Mario's Kryptonite?
by Rich Langford on Aug 31, 2010 3:42 AM PDT
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PrintI can't shake it. I close my eyes and there it is--Travis LaBoy blowing past Mario Henderson and nearly decapitating Jason Campbell. And even in my slow motion nightmare replays, Mario Henderson's dearth of quickness makes LaBoy look fast. Ugh....
For whatever it is worth, Mario always says the right things. When asked about almost getting his QB killed, Mario thusly replied:
I take responsibility. That’s my fault. The only thing I can do is get better. Thank God the injury is minor. All I can do, like they told me, is get better and move on. Just try not to let it happen again.... I even texted him. It was like, ‘I apologize. I hope you’re (Campbell) OK.’ He told me he was good. Like I said, now it’s behind me. We can just move on. It shows a lot of credit."
Campbell may be okay, but I'm not. Where's my text Mario?
I think we all know Mario needs to do better. Hell, even Sandra Bullock took time out from being cheated on to educate the non-football fan based public of the importance of the Left Tackle position.
This is not a new issue. The need vs. the lack of a need for an upgrade at LT was one of the more highly debated topics here during the off-season. This is not meant to be a platform to re-hash that debate.
At this point, it is an almost certainty that Mario will be the starting LT come Week One. This post is about the fear of my nightmare and one of the more commonly stated weaknesses of Mario's game: His struggles against the speedier pass rushers.
Given the fact that all of the other teams in the division, plus four other's of the Raiders 2010 opponents, plan on running the 3-4, this is a scary weakness for our LT to possess. That's 10 out of the 16 games the Raiders play where their opponents feature speedy OLB pass rushers.
With my nightmare growing in intensity with each passing thought, I decided to look back at Mario's 2009 and see how he fared against 3-4 based opponents.
Stats for Offensive Linemen are very unofficial. So, I am going to start with the broad and official numbers. The Raiders played 11 games against a 3-4 last season. They were 3-8 in those games and 2-3 against 4-3 teams.
- The Raiders allowed on average an even 3 sacks a game in '09.
- Against the 3-4 teams the Raiders gave up 29 sacks, which works out to 2.64 a game.
- Against the 4-3 teams they allowed 19 sacks, which is 3.8 a game.
- Against the 3-4 teams 19 sacks were by the OLB's, 4.5 by DE's, 2 NT's, 2 by DB's,1.5 by ILB's.
- Against the 4-3 teams 9 sacks were by the DE's, 4 by OLB's, 3 by DB's, 2 by DT's, 1 by a MLB.
That's well over half of the sacks coming from the positions Tackles would likely be blocking. Of course, this doesn't account for which ones were on Mario's side or switches due to blitzing etc. Assigning these sacks a specific culprit is where the unofficial stats come into play.
- ProFootballFocus has Mario tagged for giving up 8 sacks, while Stats has him for a league leading 10.5.
Only PFF has it broken down per game. Using their stats we find that Mario gave up:
- .36 sacks, .73 QB hits and 3.1 QB pressures per game against 3-4 teams
- 0.8 sacks, 1.6 QB hits and .8 QB pressures per game against 4-3 teams.
Using these numbers you'll see that:
- 4.19 times per game against 3-4 teams Mario was beaten and
- 3.2 times per game against 4-3 teams.
He got abused more against 3-4 teams, but his abuse had a much higher consequence against the 4-3 teams.
Take a quick look at his charted overall play by PFF. Again, this his overall play and takes into account running plays.
- Mario received an average rating of -2.1 per game against 3-4 based teams.
- While earning a -1.9 against 4-3 based teams.
Essentially, it all comes down to a wash. Mario struggles against 4-3 and 3-4 teams without prejudice. I think I just put an end to my most recent nightmare, but I may have given birth to many more.
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Damn Noon!!! Now my day is all Fucked up.
Ok fine..Mario is a turnstile..Ok! Deep down i was ok with that, not because he gets beat by speedy LB’s and DE’s..but because i felt like he would maybe, probably improve. But the stats man!!!…We gotta get him out of there..either that or i hope JC and Grads have unlimited texting cause im pretty sure Mario will be texting alot if he starts.
by Kobe Won Kenobi on Aug 31, 2010 4:38 AM PDT reply actions
Unlimited texting...that's hillarious
in that terrifying, dark humor kinda way.
Thought is cheap.
by Rich Langford on Aug 31, 2010 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Not quite right
I am sure they can receive any amount free of charge its Mario that will burn his thumbs out and his bloated salary will get eaten up for all the future texting he may have to do.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 31, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
2010 Oakland Raiders quarterbacks
with Mario Henderson at left tackle:
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
I too pulled for Mario to
mature into SuperMario, but alas, not happening fast enough if it will at all, and I am afraid a QB or RB is going to get seriously hurt b/c of this bum. Men, we wont go very far w/ the leagues WORST starting LT. At this point, I am ready for Veldheer to take over the duties, move Mario to RT, Soup at RG, cut Carlise, and keep Walker, Barnes, Morris as backups.
NO MERCY!
lets put a 3rd rookie at the LT spot
yeah, thatll fix everything….
listen we came into the season KNOWING that mario was gonna give up a few sacks. and even though these are some good stats yuh got here, we gotta remember who we had a QB last year. the man was so slow in his drop step that by the time he reached the end of it someone was gettin beat. a lil pocket presence is gonna go a long way…. he held down julius and ware down fairly and i still got faith in him. early this offseason there was a post on this guy and at the time i had him down for 3-5 sacks this season, and imma stand by it. is there an excuse for the hit last saturday? no. but to all of a sudden throw a rookie in there who did worse in my opinion then mario did in chicago?…. c’mon man.
by frank7da2tank on Aug 31, 2010 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions
He will be ok.
I think Mario will be ok. They could always use Marcel Reece or another back to help on the blindside. Here is my link to a review of the 49ers game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cxRTp0vJDU
A preview of the Seahawks will be up later!
The consistently inconsistent Mario
Mario plays a quarter or a half without giving anything up and you think he’s got it figured out, then somebody will blow right by him like he’s not even there. Veld looks pretty good at center (especially compared to Satele and he should improve weekly), so I think he’ll be there to start the season. We may need to put a TE next to Mario a lot of the time just to slow down the edge rushers, especially since we do not have a great blocking FB (the Raiders may find a better option on the waiver wire) and Bush and his thumb will limit his blocking abilities. This of course, will take away one offensive weapon, but it will keep Campbell alive.
