Bleacher Report - Articles by alex chavez

What Is the 2008 Oakland Raiders' Achilles Heel?

alex chavez — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:31:30 -0400

The pink elephant in the room is richer than all of the other elephants in his jungle. He moves about on a repaired knee and with sore shoulders. Upon these shoulders, much of the responsibility has been placed for the success of the Raiders' 2008 season.

Stop the run. Penetrate. Don't wear down. Stop the run! Can he deliver on these expectations? If we're supposed to learn from history, then the answer is a discouraging "no".

In the early 2000s, when Oakland was dominating the AFC West, the team trotted out monsters like Darrell Russell, Grady Jackson, John Parrella, and Sam Adams. Thou shalt not run on us—and teams did not.

The run defense was consistently in the top 12, and Oakland enjoyed playing meaningful games in December and January.

This year's ferocious collection? Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, and Gerrard Warren. The problem? We had this exact same trio to begin last season. They were absolutely shredded week after dreadful week.

Along with defensive ends Derrick Burgess and Jay Richardson, Oakland returns the exact same defensive line. Somewhere, there's a shred of hope, right? I tried to find an excuse.

"Well, Tommy Kelly was hurt last year!" Unfortunately, I looked at the numbers that the opposing rushing offenses hung on us during the first seven games of the 2007 season (Kelly was injured during Week Seven).

So what did Kelly help the Raiders achieve during that timespan? Here is how each opposing offense fared in their rushing attack Weeks one through Seven:

vs Detroit 5.1 avg. 108 yards

at Broncos 4.8 181

vs Browns 4.6 88

at Dolphins 7.1 141

at Chargers 6.4 206

vs Chiefs 3.9 126

at Titans 5.3 192

Yikes!

The Raiders defense allowed a cover-your-eyes-awful 5.3 yards per carry. At the end of the season, Oakland 's defense had the worst yards-allowed-per-carry average, at 4.8 yards. So...doing the simple math... the team was even MORE horrendous with Kelly in there.

And, as we all know, neither the defensive personnel nor the scheme have changed between then and now. Time to try and find another excuse.

Well, could Terdell Sands have a better season this year? Unlikely, as he's already had his knee drained this preseason and missed practice time due to this. When he did practice, the results weren't that impressive. This week, Kiffin prodded Sands: "Push yourself Sands, push yourself!"

Guys who know they're an integral part to the team's success should not need to be motivated by coaches. If Sands was ready to become the force we need him to be, he would be eating Jake Grove and Robert Gallery for lunch every practice. No such luck.

This Friday's game versus the run-oriented Titans team should be a good measuring stick for the Silver and Black's run defense. Chris Johnson's speed, LenDale White's power, and Vince Young's elusiveness are enough to give any defense fits. The Titans are coming off a ridiculous 340-rushing-yards performance against Chris Long and the St. Louis Rams.

If our guys don't kick down the door and make a statement, our best hope for 2008 will be that our offense exceeds expectations, takes early leads in games, and makes opponents play catch up through their passing attack.

For all we know, drafting Darren McFadden may have been our best move at shoring up the porous run defense. One way or another, Friday night lights in Tennessee will shine the truth.

So, what are your thoughts, Nation? What is our hope for the 2008 Raider run defense? Will it be our downfall? Looking ahead, is the defensive tackle position priority No. 1 as we prepare for a very possible 2009 playoff season?

What To Watch For In Tonight's Raiders vs 49ers Game

alex chavez — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:35:42 -0400

Remember Art Shell's catastrophic coaching comeback with Oakland?

If you don't, congratulations on your ability to detach painful memories from your conscious.

However, if you do recollect this unfortunate year, you'll remember that the Raiders began their preseason with a "We're Back!" 4-0 record.

So while preseason records are completely meaningless, there are a few smaller-scale items we can focus on to help foresee upcoming pain or glory.

