Oakland Raiders Week 6 : Pressures, Hurries and Knockdowns
Well folks, it's that time again. Time for good 'ol PHK; but this time, things are a bit different. Things are a bit....happier. More relaxed.
We are coming off one of our biggest wins in recent history, and the way it was done cannot be overlooked. This team showed more guts and fire than any of recent vintage. This team refused to quit, refused to go away, and kept taking the fight to the Chargers right to the very end.
As a result, we beat those jokers for the first time in seven years. I didn't get to see the whole game (as most of you know by now) but I did catch the last five minutes. And it felt good!
Good vibes abound this week, but this team is far from perfect and is actually in a little bit of uncertain flux at the moment due to injuries and a good problem with versatility at a couple different positions.
The Raiders had a huge win last Sunday over a divison rival that had owned us in recent years. Now, we travel across the bay to a waiting and desperate 0-5 San Francisco 49ers team that is as hated as the Chargers.
The Raiders showed last week that if they play aggressively and stay focused for an entire game, they can win against good teams. However, there were some issues and as such there are still needs this team must address.
With all this in mind let's get to the Raiders Week 6 edition of PHK.
Pressures: John Marshall
1 of 10
John Marshall, faced with a nemesis opponent in San Diego and a potent offense led by "Corky" Rivers, had two choices: he could play his usual passive man to man, single high safety defense the majority of the game and hope his players beat the guys in front of them.
Or he could batten down the hatches, get creative, confuse San Diego with multiple looks and sprinkle in the occasional blitz to keep them on their toes.
Thankfully, he chose option two.
The Raiders run defense was all over the field all day, a combined result of playing the hated Chargers and rotating personnel and fronts to keep players fresh and Rivers off-guard.
The Raiders pass defense, however, was torched. You can hate Corky all you like, but the guy is a gamer and will put up his numbers.
Yet despite all the yardage, the Raiders continued to play aggressive defense, and trying to hold the lead at the end of the game, Marshall actually continued with pressure rather than slipping into the old, familiar prevent-us-from-winning defense.
This led to Michael Huff's excellent and shifty blitz from the left side, causing the Rivers fumble and Tyvon Branch's 64-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown that sealed the deal.
The game ending on such an incredible play by the defense was awesome, but we simply cannot continue to give up so many yards either through the air or on the ground, from game to game.
This defense either plays well against the run and pooches pass defense, or vice versa. They have yet to put together a good, solid, run and pass defense game this entire season.
Marshall is under pressure to continue to stay aggressive, to take some risks, and to prove to the powers that be that the old vanilla defense simply doesn't work for long periods of time any longer. He's under pressure to coach his way. But he's under pressure to get BOTH aspects of the defense to show up at the same time.
Don't show it and take it away, Johnny; especially when it worked. Keep the dogs off the leash.
Pressures: Stanford Routt / Chris Johnson
2 of 10
Both of these guys are fast, and can tackle. But both of them have huge flaws in coverage.
They both have too much confidence in their own speed and athleticism, and as a result technique often suffers. CJ will allow his man to get off, feeling that he has the speed and leaping ability to close. Only he's getting older, and wide receivers tend to be somewhat athletic, and usually bigger than corners.
Routt isn't physical enough with opposing receivers, and is often shucked at the line of scrimmage. He plays too aggressively when the time doesn't allow for it, and too passively when he should be aggressive. In short, he doesn't understand when and how to play the game in many different situations.
While both players have played solid this season at various times, they were both exposed often against Corky and the Sunshine Gang last Sunday.
CJ redeemed an otherwise horrible day getting burned by everyone from Gates to Buster Davis by being a key cog in the fumble recovery for a touchdown. A Charger went to pick up the ball, but CJ blasted him, allowing Branch a free path to the ball and the end zone. Johnson's play, in fact, may have saved the game. So good on him. He's a great tackler in run support as well, so he's got his redeeming qualities.
Before that, though, he and Routt were mainly responsible for Rivers going for over 430 yards, Malcolm Floyd invoking Jerry Rice, and Gates continuing his ridiculous march toward being the greatest tight end in NFL history.
They are under enormous pressure to provide some assistance to Nnamdi on the back end, because he can't do it all by himself and this team needs to stop the bleeding on the other side of the field. If we can get better play from our second and third corners, it will go a long way to getting opponents off the field on third down.
Pressures: Offensive Line
3 of 10
We've been saying it all season, and it's come to fruition twice now: this line is going to get the QB killed.
Bruce Gradkowski has suffered a shoulder injury in each of the past two games, both times as a direct result of the Twin Turnstiles known as Mario Henderson and Jared Veldheer being unable to block quick edge rushers from the left tackle position.
Jason Campbell was crushed in the preseason against the upcoming Niners, on a speed rush from Travis LaBoy, who came right around Mario Henderson.
Cooper Carlisle continues to false start and hold his way to the bench, or so you would think.
Dan Loper, an unknown bench player filling in for Robert Gallery, has possibly been our best and most consistent lineman the last three weeks.
Although getting better in pass protection and opening some holes for the leagues #7 running attack, the offensive line continues to struggle blocking speed rushers off both edges.
With Michael Bush healthy, we now have a back that is excellent in blitz pickup; but he's also excellent in the screen game, so it's actually detrimental for him to block as often as he has to as a result of the line not doing their job.
Why Samson Satele hasn't been replaced by Justin Hartwig I cannot understand.
This line is under pressure to keep whoever is playing this weekend (looks like Campbell) upright, because after him it's Kyle Boller, and then who? Ronald Curry out of retirement? Aaron Brooks? D-Mac?
They owe both Bruce and Jason a big, BIG steak dinner.
No, this line needs to get their pass blocking assignments straight if they want their quarterback to last back there.
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Pressures: Jason Campbell
4 of 10
It's been a short, strange trip for Jason Campbell as an Oakland Raider.
Traded on draft day and thought to be a franchise saviour after the JaMarcus Russell experiement was mercifully ceased, Campbell arrived to much love and expectations from Raider Nation. He was going to bring us back.
In the preseason, it looked as if he was more than capable, leading multiple long TD drives and generally looking poised and comfortable.
Then, the season opener against the Titans arrived. Campbell was sacked more times than the father of a two year old in a short span of time, became gunshy, and generally looked rattled and uncomfortable as a result of having to run for his life every single snap.
Campbell was expected to bounce back the next week against the lowly Rams, but he still looked tentative, rushed, and nervous in the pocket. Much to the delight of the "BRUUUUUUUUUCE" partial crowd, he was replaced at halftime by Bruce Gradkowski.
Well, the same offensive line that nearly got Campbell killed in preseason allowed him another shot when, early in the Chargers game after ineffective play, Gradkowski was sacked and his already tender shoulder went from being sore to being injured.
Campbell came in, and after a slow start, was on fire. The offensive line gave him time to throw in the second half, and Campbell showed why Raider Nation was so excited to get him here by calmly and efficiently leading two very long touchdown drives, keeping his poise when the game was on the line, and ultimately leading the Raiders to victory over the hated Chargers.
Campbell is under pressure this week to play well, because he's already been served notice that he has a very, very short leash (a little too short, honestly). The coaching staff and the majority of Raider Nation seem to favour the Bruce, and Campbell is going to have to work hard and play well to win over those who wrote him off already.
I, for one, was ecstatic to see the player we expected last week.
Hurries
5 of 10
- I think I'm more worried about facing an 0-5 49ers team than I would be facing a 5-0 49ers team. This team still has talent, only now they are backed into a corner. I expect them to come out fired up, in a rivalry game against a team they hate, and play like wounded badgers. The Raiders really, really need to match the intensity the Niners will most likely bring to a must-win game for them
- From what I've seen though, even in their near misses, the Raiders are a better team than the Niners. How great would it be if we beat the Niners and then Singletary got fired as a result? I wish the man no ill will, but being directly responsible for the firing of a Niners coach would be sweet
- When this team is tough and aggressive in all phases, they are tough to beat. Blocking those two punts was huge not only for the points it created, but for the morale boost and excitement they generated
- The back end is getting a little more stable as Mike Mitchell and Stevie Brown see more time. Both are still raw, but are fundamentally solid with tackling and both seem to be around the ball quite a bit
- Commissioner Roger Goodell floated the idea last week of the Raiders and Niners sharing a stadium, endorsing it as an idea that would benefit both teams and the NFL. To which I say: will there be an octagon in the basement where fans can settle their differences? These two fan bases do NOT like each other
- Just for fun, go to Youtube and look up Raiders - 49ers fans and fights. There's more than a couple on there
Knockdowns: Special Teams Are a Concern
6 of 10
Special teams have been a concern since Brian Schneider left after the 2008 season. Last season the Raiders were poor in coverage AND in the return game; the kicking game was as good as it gets, though.
This season, the Raiders in the early going were poor in coverage AND in the return game. I won't even go into the kicking game and the fact that we should be 3-2 right now. I've grilled Seabass enough for that one. Mmmmm....grilled seabass......
Recently, Jacoby Ford has shown some burst on kickoff returns, and the legend, Nick "The Mirage" Miller, finally Polka-rooed himself onto the field for an awesome punt return against the Chargers that looked like a potential sign of big things to come.
The Raiders have held their opponents to minimal returns since the opening kickoff of the Arizona game was returned for a TD by LaRod Stephens-Howling, and in general have tightened up everywhere on special teams.
On Sunday, coach John Fassell got uber-aggressive and the Raiders blocked not one, but two punts in the first quarter alone. One went through the end zone for a safety (and the subsequent free kick led to a field goal) and the other was recovered by Hiram Eugene for a touchdown.
This may seem like an anomaly, but the Raiders also blocked a punt in the preseason as well, and recovered a punt muff for a TD.
Sebastian Janikowski was perfect on the day, including a 50 yarder right down the middle. Shane Lechler did what he does, averaging 48 net yards per punt (which is great for any punter but him), and in general the units seem to be gelling.
It's understandable that Fassell would take time to figure out his strengths and weaknesses; but Fassell now seems to be finding his niche and understanding his personnel, and he's got an excellent handle on who to play where and when.
As a result this unit has been impressive since the Arizona game, and is a big big BIG reason the Raiders got off the mat against the Chargers.
Knockdowns: Mike Mitchell Is On the Bench Because He Can't Cover
7 of 10
Oh really? He can't cover? Well, it sure looked like he could cover last Sunday when he was all over Antonio Gates whenever he had him.
Gates only caught one ball when Mitchell was covering him; he was targeted four times. Mitchell was in Gates' hip pocket on the 3rd down of the final Chargers drive, and knocked the pass away, forcing San Diego into a fourth and long with the game on the line.
Naturally, Rivers' next pass to Patrick Crayton fell incomplete, and the Raiders celebrated their first victory over San Diego in what seemed like millennia.
Mitchell is still raw in coverage, but even at Ohio University he showed a nose for the ball. He followed his nose and Toucan Sam'd a fumble recovery from Mike Tolbert when San Diego was on the Raider two yard line and threatening to turn the tide of the game early.
He was there in run support to hold the Chargers to little on the ground. He was there in pass coverage on the best tight end in football.
In short, he was here. He was there. He was everywhere.
And he should be seeing the field a lot more as a result.
Knockdowns: The Raiders Can't Finish
8 of 10
This one's simple: the Raiders of recent vintage could finish. The could finish themselves nicely.
Something has changed though, especially the last four games: the Raiders have been in it with a chance to win at the very end, despite being down significantly in two of them. They did, in fact, win two of those four games, and should've won a third.
