Unlike Their Defense, the Oakland Raiders’ Offense Has No Leaders

Some have suggested that the Raiders are lacking leadership and don’t have a single leader on the whole team.

I would argue otherwise; the Raiders have a fair share of leaders: Nnamdi Asomugha, Greg Ellis, Richard Seymour and even Gerard Warren. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single leader on the offensive side of the ball, so defenders have to do their best to fill the missing holes.

During the first day of training camp, Nnamdi picked off a pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Nnamdi then proceded to coach the young receiver up, telling him what he did wrong and what he needs to do so defenders can’t read him. That is pure leadership right there.

The only problem is, that’s not Nnamdi’s job. A veteran receiver or a coach should have been doing that.

I don’t want to throw Sanjay Lal under the bus yet, as I have no reason to aside from numerous dropped passes. Also with the youth at receiver, Sanjay has been giving a very tough task. 

The Raiders are desperately in need of a vocal leader on offense, not only from the QB but from the coaching staff, receivers, whatever, anything will do.

In a recent interview former Raider Jared Cooper suggested that after Russell comes off the field, no one says a word to him: not coaches, not players, no one. He rarely goes over plays with Cable or talks to his recievers.

This is only partially true. After three and outs during punts, defenders often come to Russell’s side. Nnamdi Asomugha, Gerard Warren, Greg Ellis, Richard Seymour, as well as other defenders have all been in Russell’s ear after three and outs.

Last week, Gerard Warren seemed to have a lot to say to Russell on the sideline. I don’t know if he was giving him constructive criticism, trying to rally his spirit or chewing him out but he showed alot of fire.

Why are the only players trying to rally Russell players who play on the other side of the ball? Easy: there are no leaders on the offense because the youth movement has back-fired leaving the offense completely void of veteran leadership.

The closest thing the offense has to a leader is Robert Gallery and Justin Fargas. Cornel Green and Cooper Carlisle are the only players on the offense over the age of 30 and they are both injured.

The offense can’t continue to look to the defense for leadership. They need to find it within themselves. Someone needs to step up a coach, the QB, Zack Miller, someone.

But this gets put on JaMarcus Russell also. Leadership and communication is a two-way street. Not only do players and coaches not talk to Russell, but Russell doesn’t appear to make an attempt to engage his team-mates or coaches. Like Jeff Garcia said, he isn’t a leader.

Look at all of the top offenses. Romo is always side by side with a coach or Jason Witten. Manning and Brady always immediately are going over plays with coaches and nearly every succesful QB-to-receiver tandem are in constant communication. Russell and whoever else: not so much.

But don’t get me wrong: I am not pinning this on the Raiders’ big-armed QB, either. Like I said, it is a two-way street. Not only does JaMarcus Russell need need to step up and engage his rookie receivers (and give his linemen an earfull when they miss a block). but the coaches and receivers need to step up and engage Russell.

You cannot blame the recievers for not talking to Russell, as they are all rookies or close to it. But between Russell and Cable, there is a problem.

Do you blame Cable for not talking to Russell or Russell for not talking to Cable? Well, you have to blame both; it needs to be a mutual relationship.

Everyone on the offense needs to step up both on the field and off. Cable needs to make a better effort to talk to Russell on the sideline and Russell needs to go to Cable. The receivers need to comunicate with their QB, tell him what they see and what they think may work.

Without more communication, this team will not improve.

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Oakland Raiders Are Being Held Back By Colossal Egos

Yes, despite a 1-4 record and six-going-on-seven years of losing, there are still some very big egos in Oakland.

Though some have suggested otherwise, confidence is about the only thing JaMarcus Russell has going for him. His ego has him so delusional that he is unfazed by losses and is actually happy with his play.

Tom Cable apparently thinks he is above the law and won’t give up his play-calling responsibility no matter how unqualified he is or how bad he is at it.

But these egos are actually dwarfed by the biggest ego in Oakland.

No, I’m not talking about Stephen Jackson of the Oakland Warriors. I’m talking about Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders.

Al Davis’ ego has done a lot to get in the way of running a successful organization.

The main way his ego gets in the way is he is unwilling to let a coach become bigger than himself. This is why he only hires no-name yes men who are willing to follow him blindly and coach the team the Al Davis way.

Look at the coaches the Raiders have hired: Lane Kiffin, a young nobody who never coached at the NFL level. Tom Cable, a fat nobody with an anger problem. Bill Callahan, who didn’t make a single major roster change and ran an already established offense in his Super Bowl run. And the list goes on and on.

