Oakland Raiders News: Sweet, Sweet Redemption:

by saint on Oct 20, 2008 9:35 AM PDT Comment 21 comments

Every moment of the past 5+ years of futility was on display yesterday, and each was overcome in one of the most fulfilling and exciting victories since 2002.

There was our left tackle taking 6 points off the board with a penalty.

There were crucial penalties for stupid things like "Not Lining Up Properly" that also took points off of the board and ended offensive drives while extending defensive possessions.

There was a last second time-out that turned a Raider victory into an overtime game.

There were key drops on crucial downs.

And the Quarterback on the other side was none only than Brett Farve, the man whom I personally point to as the beginning of the Raider decline when he blew Oakland out on Monday Night and embarrassed them by throwing for 4 TDs.

All of this was erased by a defense that dug in and did not let the Jet offense make big plays.

All of this was erased by Trevor Scott sacking Favre...Twice.

All of this was erased by DeAngelo Hall blanketing his man, picking off a pass and nearly getting two more.

All of this was erased by Tommy Kelly dominating his man and constantly pushing him into the defensive backfield.

All of this was erased by Jamarcus Russell leading a game winning drive in overtime.

All of this was erased by Javon Walker who knelt in amazement in the end zone, extended his arms high into the clear blue sky and basked in the glory of his first touchdown since 2006, and more importantly his first in Silver and Black.

All of this was erased by Gibril Wilson looking more like Ronnie Lott than Stuart Schweigert and picking a ball in the endzone to kill a drive and regularly breaking up passes and tackling the ball carrier.

All of this was erased by a kicker that, being drafted in the first round, made many in the league scoff at All Davis, kicking a Raider Record 57 yard field goal to win it.

All of this was erased by a decibal level inside the Coliseum that I have not heard or felt since 2002.

All of this was erased by the redemtion of taking all of the failures for the past 5+ years, rolling them into a ball and through hard work and determination completely squashing them.

This win was huge in many ways, and there is work to be done. That in itself is something to be excited about. There are huge levels of improvement that are possible for every aspect of this team, yet they have now found a way to win in the end.

How does it feel Nation?

How does it feel to see ALL of the players that Mr. Davis spent BIG MONEY on in the off-season perform at a high level?

If they can go into Baltimore and come out victorious then many of the pundits and haters would have to start saying good things about the Raiders or just shut the hell up.

OOOOOOOOAAAAKKKKLLLLAAANNNDDD!!!!!!

RRRRAAAIIIDDEERRSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You are wrong to blame the LT

costing us a TD, it was Javon Walker who did not line up on the line to cover the tackle. Nevertheless it was a sweet and gratifying victory, a lot of bad things happened, a missed tackle by Hall in the last drive allowing the last second field goal, Huff inexplicably dropping an interception but every game has those moments, it is the fact the Raiders finally won one of those games. It is pretty clear that Russell is a keeper, he throws certain balls very well, and presumably will learn to throw others. Knapp was driving me crazy with the conservative calls late in the game, although Cable admitted to having some influence in the calls. On the other hand the fake punt was absolutely ballsy. I wish we had played Trevor Scott when the Jets were pinned in the end zone. I also thought Schilens was open more than not, but only two balls went that way, nevertheless it was really something to build on.

by Laoren on Oct 20, 2008 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Walker took a penalty that negated the TD:

Harris cost us a TD because of the field position when he was called for his penalty. I have faith that we would have scored 6 right there.

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by saint on Oct 20, 2008 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The call that was killing me was

when we were 3rd and 3 and he is throwing a toss with Fargas. That is not his strength. he is a between tackles type of runner. That play got us out of field goal range and we had to punt. Which eventually lead to Favre marching down the field to tie the game.

by Raider76 on Oct 20, 2008 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was screaming at the top of my lungs:

WHAT THE $$$$ ARE YOU CALLING THAT TOSS FOR?

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by saint on Oct 20, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Relax Saint

It was one game and it wasn’t that pretty. Jeeze, Raiders win one game vs an avg team and Raider Nation is penciling in a playoff berth..

by Joe_D on Oct 20, 2008 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It is something to build on:

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by saint on Oct 20, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When the meals are few and far between

you have to savor the flavor when one comes along.

