Oakland Raiders Running Backs: Split the Carries, Carry the Weight

Darren McFadden and Michael Bush have split carries pretty even-handedly in the opening games of this season. In Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, both had 35 yards rushing—McFadden on 12 carries and Bush on nine.

The running game was especially significant in a game where JaMarcus Russell made a mere seven completions on 24 attempts—let’s try to forget for a moment the 10 consecutive misses before the closing drive.

But the numbers between the dynamic duo will have to improve in the upcoming game against a Denver defense that held Cleveland to just 54 rushing yards last Sunday in their 27-6 victory over the Browns.

If the Raiders are going to have to rely on their running game while Russell works on his accuracy, McFadden and Bush will have to significantly bump up their stats.

And there’s a great possibility that they will. Although it was short yardage, McFadden’s final leap into the endzone on a five-yard carry was clutch and it came at the very end of the game when Oakland needed it the most.

In fact, that final drive was the real—and quite possibly the ONLY—reason the Raiders were able to squeak out a win against Kansas City. Russell finally connected with his receivers and his running backs found the right seams thanks to a resilient offensive line.

But the rhythm will need to start from the second Oakland takes the field Sunday. Head coach Tom Cable should continue to split these guys evenly down the middle as they seem to match each other’s performance. But one of the two needs to push harder, stretch longer, and gain some serious yardage to encourage the other to do the same.

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JaMarcus Russell: Your Official Starting QB Oakland Raiders’ Fans

Congrats, JaMarcus. After a bitter competition between yourself and loud-mouth Jeff Garcia, you’ve officially won the job as starting quarterback for the 2009-2010 season.

Tom Cable announced today, “It’s his job and we’ll see how it goes.”

Cable noted Garcia’s “lack of work,” referring to his on-field play thus far in exhibition games. But we all knew this decision was a long-time coming. It’s just official now.

JaMarcus missed two throws last night but Cable assured reporters that he’ll learn from those mistakes and that he’s much improved from last season.

Plus, Garcia’s INT in the second quarter couldn’t have helped his case as being “the best quarterback” of the organization, as he touted himself to be during the offseason.

In fact, each quarterback seemed to outplay Garcia, who should be falling further back in the depth chart in my humble opinion. While Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski also gave themselves an INT in the box score, they threw for 47 and 44 yards respectively, compared to a measly 18 from Garcia.

Additionally, Frye’s average pass was three times that of Garcia’s (9.4 and 3.0 respectively) and showed greater movement outside the pocket with his courageous TD. Gradkowski averaged 8.8 yards per pass but was able to connect with Brandon Myers for a TD, another feat Garcia missed.

Back to Russell for a second. JaMarcus averaged 6.6 yards per pass last season, a stat he will need to improve greatly upon. He averaged 6.9 on Saturday but with Myers stepping up as a surprise pass-catcher and Zach Miller continuing to get open looks downfield, an “improved” Russell should be able to boost his average.

So get at it, Russell. The time is now.

You May Be Seeing More of Former Hawkeye Brandon Myers

The first half of the Raiders preseason game against the Niners tonight was littered with stats from the usual suspects: handoffs to Darren McFadden, passes, missed in most cases, to Darrius Heyward-Bey and Zach Miller.

But with backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski at the helm in the third quarter, a new star (maybe?) emerged.

Brandon Myers, topped the charts for the Raiders with four receptions for 75 yards and one TD. He showed ability to run plays—at least someone was paying attention during training camp—and pull down tough passes, even in double coverage.

Less than half way into the third quarter, the Raiders made what would eventually be a TD drive where Myers came alive. A deep pass to the right side of the field that hit Myers, heavily guarded by Reggie Smith, took Oakland from midfield to the SF 23-yard line.

The second down of the next drive, Gradkowski hit Myers again in a screen play up the middle for another six yards and three plays later, Myers found himself on the right side of the endzone pulling down his first TD of the season.

The rookie was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft as the 202nd pick. Many expected him to be more of an extra lineman rather than a pass catcher. And while he definitely showed he can be a strong blocking tight end, his ability to connect with his QB and get open downfield stood out.

Myers’ play was cut short as the Raiders entered—and crumbled in—the fourth quarter. But for me, Myers’ contribution to tonight’s game was the only real spark Oakland had, with missed opportunities from Heyward-Bey and Miller.

Myers, who played at Iowa, is used to a Big Ten running game and a high caliber of blockers are born from the program. He proves to Cable that the Raiders do indeed have depth at the tight end position.

