Oakland Raiders: Growing Pains, Growing Up

For those of you who know what growing pains are or were like, this game tonight looked familiar.

Oakland, from the outset, looked for a groove. The passing game, to that effect, was a little painful to watch, like the pass that got away from Javon Walker, to the initial shot that JaMarcus Russell launched at Curry that was caught.

Kiffin wanted to see how well Russell could handle the first team package.

Not bad, considering going into halftime, they were up 10-7....and that's if you want to give Higgins a job.

Some things, in this game, we had to learn the lessons painfully. The same forementioned player, earned a co-goat of the game award, for trying to return a punt, getting swarmed, and then fumbling, leading to a TD for the Titans.

I was pleased again, with our defensive strength, on the first team, as we kept a normally mobile QB in Vince Young from ever getting comfortable. To that effect, he didn't look like he was safe for any stretch of the plays involved....so, not a lot to worry about here.

Now, our one glaring spot.....Special Teams.

Obviously, Higgins is playing Jeckyll and Hyde. He has a good upside, if he's smart....but if he does something stupid, it'll cost us a close game....do you want to risk the game on him making the smart play, or the foolish one?

Going into the 3rd Quarter, we got to see Andrew Walter continue to amaze. I'd go out on a limb, and say, if something happens to Russell.....I'm not worried, if Walter is in there. About the only thing Walter has to worry about, is what's being radioed in to his helmet....because of one late series.

As Walter had several nice passes, on one drive, the Raiders were at a first and goal at the 8 yard line. Then, they got backed up 5 yards. Now, common logic would have the Raiders go to the air, right?

No, they handed off to Bush, who got 3 yards. Two more throws, one going incomplete, had the Raiders settle for a field goal early in the 4th quarter, narrowing the Titans' lead to 1.

What was probably the final straw, came in the last 3 minutes of the game. Oakland had just gotten a beautiful run, 71 yards from Echemandu. Then, O'Neal, for some reason was trying to act like a running back. At the one, he fumbled it away, the Titans recovered, and set up the last drive.

Now, it shouldn't be a major surprise that they were able to get into field goal range. After all, the Raiders by now were in scrub city, guys who might be lucky to make the roster....right?

On one long play in the drive.....Hiram Eugene made a bone-headed play, allowing a Titan, C. Davis, to get 26 yards further down-field. So instead of the Titans looking at a 50+ yard Field Goal....a simple 33 yard kick won the game.

So, on the basic surmise....two errors, resulted in 10 points....and a 1 point loss.

How do you fix that?

Higgins, welcome to Wal Mart.

And O'Neal....you're a fullback. Don't try to carry the ball. Ever.