In my analysis of both games last season against the San Diego Chargers, it would appear we are again headed for a disaster. In the first game last season, coach Lane Kiffin was still around, and the Raiders just gave the football game away. The second, a Thursday night contest coached by Tom Cable, was a disaster. It is safe to say opening night this September will be much of the same.
In an effort to help the Raiders, I thought I would offer some support in the use of my mind, just for purposes of karma. While I know they won’t use this information out of spite, they really should.
So here ya go coaches.
The San Diego Chargers' weakness is teams who run the ball against their 3-4 scheme out of a double TE set.
Two TEs, one on either side, with an Ace back, and two WRs on either side is a huge advantage against a 3-4 scheme. The Chargers only have one man at the point of attack (LOS—Line of Scrimmage), and if you line up a double tight, you have seven men against their three with some extra space to play with.
A balanced two TE set can always be used against a 3-4 defense in the run game. The defense is forced to show their hand and pick a strength against a balanced offensive set. Once you know where they set their strength, you can many times know the rules behind their intentions, based on film preparation.
When they start to cheat, you play action off of it—very similar to what the Colts do, although they have been varying it a bit the last couple years. This is a reason why the Colt/Charger matchups have been huge chess matches the last few years. Plays have often changed <audibles> many times up till the end of the play clock.
The Chargers want you to pass, and their defense is built to complement the high-scoring nature of their offense. They know they are going to score points, forcing you into situations where they can use their small and quick defense and its blitz capability. They do not want to play smash mouth football; they want it to be a shootout.
If Oakland is smart, they will turn this game into a slugfest. The Raiders have to keep the game close to have a prayer. Once San Diego gets a lead, they usually step on the gas and turn you out.
The next question then becomes...
What is the adjustment? What is the defense going to do when it works? These are questions we have to have the answers to, gentlemen. You have to have a plan and also adjustment when it does in fact work. Because when it works, the Chargers will then take it away—walking a man up on the TE on either side, opening themselves up to other ideas...
Assuming the game is close—assuming our defense has us in the ballgame—these formational techniques no doubt can be very effective.
A twin Double TE set with an Ace back is great. With Darren McFadden in the backfield, he can be motioned to the single weak TE side. It gives you a Five Wide Set with an ability to keep one or even two TEs in in case of a blitz-up to seven men, although almost all teams in the NFL play coverage against this formation.
Shifting in and out of these types of sets would be an effective plan of attack against the San Diego Chargers.
The Raiders just signed Lorenzo Neal and seem to be focusing on the fullbacks in their zone blocking scheme instead of using a second TE. Considering how many 3-4 teams the Raiders play this upcoming season, having a valuable second TE would definitely suit the situation. Too bad the Oakland coaches have no idea about the concepts presented here.
The Raiders do attempt to use motion to give them clues. This is also an idea past its time. Motion is a used idea and doesn't give away as much as you think it might. Shifting two, three, four, or even five men is much more useful if WE know what we're doing. The fact is, WE DO NOT!
If I was coaching JaMarcus Russell, he would know more in a weekend than the coaches he has can teach him in a season.
The NFL ideas are outdated, copied, and way past their time. Inside of the NFL ideas, the Oakland Raiders are way behind in almost every concept.
The Oakland Raiders will continue to fail until they move out of the stone age, as they seem content to rely solely on talent and pay no attention to scheme and objective play calling.
I'll be here all season.
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