Here are my top seven targets Raider fans can focus on and study during this Friday night's otherwise meaningless scrimmage.

1) Drew Carter

While Al Davis points to Javon Walker as the most important piece to the team this season, it is Drew Carter that will need to make teams pay for focusing on Walker or Darren McFadden.

At 6'3", 200 pounds, impressive straight-line speed, and average to above-average hands, Carter is the team's best deep threat. As Russell continues to develop his play-action fakes, Carter will find himself running fly routes one-on-one, as safeties focus on the Raiders' running attack.

How well Carter makes opposing defenses pay for that will be a large factor in Oakland's scoring success in 2008. Take this game to see if Carter bursts off the line well enough to make defenders give him a large cushion. This will open up lots of quick slants and quick-snap passes.

Also check how well Carter gets off bump-and-run coverage if the opposing corner presses him. Success in either of these two areas could be a sign of good things to come for the Silver and Black's vertical attack.

2) Michael Bush

Bush will get a large number of reps while Oakland limits the injury-risk on McFadden and Justin Fargas. Many of the early reports from camp stated that Bush was hesitant when hitting the hole (I'm not touching that one).

If we continue to see this during Friday night's game, we can place Bush next to Mario Henderson in the "third-round overhyped busts" receptacle.

However, if he continues his late-camp surge and pounds the rock hard between the tackles, we may have finally found our Zack Crockett Elite—one with better hands, speed, and elusiveness.

3) Defensive Tackle Play

Oakland has not tasted meaningful December football games since John Parrella, Sam Adams, Darrell Russell, and Grady Jackson were plugging the middle of the field. The single-biggest factor for this Raider season will be whether Terdell Sands, Tommy Kelly, and Gerrard Warren can keep the Raiders' run defense in the top 20 of the NFL.

If they can, the team has a great chance to go 9-7 and taste a playoff run.
Watch the first three defensive series and see if those names are getting a push up the middle.

If they are, we will see lots of free roaming and tackling by Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Ricky Brown, and Gibril Wilson. If the big boys don't get much push, it may be an indicator of another long, frustrating season.

4) Offensive Tackles

The middle of the Raider defense is average, which is good enough with the talent at QB and RB. Robert Gallery, Jake Grove, and Cooper Carlisle are going to open up running lanes and give JaMarcus Russell enough time to throw.

We know the question marks are out at the edge with Kwame Harris, Cornell Green, and Seth Wand, so observe if these guys are playing with power and confidence. If they are, Zach Miller will be free to become Russell's No. 1 target all over the field.

5) Todd Watkins and Johnnie Lee Higgins

Face it, there's at least a 25 percent chance that Javon Walker, Drew Carter, and Ron Curry are either injured or ineffective during a good portion of the season. That would mean that Watkins and Higgins have a reasonable shot at playing meaningful football for us this season.

Watkins has been the talk of camp, as he has combined athleticism with production at an eye-opening level. While we've had our share of preseason wide-receiver hype (Carlos Francis and Jonnie Morant), Watkins showed up to camp with little fanfare and has actually produced against a very talented secondary.

He combines 6'3" size with 4.3-forty speed. Of course, he's shown questionable hands throughout his career. This is why he dropped to the seventh round of the draft and why Arizona and Atlanta have both let him walk.

While he's a notch above the Francises and Morants, he will need to get to at least a Doug Gabriel-level of production to team up with Higgins and Drew Carter, and give the Raiders a solid core of young receivers.

Watkins needs a near-perfect preseason to make this team, and Friday night is his first chance to showcase himself vs. a defense-oriented head coach.

Higgins is in a different, yet more important position. He demonstrated great hands in his limited opportunities last season. Quick routes and separation from defenders was another staple of Higgins last year.

His next goal is taking the step from potential to known commodity. Higgins can have an impact this year. While he won't see many passes thrown his way, due to a run-heavy offense that also throws the ball to its backs and tight end, opposing defenses will be focusing on McFadden and Walker, giving Higgins plenty of opportunities to make a difference.

This Friday night is a chance for us to see if Higgins has prepared himself to be our version of Brandon Stokley.

6) DeAngelo Hall

Facing a Mike Martz offense, Hall will see plenty of action, even in limited time. Scouting reports from both NFL personnel and fans alike are all over the map with this guy. Is he at least one of the top 10 corners in the AFC? That's all he has to be to be worth the second rounder we traded for him.

Observe Hall and notice if he's playing soft with plenty of cushion between himself and his receiver. Hall's been beaten a handful of times on deep throws during Oakland's training camps. If he has lost some confidence, it will show up in the way he's covering receivers.

Of course, if he simply continues to give up deep balls, despite playing tight coverage, we have another possible headache rupturing before us.

7) Jay Richardson

Has his sudden increase in pass-rushing ability come about due to Oakland's lack of talent at the left tackle position? Or is Richardson making the jump that many defenders make between their first and second full seasons?

If he can develop into an adequate pass-rusher, he will become one of the team's better-rounded defenders and allow Oakland to cut a backup DE and take a chance on a DT or WR that a team cuts in the coming weeks.

I won't place a lot of focus on studying Michael Huff at free safety, yet. This is his first NFL season at the position, and preseason games three and four will be much better indicators as to whether or not he's ready to be a difference maker.

There also won't be much time to check out Russell or McFadden, who will likely receive two series of offense before calling it a day.

Justin Fargas: How Good Is He?

alex chavez — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:58:24 -0400

How good is Justin Fargas?

Things we can agree on: Fargas is fast. He came out of nowhere last year to have a productive season, rushing for 1009 yards on 222 carries while starting seven games. Fargas runs hard, doesn't avoid contact, keeps to himself, and seems like a great teammate. He waited patiently until he received his chance, then made the most of it.

We can also agree that dating back to college, Fargas has rarely gone an entire season without missing games due to injury. That said, if Fargas stays healthy next year, he can have another productive season in Oakland's one-cut running scheme.

What we may not agree on: Fargas is an average running back. We can break this down two ways—through stats, or through observation. Let's begin with the numbers. Fargas started each game between weeks ten and 15. He had zero rushes over 30 yards. These were his yards-per-rush averages: 3.5, 2.7, 6.3, 4.4, 3.8, and 3.4. We lost four of those games, with three of them (vs Bears, at Vikings, vs Colts) being non-blowouts.

During that stretch, Fargas had a 4+ yards-per-carry average only against the Broncos and the Chiefs. Denver ranked 30th against the run last season, the Chiefs 28th. Fargas also had that monster game early in the season against the Dolphins, who ranked 32nd (dead last) against the run. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry as a starter, and 3.9 during December. His longest reception was for 17 yards.

So the numbers say that Fargas got fat stats against some very bad run defenses. Now that's not his fault, he did what he should have done against them. But other than decent games against the Titans and Texans, Fargas didn't accomplish much that would be described as overly impressive. We know the system takes average backs and helps them produce above-average numbers, so consider that when addressing Fargas' stats last season.

For example, Lamont Jordan would have finished the season with about 1,200 yards had he started every game. Would we be pining for his return, or would we say "yeah, that was nice, but in this system, we can get a 1,500 yard rusher."

Even Dominic Rhodes was impressive in his late-season 100-yard games against two very tough defenses—Jacksonville's and San Diego's. Yet I doubt most of us would be satisfied with him as a starter. So while Fargas' cumulative numbers look solid, his consistency, game-changing long plays, and pass-catching numbers were sorely lacking and allows us to at least contemplate exploring a better alternative.

What did our eyes tell us? Well, we saw Fargas running hard and making good cuts, getting to the outside often, and running well against some soft defenses.

