Silver and Black Report

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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:

Kevin Boss, TE

A few more plays in the weekly game plan: After back-to-back 500 yard-plus seasons with the New York Giants, the tight end, who inked a deal with $8 million in guarantees, has had his number of targets and touches go down dramatically in this wide-receiver friendly system that also have dangerous pass catchers out of the backfield.

Tyvon Branch, SS

Strong Pro Bowl consideration: Always known to be one of the more talented young strong safeties in the conference, Branch has put it all together in 2011.

Michael Bush, RB

A strong finish to the season: Darren McFadden’s injury showcased him to the league and now, he can go into the free-agent waters if he chooses to and land a nice deal. Rushers usually don’t get loads of money thrown at them, but he’s very young, does not have a lot of wear and tear and already knows how to share a backfield with another ball carrier. If Oakland does not place a tag on him, he’ll be a sought after player.

Bruce Campbell, OL

I’m sure he’ll love if Santa found a way to get him off the inactive list.

Jason Campbell, QB

A good home in 2012: Campbell was in and out of the line-up last year when Bruce Gradkowski was around. This year, the job was his and the team was rolling before his injury. Now, with Carson Palmer around and Terrelle Pryor looming, he may have to shop himself around in the off-seaosn. Campbell is a hard worker, very classy and a pros pro.

Aaron Curry, LB

More running backs and quarterbacks to hunt down: One of the better additions to this club, who looks to have found his niche in Silver & Black.

Jacoby Ford, WR/KR

Healthy set of legs: a quad injury, hamstring issues and a foot ailment have been some of things the second year talent had dealt with in 2011.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

A bullhorn: DHB is not a diva and has worked hard to shed the image of being a one-trick pony. He’s become a more complete wide-receiver, but you’ll never here him say, “I told you so.”

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR

Gift Cards: For him to give to Hue Jackson and Carson Palmer – as they are the main reasons he has a roster spot.

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

Another 10-more attempts from 63+ yards out: The only kicker in league history that is expected to nail those lengthy field goals. He deserves to stand alone atop the record book for longest field goal made.

Shane Lechler, P

A tire swing for his backyard: He should practice his accuracy and sell himself as a passer for his final few years. Lecler’s spiral is tight, but…

Rolando McClain, LB

A new P.R. person: I’m sure whoever had that job this season had nightmares after McClain displayed his pearly whites while being handled by officers.

Darren McFadden, RB

Healing Pills and Wolverine like armor: Oakland would surely love to have him for the final weekend and a possible playoff run. Questions about his fragility will always be asked, so some sort of mutant-like armor would be very useful for the rest of his career.

Carson Palmer, QB

An entire off-season worth of workouts with the team: He’ll get that this time around and then we’ll be able to access the trade a tad better in the coming years.

Richard Seymour, DT

Manny Pacquiao’s hand-speed: Next time he clobbers someone, maybe he’ll do it fast enough where no one will see it. Then, he can avoid being booted from a game.

Jared Veldheer, LT

Suntan lotion: He’ll be going to many Pro-Bowls in his career.

Trevor Scott, DE

A compass: So he can find his way back. Since his injury in 2010, we haven’t seen the same explosiveness or fire.

Hue Jackson, Coach

A penalty box: Maybe he can put his players in it if they keep on accumulating flag after flag like it’s going out of style.

John Fassel, Special Teams Coach

A pencil and a pad: No one draws up fakes or other plays on special teams like he has the last few years. One of the more underrated unit coaches in the league.

Sanjay Lal, Wide Receiver coach

Acknowledgment: DHB, Ford, and Moore… he’s worked with a lot of young targets and they are coming along nicely.

Tommy Kelly, DT

Podium: No other Raider provides better quotes.

The Raider Nation

A playoff berth: Boy, do you guys really deserve it.
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SBReport.net will take a look at the best and worst moments for the Oakland Raiders (4-3) in the midst of their bye week; including top plays, standout players and performances, and a lot more…

MVP (On Offense)

Darren McFadden, RB – Leads the team with 614-rushing yards; good for second in the AFC. McFadden is their spark plug and alters the look of the offense when he’s rolling. In the year of the quarterback, where offenses are pass happy, McFadden could make a case for himself as a MVP candidate in the league with a strong second half, leading Oakland towards playoff contention.

Honorable Mention:

Jared Veldheer, LT – In his second year, Veldheer is developing into one of the better young left tackles in the league. Oakland has cut down their sack numbers significantly. Their ground attack is powered on the left side. But what has been impressive is his steady play lined up next to a rookie.

MVP (On Defense)

Richard Seymour, DT – A leader, the go to guy in the locker room and the one defender who has a history of championship caliber play. When he’s on his game, Seymour can dominate his match-ups and free up other linemen in the trenches. He leads the team with 5-sacks and on his way to another Pro Bowl.

