Raiders vs. 49ers -- Post Game Analysis

[Raider Nation]

Good effort all around but of course, there are areas to improve.





What I liked:


Once again, the offensive line. Sims and Gallery really held down the left side. Cornell Green did a better job of pass-blocking than I had hoped for. The lone blemish? Jake Grove was again a step off. Newberry came in and immediately improved upon the run blocking up the middle in the 2nd quarter.
LaMont Jordan looked great. Yes, I'm the guy that has openly profused his concern over LaMont being able to handle the zone blocking scheme. And as I said in the pre-game thread, I'd rather be proven wrong than right. Tonight was a step in that direction. Good game, Lamont.
The tight ends. Sure seems like we have TE sewn up with Miller, Madsen, and Stewart doesn't it. Roll back the tape and look at Stewart's run-blocking in the 3rd quarter... this guy has a role on this team.
Tyler Brayton. Finally! A pass rush! He looked very quick getting up the field and pressuring the QB. He might work himself into a passing-down situational DT role yet.
Kirk Morrison. You sir, are a stud. I bow to you. You are the best player on this defense, bar none IMO.
I loved the fact that late in the game, when Mario Henderson was flagged for lining up too far off the LOS he was immediately pulled by Kiffin. Love it.






What I didn't like:


Still waiting for the WR group as a whole to get in sync with the QBs
Um, Michael Huff... that was a "punch the clock" performance if I've ever seen one (and I've NEVER been critical of you in the past)
It might just be me... but not having Darius available tonight made me a little bit uneasy about the S position.
Travis Taylor... that's 2 key dropped passes in 2 straight games. Not good.
Josh McCown is quickly earning the reputation of best practice quarterback/worst game quarterback
Every time I see Culpepper scramble I have the urge to grab a sheet of bubble wrap and twist it violently
Alvis Whitted needs to go away now. Does anybody else hope that the players "Davis likes that Kiffen doesn't" referred to in HB's Kirwan article pertains to Whitted?
Special Teams coverge was nothing to write home about tonight.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders Fall to 49ers 26-21

August 18, 2007

On a cool, breezy, summer evening at Monster Park in San Francisco, The Oakland Raiders fell to the 49ers 26-21. QB Daunte Culpepper completed 6 of 8 pass attempts for 75 yards and 2 TDs, RB LaMont Jordan. had 8 carries for 67 yards and a TD, and TE John Madsen. caught 3 passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders won the opening coin toss ane elected to receive. K Joe Nedney’s opening kickoff bounced through the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders offense begane at their 20 with Andrew Walter. at quarterback. The Raiders were forced to punt after a shotgun snap on 3rd and 6 sailed over Walter’s head and was recovered at the 4-yard line. P Shane Lechler.’s punt was downed at the Oakland 41.

Alex Smith started at quarterback for San Francisco. After allowing one first down, the Raiders defense forced a field goal attempt. K Joe Nedney’s 43-yard field goal capped a five play, 15-yard drive and gave San Francisco a 3-0 lead with 10:53 left in the first quarter.

CB Chris Carr. downed Nedney’s ensuing kickoff in the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders offense took possession at their own 20. The 49ers forced a punt and took over at their own 39 after WR Brandon Williams returned Lechler’s 47-yard punt nine yards.

Nedney capped off the 7-play, 29-yard drive with a 50-yard field goal which gave the 49ers a 6-0 lead with 6:57 left in the 1st quarter.

Carr fielded Nedney’s kickoff in the end zone for a touchback. The Raiders first 1st down of the night came thanks to short passes to rookie TE Zach Miller. and WR Ronald Curry.. The Raiders drive ended when safety Mark Roman picked off a Walter pass and returned the interception to the Oakland 31.

Smith found TE Delanie Walker for a 19-yard scoring pass. Nedney’s PAT gave the 49ers a 13-0 lead with 3:34 left in the first quarter.

Carr returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 23. RB LaMont Jordan. cashed in on a 3-yard touchdown run to cap off a 17-play, 77-yard drive. K Sebastian Janikowski.’s PAT cut the 49ers lead to 13-7 with 9:35 left in second quarter. The drive took 8:59 off the clock.

WR Bryan Gilmore returned the ensuing kickoff to the San Francisco 32. The Raiders held the 49ers to a three-and-out. P Andy Lee’s 37-yard punt was downed at the Oakland 30. Daunte Culpepper entered the game at quarterback for the Silver and Black.

Jordan ripped off a 32-yard run all the way to the 49ers 38. Culpepper finished the 9-play, 70-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to FB Zack Crockett.. Janikowski’s PAT gave the Raiders a 14-13 lead with 3:04 left in the second quarter.

The Raiders forced the 49ers into a field goal attempt. Nedney’s 45-yard field attempt missed wide right and the Raiders took over at their own 35 with :02 left in the 2nd quarter. After a short Fargas run, the Raiders took a one-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

The 49ers took the ball to start the second half and drove to midfield before the Raiders defense forced a punt. WR Johnnie Lee Higgins. returned the punt to the Raiders 20, and a penalty on San Francisco moved the ball to the 30. A few players later, Culpepper exploited a blown coverage and found TE John Madsen. for a 44-yard gain to the 5-yard line. Culpepper then hit Madsen for a 5-yard touchdown. Janikowski’s PAT gave the Raiders a 21-13 lead with 6:12 left in the 3rd quarter.

QB Trent Dilfer led the 49ers on a scoring march, Dilfer capped the drive with a three-yard TD pass to WR Ashley Lelie. K MacKenzie Hoambrecker’s PAT cut the Raiders lead to 21-20 with 1:08 left in the third quarter.

Josh McCown. entered the game at quarterback for the Silver and Black. The Raiders drove to the 49ers 29 before facing a 4th down. On 4th and 5, McCown’s pass fell incomplete and the 49ers took over at their own 29 with 12:43 left in the game.

The Raiders got the ball back after a 49ers punt. The 49ers forced a three-and-out and the Raiders were forced to punt. After Lechler’s punt, Shaun Hill entered the game at quarterback for San Francisco.

The Raiders forced a three-and-out of their own thanks to a 13-yard sack by DT Tyler Brayton.. Lee’s punt rolled to a stop at the Raiders 37. Several plays later, K Tyler Fredrickson missed a 40-yard field goal attempt and the 49ers took over at their own 30.

The 49ers mounted a late 10-play, 70-yard drive. RB Thomas Clayton scored from 1-yard out to put San Francisco up 26-21 with :47 left to play. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

McCown hit WR Alvis Whitted. for a 38-yard pass play to the 49ers 32. Twelve seconds remained on the clock when McCown spiked the ball. Whitted was unable to hang onto the ball in the end zone with :05 on the clock. McCown’s final throw of the night was knocked down in the end zone.

The Raiders fall to 1-1 on the 2007 Pre-Season and head home to face the St. Louis Rams at McAfee Coliseum next Friday night.

[Angry Pope]

First quarter: 49ers 13, Raiders 0

Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Saturday at 7:49 pm
Scoring

49ers_Joe Nedney 43-yard field goal, 10:53

49ers_Nedney 50-yard field goal, 6:57

49ers_Delanie Walker 19-yard pass from Alex Smith, 3:34

Notes:

– Andrew Walter fumbled a shotgun formation snap deep in his own territory to set up the 49ers with the game's first points.

– Defensive end Derrick Burgess smothered Alex Smith on a deflected incomplete pass on third down, forcing the 49ers to settle for the field goal attempts.

– Travis Taylor dropped a nice throw by Walter on third-and-7 for what would have been a first down on the Raiders' second possession, forcing a three-and-out.

– Kirk Morrison sacked Alex Smith on a delayed middle blitz to put the 49ers in a third-and-17 situation that eventually forced them to settle for a 50-yard Nedney field goal after a 29-yard drive.

On third-and-17, Warren Sapp ranged to the sideline to stop Maurice Hicks on a screen pass for a 6-yard gain.

– Mark Roman intercepted an ill-advised Walter pass on a third-and-15 play to set the 49ers up with the ball on the Raiders side of the field. It helped set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Smith to tight end Delanie Walker against Michael Huff. Smith threw the ball perfectly to Walker's left shoulder, giving Huff no chance to make a play.

– LaMont Jordan made his first appearance of the preseason with 3:28 to play and fumbled his first carry. He recovered his own fumble. The Raiders recovered and had a first down at the San Francisco 46 to open the second quarter.

Jordan caught a 19-yard checkdown pass on third-and-12 for a first down and had a 7-yard run. He would broke another run for 11 yards, but Jake Grove was called for holding Isaac Sopoaga.

Grove, competing with Jeremy Newberry for the starting job, had a false start to open the drive.



Second quarter: Raiders 14, 49ers 13

Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Saturday at 8:34 pm
Scoring

–Oakland, LaMont Jordan 3-yard run, 9:35

– Oakland, Zack Crockett 12-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper, 3:04

Notes:

– LaMont Jordan's 3-yard run capped a 77-yard, 18-play drive that consumed 8:59 off the clock. Jordan gained 34 yards on eight carries after fumbling on his first carry, looking strong and comfortable running behind the Raiders' zone blocking.

