Silver and Black Report

Talk about chatter that can facilitate a media storm…

ESPN anchor Linda Cohn Tweeted today that mercurial wide receiver Terrell Owens could become a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Now, this rumor and the coupling of Owens and the Raiders has always been bantered about – especially when he has become available. But today, in the tweet world we live in, a comment can illicit quite the reaction.

“Next stop for Terrel Owens could be the black hole and the Oakland Raiders! This according to Espn’s John Clayton,” read the twitter message.

The same Owens that has alienated Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb. The same ‘T.O’ that reportedly was at odds with Tony Romo due to his jealousy of the quarterback’s relationship with tight end Jason Witten.

To his credit, he went to Buffalo last off-season on a one-year deal and at 35 years old, he amassed a very respectable 55 receptions for 829 yards and 5 TD grabs.

The Cincinnati Bengals flirted with the idea of pairing Owens with the other outlandish receiver in the league, but that was put to rest when they inked Antonio Bryant instead.

At 36, he’s a far superior target than any of the unproven wide receivers the Raiders have currently under contract. But he did look slower this past season even though he put up adequate numbers and was on his best behavior.

You know he’ll always be in good shape. And that he’ll give it his all while on the field when happy.

But can the Raiders afford to bring him in with a shaky quarterback situation and a crop of young targets that need seasoning? How would Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens and Darrius Heyward-Bey get the reps needed and consistent chances to get better? Could ‘T.O’ be a model citizen for the Silver & Black?

The Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams could also be landing spots.

Justin Fargas will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday per Adam Schefter.

Justin Fargas will be visiting the Cleveland Browns according to a report by KHTK in Sacramento.

The former Oakland Raiders running back was cut recently and was an option for the Kansas City Chiefs before they acquired Thomas Jones.

The Oakland Raiders released Justin Fargas and now, one of their rivals is interested in his services.

The Kansas City Chiefs have contacted Fargas and will host the running back during his visit and search for a new home.

Fargas was released after failing a physical. He was due a $1.7 million roster bonus this week. Oakland’s official web site stated:

Justin Fargas was a beloved Raider who performed at a high level throughout his seven seasons with the team and his contributions to the Silver and Black will always be remembered.

We wish Justin all the best.

Per circulating reports, the Oakland Raiders are expected to waive running back Justin Fargas and defensive tackle Gerard Warren. Both have roster bonuses scheduled this month that the Silver & Black are not expected to absorb.

Fargas, 30, was selected in the 3^rd round of the 2003 draft. He emerged in 2006, rushing for 659-yards on 178 carries. The following campaign, he amassed 1,009 yards averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Always a hard-worker and a tough competitor, Oakland has leaned on Fargas’ play even when they acquired young rushers via the draft. But his age – a time when ball carriers starting breaking down – and the presence of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden make him expendable at his cost.

Warren, 31, was acquired via trade from the Denver Broncos. He’s been entrenched along the defensive line since his arrival, but Oakland has consistently been one of the worst run defenses in the league even with his addition.

Richard Seymour will come back in 2010 along with Tommy Kelly, two linemen that have hefty cap numbers. But the presence of youngsters such as Matt Shaughnessy and Desmond Bryant, their upside and cost efficient contracts will allow Oakland to part ways with Warren very easily.

According to beat writer Steve Corkran, the Oakland Raiders could be ready to pull the plug on Tom Cable.

In an article written after the 21-13 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, he stated that several people close to Al Davis believe that he is inclined to fire Cable and bring in a new head coach.

Cable replaced Lane Kiffin four games into the 2008 campaign and went 9-19 as interim/head coach.

For the most part, players have been supportive of Cable and have stated their desire for some continuity. If he is canned, the next coach to come in will be the sixth since Jon Gruden’s departure after the 2001 season.

Players lobbied after the 2008 season before Oakland took away the interim label.

“If (Al Davis) wants to ask or if he’s interested in our opinion, I’m sure any man in this locker room would vouch for (Cable),” commented running back Justin Fargas. “From just the way he’s treated us with respect and raised our expectations.”

