Raider News and Notes
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:09 am
- Lane Kiffin has done a SUPER job since taking over as HC, however, if Culpepper does not get the start v. Cleveland I will sling my first dose of criticism his way. I understand the idea of firmly establishing the entire offensive system -- and MsCown's 'success' in that regard, but QB was our most glaring weak link on Sunday. 33 net yds passing, 3 picks, 2 fumbles?? Seriously now.
- Denver did a good job of removing Curry from the game, forcing McCown to look elsewhere. The Raiders don't currently have quite enough speed at WR. The hope is that Higgins can emerge as that speed guy we need, so I hope they gradually get the kid on the field more so we can see if he can find his way to help us in the future.
- Robert Gallery and Michael Huff are back on my Christmas Card list. Stroke of genious by Kiffin to let Gallery settle in at LG. Dare I say, R. Gallery is doing a borderline GREAT job at LG?? Still had the obligatory bonehead IP penalty, but the guy is agile, and he's moving folks out of the way to open running lanes. Also does a NICE jog pulling. Genius.
M. Huff did a GREAT job in run support. I give him props. S. Schwieg, on the other hand, was embarassing. Soft is an understatement. It's easy to see why D. Darius was brought in. Offseason priority -- safety.
- Kiffin said in training camp that offensive line would be a strength of this team, and I chuckled. His words, however, are starting to ring true. I haven't seen a Raider line abuse a Denver defensive front in the running game like what happened on Sunday in quite some time. This team is going to keep running the ball well, IMO. LaMont is doing the job, but it'll be good to get Rhodes back in week 5 to help carry the load. LaMont tends to look a little gassed after 2 or 3 straight carries.
- The defensive front is not doing the job getting heat on the QB. Sapp, Burgess, etc ... need to step it up. The secondary is getting hung out to dry, and they're being made to look less capable than they are.
- Oakland's linebackers are doing a helluva job. They still have a tendency to overpursue, but they are active and they are making plays.
- Janikowski. No excuse. You simply have to make the 2nd kick. I knew it was game over as soon as the T.O. was granted to Denver. Knew Jano would gag on the 2nd attempt, and I knew the momentum swing would allow Denver to take it down the field for the game winner ..... and that J. Elam would NOT miss.
- Mr Casual Fan will look at the Raiders' 0-2 record and think, "same ol' Raiders," but it's not accurate. They're on their way to respectability, on the way to notching wins, on the way to bigger things. Lane Kiffin had a deep hole to get this mess of a team out of, and I'm seeing definite progress. Baby steps.
- This Sunday v. Cleveland is a MUST win game.
- Do the right thing, Kiff.
- Denver did a good job of removing Curry from the game, forcing McCown to look elsewhere. The Raiders don't currently have quite enough speed at WR. The hope is that Higgins can emerge as that speed guy we need, so I hope they gradually get the kid on the field more so we can see if he can find his way to help us in the future.
- Robert Gallery and Michael Huff are back on my Christmas Card list. Stroke of genious by Kiffin to let Gallery settle in at LG. Dare I say, R. Gallery is doing a borderline GREAT job at LG?? Still had the obligatory bonehead IP penalty, but the guy is agile, and he's moving folks out of the way to open running lanes. Also does a NICE jog pulling. Genius.
M. Huff did a GREAT job in run support. I give him props. S. Schwieg, on the other hand, was embarassing. Soft is an understatement. It's easy to see why D. Darius was brought in. Offseason priority -- safety.
- Kiffin said in training camp that offensive line would be a strength of this team, and I chuckled. His words, however, are starting to ring true. I haven't seen a Raider line abuse a Denver defensive front in the running game like what happened on Sunday in quite some time. This team is going to keep running the ball well, IMO. LaMont is doing the job, but it'll be good to get Rhodes back in week 5 to help carry the load. LaMont tends to look a little gassed after 2 or 3 straight carries.
- The defensive front is not doing the job getting heat on the QB. Sapp, Burgess, etc ... need to step it up. The secondary is getting hung out to dry, and they're being made to look less capable than they are.
- Oakland's linebackers are doing a helluva job. They still have a tendency to overpursue, but they are active and they are making plays.
- Janikowski. No excuse. You simply have to make the 2nd kick. I knew it was game over as soon as the T.O. was granted to Denver. Knew Jano would gag on the 2nd attempt, and I knew the momentum swing would allow Denver to take it down the field for the game winner ..... and that J. Elam would NOT miss.
- Mr Casual Fan will look at the Raiders' 0-2 record and think, "same ol' Raiders," but it's not accurate. They're on their way to respectability, on the way to notching wins, on the way to bigger things. Lane Kiffin had a deep hole to get this mess of a team out of, and I'm seeing definite progress. Baby steps.
- This Sunday v. Cleveland is a MUST win game.
- Do the right thing, Kiff.