Oakland Raiders’ Training Camp: Media Notes for Day Two

The media had their first preview of what the Raider’s training camp is all about as players took the field yesterday and ran drills as part of their two-a-day intensive practices.

Of course, the big story of the day was the signing of rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey and his entrance onto the Napa Valley field much to the relief of head coach Tom Cable.

“It’s a credit to him and his people to get him here on time, all those things to not be missing more than one practice,” said Cable at his podium speech. “With all the learning that is going on I think this is a really big deal for us.”

Although the heat was beating down, the practice itself was pretty cool and timid. Not much time passed after the snap and pass by JaMarcus Russell and the whistle was quick to blow. It seems as if the team is still working out technical difficulties which they did with much precision, according to sources who attended the practice.

Russell, the obvious starter at this point, gave props to four receivers he sees as starters based on their performance at his offseason private practice for the offense. Todd Watkins, Louis Murphy, Will Franklin, and Jonathan Holland were awarded the nod from Russell but Cable declined to announce any starters as of yesterday.

Heyward-Bey’s inclusion into the starting lineup looks good, and pretty obvious as a No. 7 pick, but the active Physically Unable to Perform list now includes WR Javon Walker who just opened up a spot, at least, he says, until after the first game against Dallas, and, assuming he continues to attend practice, Heyward-Bey is likely to step in.

Off the record, Derrick Burgess’ teammates seemed displeased and confused about his decision to boycott practice. And, as Contra Costa Times reporter Jerry McDonald muses, “public issues with Al Davis over money seldom end well.”

Players seemed to be getting accustomed to, and even appreciating, Cable’s direction. Strong side linebacker Jon Alston said, “When we get in on Monday, it’s pop, pop, pop, and you don’t have any excuse about rust, because you’ve already had an opportunity to get it out of the way.”

Oakland Raiders Training Camp: Media Notes For Day One

As we move into Day Two of Raiders training camp, the intensity is as hot as the turf. Head coach Tom Cable has declared two-a-day practices for the first four days of camp, one in mid-afternoon when the heat simmers off the grass.

“[The players] need to be in the heat and the sun,” Cable told the media after Wednesday’s endeavors. “I think it hardens you.”

In response to interrogations by media personnel about how this sort of intensity is settling in to more veteran players like Zach Miller, who is perhaps more accustomed to the feel of Kiffin’s practices, Miller responded, “I think [Cable] brings the right attitude, kind of an old school feel where we’re going to out-work other teams and we’re going to make sure that we grind it out.”

Today will be the first time the whole team will practice together since contracts were signed in June. With JaMarcus Russell still the No. 1 pick for starting QB and Darrius Heyward-Bay inking a contract this morning, the offense is solidifying itself and all that needs to be done now is for the guys to learn how to work together.

This shouldn’t be terribly difficult considering the amount of veterans on the team. In addition, this is Russell’s second year and with his offseason moves of motivating the offense into extra training sessions he is clearly amplifying his voice, not just as a signal caller, but as a team leader.

After the four days are up, the team will suit up in pads and prepare for their Aug. 8 performance at the Coliseum in front of Raider Nation. The spectacle will include Silver and Black jerseys colliding with each other, but at the same time, feeling each other out and learning how to work as a team.

Certainly four days of roughing it will accomplish that.

“They need to go through the struggles of camp and the hard work and the ups-and-downs that come with it and help work each other through it,” Cable said.

Learning From Mistakes: Newbie Raiders Can Learn From Vets

The New York Times recently reported that for the first time, NFL teams—namely the Ravens and the Giants—have started mentorship programs for their rookies.

William C. Rhoden of the Times wrote, “The idea is that the veterans will shepherd young players through the minefield as if they were younger brothers and even sons.”

The program, Rhoden reports, started last year when Ravens’ veterans took the initiative to develop their teammates by taking younger players under their wings, preparing them for life in the NFL both on and off the field.

The article quotes Baltimore’s director of player development Harry Swayne as saying, “We are clueless as far as what manhood really is.”

The article goes on to talk mostly about finances, how once these young players enter the real world they need to spend wisely and leave their personal troubles off the field.

“It’s going to keep you in the NFL after you win that job,” said Giants director of player development Charles Way.

The example Rhoden gives is Plaxico Burress who, if he had a guiding spirit, may not have shot himself in the leg or even carried a gun around in the first place.

Oakland would no doubt benefit from a program like this and should take the cue from the Giants, whose efforts very obviously paid off.

A San Francisco Chronicle article recently focused on what old-time Silver and Blacks had to say to the young starters in this year’s lineup.