After the Ravens game, others stated their thoughts:

“Sometimes it doesn’t take a coach two years, sometimes it does take him three,” Nnamdi Asomugha commented. “Tom during his speech today said, ‘This is a playoff team and next year we’ll be in the playoffs.’

He continued: “We started to get a rhythm, and we started to understand what we were doing. I would definitely try to get Cable back, just because that gives us some consistency.”

Cable took over the play calling during his span. But the offense lacked plenty of pop, mainly due to the faulty development of young players.

JaMarcus Russell is nearing mega-bust status, Oakland gambled taking speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey so high in the draft and Darren McFadden has not found his niche, nor has he been the explosive talent they expected upon his arrival.

Cable did make a move away from Russell, and when Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye took over, the offense appeared more respectable.

But how does Al Davis feel about that, as he has clearly stated in the past that Russell was his choice and believes in his future greatness.

Russell is guaranteed $3 million next year and slated to bank $9.45 million in base salary.

“There always is (hope) for anyone who has the talent,” Cable was quoted.

Among some of the lowlights during Cable’s tenure:

His team’s inability to put together solid back-to-back efforts and getting hammered the week after victories, being overwhelmed with the Xs and Os during contests, noted especially as Oakland was one of the worst teams offensively coming out of halftime and then there were the stories ESPN exposed about his history of violent behavior that brought unnecessary coverage and more negative public vibes to a team that is in the midst of seven straight seasons with 11 or more losses.

Oh, and lets not forget the Randy Hanson saga.

Cable has been a good soldier. He did turn around a horrid offensive line that allowed 72-sacks in 2006 and made them into a functional group. He turned Robert Gallery’s career around, made Mario Henderson into a starting caliber left guard, was at the helm when the team pulled off solid victories against playoff contending teams and gave this team some semblance of order after the Kiffin fiasco.

If Oakland does give him the boot, where do they go?

Are there better options for this organization that will legitimately embrace this job as Cable has? And will more change just add regression to a team that is in no shape to move backward after showing signs of life in 2009.

Cable may not be the best head coach out there; but he may be there best option.

Unless a proven commodity comes in and takes over and the owner finally loosens up and allows football decisions be made by others, more of the same will be seen.

Cable may be a better position coach than a head coach. He also may only be able to take these Raiders so far. Cable doesn’t give the impression of a coach that can take his team forwardnad make major steps to turning them into a contender. And if that’s the case and Oakland parts ways with him, Davis must open up the bank account and step away to let a premier coach run his fledgling organization.

If Cable stays, Davis must let him coach, run his team and give him help on the sidelines (i.e offensive coordinator) and allow him to do as he pleases to turn this ship around.

Like Gerard Warren stated: “Guys fought with a lot of effort this year, but 5-11 just don’t get it cut, man. We’re trying to be in the playoff race and go try to get this (Super Bowl) ring. That’s what the game’s all about.”

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Nothing could have been more obvious. The balloon was deflated. The energy was sucked away. An offense that tallied nearly 200 yards in the first half was pitiful in the second half.

Why?

JaMarcus Russell entered the game for an injured Bruce Gradkowski and any chance of the Oakland Raiders notching back-to-back victories was flushed away.

Russell was sacked six times. Yes, the offensive line was dreadful, but the guy holding on to the ball had no pocket presence or awareness that defenders were flying at him. There was no way Russell could imitate Gradkowski under similar situations because the former number one overall pick just can’t play quarterback as well as the underdog.

Gradkowski could’ve extended plays and drifted away from some of those salivating Redskins’ defenders. He could’ve stepped up in the pocket a few times and tried to pick up yardage with his feet. Gradkowski could’ve kept the positive vibes the offense had going after their 4^th quarter barrage in Pittsburgh. Russell could not.

Russell’s presence anchored the team so much, that even his head coach was constrained. Hamstrung by Russell’s inability to absorb a complex NFL playbook, the Raiders regressed to their old ways and ran simple plays that made it easier for Washington to defend the football field.

Cable admittedly had to change the offenses’ approach because of the incapable passer. Gradkowski makes quicker decisions, scans the field better, elevates the performance of others and has jump-started an attack that was horrendous under Russell. Defenses had more to prepare for with Gradkowski at the helm because Oakland ran a non-threatening offense to cater to their soon to be bust.

