The Spirit Of The Run Game Is Back
by Rayder K on Apr 5, 2009 9:54 PM PDT
26 comments
Do you remember in 2008 season? That season, The Raiders were one of the elite running teams in the league. One can say it was our runningbacks. Some say it was our offensive line. Some even say it was Justin Griffin. I say, it was Oren O'Neal.
Oren O' Neal was the key ingredient in our spicy running game. He was the catalyst in our reaction. His presence single handed changed our run game from mediocre in 2006 to elite in 2007.
I say this because this year, we got to experience our run game without the presence of O' Neal. Our offensive line was the same as it was the year before with the same coach and didn't succeed as much as it did with O' Neal. Our running back core improved from 2007 and yet we were still ranked significantly lower than the previous year with O' Neal. This takes offensive line and running backs out of the equation for our successful run game. Also, the other fullback, Justin Griffin can be taken out of the equation also because he was garbage in run blocking in 2008. However, he did do an okay job run blocking in 2007. That leaves us with our fullback Oren O' Neal.
Oren O' Neal was special to our running game:
- He helped Fargas get to 1,000 yards in just 7 starts.
- He helped Lamont Jordan get 549 yards.
- He also helped Dominic Rhodes get 302 yards in just 2 starts.
The best news of all of this post is the secret and key ingredient is returning this year once more to revitalize our run game. Can you imagine the enormous hole with D-Mac running through and taking it to the house. Or how about Michael Bush getting a block from O' Neal on one defender while exterminating the other with a shoulder right on the pad.
The running game has suffered for a year without his presence. It is about time he returns to lead the way back to the elite running game we had while he was our fullback.
via imgs.sfgate.com
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Great Post!
I Feel that we have Great running backs and with O’Neal there leading them we should see two 1,000 yard rushers in McFadden and Fargas and on top of that this will help our passing game and Jamarcus Russell who in my opinion needs a little push here and there to be the best he can be. This running game that we have will make defenses scheming to stop the run while J-Russ tears it up with deep passes to Crabtree.
"We want to Win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it,even my organization deserves it. You have to Win and Win with a vision of the Super Bowl. That's our passion here"- Mr. Davis
by nishal26 on Apr 5, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
O'Neal is one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league
and he was working on his catching and running last year to be a bigger part of the offense. O’Neal is a fantastic fullback even if he doesn’t get to be like Griffith in the passing game or Richardson in the running game. O’Neal is also a good pass blocker.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 6, 2009 4:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Is there any actual news on his recovery?
I thought it was pretty crazy serious!
"I need a couple A's for Q's, I'm not an Asshole I'm just a little confused"
-Aesop Rock
by DarthDavis on Apr 6, 2009 7:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Here You Go
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=4272
Police Fucking Hate Me, Trying To Relocate Me To LA, But Like The Raiders, I' ma Bring It Back To The Bay! - Nump
by Rayder K on Apr 6, 2009 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
thanks for the link homes
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 6, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't wait to see him tear it up this year
He is a great Football player to me. The link said that he won’t be at full strength until Training camp which is cool with me he needs to recover and come back strong.
"We want to Win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it,even my organization deserves it. You have to Win and Win with a vision of the Super Bowl. That's our passion here"- Mr. Davis
by nishal26 on Apr 6, 2009 10:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
we did feel his loss
this is an interesting post for a player that is often overlooked. With all the other issues that have been looked at with the Raiders, we forget what an impact O’Neal has had on our running game and the need to solidify that position as well (and not with Michael Bush-wastes his talent as a halfback). As far as I know, he is still a question mark for recovery yet not much has been said (more interest in Walkers ankle)
Rayder K… Good call out
looking forward to the next 30 years of this team
by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice write up Rayder K
and well deserved on a player who largely went unnoticed. Most fullbacks are obscure because they don’t get to run the ball much, rarely score TD’s or catch passes.\
Kiffin who rarely praised any player often pointed out the job that O’Neal did on run blocking.
My only concern is the same concern as everyone else, will he come back as strong after constructive knee surgery? If he was simply a runner then I would say there is no chance, but he is principally a blocker and doesn’t rely on speed or elusiveness so there is a chance he will be effective again. If he doesn’t come back then the Raiders will have to find a blocker in this draft because Lawton is just not powerful enough to open the holes. He is a good pass receiver but the Raiders need a force at the fullback position. It is important to get Bush and McFadden past the first line of defense.
by Laoren on Apr 6, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I am soo Stoked if he comes back
I remember the first play I saw of him in preseason, I was like “HOLY SHIT who the hell is #46 he just plowed 2 dudes on their ASS!” He is a BIG PART of this teams running ability.