Mario is still young, he has a chance, and he does work hard, whether he “has it” our not, is still to be determined, but at this point of the year we are going to have to live through his struggles. What other options are? If Veldheer is indeed going to be the starting center, then whomever is now going to back up Mario, will probably be of a quality that would not even make any other NFL roster…Scary
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
Never had faith
in Not So Super Mario. I think his kryptonite is donning a Raider Jersey with pads and a helmet and being paid to play a very important position.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 31, 2010 6:52 AM PDT reply actions
As much as I'd like Veld playing Center and becoming the next great anchor, his services are required at LT
Despite Jared’s limited NFL experience, he is impressive. Yes, he’s been beat at T – but has never melted down and allowed a rusher to sprint into the QB at full throttle like Marion has countless times.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
Yes,
but do you really think that Cable would make that type of change at this point in the season? If Veld is not the starting center, then the soonest that kind of change could happen would be after the bye, but more probably next year.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
by TheRaiderWay on Aug 31, 2010 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions
??
and why do you think Veld is faster. He couldn’t keep up with a DE Peppers, you think he’s going to be fine against OLBs. C’mon?
Veld’s strength is… Strength!
Taking one problem at a time, lack of strength in the middle. Solution: Veld.
Problem 2: lack of strength on the right side of the line. Solution: Develop BC
Problem 3: Safety tackling: Solution, the best pass defender between Branch, Mitchell, or Brown.
With more strength in the middle, JC can step up and avoid the speed rush from the outside. LT problem solved.
Mario's
pass protection isnt as good as his run blocking but velhdeer isnt much better at center… but we faced a pretty good 1st team last week im not sure if the titans are better? im afraid of the Defense letting Chris Johnson go crazy on the 12th!
aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR
He also fails completely getting to the second level of D on run plays
a glaring deficiency pointed out by some of the league’s top analysts. Add in inconsistency against premiere pass rushers, and you have: a guy like Mario who shouldn’t be the blindside tackle. End of story.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Focused on the Stands
Didn’t anyone notice? When Mario was off the field, he was turned and totally focused on the someone in the stands—about section 116 about 20 rows up….making hand signals…looking like sad-eyed puppy-dog in love. Pitiful! His focus was clearly not on the game.
thats probably my
biggest concern… im not sure how focused these players are especially the content some of these guys put out on twitter… i mean, its always fun reading the “tweets” but you have to question their dedication. yeah, the argument is they’re human too and have lives as well but my argument is they get paid a lot more money then a normal “human” to play a game and play it to their best ability.
aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR
lol, that's good evidence to use against him... this is not good news....
We’ll at least he won’t do this at away games right?…..
The RaiderLaker
Something has to be done!
If Henderson is the starter, teams are going to take advantage of that. Especially division opponents. If he IS the starter, we will have to improvise in passing situations by leaving a back back there or running some quick slants to the TE.. Leaving a back back their will make us one dimensional. possibly getting our receivers injured. Our LT needs to be athletic and quick. for this reason, I think it’s time to give Bruce Campbell a shot.
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
Soup would be worse at pass protection and as good, maybe better in a few weeks at rush blocking. No, either Veld, FA,
or deep shit.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Sons... how about just win the division? Hell, if we win it by going 6-11, I'll be happy.
Just worry about the division, The coaching staff will use the real schemes against divisional opponents. I foresee us gameplanning more, way more on divisional than other teams. I noticed, that is why we were always geting destroyed by Saints, Vikings, Patriots, Falcons, Ravens. We never really gameplanned, and we probably won’t still….
The RaiderLaker
That's not how it works. The HC doesn't say, "Okay, we're going to win 8 and lose 8 this season and that will be
sufficient to get to the 1st playoff game and keep our jobs. Hell, our fans will be satisfied."
No, you play hard and strategize for every game and play to win. Then, with the bar high, you’ll still fall short but exceed any record you’d end up with by setting the bar low.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay then, But does winning our division require us to have a great LT?
Tell me who will beat Mario, who in our division?
The RaiderLaker
I find it hard to believe we gameplanned in the games where we were blown out.
The most memorable to me. Patriots, 42-7…. that’s pathetic. Saints, 41-14. etc.
Giants last year, felt like a scrimage to them….
The RaiderLaker
I'm not going to make any further assumptions. I work in S.F., beset on each side by 9er fans.
Gloating yesterday was palpable.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
We have 10
other games with non-divisional foes. So that argument is much like Mario’s feet…………. in quicksand and sinking fast.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 31, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
good point. Even if we sweep Denver and somehow KC with its powerful running game and slit with StD
there are 10 more games with 10 more assaults from the blind side. The Texans and SF are very tough and Pittsburgh, Miami and Indi will come from the left too. The suggestion of keeping a FB for that purpose of lining up an extra TE like Myers to compensate for Marion is not satisfactory and untenable.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
He's serviceable...
But he has never been able to play consistently without help, other than his first few starts. In other words, he can’t play on an island, which is what DB’s and LT’s are asked to do. He may be okay as long as Gallery is there, but if there is a mistake with Gallery, or Gallery goes down, then the LT position becomes a distinct liability, and throwing in a rookie that is clearly not ready (yet) will not make the situation any better.
This is why I pushed for more FA and rookie FA signings; better too many than not enough.
Failure builds character; success reveals it
Most of us pushed all through preseason - the polls had OT as #1 need or 2nd biggest after DT. We drafted two and
converted them into a G & C.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm actually appalled with the coaching staff thus far for not at least demonstrating they recognize this
to the point it almost overshadows all good that took place. As it is, our qbs will all be hurt by midseason.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Well, Cable has been saying it more or less in his understated way. He recently looks strained and haggard
Marion and Marshall are wearing poor Tom’s ass out.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Mario Henderson
is probably somewhat of a space cadet. Seems like he can’t focus and that’s keeping him from getting to his potential and keeping him inconsistant. Hopefully this past game is somewhat of a wake-up call for him to get his shit together or he’s going to be responsible for getting a QB’s career destroyed. Last year all 3 of our quarterback’s went out with an injury at some point, and I would worry about the same issue this year. LT is the most important position in this regard and he needs to focus, or be gone.