“You could kind of see it emotionally a little bit, the wind left our sails, so to speak, just a little bit, when that happened,” defensive end Jay Richardson said when Gradkowski limped off the field.

That speaks volumes and gauges the exact feel of the team. Did they lose hope because their fighter at quarterback was not available? It certainly looked like it, and if a whole team is down so much on a guy like Russell – the player Oakland tabbed to be their savior when they took him in the draft and paid him a Brinks truckload – then this team must purge themselves of him at seasons end.

Gradkowski may not be able to play again this season.

“Right now, it’s to figure out where Bruce is at here in the next 24-48 hours and then make that decision.,” Cable stated today. But if ‘Bruce Almighty’ cannot use his legs effectively with a torn MCL and the other one partially torn, how good of an option can he be?

Well, you have Russell and Charlie Frye as your choices.

“I think certainly I’m going to look at what the options are and again as I told you before I’ll do what’s best for this team, what gives us the best chance to win,” stated Cable.

All of the sudden, it’s a matter of whether you play Russell or Frye with the coach trying to figure out what is the best solution for this team?

We are talking about Charlie Frye possibly starting over Russell!

At this point, its painfully obvious to even the most loyal Russell supporter that if the team is fighting over whether or not Frye plays over Russell, then you know the end is near for the former LSU product.

“It’s kind of different coming in, and not starting,” Russell stated to a reporter for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. “Best thing to do is just let the game come to you, don’t force anything. Couldn’t get too much going. That’s basically it. Nothing else to be said just couldn’t get nothing going.”

He continued to elaborate on the sack onslaught yesterday by saying, “I don’t know, but I say everything is my fault, so I’ll put it on me, maybe. I could’ve stepped up a different way to protect those guys, but that’s what happened.”

Yes JaMarcus, that is what happened. And what didn’t happen was what you predicted a few days earlier, stating “A totally different JaMarcus,” was going to be on display after your demotion.

We saw the same dreadful play that will lead this team nowhere and that just continues to reinforce the bust label that you are quickly earning.

Justin Fargas stated, “Well I think we were building something there but we can’t let the momentum or fire be killed by that we have to find a way to keep it going.”

It can Justin, but not with Russell as your quarterback.

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland showed that it was not going to allow the Bengals to run on them from the outset. With the Bengals going on offense first, the Raiders looked stout against the Bengals’ run attack. Even Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha got in on the action with a 5-yard loss of a tackle. But that would be the only thing the Raiders could stop on the opening drive. Cincinnati would gash the Raiders for 23-yards, 32-yards, and 21-yards. Cincy QB Carson Palmer would punctuate the drive with a 1-yard dive to put is team up 7-0.

Oakland would get it’s shot at playing offense, but after a couple of modest runs and an incomplete pass, they were forced to punt the ball away. The Raiders would catch a break when Carson Palmer was sacked and fumbled by safety Tyvon Branch. The ball was initially scooped up by Raider LB Kirk Morrison, but he too was stripped while carrying the ball carelessly. Thankfully, Raider CB Chris Johnson shoved a would-be recovering Bengal out of the way to allow a fellow Raider recover it instead. Oakland QB Bruce Gradkowski would fumble the snap (more like a botched snap by the center, but the QB gets the credit for the fumble). The Bengals would recover the ball.

In the fist Cincinnati drive, they beat the Raiders defense with the pass. This next drive, the Bengals would beat the Raiders’ defense on the ground with a series of 15, 11, 10, 9, and 6 yard runs culminating in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by QB Carson Palmer to extend their lead to 14-0.

Oakland showed some resilience with Gradkowski under center; managing a drive of his own. WR Chad Schilens kicked off the drive with a 25-yard reception. That play would be followed up by a combination of smart running by Darren McFadden for 9-yards and Justin Fargas for 12-yards. Gradkowski would then find an open Zach Miller in the endzone for a touchdown to bring Oakland to within 7-points with the score of 14-7.