Play more Conan!

by oaklandSMASH on Oct 20, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Totally disagree. This win can be summed up in two words: Greatest Ever!!!!!!!

by Bacon on Oct 21, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Postgame Notes

The Good:

The Oakland Raiders:
After being embarrassed in New Orleans a week ago, the Raiders came out to play ball yesterday, and it showed in all three aspects of the game. The pass rush in the first half was outstanding even without Pro Bowler Derrick Burgess, and Favre was hurried and hit, leading to many incomplete passes. Furthermore, the team didn’t give up even when it had every opportunity to roll over and play dead.

Raiders Special Teams:
Gave up only 52 total return yards, no punt return yards, recovered a fumble on a punt return, executed a beautiful direct snap fake punt, and kicked the longest field goal to win a game in overtime…ever! Beautiful job all the way around. Tyvon Branch took all the kickoff returns today and had more problems with ball security than Higgins. May need to readjust this.

JaMarcus Russell:
17 for 30 for 203 yards, 1 touchdown, and no turnovers. A few missteps here and there (I almost ate my hat on that bad pass to McFadden) but for a guy who was only making his 7th start, I love it.

Javon Walker:
Call off the hounds, we’ve found Javon Walker! 5 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Much like the game against the Chargers, Walker was finding holes in zone defenses and fighting for yards after the catch. He also helped out Russell on the TD by extending the play and getting open. Keep it up, we knew you still had it.

Trevor Scott:
I marginalized your presence on the Raiders roster last week, and for that I apologize. Scott was running circles around Jets’ rotation of RTs. He showed significantly improved upper body strength as well. Keep it up!

Gibril Wilson:
INT in the end zone was a big momentum changer early in the game. Led the team in tackles, including a huge one late in the 4th quarter to keep Brad Smith from running away with the game, literally.

The Eh
Kwame Harris:
I can shrug this one off pretty easy because overall he’s been solid so far this year, but Kwame’s number did get called several times today. 49ers fans who were still finishing their beers at the sports bars were still booing him.

Other Penalties:
There were a few that hurt (Walker’s illegal formation), but overall the Raiders were getting some pretty ticky-tack penalties called on them yesterday. In the Jets first drive I’ll admit that the first offsides penalty was legit, but after that it seemed liked the refs realized that Brett Favre was going to get killed and tried to help him out a bit. Shame on them.

Red Zone/Goal to Go Efficiency:
It’s been upgraded from Bad to Eh for this week. One for three, and really should have been two for three. Once again, a silly penalty cost the Raiders another TD. This week it was Javon Walker lined up off the line of scrimmage. Last time it was a Cornell Green holding call on a Michael Bush dive on 4th & Goal. At least the Raiders are starting to show that they can actually get across the goal line.

The Bad
Raiders Run Defense:
242 yards and a 7.3 average? Those numbers sent the Raiders rush defense from 19th at 115 YPG to 24th at 136.2 YPG. Lots of missed tackles and poor backside containment yesterday. Lock it up guys.

No Michael Bush:
Here is a breakdown of the Raider’s running plays in Goal to Go situations:
o 1-3-NYJ 3 (3:16) 25-J.Fargas left tackle to NYJ 2 for 1 yard (93-K.Coleman)
o 2-7-NYJ 7 (2:36) 25-J.Fargas right end to NYJ 11 for -4 yards (77-K.Jenkins; 99-B.Thomas).
o 1-7-NYJ 7 (11:25) 20-D.McFadden left tackle to NYJ 6 for 1 yard (93-K.Coleman). 2-6-NYJ 6 (10:46) 25
o J.Fargas up the middle to NYJ 3 for 3 yards (50-E.Barton; 25-K.Rhodes).

That’s right – 1 NET YARD! Tom Cable, please realize that Michael Bush is huge and is better suited for these types of situations.

The Raiders face an extremely tough Raven defense next week that is ranked 1st in rushing defense and 4th in passing defense. The Raiders defense will need to pressure Joe Flacco and generate points in order for the Raiders to be competitive in that game.

