winning situations. Denver jumped out on the Raiders with a quick 7-0 lead. They opened the 2nd half with an 8-play 80-yard drive to take a 20-3 lead and the Broncos did not punt till the game was already in hand during the 4th quarter. John Marshall’s defense was pushed around and since the 1st half versus the Chargers, they have looked like the same unit from 2008 with major flaws and schematic deficiencies. Cable will now have to play the role of psychologist to get his quarterback right, his defense back biting instead of barking and his overall team believing that they can avoid another miserable year before this type of play lingers and they reach a tough stretch in their schedule.
DENVER’S DEFENSE SETTING THE TONE
After three-games, Denver’s defense has allowed one touchdown, 16-points and opponents are averaging 78.3 rushing yards per game. They have tallied 5 interceptions this season, 10-sacks and have recovered three-fumbles to start the campaign.
Elvis Dumervil has six-sacks this season.
INEPT OFFENSE
Oakland for a second straight week could not tally more than 200 yards of total offense. It was just the third time since 1993 that the Raiders achieved such ineptness in back-to-back weeks.
The crowd let Russell know how they felt in the 2nd half with constant ‘boos’ and chants that were unfavorable to the former number one overall pick.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
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