Five Postgame Takes
1. There was something eerily lethargic about our offense, even with McFadden carrying the load and Palmer making some sweet throws. I know we're down a few receivers right now, but still...it all just looked plodding to me. How did it look to you?
2. You can't have a backup long snapper who is unpracticed. This is the NFL. You need to have contingency plans for obvious possibilities. That's on our coaching staff, and ultimately Coach Allen.
3. The NFL has become an aerial league. So I have a question, and I'm interested in your honest answer. When was the last time we had an elite wide receiver? Who, and what year? Same with an elite quarterback. Who, and what year?
4. I guess the defense looked better. Considering how many stops they made under ridiculous field position circumstances, I can't complain about 22 points.
5. It seemed different at first, but in the end, it looked awfully familiar, didn't it? Almost enough at times, but in the end, not nearly enough.
2. You can't have a backup long snapper who is unpracticed. This is the NFL. You need to have contingency plans for obvious possibilities. That's on our coaching staff, and ultimately Coach Allen.
3. The NFL has become an aerial league. So I have a question, and I'm interested in your honest answer. When was the last time we had an elite wide receiver? Who, and what year? Same with an elite quarterback. Who, and what year?
4. I guess the defense looked better. Considering how many stops they made under ridiculous field position circumstances, I can't complain about 22 points.
5. It seemed different at first, but in the end, it looked awfully familiar, didn't it? Almost enough at times, but in the end, not nearly enough.
posted by Raider Take at 10:36 PM
74 Comments:
Don't like that zone blocking at all. Also the Raiders needed Micheal Bush in the backfield.
SCALR8R
Gregg Knapp dialed up a repeat performance of his prior time with the team. How can you keep targeting McFadden to the point the whole Charger D is keying on him? How do you not throw to the tight end till the 4th Qtr? How do you not take a shot at the end zone(Dennis Allen) when you're at the 1yd line and 7 seconds???
Disgusted & Frustrated
P.S. Get the clown car checked out & ready to roll...I get the feeling we're going to put some serious mileage on it this year.
Disgusted & Frustrated
Hey Take, Couldn't agree more with your assessment... especially point #1 regarding the tempo of the offense. My frustration was building in the 3rd quarter but reached a fever pitch on the last drive. We got the ball on the final drive with just under 6 min left. With three minutes left we had it at the 50. Translation... took us nearly 3 minutes to move it 30 yds in the "hurry up"?
I realize we were limited with our weapons tonight but I needed to see Plamer out there on that drive showing REAL urgency... Barking at people, directing traffic, jogging up to the line for the next play. The odds were certainly long at that point but real eaders jump in in that scenario and fight until the end. Very disappointed in that partiuclar element of the game.
That being said I felt like I did see enough to remain at least resonably optimistic that change is on the way. Hard to quantify the loss of Ford and Moore. Essentially we were left with an undrafted rookie and a guy who was in Miami until last Tue. Tough to open up the playbook with that cast I suppose.
Hopeful for a win in Miami... we never seem to play well there, especially early in the heat. Our defense should contain a rookie QB. Still cautiously optimistic.
The5er
SCAR
The special teams meltdown is certainly on coach Allen. DA doesnt go out there and snap it himself, but for Goethel to repeatedly screw up the punt snap, that HAS to go to coaching.
Khalif Barnes was getting used and abused all night. Khalif did not give his quarterback a safe pocket, Shaun Phillips beat Khalif EVERY time he used the outside move with his arms. Every time.Cant add to that other then step up Joseph Barksdale!
I felt like Palmer did check down ALOT, but in his defense, when he did go downfield, more often then not the recievers were not up to the task.
The Raiders ABSOLUTELY missed D. Moore and Jacoby Ford. They will play better. The Defense is going to be our best in years.
My main concern for this season is quality depth...
SCAR
SCAR
Small edit here,,,My main concern for this season is quality depth...
If and when injuries occur, and starters go down? Will a backup be able to step in and do the job as good as the starter this season?
SCAR
The play calling was horrible, although it's hard to know how much of that was due to limited personel. Still, how do you not convert a first and five? It's like every play was intended to be go for just short of the needed yardage. With the defense keying on McF, where were the PA bombs?
I said it coming into the season that the offensive play calling was going to be a weakness, and that was proven last night.
Replacement refs suck. There should have been a penalty of running into the kicker on the punt block (the second misnap), and yet there was no call.
Defensively, we look good. We need an offensive play caller though, because I have no confidence in Knapp.
"In 1904, the Germans discovered San Diego, which of course, is German for Whale's vagina." - Ron Burgundy.
All good points. The conservative - all McFadden playcalling got old fast. There was no urgency before the half nor at the end of the game. Either that's bad coaching or Palmer will never be the QB that P Manning is (and was in his first game with the Broncos).
Goethel's grounders were inexcusable. He's not even a good LB.
Special Teams are horrible; something that has carried over from pre-season. Even toward the end of the game when we needed a big play return, Jones was downing the ball in the end zone. Take a freakin chance... it's ALL we had.
Plus, Adams fair-catching at the 6? Very bad ST coaching.
Can't really complain about the D. They kept the offense in the game, despite ridiculous field position coughed up by... wait for it... special teams.
K Barnes got schooled. Unfortunately, the Raiders don't have anyone to step in at RT.
How does Tommy Kelly manage two offsides penalties when he stands on top of the ball?
Frankly, I expected the clown car... if only for the special teams.
P.S. To answer RT's Q #3, it had to be Gannon and Brown Rice (circa 2002)... lest anyone think Porter was elite.
The Raiders really fell off at QB (and on offense) when Jason Campbell went down last year. They have never really recovered.
Sure, Palmer's stats were respectable, but his game management and overall performance were somewhat marginal.
I have to admit, there were times last night (as I was watching Palmer throw underneath on 3rd and short) that I wished Pryor was in the game and making those 1st downs.
"There should have been a penalty of running into the kicker on the punt block...."
My understanding is that once the ball is touched (blocked), the kicker is no longer protected.
The play of the secondary and LB's was encouraging. This, to me, is the only highlight of the game.
Kelly's two encroachment penalties are inexcusable, especially with him standing in front of the center. I was also disappointed that the D-Line only got the one sack in the 1Q, but were otherwise unable to exploit the rookie LT. Maybe credit is due to the SD Oline and Rivers.
I'm most worried about ST's. It's as if no attention was paid to it in the off season, as evidenced by the last minute game of musical returners.
Looked to me like the O game plan was to get McFadden the ball. He's good, but not that good. The TEs and WRs need (have) to get involved, as well as Reece (but I'll give him a pass since he was only signed yesterday).
Rookie Burris made some good plays and run D looked much improved. The secondary... not so much. Now we know why the Raiders were raiding other teams scraps looking for CBs. Manning was probably watching and licking his chops. It will be ugly unless something changes.
As for special teams... not too special. It looks like it was an after thought. That is the risk of having a rookie GM and rookie HC. Before the year is over I'm sure there will be more rookie mistakes.
I'll be more verbal after game four. Personally, I could not watch the 2nd and 3rd quarter, because I hate clowns. It was getting very clownish. Very simple, though: Professional recievers can't drop balls like that. Professional snappers cant screw up like that. Professional special teams can't let punts can't get blown up like that.
Lack of talent? I don't think so. lack of effort? It faded. Why? Lack of professionalism. Certain people failed to step up, and San Diego came into Oakland and owned the facility. I can only hope to return the favor in December, and I may very well be there in person to see it happen.
LoL!!...
1st week and already that "Trail-o-Tears" -in- "The Valley-0-Doom-n-Gloom" is well traveled!!!
Can't wait for that "Clown Car" Hah!!...LoL!!
Again I will set you straight!!!
"Slow start while building momentum as the season progresses....Hopefully at the Bye"
If NOT Knapp get's the hook just like that "B&B" "OC" under Shell II...That "Hook" is ready for work!!!
"CHAMPS"!!!....LoL!!
Before I go away one question...2 parts!!!
Show that Knapp had a viable Game-Plan going in to match-up against "SD" and that he made ANY favorable adjustments Game-Time or Half-Time to take advantage of what "SD" was showing!!!
Like I posted when that bastard was hired...
PantyRaider....Told You So!!!!!//_
PS...Palmer was a 70% passer -w- 300yds...Can't fault him playing the hand he's dealt!!!
Palmer played well, and we need more than McFadden. Folks, it's early, very early. Don't freak.
OTB - if you didn't watch the 2nd or 3rd quarters, how do you know Palmer played well? Stats don't tell the whole story.
Really no way to know how much blame should be placed on either Knapp or Palmer, but these guys are the offensive brain trust and, together, deserve most of the blame for the Raiders inability to to convert critical 3rd downs and score.
well, I think I saw enough to see that Palmer was connecting in the 1st and 4th quarters. Was the 2nd and 3rd Qtr his fault? I'm not too upset with the team as a whole. No excuses, we do have a brand new staff, but palmer's accuracy and pocket poise was decent! I'm optimistic bro. Peaceful Patriot Day, NY Raider!
Defense was strong
SCAR
I was surprised in a good way how well Miles Burris played last night. A rookie starting in game one, playing on monday night. If he can solidify and not be a flash in the pan, Raiders might have a starting linebacker for ten years. What did you guys think about Burris's play?
I really give Palmer a pass this week. Palmer did check down often, but he was under pressure most of the night. IMO this is a suspect o-line which does not bode well.Also, Palmer cant throw the pass and catch it also. How many spectacular plays did we see made by the wide recievers??
LBs look good as a unit. While it's a little early to tell, this is where the Raiders might have the most improvement this year... combining players and scheme.
There were numerous tackles behind the LOS, and the LBs were in on most of them.
I expected more stunts and blitzes from Tarver, particularly on the side that the Chargers had a rookie tackle.
SCAR - my criticism of Palmer wasn't really his passing... he was on target all night, including some outstanding throws downfield that were dropped... mostly due to tremedous coverage.
Where I think Palmer fell short was managing hurry up offense and the overall lackluster appearance of the offense when it counted most. That's when the QB has to be more forceful... ala Rivers, Manning, etc. It's part of what separates good QBs from elite QBs.
the defense did ok. i believe we got 1 sack but there was no pressure on the qb. special teams was a nightmare. when ice cube's mic died, it was a sign of things to come. well, maybe not BUT taiwan's muff on the season opening kickoff WAS! i thought we HAD this game! they had a rookie LT who did a good job shutting down shaunessy. about the only real entertainment last night were as usual the raiderettes!
SCAR
NYR, looking at the Raiders last drive, I too kept on asking the TV to please speed up and get to the next play, but, on that same last drive, two dropped passes by wide recievers for about 45 yards really put a hamstring on the drive. Tremendous coverage? Did you see Gates make a one handed grab with A Raider all over him. These WR's HAVE to make plays.
Is Palmer Elite? His resume suggests otherwise.
Like you, I am hoping that Palmer and More Raiders find that extra gear that separates the good from the elite.
SCAR
NYRaider said, "My understanding is that once the ball is touched (blocked), the kicker is no longer protected."
He ran into Lechler to block the punt.
I'm not freaking after last night's game, but we have to be WAY more balanced in our attack offensively, and we looked eerily similar to when Knapp was OC last time; uncreative and unbalanced. I was hoping for something different.
We looked better offensively in preseason because we did different things and moved the ball well. Last night we took 20 steps backward, instead of building on what we did in preseason. I feel we have the talent and prowess offensively (even without D Moore and Ford) where we should've throttle San Diego the way Baltimore did Cincy last night. But because of unimaginative game calling from our OC, we defeated ourselves.
Another annoyance that I thought would change, but hasn't; why are we playing to our competition's level? San Diego is not that good, and never has been. Rivers is a good QB (even comparable to a younger Palmer); but he's not elite.
These were things I was expecting to have changed based on the preseason; but have not. I'm disappointed. Let's hope DA gets it together before we go to Miami and Denver.
Oh, and then this from Profootballtalk.com, regarding the downed 4th down by the Chargers:
"But the rules say that when the game ends on a punt, and the punting team is the first to touch the ball, the receiving team has the opportunity to run one more untimed play. NFL V.P. of Officiating Carl Johnson confirmed to Jason Cole of Yahoo that the Raiders should have been given another play. The Chargers downed the ball at the 5-yard line, so the Raiders would have had to score a 95-yard touchdown on that final play, then make a two-point conversion just to send the game into overtime. So it’s extremely unlikely that the mistake affected the outcome of the game. But it was a rule that the replacement officials didn’t know, and that’s a problem."
Actually, the mistake in this is the Chargers were on their own 5 yard line, so we would have only had to have gone 5 yards to score, and get a 2 pointer.
Well all I know is Greg Knapp (or is it "Nap") needs to figure out how to beat 8-in-the-box because that is all we are going to see for the rest of the season until he figures it out (pssstt Hint: long passes). He still reminds me of an 8 year old playing Madden... relentlessly pushing random buttons without a clue as to why a play works or doesn't work. Same as the last time he was here.
And I thought Gruden was conservative... Allen looks like the most conservative coach in the history of the Raiders... and it looked that way to me in pre-season too. Why were those three points right before half so important? Wouldn't a TD from the one yard line be more important??? Like by about a hundred times?
He does look like he straightened out the run defense though. That's going to come in handy.
What was with all the shifts on offense before snaps? It didn't fool the Chargers. Seems like Knapp was so wrapped up in pre-snap shifts he forgot to effectively game plan.
Meanwhile, I noticed lots of boos last night for Knapp's conservative playcalling.
This is just an observation but, so far, the Raiders only significant scoring burst through pre-season and Game 1 was the brief improvisations by Terrelle Pryor against the Lions that had little or nothing to do with game planning or plays provided by Knapp.
I'm sure things will come together, but when?
...wow, such GREAT comments today, good job Takers, it's Minty Fresh.
If we remain in the bottom third of the NFL in offense by game five, isn't it obvious the problem is Knapp? We have basically the same players on offense except for a BETTER QB... and we were in the top ten in offense at game five last year.
The Raiders, we know, are a work in progress.
Most of these players on the roster right now, will not be around in a year or two.
Reggie's hands were tied in the off season.
He just didn't have the room to bring in the type of players he wants.
So he was forced to keep on the same players who make the same bubble headed mistakes they always made.
And so we will watch this zombie football for a little while longer.
These players are beyond being coached up.
They are set in their ways, with bad habits that run deep in their blood.
They are players that can run, and jump, and make nice plays in practice.
But they are not good football players.
When the real games start, they wilt. They forget. They panic.
Reggie wants football players, and he will find them.
Just give the man a little time.
Raider 00, well stated.
Richard Seymour played rejuvenated against the run. Several tackles in the backfield.How much influence did he play on pass rushing? I didn't notice, was he being double teamed? imo if he could have rushed the way he tackled then He would have had a monster game.
The secondary was shaky right?
It is too early to tell, but I am hoping the DC, OC and HC roger it up! In game time I was ok with HC getting the 3 before halftime,(take the points in the 1st half, go for it in the 2nd) but in retrospect, I guess if the offense is going to be limited all season then HC has to go for it.
I think the real culprit last night was special teams. How many points from the blocked punts and muffed snaps? Is Jon Condo Alright?
Will Travis Goethel learn to snap without problems in the next 5 days?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SCAR
previous post is mine,,
I doubt any of us have ever seen anything close to what we saw last night in terms of ST meltdowns.
My call is to immediately waive Goethel (who's not that good a LB anyway) and sign a player with true long snapping ability.
That can never happen again!
This comment has been removed by the author.
And now some news from around the league:
From ProFootballTalk, "J.J. Watt tells @PFTonNBCSN that he got the Dolphins' snap count from Hard Knocks."
J.J.Watt had 1.5 sacks last Sunday.
3 blown punts led to 9 cheap points. The special team's catastophic errors tipped the balance, momentum, and game context on it's proverbial head.
MAJOR kudos to the D in preventing the Chargers getting into the end zone on 5 ocassions working from a short field and little rest.
The question that I have that has been BUGGING me all last night and today:
Why isn't Parson or Wiz the backup long snapper?
Think about it ... both these guys are PROFESSIONAL centers who are experienced at snapping to include shotgun snaps, experienced at line calls, experienced at blocking, etc.
Tell me this: Do you honestly think a backup LB is more suited or qualified to take on this duty?
This is so painfully obvious that it make me violently ill.
But let's say you do make your backup LB the sub at long snapper for some reason.
Don't you think you might, I don't know, want to have him PRACTICE at it?
We have an entire training camp, a 52 man roster and a practice squad at our disposal.
Yet amid all of that, no one thought, hey, let's give this guy some practice at this?
Then we have the stupid penalties. Then we have the most lethargic "hurry up" offense conceivable.
How come every time we have a "new" Raiders team it's always the same old Raiders?
Bad way to start the season.
Defense was pretty good, so there's hope there, I guess.
Having a backup LB practice long snaps is ridculous in itself. Why even have this as a contingency plan when you've got 2 professional centers at your disposal?
It is the equivalent of using a car mechanic to perform surgery when you've got 2 docotrs on the staff sitting idly by.
Another thing that bugs me is all the fans pointing blame on the playcalling of Knapp as one of the key reasons we lost.
Did you watch another game or not understand the context of the game that you were watching?
Down 16 points, the play action pass and the run game were virtually taken off the script.
The reason we were down by this margin was, wait for it, using a backup LB as a long snapper.
Please don't tell me that this game wouldn't have been a close game where the threat of run and play action pass weren't part of the equation if we didn't hand the Chargers the ball 3 times inside our 40 due to ST miscues.
Except for the defense, the rest of the team seems not be on full cylinder. The offense felt rather flat, while the special team was ugly. I sure miss Condo, the long snapper. If they keep at it, the offense should adjust for the lack of receiver depth, but the special team's woe will likely to persist if the long snapper position remains shaky.
Fifteen more games to go, so I am not about to push the panic button. In a way, I did not expect much from Week 1, considering our lack of depth coupled with lack of draft picks earlier this year (nothing until after the end of the third round!), plus having a new coaching staff who have their own learning curve to overcome.
Let's face the facts. The team has a plenty of improvements to make before it can become a well-oiled machine.
To add to the problem Bartel has been lost. Ford now needs surgery. Condo may not be back next week.
McFadden accounted for half the plays on offense, while Reece and Jones were ignored. How much longer can this continue before we lose McFadden also?
The rush only produced 2 yards average and Palmer had no time in the pocket. That says something about the offensive line.
These problems are real and need to be addressed. But how?
CJ - Lot’s of blame to go around, and Knapp deserves his share.
Knapp's problem early on was he called an ALL-McFadden show which prompted the Chargers to stack eight in the box. That's what stymied Knapp’s otherwise conservative playcalling most of the game. The fact Knapp didn't open up things earlier played right into the Chargers D.
IMO, the Raiders should have come out early and established they were willing to throw deep to their young WRs. That may have opened the field more and allowed RAC yards needed to get 1st downs on 2nd or 3rd and short... something we couldn't seem to do.
Also, he should have spread the ball around more. As Anon stated above, Reece and Jones were practically ignored. It was almost comical to see all the pre-snap shuffling then watch the ball go to McFadden.
Interestingly, Jones is McFadden's backup but it was Goodson spelling McFadden, not Jones. So, apparently, Jones got demoted.... he touched the ball only once, I think, on a really poorly executed end around that lost 25 yards.
Suffice to say, it wasn't just special teams, and the D played well enough to win.
Hopefully, the coaching staff and players are smart enough to learn from their mistakes.
That should just read YAC, not RAC. It's still early on the east coast.
Calico hit the nail on the head, lack of PROFESSIONALISM. These guys are millionaires. Get to work.
I wonder if part of the problem isn't the over-all conservatism of Allen/Knapp drilling PROTECT THE BALL AT ALL COSTS into Palmers head all off-season? If so, we shoulda just kept Campbell. Palmer is not a checkdown QB, he's a gun-slinger.. so why all the checkdowns?
I am not going to miss Ford much (he won us one KC games and accomplished little else) but we REALLY need to get Moore into uniform.
I disagree with CJ.. play actions DO work REGARDLESS OF SCORE when they think every play is going to McF... which is all we did all game.
Well...not a good start, that is for sure. Starting WR's aren't good enough and that includes DHB, Streater looked like an undrafted rookie, Hagan flew in a few days ago. Even so, Knapp has to open it up, playing conservative is ok when YOU HAVE THE LEAD. SD played 2 deep saftey almost exclusively. Forcing Palmer to throw underneath or short, but when you are down, you have to take your shots downfield. And when Palmer did take his shots, he was letdown by Streater and DHB who both dropped multiple balls that were very catchable.
Defense looked fine, except that I was expecting more blitzing to knock Rivers into crying me one. But they held the team into a chance to win, until the punting woes killed any chance of a win. Overall, I was disappointed, I was expecting more, but it was the 1st game so I will give them a pass...they have to win in Miami or my prediction of West division title may be off base. They really need to have a come back game in Miami....
Looks like the plan is to have a strong Defense, with a conservative Offense and win through attrition. When a team falls behind, it's time to open it up...it's a big game in dolphinville, a win is needed.
JONES
Also, with Palmer, last year he was given the option of changing the plays at the L.O.S...didn't see that in this game. If he has been told to use the play that is called by the coach and not to audible, to me, that takes away a lot of his effectiveness. He seems to feed off that, much like Manning does/did for the donkies/colts. I believe he needs to have that freedom, to use his smarts to control a game. Take the handcuffs off and let him do his thing.
JONES
...didnt notice that Jones, only watched Q1 and Q4... so palmer did not make any adjustments? Ridiculous, he is no rookie! Good eye there...
And, fellas, is it true that we were supposed to get another play at the end since Bolts downed their own punt with no time left? If so, the Dec game should Start by ending this one... I haven't checked the rule book though. Asterisk!
Anonymous JONES said...
Also, with Palmer, last year he was given the option of changing the plays at the L.O.S...didn't see that in this game. If he has been told to use the play that is called by the coach and not to audible, to me, that takes away a lot of his effectiveness. He seems to feed off that, much like Manning does/did for the donkies/colts. I believe he needs to have that freedom, to use his smarts to control a game. Take the handcuffs off and let him do his thing.
>>>>
IIRC, he had some of his best games as a Raider with the no-huddle, then Hue got rid of it too. That's kind of a NFL problem, IMO. Too many ego's on the coaching staff unwilling to let the QB's call the plays. Allen should step in and correct this.
Knapp has no sense of the flow of the game... none. Never has. I think his play book/scheme is fine, its just he doesn't know how to use it.
Condo has a concussion. Media are suggesting Goethel might be given another chance at long snapper. The thought of that is completely ridiculous. As CJ said above, Wiz and Parsons are professional centers, both of whom are proficient at shotgun snaps. How is Goethel a better option???
Also, media are reporting that Wiz and Parsons are in a competition at center. WTF? Wiz is a top-2 O-lineman on this team and Parsons is a former practice squad player.
I could understand Wiz playing another position on the line to keep the best players on the field; but a "competition with Parsons?" Really?
BTW.. on a positive note... something I don't see mentioned much anywhere... did McClain look great or what? Its why you should never give up on a defensive player until after the third year. Asum looked horrible his first two years also.
Ya, Allen needs to show, right now, that he is the HC, he needs to have a long snapper that is trustworthy, right now. He needs to show a much more diverse Offense, but we need the weapons on the outside to be at a higher standard, Monday nights version wasn't good enough. These are things that a HC has to correct, he needs to show that he will do it. Shakey start, no doubt, but it's early and things can still be fixed. It's not how you start the season, it's how you finish, that counts.
NYR, I'm wondering if Wiz has done something to piss off the coach, GM? Maybe this has something to do with Wiz Sr. leaving the team unexpectedly? Is he still hurt? On the other hand....if the press is saying it, take it for what it is worth. Wiz would be a big addition for the O-line, the Offense needs him in there.
JONES
McClain has benefitted from a better LB trio and a better system. He started last year playing next to Groves and Wimbley, who is a much better pass rusher than run defender.
I mentioned before, I believe LB is the area of most noticeable improvement so far.
Jones - I think Wiz was held out due to lack of reps. Much of what has been said about competition with Parsons comes from Knapp, not Allen. Maybe it's overstated in the media, as you suggest. Bottom line, Wiz needs to be on the line somewhere for the Raiders to field their best players. There's no excuse in Miami! Time for the Raiders to get pissed off about their performance Monday nite and take hold of their season.
Gary, I think the Raider scheme, that was, was a MLB killer. McClain is now in a position to make plays, his last 2 years, he was used in a manner that didn't make him a playmaker....more of a catcher, he would catch a O-lineman block and have to fight it off before he could get a crack at the ball carrier. That was usually 5 yrds backwards. Then he would be asked to cover just about anyone (WR,RB,TE) anywhere on the field. By halftime, he was spent.
It's 1 game, the Defense as a whole looks better. Tom Kelly though, showed some real bad focus and helped SD to their only TD. Burris looked good, Branch got burnt a couple of times. The Front line didn't get a good rush, I was expecting more blitzing, guess they thought Rivers could burn them on the blitz....vs Miami, young QB, I would like to see more blitzing this game.
JONES
Word is already spreading around the league.
The key to beating the Raiders ?
Knock out the long snapper...LoL.
It's 1 game, the Defense as a whole looks better. Tom Kelly though, showed some real bad focus and helped SD to their only TD.
>>>>
For the life of me I don't understand how a person right over the ball can jump offsides. JUST WATCH THE BALL! Howie Long did this in his very last game as a Raider like 4 times. Something I bet he'd never admit to.
nyraider said...
I mentioned before, I believe LB is the area of most noticeable improvement so far.
>>>>
Hands down.
Raiders signed a long snapper, Nick Guess, and Travis Tripuka is on his way to Oakland (yes another long snapper). Good news there, but it looks like Condo may be out.
Allen said today that Parsons and Wiz were in starting job competition, mainly because Wiz missed all offseason from shoulder surgery, and doesn't want to rush him back. So it sounds as if Wiz will be the starter when he's healthy.
Wiz can also play Guard. I just wish there was a few Tackles that we could sign to replace Barnes.
This will probably be Kelly's last year to prove himself. I think he will be cut at the end of the year.
Bartell is gone 4-6 weeks with a broken shoulder. Ford is out as well, and Allen said they are eyeing a few veteran WR to bring aboard.
JUST WIN, BABY!
R-Nate said: "This will probably be Kelly's last year to prove himself. I think he will be cut at the end of the year."
As dumb as his two penalties were, Kelly's a player. He could have a pro bowl year in this defense.
If you pay 60 bucks to NFL.com they have a very cool "coaches film" you can watch of all the games. It gives a wide angle from both the side and behind of the plays. I couldn't count how many times SD had 8 in the box in the first half... basically knowing full well the Raiders were going to ground and pound. The second half they didn't as much, mostly because the Raiders fell behind.
Barnes just let his guy wheel around for two sacks. He needs to go or get rotated out more (was he gassed?) I only noticed Carson missing one wide open receiver I noticed while he kept checking down to mcF the entire second half. SD had some great coverage... plus our pass blocking started to crumble.
We have a lot of work to do on offense, IMO. BTW.. the one trick play that flopped with Jones fumbling was going to the HOUSE. He had one tackle to break and the rest of the left side wide open. Knapp needs to keep at these things... and his total lack of screen plays is still apparent. He's never liked calling them for some reason.
Some good observations, Gary. Thx. No doubt Barnes whiffed badly on a few plays. And I would agree the Chargers coverage in the secondary was pretty solid... better than the Raiders. Rivers missed a couple wide open receivers in the corner of the end zone.
SCAR
Heading to Miami, what are going to be key points for a victory?
I seem to recall last year the dolphins ran roughshod on the Raiders in an overall lacluster Raiders effort. Miami is starting a rookie qb this year, so if The Raiders defense can keep the dolphins running game in check...
On Offense, reading these threds, Knapp should come up with more imaginative plays? Knapp certainly has to adapt. How about half time adjustments? We have got to ride McFadden, but at the same time if there are going to be 8 in the box all game,...
Not so special teams,,,
I know, its vague, thats why I watch on TV and not on the sidelines... Go Raiders!
SCAR
nyraider said...
Some good observations, Gary. Thx. No doubt Barnes whiffed badly on a few plays. And I would agree the Chargers coverage in the secondary was pretty solid... better than the Raiders. Rivers missed a couple wide open receivers in the corner of the end zone.
>>>>
Thanx NYR. Someone at the JMAC blog just mentioned that this offense doesn't work without misdirection... all SD was doing was stacking 8 in the box and sending them all at McF for the stuff. The Jones fumble play, and the one Carson boot had WIDE OPEN fields... Knapp needs to do this more often. Hopefully Miami does the exact same thing as SD and Oakland pounces! If Carson boots 5 to 7 times I see a blow out this Sunday.
If Knapp keeps things as close to the vest again... we lose horribly. This team is not built for comebacks, IMO.
If we see a bland straight up offense again next week, I am blaming ALLEN. The buck stops at the top. Its like all those years watching a predictable defense... why isn't there someone at the top telling them to change things up??
BTW.. with the "Coaching film" endzone view... McFadden is just not that great at seeing holes. Its why I think he did well with Hue.. all Hue did was get him into open space and let him zoom. Nothing else. That is one reason we need less McFadden next week... use him as a decoy... the entire Miami defense is watching only him.
Can our coaching staff see such obviousness? I certainly hope so or it will be another long season.
The best part that I noticed about the game in replay... the first person down the field to help up Streater from the pile after he fumbled?
CARSON PALMER.
Gannon wouldn't have done that if his life depended on it... and he was our last good QB.
This team is in good hands folks... just wait...
Each game has it's own unique circumstances, qualities, and context.
What I'm most interested in seeing this week vs. Miami is how the individual team members, units, coaching staff, and key leaders respond to this setback.
I'm not a big subscriber to knee jerk reactions to 1 game.
"The buck stops at the top."
So true, and kinda what many have said thru years of frustration. However, it's way too early for problems on offense to rest squarely on Allen. This is still Knapp's show on offense.
The SD game was particularly challenging because we were depleted at WR and working in a new offense.
McFadden has had success before in a ZBS, so that, in itself, shouldn't be an issue. And getting Wiz back this week should help.
Apparently, the fins have a strong defensive front, which has ranked among the best in the league at stopping the run. Knapp will really have to mix things up because a vanilla running attack this week will be a recipe for failure.
I predict another low-scoring affair for the Raiders. It will be up to the D to stop Miami and help secure a win. And no more ST f-ups. When something goes that wrong, it definitely falls on the HC (and GM) to correct it.
This is not the playoffs, and the Chargers are not contenders. Our long snapper sucked, and our receivers are in need of some stick-um, so that's that. Our D was quite good, and that's great news. Palmer is on target, and if, and this is a big IF, they can make the adjustments, this can be a strong, winning season.
Miami has a strong D especially their run D. It will be critical for our special teams unit to execute at a competent level. This very well could be a game of field position and a turnover at a critical juncture of the game tipping the balance one way or the other.
Here's a link to a media tape of game rules from Week One. It's cool for a couple reasons; it wasn't intended for public distribution and it goes over the rule at the end of the Raiders game when the Raiders could have played an untimed down.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/14/nfl-details-key-officiating-issues-from-week-one/
P.S. Click the link for "Johnson's video"
Gameday take is up.
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