Daryle Lamonica gave a shout-out to JaMarcus Russell warning him that defensive backs would very likely outrun Russell’s receivers and that he would have to rely more on mental strength rather than just physical strength.

All veterans in the article basically said the same thing: you can’t rely on what got you by in college, whether it be Darrius Heyward-Bey’s speed or Russell’s arm strength.

But when you can no longer depend on something that’s gotten you through all those years in college ball, how do you transition into the pros?

The answer is in the wisdom and experience of your veteran players.

Dante Culpepper had eight years under his belt in 2007 when he started for the Raiders at the age of 30.

If paired with Russell, he could provide advice from mistakes learned that season when he passed for 1,105 yards with eight interceptions and the Raiders went 4-12.

Zack Miller will be starting his third season with the Raiders at the ripe old age of 24. He had 44 catches for 444 yards in his rookie season, which he improved to 56 catches for 778 yards in 2008.

Miller continues to progress and is shaping up to be one of the leagues top tight ends in 2009.

It’s hard to imagine Miller gaining anything from the advice of Randal Williams, who played as a 28-year-old in 2006 and scored zero TDs. Miller had him beaten already in his rookie season when he scored three TDs.

But Williams was playing with five years of experience and undoubtedly knows the pro game better than Miller, even if he wasn’t able to convert that knowledge onto the field.

Finally, with zero years of experience, the 22-year-old Heyward-Bey perhaps needs a mentor more than any of the aforementioned players.

Heyward-Bey doesn’t need any help physically. He ran a 4.30 at the combine and is indisputably one of the fastest running backs in the 2009 season.

But Heyward-Bey, like so many rookies, is still looked at skeptically by critics who, as usual, wonder if this kid can make the leap into the pros. Last year’s RB LaMont Jordan might have something to say about that.

By the 2008 season, Jordan already had six years in the NFL. He had 144 rushes for 549 yards and scored three TDs. Jordan knows how to handle quick defensive backs and if Heyward-Bey is naïve enough to think he can outrun anyone he will have a rough rookie season.

I don’t presume to know about any personal troubles the young 2009 starters have. But having a mentor could be very therapeutic and crucial to keeping problems at bay and off the field.

If history tells us anything, it is that the NFL can be both physically and mentally draining. Sometimes you need a hand to hold.

Training camp starts on Wednesday in Napa Valley and it is the perfect time for these players to connect. Rookies should watch carefully, take note, and learn some lessons, whether it is football-based or otherwise.

Russell, Miller, and Heyward-Bey are still kids and we don’t want any of them to get shot in the leg, both metaphorically and literally.

UFL: Selling Out and Wimping Out

The United Football League, which kicks off Oct. 22, released its playing rules this week, and if you’re an NFL fan, you’re bound to be disappointed if you don’t like change.

Perhaps the most atrocious variation from NFL rules is the quarterback “grounding” rule, where the QB, under pressure, is allowed to ground the ball whether he is inside or outside the pocket.

And Raiders fans will be sad to hear the “tuck” rule, made famous in the 2002 playoff game between Oakland and New England, will be eliminated.

The rule, meant to hold quarterbacks responsible for their intent, rules the reneging of forward motion—either by tucking the ball back or stopping the passing motion—an incomplete pass if it is forced out by a defender.

All coaches will be “wired” so their comments will be broadcast—although supposedly no sideline chatter will be aired—and cameras will be allowed in locker rooms for the first four minutes of halftime to provide fans with “off-limit” access throughout the game.

I guess it’s just as bad as the occasional pep talk we can peep in on in the NFL and NBA. But it seems like a media ploy, and not a very good one. As Joe Torre once said—of course, he totally abandoned the idea in his book—what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room.

All of us want to see what goes on “behind the scenes” in football but, the pains the UFL is taking to reel in fans seems desperate.

Many of the rules reflect this desperation. For example, players are allowed “tasteful” forms of “group celebration” in the end zone and bench area after a TD. OK, what the hell does that mean? Sounds like Dottie’s splits to impress fans in A League of Their Own. Lame.

I prefer my head-bumping, authentic celebrations, not premeditated jumping through hoops. Call me old school.

“The UFL’s Competition Committee looked at the current rules that govern most professional football leagues and determined ways to enhance the overall experience for both the players and the fans,” San Francisco coach Dennis Green, the chairman of the committee, told the Oakland Tribune.

Green contends this is not a “gimmick league.” Sorry, Dennis, but not only do I not get it, I just plain don’t buy it.

Zach Miller Hype a Long Time Coming

Finally, some good news about the Raiders in mainstream media rankings.

Tight end Zach Miller is gaining prowess with columnists from CBSSports.com and ESPN that tout him as the player to fill the void left by Tony Gonzalez.

Drafted by Oakland in 2007, Miller had 44 catches in his rookie season, which he then bumped up to 56 last season. Entering his third season with the troops, the words “AFC Pro Bowl” are starting to float around.

Miller was taken on the same draft year as JaMarcus Russell and, as ESPN reports, Al Davis is hoping the two “grow old together.”

Miller, at 6’5″ and 225 pounds, is not only a great target, but a dominant runner once he does make a catch. This puts him in the top 10 of Pete Prisco’s list of tight ends on CBSSports.com. Prisco says Miller, assuming Russell gets him the ball consistently in 2009, can only move up from the No. 9 spot he secured on the list.

Miller continues to improve as he gets the hang of NFL play and the respect of his quarterback. In his first season, he led the NFL rookies with 444 yards and three touchdowns. He played all 16 games, including Russell’s first start, where the combo foreshadowed its future success with Miller catching a season-high eight passes.

Russell continued to hit Miller in 2008, improving his numbers to 56 receptions for 778 yards. Though he only scored one touchdown last season, as Russell’s apparent wingman, I’m betting he doubles last year’s performance.

Put Confidence Against Poor Leadership and You’ve Got Yourself a New QB

The Raiders have already settled on their quarterback for 2009. It’s JaMarcus Russell, according to all reports and comments from head coach Tom Cable. But I’m in agreement with a B/R article that notes a controversy is emerging.

With recent comments from Garcia himself, you can see parity between the two frontmen for Oakland. Garcia is showing confidence while Russell seems to be fading into the distance.

On the one hand, earlier this month Russell showed signs of correcting his lack of past leadership and announced he would hold a secret practice for all quarterbacks and wide receivers before training camp started.

That was before the 2007 first round pick went totally AWOL on the last day of OTA. Gone. No excuse, no apologies.

In the meantime, Garcia is exuding nothing but blunt power—at least from his mouth.

“Not knocking JaMarcus or anybody else on the team, but I just have a belief in my own abilities,” Garcia told the Detroit News in an interview for today’s edition. “Those things have me feeling that I am the best quarterback on the team.”

Maybe Garcia, 39, is overconfident. And maybe it’s all talk. He certainly shows a competitive edge, but he will need to convert that competitive side to his on-field performance in training camp in order to really make those words mean something.

It makes sense, especially in the eyes of Russell’s biggest fan, Al Davis, to let the rookie run with it in his third season, assuming he’s learned how to hang in the NFL by then.

But Russell’s work ethic is certainly questionable despite his improvement in the red zone during OTA. Offseason production is one thing, but once you hit the turf in September, a true leader won’t crack, while someone who can’t even put in another day of practice has a good chance of mucking it up.

To be fair, Russell hasn’t had enough time in the NFL to put up the kind of numbers Garcia has having a 100-game head start on the rookie. And he’s doing something right having shown improvement and earning the respect of hard-nosed Al Davis.

But just like Garcia, it’s all talk until training camp.

Happy Birthday, Al… You Old So and So

America isn’t the only one having a birthday. Today owner, Al Davis, turns 80… and sorry to say it, but he looks it.

Many think Davis has gotten more crazy in his old age… some may even call him “senile.” But one thing you have to give him is his consistency.

Al is old-school football. Look at this year’s draft pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey posted the fastest official time of 4.30 seconds at the combine, tying for the second-fastest time among receivers in this century, trailing Jerome Mathis’ 4.28 in 2005.

Al loves the long-ball. He always has. And by drafting Heyward-Bey, he shows he’s just the same old Al. Heyward-Bay can beat out just about anyone, making him a threat in the backfield.

Even after the defensive strategy of teams around the country adjusted to provide more coverage in the backfield, Davis continued calling for the long passes to his receivers.

Did it work? Well so far the team hasn’t seen much success under Al’s long-time strategy. The Raiders recorded 3,220 passing yards in 2008, putting them at No. 26 in the league.

Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, who received higher grade and better numbers than Heyward-Bey, were nonetheless not fast enough for Al.

But Davis is determined to dominate the league. The one thing he admits he can’t dominate, however, is getting old.

Davis’ mother lived to be 103 and Al is no doubt trying to beat her record. Although in his old age, Davis is getting more nervous about the idea of death. In a 2003 press conference, weeks after the death of dear friend Sid Gillman, it was obvious the threat of dying was getting to him.

“Some people believe they can dominate anything,” said Davis. “Although I’m finding you can’t dominate death, that’s for sure, or sickness, disease. But I’m trying.”

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