Five Postgame Takes
1. The message of this game is clear: Back away from the panic button. A nice all-around performance. Aaron Brooks finally caught a groove, and showcased his considerable mobility. His interception for a touchback should have been caught by Williams. Andrew Walter was strong again. I like the way he’s checking down his receivers. Huff made a nifty grab and some nice tackles (I hope his ankle’s okay). The offensive line was vastly improved. Sure, it was only the 49ers, but the progress was still significant. The Raiders Haters who have been writing the team's obituary for the past few weeks might want to sharpen their erasers.
2. I surely wasn’t the only one impressed with ReShard Lee’s performance. He turned some fast corners and juked his way through some tight seams. The team lists him at fullback, likely out of convenience. I won’t be surprised if he climbs depth chart. Justin Fargas just looks a bit stiff to me. He runs upright, with questionable elusiveness.
3. Our defensive line is holding its ground, but I’d like to see more pressure on the quarterback. They’re hanging tough in the trenches, but not breaking through with frequency. When we play the Niners again in October, I’d like to see Alex Smith eat some turf.
4. Upcoming bestseller: The Janikowski Diet: The Polish Secret to Slimming Down and Booting Touchbacks. Dude’s on fire. He has clearly rededicated himself to fitness and focus. For added motivation, there’s also a kid behind him splitting the uprights at 45 yards. Whatever the reason, it’s great to see Janikowski relocating his potential.
5. I loved the Raider Nation chanting “Rai-derrrs, Rai-derrrs”—a familiar turnstile pregame war cry at the Coliseum—during the gameplay. Do you think there’s any way we could coordinate this for the entirety of Philip Rivers’ first drive in Oakland on September 11 on national television? What better way to freak the kid out and pump our defense up? It would also serve notice to the national television audience: the Raider Nation remains a force like no other. What do you think?
2. I surely wasn’t the only one impressed with ReShard Lee’s performance. He turned some fast corners and juked his way through some tight seams. The team lists him at fullback, likely out of convenience. I won’t be surprised if he climbs depth chart. Justin Fargas just looks a bit stiff to me. He runs upright, with questionable elusiveness.
3. Our defensive line is holding its ground, but I’d like to see more pressure on the quarterback. They’re hanging tough in the trenches, but not breaking through with frequency. When we play the Niners again in October, I’d like to see Alex Smith eat some turf.
4. Upcoming bestseller: The Janikowski Diet: The Polish Secret to Slimming Down and Booting Touchbacks. Dude’s on fire. He has clearly rededicated himself to fitness and focus. For added motivation, there’s also a kid behind him splitting the uprights at 45 yards. Whatever the reason, it’s great to see Janikowski relocating his potential.
5. I loved the Raider Nation chanting “Rai-derrrs, Rai-derrrs”—a familiar turnstile pregame war cry at the Coliseum—during the gameplay. Do you think there’s any way we could coordinate this for the entirety of Philip Rivers’ first drive in Oakland on September 11 on national television? What better way to freak the kid out and pump our defense up? It would also serve notice to the national television audience: the Raider Nation remains a force like no other. What do you think?
posted by Raider Take at 8:42 PM
19 Comments:
I got the same messages you did. The Raiders did look better, but I'm still bothered that they didn't capitalize on Michael Huff's pick. They were up 10-0 at the half when they should have been up 17-0 or 21-0. The Raiders need to turn the gifts the defense has been giving them into TDs with greater regularity.
That said, yes, the progress was significant and heartening. I'll be down for the season opener against San Diego, so if you're able to get a good chant going, I'll join you.
Awesome, JS is coming all the way down from Seattle to join the chorus: Rai-derrs! Rai-derrs!
I agree, the red zone is still a trouble spot. There were so many wasted red zone opportunities last year, it's a curse we've got to break.
Couldn't have happened at a better time. The only thing I did not like is the amount of playing time Jordan is receiving. Although Lee did look nice, Jordan is head and shoulders above the crowd and does not need to much work. I loved the lack of penalties, the line play (I only saw one bad Gallery play).
I must admit I love to see the 9ers suck it up as much as I love to see us do good so I got a 2fer.
RRRAAAAIIIIIDDDDDDEEEEERRRRRSSSSSS!!!
This offense is NOT outdated...maybe now everyone can shut the hell up about Walsh. Nice progressions, people where they need to be...Still think Walter should be the guy though...You need intensity and the will to get better, Aaron Brooks is just a happier Collins in the leadership department.
Like you said RT, even though it was the 49ers, the progress was there. You just have to hope that they can build off their positive performance yesterday and not regress.
I think everyone's been hasty with the panic button without taking into account that this *is* a new coach and offensive coaching staff for these players. Even if it's old school, from the players perspective there are new plays to run and new ways of doing things. You add a new QB and it complicates things even more. In addition to that, in the preseason teams typically run very vanilla offenses to prevent showcasing their playbook to opposing coaches who need to gameplan for them in the regular season.
You add all that up and it shows you how easy it is for the media to trash the Raiders' poor performances. I wonder if other teams (Saints, Vikings, etc.) in the same situation (new coach, new QB) are getting the same "apocalypse" treatment from the press that the Raiders have been, or if it's just their overall "we told you this antiquated system wouldn't work" mentality that has been encouraging all the negative press.
Man, I was shouting big time this weekend! I'm overwhelmed with the excitement of the weekend in sports. I am a baseball and Raiders junkie, so watching the Red Sox get pounded by the Yankees was the equivalent to see the Raiders muff the Chiefs a few years ago 28-0.
So, while I was listening to the Yanks/Red Sox all weekend, I was getting updates on the Raiders/9ers game because here in good ol' Austin, TX, they decided in all their wisdom that we wanted to see the Colts-Seahawks, calling it a Super Bowl warm-up. But, LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES!
Brooks made significant improvement, but he still needs to find Moss a little more than once. AW sure does read the field better than Brooks, so that is an area of concern for me. I'd like to see Brooks start playing the field more, looking for open people, not just the "go to" route. He watches one receiver too much, and doesn't look off for other receivers. VERY KFC-ESQUE!
I don't know how the O-Line played, which is the bummer of not being able to watch it. But from what I've heard from my dad out near Tahoe, is that they punched SF Defense in the mouth!
Things I would like to see the rest of the preseason. As mentioned already, the running game. The reason we haven't done much in the Red Zone is the lack of a strong running game. It seems our RB's do not have the instinct to lay the hammer down on guys, or find the open spot. With the exception of a few, they look sluggish coming out of the backfield. Let Crockett pound it back home for us, if the others cannot. We have to pick it up here.
I'm concerned with lack of pressure on our defense too. Even though it seems that we are getting stronger and stronger each pre-season game, we have to find a way to put more pressure on the QB; or otherwise, they are going to throw and run down our throat all year. The way the zone defense that Ryan is trying to accomplish will work, is if we get some heavy pressure in the backfield. The problem I have with Ryan is the inability to create pressure from blitzes. The only time he has used the blitz in 2 years, has been when we've known the offense needed to pass; and even then we were burned on the inside seam from a pass to the TE.
We've got to put pressure in the backfield on 1st and 2nd downs. If we don't, it will be the same story as last year. Burress can't do it all, I want to see Sapp, and some LB/Huff pressure on the opposing Q and RB's, causing them to panic, eat grass, and hump the dirt. This is going to be vital in the opener against the DunderDolts, because with Rivers at the helm tells me Schittenheimer is going to rely heavily on Tomlinson. Right now, the pressure is on us to stop him in the backfield in order to have our way with Rivers.
The same is said with anyone we play this year. We need to stuff the play in the backfield, make the offense adjust, or be slaughtered. So far, I haven't seen it.
Three postgame takes:
1--Wonder if Art will let Walter run with the ones at all this week or against Detroit?
2--Was great to see the Raiders not giving up first downs or killing drives on penalties
3--Only real negative--gotta play the run better--when Gore can get 6 ypc, gotta get better before LT comes to town [but progress has been steady so far]
I agree it's good to hear the fans chanting Raiders! Raiders! BUT NOT WHEN WE HAVE THE BALL!! It amazes me every year when these idiots do this. Do they know anything about football? or are they just wearing the Raiders colors to try to look cool and fit in? If this happens in a meaningful game, I encourage all the knowledgable fans to shut them the hell up! Our offense finally had some life; but was it because we were playing the Whiners? I believe we are getting better,but that may have had something to do with it. We the real fans need to let ourselves be heard at the right times. I for one will be joining in the Raiders! Raiders! chant on Philip's first drive and encourage all to join in.
First off, I think Rice had some good insight about Brooks and Moss...they dont seem to be on the same page. Some after practice work would pay off. We need to put that deep ball fear into the opponents minds...and Moss needs to go full speed, he's not running THAT hard. I did like the locker room clip with Moss firing up the guys...so much for not being a team player.
The O-line played a lot better on pass protection but still didn't open up any huge running lanes. Jordan ran better when he was attacking the edges, I know Art wants the 'up the gut' attack but balance is key...keep the LB's on their toes guessing.
Playcalling was good...outdated offense? I think not.
Andrew Walter just gets better and better, Brooks will start the season but I dont think he'll end it.
wow, what a difference a week and a tantrum by shell can make. BUT it's STILL a preseason game folks.
just my 2 cents:
1) i watched the game again when i got home. jerry rice was a visitor in the announcer's booth. his comments were VERY direct and to the point: keena "tina" turner asked him his opinion of what jerry pouter can do for the offense. his comment was "well right now he's a headache. he needs to buy into the system" or something to that effect. awesome and very true. he also made a couple of other direct comments that i don't recall right now. as long as pouter continues to wear that F-You shirt in practice and not speak to shell, i expect him to be on the inactive list. too bad he's taking up a roster spot because there's a couple of receivers who should make this team but they won't. i would like to see whitted, francis and williams gone and buchanon and madsen in with morant getting a better chance to play.
2) brooks needs to get in sync with moss. the 2 qb's did spread the ball around better but brooks needs to hook up with moss.
3) speaking of tina turner, i found it annoying that he kept calling justin fargas' name "Vargas".
4) the o-line did much better but they could open up the running lanes better.
5) our defensive line was struggling to get to their QB all afternoon.
6) ok, brooks finally had a decent game BUT to be fair, i'd like to see what walter can do with the 1st team offense. he sure throws a pretty nice ball.
overall, a much better TEAM effort but as shell says, there's still a long way to go to where they wanna be.
That was a great game. I still need to see Brooks connect for a deep pass –– preferably to Moss. The O-line looked dominant, our TE's are helping us stretch the field, and our Defense is definitely gonna win us some games this season.
I'm guessing Walter's gonna back up Brooks this year, which is fine. I have a good feeling about Walter being the future of this team, but Brooks is likely the better option this year, and Andrew could use more time anyway.
I'd still like to see the Raiders make some move for a running back to compliment Jordan. If Porter's not going to be used, they might as well trade him. After all, keeping JP on the bench is a financial hit, too. Might as well deal him. And, with another sturdy running back this team would be a real problem for opposing offenses.
Just to pick up on an important point: Art Shell after the game on KSFO560 said his main focus was to make sure opponents couldn't come into the HOT and "have a picnic" as he put it.
Last night was my first home game in nearly 2 years, but this year is my first as a season ticket holder. To hear the crowd roaring "RAY-DERS" and watch the 9ers sideline look around in disbelief like a bunch of spooked horses made the hair standup on the back of my neck...I'll be roaring along on opening night. THAT'S what home-field advantage is all about, and the sort of ballsy behavior from Raiders fans we've not seen in 3 years.
I need your help!
I was at the game last night and I didn't get a chance to watch it back last night on NFL network after I got home.
There was an unnecessary roughness call against McQuistan last night that hopefully someone can explain.
Hopefully I get this Hoculi (ref)quote correctly: "Unnecessary roughness, #79....pushing a player down who was away from the play".
Pushing a player down who is away from the play? Is this still football?
To all coaches, pop warner, and high school players: Please no longer play until the whistle blows.
I've never heard a call like that.
McNasty received a personal foul for pushing a guy in the back, away from the ball/action.
"RRRAAAAIIIIDDDDEEEERRRRSSSS!"
All was well on Sunday night. Maybe the Raiders just needed a little love from the Nation to get them going.
On another front, I hear WR Dion Branch is holding out for the Pats. What about a swap of Branch, for Porter ? Raiders used to have a pretty good receiver named Branch, speed kills, remember ??
I've heard that the Raiders were presented with a trade proposal by Pouter's agent, but there is a disagreement about making Pouter give back $4mill to Al Davis.
The trade seems to be pretty decent, and would give us that punch with a RB that would compliment Jordan. I hope that Davis can pull this off, getting the $4mill that Pouter has stolen from us.
The RB......Thomas Jones of the Chicago Bears.
While we are on the subject of Pouter. I find this humorous. Boomer Esaison is an idiot, and long-time Raider Hater. He shows off his haterness with a blast on Moss (see here: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9606498).
Okay Boomer, I know you're a little slow, dude, but "Moss" incident was a one time blow off. Moss was frustrated that he was taken out of a game without being given to show off a little for the peeps of Minnesota. I understand that. Unlike TO, who is consistently making Parcells and the Cowboys look stupid (as he has done with every team he has played for).
Let's not forget Pouter here either! Hey Stupid Esaison, if you want to compare anyone on the Raiders to TO's shenanigans, it should be Pouter! Get off the gravy train, and quit hating the Raiders just because we punked your @$$ everytime we played you. You cry more than a woman.
It looks like Atlanta is also trying to move T.J. Duckett for a WR....
Anon 1:25 ~
McQuistan has a rep for being involved in action away from the play/ after the whistle.
Here is an example from his college days.
The old school Raiders (e.g., Ben Davidson on Lenny Dawson, George Atkinson on Lynn Swann) used to thrive on hittin' 'em at any opportunity, legal or not.
McQuistan is back to the old school. I don't mind penalties of aggression. It's the stoopid false starts and delay of games that make me nuts.
If you don't know the snap count or you can't tell what time it is, the only conclusion one can reach is you are not paying attention.
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