How to Put The Hurt on the Chargers

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Last week is last week. Nothing went right. Lets be real, our season lies in the balance of this next game. We have a bye coming up after this game and will
get some players back from injury. Its time to man up and leave it all on the field
or we will be looking at another lost season. 

It is important that our guys know this
we expect 60 minutes of heart. You give us this, most of us are good no matter what happens.

The Chargers are flying high coming off an impressive win on the Road against another Division Rival. We cannot afford to make mistakes. We cannot turn the ball over. We must keep it close early. Do this, and the game can open up.

Its time to lay down wood, take them to the woodshed or get took.
We need to go old school Raider Football on these guys and take it to them.

We expect for those 2-4 year young Raiders who have seen this team 4-8 times to take the lead, work hard and bring us to the promise land.

*****Updated Section*****

I watched the Chiefs vs. Chargers game of last week to see what success the Chargers were having.

In this game, the Chiefs did not run at all.  This is why Larry Johnson was so mad.
That was the first bad mistake.  To beat the Chargers, you have to get physical with them up front like we did in week #1.

Secondly, the Chargers game plan included a great deal of quick passes.
Both the Receivers and Tight Ends were just taking a few steps, and the pass was there.  They were lined up in the slot often.  The TE just kept the DB to the outside by positioning his big body on the inside and caught and ran for 6 or 7 yards.  This short passing attack opened up the long jump balls that Rivers was throwing to the tall (Vincent Jackson).  Rivers knows Jackson can out jump anyone. Finally they mixed in the run and Sproles was a 1st read on many short passes.

To defend this,
* it is critical that the Raiders shadow Sproles the entire game with Huff or Mitchell

* it is also very critical that our DB's and Linebackers bump on the bump and run.
if we do not get the bump in, it will spell big trouble.  If we do get the bump in,
the whole play is disruptive.

* foucs on frustrating Rivers like we did the 1st game.  He almost lost his head during the first game.  More importantly put some heavy hits on him.  On Monday, make sure he knows he was in a battle.

When on Offense,

* Every week we have been saying.  Run Run Run Run Run.  Do not put our QB in a bad spot.  There will be plenty of chances to throw later in the game.  We have to pound the ball, soften up the line and pull the DB's in.

* Do not give the Chargers D a break.  After a long successful run, do a hurry up offense play so they cannot substitute.  Run again.  Once the rhythm is established on the next hurry up, it will be time to take a shot deep.  The DLine will be tired and there should be time to throw.  Send a WR to the deep post and get him behind coverage.

* Pound with the ball with Bush early then bring in Russell and Fargas to pound then Dash.

* Go to Zach Miller until they can stop him.  Send him on circle routes just a few yards out to start.

* The two TE set worked very well against the Eagles.  Go with what works.
All the TE's have good hands.  Even send Myers in if you can for a 3 man rotation.

* I don't know if Michael Bush has dropped a pass this year.  Send him out a little further, he can catch.  Line him up on the line of scrimmage and try to get a LB to match up with him.

* As far as our Wide Receivers go, we all expect a better showing this week.  We expect to see aggressiveness and focus.  They can all catch, they just have to be more fearless, keep their focus and run good routes.

****End of Updated Section****

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