After Oakland forced the Bengals to punt on their following offensive drive, Gradkowski would put his team into field goal range, but not without TE Zach Miller being the beneficiary of a 19-yard pass from Gradkowski. Unfortunately, Jano missed he field goal (wide left). The moment prior to the attempt, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis called a time out to ice Jano. Jano had kicked it anyway and the ball was wide right. And that’s how the half would come to an end; with a score of 14-7.

In the third quarter, Oakland would receive the ball first and would see Janikowski successfully kick a 52-yard field goal following a balanced attack of runs and passes. Even WR Darrius Heyward-Bey got in on the reception party with a 7-yard catch. Jano’s field goal made the game 14-10.

The Bengals mustered a drive of their own to get their kicker into field goal range since they could not get into the endzone, but to the Raiders delight, their kicker missed a chip-shot of a 37-yard attempt to keep the Raiders hanging around.

The Raiders would give the ball right back however, after Raider running back Michael Bush fumbled the all and Cincy ran the ball back 38-yards to the Raiders’ 13-yard line. The Raider defense flexed it’s muscle by keeping the Bengals from scoring a touchdown. This time, Cincy kicker Shayne Graham would not miss from 25-yards out as the Bengals got a tad bit of breathing room with a 17-10 lead with 3:29 left in the third quarter.

The two teams defenses would trade offensive stops; playing the game of field position by forcing each other to punt up until 2:12 to go in the 4th quarter.

The veteran savvy of QB Gradkowski would rise to the occasion as he lead his offense 80-yards in a classic two-minute drill; a pass to McFadden for 6 yards, Miller for 19 yards, Miller again for 9 yards, a 1-yard run from McFadden, Schilens for 16 yards, and then finally…a great 29-yard pass and leg-churning run after the catch to WR Louis Murphy who willed himself into the endzone with a lone defender trying desperately to keep him out for the 17-17 tie (with the subsequent PAT).

On the subsequent kick off with 33 seconds left on the game clock, Raiders special teams would hit the Bengals returner and cause a fumble. Oakland quickly jumped on the ball to recover it on the Bengals’ 17-yard line.

The Raiders, now in the driver’s seat with the ball on the Bengals’ 17 yard line and with 19 seconds left on the game clock. Cincy would use all of it’s remaining timeouts to stop the clock each time the Raiders would take down the ball. Sebastian Janikowski would kick the 33-yard game winning field goal with 15 seconds left on the clock for a score of 20-17 Raiders.

After a minimal kick off return, Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer would throw a Hail Mary, but to only have it intercepted by CB Nnamdi Asomugha to end the game, keeping their home game dominance over the Cincinnati Bengals.

*It should also be noted that Chad Ochocinco was rendered relatively inefective. 4-for-67 yards. Earlier in the week, Ochocinco was quoted as saying to Contra Costa Times Writer Jerry McDonald, “Oh, man, I’m just coming to give the Black Hole the best show they’ve ever seen. I’m not sure if they’ve really had much to look forward to this year but, man, we’re coming to town. It will for damned sure be a circus.” Ocho DID give the Black Hole the best show they’ve seen…at least since the Eagles game, by losing to the Raiders and shutting down Chad…and his mouth. Then on his Twitter page, he tweeted a post saying, “I’m scoring touchdowns for my man Ryan Hall’s fantasy team this weekend.” Gee…that worked out well for him.

QUARTERBACK: C

JaMarcus Russell bounced back from his benching last week with a conservative and safe effort against the Chargers. When Oakland drafted him, they hoped that at this point of his career he’d be using his big arm to go vertical and deep. Today, the majority of his passes were short and non-threatening to the San Diego secondary. He opened the game with a quick 5-yard toss to Zach Miller for 5-yards. His second pass was off a play fake in which Russell overthrew Miller, who was covered by multiple defenders, and was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie. On Oakland’s second possession, he overthrew a wide-open Miller again on a 3^rd and 4, displaying poor footwork; as he never set his feet to get off a strong throw. He did the same thing in the 3^rd quarter, floating a pass to Louis Murphy – who was in double coverage – as he moved backward when releasing the football. His best pass was late in the 4^th quarter, facing a 4^th and 7, avoiding the rush in the pocket and finding Miller for 10-yards. He ended 14-of-22 for 109 yards at a measly 5.0 yards per completion. It’s agonizing watching this passing attack struggling for every yard they can tally and not being able to present a threat to opposing defensive backfields.

RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACKS: B

Justin Fargas again demonstrated great determination and fought hard to pick up every one of those 59-yards compiled this afternoon. He was able to tie the game at seven in the 2^nd quarter with a 3yard touchdown run – his first score of the season. Fargas added 3 receptions for 20-yards. Michael Bush got 7-carries for 27-yards. Early in the game it looked like he could romp through the Charger defense, but the offensive line could not sustain their blocks throughout the game and Bush’s production waned as the game went on. Luke Lawton blocked well in stints.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: F

On 2^nd and 28 in the 4^th quarter, the Raiders receiver woes were highlighted when Johnnie Lee Higgins and Louis Murphy ran into each other at the start of the play, taking themselves out and collapsing to the turf erasing any chance of Russell having them as targets. On that play, Shawne Merriman recorded a sack. Higgins’ only catch of the game came on a 3^rd and 5 in the 3^rd quarter in which he gained 6-yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey finished with one reception for 10-yards, which came at the end of the 2^nd quarter right before they scored on a field goal to make it 21-10 Chargers. Higgins was futile in his attempt to volley a pass from Russell to Heyward-Bey on 4^th and 20 at the end of the contest – attempting a lateral before completing a catch. Murphy had a drive-killing false start on 3^rd and 8 at the start of the final quarter. Zach Miller compiled 5-receptions for 52-yards, but struggled blocking allowing Steve Gregory to blow past him for a sack on a 3^rd and 10 and was ineffective aiding the line on running downs. Brandon Myers recorded his first two receptions in the NFL.

OFFENSIVE LINE: D

Khalif Barnes was horrendous. He was flagged for a false start in the first quarter, and late in the game, and was consistently beat by an attacking Charger front-seven. Cooper Carlisle struggled inside getting any push, was infracted for a false start as well and Mario Henderson was victimized by Merriman and Shaun Phillips for a few sacks. This group looked nothing like the dominant unit that knocked around the Chargers during their first match-up.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C

The 100-rushing yards allowed were not crippling. The front-seven was able to contain LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, but most of the day, they could not get any pressure on Philip Rivers. Matt Shaughnessy was the best performer on the defense tallying 5 tackles (most of them around or behind the line of scrimmage versus the run) and his first career sack.

LINEBACKERS: B

Jon Alston has his most active game this year with 5-tackles and solid play versus the Charger ground game. Kirk Morrison ran freely and Thomas Howard got good depth in coverage versus Antonio Gates. Their one-mix up when in zone coverage came when Morrison released Gates into the back-end of the secondary with no help for a gain of 30-yards on a 3^rd and 4.

SECONDARY: D

Rivers orchestrated a solid passing attack and finished with 249 passing yards. Vincent Jackson tortured Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt, as he tallied 103 yards and a score on 8 receptions. Malcolm Floyd out jumped Michael Huff on San Diego’s first play, a pass that gained 53-yards and set Tomlinson up for a 6-yard touchdown scamper on the next play. Floyd tormented Johnson, as he drew a flag in the first half on the Raider defensive back for illegal contact. Johnson’s second interception of the season came off a bobbled Rivers pass. That turnover helped the Silver & Black tie the game at 7. Tyvon Branch was very good at times covering Gates and helping in run support. But Jackson consistently beat the Raiders; gaining 20-yards on a 3^rd and 7, 14-yards on a 3^rd and 9 and scoring on a 3^rd and 4. Rivers challenged Nnamdi Asomugha once, as he completed a difficult 3^rd and 10 pass to Chris Chambers for 20-yards with the receiver looking into the sun and blanketed by the All-Pro cornerback.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

Jonathan Holland had his best game returning this season. He compiled 145 yards on kickoffs, but none were more important than the 60-yards he acquired to set-up the Oakland offense at the San Diego 37-yard line before the end of the half.  Branch was stellar containing Sproles on punt returns. Sebastian Janikowski was 3-for-3, nailing field goals from 48, 41 and 28-yards. Sam Williams got penetration when attacking a punt, just barely grazed the football, but was not able to affect the flight of the punt enough to help Oakland. Sproles had a 39-yard return and was chased down from behind by rookie Mike Mitchell.