Honorable Mention:

Tyvon Branch, SS – Has a team high 35-solo tackles. When he’s in the box and playing around the line of scrimmage, Oakland’s run defense generally improves. Branch is a sure tackler and his coverage abilities are underrated.

MVP (On Special Teams)

Sebastian Janikowski, PK – Other teams blink and don’t even attempt long distance field goals when they are near midfield. Oakland can confidently send out Janikowski to put up points and alter the look of a game. His presence is comforting, especially when drives stall. During kickoffs, the coverage teams can nap, as Janikowski will drive the football into the back of the end zone with regularity.

Honorable Mention:

Jacoby Ford, KR – He rounded out to shape the last few games and his return for a score against the Browns was a momentum killer after Cleveland tied the game at seven.

BEST COACH

Bob Wylie, Offensive Line – Veldheer has stabilized the left tackle position and Samson Satele has proven to be reliable and durable. Stefen Wisniewski is not playing like a rookie and the right side, which was a major question mark coming into the season, has held their own. With a top ranked running game and very few sacks allowed, Wylie has to be commended for his work.

MOST IMPROVED (On Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR – Leads the team with 27-receptions and 434-yards. Since tallying 115-yards against the Patriots, the speedster has enjoyed his best four game stretch as a pro.

MOST IMPROVED (On Defense)

Jarvis Moss, DE – Forced into more action after Matt Shaughnessy’s injury, Moss has proven to be a solid acquisition. Has provided reliable depth and was key in Oakland’s win against the Jets.

BEST ROOKIE

Denarius Moore, WR – Has disappeared as of late, but Moore had a break-out performance against Buffalo and had a touchdown rushing on a reverse against New York.

PLAYER WHO THEY NEED MORE OUT OF…

Rolando McClain, MLB – They need more impact plays out of the linebacker. A few run stuffing tackles and a interception or two could ease up some of the pressure he’ll start feeling, as fans are beginning to worry about this pick. There’s no denying his mental capacity or desire, but can he become a force in the middle of the defense?

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Boss, TE – The free-agent acquisition has eight receptions for 160-yards. His only score as a Raider came out of a fake field goal. Oakland’s offense could be more diverse with Boss in the mix. He’s a big target and can get down the field. If defenses’ have to worry about him, it could only free up the young wide receivers as the season winds down.

PLAYER WHO HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE INJURY…

Trevor Scott, DE – No sacks and four tackles so far for Scott. His teammates love his work ethic and motor. But since his ACL tear and eventual rehabilitation, Scott has not been effective. Whether at linebacker or end, Scott was a gamer in 2010 for the Silver & Black.

PLAYER THAT NEEDS THE BALL MORE ON OFFENSE…

Jacoby Ford, WR – The Raiders need to find ways to get Ford the ball in space. When he was injured, the reverses and screens that made him a great find as a rookie, went to Moore. One of Hue Jackson’s favorites, expect Ford to touch the ball more after the bye.

BRING IT IN THE SECOND HALF…

• Kamerion Wimbley – Only one sack after leading the team last season.
• Marcel Reece – Will be back from injury after the bye. He presents match-up problems out of the backfield and lined up wide. Could help receivers and Boss get more touches.
• Lamarr Houston – Just one-sack, as I said, Oakland needs their pass rush to be more productive.

SAY GOODBYE TO…

Jason Campbell, QB – With Carson Palmer locked in for a few years; Campbell’s future in Silver & Black looks bleak. He’ll probably want to start, something Oakland can’t give him. The cold facts about the NFL were on display after his injury – a team leader one day, likely seen his final snap under center for the Raiders the next day.

Honorable Mention:

Matt Shaughnessy, DE – He’ll be back next year, but placing him on injured reserve and ending his year was a costly loss. The young end was primed for a break out year and is one of the Raiders best edge defenders.

THREE THINGS THAT MUST IMPROVE:

• Carson Palmer – The Raiders need him to absorb the playbook quickly, get in sync with his targets immediately and lead them forward towards a playoff push.
• Defending against the Pass – Oakland is allowing 279.3 passing yards per game. One way their play will improve against the pass; more consistent pressure up front.
• Mistakes, mental lapses and turnovers – Hue Jackson has harped on the penalty problem, but playing clean football and eliminating mental miscues is a must if they want to win the AFC West.

BEST MOMENTS:

• Rallying versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing – On a emotional afternoon, with heavy hearts, Oakland overcame a deficit and held on late, on the game’s final play to win their first game without the legendary owner.
• Bullying the Jets in front of the ‘Black Hole’ – They ran for 234-yards, beat up Mark Sanchez and enjoyed a 34-24 victory against a top team.
• John Madden lighting up the torch – It was the Raiders first game at home without Davis, and during halftime, the coach who made his mark with the Silver & Black, lit up a cauldron during a ceremony to remember his life.

