Silver and Black Report

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had an intimate briefing with local beat writers and SBReport.net was there to capture audio of the owner talking candidly about other musings. Davis was candid about many topics; here are some of the highlights…

On Jon Gruden and trading him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

“Oh no….no I don’t. Not at all, because…look, Jon beat us in the goddamn Super Bowl. That’s the only thing I regret.”

“Take a look at Jon’s performance at Tampa.” Then Davis stated that he beat his Raiders with “Dungy’s team.”

On Hue Jackson’s contract terms:

“Well, I’m not telling you!,”

Are you demanding on coaches:

“No, that’s B.S,” when asked if he was demanding on coaches. “Yeah, I’m demanding of doing it right and being right and treating players right. I’m a great believer that you praise players. For awhile here, between Kiffin and that other fellow, they were knocking the players.”

“If I’m demanding, I’m sorry that I am, but I don’t think I am.”

On his projection for the team:

“We have the talent to get into the playoffs…”

On Randy Moss:

“New England got a lesson the other day.” He continued, “If they kept [Randy Moss], they would’ve beaten the Jets.”

He mentioned the regrets in trading Randy Moss, stating that every coach is afraid of him.

On Randy Hanson:

“How he broke his jaw, I don’t know.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the signing of free agent linebacker Jon Alston yesterday.

He spent 3 campaigns with the Oakland Raiders after being selected in the 3^rd round of the 2006 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Alston, 26, is mainly a back-up, but his contributions on special teams is what made him attractive for the Buccaneers and the New York Jets, who had the four year pro in for a visit on Thursday.

The Silver & Black did not tender Alston, making him an unrestricted free agent and giving him the opportunity to sign elsewhere.

Alston had 23-tackles last season and had four starts, but concussions derailed his campaign and he wound up on injured reserve.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

QUARTERBACK — B-

 JaMarcus Russell followed last week’s solid performance with more steps forward toward his development. He showed great accuracy along with his arm strength today. More importantly, he went through his progressions and didn’t lock in on his targets. Russell’s interception in the 4^th quarter was careless, as he put too much air underneath that toss intended for his tight end. He stayed with the play and made the tackle on Sabby Piscitelli 84-yards later, but more importantly, he responded with a 3-play 66-yard drive that ended in a 12-yard strike to Johnnie Lee Higgins to cut the Tampa Bay lead to 24-21. Russell showed good bounce back ability after the late adversity and his offense responded with 17 unanswered points to cap the road victory. He ended 14-of-21 for 148 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

RUNNING BACKS — B+

 The game-ball goes to Michael Bush. The second year pro shouldered the load when Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden were lost for the afternoon due to injuries. His 27 carries for 177 yards were vital. Bush’s 67-yard gallop to give the Raiders a 28-24 4^th quarter lead deflated the Buccaneers and their crowd. He impressively closed the game, showing toughness after taking a big hit to the helmet that dazed him. Oakland took a time out after that play, Bush recovered and then answered with a run of 19 yards to the Tampa Bay 9 yard line. He even was able to draw a pass interference flag on a Bucs’ defender on a halfback option pass that was under thrown to Todd Watkins. The penalty gave Oakland 43-yards.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS — B-

 Higgins had a solid outing with 6 receptions for 52 yards and a 4^th quarter score. He ran routes well, got open enough to make an impact and showed that he may just be more than a return specialist with his improved play at wide receiver as the season wound down. Chaz Schilens put together his second straight three-reception game, tallying 46 yards and his 2^nd career touchdown. Zach Miller had a 28-yard haul off a beautiful play fake by Russell that set up the Raiders on the Tampa Bay 8-yard line before they took a 14-7 lead in the 2^nd quarter. Prior to that play, on 3^rd and 4, Russell also hit Schilens for 19-yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE — A

 The offensive line ended a rough 2008 season with a solid showing. They weren’t dominant like earlier in the campaign versus Kansas City, but against Monte Kiffin’s creative schemes, they gave Russell a nice pocket consistently to step into his throws and allow him time to scan the field. They wore down the Buccaneer front seven as the game wound down; opening up large lanes for Bush. Mario Henderson, starting his fifth consecutive game at left tackle was stout and Jake Grove, who came out early in the game with an injury, got back on the field to finish the game strong. This group allowed one sack, a play in which Russell could’ve got rid of the ball as he rolled out towards the sideline.

DEFENSIVE LINE – C

 The Buccaneers did rush for 125 yards and started getting large chunks of yardage in the 2^nd half after the Raiders held them to 46-yards at halftime. Gerard Warren was disruptive against the run in spurts and Derrick Burgess, although he didn’t record a sack, forced Jeff Garcia to run around the pocket this afternoon. Greyson Gunheim recorded his first career sack to end the game.

LINEBACKERS — A

 This groups stuggled in recent weeks defending short routes and going up against running backs that are adept at catching the ball out of the backfield. Today, Kirk Morrison was where he needed to be on check-downs, dump offs and screens. Morrison compiled 13 tackles to end the season with a team high 135. Thomas Howard was very good in coverage.