COACHING: C

Tom Cable is trying to ease Russell through his tough times. He has simplified the offense a lot, but at this point there is no scary aspect to this passing attack nor is there any chance of this team coming back when they are down in games or have to go the length of the field in a short time. When Oakland started their drive at the 4:38 mark of the 4^th quarter down by 8, you just got the feeling that there was no way they could move the chains down the field 74-yards for a chance at the upset. A few times on 3^rd downs, Oakland elected to run the ball with Fargas instead of letting their pricey passer find a way to get a first down. Unlike Russell, Rivers and the Chargers can get big chunks of yardage and find a way to convert when they are facing long down and distances. John Marshall’s secondary was torched and Norv Turner’s play calling at times had Oakland off-balance.

GAME NOTES

• Tomlinson scored twice, increasing his total to 25 against the Raiders. The Hall of Fame bound rusher has scored three touchdowns against the Silver & Black and none against any other opponent this season.
• Russell was sacked five times, twice by Shaun Phillips who increased his career total against the Raiders to 11.5. Merriman tallied his first two sacks of the campaign.
• Oakland has lost 13 straight games to San Diego.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders (2-5) will try to pull off an upset on Sunday and avoid a 13^th straight loss at the hands of the San Diego Chargers (3-3) before they hit the bye week. It will be the 100^th meeting between both clubs, with the Silver & Black holding a 54-43-2 advantage since they began play in 1960. Both teams faced in the season opener and San Diego pulled off a 24-20 victory with a late rally on Monday Night Football.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Some things have changed; others have not for Oakland since their last meeting with the Chargers. The Silver & Black ran for 148-yards that evening while manhandling the front-seven of the San Diego defense. Oakland has not been able to duplicate that feat since, as the offensive line has gone through some changes and Justin Fargas is now the starting rusher.

Robert Gallery will not return until after the bye week, Darren McFadden may begin to start running next week and Chaz Schilens, who missed practice on Thursday, is listed as doubtful and not likely to play, making his new target date for seeing action in two weeks.

Oakland’s best receiver in 2009 has been Louis Murphy. And against the Chargers, the rookie had 4-catches for 87-yards and a score. But he couldn’t finish practice on Thursday with a sore hip and he won’t be at full strength for Sunday when he plays.

What to Expect:

San Diego has allowed 137.7 rushing yards per game (28^th in the NFL) so far in 2009. But can Oakland mimic their performance from week-one when they ran the ball down the Chargers’ throats? Tom Cable will go with Mario Henderson (LT), Chris Morris (LG), Samson Satele (C), Cooper Carlisle (RG) and Khalif Barnes (RT) for a second straight week. That group will not intimidate the Chargers nor will they push around a defense that is steadily improving. Fargas is tough and will grind out yardage, but it won’t be enough to carry an offense that ranks last in the NFL in total yards per game and last in passing productivity.

On Defense:

After allowing 316 rushing yards to the Jets, the Chargers will try to take advantage of a Raider run defense that is currently allowing 169.7 ground yards per game. “Just keep your butt in that chair, and everything will be fine,” stated Tom Cable, explaining that his defensive has not been disciplined in their responsibilities. “It’s up to each man to do that, and we didn’t do a very good job of it.”

“It is such a basic thing and, obviously, we need to do a better job in practice,” commented defensive lineman Richard Seymour. “Maybe we make practice live (tackling).”

In the season opener, Oakland held the Chargers to 77 yards rushing (21 in the first half), with physical play, disciplined gap control and linebackers and safeties that jolted through San Diego’s blocking schemes.

