Vikings Gameday Thread
This thread is coming near the end of the first half. No matter how this game ends, this is the best Raiders offensive unit we've seen in a dozen years. That is something to be savored and excited about.
posted by Raider Take at 2:30 PM
36 Comments:
Thanks for putting a curse on the offense
SCAR
If they play like s**t they deserve to lose
SCAR
Hah, Anon, so true.
That second half just felt so lethargic. What the hell, you don't even take chances downfield when you're down two touchdowns in the last minute? dink and dunk till I die.
Tough loss. Not Carr's fault at the end. Holmes has to fight for that ball. He had 6 inches height advantage. Defense still looks lost at times.
I wonder how the game would be different if Jano doesn't squib kick it after going up 14-13, and the Vikes don't run it back 93 yards?
Raiders have dug themselves in a hole now after losing 2 must win games. Lions, Titans, Chiefs, Doncos are the next 5. The last 3 are Packers, Chargers, Chiefs. Raiders have to win out.
Raider Nate I wonder also. Momentum was building at that point. I thought they went away from the run a little too quickly once they fell behind. Regards Sandy
Offense struggled without Rodney at C. The last time the Raiders had a center with his caliber, Barrett Robbins. After losing Robbins, the Raiders haven't been right until we signed Rodney Hudson. Deep thoughts.
Good shout ou to Barrett You're right the o-line was crap for 12 years once Robins went down . It's rare to find a man of that size who can play center Robbins was a beast and Hudson is the best fa signing of Reggie career. Nate why so pessimistic I say 6 and 1 gets it done lol. Regards Sandy
One consolation: Peyton Manning has officially jumped the shark. His passes were weak and off target, until he was pulled for ineffectiveness.
Broncos might be ready to implode. Question is; who will step up?
Call me a pessimistic old so and so but we have no chance of playoffs . Our d is just not good enough and our O is still progressing but not deep to cover injuries. We are in the first step of our return to decent football and we need another outstanding off season like we just had to keep the momentum. Linebackers and secondary are so thin on depth and we need better started as well. Next year is our year imo
Anthony,
I agree. The defense has been playing too soft for the last 4 weeks. I don't understand that at all. Whether you play zone or man, the CBs should be playing press coverage on the opposing WRs. The only thing aggressive on defense right now is the defensive line. The defense has to play aggressive for 4 quarters, and they have not yet done that this season. However, I disagree that the Raiders have no shot for the playoffs. Manning is hurt, their defense will continue to be tough, but their offense is their achilles heel right now, and they are very beatable. I think they begin to implode like the Packers. Even their defense is starting to fall apart and get sloppy.
I will say yesterday, the Corners and Linebackers did do a better job in pass defense yesterday, allowing the line to get pressure on Bridgewater. The problem was Bridgewater's allusiveness. He had to throw the ball away a lot. The defense started to play soft in the 4th Quarter, and that gave Peterson the 80 yard run.
I think the Vikings are the team to beat in the NFC, and that was a great match up for the Raiders. You can see the progress our team has made not only from last year, but within this season as well. I don't think the Raiders have an easy schedule. We face a pass happy Lions team next. This game is on the road, and our pass defense needs to show vast improvement. Tight coverage on the WRs, let the safeties help on deep zones. Bump and jam at the line, pressure with LBs and the front 4. Tight coverage leads to mistakes and sacks. The Raiders need to pound the ball and not abandon the run. Eat time off the clock, and manage the game.
After that, we travel to Tennessee. Even though the Titans have 2 wins, they are a tough, young team that are a few plays away from being where the Raiders are currently. Their 7 losses have averaged by 11.29 points, and their biggest loss was by 28 points against the Dolphins. They have a tough defense. Definitely need a balanced attack plan against the Titans. Need to stop the run and have a spy on jitter legs Mariota. These 2 games have now become must wins for the Raiders. JUST WIN, BABY!
Raiders are a young team coming off a heavyweight battle in Pitt. This is why they came out flat. They were still in the hangover from Pitt, but they will learn from it and be a better team for it. Minny has a strong team and they caught the Raiders at the right time. The K.O. return for a TD was the killer.
Just because
Blaming the loss on a tough game the week before is lame. I agree the TD return was a major shift but why the low kick? That's probably coaching. Plenty of blame to go around but not directed at the Steelers, IMO.
ahhhh shut up. I'm telling you why they came out flat. I'm telling you why they had a slow day. But of course, you are too dumb to get it. Some things never change, huh? When are you going to be a man and admit you were wrong?
Me
Why the low kick? Do you even watch the games? There was a strong wind blowin in their faces. The guy fumbled the ball, Nieko Thorpe left his lane on the outside because he couldn't see what was happening and left the sideline wide open. Not coaching, if everyone had kept there lanes, it doesn't happen.
It's funny that someone like you, who knows nothing about the game, acts like you are an authority over someone who does know the game. You need to shut up more and listen more.
Me
The wind gusts were pretty strong yesterday, but the last kickoff that Jano did, he booted through the end zone. It was the coach's call for the squib to run time off the clock, forcing them to return the ball. They were hoping for a positive outcome. One happened, but for Minnesota. There were a couple of block in the backs that weren't called on the run back as well around the Minnesota 30. Officiating was horrible. They also waived a helmet to helmet hit on Cooper, and a roughing the passer hit on Carr.
That play changed the momentum. Offense sputtered all day, and I agree that they abandoned the running game too early again. The Derek Carr interception in the end zone was a little under thrown by Carr. Yes, Holmes should have fought for it, but if Derek throws that ball a little further, and about a foot higher, ball game!
Moving onward though, the Lions are next. Pass defense needs to show us what they are made of. JUST WIN, BABY!
Jones. I didn't attack you, only disagreed with the notion you made blaming the Steelers. So don't get yourself in a bunch.
The wind might be a reasonable explanation. Except, there was no audio where I watched the game (Raiders aren't exactly the lead team in this market). I wasn't aware wind was such a factor.
Have a nice day!
It's being reported that the NFL has suspended Aldon Smith for a year. That hurts.
Nate not the end of the world he seemed well past his peak. I couldn't see Aldon back next year anyway. Raiders will have the most cap space of any team next year. I think they need to sign a couple of real impact defensive players at cb, de and lb in that order.
Regards
Sandy
SCAR
Sandy, you and I were seeing different games I guess. Aldon will be missed. He sealed the edge so well against the run. He added an impactful pass attack and had to be accounted for. He is only 25.... Reggie has said many times Aldon is in the long term plans, and I hope he is back with the Raiders next year.
As for this year, its going to be difficult to stomach the product on defense even more then before, for stretches at a time is my guess. I'm hoping that the offense can get back on track and the Raiders can win shootouts.
SCAR
Past his peak? Are you kidding? Have you watched any of the games he's played for us this year? He was consistently getting pressure on the QB, sealing off the run, is second on the team with sacks 3.5 (Khalil Mack has 5). With Aldon on the line, it was tough for the opposing team to double team Mack. With Aldon off the roster, it will be easier to double up on Mack, unless Mario Edwards Jr steps up in a big way.
I agree that they need to sign a couple real impact players. DJ Swearingen was let go from Tampa Bay. He played Safety for Tampa, but was a nickel back in Houston.
Aldon is coming back and he can appeal the suspension. Raiders already said he is coming back and Smith said he is coming back, it's just a question of when. The guy came in off the street, no training camp. Let him have a camp and he will be a good piece for the D.
Edwards Jr took Tuck's spot and is playing at a high level (Called on here a wasted pick)....Mayowa and Ball, if he can play and of course the favorite whipping boy, Ray Ray will take Smith's spot.
Me
Raiders line has been the bright spot of the defense. Smith is kind of lanky and uses long reach to his advantage. Edwards has played as well as could be expected against the run but probably better than expected rushing the QB. Inasmuch as nobody wanted to see Tuck out, it has benefited Edwards.
Still think the D is better with Lofton off the field. He had a high tackle count last year but much of that comes from second level tackles after giving up yardage. And he is responsible for way too many breakdowns in coverage.
I want to believe in Ken Norton, but the entire D has to do better for the Raiders to stay competitive. Offense can't score 35-40 points every game.
D needs more talent, as with the O, when the talent is there, it makes it easier to coach. I think Norton is doing as much as he can with what he has to work with. LB, S, CB are all weak and need upgrades. You think a MLB is going to be a high priority next offseason? Lofton is a slug, couldn't cover my uncle Willy out of the backfield or at TE. Having a high end MLB would be a major step in solidifying the D. CB's are avg at best, Safety, Charles is going to be dragged off for the last time soon and whoever else is playing at the other Safety position needs to be replaced. D-line is very young at the moment but has a high ceiling.
Me
This suspension was reached by an agreement with the NFL, Aldon Smith, the Raiders, and Aldon Smith's agent.
I doubt that he will appeal the decision.
In one article on CSNBayArea, Scott Blair puts it like this:
"His appeals process has been exhausted, leaving the Raiders to fill a major void off the edge now and in the near future."
Aldon Smith's statement also makes it apparent that he cannot, and will not appeal.
Raider Nate if you think 3.5 sacks in 9 games is good production all the power to ya. Double digits in sacks is the standard bearer for an above average defensive end. I am telling you the guy is done. Look at his production in the past couple years versus the first three years of his career . Regards Sandy
Aldon is far from done if he can establish stability in both his personal and professional life. To write him off is foolish. He clearly has all of the physical tools to be an above average DE/OLB. In spite of the suspension and up and down turbulence of the past 12 months, it is clear to everyone that Aldon feels the love of the Raiders organization which bodes EXTREMELY well for his motivation and sense of gratitude to be given the chance to get his career back on track. A motivated, physically talented, and grateful individual and you say he is done Sandy? Totally disagree but the proof one way or the other is yet to be determined.
Ok CJ saying he's done is a football player might be a bit of a dramatic statement. However I see him as far far removed from the guy who used to average a sack a game. Furthermore being away from the game for a year can only accelerate this decline. My opinion is currently he's an average defensive end / linebacker and I don't think that improves when you spend a year away from football . I think the Raiders would be best served by moving on and finding someone whose career is on the rise and can bring pressure from the other side opposite Khalil Mack. Regards Sandy
Smith doesn't have an impressive sack total but he has played well, IMO, including holding the edge and stopping the run. Mack only has 5 sacks but we can probably all agree he's elite.
Let's not forget how bad the secondary has been. When you give up slants, screens and other quick passes with the regularity that the Raiders do, it's tough to produce sacks.
Plus, the Raiders play more straight up and stunt less than some teams. Probably because they don't have the overall talent nor the gap discipline.
All these things tie together.
I think Smith will be missed.
Sandy,
You are not factoring in a few things in this equation, because there are no stats immediately available on this. How many times has he stopped a RB behind the line of scrimmage? How many times has he pressured the QB, causing him to quickly release the ball? How many times has he knocked down the QB? These same questions apply to Mack as well.
The bottom line is this, if you have better coverage from the secondary, Aldon Smith and Mack have double digit sacks. The reason is because we play a 4-3, and you cannot double team both, you have to choose who to double. Then you can add more defensive "stunts" to avoid the double team. Now that Aldon Smith is out, you will see Mack be double teamed more, and his pressuring of the QB will drop.
It is not all about sacks. Aldon Smith has gotten great pressure off the edge for us, and so has Mack; and I think it is due to Smith's ability. The numbers are not there, because the QBs set up plays for quick releases because our CBs are not playing on the line of scrimmage for a bump-and-jam coverage. They are playing soft. To say Smith is done as a football player tells me 2 things:
1. You haven't watch a game this year, nor seen the D-Line play.
or 2. You're not understanding what you're seeing.
Aldon Smith is far from done as a player, and he is going to be sorely missed the rest of this season, and part of next.
First of all I didn't say he was crap I didn't say he wasn't an NFL starting caliber player and he is a far improvement from what we've had in the past few years. But come on you guys of all gone soft in your expectations he's far from a star. I measure defense of greatness by guys who can impact games or win games for that matter three and a half sacks no forced fumbles no fumbles recovered. We need couple of Pro Bowlers on our front 74 going to get back to the playoffs and Alden isn't one Regards sandy
The Raiders look like they are slotting into a middle of the pack team. They've beaten bad teams, split with middling teams, and lost to division leaders. They look to be going as far a their talent will take them. The offense is generally playing well, the defense is generally playing poorly.
The coaching is finally professional, and the team is overall making improvements. The back half of the defense needs players, the bottom third of the roster needs improvements, and the youngsters need seasoning. The team is going to wander around .500 all year, and finish 7-9 or 8-8. I see a lot of reason for optimism in the upcoming years.
The Raiders look like they are slotting into a middle of the pack team. They've beaten bad teams, split with middling teams, and lost to division leaders. They look to be going as far a their talent will take them. The offense is generally playing well, the defense is generally playing poorly.
The coaching is finally professional, and the team is overall making improvements. The back half of the defense needs players, the bottom third of the roster needs improvements, and the youngsters need seasoning. The team is going to wander around .500 all year, and finish 7-9 or 8-8. I see a lot of reason for optimism in the upcoming years.
The four teams the Raiders have beaten are 11-26. Storminator is correct average at best. Which is actually progress
Regards
Sandy
To follow that line... keep in mind the Jets, who make up the majority of those 11 wins, were w/o Fitzpatrick. In all reality, they are a completely different matchup with GSmith under center. Got lucky and caught em at the right time.
Outside of that we've beaten SD, BAL, CLE which are 6-22.
I want to believe SD and BAL are largely better than their records.
Still... 0-5 against the rest the mid to upper tier clubs. Its a little scary
The 5er
On the flip side, Raiders have played it close against better teams, including then unbeaten Denver. The effort is there, but still need some better pieces.
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