Raiders vs. Bears Recap: Raiders Studs and Duds

Raiders Studs

Jason Campbell completed all five of his attempts on the Raiders first possession for 89 yards and capped off the drive with a one-yard running touchdown. Campbell amassed 170 yards passing in the first half. For that, Campbell gets the proverbial ‘thumps up.’

Louis Murphy and Zach Miller, the two top receiving threats from 2009, played well. Murphy let one pass go through his hands on a third down, but besides that he was solid.

Hue Jackson, for his play-calling, particularly the two screen passes to Marcel Reece (40 yards) and Michael Bush (28 yards).

Stevie Brown makes the cut for intercepting Dan LeFevour’s pass and running it for 46 yards before being tackled at the Bears 9-yard line. Brown is steadily solidifying a spot on the Raiders roster.

Slade Norris makes the list for his special team’s brilliance. On Saturday night, Norris recovered Eric Peterman’s fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. And he blocked Brad Maynard’s punt which resulted in a safety. In all, Norris scored eight points for the special teams, outstanding by any measurement.

Kamerion Wimbley was Saturday night’s MVP. The young linebacker accounted for four sacks, a feat that takes many linebackers a full season to accomplish. The thing that makes his performance more impressive is it was done without Richard Seymour in the game absorbing double teams.

"I got one early and I was energized," Wimbley said. "I was able to use some successful moves one-on-one, and I came free. I have never had four sacks in a half before."

Mario Henderson and Robert Gallery lined up against Julius Peppers and Tommie Harris and did a fine job protecting Jason Campbell. Peppers' only sack came against rookie tackle Jared Veldheer. If Henderson and Gallery continue to play as they did last night for the entire season, the left side of the line will be solid.

Raiders Who Need To Improve

Rolando McClain and Michael Huff both looked amateurish on Matt Forte’s 89 yard gallop into the end zone. After McClain over pursued, Forte went right and then cut back inside, nearly shaking Huff out of his shoes.

“A linebacker was out of position,” Tom Cable said, “which afforded Forte an unimpeded path into the secondary. That’s not good.”

Raiders Dud

Samson Satele limped off the field in the second quarter with a sprained ankle. Besides the injury, Satele has not set the Raiders Nation afire. Is it time to bring in added muscle?