What to Expect:

San Diego is ranked 31^st in the league rushing the football. But they have a player known to have career games against the Silver & Black and a shifty rusher that can add to the tackling woes of the lackluster defense. The Raiders need to keep that San Diego tandem at running back controlled. If not, it will be another blowout defeat.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

On Offense:

The Chargers have had a tough time running the football. But the cure for their running woes may be the Silver & Black. LaDainian Tomlinson has made a career of torturing the Raiders and is a week removed from having his best outing of the season, when he tallied season high 23-carries for 71-yards against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the San Diego passing attack is one of the best in the league. Led by Philip Rivers (1,787 passing yards, 59.2 completion %, 96.1 QB rating, 10 TD and only 3 INT), the Chargers are moving the ball at will via the pass and have a wide array of targets to his disposal.

Vincent Jackson (29 rec. 561 yards 4 TD), Antonio Gates (34 rec. 474 yards 2 TD), Darren Sproles (19 rec. 259 yards 2 TD) and Malcom Floyd (9 rec. 187 yards 1 TD) can all break games open along with veteran Chris Chambers.

What to Expect:

San Diego will get their 100+-yards against the Raiders on the ground. But they’ll also mix it up and take advantage of Chris Johnson’s struggles. The Raider cornerback gives up a lot of big plays and has been the weak link in the secondary. The safeties also can be exposed, and when you have one of the best tight ends in the league, its safe to say that getting targets open in the secondary will be an easy task for the Chargers.

On Defense:

San Diego ranks 21^st in points allowed per game (23.8), 28^th in rushing yards allowed (137.7) and 11^th in passing yards allowed per contest (194.7).

The secondary has been re-shuffled in recent weeks and after a solid performance against the Chiefs, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera seems to be happy in the direction they are going. “I think it is a little more physical than it used to be,” Rivera said of the defensive backfield. “There’s a different presence when you have a physical safety. Kevin Ellison is an aggressive, physical guy who brings something extra to what we want to do defensively.”

And what’s the key the rest of the year for this unit?

“Pressure on the quarterback,” cornerback Quentin Jammer said. “We’ve always been a pressure team, and getting back to that has allowed us to play better as a secondary. We got pressure last week and covered well. One game doesn’t mean much on its own, but it is something to build on.”

What to Expect:

The Chargers have looked at what the Jets did to the Raiders and will try to bring the heat with their front-seven. There is no fear of the inaccurate JaMarcus Russell hitting his un-productive targets. So letting Shaun Phillips run wild (2-sacks last week) and un-leashing Shawne Merriman will be on the agenda for the Chargers.

GAME NOTES

• “We know we let one slip away the first game and we don’t want that to happen again,” Zach Miller said of their Monday night match-up week-one “I think we were so physical up front, we were able to get the push on the offensive line and open up holes and then that opened up the play-action game. Once we were hitting the play-action they were complementing each other really well. I think that was a key part.”
• Phillips has 9.5 career sacks versus Oakland.
• Shane Lechler’s 45.0 net punting average is way above his NFL record for a season (41.2). His 52.2 average is currently higher than the league record for a year set in 1940 by Sammy Baugh (51.4)

KEY MATCH-UPS

Which team is able to run the football more consistently?

If the Raiders can, they’ll stay in this game. If they can’t, it will be another blowout defeat. San Diego may not need a strong ground game to win this contest. But if they rush for over 100-yards, chances are, this won’t be a close game going into the 4^th quarter.

Michael Huff and Tyvon Branch vs. Gates

The San Diego offense is at its best when they have the best tight end in the league producing at a high level. Oakland has athletes that can stay with him, but can they slow him down enough to ground a powerful aerial attack?

Which unit is Special?

Sproles can be a dynamic return man. Oakland has missed all the productivity that Johnnie Lee Higgins provided last season. Which one can give their respective team great field position, or points off returns?

PREDICTION

Chargers 27 – Raiders 10

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Dick Enberg providing play-by-play and former NFL player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Fouts handling color analysis. The game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. 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 will 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 from the official Oakland Raiders web site)

GAME INFO

Sunday, November 1, 2009, 1:05 p.m. PT | Qualcomm Stadium, SD, CA

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (2-5) Home: 1-3 Road: 1-2

Home Team: San Diego Chargers (3-3) Home: 1-2 Road: 2-1

Point Spread: Oakland 16 point underdogs

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist