Sprint Game Ball Of The Week: John Marshall-John Fassel

bah, I would give the holly roller Loper the game ball. Best heads up play I have ever seen by the raiders

They started out on fire, and certainly ended on fire. However, the middle areas were ugly as SD was firing all over the field. In the end though, he out schemed Norvell to put guys in position to make plays and WIN the game. Very tense game throughout, but in the end the did it and deserve credit for ending the streak. Now let’s BEAT the Niners!

I just think how poorly our defense played in giving up over 500 yards, good offense or not, is not something that gets a game ball. I don’t understand why we load our LB corp with blitzers and our S’s as blitzers and not play a defense that blitzes except out of absolute necessity. Its like we play with mercy toward our opponent. Sickening.

This team is not good enough to sit back and hope turnovers happen with no pressure. I prefer giving up 300-400 yards and allowing less than 100 rushing yards every game as long as we win the game.

A complete turnaround of events, perhaps? I’d like to think so.

I’d also love to see improvement in offensive execution and some consistency, and maybe some pass blocking, or at least some quick plays designed to get the ball out fast, neutralize pass rush, and take the inefficient pass blocking out of the equation.

This will be a tough game, but I’m looking forward to see Zach Miller, Louis Murphy, and DuHB to excel on this outing. I’m hoping to see Nick Miller emerge from some slot formations with some new personnel packages out there, too. Some single back, 1 tight end (11) personnel, with three wideout sets, and a slot guy like little Nicky to play a Welker type role, and get the flankers open on the flies and posts, and sluggos. Some catch and run like Murphy’s 58 yarder against the soft zone would be awesome too.

GO RAIDERSSS!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!! Hats off to the Johns. Let’s hope it’s a preview of things to come. I think the five man front will be a staple, and a key to stopping Gore and the rush attack. We also need to do better at covering the TEs, as has been astutely pointed out by LAP, Saint, and others who’ve paid attention to how bad we are against TEs and under coverage.

I was thoroughly surprised that we blitzed so much. They would have worked perfectly if the safeties played much better. Than again, our corners were torched all game long. Even Nnamdi got 3 penalties during the game. We also need to stop playing that zone defense that we seem to use all the time when we have the lead towards the end of the game. I noticed we used it again against the Chargers like last year and they move the ball up the field easily only this time in the red zone we called a blitz that worked. I swear I was thinking about the Tuck Rule when they was checking the play like I know most of Raider Nation too.

However they need to continue otherwise it will only be a game ball and then shown the door. You all seem to forget the preseason game against the niners. Smith had all day to throw but will need to be hurried all game long. Please prepare for him like he is Philip Rivers getting ready to torch you. Also the same niners team returned a punt against us for a touchdown and had a long kickoff return against us as well. Taylot Mays also got a blocked punt for a touchdown this year so Fassell needs to prepare his personell for this game accordingly as well. One bad play and that may be the difference between 2-4 and 3-3.

donate balls to Tyvon, Bush and Miller for carrying us in different ways. One honorable mention to Cartwright for the special teams play. He can’t run for shit with the hand off from the QB IMHO but he can do damage on special teams.