Oakland Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints: What I'll Be Looking For

by Rich Langford on Aug 28, 2011 6:00 AM PDT

When the Oakland Raiders take on the New Orleans Saints my attention is going to be primarily fixed on the defense. And for good reason. The Raiders run defense was shredded last week. Team defense needs to improve in this game, but more than any position the outside linebackers need to step it up in the run game.

Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves need to o a better job of sealing off running lanes and shedding blocks. I am not hopeful that these two will ever be proficient in this area, but they don't have to be the disaster they were last week.

And beyond that, how about the Raiders All-World defensive line doesn't let them get there in the first place. This defensive line has the ability to flat overpower a Saints offensive line that is better suited for pass blocking than run blocking.

When it comes down to it, the Saints may not need to run all that much. The Saints can use multiple wide receiver sets and spread out the field with the best of them. Sons had a good preview of this matchup yesterday so I won't get too in-depth, but I will add that with Chis Johnson being out of action and Demarcus Van Dyke missing time this week, this cornerback group is ridiculously over matched.

Of course these absences, and great adversity lead to a great opportunity, which leads me to one player I'll be keying on. Check it out after the jump....

Sterling Moore: This is Moore's golden opportunity to cement among the 53. With the recent addition of Lito Sheppard, Moore could very well be fighting an uphill battle. However, if he can make a few plays in this game, he is going to make it near impossible to cut him.
Rolando McClain: Sons hit this matchup in his preview, but it is worth mentioning again. Brees is a heady QB, and McClain is working on being a heady MLB. Let's see just how far Ro has come in leadership and play recognition.
Taiwan Jones: I can't wait to see Jones hit the field. I expect Jones will get at least ten touches in this game, and I am going to be hoping on everyone he finds some open space to flash his speed.
Stefen Wisniewski: All signs point to Wiz II starting at LG. I will be watching him as much as possible. The Saints have a weak run defense. If Wiz is capable of being an average to above average starter this year in the NFL, he will be able to open up some holes in this one.
Chimdi Chekwa: Chekwa has been getting some reps at free safety. I hope he does in this game. If he does, I am going to pay attention to his instincts and play recognition to see if he has what it takes to play single-high.
Khalif Barnes: It looks as if Barnes may be inching towards locking down the starting RT position for week one. He needs to look better than he has if I am going to do anything but bitch about this.
Defensive Scheme: The Raiders flashed some zone D against SF last week. Other than Shaughnessy's pick, it did not work. but it is certainly understandable that this will still be a work in progress. This game will be a great test for that zone D.
Richard Gordon: Gordon hasn't had a lot of reps this preseason. However, with all the injuries at the TE position, he should get some good run in this one. He is a blocking first TE. Let's see if he can get a good push off the ball.

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While I usually try to buy things made In Canada/USA

I am definitely looking forward to seeing Touchdowns made in Tiawan

by Canadian Raider on Aug 28, 2011 6:10 AM PDT reply actions

yes Made in TAIWAN as well....

I really should have learned to spell

by Canadian Raider on Aug 28, 2011 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll be watching.........

Taiwan , Chimdi and Death RO.

by Wyoraider on Aug 28, 2011 6:32 AM PDT reply actions

DL

I’ll be looking forward to my boy Matt “Lil’ Dick, Shank, Shag-nasty” Shaughnessy Destroying the Saints. At least I hope so….

"Bad is Back, thanks be to the Antichrist" - George Atkinson

by Ghost Raider on Aug 28, 2011 6:34 AM PDT reply actions

lil dick sounds bad even if its a reference to him playing like big dick lol

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Aug 28, 2011 12:48 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, that’s a terrible nickname. Let’s not use that.

by JaKe. on Aug 28, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

The most interesting things for me to look out for will be the O-Line rotations

and also the corner situation.

"We’re going to be a tough, rugged football team that walks with a swagger and plays the way the Raiders used to play." Hue Jackson

"Just win baby. That’s what Al Davis says and that’s all I want to do. . . . I just want to be the best, and I just want to win." - Terrelle Pryor

by Ozraider on Aug 28, 2011 6:38 AM PDT reply actions

And

Taiwan “Typhoon, Typhoid, Taipan, Tie-Fighter” Jones

"Bad is Back, thanks be to the Antichrist" - George Atkinson

by Ghost Raider on Aug 28, 2011 6:40 AM PDT reply actions

also

KWAN-DO

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls."
- an extremely confident man.
THANK YOU, BASEDGOD.

I am for some reason on Facebook now |

A'S, RAIDERS, WARRIORS, AND CHELSEA FC SUPPORTER.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Aug 28, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Trevor Scott

I’m interested in seeing him..how he moves around and I’m a big fan of Stevie Brown…

by Frankie Fresh 81 on Aug 28, 2011 7:00 AM PDT reply actions

Drum Roll Please...And A Few Tears!!

Broncos LB Williams dislocates elbow, likely lost for opener

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 7:37 AM PDT reply actions

What do you do to an injured Donkey?

PUT IT DOWN.

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls."
- an extremely confident man.
THANK YOU, BASEDGOD.

I am for some reason on Facebook now |

A'S, RAIDERS, WARRIORS, AND CHELSEA FC SUPPORTER.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Aug 28, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Right On!!!...After Playing My Favorite Games.....

Rip The Tail Off The Donkey

Donkey Gone…

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

punch the donkey
slaughter the chief
shave the bolt

GO RAIDERS!

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls."
- an extremely confident man.
THANK YOU, BASEDGOD.

I am for some reason on Facebook now |

A'S, RAIDERS, WARRIORS, AND CHELSEA FC SUPPORTER.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Aug 28, 2011 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions

For Me I Want To See A Combo Of "RB"s In Our Backfield...

Last I saw “D-Mac” was practicing so this I would love to see but if not than with Bush would be sweet too…I want to see how difficult it is to cover this 2-Headed Monster…Both the run n the pass when they break free…

More about Williams:
The Broncos’ leading tackler the past two seasons, Williams is expected to miss three to four weeks.

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 7:55 AM PDT reply actions

while i agree with you our run defense needs to step it up , they must be very carefull with the saints , they know well be trying to be more agressive attacking the run , if we are to aggressive sproles and brees could victimize us with play action , our lb’s need to stay at home tonight ,

by aa420 on Aug 28, 2011 8:06 AM PDT reply actions

N.O.'s OL, is subject to the blitz -

I’m not concerned so much with our DL dealing with their rushing game, more with our D giving Brees that extra second. So, I’m in favor of full on pressure, alternating or in some combination that sends Wimbley, Scott, Huff and/or Sterling Moore.

Offensively, run the ball down their throat until they stack, then surgically strike w Marcel, Denarius and Jacoby.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
"I love to win, even against my daughters, I want to win" Hue "Action" Jackson 8/19/11

by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 28, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

It May Be The Opposite: Pass Deep 1st To Soften The Run "D" Than Cram It Down Their Throats..

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm very nervous

I’ve been drinking so much KoolAid, that if we aren’t at least competitive, I don’t even want to think about it.

"Bad is Back, thanks be to the Antichrist" - George Atkinson

by Ghost Raider on Aug 28, 2011 8:23 AM PDT reply actions

If You Vomit From Too Much Intoxication It's Best To Just Grab The Hair Of The Dog That Bit You!!!

Pour another round!!!

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Where in Canada? I live in Calgary

by Phuck denver on Aug 28, 2011 8:48 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

1OO

miles east of T.O. Its a small town Brighton straight across Lake Ontario from Rochester NY.

by Canadian Raider on Aug 28, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm wondering if some of the new FA acquisitions will get to play:

Lito Sheppard, Josh Bullocks, and Matt Giordana
Hoping the defense has a good game, and the offense can score more than 3 points this week.

by Oceanside Raider on Aug 28, 2011 8:51 AM PDT reply actions

doubt sheppard plays

maybe in the 4th to shake the rust off, but im guessing he wont see the field til next week against the hawks. Bullocks and Giordana will probably play, gotta see what we have in them before we start making cuts. From a general view point, I do want to see improvement from the team, but I want to see us be competitive and play with heart. We do that, I am happy with tonight.

by Marcofromda510 on Aug 28, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Screwfish did a very good job on their site

http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2011/8/24/2382884/ask-a-raider-fan

Keep it low key and don’t give up too much.

by Spirals galore on Aug 28, 2011 9:42 AM PDT reply actions

Nice Job Screw!

by samiam2112 on Aug 28, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

+1

Raider 4 Life

by Raider1957 on Aug 28, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

keep the +1 train going y'all

all this agreement from the Nation is weird. You are all correct, though, so I’m with you.

So, we all know we need lbs; how many think we will pull the trigger? and on whom will the crosshairs be when it is?

I’m just feeling a trade like the Seymour one or something of that magnitude coming. Hard to figure where a team would be willing to let a big name lb get away, but they are out there.

"tough times call for perseverance and a tough mind. I have been told that I can't play football before. We all know what happened with that. #neverquit"--Mark Herzlich

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Aug 28, 2011 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

"We’re going to be a tough, rugged football team that walks with a swagger and plays the way the Raiders used to play." Hue Jackson

"Just win baby. That’s what Al Davis says and that’s all I want to do. . . . I just want to be the best, and I just want to win." - Terrelle Pryor

by Ozraider on Aug 28, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

good job fish

by Canadian Raider on Aug 28, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

What I wanna see

I don’t want the Raiders to kick off both halves.

I would like to see some flow to the offense, especially from the starters and pick up some first downs in short yardage situations effectively.They damn well better start executing in the red zone if not now then when…. I wanna see Bruce in with the starters and see how effective he is with that group.

The defense needs to be physical and disruptive and not let them convert on 3rd and 8 3rd and 12 situations. I would also like to see some semblance of run defense and not just be gashed run after run.

Both sides of the ball need to avoid stupid penalties.

Young guys who are on the cusp of making this team need to elevate their play, so their can be no questions, and we can rid this team of some dead wood!

by samiam2112 on Aug 28, 2011 10:05 AM PDT reply actions

I will be looking at the O-line

The Saints have been blitzing so far in the preseason and I’m looking forward to seeing how they do. Hopefully they do well or it’ll be a long night for our QB’s. Also I want to see how Ford is used, and if we still stay “vanilla”.

by Trho14 on Aug 28, 2011 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

If we continue as before, the Saints O compared to our will be a stark contrast indeed - one a chameleon or prisim of every color

the other an ox or light cast from a flashlight

by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 28, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Pryor?

Do we know if he’s able to play in the preseason?

by richmeister3 on Aug 28, 2011 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

Yes..Can Play But Not Sure He Will This Week...Would love To See Him Get His Feet Wet...

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Reports I read TP will probably play in the second half of the Seattle game...

Then they can see him in the game and give him a report card of things to work on. He will be allowed to be at the facility but not involved with the team. The results of how he plays will probably determine if and how the Raiders deal with the suspension. He lights it up they fight it. If he mediocre or less they leave it alone.

by samiam2112 on Aug 28, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Sounds Interesting...

During the suspension it was said he can work with trainers and coaches separately to prepare but not with the team…He can learn the “O” and work on his release n footwork..

But than those practices are all behind closed doors so ______________??

What you don’t see you can’t bitch about…Good-n-Dull…

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I cant see that they wouldn't take a peek at him...

That just wouldn’t make any sense at all to me.

by samiam2112 on Aug 28, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

True...And I Suspect They Will Want Him Very Well Prepared At Week #6....

We will be releasing a “QB” to make room on the roster so it should be expected that Pryor is ready to play if needed…

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Raider's Saints Preseason Game

Everyone has their interest set on Raiders players that they will be watching. My interest will see if the team can win at least one preseason game. The Raiders have Seattle next week and that is the last and most meaningful game for players that want to make the team and and with this evening game and next week game if they can’t win either of these even if they don’t mean nothing as far as winning record it will tell the story of what the Raiders season will be like. So The team can either prove they can be contenders or they can just play like they have the past 8 or 9 season in which case will mean it will be a long and dreadful season for all the Raider Fans.

Vincent Cinzano

by vincenzo on Aug 28, 2011 12:19 PM PDT reply actions

Well I Actually Don't Care Win Or Lose Tonight...Only How The Game Is Played...With Heart I Hope!!!

We will most likely not want to display too much but everyone already knows who they are so they will likely just let it fly…That will make for a slight disadvantage to us…They are a very good and seasoned team while we are just now finding our way…That said I expect us to fight…Be scrappy…Win or lose to play hard and play well…

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

i agree i want to win at least one preseason game

It doesn’t matter which one but I hate 0-4 preseasons. I don’t think a team ever won the super bowl when they’ve gone 0-4 in the preseason. Maybe the colts did once but I don’t think so.

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Aug 28, 2011 12:53 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I never look too much into preseason

Our first team Offense and Defense have stuck with teams and we lose it with our back ups. I remember the days we’d go undefeated in preseason and then suck when it mattered so maybe it’ll be the opposite this year.

by Trho14 on Aug 28, 2011 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

They need to look good this game and maybe win an win next week

Decisively for me to be convinced that this team will be good this year. If not, I will continue to stress out every week.

"There comes a point an a mans life, he has to step up… I dont care what kind of man you are!!! there come’s a point where he has to fight!!! He has to has that in ’em! He gotta have that in ’em… Lets go, LETS GO!!! FIGHT on 3… 1-2-3- FIGHT!!!! -Richard Seymour

by gogomaplata on Aug 28, 2011 1:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd like to see hue Jackson's 1st team offense score

They haven’t scored jack squat. I’m gonna be at the game cause the blackout forced me too.

by gogomaplata on Aug 28, 2011 12:55 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Pryor

is why NBC is happy to have this games.
but what do i wanna see?
LITO IS MY SHEPPARD

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls."
- an extremely confident man.
THANK YOU, BASEDGOD.

I am for some reason on Facebook now |

A'S, RAIDERS, WARRIORS, AND CHELSEA FC SUPPORTER.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Aug 28, 2011 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

Neither of them are playing

"We’re going to be a tough, rugged football team that walks with a swagger and plays the way the Raiders used to play." Hue Jackson

"Just win baby. That’s what Al Davis says and that’s all I want to do. . . . I just want to be the best, and I just want to win." - Terrelle Pryor

by Ozraider on Aug 28, 2011 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe so but they can talk about Pryor til they are blue in the face and it will be relevant

These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx

by RDreamer on Aug 28, 2011 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I know.

smh.

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls."
- an extremely confident man.
THANK YOU, BASEDGOD.

I am for some reason on Facebook now |

A'S, RAIDERS, WARRIORS, AND CHELSEA FC SUPPORTER.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Aug 28, 2011 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Pryor Most Likely Won't But He Could Be In Game???

by PantyRaider on Aug 28, 2011 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I still wan't to see Kenny Rowe in Silver and Black!

Pimp it daily!

But these are sick! If they do a full Silver and Black I’m gonna wet myself!

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3383&SPID=233&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205247659&DB_OEM_ID=500

Come on Raider Nation Kenny Rowe …. Rowe Rowe Rowe the boat pull it down the stream We need Kenny Rowe to blow up the scene!

by samiam2112 on Aug 28, 2011 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

All I want to see is whether the Raiders keep it respectable and stop the bleeding

The Saints are going to win by something like 45-16. I just want to see if our defense plays like men or scared little boys in the face of adversity. I’ve given up hope of the offensive line being any more than a disaster this year, but I would at least like them to keep Campbell from being concussed two weeks in a row.

I would love to see DHB make a few nice catches too. The Saints’ secondary is meh.

These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx

by RDreamer on Aug 28, 2011 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

Game will be on my TV!!!

Cant wait to watch this. BUT just to remind everyone, its preseason. I dont care if its the 3rd game, its still preseason.

I expect a lot of passes this game. With Taiwan n the backfield, look to a lot of screen passes to him. Look for Moore to start at WR, look for a lot of play action, and downfield passes.

Now lets kick the Aint’s outta town!

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 28, 2011 2:40 PM PDT reply actions