Unfortunately, we also saw very little ability to make defenders miss, or ability to generate yards after contact. We saw Fargas' upright running style, lack of vision, and lack of wiggle expose himself to numerous highlight-level de-cleater hits. We saw a guy with average to below-average hands who only once had more than three catches in a game. We saw some 15 and 20-yard rushes, but only one run longer than 30 yards all season.

Do we count on Fargas to churn out more 100-yard games next season against the Patriots, Ravens, Jets, Bills, Panthers, Bills, and Bucs? This would remind me of the way we just assumed that our defense would be great last year due to our returning all starters from a "top-eight" defense in 2006. One should always look to improve every area of a team, regardless of what transpired the previous season.

So what's the plan next year? We split the carries at something of a 15-10-5 level between Fargas, Bush, and Rhodes. This assumes that Bush will be the pre-leg break beast we saw at Louisville. But what if he's lost a step or that lateral quick-feet ability that made defenders grasp at the Autumn Wind?

Then he's just an average grinder, nothing too special. So while I like Fargas as much as the next guy, I am not going to pretend that the running back position can not be improved upon. And when you're dealing with a position that will touch the ball 30 times a game, I think we can all agree it's one that needs to be consistently evaluated and improved.

Whether you think McFadden could give us the first great mutli-threat runner since Charlie Garner and post 1,800 all-purpose yards in the Oakland system, or feel that Darren is over-hyped, let's not pretend that we're rock solid at the running back position and would be wasting a pick if Al Davis decides to gamble a little on one of the few draft talents this year that could become a legitimate super star.

Can he stop the run? Of course not. Can a quality run-plugging DT be found in round four or in post-June free agency? Probably a lot more easily than a runner who over the span of three seasons destroyed Georgia, USC, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, South Carolina, and LSU all at least once.

Again, this isn't to knock Fargas, or to suggest that we shouldn't draft a defensive tackle. Instead my intent is to simply point out that there is room for improvement at the running back position—improvement that would help us score more points, rest the defense longer, and win a few more games.

We were complacent with what we thought was a great highly-ranked defense in 2006. I won't blame Davis if he learned from that mistake and simply drafts the best talent available regardless of position at the four-spot in two weeks.

Vernon Gholston vs. Darren Mcfadden: Who Fits Oakland Best?

alex chavez — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:45:05 -0400

When evaluating incoming players, a team looks not only at performance and scouting, but also at how the player would fit the team's offensive or defensive philosophies. A run-first team might bypass a stud wide receiver prospect if an equally impressive lineman or running back is available.

Thus, I wanted to take a look at how two of the hottest names on Oakland mock draft projections would fit into our system.

Darren McFadden

McFadden is what the Raiders had hoped Justin Fargas would become: an explosive threat that can score from anywhere on the field. Unfortunately, Fargas lacks the shiftiness, vision, strength, and health to become an elite runner.

The 28-year-old Fargas has been plagued by injuries throughout his college and professional career. McFadden comes with a clean bill of health after playing in the very tough SEC.

What McFadden would bring to the Silver and Black table is the speed, vision, shiftiness, and strength to score from anywhere on the field. In the 10 years that I have been closely following college football, I have not seen a running back with the breakaway speed that McFadden has.

Furthermore, the 6-foot-2, 210 pound McFadden brings with him reliable hands that make him a dual threat unparalleled by any of Oakland's current runners. As a bonus, he also brings that "star" aura that Al Davis, the Raiders marketing department, and the NFL all love.

Scout.com isn't known for being pie-in-the-sky, yet the serious football scouting source states that McFadden is the "best RB to enter the draft in the past two decades...breaks secured tackles and finishes his runs...[and is] a difference maker in every sense of the word."

McFadden perfectly fits the Raiders' one-cut running scheme. He is a multi-purpose weapon that Lane Kiffin's offense is designed to implement—an offense featuring a heavy dose of runs, screens, and passes to the backs.

His ability would take pressure off JaMarcus Russell, give Russell another dependable weapon, and prolong drives that help keep the Raiders run defense fresh. McFadden and Bush would team up to give Oakland weapons at the running back position that the Silver and Black have lacked since Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley were havocking their way into the playoffs.

Any warts? Of course, everyone has them.

His off-field issues have been discussed before, though they pale in comparison to some of the misbehaviors of other NFL players. McFadden admitted during the combine that he has two illegitimate children. He also was involved in a bar altercation in the middle of 2006. I just don't see either of these two events as red flags.

Overall, McFadden is meant to run in our one-cut zone-blocking system. He is tailor-made for a USC coach who loves running the ball and throwing it to the backs.

He would bring a buzz to Oakland that even top pick JaMarcus Russell could not. Do you pass on a possible almost probable superstar who gets 25 attempts a game to directly influence its outcome?

As much as I like Fargas and am excited about Bush, I will state that Fargas averaged just 3.5, 2.7, 3.8, and 3.4 yards per carry against the Bears', Vikings', Packers', and Colts' defenses respectively. He got fat against the Dolphins, Texans, Chiefs, and Broncos. Those were his 100-yard games. Just food for thought.

I wouldn't want fans pointing at last year's highly-ranked rushing attack and conclude that we're set for 2008. We saw how much that top-ranked 2006 defense that was returning all its starters helped us in 2007.

Vernon Gholston

How does any team pass up a guy with Gholston's measureables and 2007 statistical output? Well, Gholston does seem like a boom or bust player with more bust potential than comparable defensive ends also coming out in this year's draft.

I'll get to those warts that explain why some teams should pass on him. But first, let's look at his strengths.

While Gholston might be getting the workout warrior label this month, he certainly backed it up at OSU with a ridiculously productive senior season. We know he can rush the passer, as attested by his 14 sacks in 2007 and 8.5 sacks in 2006.

Yet what Oakland needs is someone who can also play the run. Can Gholston? Scouting reports state that Gholston is a "terror in pursuit," "has an outstanding motor and excellent range," and does a solid overall job against the run.

The numbers validate the eyes. On runs directed at Gholston's side, opponents netted NEGATIVE 1.7 yards per rush.

Unfortunately, all that praise does not mean that Gholston will succeed at the NFL level. Gholston's private workouts have shown that his 260 pound frame may be an area of concern if your defense plans on having him line up as a 4-3 defensive end.

Scouts have mentioned that Gholston has a tough time disengaging from blockers. He may struggle against bigger NFL linemen when it comes to run defense. He is also a little stiff with his change of direction. Beyond this, the biggest problem seems to be the mental side of the game.

Gholston didn't start playing football until late in his high school career. He has gotten by on athletic ability ever since. At Ohio State, his jobs were to rush the passer and at times drop back into zone coverage. This is why he still needs to refine the parts of his game that separate workout warriors from successful players.

Gholston doesn't react to plays as quickly as you'd like. He doesn't use his hands well to control the action. He can get fooled on play-actions or have inside draws run on him.

I hate to say it, because it can often be a kiss of death with Oakland's unimpressive coaching, but Gholston seems to be a better athlete than football player—at least as it translates into the NFL level. He would be an ideal 3-4 OLB, but it doesn't look like Oakland will be making that transition.

For comparison purposes, Chris Long does not have the strength or speed that Gholston does, yet Long makes up for it with his instincts, play recognition ability, and overall feel for the game. This is why he is slated to be drafted above Gholston and, in my opinion, will have a much better all-around career than Gholston.

Gholston has more bust potential than Long and McFadden. I think he'll go out and get his sacks, but Chris Clemons could also do that last year—eight sacks with only eight starts. That wasn't the problem in Oakland. Run defense was.

Due to the question marks surrounding Gholston's ability to successfully play the run in a 4-3 defense, and because he lacks the elite off-the-ball burst of the Dwight Freeney's of the world, I would give the "who fits Oakland best?" edge to Darren McFadden.

-Alex