"I need a couple A's for Q's, I'm not an Asshole I'm just a little confused"
-Aesop Rock
by DarthDavis on Apr 6, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
O'Neal and Reece
O’Neal and Reece will be the 2 FBs on the roster next season, with O’Neal being the traditional lead blocker and Reece being the West Coast-style FB/H-back/TE hybrid, playing on 3rd downs and catching balls out of the backfield. Excellent combination.
Most Likely Draft: Brian Orakpo, Ramses Barden, Chip Vaughn, etc.
by LiveAdam on Apr 6, 2009 5:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
but we need a backup blocker
is O’Neal goes down again or isn’t fully recovered. The one thing you have to remember is that he even if he does come back 100% by week 1, one injury often leaves you more susceptible to future ones.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 6, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have to Tough It Out
Guys like Luke Lawton are a dime a dozen – you can basically bring them in off the street and get them to throw their bodies in front of linebackers. We have far too few draft picks to draft a FB as a backup to O’Neal.
Most Likely Draft: Brian Orakpo, Ramses Barden, Chip Vaughn, etc.
by LiveAdam on Apr 6, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
who said we had to draft one
there’s plenty of UDFA FB.
Look at Travis McCall or David Johnson. 276 and 268 respectively.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 7, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just Making the Statement
Wasn’t refuting anything you said. I didn’t mean to infer that you had suggested drafting a FB.
Most Likely Draft: Brian Orakpo, Ramses Barden, Chip Vaughn, etc.
by LiveAdam on Apr 7, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry I miscommunicated that
I meant to say that in a way like movie guys do when someone says something like, “There’s no way in those doors” and then the movie hero says “Who said anything about doors” I know I never said that and you were just making the statement. Just wanted to throw a little flair in there.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 7, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus...
If Oren O’Neal goes down again we have Michael Bush who can kind of play FB.
But lets not think negative, lets just be happy he is back and ready to play.
by L.A. Raiders on Apr 6, 2009 9:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bush is
not in agreement with the idea of playing FB so I don’t think it will happen
Police Fucking Hate Me, Trying To Relocate Me To LA, But Like The Raiders, I' ma Bring It Back To The Bay! - Nump
by Rayder K on Apr 6, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bush is not a FB
It would be a waste to do that to him again, and it’s not his strong point. If we a really scared that O’Neal will go down again and that Bush would be the back up then we should get an UDFA.
Plus, most teams over look the impact of FB’s and tend not to draft them; meaning that there are plenty of good FB’s in FA.
I don’t know why but FB’s are a dying breed.
Just HIT somebody.
by SBcitizen on Apr 7, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He Be DEFINEATELY DA BEST EVER, BOYYYYYZZZZZZ!!!!! PHUCK SCHOOOLLL!!
by Bacon on Apr 7, 2009 9:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you mean fuck school
and that attitude works out really well for gas station managers or professional rappers for you I am going to dare say the former more so then the latter. At least bash the education system with some class
Click Here to get yourself edumicated about being edumicated
Just don’t end up a fool brother it happens to often to those that reject higher learning.
"I need a couple A's for Q's, I'm not an Asshole I'm just a little confused"
-Aesop Rock
by DarthDavis on Apr 7, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bacon Man
Dude, do you read your work after you get done oh, hold up can you read at all?
"We want to Win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it,even my organization deserves it. You have to Win and Win with a vision of the Super Bowl. That's our passion here"- Mr. Davis
by nishal26 on Apr 7, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm convinced he's
actually letting a monkey type for him and if it makes some words he just hits post.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!
by mikesd1981 on Apr 8, 2009 6:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he died
he hadn’t been on here in a long long time. And I had just finished putting up that damn banner.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 8, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd have to say that I agree with you KA1Z3R..
We haven’t seen the Bacon ghost of S&BP in a while. I thought he might have gotten run over by a truck or something.
I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum
by DarksideJU08 on Apr 8, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
anybody want a bowl full of punch?
it’s even got three divider things so part of it’s grape, part cherry, and part blue raspberry. Three types of drinks separated, but in one massive bowl. Anyone? I was saving it for the party, but now there’s no need for it. I will need my bad ass bowl back though.
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
by KA1Z3R on Apr 8, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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