WORST MOMENTS:

• Al Davis Dying – It’s still unimaginable that the man synonymous with the Silver & Black will no longer be with us.
• Second-Half vs. Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Oakland, as Buffalo scored at will on every possession in the second half. One stop by the defense, and the Raiders could’ve had another win.
• Chiefs Stomping – Losing to the Chiefs is always painful for the Raiders. But getting trounced at home 28-0 was just embarrassing.

BEST PLAYS:

• Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal versus Denver – Tied for the league’s longest kick and gave the Raiders a 16-3 halftime lead. Oh, Janikowski didn’t really hit it cleanly.
• Moore’s 50-yard TD catch in Buffalo – That gave Oakland a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bills eventually won, 38-35.
• Huff’s INT versus Houston – The free-safety sealed the game with his interception, as time expired, and with the Raiders one-man short.
• Lechler’s TD – Oakland went up 24-7 against the Browns when Shane Lechler connected with Kevin Boss for a 35-yard score, off a fake field goal.

 

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The Oakland Raiders have not been able to run the ball in back-to-back weeks, but of concern as well should be their rush defense.

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers averaged 4.9 yards per carry for a tally of 162-yards. On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins ran the ball 49-times and amassed 186-yards rushing. This after allowing an average of 75.3 yards per contest during their three-game winning streak, only over 100-yards only once during that span; to Kansas City, the league’s best ground game in a overtime battle.

So what’s going on?

Opponents are going back to bullying the Raiders on the ground and getting physical with a defensive line that plays a lot better when they can just rush the passer and play from in front.

Oakland is no longer ambushing their opponents like in Denver, or holding their ground till the offense or special teams can come up with plays as what happened against Seattle and Kansas City.

Trevor Scott’s injury was pivotal, a key player who is workmanlike in his approach. But that shouldn’t be, or is the main reason teams are just lining up and running the ball down the Silver & Black’s throat.

Richard Seymour is healthy and as aggressive as ever. Tommy Kelly is having a solid campaign. Lamarr Houston and Matt Shaughnessy have had their moments. But as a group, the line has not come together to become a unified unit in recent weeks. Even with John Henderson back healthy and in the rotation, Oakland has not been able to  hold the fort in the trenches.

“On the line of scrimmage, it’s a street fight. You either get after it and start right from the beginning and set a mentality for the day, or is going to be a long day,” said Tom Cable following the loss to the Dolphins.

Oakland could face a dreadful afternoon this weekend. The San Diego Chargers have averaged 127.2 rushing yards per game during their current four-game winning streak.

There is no denying that Norv Turner wants to establish a run game. And with the Raiders struggling at the line of scrimmage, Mike Tolbert could match the 26-carries he had versus the Colts.

Jacob Hester is a bruising fullback. Tolbert is a tough runner. Oakland knows what’s coming, but can they stop it?

Tolbert praised his blockers, especially Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick and Louis Vasquez, stating, “[the offensive line] want to go downhill and want to block and want to pound on the people in front of them.”

Philip Rivers tossed for 431-yards against the Raiders the first time around. He may not need as many yards this Sunday to beat them, and surely, Turner wants more balance if they expect to extend their 7-year winning streak at home versus Oakland.

PHIL SIMMS – OUT

CBS Sports analyst Phil Simms will not broadcast next to his cohort Jim Nantz this weekend. The network’s no. 1 team during NFL games will not feature Simms while he recovers from back surgery. Analyst Dan Fouts will replace him for the time being.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Jarvis Moss is the newest member of the Oakland Raiders. The Silver & Black inked the former 17^th overall choice after losing Trevor Scott for the season with an ACL injury.

The Broncos waived Moss a week ago and it appears that Al Davis had an eye on him for some time. Louis Murphy, a mate of Moss’ while in Florida kept the defensive talent updated on inquiries from the owner. “He told me the owner had asked about me several times,’’ Moss said. “It was all positive stuff so from my point of view that’s good to know I’m wanted. Now I want to give, knowing that I was actually wanted and they gave me an opportunity.”

Oakland is not risking much bringing him in. They’ll try to max out his talents here and hope they find a niche for him as the season winds down. If not, they’ll happily get Scott back next season, a player that has become a reliable defender regardless of where he’s played on the defense.

CB Chris Johnson was not in action on the practice field today. Chaz Schilens continues to be a no-show during sessions.

A positive sign was seeing TE Zach Miller and CB Nnamdi Asomugha participating in practice along with their newest acquisition.

For the Miami Dolphins, both quarterbacks Tyler Thigpen and Chad Henne have been chatting, as Brandon Marshall will not be available to them on Sunday.