Some would argue the Raiders have hired big-name coaches like Gruden and Madden. But these guys were nobodies before they were Raiders. Al Davis made both of them and he hates the fact that he made them bigger than himself. I’m sure Davis was furious when EA made “Madden NFL Football” rather than “Al Davis NFL Football.

So far, Al Davis’ ego has gotten in the way of the team’s success a few times.

First it stopped us from attaining Chris McAlister. Chris was so confident he would become a Raider he told reporters he would be signed on Sept 15th. Though he didn’t actually say it to the Raiders, his projected sign date suggested he would be signed by one of the four team teams who played in the opening Monday night double header. In addition, a mutual friend of Jarrod Cooper and McAlister spread the word he was going to Oakland.

So why are Raider fans still calling for Stanford Routt’s head every week and why is McAlister still teamless?

Likely because Jared Cooper had some harsh words for two of Al Davis’ scholarship players, Routt and Michael Huff.

As of late, Davis has been known for keeping scholarship players, players who others consider busts, because he sees something in them that no one else does.

Rather than let his two prize track stars be insulted, Davis likely stopped the McAlister signing to spite Cooper and hurt his credibility.

Then there’s Sam Williams. After years of failing to live up to expectations, why is he still on this team? More importantly, after his words regarding coach Cable, where he said Cable is a joke to half the team and everyone outside of the locker room.

Why hasn’t he been punished at all? If he would have said this on any other team, he would be looking for a new job. Either because what he said is the truth or because he is another one of Al Davis’ scholarship players. I would say a little bit of both, Williams is a scholarship player and Tom Cable is a joke, and everyone knows it.

Right now you can say Al Davis is the problem and blame him for this. But the bottom line is not only is he responsible for this, but he is the only one who can fix it. In order for the Raiders to finally turn around, Al Davis needs to swallow his pride, leave his ego at the door, realize he is no longer the man in the picture above, and hire a real coach.

Someone big enough to be the face of the franchise, someone to hold players accountable for their performance, somebody who we have at least heard of this time, please.

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What Would It Take To Bring Jon Gruden Back To The Oakland Raiders?

Some people tend to act like fixing the Raiders problems are simple. Just bench Russell and higher Gruden and we will be fine…right?

Unfortunately, its not quite that simple. Whose to say Gruden would even be willing to coach for the Raiders and deal with Al Davis again. Sure, there are a few things that suggest he would want to come back to the Raiders, but there is actually a lot that suggests he wouldn’t.

Bringing in Gruden will be no easy task, and in order for it to happen a few key things need to happen. Here are a few things that need to happen in order to bring Gruden back to Oakland.

First we need a good word from Paul Hackett.

Hackett and Gruden worked together the last few years in Tampa. Likely the two are still in contact with each other and Hackett’s opinion will carry a lot of weight in whether or not Gruden would even consider coming to Oakland.

So in order to get Gruden we need to keep Hackett happy. Maybe promote him to offensive coordinator or play-caller when Cable gets suspended or give his love child Bruce Gradkowski a shot at leading the offense.

Then we need full fan support.

In order for Gruden to come back it needs to be known that we miss him and he is still welcome and wanted in Oakland. Also, the fans need to convince Al Davis that the best option for the franchise is Jon Gruden. Because ultimately the future of the franchise and whether or not the Raiders even ask Gruden to come back is all up to Al Davis.

Lastly, Al Davis must agree to have minimal interference with the team.

If Gruden can’t be convinced he will have full control over the team, then no way in hell he comes back. And sorry Al Davis, no verbal agreements or loopholes this time. You must create a contract in which you clearly state you will give Gruden and his staff full control.

This is the hardest part. Will Al Davis finally come to his senses and realize it is time for someone other than him to run his franchise and finally turn the keys over to someone else?

Well, though unlikely, I am still a wishful thinker. What’s to say it won’t happen one day?

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Roger Goodell Please Do Raider-Nation a Favor: Suspend Tom Cable Now

Ok, we all know what’s going to happen: Everyone in the world knows that Tom Cable is guilty and facing jail time for assault and obstruction of justice for lying to the police.

Sure, even Roger Goodell knows this. Hanson and his lawyer have been active lately, publicly speaking and telling everyone what happened.  And all Cable has done is lie and deny everything.

You’ve suspended others with less proof against them.  For example, “Pac-Man” Jones hasn’t been convicted of anything, yet you suspended him.  Please don’t hold Cable to a double-standard just because he is an authority figure and a head coach.

Just do Raider-nation a favor and suspend him now.  You owe us at least that.  After all, we buy NFL merchandise.

Who knows, maybe the Raiders actually have a capable playcaller on the team.

By not suspending him, you are just postponing the inevitable and making Raider fans suffer even more.  There’s a good chance if you don’t do it by our Week Nine bye, Al Davis will beat you to it and fire him.

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Oakland Raiders: Did Paul Hackett Even Try With JaMarcus Russell?

JaMarcus Russell is starting his third year in the NFL and second year as a starter, yet, in his third year he seemed to have regressed to the ability of a sloppy rookie.

His footwork his ugly as ever. His accuracy is often off and too many passes are too high for receivers. His pocket presence is horrible as he often locks on to receivers and looks unaware of the pass rush as if he actually expects his make-shift offensive line to do there job.

So aside from Russell, who is to blame for this? How about the QB coach? Is it not Paul Hackett’d job to coach footwork, accuracy, and pocket presence?

With Russell’s footwork accuracy and pocket presence looking even worse than last year, I doubt Hackett even tried to coach Russell.

And why would he? He already had two of his own guys on the roster. Both Bruce Gradkowski and Jeff Garcia spent the last few years under Hackett’s mentorship.

What I’m suggesting is Hackett had his ulterior motives from the beginning and never cared about Russell’s development enough to properly coach him. He had and wanted his old No. 1 and 2 QBs—Garcia and Gradkowski.

Hackett’s plan would have worked perfectly, except Al Davis saw what was happening and like he always does—intervened with his team.

To counter Hackett’s plan, Al Davis signed Charlie Frye and released Jeff Garcia. Frye actually spoke personally with Al Davis prior to his signing, which is very rare even with proven veterans.

JaMarcus Russell’s struggles are the result of two stubborn old men who can’t agree on the direction of this team.

Had Hackett actually done his job this offseason and coached JaMarcus Russell, he would not be the worst QB in the NFL. Had Davis just let Hackett’s plan play out, we would still have Garcia, and Russell would be the No. 3 behind Gradkowski.

So, who is right in this situation? Conventional wisdom would say both are in the wrong. But, this is still Al Davis’s team and what Al says goes.

So in my opinion, the blame for this big mess falls all on the coaching staff. Not Al Davis, not JaMarcus Russell, but the coaches.

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JaMarcus Russell Is Not The Problem In Oakland

Lately it’s become obvious that the Raiders have big problems. Many people are placing that blame sqaurely on the Raiders’ big armed QB JaMarcus Russell, but I gotta disagree. I would put that blame elsewhere, mainly on the coaching staff.

I’ve sat back and watched while other fans claim that we have the best passing oriented coaching staff in all of football in Paul Hacket and Ted Tollner. 

Some claim Hacket is some sort of genius guru quarterback coach responsible for developing the likes of Joe Montana, Steve Young, Rich Gannon, and Jeff Garcia. And some say Tollner is an offensive mastermind.

Well, if you believe that last two sentences, then it is time for you to put down the kool-aid and take off the black and silver glasses.

And if you do believe that, please explain to me how JaMarcus Russell has regressed under their coaching.

I will tell you how their credentials are grossly overrated.

Hackett, in reality, had nothing to do with the development of those four players.

He coached Montana for three years in the middle of his career when he was already good. As a QB, who wouldn’t have looked good coaching Montana?

Steve Young… Sorry to break it to you, but while Hackett coached for the 49ers, Young wasn’t even on the team; he was in Tampa Bay.

Rich Gannon… Is that some sort of a joke? Gannon never even passed for 2000 yards under Hackett. Gannon also had better years both before and after the years Hackett coached at Kansas City, 93-97. If anything, Gannon, like Russell, regressed under Hackett only to later succeed in his absence.

Jeff Garcia… What? Another joke? By the time Hackett got to Garcia he was already a good QB, and if anything, he was on the downside of his career. And Hackett worked with him for two years, in which he barely passed for 5000 yards.

Then there’s Ted Tollner.

If anything, he is a has-been. He hasn’t coached for a relevant offense since the mid ’90s. Most recently, he was an offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, only to be demoted midseason to tight end coach. And over the last few years he’s been an assistant offensive coach with the 49ers.

Yes, that’s right, not offensive coordinator but assistant offensive coach for a team that’s been nearly as bad as the Raiders the last few years. Pretty much irrelevant.

Then there’s Coach Tom Cable. I’ve said it before, he is a good motivator and had the team behind him. But look at his credentials; he was a good O-line coach in the NFL, but before that, he was a horrible head coach at the college level.

Why would you expect him to do any better in the NFL?

As an O-line coach, he was part of a coaching offensive coaching staff that led the league in rushing. But c’mon. How hard is it to do that when your QB rushes for 1200 yards?

Cable may be a good head coach, but he’s a horrible playcaller. A few Raiders have even openly criticized his playcalling including, Justin Fargas, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Sam Williams

With all the talent the Raiders have accumulated over the years, there is no reason they should be getting blown out for two weeks in a row.

As for JaMarcus Russell, many have questioned his work ethic, but that is not the problem.

Both Keith Davis and Jeff Garcia have said he’s a workout warrior who can out-play anyone on the practice field.

You don’t get called a workout warrior by two players who openly oppose you starting without putting in the work.

The thing that Garcia and Davis questioned was Russell’s experience and ability to lead an NFL team. Garcia also said too much responsibility is being placed upon Russell.

If you know you have young, inexperienced players in the passing game at both QB and WR, why give up on the running game so early?

I admit I am taking a side and defending Russell. But if he truly isn’t capable of performing at an NFL level, then the coaching staff should have made that assessment months ago.

Same with the wide receivers. They are really the best players on the field. But if not, then it’s the Raider coaching staff who has failed; not JaMarcus Russell and his receivers.

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Oakland Raiders: The Houstan Texans May Be Just What The Docter Ordered

After coming off a disappointing performance and a loss to the Denver Broncos the Raiders are struggling especially on the offensive side of the ball.

But what better way for a struggling team to come back from a loss. This week the Raiders are playing a team who appears to be struggling more especially defensively.

The Houston Texans are giving up a league worst 436.3 yards per game as well as a third worst 86 points in three games.

What offense wouldn’t be anxious to go up against that. The Raider running backs better be as the Texans have the worst rushing defense in the league giving up over 200 yards per game on the ground.

What better way for a struggling QB and offense to build some confidence than by playing the worst defense in the league.

If the Raiders offense, namely JaMarcus Russell, can’t rebound and find some swagger against this struggling defense then they have serious problems. And that would mean it is time to make some serious changes and bench the Raider QB.

The Texans are actually also ranked 30th in rushing offense and the only thing they have going for them is the passing game ranked 9th. This plays right into the Raiders strengths as pass-rush and pass defense are two of the Raiders strengths.

This week four match-up is a great opportunity for the Raiders to get back to .500 build some confidence and quiet a few doubters. If they don’t then the season will likely turn for the worst as losses begin to pile up.

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Is Darren Sproles the Next LT?… Not Even Close

With the uncharacteristic recent performance and injuries from LaDainian Tomlinson, as well as his fall from greatness possibly looming, some of the more optimistic Charger fans have actually suggested that Darren Sproles could be the next great running back, or the next LT.

Some have even suggested that Darren Sproles, not LaDainian Tomlinson, is the best running back on the team.

That is a bit of a knee slapper there. In reality Sproles doesn’t even compare to Tomlinson in his prime let alone Tomlinson at 30.

Sproles is not capable of being an every down back and if anything he compares to the likes of Reggie Bush, Darren McFadden and Leon Wahington.

Aside from a little speed and agility Sproles has nothing on Tomlinson, who is bigger, better, and stronger than the small fry running back.

In order to be an every-down back, the running back not only needs to be able to catch the ball and run both inside and outside the tackles. But one needs to be able to pass block and help protect his qaurterback.

Though this is a skill often over-looked in running backs Tomlinson is an effective blocker. Darren Sproiles on the other hand, listed at 5’6” 185 not so much.

Then there’s power running which Sproles lacks. Sure, on one hand you can’t tackle what you can’t catch. But what about running in between the tackles? Sproles is likely to be stopped dead in his tracks when met by a defender.

Tomlinson, he not only can run around you but through you. When he’s met at the line of scrimmage, he will lower a shoulder and try to go through you. He also often fights for extra yardage and almost always is falling forward for extra real estate.

Then there’s versatility. Sure Sproiles can hurt you on special teams, but that has nothing to do with being a better running back. Have you ever seen Darren Sproles run throw and recieve a touchdown in one game?…I didn’t think so.

Which ever way you look at it, LaDainian Tomlinson not Darren Sproles is the best running back the Chargers have. 

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Do the 2009 San Francisco 49ers Remind Anyone Else of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens?

Yes I said it. This year’s 49ers squad looks very reminiscent of the 2000 Super-Bowl Champion Ravens.

But let me say this I am not making a prediction here. I am not predicting the 49ers to go 12-4 or win the Super Bowl. All I’m doing is comparing two teams who seem to have a lot of parallels.

Both teams boast dominate defenses and snore-fest offenses that heavily rely on the running game and clock management.

Lets take a look at some key positions the two teams had in common starting with the offense

Quarterbacks

Neither teams QBs are spectacular the Ravens had Trent Dilfer who is the consensus worst QB to ever win the Super Bowl but was a great game manager. The 49ers have Shaun Hill who few have heard of. I would call Shaun Hill a game manager. Currently the 49ers are in a tie at 20th in passing yards

Running Backs

Both teams had very impressive half backs. The Ravens had Jamal Lewis coming into his prime. And the 49ers have another big punishing work horse in Frank Gore, who has been very impressive thus far this season leading the 49ers to a ninth ranked rushing offense.

Tight End

The Ravens had one of the best in the Game in Shannon Sharpe. The 49ers have Vernon Davis. Though his numbers are little to brag about thus far he is a physical freak and can be very dangerous at the tight end position.

Now onto the defenses. Both teams have scary good defenses and both teams are led by the best linebacker of there respective times. Also both teams ran a base 3-4. Let’s take a look at some key players on each defense.

Middle Linebacker

Well the Ravens had the best linebacker of the time and possibly the best ever, Ray Lewis. The 49ers have the best linebacker of now Patrick Willis

Defensive Backs

The 2000 Ravens also had one of the best secondaries of the time. They had Chris McAlsiter in his prime and a seasoned Rod Woodson who is now in the Hall of Fame.

The 49ers currently have a very solid corner in Nate Clements as well as some young corners and safeties coming into their own.

 

So what do you think are the 2009 49ers a reincarnation of the 2000 Ravens?

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The Oakland Raiders Need To Unleash Darren McFadden

There is no question that Darren McFadden is a talented back and home run hitter. Some fans have even claimed he should be on the field every offensive play receiving an obscene number of touches and be the focal point of the offense.

I’ve actually argued otherwise claiming that Michael Bush is the more complete back.

But here I am going to propose something else.

Why not play Darren McFadden on special teams.

With Justin Fargas returning from an injured hamstring keeping the three running backs happy is going to become much harder. If you really believe McFadden should receive as many touches as possible then him on kick return or punt return makes a lot of sense considering he along with Felix Jones were a special team juggernaut at Arkansas.

Many fans seem to have a man crush on McFadden and take offense if you say he is injury prone and isn’t durable enough to be a starting running back in the NFL. If McFadden truly is durable then there is no harm in putting him in on special teams.

This week we may see McFadden on punt return. Hiram Eugene who fair caught punts for an injured Johnnie Lee Higgins is injured and out for Sunday’s matchup. Higgins is probable for the game with an injured shoulder. Tom Cable recently said if neither Higgins or Eugene can go McFadden will return punts with orders to fair catch everything.

Come on Cable. That’s like buying a brand new sports car keeping it in the garage and babying the throttle whenever you drive it. Who does that? Well I guess some people do that, but your brand new sports care is now a year old, time to drive it like it was meant to be driven.

Why not put McFadden back there with orders to do what he does best, rather than fair catching everything?

Or even better if Higgins is good to go why not put McFadden on kick return?

The Raiders have been missing a certain spark this season and I think that spark is in the return game. Big returns not only set the offense with better field position but they can be huge momentum changers especially at home bringing the crowd into the game.

But don’t get me wrong special teams is not the only way to unleash Darren McFadden on unsuspecting defenses put him out at slot, put him in motion and run him in the wild-cat.

Yes the wild-cat that is my next proposal for unleashing Darren McFadden.

He not only played special teams in college but he ran the wild-cat(or wild-hog) like no other.

Last week the Dolphins ran about a dozen plays out of the formation and averaged over nine yards per play. Granted they were playing the Colts who aren’t known for defense but still over nine yards per play is very impressive.

The Raiders in the wild-cat can be very dangerous considering both McFadden and Michael Bush are capable of throwing the football. Likely better than JaMarcus did week two.

It may not necessarily be a bad thing to take the ball out of the hands of struggling QB JaMarcus Russells and into the hands of some of our best playmakers Michael Bush and Darren McFadden.

The Raiders need every advantage they can get and this would take teams by surprise and keep defenses off balance. Likely the only team in the division who would be prepared for the wild-cat is San Diego. And this weekend we will get a look at how they fair against the “gimmicky” offense as they sqaure off against the Dolphins.

Come on coach Cable its time to stop babying your star runner and unleash him on an unsuspecting opponent, preferably the Denver Broncos this Sunday.  

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