"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.

by LiveAdam on Oct 20, 2008 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

couldn't agree more with this post

but the bottom line was this was a win of luck. We can’t trust luck to pull us out of games as horribly played as this. 206 yards rushing, 13 penalties, running on third, using Fargas for short-yardage. We need to play much better than this if we hope to beat Baltimore (who is better than most think) when we face a once elite RB and the number 1 defense in the league.

"Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of themselves without that law is both. For a wounded man shall say to his assailant, 'If I live, I will kill you. If I die, You are forgiven.' Such is the rule of honor." Omerta by Lamb of God

by KA1Z3R on Oct 20, 2008 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

pardon me

Ravens have second best D. Pittsburgh has first

by KA1Z3R on Oct 20, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but...

….no one runs on us and you most likely won’t either. The best way to take us out is to do what Indy did. They threw and threw until we had to stay back and then mixed in only a few runs to keep us honest. If your gameplan is to run a lot to set up the pass, you will not do well. We’ve not given up a 100 yard rusher in over 20 games and certainly won’t at home this weekend. I have Michael Bush on my fantasy team bench and there he will stay for this week at the least!

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 21, 2008 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be candid, a great majority of games

are won by luck. There is such a fine line between winning and losing in the NFL. I am just elated that finally we won one where we were a little lucky, god knows we have lost enough unlucky games.
I believe that Pennington threw for 300 yds. yesterday against the Ravens so it appears there are some holes in their defense. Our problem is we cannot win a game against them by running and not sure we can win passing, but I don’t think Flacco can expose us either, should be a close game, hopefully a lucky win.

by Laoren on Oct 20, 2008 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it'll come down to who plays better defense

becasue both have uneasy young QB’s with a lack of receiver talent and good running games. These teams are nearly identical thoguh the Ravens have more experience on their roster. It’ll be a close game for sure, but let’s hope luck’s on our side this week.

by KA1Z3R on Oct 21, 2008 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree that whoever plays better defense will win

Unfortunately, on paper the Ravens have a significantly better defense than us. Phins had success in the air against them, so the Raiders need to force turnovers and make sure that JaMarcus has a whale of a game.

by LiveAdam on Oct 21, 2008 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No comparison on defense

The Ravens have a much better overall defense than you guys. Your pass D is good, but we have the best run D in the league. Coming to the east coast and winning this game by relying on JaMarcus to pass Oakland to victory just is not going to happen. Peyton Manning can pick us apart, but JaMarcus? Sorry.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 21, 2008 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flacco will need to lose the game

for the Raiders to have a shot at winning.

by RaiderPete on Oct 22, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't Get Too Cocky Yet Rexx

Let’s remember that 2 of your 3 wins are against the Bengals and Browns. If the first half of this season is any indication, either there is more parity or less consistency, but teams can show up and surprise just about any other team.

Rob Ryan will scheme to take McGahee and McClain out of the game as much as possible and force Flacco to move the offense for the Ravens. JaMarcus may not be Peytong Manning, but he’s also made significantly fewer mistakes than Flacco thus far.

by LiveAdam on Oct 22, 2008 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly...

game ball goes to Trevor Scott. Those sacks he had were timely as hell.

Tuck Rule my ass!

by Raidah on Oct 21, 2008 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't want to get sucked in.

As great a win as it was- and sure there was luck involved, but damn it, we can use some- I don’t want to get too carried away. No doubt the West is suddenly wide open, but I’d rather see us put forth a consistent effort, and improve week-to-week than worry about the standings. Otherwise I’ll start looking at Denver’s and San Diego’s remaining schedules, and think we have a chance, and before I know it, we’ve lost four in a row.

Not that anyone here is talking playoffs; more than anything I am just telling myself to enjoy this win, and take it one game at a time.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 21, 2008 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not usually one to toot my own horn

but the preview I wrote in the NY Times post earlier was pretty accurate. Raiders d-line takes advantage of Jets o-line to force the worst of Favre’s gun-slingerness and Oakland wins with special teams and a ball control offense.

by RaiderPete on Oct 21, 2008 5:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs