Oakland Raiders News: I Thought We Were A Running Team?

by saint on Sep 29, 2008 9:01 AM PDT Comment 25 comments

The mantra that continued in my head OVER and OVER again as I watched the miscues on the field was, "I thought we were a running team".

When we ran the ball to the 3 on first down and then Russell took a sack on second down, I didn't say, "He should have just thrown that ball away", or, "Kwame is terrible", I said, "I thought we were a running team!".

Our strength is getting 2-4 tough yards on EVERY carry and then breaking a few of them for LONG runs. So, why is it that Lane Kiffin has J-Russ throwing in the red zone?

I am utterly confused by this.

BOTH turnovers came on passing plays on a day when JaMarcus Russell needed AFLAC to ensure that his bills would be payed IF his career ended under the heat of an intense pass rush.

And what is the best way to stop a pass rush? Run the damn ball and throw deep against the blitz!!! BASIC!!!

How is it that we are leading for most of the game and have thrown 37 passes and only run the ball 23 times? HOW IS THAT???

I thought that we were a team that was built around the rushing offense and a stout turnover producing defense? Did I miss something?

I'm ticked. Although I expected MUCH worse, I did not expect to lose in the fashion in which the Raiders fell yesterday.

That's all I have for now, as I am still seething!!!

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The

two turnovers cost us hard.

Esepcially the one on our own 14 where they simply ran it in.

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

by mikesd1981 on Sep 29, 2008 9:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As for our turnover D

we cost them 2 turnovers. We just gotta learn to capitalize on it. I was happy w/ the passing game in this contest too. Came out passing and never gave it up. Now if Kiffin stays, we can work on it the next 2 weeks and come back out and kick ass the next 3/4’s of the season.

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

by mikesd1981 on Sep 29, 2008 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quicker passes and screens

I liked the throwing on first down. It’s rough for the team because we have a rookie QB playin in his 4th game… And our WR’s don’t seem to get open much. I like JL Higgins in there though. He is FAST. I’d like to see the Raiders put him in on a regular basis and use someone else for special teams. His speed can create seams in zone coverage or allow you to run patterns underneath his route.

I also saw that there were too many plays called where there was no check down for JR. I watched the game on TV so I couldn’t see the whole field. But we have to have a short check-down for him on the pass plays.

by TStark on Sep 29, 2008 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW: Javon Walker was open all day long and he didn't even sniff a ball

after the first “drive”.

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 29, 2008 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Javon Walker?

I had to watch this one from home. The tv guys made no mention of Walker being open. They had a hard on for Russell though and would only talk about his arm strength. Little or nothing on his mistakes. It is better than having a hater calling the game but I do want to know what’s going on.

I live, breath and breed Silver and Black!

by sabp on Sep 29, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was consistently open:

But J-Russ wasn’t looking for him after the first series. I really didn’t get it.

The guy that I was sitting with and I were keying on him, and nothing went his way…NOTHING after the first series.

On J-Russ’s pass to Miller in the RH flat, Walker had blown past his man and had the safety beat as well, ut the ball never came.

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 29, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, why is it that Lane Kiffin has J-Russ throwing in the red zone?

Well, over the last 4 games we had a hard time scoring in the redzone while rushing. Look, JR has to work on this, but we’ll never know what he can or can’t do til he does it.

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

by mikesd1981 on Sep 29, 2008 9:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We did the same thing in Buffalo though

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 29, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

With

Fargas out and McFadden truly sucking cuz of his toe. Wait til after the bye buddy and all 3 should be back to go! Well @ least 2 of them.

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

by mikesd1981 on Sep 29, 2008 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Thought We Were A Running Team

Don’t worry saint, we still are, but when 2 of our 3 running backs are either out or useless it makes it hard to create a game plan around the ground attack. Still, 2nd & Goal from the 3 should have been a running play, rather than a pass attempt for a sack. Russell also should have plowed over whatever San Diego DB was in the way of the goal line rather than trying to spin around him.

This team will figure these things out. I think a 2 weeks to rest and prepare for New Orleans means trouble for the Saints.

"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 Sep 29, 2008 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree:

J-Russ’s inability to run that sucker over is still eating at me. he did seem to learn from that though as he took on a SD tackler and plowed through him later in the game.

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 29, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He needs to see film of Steve Young rushing to the end zone

and know that he’s easily stronger than that concussion case.

The Raider Nation is the only Nation.

by oaklandSMASH on Sep 29, 2008 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Running Team for sure

But we MISS FARGAS. Out of everyone that could have been injured, it had to be Fargas. I am missing his foot work, tell me, are there a bunch of banana peels on the field?

I can’t think of one player who we need more than Fargas.

Tuck Rule my ass!

by Raidah on Sep 29, 2008 11:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DMC can't cut properly right now

and Bush looks to be a complimentary back at this point.

Yeah, I miss Fargas too.

The Raider Nation is the only Nation.

by oaklandSMASH on Sep 29, 2008 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I agree with this at all

Jamarcus went 22 of 37 for 277 yards. Throwing 37 times is too much, but neither of our running backs broke the 4 yard a carry mark and were dinged up. The defense giving up 25 point in the 4th quarter was the problem.

by RaiderPete on Sep 29, 2008 12:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The key is running inside the 10:

The turnovers and the 3-15 on 3rd downs were the real killers…imo.

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 29, 2008 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't blame...

the defense entirely. Yes, 25 points in the fourth is too much but they were on the field way almost the entire third quarter and most of the fourth. I don’t have the time of possesion stats because I am afraid to look at them. The offense has got to give them a rest and make some third down plays.

I live, breath and breed Silver and Black!

by sabp on Sep 29, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Time of Possession 3rd Quarter: 2:28

There are still some things that need to be hashed out on the defense, but all in all it has been playing as well as I have seen in quite a while.

The offense still has a lot of work to do, including red zone and “goal to go” efficiency, 3rd down conversions, and balancing running with smart passing.

by LiveAdam on Sep 29, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention 2 minute offense:

Then again, maybe Lane is waiting for year 3 to insitute the 2 minute drill!?!?!

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 29, 2008 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How CAN you expect to RUN

When 2/3 of our 3 headed beast is injured?

I can’t blame our offense which “took what the defense gave them”. The biggest issue I see is that our offense needs to learn how to sustain a lead as well as use up the clock. Our defense needs to shut down the opposition in the 4th Q.

Kwame Harris didn’t distinguish himself yesterday but the San Diego defense is a superior defense.

Our team is still on the learning curve, let’s see if Al Davis follows through and fires Kiffin despite the profress that we all (painfully) see happening right now.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Sep 29, 2008 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I Guess I'm a Little Higher on Bush Than Most:

I was hoping that he’d get 25-30 carries, himself yesterday. The posessions that we had inside the 10 and with the lead should have presented him with ample opportunities, but, he only got 15. What gives?

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 29, 2008 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I was also puzzled that we didn't run more

I don’t even think McFadden should have been suited up, he is clearly hurting.
But the thing that stood more than anything is how bad Huff played. He does not want to be around the ball or hit anyone. I am sure the coaches will see it on the film and I would not be surprised to see him replaced real soon. He is a non- factor on defense, no value whatsoever. The bright spot is I don’t think anyone got hurt in the game. I am concerned about the turf toe injury, that doesn’t cure itself, that is a season long problem. They also have to turn Bush loose. He is trying to run with two hands over the ball to protect from fumbling, doesn’t work.

by Laoren on Sep 29, 2008 4:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And Wilson's Contributions CAn Easily Put To Bed:

ANY talk about AD overpaying for him. Wilson has helped to cover up Huff’s weakness.

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 29, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why don't we strech the D

I only get to watch on TV so i don’t see everything but I don’t recall us trying to strech the D that much they know we are going to run so they stack the box, why don’t we go deep a few times to keep them honest

by Raider231 on Sep 29, 2008 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs