Silver and Black Report

Out of Tom Cable’s 11-wins as the head of the Oakland Raiders, the only time his club was able to put together back-to-back wins was at the end of the 2008 season.

His record after Raider victories: 1-9. Opponents have outscored the Silver & Black 215-78 in those contests.

Here’s a breakdown of Oakland’s struggles under Cable after victories:

2008

Oakland coming off a 16-13 home victory versus the New York Jets, laid an egg on the road at Baltimore.

Final Score: Ravens 29 – Raiders 10

In this game, Oakland allowed 192-yards rushing. The Ravens recorded a safety, sacked JaMarcus Russell four times and the Silver & Black only managed 47-rushing yards while going 2-13 on third downs. “The first half, we just got our tails whipped at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Cable said. “There’s really no other way to put it.”

“It’s just challenging them,” Cable said. “I’m going to say this again: We have a good football team that’s got to believe … in itself. That’s where it starts, and it starts with me.”

After the game, I spoke to Thomas Howard and mentioned the 242 yards allowed versus the Jets the prior week and the 192 on the ground that afternoon and he said, “I don’t think the Jets ran for that many yards against us last week. I mean they only scored, what, 10-points against us last week. If that. I don’t know how many they had tonight….”

After a 31-10 road victory in Denver, the Raiders came home and lost 20-13 to the Kansas City Chiefs

At that point the Chiefs had a worst record than the Raiders, notching their second victory of the campaign (2-10). Kansas City ran for 145-yards, snapped a seven-game losing streak, but left Oakland with their six straight win in front of the ‘Black Hole.’

Cable’s team botched a field goal that was returned 67-yards for a score and when they lined up for a 43-yard field on a 4^th and 10, they attempted to fake it by flipping the ball to Sebastian Janikowski and expecting him to scamper for a first down. “We haven’t had a problem handling it for almost two years now,” Cable said. “It’s been something we’ve worked for really two years. We’ve handled it well. It’s something we’ve come up with. We just didn’t execute it.”

The Chiefs had allowed a franchise worst 54-points the prior week versus Buffalo. Yet Oakland had their eyes set on a bigger, unrealistic prize at that point.

“It hurts just a little bit because we were thinking about the playoffs,” stated Nnamdi Asomugha. “Even though we were 3-8, we were still thinking that there was a chance that we could get to the playoffs. It hurts us because now it’s pretty much out of the way. So, we just got to keep playing and, hopefully, get some more wins before the season’s over.”

2009

The Raiders went on the road and beat the Chiefs 13-10 in week-two. The following weekend, Denver blasted them 23-3 in Oakland.

Oakland only managed 137-total yards with Russell under center and fans began to boo the former first overall pick consistently. “I know that the guys in my locker room are behind me,” Russell said. “When the fans get to that, it’s kind of where they seem like they’re fed up. But again, until you come out and play like I know we should and get back on track it will be a different story.”

Oakland shocked the Philadelphia Eagles 13-9 in week-six, but again failed to get a back-to-back win due to a dismantling at the hands of the Jets, 38-0.

Mark Sanchez came into the contest struggling, New York had lost three in a row, Kris Jenkins was lost for the season a week prior, the defense was ranked last in sacks and torched the last four weeks during Rex Ryan’s most tumultuous stint of the season.

The Jets ran for 316-yards and forced four turnovers. “I don’t think we could have beaten an Oakland high school team today,” Richard Seymour said.

Oakland takes it to the Bengals 20-17 in week-11, but gets embarrassed the following game on national television.

Final Score: Cowboys 24 – Raiders 7

The Raiders went into the contest excited after a huge home win. But Dallas torched them for nearly 500-yards of total offense on Thanksgiving Day. Oh, the starter that day – Bruce Gradkowski.

Oakland stuns the Steelers 27-24, but follow it up with a stinker against the Redskins.

Washington was coming off a tough home defeat, but Jason Campbell led a 17-point 4^th quarter, helping his team tally only their fourth win of the campaign.