SECONDARY — B-

 No Nnamdi Asomugha, no problem. The secondary played well even though there was a breakdown on Michael Clayton’s 58-yard touchdown reception. Justin Miller, who was used more often today due to Asomugha’s absence, bit on Clayton’s double move and had no help over the top. He redeemed himself in the 4^th quarter with tight coverage on Antonio Bryant, pinning him near the sideline and slowing him down on Rashad Baker’s interception. Hiram Eugene showed very good route recognition and almost had an interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS — A

 Shane Lechler had 6 punts for an average 47.7 per. He dropped three inside the 20-yard line, including one that went for 69-yards. Higgins continued his solid efforts on punt returns, racking up 67 yards on 4 opportunities. Justin Miller had 4 kickoff returns for 90 yards.

COACHING – A

 Could this win save Tom Cable? That remains to be seen, but his best was saved for last, as he outshined Jon Gruden and had his team playing at a high level against a club that was playing for their playoff life. He mixed up the run and pass well, called a key time out late to give Bush a breather after taking a big shot and was efficient in the play calling. Cable had a lot of young guys in key roles as the season wound down, and with a lack of pop on offense all season, he was able to improve the attack as the year ended. Rob Ryan didn’t get much out of Trevor Scott, who started this afternoon. But the linebackers played a lot better today than in recent weeks and the secondary, playing without their best player, did an admirable job on the road. Raiders scored 17 unanswered to end the game and shut down Gruden’s offense after Carnell Williams second touchdown. 

 

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) will need a win against the Oakland Raiders (4-11) and a Dallas loss to advance into the playoffs. “When you’re 9-3 at one point and you’re a couple of wins away from the playoffs, and now we’re fighting just to get in … it’s tough looking at it,” commented running back Warrick Dunn.

For Oakland, draft positioning is all that is at stake and looking forward to what may be one of the busiest off-seasons in terms of shaking up the roster and finding some new direction on the sidelines.

“We need a breakthrough as a team,” interim coach Tom Cable said. “If you can do it again then I think you can leave the facility going into the spring and the winter then having some confidence, having the right kind of positive feeling.”

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense (What to expect)

JaMarcus Russell had his best game as a pro last weekend in Oakland’s 27-16 win against the Houston Texans.

His 18 completions on 25 attempts for 236 yards and two scores is the first sign of this young passer’s development. Oakland will try to go into the off-season with good vibes from their quarterback, so expect the coaching staff to let him air it out some more to his young targets. If he can string back-to-back solid performances, it will go a long way in boosting his confidence level on a team that had very little around him to facilitate his growth.

On Defense (What to expect)

The run defense has been poor the majority of the season, with the exception being last week when they contained Steve Slaton.

Against the Bucs, Oakland will have to deal with versatile rushers that can be incorporated into the passing game, something lately they have had problems defending.

Another player looking to finish the season strong after a disappointing campaign is Derrick Burgess. Injuries and sub par play has kept him out of the Pro-Bowl for a second straight year, but 2-sacks last week and a solid effort on Sunday will set him up for a potentially big 2009 with free-agency looming.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

On Offense (What to expect)

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant is tearing up the league at the right time.

He will be a free-agent at the end of the season and with Tampa Bay needing some pop as they make a playoff push, the 27-year old has compiled 26 receptions for 498 yards and 5 touchdowns in his last four games.

“I’m trying to go to the playoffs. That’s all I can control right now,” Bryant said. “All of the other stuff I don’t control. I don’t sign checks – I just cash them. I’m just trying to play ball and get us to the playoffs. There are a lot of scenarios. I would hate to be at home watching a team that I know we’re probably better than go and make a run and go all the way. That wouldn’t be fun. Not for me.

“We’re just playing football. My main focus is just playing football and Dallas getting their butts whipped and let’s keep the ball rolling. That’s my only focus. I’m glad that it is brought down to the smallest scenario – win and Dallas gets their butt whipped. Then we’re rolling.”

On Defense (What to expect)

Jon Gruden is concerned about Tampa Bay’s rush defense, which has tailed off in recent weeks. They allowed large outputs versus Carolina and Atlanta and now face a Raider team that has an ability to rack up yards on the ground.

“I can’t put my finger on anything other than we’re a better defensive football team than we’ve played,” Gruden said, “and I’m confident that we can prove that this Sunday. We have to do that.”

GAME NOTES

• In their last meeting, Kerry Collins came on for an injured Rich Gannon and passed for 228 yards and a score as the Raiders beat Tampa Bay 30-20 in Gruden’s first game back in Oakland since his departure. That would be Gannon’s final game as a pro, as a serious neck injury suffered during a collision with linebacker Derrick Brooks.
• Justin Fargas needs 158 yards to reach the 1,000-yard rush plateau.
• Johnnie Lee Higgins is tied for the league lead in punt returns for touchdowns (3).

KEY MATCH-UPS

Bryant vs. Nnamdi Asomugha

The Pro Bowl bound cornerback versus the most explosive wide receiver in the league right now.

Who will run to a victory?

If Tampa Bay can control the game on the ground, they’ll be able to beat up on a Raider team that has traveled across the country to end the season.

PREDICTION

Buccaneers 19 – Raiders 17

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Kevin Harlan providing play-by-play and former Raiders QB Rich Gannon handling color analysis.  The game will air locally 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 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 KGO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from the official Raiders web site)

GAME INFO

Home Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) Home: 6-1 Road: 3-5

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (4-11) Home: 2-6 Road: 2-5

When and Where: Sunday, December 28, 2008, 10:00 a.m. PT | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist