Observations from the sidelines: Raiders v Rams (preseason)
It was a gorgeous day for tailgating and a chilly evening for football and an extremely fun game with the Raiders ahead and in control all game. The Raiders brought too much energy and intensity and the Rams never stood a chance!
I was surprised to see Newberry lead us out of the tunnel. Him and Grove appeared to alternate in the first half and both played well, although Newberry seems bigger, smarter, tougher and stronger.
My biggest surprise on the OL is that RT #74 Green. He has played extremely well in the preseason even though he is an undrafted journeyman with few starts. We can probably attribute his success to the excellent coaching and the quality of competiton. I still think that until the Raiders prove they can consistently block a blitz that other teams will continue to test the OL with blitzes.
Once again the Raiders looked well coached and opened up the diverse playbook; completing quick outs, deep outs, bootlegs, reverses, screens, even a QB sneak and avoided stupid momentum penalties, but they had at least 4 drops on offense, 3 on defense, 4 sacs and fumbled the ball away at the 1.
The defense is going to dominate this year. I completely understand the Rams hesitation, fear and reluctance to play Stephen Jackson.
QBs: Culpepper and McCown both played well and executed solidly in the the first half. Walter had a poor showing but once again his receivers and blockers for that matter didn't help him much. At leats the fans didn't boo him this time.
The WRs better learn to catch cause we will never get 5 pass interferences in a real game. BMW and Porter both dropped two passes. Three defender had passes drop from their hands too.
We have dropped way too many passes this pre-season. I would suggest that Nnamdi needs to gather up the receivers and teach them the drills that he used to develop better hands.
4th Down Breakdown: Of the 10, 4th downs the Raider went for it 6 times converted 4, punted once and went 2 of 3 on FG's.
Sea Bass had nice 50 and 40 yard kicks but then missed an easy 30 yard FG. His kick offs remain inconsistent. Lechler hardly got to play which isn't a bad thing, cause last year he got to play too much, and we all know what he can do.
I think Morisson had a made a big time "you got jacked up" hit on Leonard in retaliation for him jumping over teamate Washington. Washington needs to step it up, cause Bruce had his way with him and with Nnamdi on the other side, teams are going to go after Washington.
I'm glad that Michael CON-Vic is getting what he deserves for dog fighting and killing dogs, but it bothers me that Rams DE Leonard Little kills somebody while drinking and driving and then repeats his behavior and gets another DUI and is still allowed to play in the NFL. As much as i love my dogs, i still hold peoples lives above animals and it bewilders me that nobody is talking about Little playing for millions of dollars while Susan Gutweiler lies 6 feet under.
I was concerned when i saw Jordan retreat to the locker room and Gallery hobble to the sidelines but they both later returned and completed that big 49 yard screen play by Jordan which Gallery had a key block in. I guess their OK.
I think Higgins was a steal in the draft and he will make big plays on both ST and from the WR position. Them young legs propelled him into a back flip, just moments after running back a 60 yard punt return-Thats Impressive!!!
I am not sure if there is a clear cut winner, cause the competion remains close at many positons: (my choice for starter in bold)
QB, Culpepper v McCown
PR, Carr v Higgins
KR Carr v Higgins
C, Newberry v Grove
RB Jordan v Rhodes (Jordan by default)
FB, Crockett, O'neil, Griffith
DE. Richardson, Moses, Kelly.
Lasly, it's going to be a difficult final cut and i'm certain that many Raider cuts will get adopted quickly by other teams.
One more preseason game and then it's for reals. I am certain that we will compete this year and we surprise some people. Morrison appears to be on the verge of stepping it up to Pro Bowl level.
I'm In.. ...
I was surprised to see Newberry lead us out of the tunnel. Him and Grove appeared to alternate in the first half and both played well, although Newberry seems bigger, smarter, tougher and stronger.
My biggest surprise on the OL is that RT #74 Green. He has played extremely well in the preseason even though he is an undrafted journeyman with few starts. We can probably attribute his success to the excellent coaching and the quality of competiton. I still think that until the Raiders prove they can consistently block a blitz that other teams will continue to test the OL with blitzes.
Once again the Raiders looked well coached and opened up the diverse playbook; completing quick outs, deep outs, bootlegs, reverses, screens, even a QB sneak and avoided stupid momentum penalties, but they had at least 4 drops on offense, 3 on defense, 4 sacs and fumbled the ball away at the 1.
The defense is going to dominate this year. I completely understand the Rams hesitation, fear and reluctance to play Stephen Jackson.
QBs: Culpepper and McCown both played well and executed solidly in the the first half. Walter had a poor showing but once again his receivers and blockers for that matter didn't help him much. At leats the fans didn't boo him this time.
The WRs better learn to catch cause we will never get 5 pass interferences in a real game. BMW and Porter both dropped two passes. Three defender had passes drop from their hands too.
We have dropped way too many passes this pre-season. I would suggest that Nnamdi needs to gather up the receivers and teach them the drills that he used to develop better hands.
4th Down Breakdown: Of the 10, 4th downs the Raider went for it 6 times converted 4, punted once and went 2 of 3 on FG's.
Sea Bass had nice 50 and 40 yard kicks but then missed an easy 30 yard FG. His kick offs remain inconsistent. Lechler hardly got to play which isn't a bad thing, cause last year he got to play too much, and we all know what he can do.
I think Morisson had a made a big time "you got jacked up" hit on Leonard in retaliation for him jumping over teamate Washington. Washington needs to step it up, cause Bruce had his way with him and with Nnamdi on the other side, teams are going to go after Washington.
I'm glad that Michael CON-Vic is getting what he deserves for dog fighting and killing dogs, but it bothers me that Rams DE Leonard Little kills somebody while drinking and driving and then repeats his behavior and gets another DUI and is still allowed to play in the NFL. As much as i love my dogs, i still hold peoples lives above animals and it bewilders me that nobody is talking about Little playing for millions of dollars while Susan Gutweiler lies 6 feet under.
I was concerned when i saw Jordan retreat to the locker room and Gallery hobble to the sidelines but they both later returned and completed that big 49 yard screen play by Jordan which Gallery had a key block in. I guess their OK.
I think Higgins was a steal in the draft and he will make big plays on both ST and from the WR position. Them young legs propelled him into a back flip, just moments after running back a 60 yard punt return-Thats Impressive!!!
I am not sure if there is a clear cut winner, cause the competion remains close at many positons: (my choice for starter in bold)
QB, Culpepper v McCown
PR, Carr v Higgins
KR Carr v Higgins
C, Newberry v Grove
RB Jordan v Rhodes (Jordan by default)
FB, Crockett, O'neil, Griffith
DE. Richardson, Moses, Kelly.
Lasly, it's going to be a difficult final cut and i'm certain that many Raider cuts will get adopted quickly by other teams.
One more preseason game and then it's for reals. I am certain that we will compete this year and we surprise some people. Morrison appears to be on the verge of stepping it up to Pro Bowl level.
I'm In.. ...
posted by Raider Raza at Saturday, August 25, 2007
3 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Now I understand. Mike Vick didn't run a dog fighting operation and go to dog fights to gamble. Because he's not a gambler. It says it right on his plea agreement. He just went to see the dogs rip each other to shreds. Not for the excitement of winning or losing few bucks but for the blood, guts, gore, suffering, and death. So at least he's not a gambler, just a sadistic, sick mofo. I feel much better now. For a minute I thought he had some awful character flaw like gambling
Art Shell & Tom Walsh did not know how to coach. Did not know how to lead and defiantly did not know how to select offensive plays. I was predicting what was next from my couch. This Kiffin guy is the real deal this team is playing for him they believe in the system. A far cry from last year when our true star receiver is benched for telling Shell his system sucks. Well guess what it sucked. Everyone knows a happy employee is a productive employee. This unit is playing obviously different from last year and the only thing the professional analyst can do is refer to what was last year. They know it's about to change and the HATING is running a muck. "THE NATION WILL RISE AGAIN" Staring with smacking the lions in the mouth
Post a Comment
<< Home