“I feel for the guys here, because we don’t come into the week saying, ‘Well, we got our one, so who cares about this next one,” stated Asomugha. “Guys are really actually going out there saying, ‘Let’s get two. Let’s get three.’ And then for some reason it has always happened this way. You can’t put your finger on it. But this is one we thought we gonna be able to get. Guys came in confident. That second-in-a-row thing got us again.”

Denver falls to Silver & Black 20-19 at home. Oakland then goes back to the ‘Black Hole’ and gets manhandled by the Cleveland Browns.

Final Score: Browns 23 – Raiders 9

Charlie Frye amasses 333-passing yards for Oakland, but the 5-win Raiders fall to a 3-win team. Cleveland ran for 164-yards and Cable’s bunch tallied 13-penalties and had two players ejected.

2010

After getting by the Rams 16-14 at home, Oakland falls to the Cardinals on the road in week-three.

Final Score: Cardinals 24 – Raiders 23

“We had a lot of opportunities, but that one goal-line stand is right now killing me,” Gradkowski said.

Janikowski had a shot at the end of the contest to get the Raiders a victory, but failed with a missed 32-yarder as time expired.

Which one of these two coaches will be under fire after Sunday's game?

NOW THIS WEEKEND: Oakland faces the winless San Francisco 49ers (0-5). Mike Singletary’s club is coming off heartbreaking contested defeats. Their owner Jed York proclaimed, “We’re going to win the division,” in a text message to ESPN.  Alex Smith is under the gun, with the home crowd chanting for back-up David Carr. Oakland snapped a long losing streak against the Chargers. They pulled off stunning victory on Sunday and don’t even have to travel far for this road game. They’ll be a large contingent of Raider fans in San Francisco. If Oakland wants to get to .500, make some noise in a weak AFC West, validate Cable’s proclamation that this is a good team and turn the corner on what has been a historic double digit losing record year-after-year, they have to win against a club with far more and bigger issues.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Quarterback Jason Campbell delves into what it takes to be a leader and also how to adjust and manage the multiple personalities on the offense…

Former Washington Redskin running back Rock Cartwright talks about the relationship between he and quarterbacks Jason Campbell and Colt Brennan, how he sees his chances of making anew start here in Oakland, and among other topics, how he got the name “Rock”…

SBReport.net presents more images of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. As an added bonus, we’ll give you a few images captured at road games, with the lenses on the cheerleaders for the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

SBReport.net presents more images of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. As an added bonus, we’ll give you a few images captured at road games, with the lenses on the cheerleaders for the  Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Washington Redskins.

Follow me on Twitter — click here.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

SBReport.net presents more images of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. As an added bonus, we’ll give you a few images captured at road games, with the lenses on the cheerleaders for the  Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.

Follow me on Twitter — click here.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

It appears that the Oakland Raiders have plucked away another member of the Washington Redskins. According to Chick Hernandez of CSN Washington, Rock Cartwright will join the Silver & Black.

News of this report also was posted on Pro Football Talk’s web site.

Cartwright played eight seasons in Washington after being drafted in the 7^th round of the 2002 draft. He was released in early March.

The rusher has carried the ball 215 times for 889 yards with 6 touchdowns in his career. He’s an asset as a target out of the backfield with his 59-career catches for 55 yards and 2 scores. Cartwright’s versatility can help the Raiders, as he holds the Redskins’ single season kickoff return yards mark, with 64 attempts and 1,541 yards.

Oakland in 2009 struggled mightily finding a productive kickoff returner and have targeted the fullback spot as an area of need – a position that the 30-year old may be able to compete at.

SBReport.net sources have stated that the contract may be for one-season.

(Photo used courtesy of the NFL.com)

NEW YORK – The Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins are in serious talks regarding Jason Campbell.

SBReport.net has learned that both teams are discussing trade possibilities, as the Raiders would like to add more talent to their quarterback depth chart. The Silver & Black were targeting Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka in the 5^th round, but the Philadelphia Eagles snatched him up in round four.

Oakland has been implied in the Donovan McNabb sweepstakes and were immediately attached to Ben Roethlisberger rumors a week ago.

The deal’s details are being hammered out by both parties.

More news as we hear it…

#10 – The greatest WR does it again – Super Bowl XXXVII

In a contest with very little entertainment value for Raider fans, receiver Jerry Rice continued his excellence in the big game albeit in a losing effort. His 48-yard touchdown reception gave the Raiders a glimmer of hope against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, cutting their deficit to 34-21. It mainly added to his legacy, as he became the first player to haul in a touchdown pass in 4 different Super Bowls. His final tally career wise in Super Bowls – 33 catches for 589 yards and 8 scores.

#9 – Kenny King’s 80-yard Touchdown – Super Bowl XV

It was a simple dump off just away from the arms of the defender Herm Edwards. But King hauled it in and bolted for a record 80-yard score. The mark stood till 1997, but the damage it inflicted was long standing as it gave Oakland a 14-0 lead in an eventual 27-10 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

#8 – ‘The Assassin’ left his mark – Super Bowl XI

It was a convincing victory versus the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. But a lot of the Raider lore and history for being tough renegades, who just dominated and placed feared into opponents was acquired by one of the most devastating hits in football history – which happened in the game’s grandest stage. Jack Tatum knocked the helmet of Vikings’ receiver Sammy White. He stood over him admiring his work in a menacing fashion…

That was the ‘Assassin’ at work.

#7 – Rod Martin’s INT parade – Super Bowl XV

Jim Plunkett won the MVP in Super Bowl XV, but it was Rod Martin’s performance that will be remembered with his Super Bowl record three-interceptions. He tallied two championship rings with the Raiders, playing a vital role with key stops as well in the Silver & Black’s win versus the Redskins in 1984.

#6 – Davis celebrates his 3^rd Title – Super Bowl XVIII

After the Raiders whipped on the Redskins, owner Al Davis boasted about the victory and proclaimed, “Not only, in my opinion, are you the greatest Raider team of all time, I think you rank with the great teams of all times to have ever played any professional sport.”

#5 – Images of Madden – Super Bowl XI

John Madden led the Silver & Black to their first title. And in that game, video captured of him being animated on the sidelines, jumping (err, I think…) for joy and being carried away by his teammates will always be cherished by Oakland’s fan-base.

#4 – Rozelle and Davis – Super Bowl XV

The Pete Rozelle and Al Davis feud was epic. The Raider owner once stated that the legendary commissioner was a man ‘who will destroy the whole league if we’re not careful,’ while also calling him a ‘phony and a fraud.’ After the Silver & Black dismantled the Eagles, Rozelle awarded the Vince Lombardi trophy to Davis, head coach Tom Flores and congratulated the Raiders for being the first wild-card team in league history to win the Super Bowl. Quite an awkward moment and one that Davis cherished immensely at the time while stating it was ‘the finest hour in the history of the Oakland Raiders.’

#3 – Jack Squirek’s INT for a score – Super Bowl XVIII

It was the perfect storm for the Silver & Black. Ray Guy had pinned the Redskins at their 12-yard line. Joe Theismann was about to run an identical screen pass that torched the Raiders a few months earlier, but Squirek sniffed it out and turned a close game into a laugher with his interception return for a touchdown right before halftime, giving Los Angeles a 21-3 lead. Marcus Allen’s run was breathtaking, but Squirek’s play was pivotal in altering the momentum in the contest.

#2 – “Old man Willie…,” – Super Bowl XI

Willie Brown’s 75-yard interception return for a touchdown is one of the most iconic images captured in Super Bowl history. His intensity jetting down the sideline towards the end zone giving the Raiders a 32-7 lead capped what was a wonderful day for the Silver & Black as they captured their first Super Bowl victory.

#1 – Marcus Allen’s 74-yard run for a TD vs. the Redskins – Super Bowl XVIII

The Hall of Fame rusher danced around the Washington defense putting the last nail in the coffin with his stellar 74-yard scamper. Allen skipped behind the line of scrimmage before turning around and finding a crease as he cut back and ran to paydirt. At that point Los Angeles led 35-9. Allen won the MVP with his 20-carries for 191 yards and 2 scores.

QUARTERBACK:

Bruce Gradkowski – A

The Oakland offense looked lively again with Gradkowski under center. The underdog passer displayed his elusiveness and ability to spark the play of others with his 10-of-18 for 153 yards and 3 rushes for 16-yards. But he couldn’t finish the game, leaving at halftime with a torn meniscus ligament in his left knee and a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. “See what the MRI says tomorrow but who knows?” Gradkowski said after the game. “I don’t count myself out. You never need surgery with MCLs. I’ll do whatever I can to get healthy fast, if I can.” Some highlights included a 3^rd and 10 hook up for 15-yards to Chaz Schilens – the key play on a drive they took a 10-7 lead – a 10-yard scramble on 3^rd and 10 before the half and a 6-yard pass to Justin Fargas, improvising and getting the football to his running back as he was being tackled.

JaMarcus Russell – F

The life was drained out of the offense once he came into the game. Oakland’s play calling was effected by his insertion, they were not able to move the yard sticks and the immobile passer was sitting duck for salivating Washington defenders. Russell was sacked six times partly due to the offensive line’s ineffectiveness, but also because of his lack of pocket awareness and lumbering movements. Unlike Gradkowski, Russell could not extend plays, make something happen with his legs or formulate quick decisions. Oakland regressed to their old selves with shorter routes to Zach Miller. On his interception, Russell delivered the ball late to an open target and LaRon Landry was able to break on the ball.

RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACKS: D

Darren McFadden had a great start to the game.  He had a 43-yard reception to open Oakland’s third drive and an acrobatic 26-yard reception on a slant and go, hauling in the pass as he fell to the turf. But McFadden had only one other catch the rest of the way for 15-yards and was pedestrian with his 8 carries for 21-yards on a sloppy field. Justin Fargas had 9 carries for 21 yards and the team’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run on 4^th and goal in the second quarter.  Gary Russell had 2 carries for -2 yards, but fared better as a receiver with 22-yards on 2 grabs. Both times Russell ran the ball, he was the lone set-back after Oakland motioned McFadden as a flanker.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: D

Zach Miller again became Russell’s security blanket on short routes and at the end; he tallied 7 receptions for 46 yards.  Miller had a 21-yard reception negated by an Schilens pass interference penalty. On 1^st and 10 at the OAK 37, Gradkowski delivered a strike to Miller after he avoided the rush moving toward the line of scrimmage, but the tight end dropped the pass near the Redskins 30-yard line.  Johnnie Lee Higgins ended with 3 catches for 35 yards; his best receptions being a 16-yard out pattern on 1^st and 10 on the last drive before halftime and a 3^rd and 3 conversion on a 10-yard slant in which he took a major hit from cornerback Carlos Rogers. Chaz Schilens had 2 receptions for 20-yards and Louis Murphy finished with 1 grab for 8 yards. Murphy gave great effort on a 28-yard sinking Gradkowski toss that appeared to be a reception, but was overturned by a booth review.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F

Robert Gallery was missed. The line got no push at the line of scrimmage and was often manhandled which led to the putrid 65-yard effort on the ground. Washington compiled 8-sacks – yes many during Russell’s stint, when he was not able to feel the pressure and react accordingly – four by rookie Brian Orakpo and two by Andre Carter who now has 10-sacks in his last nine contests.  Cooper Carlisle got infracted for a false start in the 3^rd quarter on a 2^nd and 16 and a few plays later, Russell had to face an insurmountable 3^rd and 35 because Cornell Green was flagged for being illegally down the field as Oakland tried to set up a screen.  Green was penalized again in the 4^th quarter on a 3^rd and 5 for holding.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C

Tommy Kelly was physical at times, stuffing Quinton Ganther (14 car. 50 yards 2 TD) on short yardage situations. Gerard Warren hurt Jason Campbell (16-of-28 for 222 yards and 2 TD 0 INT) on a 3^rd and 6 when he tossed him to the turf and forced an incompletion to end a drive. Greg Ellis also got pressure along with Richard Seymour, but they both got penalized for offsides. Matt Shaughnessy recorded his third sack of the season and had a tackle for a loss. The Redskins rushed for 100 yards today, 61 of those coming in the second half.

LINEBACKERS: C-

Trevor Scott continued his solid play with a sack on the second play for the Redskins and keying run stuffs early in the contest. Kirk Morrison was out of position many times, trailing his assignment when in coverage; which helped tight end Fred Davis amass 50-yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.

SECONDARY: C-

Mike Mitchell recording his first NFL sack

Nnamdi Asomugha had a right forearm injury, but finished the game. Stanford Routt played in his place and was quickly greeted by Santana Moss. Campbell hooked up with his speedy receiver on a nice pitch-and-catch for 28-yards against Routt.  The 15-yard pass interference penalty against Routt that aided the drive in which the Redskins went up 24-13 was a bad call by the ref. Chris Johnson almost made a stellar interception in the 4^th quarter while trying to adjust to the flight of the ball against Moss. Tyvon Branch blew some coverages against Davis and was a victim in space, but again aided solid effort versus the run with his tackling. Mike Mitchell recorded his first NFL sack on a blitz on 3^rd and 10 that resulted in a 13-yard loss. Michael Huff left in the second quarter with a stinger.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Shane Lechler punted six times at a 49.5 average (68 long). Sebastian Janikowski nailed a 33-yarder to give Oakland a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and a 54-yarder in the 3^rd quarter to cut the Redskins lead to 17-13. His only miss was a 66-yard effort at the end of the first half. Higgins looked more elusive than what he has all season. The Redskins tackled well on punts, as a few times, it looked like Higgins could break a few returns for substantial gains. He ended with 47 yards on 4 punt returns. Russell sparked a Raider drive with a 41-yard kickoff return. The great field position by the Raiders was aided when Fred Davis was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after a touchdown, which had the Redskins kick off on their own 15-yard line.  Eight plays later, the Raiders took the lead 10-7. Hiram Eugene had a better game on special teams than he did in the defensive backfield.

COACHING: D

Again, the Raiders failed to take advantage of a struggling opponent at home and notch a back-to-back victory. This troubling trend continued once Russell came into the game. The energy was sucked out of the offense and it appeared that the team lost any confidence it had when Gradkowski limped off the field. The play calling was simplified, the offense went back to their lackluster ways and the Redskins teed off on a passer that cannot handle a NFL playbook that is a stiff in the pocket and cannot inspire or elevate the play of others. Russell hamstrung Tom Cable’s offense and his play calling. But there is no excuses for a complete shut-down in the 2^nd half against a team that struggled recently in holding 4^th quarter leads and that entered this final quarter today with a lead for the 4^th straight contest. Oakland managed 39-yards of total net offense in the 2^nd half. At least the defense was on attack, keeping Campbell moving in the pocket and making life difficult for their targets. The Raiders had a couple of breakdowns on defense, especially when they brought the heat and had the linebackers and secondary in man-to-man, leaving Washington’s passer to scramble for some key yards. But for the most part, the effort was there and John Marshall called an aggressive game showing many fronts in trying to confuse Jim Zorn’s attack. John Fassel was flagged for a 15-yard penalty when he ran onto the field to argue with a judge.

GAME NOTES

• Russell ended 10-of-16 for 74-yards and 1 interception. He is public enemy number one in Oakland right now and he failed to live up to the comment he made just recently when he was asked what type of player he was going to be when he saw the field again; “A totally different JaMarcus – people are going to have their opinion, and I really don’t pay too much attention to that.” Today, the same JaMarcus was on exhibit.
• Tony Stewart recovered a muffed punt fumble by Antwaan Randle El in the 4^th quarter.
• Inactive players for the game included: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Khalif Barnes, Javon Walker, Nick Miller, William Joseph and Roy Scheuning. Scheuning was promoted to the 53-man roster when Robert Gallery was placed on the injured list.
• The Raiders had more penalty yards (108) than rushing yards (65).