You have to give one thing to the Raiders.
They sure know how to surprise teams.
Going into the season, they have: Ronald Curry, Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and a couple unheard of players—Chaz Schillins and Todd Watkins.
Not exactly a WR depth you'll hear about on ESPN.
However, this is the same club that turned one QB into a WR. Yep, Curry's original assignment was as a QB for North Carolina's football program. Or the development of Todd Christensen, who actually passed through two other clubs before finding home with the Raiders.
What helps this team, more than anything, is its surprise weapons. Watkins has shown an ability to catch almost anything thrown. Schillins, to his credit, does well enough to warrant a roster spot. Higgins....well, if he turns the right way, it would probably surprise the opponent enough to give him a break towards the end zone.
Look at the game against Denver. No one is going to be surprised if we run an 80/20 program. 80 percent running and 20 percent passing. The short-passing game we come out with will probably make use of Zach Miller, a second-year tight end with skills.
If we mix in some good passing, and some extra plays, it'll force Denver to play honest. They won't risk packing the pocket and leaving Miller alone, looking around.
Now, for the third weapon. This comes as a surprise, as we first thought it would be Drew Carter. Unfortunately, he's now out for the year...so we grabbed Ashley Lelie. Yes, the same one that gained over 1,000 yards in 2004.
The advantage now is that we have three depths to throw at. Short to Miller, medium range to Curry and Walker, and then air it out for Lelie.
About the only thing I could ask is for Miller to play short-to-medium. However, since half his time is spent keeping the pocket from caving in...He's a trooper, keeping Russell safe.
And lastly, there are surprises to work with in the backfield. And no, it doesn't involve using McFadden as a QB.
But it could involve letting Russell call himself as a running back on plays.
Obviously, if teams are centering in on McFadden, he's going to have friends in a hurry. If four guys zero in on him, you gotta take advantage of that. On a running play, instead of a hand off, play him as a decoy, and have Russell hang onto the ball.
Or on a reverse, on the hand off, have Russell tuck it away and keep McFadden going. Russell, with his size, isn't easy to bring down...And with his speed, if allowed to run, he can break holes in a line.
Welcome to 2008, Raider fans.
It's going to be a fun year.
14 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michael Dammer 10 months ago
ahhh i cant wait only two more days of work til the weekend! Im drivin up to Sonoma on saturday to visit friends, chillin up there til monday morning, when which i will drive down to Frisco... park my car and hop on the bart to the coliseum... AHHH 5 DAYS 7 HOURS 15 MINUTES UNTIL KICK OFF!!! FUCK THE BRONCOS!!!!
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Michael Dammer 10 months ago
Im so sick of hearing greg pappa saying "TOUCHDOWN RAAIIIIDERSS" on my ringtone, i need to hear it during live action.
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J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
Nice article RCA, though I would like to see the ratio more like 70/30 to keep opposing defenses from packing in the box with 8 men. The tackles have to stop blitzers and defensive ends to give Russell a chance to unload the ball in a reasonable fashion. I question if they are up to the task.
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
Thanks JC.
Would be nice to open up the air game more, but until Russell is comfortable, and we know Walker and Co is good for the yardage, I'd rather leave the Offense on a run heavy format. If anything, it controls the clock, and keeps our defense off the field, two things that hurt us in the past.
One thing a lot of people forget, is that as bad as the 2006 year was, we had a strong defense. The problem was, our offense was so bad, our defenses would get tired out, and then the second half of games would be hideous.
Last year, it did help that we were in a lot of games, to the end. I hated watching some games in the past, where a touchdown when you're down by 35 points, in garbage time....painful.
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FL Raider Girl 10 months ago
Good article RCA! I agree with JC, but I think the Raiders are gonna let Russell warm up to his position, get some real season games behind him first. I think that about half way through the season, you will see him make more attempts, and completions.
But, we as Raider fans, need to have patience with Russell, and not bash him. He WILL throw interceptions and make some bad decisions in the beginning. Remember, this is really his rookie year.
I also like Chaz Schillens, I think he's gonna make some important plays this year.
And, everyone that is a Raiders fan, knows that when Al Davis gives somebody a chance to play, when not a lot of other people wanted to, like Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie, they perform.
My biggest concern this year is only one thing....Red zone. We have to score this year. I'm tired of 3 points, 3 points, 3 points. I want TD, TD, TD. That seems to be a problem, it's like we forgot how to score. But that will come with Russell and the other new guys.
Go Raiders!
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
Understandable. That game against the Cards showed a need for either better hands, or, have Russell calm down, look for the right target, and if all else fails, run for it.
I'm interested to see how it'll look, if we have 4-5 targets, instead of 2-3, we'll have better results.
Either that, or like the drives, give it over to Michael Bush.
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Pete Boyd 10 months ago
RCA, being on the other side of the Atlantic I appreciate the effort you guys put in to your articles on this site. Not having grown up with the game I can't make any real valid comment as to rights/ wrongs of the article content. All I can say is that I admire your optimism and commitment to the cause. What disappoints me is that you get an individual who is obviously anti 'Raider Nation' who comes on here just to bash anything and everything anybody has to say. He needs to get a life of his own and operate within the boundaries of decency. The internet is a medium for people to put their thoughts out there for anybody to read, digest and comment, however my mother always said that 'if you don't have anything good to say then don't say it'. I appreciate that freedom of speech allows such individuals to 'sound off' but considering the fragile nature of the 49ers (much the same as the Raiders at present) wouldn't his comments/ feedback be best directed in a positive way towards his own team instead of trawling Raider related articles in order to post derogatory comments? If it means anything then there are some souls in the UK (and probably other countries) who appreciate your commitment. Keep up the good work. Thanks for at least giving us something to read on a regular basis...
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FL Raider Girl 10 months ago
Pete,
Thanks for tuning in from the other side of the Atlantic. As for the bashers that we have here, it's typical. Every team has there own "troll". I gave in to this said person in the beginning and have now learned that I have much better things to do than to reply to his rhetoric. I just ignore his comments as if they aren't even there. That might be something everyone should do, just scroll right past and not comment.
It's made my experience on this website much more enjoyable.
I also post on the ESPN site and there are a few over there that do the same thing.
So, in closing, there are always going to be "haters". We true Raider fans know that our team is going to get better. The people who are trolling on this site, will eventually just move on to another team, like the 49ers, who aren't doing well.
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Pete Boyd 10 months ago
I guess it's 'Good Morning' Raider Girl (Afternoon here)
True words, the term 'Troll' is just so apt. I'll take your wise words on board as to how to 'scroll past the troll'... seems I need more coffee...
As we don't have continuous coverage over here the only way I can remain in touch with the game (and most importantly the Raiders) is by such articles as you guys post. It gives an insight into the ebb and flow of the Raider Nation and the team. Thanks for that.
So a new season approaches and the playing field is level for the moment. Even with my limited knowledge I'm optimistic.
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Pete Boyd 10 months ago
Sorry to disappoint you but I am who I say I am. I guess nobody here has anything to prove to you however I guess that you need some kind of proof to settle your realively unstable mind and give you a bit of security.
Now where do I start?
I reside in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire which is an old market town about 45 miles north of London immediately off the A1, a major road that runs from the middle of London, Apex Corner all the way up to Glasgow in Scotland. I have lived here most of my life with brief stints in Manchester, Middlesborough and Durham.
I play rugby union for our local team, age allowing.
Sorry to say that you seem to have been hung by your own petard. I believe you're the one who's busted.
Leave these people be and go and annoy your own fan base.
Incidentally I didn't so much as insult you as point out how poorly you behave. Grow up and do something positive for a change.
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
No proof on me, Mike. No IPs, nothing.
If anyone's got questionable posting, it would be one 49er troll, and a guy who's broken 2 rules on the terms of use board, besides hijacking threads.
Now go away.
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
You guys hear something? Sounds like a whiner....
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Pete Boyd 10 months ago
Last comment from me on this thread.
To the 49er 'Rat'iocination chap I feel just a bit sorry for you, your acidic paranoia is only outweighed by your stupidity.
I only hope that you are not a typical 49ers fan but are in fact unique (we can only hope). It would be asad reflection on their fanbase and the team.
Your cliche filled view of life in the UK is typical of ignorance as well, incidentally you use the A92 and A915 to get to St. Andrews, one of my previous bosses has a house there and I very much doubt they'd let a whinging 'whiner' such as yourself there. Unfortunately you'd be on the first plane back to whichever institution you escaped from.
I will not now be baited into answering any of your vitriolic posts in future. Sadly you are beneath my contempt and Raider Girl's observation to 'just scroll past' appears sound advice indeed.
Go Raiders!
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Jeff Little 10 months ago
Good Read, RCA! I agree with J.C. and FL Raider Girl, the team needs to have a 70/30 ratio to stop teams from stacking the box against the run. The Raiders were very vanilla during the pre-season and that will change now that the regular season is upon us.
Go Raiders!
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