“Yeah, with Brandon being out I think it is going to leave a lot of one-on-one match-ups that we are going to have to win,” said Thigpen.

Tony Sparano has not announced who his starter will be under center.

Jake Long wants to play and is talking like he’ll play. “I hate missing any type of game time,” Long said. “I’m going to do everything I can to play.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour was fined $25,000 for his open handed punch to the face of Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In his first season with the Silver & Black, Seymour was fined $7,500 for pulling the hair of Ryan Clady and $10,000 for a hit after a play was blown dead.

With Trevor Scott out for the season with an ACL injury, Oakland will have to find ways to mix it up at the linebacker and defensive end spots. Quentin Groves could see action at end and the rookie Travis Goethel may be propelled up the depth chart. It speaks volumes to how far Thomas Howard has fallen out of favor along the defense that he’s not being mentioned as an option at linebacker.

Howard was replaced by Scott along the weak side late last season and since, has been relegated to special teams duties and a handful of reps on defense as a reserve.

Yesterday, left tackle Jake Long and quarterback Chad Henne practiced for the Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, linebacker Karlos Dansby and center Joe Berger did not.

Head coach Tony Sparano stated, “Well I mean [Henne] took some work today. You guys saw him out there I’m not going to really get into any injuries right now I don’t need to do that until Wednesday so that’s when I’m going to do it but he did work today.”

The Dolphins have struggled to run the football this season. Neither Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams have surpassed the 100-yard  mark in a game and the offensive line has been slowed by injuries. Against the Chicago Bears, Miami only ran the ball seven times, facilitating this remark from ESPNs Mark Schlereth, “I could’ve put this game plan together with a box of Crayolas and a pizza box.”

Both the Raiders and Dolphins are sitting at 5-5 and since 1990, twenty clubs have been at .500 or worse after 10-games and have earned wild card berths.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders (5-5) will try to get back on track this week in preparation for their match-up against the Miami Dolphins. Most of the players admitted that their loss to the Steelers was a bump on the road, and not a derailment.

The majority of the locker room reasoned that that was not the real Raiders that got pushed around in Pittsburgh. And more importantly, that the lost re-focused them during a true litmus test to gauge their ranking in the AFC.

“That wasn’t us. We didn’t play the way we normally play,’’ said Rock Cartwright. “Take it in stride, put it behind us, and go forward with the next game because you can’t beat a dead horse. We’ll go and watch the tape, go forward and get ready for Miami this week.’’

When they start picking up the pieces and get back to work, Oakland will be without the services of Trevor Scott. The DE/LB sustained a torn ACL on his left knee yesterday and will likely be out the season. Scott has been one of the steadiest members of the defense dating back to late last season, whether at end or at outside linebacker.

The story that gained the most notoriety out of the contest on Sunday was Richard Seymour’s ejection. Oakland’s defensive lineman was booted at the 1:23 mark in the 2^nd quarter for swinging at and connecting with Ben Roethlisberger.

The open-handed attack will land Seymour a hefty fine, but could it cost the Raiders one game without their anchor?

Seymour was fined $7,500 last season for an incident against a Denver lineman and $10,000 for contacting a Cleveland Brown during a dead ball. Because of the NFL’s strict guidelines with protecting passers and the nature of the play, its foreseeable to expect him to miss at least one game due to his actions.

Teammate Quentin Groves stated, “You get suspended for anything right now, but I don’t know. I’m going to let commissioner Goodell and the powers that be decide that. If he’s there he’s there, if he’s not we have to still get ready to go out and play Miami.”

Mike Tomlin took the high road yesterday, saying, “I got big-time respect for Richard Seymour as a football player. That guy’s got an 11-year resume that’s pretty impressive as a professional. I’m not going to let that play cloud my opinion on Richard Seymour. I think he’s an awesome football player and a professional. It just got away from us, all parties involved today.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

PITTSBURGH, PA – Tom Cable talked to reporters after the Oakland Raiders 35-3 drubbing at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s some excerpts from his press briefing:

On players that did not finish the game:

“Chris Johnson strained a groin in the first half and Trevor Scott has a torn ACL in his left knee I believe.”

On the Pittsburgh Steelers and the flow of the game:

“They played very well and we didn’t. We didn’t seem to ever find any rhythm offensively. I though defensive we were playing hard and never really let it get out of hand.”

“Not a very good day for us. It wont be a game that defines us, we got to move forward from here and get ready to go next week versus Miami.”

“We’ve got to acknowledge the fact that we just got out tails whipped.”

On Jason Campbell being pulled:

“Just enough, they turned up the blitz a little bit more on him and I thought it started to get out of hand a little bit for him. He’ll be the starter next week, there’s no issue there. I just felt like a change was needed. As we all saw, it didn’t make a lot of difference.”

The bye week, and whether it affected their performance:

“I’ll like to think not. Obviously we were healthier coming into the game, really only missing [Nnamdi] Asomugha and [Darrius] Heyward-Bey, but getting [Louis] Murphy back, [John] Henderson, Zach Miller.”

“I felt that the intensity wasn’t where it needed to be today.”

On Trevor Scott injury:

“It looks to be an ACL injury, so if that’s the case, it will take some time.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Here’s a summary of the best and the worst for the Oakland Raiders (4-4) so far in the 2010 season:

MVP (Offense)

Darren McFadden, RB

Explosive, dynamic and a workhorse – Raider fans never thought they would hear those words describing McFadden. He has been an All-Pro performer with 688-yards rushing (5.5 yds/att) and 4 scores on the ground. He’s also added 20 receptions for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns. He missed two games due to injury and is still on pace for pro-bowl type marks.

Honorable Mention:

Zach Miller, TE

Continues to be Mr. Steady with 34-catches for 461-yards and 4 touchdowns.

MVP (Defense)

Richard Seymour, DT

The veteran provides loads of leadership on a defense with a lot of youth. He’s dominated during games and looks at home next to Tommy Kelly. His 4.5 sacks rank him second on the club.

Honorable Mention:

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

Plain and simple…the best cornerback in the NFL. If he misses any significant time after yesterday’s injury, Oakland will surely see how much they need him locking down wide receivers in their secondary.

LVP – Least Valuable Player (Offense)

Chaz Schilens, WR

Slow recoveries are part of his profile at the start of every season. Tom Cable said his progress is “just slow,” and at this point, there is no definitive timetable for his return.

Honorable Mention:

Mario Henderson, LT

Replaced in the starting line up by rookie Jared Veldheer. Henderson wont’ see any action this season unless someone gets injured in the trenches.

MVP (Special Teams)

John Fassel, Coach

In his third year as the unit coach, Fassel is doing his best job with a nice mix of veterans (Rock Cartwright & Sam Williams) and youngsters (Mike Mitchell & Stevie Brown). His game planning versus San Diego proved to be a integral part of that victory.

Earning their Paycheck in 2010…

Tommy Kelly, DT

The enigmatic tackle has been in on 30-tackles and has posted 3.5 sacks. He’s been far more active in the middle of the defense and more talkative after games in 2010.

Best Coach

Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator

In 2009, Oakland combined for 17 touchdowns. They have surpassed that mark already in 2010 and Jackson is a major reason for the production on offense. The play calling has been superb in recent weeks.

Best Rookie

Jared Veldheer, LT

He’s in the starting line-up, was flip-flopped in and out of the formation early on and has been part of a line that has amassed chunks yardage. Impressive for a rookie that was considered a project.

Honorable Mention:

Jacoby Ford, KR/WR

The diminutive speedster has been used on reverses and spot duty as a wide receiver. He has a tendency to initiate contact at the end of his rushes and has been fearless since being inserted as a returner. Ford has a lot of spunk and his fumble recovery versus the Chargers was a unsung play.

Underrated Player(s) of 2010

Matt Shaughnessy, DE & Marcel Reece, FB

Shaughnessy leads the team with 5-sacks and has been outstanding in run support. Reece has been a surprise at FB – mainly out of the backfield as a pass catcher.

Honorable Mention:

Trevor Scott, DE/LB

Wherever he plays, Oakland gets solid performances.

Overrated Player of 2010

Michael Huff, S

Was named AFC defensive player of the week midway through the first half of the campaign and leads the team with 42-solo tackles. Yet, he can be very inconsistent.

Mr. Spark Plug

Mike Mitchell, SS

He’s fiery, fierce and highly energetic. When Mitchell blitzes, he gets to his target. And when he gets there, he generally delivers big hits.

The Scoring Machine of 2010…

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

He leads the NFL in scoring (78), field goals made (19), third in extra points made (21) and is tops with 24 touchbacks.

Mr. Tough Guy

Louis Murphy, WR

Played through injuries until a chest contusion sidelined him this weekend.

Best Acquisition (trade or signing)

Kamerion Wimbley, LB

Has 5.0 sacks (tied for team lead), a vital cog to the defense who was brought in for a 3^rd round pick.

We should see more…

• Important games later in the season: Oakland has not had a .500 record this deep into the campaign since 2002 – the year they faced Tampa bay in the Super Bowl. With Kansas City next week and match-ups at Pittsburgh and versus Indianapolis, Oakland has a tough road ahead to stay in the playoff chase. Wouldn’t it be exciting if that last game of the season versus the Chiefs were for all the marbles?
• Rookies and youngsters playing vital roles: Lamarr Houston, Stevie Brown and Desmond Bryant all have key roles and have had their moments. Rolando McClain should continue to get better at middle linebacker.

Can he stay healthy…?

Bruce Gradkowski, QB

He’s the starter per Tom Cable, but he’s useless when injured as evidenced by his performance versus the Chargers. Fans like his toughness, but if he can’t slide or learn to avoid major hits, Gradkowski will never be a reliable starter.

We should see less of…

• QB revolving door: Gradkowski is an igniter, but Jason Campbell has done his job very well the last two weeks – two Raider wins. Someone has to finally take this job and lock it down.
• Blackouts: Fans have a reason to come back…

We miss you…

George Blanda and Jack Tatum

We don’t miss you…

JaMarcus Russell

Best Moments…

• Raiders blocking back-to-back punts vs. the Chargers and building an early lead against their rivals. Eventually, the crowd was treated to a last second defensive stand that featured a Tyvon Branch 64-yard fumble return for a score.
• All 59-points during Oakland’s annihilation of the Broncos.
• Oakland finally tallying a consecutive victory, totaling 567 rushing yards, 1,053 total yards, 92 points, forcing 4 turnovers while giving up none, holding Denver and Seattle to 3-of-27 3^rd down conversions and tallying 12 sacks the last two weeks.

Worst Moments…

• Sebastian Janikowski missing a 32-yard field goal in Arizona as time expired during the Raiders 24-23 loss versus the Cardinals.
• Failing to win back-to-back games at San Francisco, and losing to the winless 49ers, 17-9.
• Allowing 205-rushing yards to the Titans in the season opener.

Best Win…

Raiders 59 – Broncos 14: On the road, this performance was epic.

Worst Loss…

49ers 17 – Raiders 9: Pathetic effort against a team in worse shape.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Both the Oakland Raiders (2-4) and the Denver Broncos (2-4) are feeling like they are in the midst of what could be an interesting race in the AFC West. Even though both teams have shown some serious deficiencies and a inability to string win together, either squad can take a big step forward with a victory against their divisional foe. Oakland’s offense has been dormant in the red-zone. The Broncos can go pass crazy with Kyle Orton. With the possibility of a shoot-out, Oakland’s Tom Cable realizes that when given opportunities to put up touchdowns, his team must capitalize on it. “I think the plays are there,” Cable said. “I think it shows up on film that they were there, but we’re just not executing, whether it’s a throw or whether it’s a route.”

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Is it Jason Campbell, or Kyle Boller? Bruce Gradkowski is not healthy enough to be an option, so the Raiders must decide if a hindered Campbell should start in place of an eager Boller. Cable has stated that if Campbell were healthy enough, that he would start versus the Broncos. But after a miserable performance in San Francisco last week, the fan-base is already hankering to see a third passer under center in 2010.

“Jason is a little bit sore. You saw Kyle practicing. So we’ll just continue on that path and it may have to be a game tim decision,” Cable continued.

Darren McFadden appears ready to go. Cable noted: “There was a couple times when he did cut it loose and it was good. He felt good afterward. If we get out here tomorrow and no setback or anything like that, hopefully we’re through it.’’

Oakland will continue to rotate Jared Veldheer and Mario Henderson at left tackle, but all indicators are showing that the rookie will win out that role in a matter of time.

What to Expect:

The Raiders want to expose Denver’s 25^th ranked rush defense. With McFadden back and a healthy Michael Bush, it will be back to basics for the Silver & Black. On the road, it will be imperative for them to establish a run presence and provide as much support for whoever is under center.

On Defense:

Oakland has hinted that they would move Trevor Scott back to defensive end once Quentin Groves fully recovers from his hamstring injury. That move should be questioned, especially because it affects the Raiders in two ways.

Scott would go back to defensive end, a spot in which Matt Shaughnessy has shined at with increased reps, along with rookie Lamarr Houston. Plus, Scott has operated very well at weak side linebacker in run support.

The Raiders will a more balanced Josh McDaniels attack. Denver accounted for 149-rushing yards last week versus the Jets. So Oakland’s run defense will be tested once again and will be a key in how they perform on Sunday.

What to Expect:

“We’re focused on getting better in that area of the game and not abandon it certainly at all,’’ McDaniels said. “Our goal will always be to maintain balance.’’ Keeping Oakland unbalanced will be the objective, but the Raiders have struggled the last few weeks in pass defense. Kyle Orton loves the spread the ball around, and Nnamdi Asomugha knows that. “Now there is not a focus,’’ Asomugha said. “They have so many weapons that Kyle is throwing the ball to everybody. They spread it around much more than they did in the past.’’ The Raiders must keep Denver drives short. And if they can’t pressure Orton, Denver will have a field day.

DENVER BRONCOS

On Offense:

Orton has put up impressive numbers early in the season. His 69.2 completion percentage, 1,942 passing yards and 9 scores (only 3 INT), have the Broncos ranked 6^th in the NFL in total offense. But McDaniels wants continued production, using anyone and everyone on his roster – including rookie Tim Tebow.

“We’re going to continue to push that a little bit and see what happens with it,” McDaniels said about incorporating difference attacks. “Now, everybody’s kind of seen us do different things from it and we’ve got to try to find a way to be creative and see how far we can take it and continue to make it productive.”

Tebow carried the ball six times, once for a score, last week.

What to Expect:

The passing offense is ranked 3^rd in the league. Oakland has struggled with secondary breakdowns the last few weeks. So a pass heavy attack and spread formations where they can run out of is what should be at hand for the Broncos.

On Defense:

Kevin Vickerson (groin), Brian Dawkins (knee), Champ Bailey (ribs), Andre Goodman (thigh) and Robert Ayers (foot) are just some of the walking wounded for the Broncos.

Denver has tallied 7-sacks this season, the third fewest number in the league.

Defensive coordinator Don Martindale stated, “Ninety percent of the people don’t care about your problems and the other 10 percent are glad you’ve got them.”

What to Expect:

“I’m not scared to say it: I think we outplayed them,” linebacker Mario Haggan said of last week’s contest. “They just had one more punch than we did and obviously it was decided by a technical.” Denver is looking to get to 4-4 at their bye week with wins against the Raiders and 49ers. So the defense will try to attack and force miscues out of Campbell or Boller.

GAME NOTES

• The Raiders have lost 13 of 18 on the road, including four straight. Two of those wins during that stretch came at Denver, including a 20-19 victory on Dec. 20, as they rushed for 241-yards. In 2008, Oakland tallied a 31-10 victory with JaMarcus Russell at the helm.
• The Broncos are one of four AFC teams, and one of six NFL clubs that have not gotten a 100-yard performance out of a rusher this season.
• LB Thomas Howard (knee) has not practiced, SS Tyvon Branch (back) has been limited this week and DT John Henderson is weeks away from seeing action.
• Shane Lechler saw action at QB in practice this week.
• Oakland leads the series 56-41-2.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Can the Raiders pound it on the ground?

This could be the first game in which Hue Jackson can McFadden and Bush at his disposal. How he uses the versatile McFadden in this game could help boost an offense that needs a big performance on the road.

Who is ‘special?’

Denver is ranked 27^th in punt coverage. Oakland has capable return men that can alter field position and sway momentum.

McDaniels vs. John Marshall

Will Denver’s guru keep the Raiders off-balance, or will the Raiders attack and rattle Orton?

PREDICTION

Raiders 24 – Broncos 22

GAME INFO

Sunday, October 24, 2010 4:05 p.m. ET | Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (2-4) Home: 2-1  Road: 0-3

Home Team: Denver Broncos (2-4) Home: 1-2 Road: 1-2

BROADCAST INFORMATION (Cited from the official Raiders web site)

The game will be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle providing play-by-play and Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Fouts handling color analysis.  The game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game also airs on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. Greg Papa and Tom Flores will call the game live on Raiders Radio Network originating on KITS LIVE 105.3 FM and KFRC 1550 AM, with pre and post-game analysis on KFRC. Papa and Raiders two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Flores will man the booth for the 13th straight year. The radio pregame and postgame shows will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm as well as local veteran radio personalities Bruce Magowan and Jason Ross.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

QUARTERBACK: F

Jason Campbell had a dreadful afternoon for the Oakland Raiders. He opened the first quarter with some positive plays, releasing the football with a defender on him to Michael Bush on a 3^rd and 6 after evading initial pressure in the pocket, scrambling for 9-yards on a 3^rd and 8 and using his legs to extend plays on other downs. But between the 1:05 mark of the 1^st quarter till the final quarter, Campbell did not complete a pass. His other completions of note; a 2^nd and 8, 8-yard completion to Darrius Heyward-Bey with a lineman converging on him and another dump off to Bush for 6-yards on a 2^nd and 7. On Campbell’s first interception, he tried fitting the football into a small window to his tight end, but Manny Lawson had positioning on Zach Miller. He showed poor awareness at the start of the 4^th quarter when he was almost sacked for a safety. On 3^rd and 3 late, Campbell was on target to Jacoby Ford, but the ball bounced of the rookie and into the hands of Takeo Spikes. The final stats: 8-of-21 for 83-yards, 2 interceptions and a rating of 10.7.

RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS: C

Michael Bush filled in as a starter for the injured Darren McFadden once again. He ended with an average of 2.4 yards per carry. The 47-yards were a non-threat to the 49ers, which got to Bush in the backfield often and slowed him down at the line of scrimmage. Marcel Reece was a no-show in the passing attack. Oakland curiously went to the fullback on their opening drive on 3^rd and goal at the back of the end zone, but to no avail. Reece was flagged for holding early in the 3^rd quarter, stalling a Raider drive.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: F

Raider wide receivers have tallied only 10-receptions in their last three games. Going against a secondary that has allowed 227.6 passing yards per game, more should be expected out the under-developed targets. Heyward-Bey again dropped a pass and was overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage against physical cornerbacks and Louis Murphy’s lone contribution of note was drawing a pass interference flag on Shawntae Spencer on the game’s opening play (46-yard penalty) and gaining 43-yards on a reverse. Zach Miller did not record his first reception until midway in the 4^th quarter. The tight end converted on a 3^rd and 8 with a 22-yard catch and on the ensuing play, he demonstrated great concentration getting his hands on a deflection by Taylor Mays for 26-yards. Oakland’s targets needed to show up today. With Miller double covered, as the 49er coaching staff promised and McFadden out of the game, the aerial attack was all but dead and the receivers were ghosts once again.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F

The line was pushed around and failed to sustain any continuity in the ground game. Campbell used his legs far too often to avoid sacks and extend plays. Even when Campbell connected on tosses, he had a defender on him. San Francisco could’ve tallied more than two-sacks this afternoon if not for the mobility of the Oakland passer. Robert Gallery starter and played with no ill effects of the hamstring injury he sustained week-one. Parys Haralson beat Cooper Carlisle on a sack and Khalif Barnes was needed on several plays for added bulk.

DEFENSIVE LINE: D

The front four did a nice job of limiting the 49ers on the ground in the first half. San Francisco managed only 28-yards rushing at intermission, but the constant pounding and demoralizing second half effected their play, as Frank Gore ended with 149-rushing yards, 64 of them on the first play of the 49ers drive after Oakland chopped their lead to 10-9 with 8:21 remaining. A few plays later, Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis for a 17-yard score and a 17-9 advantage. Matt Shaughnessy was the unit’s best performer on Sunday, versus the run and as a pass rusher, tallying 4-tackles a one sack. Lamarr Houston was flagged for a hit on the helmet and Richard Seymour was infracted a couple of times for offsides. Tommy Kelly notched a sack and at times got some good push in the middle of the 49er front.

LINEBACKERS: D

Rolando McClain had one tackle of note late in the game for a loss, but at that point Gore had done most of his damage. In coverage, the rookie played his best on a 3^rd and 13 in which he locked in on Gore out of the backfield and almost recorded his first career interception. Kamerion Wimbley had three-solo tackles, but rarely did he get to Smith on blitzes. Trevor Scott was the best of the bunch for a second straight week. Scott is proving to be a better weak side linebacker than defensive end.

SECONDARY: D

Nnamdi Asomugha almost landed with an interception on a 3^rd and 3 when covering Michael Crabtree. He covered Davis in the red-zone and was the best Raider defender in a shaky secondary. Chris Johnson also had a few assignments on Davis; playing him best on a 3^rd and 7 knocking him out of bounds to end a drive. Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff had a tough day covering at the back-end. Hiram Eugene was in the defensive backfield and sprinting towards Davis on his 17-yard score that made the game 17-9.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C

Ted Ginn Jr. had 85-total yards of returns. Jacoby Ford had what could have been a momentum swinging 47-yard kick return after the 49ers went up 10-6 on Crabtree’s 32-yard score. But Stevie Brown was flagged for an illegal block in the back. Oakland punted 3-plays later. Shane Lechler showed off his powerful leg with 6-punts that averaged 53.5 per. Sebastian Janikowski was 3-for-3 with a long of 40-yards.

COACHING: D

Oakland had a few stints of being very aggressive with their play calling; opening the contest with a flea flicker and the reverse for big yardage with Murphy. Other times, they went into a cocoon and played too conservatively. Hue Jackson’s play calling left a lot to be desired in many spots, especially in the red-zone, where Oakland continues to struggle, highlighted by a play early in the game in which Marcel Reece was their main option out of the backfield in the end zone. On defense, John Marshall had his share of blitz packages, especially on running downs. But many times, they threatened with extra defenders but only rushed four against a passer that needed to be rattled. Oakland was flagged 8 times for 60-yards, lost to winless club and failed again to notch back-to-back victories. Miek Singletary’s team shot themselves in the foot just as many times and hung around enough to take advantage of a lackluster Raider performance on offense. At one point in the third quarter, the 49ers had more penalty yards (123) than Oakland had total offense (119). All of that falls on Tom Cable. After Gore’s huge run, Oakland’s balloon was deflated. A lowly offensive output (179-total yards of offense), 5-of-15 on 3^rd downs and two turnovers are all indicators of a team not ready to take that next step.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist