Oakland Raiders News: The Raiders Run to An A+ Against The Chiefs

by saint on Sep 15, 2008 9:14 AM PDT Comment 25 comments

Can I get an AMEN from the congregation?

Man, what a difference a week makes huh? A week ago we were talking about firing Kiffin, Ryan and anyone who made any decisions in this organization. Now, we are talking about the GREATNESS of Darren McFadden's coming out party and how Michael Bush had a great coming out party himself.

Aside from the ball that bounced into Bowe's arms that led to the Kansas City Touchdown, the Raiders could do no wrong. Even when Tony Stewart touched the ball on a punt inside the Raider 5 and the entire Nation thought that HE was going to be fired, it turned out that he actually made a SMART play and the Raiders got the ball at the spot where Kansas City first touched it.

There is a lot to cover so I'll do a breakdown and grades by position:

QB - I loved JaMarcus Russell's decision making yesterday. Time and again he just threw the ball away if nobody was open and then continued to hand the ball off. His line looks pretty bad at 6-17, 55 yards 0TD, but the most important stat was his 0 INT.

I said it before the season and I'll say it again, as long as JaMarcus can manage the game, ala Philip Rivers in his rookie season, then this team can win on a consistant basis. Yesterday he played a fantastic game and I have to give him a B+.

Grade B+

RB - This is straight A's. Fargas tired out the defense and then McBadass and the Prez took over.

The Raiders ran the ball 47 times. 47 TIMES for 300 yards.

McFadden had me jumping off of my bar stool and high fiving strangers and when Bush sealed the deal with 53 seconds left it was all Happy Day for me.

Grade A++++++++

O Line- I have to give them a A as well. Mario looked a lot more "Super" than all of us, including his coach, gave him credit for. I had a side bet that Mario would have a false start on the first play. I was gladly proven wrong by him throughout the game as he handled his man, straight up for most of the day.

As a group they kept JaMarcus clean all day and opened up gaping holes for the backs. As a unit they wore down the Chiefs and kept their pass rush at Bay all day long.

Grade A+

Wide-Outs- It is hard to grade a group that I didn't see all day. I mean, I did see Ashlie Lelie make a nice catch, Zach Miller too, and I did see a ball go through Curry's hands, but, they were not part of the game plan, so I guess I have to give them a C.

Grade C

D-Line - The D-Line was ferocious and relentless in their pursuit of the triad of QBs that Herm Edwards marched out there.

Burgess, Warren and Edwards were constantly in the offensive backfield and each tallied a sack. In fact, Edwards came within an eyelash of a safety and Burgess had the QB wrapped up on another occasion and was not credited with a sack. The team could have very easilly registered 7 or 8 sacks.

Not to be lost in the pass rush hoopla is the fact that they limited KC to 55 yards rushing and forced two fumbles.

Grade A+

Linebackers- Morrison, Brown and Howard combined for 16 tackles (13 solo), 2 sacks and an interception. Even when KC did complete a pass it seemed that one of these three guys was wrapping the receiver up.

Morrison almost had another interception and this linebacker core is definitely responsible for the defense being 18th in yards allowed and 14th against the rush in the NFL after getting blasted on Opening Night.

Grade A

DBs - The DBs were awesome-muah baby. Just awesome. DeAngelo was stride for stride with his man all game and he actually gave up a couple of catches when they were in some sort of zone.

Nnamdi was as advertised when he was breaking up plays and Huff and Wilson were headhunters out there. I bet they could have each had a pick, but they seemed to be focusing more on decapitating the receivers and knocking the ball around. It was great to see and they reminded me, at least for a day, of the defensive backfield that I used to love watching when I was a kid.

Grade A

Special Teams - Johnnie Lee had his best game as a Raider. He had 8 returns for 121 yards.

Seabass hit an Oakland record, 56 yard field goal and then connected 2 more times to tally 9 points.

Lechler wasn't used much but he did NAIL a ball from his own 15 that flew to the Chief 15.

The coverage teams were solid as well, so the STs won an A.

Grade A

Coaching- This is an easy grade to give as well. Lane Kiffin executed his game plan to perfection. He wore down the Chiefs in the first half and then came out passing in the second half. When the passing game wasn't there he returned to the ground and stayed there to the tune of 300 yards.

Rob Ryan's defense looked like the defense that the team was advertising before the season started. Ryan mixed up coverages and packages and let his dawgs come after the QB all day long. I LOVED IT!!!

Grade A+++++

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AMEN Saint

And great report. You mention a game that was executed t perfection. I think that the addition of Paul Hackett as the advanced scout for weekly opponents, with his extensive coaching background, could be a big part of the superior execution of that game plan. The previous week they only had Denver’s vanilla preseason games to go by and they were obviously ill-prepared for what Denver thew at them. This is a new addition for the Raiders this year and I think it’s going to be a difference maker.

And yeah, the defense was great yesterday. They had 5 dropped interceptions and still dominated. Imagine the outcome with a few of those converted.

Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.

by TheRaiderWay on Sep 15, 2008 10:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Stuff

For the broader picture, lets not forget that we played the Chiefs, one of the bottom 5 O-lines in the league. Our entire defense is based on front 4 pressure, and with that crappy O-line it worked. I’m optimistic as hell though.

On offense, I think Kiffin is doing a great job taking Russell step by step. It would be a shame if we brought in a new coach, it would stunt Russells growth, as well as the entire offense.

There was a rumor that if fired, Kiffin could go to the Chiefs. Wouldn’t that be just Dandy, Shanahan, Kiffin, and Turner all coaching against us.

by Maddendude on Sep 15, 2008 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WOW!!! That would be TERRIBLE!!!

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 Sep 15, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we can contain Marshawn Lynch like we did LJ

we can beat the Bills. Both the Hawks and the Jags are bad this year so it’s hard to tell what kind of a team they really are. But if we contain Marshawn and pressure Edwards, this is a win.

"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 Sep 15, 2008 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It would be Ironic though....

but out of all of them I would say that Kiff would be the only one that got screwed…. Turner did absolutely nothing in his tenure with the silver and black, and I would have somewhat of pity for Shanahan, but I hate his guts, so I don’t pity… but it would not surprise me…

I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum

by DarksideJU08 on Sep 15, 2008 1:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ROFL.

Let me borrow your rosy red glasses, saint.

by Amoc on Sep 15, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I Just Found My Old Raver Biker Glasses that are tinted red!!!!

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 Sep 15, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can tell, man.

I know the nation is hungry for wins, but we didn’t really look all that amazing yesterday. That game should have by all means been over for the half, the pass protection is becoming a real issue that needs to be addressed.

If the rumors are true, and Kiffin is gone, you’ll be hard pressed to see me supporting the Raiders this season. Doing away with Kiffin is effectively crapping all over the fan base that has been so loyal.

The run looked damn, damn good. Hopefully that wasn’t a fluke against a piss poor Chiefs defense.

by Amoc on Sep 15, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

we need to work on the pass! If we don’t get that going, we’re going nowhere special. We have the talent on this team to make it to the playoffs, we just need to use it…

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 15, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yee

If you’re thinking playoffs this year, you are honestly insane. ESPECIALLY if Al fires Kiff.

The pass WILL come along. You don’t want to pressure the kid too fast.

by Amoc on Sep 15, 2008 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no no

I said we have the talent, buddy. I didn’t want to rant yet again about Kiffin being fired an bla bla bla bla bla bla. Quite frankly I’m considering making a macro to just add it on a key function. I guess my original comment should have been worded better. We have the talent to be a playoff contender-type team. The pass needs to come along QUICKLY. Especially if we play teams like Buffalo and SD next.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 15, 2008 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Part of the

problem lies in the fact that Al Davis doesn’t believe in rebuilding he reloads. We have talent but we can’t develop it when there is a new coach and new system every two years. What good is reloading a 2-14, 4-12 team when you’re already bad to begin with.

by Raider76 on Sep 15, 2008 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

for 68 million dollars (yeah, that annoys me) he better be a quick learner. (I didn’t want Russell to begin with, but that’s another rant that doesn’t need to be)

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 15, 2008 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If not Russell than who in that draft

After my umbilical cord was cut, silver and black spewed out!!

by Beastusmaximus on Sep 15, 2008 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had us Drafting Calvon Johnson and then Taking:

Trent Edwards.

Or taking Russell and Miller

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 Sep 16, 2008 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

care who it is. This is now the NFL not college, you get ready by opening day.

You don’t hold out as a rookie for that much money and not ever take a snap.

They had all off season to work on it, and it got no where. As for receivers,. well too bad we didn’t let our coach find good receiver instead of a less than mediocre over-paid quitter like Walker. And I used to like Curry, and I still kinda do, but he has to go or wise up.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 16, 2008 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

After the game Kiffin said McFadden

has turf toe, I hope it is not too bad, that is the problem LT has now, can cut the effectiveness of a running back. You graded JaMarcus too high, he missed some throws, but that is fine, there is no question that we will go into every game running and running and running. We will not ask Jamarcus to pass the team to victory, only pass enough and hopefully complete enough to keep the other team off balanced. Curry has to go, surely Schilens is better than Curry. I know he is faster, and taller. Curry looks very slow out there.
I think the Raiders can beat Buffalo. That of course depends on McFadden being able to play. I doubt very much that Fargas will play for two or three weeks, possibly after the bye week.

by Laoren on Sep 15, 2008 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank You

Thank you all you raiders fans of come to arrowhead I had a hell of tilme I made 10 dollars in changes mostly in quarts that cheifs fans throw at me so when they come to go old Oakland let just give a good old welcome of quarts right back at them in the skull as hard as you can.

by Crossskull on Sep 15, 2008 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't

see how you can give Russell a B+.

6/17 for 55 yards is horrible. Not that only 17 pass calls isn’t bad, but still, we haven’t seen any sign of his judgment other than giving the ball to the RB’s, which are the plays. To only complete 6 of the passes is horrible, especially against KC. Granted no picks, but, really, only 6? That’s 35% of the passes. Statistically, the KC trio of QB’s was better..

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 15, 2008 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He could have tried to force plays, but he followed his coaches instructions and made safe passes or threw the ball out of bounds

Kiffin has said that he wants J-Russ to learn to live and fight another day instead of trying to force the ball. When you only pass 17 times and you have a couple of drops and some receivers making bad breaks and reads, BUT, you do your job, No INTs, then you get a B+ for listening. I mean, how many open receivers did he miss?

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 Sep 16, 2008 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Russell

There were a few passes of his in the second half that really did look bad. I think it was the first drive of the 3rd quarter where he had 3 incomplete passes in a row.

However, one of his best passes of the game was a swing pass to Justin Griffith, not because of the result, but because of the process. A replay of the pass showed Russell go through his progressions very nicely and then, seeing nothing downfield along with a KC defensive end barreling down on him, quickly went to his check down receiver and hit him in stride.

More than anything, I was displeased with the 17 pass plays that were called in the game. Far too many were short and toward the sideline, without properly utilizing quick slants with the receivers or the middle of the field with Zach Miller.

If Kiffin does get fired I would love to see Al Davis try to bring in Al Saunders from St. Louis. I think Saunders’ offense from the Redskins would be perfect for Russell and our running backs: power running and mid/deep passes once the defense puts 8-9 in the box.

by LiveAdam on Sep 16, 2008 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That game

was probably the game we could have started to develop a pass game. KC’s Defense was horrible. We’ll see how he does against Buffalo because he’ll have to pass if they want to do anything.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Sep 16, 2008 8:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In Defense of the game plan:

They did try to come out and throw the ball in the second half and the receivers looked BAD. So they returned to the ground, which was a good move.

They actully did pretty well against New England as well, in preventing the long pass:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=280907017

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 Sep 16, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen I say to you

Both games we’ve played can’t be the best barometers for how we’ve played though. The Broncs are too strong and the Chefs are too weak.

I’m hoping the next two weeks reveals good things in the character of the team.

The Raider Nation is the only Nation.

by oaklandSMASH on Sep 16, 2008 11:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen

Nice to beat on the Cheaps, but I’ll have real hope if we can beat the Billies who are much better. McFadden outside, Bush inside…..yea do more of that.

by Zakdog on Sep 17, 2008 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs