Some Quick Thoughts on the Week 5 win v SD :
Defense
- Overall, I like the improvements showing in various parts of the defense. It's still a work in progress, but each week, there are pieces that are coming together. Still a long way to go, but it is starting to flash more and more. When it does come together, either at the end of this year or at the beginning of next, it's going to be really fun.
- SD oline is well coached and picked up blitzes and stunts very well.
- Melvin Gordon in particular was excellent in reading pass pro and making blocks.
- Both OTs played with power and played inside-ou; they took away the inside and forced Mack and Bruce to go outside. Then Rivers stepped up and away from the edge pressure.
- Those OL were also grabbing alot (and not getting penalties).
- RB/TE chips and help to Mack often.
- eg., Mack had this beautiful spin on King Dunlap to win the outside, but Melvin Gordon was there to clean it up.
- Dan Williams started over Jelly
- On a couple of drives late in the game, the DL had Dan and Justin both in. First time I've noticed PB&J in a while.
- Run Defense starting to come together a bit
- More disciplined, better gap control. LBs were blitzing gaps a lot more since Cory James came in. Perhaps coincidence or perhaps because of James' skillset.
- Still giving up some big runs and so there's fixing to do, but much of the disaster-level stuff is in place.
- Run D v Melvin Gordon
- Overall : 16 rushes, 69 yards, 4.3 avg
- 9 times, OAK D held Gordon to 2 yards or less
- 4 times, OAK D allowed 8 yards or more (8, 9, 9, 24)
- 4 short yardage plays, 0 conversions (excl. by penalty)
- 2nd-and-2, -1 yard
- 2nd-and-1, no gain
- 2nd-and-1, no gain
- 3rd-and-2, 1 yard
- The 24 yard gain by Gordon was schematically similar to how Tennessee broke the edge on Khalil Mack. Ken Norton has to address this.
- Big plays on Defense (good and bad). Multiple fumbles and interceptions. Multiple downfield throws allowed.
- Big plays in the Pass game
- 6 plays surrendered over 20+ yards (23,25,29,59,54,59 = 240 yards)
- 2 ints, 1 led to a Field Goal, the other was the 50 yard miss.
- 4 Turnovers and another forced fumble that was recovered by SD. Is the Ghost of CWood out there?
- On the Melvin Gordon screen TD, it looks like Reggie Nelson had it read but Orlando Franklin got great position and made a great block.
- Young and Aggressive Raiders' DL is going to have to work on reading those better.
- I think Reggie Nelson is still figuring out the scheme, so he's just a step slow on his reactions and reads. I expect his play to continue to improve.
- But partially to blame is that Reggie does not have great footspeed to keep up.
- Karl Joseph does have the footspeed, but is still adapting and learning.
- May find Karl used situationally more often to protect against fast WRs.
- Karl had a few "bad" plays, missed tackle on Melvin Gordon, beaten on man coverage, and then almost beaten downfield in support coverage role by Travis Benjamin.
- He also had a few nice plays, including a nice wrap up tackle on Gordon
- Karl is still getting used to the speed of the NFL.
- I really like Karl Joseph, though. The more I watch and the more I study, the more I like.
- Perry Riley had big game, but I'm easing on the excitement for now. I'm worried that his coverage ability will be taken advantage of as teams game-prep for him. Very aggressive run defender.
- Shilique is improving each week. He's starting to get a feel for his responsibilities. He gives Mack some nice rest. This is going to pay off later in the year, I think.
- Jihad has taken a step or two forward.
- His hands are quicker and more active and he's getting off the line of scrimmage much better.
- The 3rd-and-short right before the Kaser's botch went right at Jihad and he held up. It was the same situation where Denico jumped off-sides previously.
- That play was more impressive when you notice that Perry Riley adjusts Jihad before the snap.
- ♪ Stacy McGee has got it going on ♫
- 2 sacks
- 2 forced fumbles, one of them as he takes on a double team
- He's been making an impression since breaking into the starting lineup
- Interesting to compare :
- Bruce's hump v BAL :
- Stacy's hump v SD :
* * *
Offense
- Overall, the offense looks really nice but had some strange glitches. I think the slight disappointment in the offense (at times) is indicative of the high bar that they have set. Previously 10 TDs in 11 redzone appearances and all those great plays have spoiled us. It's still only the 21st game in Musgrave's offense.
- Amari made some really nice catches.
- On those plays where he couldn't get his 2nd foot down, the catches were challenging.
- 2 feet in bounds is yet another aspect of the game for him to develop even as he's working on addressing other things like his drops and sync with Derek Carr.
- Patience. He'll get there.
- And just wow
- Time of possession : OAK 36:18, SD 23:42
- Offense had 3 drives of 10+ plays (10, 11, 16). All were Field Goals.
- Something just felt weird and off early on. When Crabtree drops a couple of balls, you know things are weird.
- So many penalties. but only 1 holding penalty (Gabe Jackson) called all day for either team.
- On the Amari TD, KO almost holds Melvin Ingram, but he backs off at the last moment. He gives up a QB hit, but the team gets the TD
- RT position was problematic with Vadal injured, Austin coming in not 100%.
- Miss you, Lee Smith.
- Carr continues to look hyper at the beginning of the game.
- Carr looked comfortable and poised in the pocket, though. Stood tall and stepped up.
- Derek and Amari have been working that deep fade since Preseason. It's improving, but not quite there yet.
- Derek's sight-adjust just keeps getting better. That fade to DeAndre Washington that drew the pass interference was because the defense was not set. He's really starting to command this offense.
- Next week v KC is going to be a big test. Looking forward to it.
- Derek said "Lots of yards left on the field" (and lots of points, too). We all remember the Amari plays, but here's another one : this should have been a TD to Mychal, but Crab gets in the way
- "Hello, my name is Gabe Jackson"
- Running game was erratic
- 11 rushes of 2 yards or less
- 4 rushes for negative yardage (-1, -2, -3, -4)
- 10 rushes of 5 yards or more
- overall, 23 rushes, 76 yards, 3.3 avg
- I like the way Jalen Richard turns it upfield and into the holes. DeAndre has more open field wiggle. Interesting to keep watching them go forward.
- Joey Bosa is going to be good, but both his sacks were extended-play sacks where he wrapped around the line. indicative of "great motor" but not of explosive pass rush. He made Denver Kirkland look really bad on that one run stuff
- Bosa may have the most stats, but Melvin Ingram jumped off the film. He was everywhere and looked great.
- The difference in the game :
- Oakland's 4th-and-2, TD to Crabtree
- San Diego's 4th-and-1, Field Goal attempt is dropped
- Year-to-date point differential is now up to +5 (+1, -7, +7, +1, +3)
Coaching
- Jack Del Rio has re-invented himself. At age 53, 5 years removed from being fired as Head Coach of Jacksonville, he appears to be a very different type of leader
- These close wins based on aggressive coaching decisions are helping to give this entire team some ridiculous confidence. Confidence leads to playing relaxed, which is crucial at stressful times.
- This is a young team and Jack is establishing their Identity. "Just Win, Baby" personified.
- Lack of confidence (ie., San Diego right now) leads to playing tight and tense and can cause problems to snowball.
- Love the contribution and growth of the young players. Jack Del Rio said 12 rookies played and 5 started
- The NFL is a developmental league. Young players are more important than ever before and coaching staff has to be able to develop them as well as utilize them. The Raiders have some very good teachers on staff
- Jethro Franklin has been doing a really good work developing these young defensive linemen.
- Pete Carroll's "Competition Tuesday"-type attitude may be showing up in Oakland.
- A side note : Washington's GM Scot McCloughan brother David works in the Oakland Pro Personnel department. This may have been a factor in Perry Riley being acquired (and Amerson before him).
Special Teams
- Sometimes we take good / average Special Teams play for granted.
- Raiders had some sync issues with Marquette in 2013 and Janikowski never seemed quite confident in King.
- 3 years later and Condo / King / Janikowski are a thing of beauty
- On Marquette's final punt, SD had punt block on and overloaded the A-Gap. Condo and DeAndre Washington came thru to pick it up just enough for Marquette to get the punt away and seal the game. Was much closer than it may have appeared
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