In short, this team's ability to play to the whistle on every play let alone play to the end of the game is vastly superior to that of the teams of the "lost years."
Thank you, Marty Schottenheimer, for declaring the Raiders a bunch of misfit idiots who shoot themselves in the foot as long as you supply the bullets.
That may have BEEN true; go ask "Corky" Rivers and the Sunshine Gang whether it still is. I'm pretty sure they'd agree this team plays harder, tougher, and more to the whistle than any Raider squad they've beaten with him under center.
This team is slowly shedding it's reputation as one whom will implode if given the chance. They have come back from deficits the last three weeks to have a chance to win or tie at the very end of the game.
This is a team that used to fold faster than Superman on laundry day (thanks Bart Simpson) when the chips were down. Now, they rally around each other, put their heads down, and go to work.
And what's this? There's a *gasp* confidence within the team that they can actually get it done at the end? That's what I see, and the team I see going forward.
No more easy victories for the NFL. No more rolling over and exposing ourselves like a Beta dog.
Nope, it's time for standing tall in defiance of the odds like the Alpha dogs we've been so often in this league. It's coming back. slowly but definitely surely.
Knockdowns: Rolando McClain Isn't Getting It
9 of 10
After being drafted #8 overall, being called the "smartest player I've ever coached" by college coaching legend and defensive guru Nick Saban, and requesting the defensive playbook as his first order of business as a Raider, there was high expectations for Rolando McClain when he stepped foot in Alameda.
He was ready for the challenge. In fact, if you asked him, it was no challenge at all.
Well, his play on the field showed that to be false bravado, as he was easily walled off plays, wasn't diagnosing things well before the snap, often had players out of position and generally was having a struggle of it.
That made his insistence that the NFL wasn't too big or fast for him and was "no different than college" a laughable assertion.
But last Sunday, after missing a few days of practice to attend a family function, McClain looked as if the light was coming on a little bit. He was in good position; he was shedding blocks; and he was quarterbacking the defense efficiently and effectively.
He even had excellent coverage on a couple of screen passes out of the backfield, and was decent over the middle when called upon. All told, it was by far his best game as a pro, and a great sign of encouragement for things to come.
With our run defense as bad as it's been and the need for a bigger, stronger MLB on this squad, I think we all expected too much out of Rolando immediately and perhaps tend to forget he is still a rookie with a ton of responsibility on his plate.
Last week though, it appeared the game was slowing down for him, and that portends to a big, big boost to the Oakland defense when this kid finally puts it all together. Which I predict as sooner rather than later, based on his recent progression.
Conclusion
10 of 10
Last week was the biggest game of the year to date, without a doubt. Rivalry game, the difference between 1-4 and 2-3, losing to the Chargers a bunch in a row.
It was a must win. And we won.
Well, now our opponents are in that mindframe this weekend, which scares the hell out of me. After such an emotional and exhausting win last Sunday in Oakland, it would've been nice to have an easy game.
On the surface, the Niners being 0-5 looks like an easy game. But we all know football, and we know the Niners talent level does NOT translate to their record. Something stinks in San Francisco; it's just nice that it's on the other side of the Bay for once.
Having said all that, and with the obvious desperation the Niners are going to be playing with, it's imperative we bring the same intensity we did last week. Against a rival, on the road, with a chance to go to .500 after six games, this one is pretty damned important as well.
Consider as well that a win keeps us at least even with the Broncos; keeps us ahead of the Chargers; and, if KC loses to Houston as I expect, gets us within 1/2 game of the division lead.
Important game; potential trap game. Definitely scary.
But as I said, this is a different Raider team with a different attitude. I don't say that lightly; it looked as though nothing had changed after the Titans game. But we all know at this point things have changed drastically, and the biggest change is that of attitude.
Which is why I see us stomping the Whiners across the Bay this Sunday.
Thanks for reading as always, and you know that all comments, whether good, bad, or ugly, are always welcome!!
GO RAIDERS!!!! 3-3 baby!!
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