Bow down, when you're Westwood bound.
I'm Going to say this one more Time !!!
You win championships with DEFENSE !!!! They address that with the first 2 Draft picks. In that, the Raiders are following the formula. Then came Veldheer & Campbell, the best Athletes at those positions in those Draft rounds left, hoping one would surprise. Neither or ready tostart right now. They are the future. From the looks of it, 2 hard workers with potential !!! Elite tackles are what…….1out of every 50 ?? Mario got beat, and beat badly by LaBoy. Why are we paying so much attn. to this? Campbell came up hurt, and from his initial reaction, we thought the season was a wrap. Not as bad as we thought, just a stinger and he’s back at practice!!! So lighten the fuck up !!! Mario has played some BIG NAME DE’s, and held his own. Now if we can get an “ELITE TACKLE”, Without mortgaging the future, then go for it. If one is availible(S.D.‘s McNeil). it’s gonna cost us, Like a 1st round pick(2012’s) and at least one name player, and a to be a name player, minimum. Can you live with that!!!! So we send the TE in motion to his side, so he can chip block the DE or Speed rushing LB, giving Mario time to set up. Like you, I/we want it all, and after the last 7 yrs., I/we want it all now, But at what cost. Let’s be practical, because truefully, We have no choice !!! Some of you are wishywashy, Blowning that good smoke up his azz when all’s good, Then throwing him up under bus, when the occassional shit happens!!!! So until we CAN UPGRADE, you need to unbucnh your panties, LADIES !!!!
Now who's blowing smoke. You saw the stats and you saw him quit on that block and many before it. I refuse to lighten up
while we are able to do things right now with players on our roster without having to accommodate our special needs T. What? designate our FB to cover Mario’s unpredictable, but guaranteed, laxes? Or use two TE to assist with a one-man job like a SF Cty road crew? The chip block shows your thinking but why go to such measures when we have two rookies who were celebrated college OTs?
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Couldn't agree more!
If Mario was cut today, he would only demand a backup spot for some other team.
I would rather have Barnes over there.
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
Yes, and no
Defense wins championships, and I loove defense, but you generally have to also have an offense as well. OL has been a shambles for years, just as long as the run defense has been a joke. I would have liked OL more in the past, but I didn’t have any problem with McClain being the first pick. The second…? I still would have preferred a run-stuffing DT, because that is how you truly control teams, by forcing them into the teeth of your D, which is our case is the backfield. Until you PROVE you can stop the run, then you cannot win with defense. Period.
Henderson has, at times, held his own against “big name DE’s”, but more often, been owned by them and by lesser lights as well. He can play, but doesn’t do it consistently, and requires help, which constricts the offensive game plan. That makes him a liability, more than not. Bringing in guys that are something of prospects, in that they have upside, but are no lock, is not the problem; relying on them to develop is. Unfortunately, due to piss-poor drafting and free agent moves for years, it is what it is, but there are/have been available OT’s that have not been brought in, not been signed, apparently not even been looked at. THAT is what pisses off so many faithful, because the problem has been obvious, and yet ignored.
We have had the option and ability to upgrade, and haven’t even tried.
That may be okay with some, but it isn’t with everyone. It damn sure isn’t with me. That doesn’t mean that I am not solidly behind the Raiders, but my faith doesn’t preclude me from calling a spade a spade, and saying that 1) Al and Cable have still not un-fucked the line, and 2) that not fixing it, or even trying to, creates a very real potential problem for the season, should shoddy line play get QB’s hurt (again).
Failure builds character; success reveals it
According to reports (see fan shot), Al and Cable are shopping for yet another QB
Al brought in Jason when Grad was hurt. Now Jason got hurt – Matt Leinart on the horizon. If true, this is seriously fucked up. What are our QBs – disposable tissues?!
by Spirals galore on Sep 1, 2010 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Hadn't heard we were interested
I thought about it when I heard that Leinart was on the block, but felt that it was an unnecessary move at this time. Campbell was just brought in, Gradkowski has proven that he can step in, so the only spot really available at this point would be to compete with Boller. While I think that Leinart may be able to play, it seems from the preseason so far that QB is a fairly settled spot.
We may well need to upgrade in time, but I would rather look at more options for the OL. That they are not, and have not seemd to be concerned about it is what makes me question whether Cable is really the right guy; how can an OL coach not see the problems that this OL has?
Failure builds character; success reveals it
Let's not panic...
Mario is an average tackle in a league filled with average tackles. Any tackle that is rarely ever beaten for a sack or a ‘pressure’ is an elite tackle and we know the Raiders – and many other teams – do not have those. There is no reason to go commit suicide over it as we all expected this anyway.
You can’t rebuild the defense and O-line completely in one draft. This will have to be addressed next year, unless one of the young guys surprises. And Campbell can help his cause by not being so slow so often in reading the D and getting the pass off. He had this rep in Washington which is why he’s not still there.
disagree
playoff teams (what many here think we COULD be this year) have good players at LT and maybe average players at RT. Mario is not “average.” he is below average. he’s a backup swing tackle on a good team.
he would possibly be servicable at RT but compared to what we need and what other teams have, he is not good enough yet at LT and has not shown me that he ever will be.
can campbell and the scheme make it work notwithstanding his faults? maybe.
by lchristmas on Aug 31, 2010 9:06 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
disagree with the disagree
Mario was lauded at times over his career for his handling of tough DE’s that were expected to eat him alive. I don’t see how that makes him below average. That he has good games and bad ones makes him about as average as you can get. Besides, this is all we have and we need to live with it…and look who he was blocking for last year – the man with zero pocket awareness!!
I always felt Campbell stunk in DC so I’m not too happy about having him here. What I am happy about is no more walrus! Hopefully Grads will get to start eventually.
agree to disagree
Let’s focus on Mario and not JC. JC “is my starting quaterback” as TO would tearly say. LT was not resolved during the off-season; here we are hoping our qb makes it to the season opener. What this does is alter our game plan and places more FB & TE support to back him up. Our offence can’t be as creative; hence, we desperately need to run that ball. DMac best show up right about now.
by raiders4liffe on Aug 31, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Guys just worry about winning the division first.... then playoffs... This division has weak DE's
Merriman? Dumberville? Hali is good… but two of those dudes are washed up now or injured. We’ll be fine, we can still win the division with a cheap LT, the problem in the 3-4 is against the LB’s or the NT that go trough the middle against Satele, Cooper.
We need to replace C and RG with Veldheer and B. Campbell. Add some brute strenght and quickness. Not finesse and quickness like Cooper and Satele.
The RaiderLaker
subjectively you can watch mario
and he looks bad. the stats posted here by others objectively support the conclusion that mario is a bad left tackle. (how many other starting LTs in the league are worse… 5? 7? that ain’t average)
just as the stats show that campbell by no means “stunk” in washington. I get it. you saw grad and he was a breath of fresh air after 2 years of breathing in sizzurp flatulence. he won some games. I wanted him to get a chance to start. but campbell is an upgrade and once he came on board I felt quite good about our 1-2.
campbell played behind a HORRIBLE line last year but he never quit or complained. in fact he made quite a few plays, including a game in oakland as I recall where he torched us using “fred davis” and “quinton ganther.”
grad is a fiery great guy but he’s a backup (as quite a sample size of career stats show). hold off on the campbell hate until he gives you a reason.
by lchristmas on Aug 31, 2010 3:36 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I hope you're right
about campbell but I seriously doubt it. If he is all that some fans are claiming then he’d most likely still be in washington and shanahan would not have let him go so cheaply.
As for being an upgrade over Grad – we’ll see. Gannon was a backup and journeyman too until he got plugged into the right system. Grad showed leadership and the ability to win some games and keep a bad O competetive in spite of it all. Hopefully Campbell is not just another in a long line of boneheaded strong-arms that Davis likes to collect.
hurries
you guys forget about hurries which are almost as horrible as sacks
the reason these playoff teams go to the playoffs is because their QBs have a pocket
by word2bigbird on Aug 31, 2010 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
My sentiments exactly as Stated above !!!
You like me, are keeping it real !!!
If you were speaking to lchristmas then I don't understand your response to me at 5:49 b/c lxmas and i are on the same page
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Head Decapitated?
Give me a break! That was a reaccurring stinger injury he’s had before. Favre handles those situations on a regular basis-did you see Minnesota game? When I think of good quarterbacks in NFL-Rothlisburger, Favre, Manning and even Brady- getting rid of the ball and avoiding sacks is the first thing that comes to mind and they still get sacked sometimes regulary ,But seem to avoid big injuries. Blaming the line for pressure on one play doesn’t get it. Zorn spent the majority of his time in camp working with campbell on dealing with pressure at the QB position when he had him -throwing practice pads at him while throwing cause thats what it takes in todays NFL.
Of course, if it were only one play. Also, Favre needed surgery after that game. Bad or worse examples of QBs getting
creamed and being able to sustain it isn’t very persuasive.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
+1
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
+1
as always. I guess I should’ve provided stats to back my arguments a long time ago. Then again, I don’t think you need stats to see that Mario is just plain mediocre on his best day; not my idea of what a true LT is, especially having had the greats of Raider’s past like we have, and Cable having been an offensive lineman coach.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Some days hes amazing
Some days he sucks, if there is an upgrade get it. If not live with it, its not like hes pitiful like Carslile
" Only build on positives , don't stack the negatives...Instead of criticizing , what was a positive?" - Donavin Darius
"There is nothing like a wise phrase or quote to help convince others that your decision makes sense." - Anon
"If you're ever in a fair fight, then your tactics suck." ಠ_ಠ
Bottom-line
we need better offensive line play to ‘hang’ with ‘big boys!’ If the Cable guy can not do any better, then we have to live with it; however, the truth is, we have not arrived yet.
In all fairness...
…it’s a two way flow between O-line and QB. Yes the line has to do a good job but the QB also needs good pocket awareness, the ability to quickly read and react and get rid of the ball or move out of trouble. JR failed miserably in that regard and Campbell has had similar criticisms in DC. No line can hold the tide back forever. When we get a QB that can do this (perhaps Gradkowski) then we’ll see how many sacks are legitimate line-caused sacks.
Thank you
It is nice to see on this site that at least there are not 20 comments about DHB being a bust or medical reports about “fatigue”. Our latest whipping boy will now be Mario because Campbell got sacked and hurt on a guy who got by Mario once. In the first game Carlisle and Satele were getting crucified because Campbell got sacked and they got beat. What do you think the Cowboy fans are saying about their tackles and linemen who gave up 5 sacks to the Raiders?
Veldeer let Willis run right through him to dump McFadden and then Campbell but he gets a pass because he is a rookie? Guys are going to get beat, the other players are pretty good also.
Our criticism seems to be pretty selective. In two straight games Murphy has dropped two simple and important passes but nary a word. Even Zack appeared to drop an easy pass. I am fine with that, players get beat, they make mistakes but this constant harping on one player for one bad play is wearisome. I am much more concerned about a line that cannot seem to open a hole in the line for our runners. Maybe it is our runners, I am not sure. I like Bush, he seems to gain yards that are not there, McFadden seems incapable of breaking a tackle, that is much more of a concern.
Were you possibly the person in
about section 116 about 20 rows up
That SusanM mentioned above?
Thought is cheap.
by Rich Langford on Aug 31, 2010 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Sorry, Laoren, but this is hilarious. noontide has a special gift
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
you don't set a very high bar for humor
by Laoren on Aug 31, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
it is what it is. then again, it's seldom as funny when you're the brunt of the joke
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions
No, Laoren's right.
Noontide just isn’t funny. He’s better than Dexter Fish-Head at the Laker blog… and Timbo, for that matter, who is almost as pretentious as you are, S.O.B… but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking Noontide is the Second Coming of [insert whoever you feel best embodies great Comedy].
"I came back with an I-Don't-Care attitude. If I had an open shot, I was taking it."
--The Robert Horry
I bleed Purple N' Gold and Silver N' Black... because of this rare condition, I am no longer allowed to donate to the Red Cross.
by The_Power_and_the_Glory_of_Robert_Horry on Aug 31, 2010 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Now I know why they call you big shot Bob.
Oh man Dex is great. Still, I certainly wouldn’t fool myself into thinking I or he was the second coming of Carrot Top…. Now come on, even Henry Rollins would admit that’s a little funny.
Thought is cheap.
by Rich Langford on Aug 31, 2010 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Forsooth, your humor bar must be very high. Please indulge us with some of it; I've never had the pleasure
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions
One bad play
Could have got our quarterback knocked out for the season. Simply fact is, Mario is slow, can’t handle the quicker DEs, probably because of that gut. We get lucky this time, JC’s injuries are not more serious. Next time maybe we lose him for the whole season.
Marion's ogling and gut add fuel to the flames.
Cf. Kelly, who lost a lot of weight and is playing tougher and fans have lightened up on him. If a player isn’t performing well, he better have some discretion and not make it worse by acting like an ass.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Remember the play last year when Bruce had to scold Mario for looking at the jumbotron?
This is a problem; don’t know how you can’t have your head in the game when you have such a huge responsibility.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
I haven't said it before but I'll say it now, Marion has the eyes of a girl seeking intercourse
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
The offensive line and run defense are my two biggest concerns going into the season.
Hopefully Henderson will improve or someone will step up and take his place.
I’ve really enjoyed your articles noontide, keep up the good work.
Who is surprised?
I dont think anyone with half a brain really belived that Mario was a good option at LT. With a sub-par o-line he is just the raiders best option currently. Get used to it kids, this wont be the last time we are complaining about our o-line. As a collective group they fucking suck.
by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Aug 31, 2010 10:48 AM PDT reply actions
Mario is not good enough for Campbell to stand in the pocket like he did against SF.
Gradkowski has much better awareness and if Veldheer was the starter blocking for Grad our passing game may finally be improved.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
if you are talking about the play on which he was hurt
he wasn’t holding the ball too long. he got into his drop and was immediately destroyed because mario didn’t lay a finger on laboy.
that’s on mario all the way.
by lchristmas on Aug 31, 2010 3:40 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Laboy was an unknown.
Plus we didn’t have any film on that clown, now we do, and Mario will study.
Lets calm down…
The RaiderLaker
Film? Please
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you serious?!?!? Yeah, you are right Sons, we don't need film, our guys don't need-
to watch an opposing players tendencies/techniques.
*
Ichristmas, yeah, your right, lets go out there and fix it by making a blockbuster trade. Hell, we can probably fix everything right now. With spirits this high anything is possible!!
Now lets go grab Clady or Oher!! (blowing past a guy with a juke is a tendency/technique)
*
Look, I’m all for getting a guy in next years draft in the 2nd (Orlando Franklin) but Rome wasn’t built in one day. We have to bear with Mario. Veldheer and Campbell are not the answers this year for demanding positions like LT or RT. C, and G is better for them to get a feel of the NFL with their brute strenght and quickness. Maybe Deer can play LT next year, maybe not. Overall, we can make a trade but who would be ideal right now? (lemme guess………………………….. Gaither…………)
The RaiderLaker
A good OT has to have it and if he doesn't have it then 10,000 hours viewing film won't help him
We’re talking VIR VIRO (Man to Man), in the cage with no tag-team Robert Gallery to wet nurse.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
i never said one word about a trade whatsoever
someone said mario was average and he sucks
you are acting like mario will be better once he just watches film on travis laboy’s mysterious techniques that have led him to such a superior career
I am not even going to get into your theory that no game planning was or is done on non-division games or that the 6 divisional games are far more important than the 10 others
quite frankly, many of your posts haven’t been making a lot of sense
by lchristmas on Sep 1, 2010 2:01 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
They don't make sense to you probably because you are staring at a very small -
phone screen, but try cleaning the screen of the cell, it might work…
Ok, sure, You are right, Henderson won’t learn anything at all by looking at how Laboy blew past him, he won’t learn jack, and we should just do away with film…
*
Who said get better? Just learn the lazy mistake on film and fix…
The RaiderLaker
you called me out by name and attempted to mock an argument that i never even made
I won’t bother responding to your super-funny cell phone joke and your explanation/excuse for mario getting beat like a corpse by travis laboy is quite flimsy.
as far as the rest of your points and posts – they speak for themselves
by lchristmas on Sep 1, 2010 6:40 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It's similar to paying hoops one-on-one, it's more a motor/mechanical skill. This obsession about film
is already ridiculous. A good lineman, working one-on-one, is good with film or without. The benefit of film is mostly to pick up tells.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 1, 2010 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
This is by far, not the first sign of weakness...
and I will not calm down.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
you cannot be serious
what if the other DE’s in the league catch wind that Mario is vulnerable to Travis Laboy’s novel “run real fast around the stationary fat guy” pass rush move? he’ll have to watch a lot of film to overcome that
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to see kyle boller hit the field by week 7….
by lchristmas on Aug 31, 2010 6:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
We have virtually no other option, that's all i'm saying...
The new guys are just too RAW, fit to run simple positions that just require brute strength and quickness, like C or G.
The RaiderLaker
To put it simpler, if you start Deer or Campbell you will see Boller by week 3.
Although, I actually think Campbell can manage something at LT, moreso than Deer because I remember how quick and athletic B. Campbell looked in the combine…
And he was rated higher, but he’s just raw right now, plus Cable would’ve seen something in OTA’s… imo..
The RaiderLaker
My line looks like this (with what we have for best results as starters)-
Henderson-Gallery-Veldheer-Campbell-Walker.
*
An improved line from a possible trade may look like this-
Gaither-Gallery-Veldheer-Campbell-Walker. That’s a big ass line.
*
But the line we have right now is super crap with-
Henderson-Gallery-Satele-Cooper-Walker.
That line is garbage because satele and cooper are just finesse guys that tend to get thrown around on certain plays by big NT’s, DT’s, even ’backers get at them at times easily.
The RaiderLaker
I often lament the trade of Groves for Satele
Miami got the better of the two, without a doubt. I believe he’d fit in nicely with our current unit. Might anchor the middle enough to help both sides. Cooper Carlisle is plain shit.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Jagger Jaw's referred to Carlisle and Satele as "finesse guys" and I believe that was how they were
considered – for the ZBS – which is our bane along with Marshall’s madcap defensive schemes.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope the schemes and playcalling look significantly different in season
I’ve predicted that would be the case, but your level of conviction towards them alarms me. Maybe it’s exactly what they want the league to think, or just don’t want to provide any teams with any good film to study.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
But, imagine if that's the case. There they are in front of the film screen sipping beer and
wondering if perhaps they should have practiced what they actually were going to run. I don’t like either way and would prefer it more if we just use the preseason to get better at what we intend to do in regular season. If it works it will work whether or not teams plan for it – there’s just too much to plan for anyway. Furthermore, I believe it is a sign of weakness to rely so heavily on ‘the element of surprise’ – teams that are strong, teams that dominate, don’t need to do it b/c everyone knows what they’re running anyway only they can’t stop it. That is strength!!! That is power!!!!!!
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Sons, don't forget what OTA's are for, and right before/after a game
they practice/gameplan again.
The RaiderLaker
And the preseason scrimmages? Aren't those games far better for practicing than OTAs?
If you’re right and we’re playing some paranoid game of hiding what we intent to show the world in 10 days, then it better be good; otherwise we’ve squandered 3 (going on 4) priceless opportunities. But, honestly, I believe the playbook is mythical hype. Not to say that Hugh isn’t an improvement in playcalling – I’ve already witnessed enough to know that’s true – but, don’t get your expectations too high about our “unleashing Jackson’s playbook.”
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I know, I just expect DHB to be a threat, and McFadden too.
Those two hold the key for us to to score and win games, as well as to move the chains. After those two are highlighted by opponents when planning against us, Zach Miller or Reece can be other weapons as well, and Murphy, they can have big nights too because of that. Until they show up, we will only have virtually 2 weapons, Zack and Murphy and they will be gameplaned for like doubling, etc..
*
For example, You can’t beat the Saints easily because they have far too many weapons. Both their WR’s are very good, they have Shokey, they have Reggie they have Brees. All those weapons cannot be stopped, if you double, the other one will have a big night. Only chance for some leeway is if you have a shut down corner like Nnamdi, or Revis with no doubling required. Then you can double the other WR, etc..
The playbook may suck, but we need these guys to become legit weapons and make the Playbook look good.
The RaiderLaker
Yes, but Brees distributes the ball to all his weapons second to none
Grads can be pretty good; thus far, Campbell seems to be locking on to TEs, DHB, and McFadden checkdowns. Not good.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Yeah, I love how Grads distributes the ball like that.
He does seem to play like Brees at times. But others doubt and want JC, who is of course in a new system, but right now Grads is more ready to go and play better than him.
The RaiderLaker
Not to worry. He'll get his chances behind this line!
I hate for it to come in the form of an injured JC, but under the circumstances, that reality seems imminent.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
as well as expecting more power blocking schemes this year
I heard Pat Kirwan and Vic Carucci “back a distraught Raider fan from the ledge…” regarding using some 12 personnel to help out in such situations. We’ve seen some of this, and probably even some 71 “jumbo” personnel, with an extra tackle made eligible as a TE to block in short yardage and goal line situations.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
+1 Jagger Jaw
It is total absurdity Tom and his staff does not see or address the deficiencies the fans easily notice. The offensive line is not ‘cool!’ It is very disappointing to see a head coach who purportedly is known as an offensive line coach to produce a strong line; and we still are stuck with muck! Marion may have potential but waiting on him to prove he can “become,” is a ‘hell of a price to pay’ in losing the upgrades at qb. His services may warrant playing somewhere on the line but certainly not left tackle for the Raiders. Our line has not proven anything this preseason that is satisfactory, enabling us to move into the upper echelon of play. i.e. A good/great ol is noted when a Peyton Manning, Tom Brady types (never scramblers) have MORE time than they need, to do WHATEVER! they want with the defense. Yes, we still have time to get a Gaither, Hartwig etc.; however, the likelyhood seems to be more a matter of “pride” and proving to oneself, something that is NOT (our line waking-up one morning all-of-a- sudden and being great, just because.) Go Raiders!!!!
Realtooreal, no doubt, but remember Cable did want a Tackle, but the NFL-
ready ones were gone. OT’s Williams and Okung were the targets as well as DT’s Suh or McCoy, when they were gone Cable said he settled for McClain. I really do believe that Veldheer and Campbell will eventually start which will make our O-line look cooler and play a little better this year.
Like this:
Henderson-Gallery-Veldheer-Campbell-Walker is a much stronger line than with Satele and Cooper.
The RaiderLaker
Absolutely
The brute strength and ability to manhandle that Veldheer and Campbell bring over Satele and Carlisle are a tremendous lift to the line. Even the blocking backs and TEs perform better.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
and if we play them NOW they will get better with each game and climax appropriately
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 1, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
its nice to have a qb who can run for his life when the line cant block
its nicer to have a line that can block so the qb doesn’t have to
by lchristmas on Aug 31, 2010 3:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
on Mario...
Okay, so this is my first post…Raider fan for life from Kansas…anyhoo, my thoughts…the guy can only do what he can do…we all know he has his ups and downs, he is far removed from making excuses because as noontide so eloquently pointed out, he struggles from time to time. So…at some point, you have the put the onus of the decision to leave him @LT back on the coaching staff…if they do not choose to replace him- if they can no longer coach him up, well its hardly his “fault,” then. Every football player is going to make mistakes and every football player has a ceiling or measurable potential…perhaps his is maxed out? Perhaps he is giving it his all…then I say, give the guy a pass…he is playing up to his potential (assuming) and this is a coaching/player personnel issue.
Welcome to the Fold
In respect to Mario, I think that if there are more blown coverages by the second game- Mario could be looking at riding the pine the rest of the season. As an Professional Football player, Mario needs to focus more on football at this point rather than on Tweeting. For some odd reason, I find tweets interesting, but at the same time distracting to what these players should be doing. For me at least, productive players don’t have their tweets on ESPN every night (unless you’re Chad Ochocinco or Chris Johnson). IMO, I’m gonna give Mario every game to show up and compete, but every game could (and rightfully should) be a last straw, because when the regular season starts- I think that Defenses will (let me repeat that) WILL! hit harder and more viciously than during that preseason, and we can’t afford to lose Campbell and a chance to take this division once again.
I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum
by DarksideJU08 on Aug 31, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Ding ding ding! I have placed the onus on the coaches
and believe something must be done, or we’ll suffer injured qbs and an inconsistent run game that is one dimensional as far as which side to run, and the middle is off limits. Can’t be a left handed team, and expect to win games against good game planning DCs.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
oh yeah, and welcome. We appreciate new voices, especially Raider fans from KC!
stick around! it’s a great place for true fans, and you’ll find we are usually steps ahead of most media.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
wel as much as i like
bashing on mario…… take into consideration this key fact
more than 70% of the time, that quarterback that was getting sacked was in fact a sack of potatoes disguised as a football player
i mean cmon, the guy practically sacked himself!
actually i recall seeing a video on youtube of him actually in fact sacking himself….
so factor in that fact and the numbers dont seem so scary
You know I thought about including that difference
between the sack # w/ purple drank and without him. Unfortunately there’s not much difference. Mario’s worst game in terms of allowing sacks was against the Redskins. He played really poorly once fatass came in.
Still, even discounting that game and using the other 6 that weren’t started by the fat deuce, Mario’s average—according to PFF—of getting beat was actually higher. The same is true for their graphs of his overall play.
The Raiders sacks allowed average dipped just below the 3 a game mark in those six games, but not much.
Thought is cheap.
by Rich Langford on Aug 31, 2010 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Well that's a walrus of a different color
because I assumed the great gob was responsible for many of those sacks given up by Mario. What this means, seeing how we are stuck with Mario anyway, is that the QB better play smart pocket-aware football and not help to contribute to his own death, like the unmentionable one.
He'll need to send me more than a text to earn my forgiveness
I’ll take him manning up and stepping down from the position. Rather than keep a mediocre at best guy there, I’d prefer working out the developmental rooks.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
I'm all for Veld assuming the duties and living with the Hawaiian till Hartwig or some other help arrives at Center.
Depending on how the opener goes, I might consider Soup a significant improvement at LT despite being green
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope you're right about young Wis being available to us next year.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
It's close, he's projected now high second and I'd rather we take ourselves out of that drafting class. Also, we may
have to spend the 2nd along the road.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Then again, he could be like Long...
a mere shadow of his father, and not the game changer Howie was. I’m still intrigued by the Wisniewski bloodline.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
we'll have ample time to observe him and others who aspire to wear our colors
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I am 100% with Sons on Satele at Center and Veldheer at LT.
Both are our best options right now and move Henderson to RT. His weaknesses will be masked on that side since the QB will be able to see the rush easier from that position. Also when bringing up Wisnewski from Penn ST. He should be available where we draft but there are quite a few as well including the other Pouncey brother from Florida.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
by TAW on Sep 3, 2010 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions
i know there not in good hands to many times our QB’s have taken hard hits, too many times our pocket has collapse on them and to many times we could have won game’s if our O-line had held together even games we won if not for our QB we would have lost, our O-Line is Garbage i mean jesus our best O-line man is Robert Gallery and thats not saying much, we need to repair our O-line now, and it needs to be fast or we our going to be looking to another losing season
Al has had a lot of time to upgrade but he hasn't
OL has been an afterthought for several seasons with lower caliber free agents and the rare draft pick. The rooks will help but not enough to make a difference this year, Henderson has looked good at times but he is not reliable. Until Al decides to put some effort into bringing in some quality O linemen, we can expect the same old which is struggle with pass protection and struggle getting the most out of the running game.
astute, AW
Do you think he’s at all making offers to the likes of Gaither, McNeill, Mankins? I used to defend Mario, myself.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
doubtul any players are being picked up
there have been many chances to draft guys or target free agents. OL is just not where Al chose to put his efforts (maybe figuring what they have can be coached up) though oddly enough, he has been over paying Gallery, Carlisle and the other lard duffs pretty handsomely. Though those guys do sacrifice their bodies. They are old men by age 30.
by Al's Wingman on Aug 31, 2010 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't have any say in that
as you know, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks unless your name is Allen Davis Football, Inc. That’s why this is a fan site.
by Al's Wingman on Aug 31, 2010 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
That's an easy way out:)
It is by virtue of having a vision that you are a fan and care. So what’s yours? Tell me/us.
by Spirals galore on Aug 31, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
better use of budget
To keep with thread of this article, there simply is not enough talent to protect the QB and not enough talent to help the running game It doesn’t matter what you patch together on D if you can’t protect your skill players and be consistent on offense then you won’t move the ball often enough. The D will wear itself out like the pattern we have seen the last few seasons. John Madden lived by that code when he was coach. How could Al forget what brought him his first SB? You need an OL. Ours is average on its best day.
by Al's Wingman on Aug 31, 2010 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
agree with your assessment(s) al
im of the opinion that cable is still around because he convinced al that he could take this rag tag group and mold them into a serviceable group. therefore freeing up al’s pocket book (and draft picks) to overspend on the glamour/skill positions
by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Aug 31, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
No team can dominate in this league without a dominant O-line. My expectation was domination on D
this season and keeping the games close for reliable guys like Grad, Murph, Zach and Bush to make the winning difference. Everyone knows the state of our O-line, that it’s in the bottom 1/4; all the more reason to use and develop our 2 talented rookies immediately and jettison the twin hacks – Mario and Carlisle.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 1, 2010 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions
yes - this makes a lot of sense
And so does Rat’s reply.
by Spirals galore on Sep 1, 2010 5:56 AM PDT up reply actions
John Madden the other day said pretty much the same
by Spirals galore on Sep 1, 2010 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes. this is the quote of the month right here
How could Al forget what brought him his first SB? You need an OL. Ours is average on its best day.
I ask myself that question repeatedly. Al knows as well as anyone, the game is won in the trenches. I was somewhat appeased by us taking two tackles in the draft, but fully expected at least one truly quality tackle to be acquired somehow.
If John is saying it, should we not be hearing it loudly and clearly (Mr. Davis, is anyone home?)
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Cable still believes that we are close
Jerry Mac reported that Cable had this to say about the current offensive line:
"It’s never really been a good-and-bad thing. It’s been good and I wish it was better," Cable said. "Consistency is probably the No. 1 issue to me. We’ve had some things where you say, `dang, we’re going to be real good. But we’ve got to continue to do it play after play. That’s the part that’s still missing a little bit in our offensive line — getting that every down consistency.
"Then I’m going to be very excited. And I think they’re close."
I hope he is right, given Cable’s background he should know what he’s talking about when it comes to the offensive line.
At any rate, to quote Rummy from the past administration, “you go to war with the army you have, not the one that you want”.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
by TheRaiderWay on Sep 1, 2010 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
That is correct, my friend. The one saving grace is the lack of tackles available
and almost zero with upside and coming for a good deal. All are guys where we’d know exactly what we’d be getting, and perhaps we don’t find them worth what they’re asking.
But if what I’ve heard that Al’s relinquished control to allow Cable to coach these guys up, and we continue to get the shit salad we’ve been getting up front, he’ll join the list of past Raiders coaches sooner than later.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Haha...Cable is trying to add the Ranch to the shit salad.
Let’s hope he can hold it together. The reality sucks, but you can’t knock the strategy. As you guys said there weren’t any upgrades to be had. And the ones that may have been out there to be had were overpriced.
So, the team upgraded wisely where they could, while hoping it’s head coach can elevate the collective play of it’s weakest group, which happens to occupy his area of expertise.
Thought is cheap.
by Rich Langford on Sep 1, 2010 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Some options still available*, or whiffed on
C – Kevvin Mawae, if Chris Hall wants to play*, Sergio Render*
G – Randy Thomas* (if healthy), Rex Hadnot, Eugene Amano, Brandon Carter, Chris Scott*, Dace Richardson*
T – Tony Washington*, Shawn Andrews, Adam Ulatoski*, Ciron Black* (probably a OG)
I will admit that I haven’t scoured the FA ranks, and that there are plenty of cuts to still be made, but that there hasn’t been more movement on the OL, as far as bringing in guys to look at as upgrades, is aggravating.
It is either because Cable thinks that the current level of talent is sufficient, which makes me question his ability to evaluate talent (already under fire from me due to choices made when he was OL coach), or that Al still isn’t interested enough in the line to make moves, which mean that everything else that is being done right can be wasted…
Failure builds character; success reveals it
Very well said. Interesting list of guys you've barely heard of...
maybe not a bad thing considering they’re lineman? Ulatoski intrigues me. I think Mawae still has some gas in his tank, and could provide the necessary leadership we need, and is probably considering Satele’s injury.
Just don’t know if we’ll stick with the shit salad or not at this point.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Hard to find 'name guys' that won't cost an arm and a leg
But these are guys that are already solid pros, maybe on the downside (Mawae), and a number of well-rated rookies (especially Washington, who was thought by some to be a better prospect than Veldheer, and more ready than Campbell).
Mawae has been signed by Tennessee, but Ulatoski is still out there, as are others, as asterisked.
I can take guys that aren’t All-Pros, if they improve the line. There are possibilities every year to make a step up, or to provide more competition. Unfortunately, we are apparently sticking with what we have, and that indicates to me that Cable is satisfied with what there is on the roster, which I find scary…
Failure builds character; success reveals it
We had two items on our agenda when the draft opened: get help to stop the rush and upgrade the O-line
When our turn came at #8, OTs Russell Okung and Trent Williams were gone (taken at 4th & 6th) and Cable made it clear, in the post-draft press conference, that those two were our targets (along with McCoy). So, we turned to rush defense and took what was thought to be the most talented defender on the board and followed it up with a true value in the next round.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
said differently,
picking an OT at #8 would have been a stretch as after Okung and Williams, no other rookie could make the jump and start. Veld and Campbell were nice picks in their respective rounds. They are will play, however, they are not ready to dominate nor be impactful. As dubious as Mario is, there’s no way I put Veld in that spot at LT. We addressed a lot in the draft, however, we needed a veterant via trade or free agent pick up to allow Veld time to mature. The brass believe that Mario can get it done, I just hope that our QBs last to get some victories.
by raiders4liffe on Sep 1, 2010 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I've said that myself. In fact, I questioned even being our guy.
Just felt we should’ve gone for Gaither or a similar FA when the iron was hot.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
I swear I typed "Trent" where I was saying "questioned .... being our guy"
It seems even Bulaga is having his growing pains.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
LT was thin in the draft
That’s why I said that I would be fine with dropping down in the draft for Iupati (who has been very good so far), with developmental picks iike Veldheer and Campbell, binging in everybody and their brother for OL, and taking a MLB late or in FA.
That is no knock on McClain, I think that he will play well and be very good, but I admit to being a disciple of building the trenches first and foremost. Every thing else comes after, but the lines are the foundation.
Without a solid foundation, you cannot build a lasting structure…
Failure builds character; success reveals it
I came to think Iupati was the right guy, myself
and like McClain as well, but Spikes, Butler, and others would have still been available. I hope the coaches and staff see something we don’t in our current line. We need at least one game changer up there, and I’m not seeing him yet.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Since Michael Y isn't responding - it's about the Tampa 2 and the MLBs role - which is crucial. Jim Otto told us at
the Draft Party that everything hinges on the MLB … that was the day following our choosing Ro.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 1, 2010 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
our draft
was solid this year considering the positions we had. Very few rookies do well as a LT; it’s just a fact. Jake Long is still struggling, Oher started as a RT to get used to the NFL. Fine, andre smith and jason smith did well but they’re top 6 picks. If Veld starts as LT, we’ll run out of QBs by game 8. We absolutely needed a short term solution, ie., 2 year veterant contract. Can Mario be a top 15 LT in the league this year? If not, we’ll need to run that ball and alter our offence to give more support. No qb can take those blindside hits and last. Suh almost snapped Delhomme’s head last week. It is what it is, I’m not sure which players will become available this week but there’s a reason they were released by their teams.
by raiders4liffe on Sep 2, 2010 2:53 AM PDT up reply actions
ive had time to marinate and get me mind ri
Im willing to believe that Mario can be a servicable Tackle and maybe, just maybe he had a bad game by getting Campbell James Dean’d was that a distasteful joke??? Kinda hope it was…..anywho…Im confident Cable and Hue are making adjustments so to not get Grad killed in our last preseason game.
Wow! Harsh but funny.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
by TAW on Sep 3, 2010 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions
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