Andrew Walter recovered nicely from an interception that led to a 49ers touchdown, completing a 19-yards pass to Jordan, an 18-yard pass to Ronald Curry on second-and-14 and a 6-yard strike to Travis Taylor at the 3 on third-and-6.

– Daunte Culpepper again fumbled his first snap, but recovered to lead the Raiders on a nine-play, 70-yard drive which ended in a touchdown to Crockett on a flare pass to his left to give the Raiders a lead. Jordan had eight carries for 67 yards on the two scoring drives _ a better rushing total than he had in 15 of his 23 regular-season games as a Raider.

– With 3:04 left in the first half, teams heading toward the south end zone hold a 27-0 lead.

– Joe Nedney missed a 44-yard field goal wide right in a 49ers drive that stalled when guard Justin Smiley was called for back-to-back holding penalties in the red zone.



Third quarter: Raiders 21, 49ers 20

Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Saturday at 9:38 pm

Scoring

– Oakland, John Madsen 5-yard touchdown pass from Daunte Culpepper, 6:12.

– San Francisco, Ashley Lelie 1-yard pass from Trent Dilfer, 1:08.

Notes:

– John Madsen caught a 44-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper to help set up a 5-yard touchdown pass from Culpepper to Madsen for a 21-13 Raiders lead. Culpepper is balancing a disturbing habit of fumbling and juggling snaps with the ability to get out on the move and make plays.

His touchdown pass came on a roll to his right, and he also had a 13-yard run for a first down, finishing with a slide before being hit.

The Raiders have touchdown drives of 77, 70 and 70 yards.

– San Francisco came within 21-20 when Trent Dilfer hit Ashley Lelie with a 1-yard pass with 1:08 to play.

– Final blog and wrap-up will come later. Proximity to locker room requires departure before the game is over . . .



Final: 49ers 26, Raiders 21

Jerry McDonald

Scoring

SF_Thomas Clayton 1-yard run, 2:03

Notes:

– The 49ers drove 70 yards in 10 plays and withstood a late Raiders drive by Josh McCown to hold on for the victory.

– With less than 10 seconds remaining, a McCown pass hit Alvis Whitted in the end zone, with Whitted unable to hold on to the ball for the winning score. Whitted may have been pulled down by a defender before rising in an attempt to catch the ball. Whitted's 38-yard catch from McCown put the Raiders in position for the win.

– The Raiders finished with just one sack allowed and one turnover _ Mark Roman's 22-yard interception off Andrew Walter that led to a touchdown.

– LaMont Jordan, in his first action of the season, rushed for 67 yards on eight carries with a long of 32 yards. He scored one touchdown on a 1-yard run.

– Cornerback Fabian Washington went down in a heap in the first half along the Raiders sideline and did not return, but said afterward he was fine and had the wind knocked out of him.

– Quarterback Daunte Culpepper again fumbled his first snap, recovering it, but finished 6-for-8 for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 13-yard run for a first down and may have vaulted to the front of the quarterback race. Kiffin said he wasn't sure which quarterback would start Friday against the St. Louis Rams.

[Angry Pope]

August 18, 2007

After taking a 13-0 lead with this 19-yard TD catch by Delanie Walker, the 49ers fell behind 21-13. A 1-yard pass from Trent Dilfer to Ashley Lelie late in the third quarter helped close the margin to within one.

1st Quarter, 49ers 13 - Raiders 0

Starting from their own 20 after Joe Nedney’s kickoff sailed into the end zone, the defense allowed Raiders RB Dominic Rhodes only two yards on his first down carry. Manny Lawson quickly wrapped up Rhodes on the following play for another 2-yard gain to bring up a 3rd and 6. A bad snap had quarterback Andrew Walter chasing the ball back wards which he finally recovered at the 4-yardline and was immediately tagged by Tarell Brown.

A 37 yard punt gave the 49ers the ball in Raiders territory at the 41. Quarterback Alex Smith ran a play fake and then hit tight end Vernon Davis who made one player miss to pick up 14 yards. Maurice Hicks picked up one yard on the ground, followed by a carry for no gain by Michael Robinson. On 3rd and 9, Smith’s pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage which led to a Joe Nedney 43-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.

On 1st and 10 operating from their own 20 again, Walter aimed for Joey Porter but Shawntae Spencer was right there to help force an incompletion. Rhodes picked up three yards on the ground, but on 3rd and 7 Travis Taylor dropped a would-have been first down completion.

Brandon Williams fielded a difficult punt, avoided one hit to get 9 yards on the return, setting up Smith and the offense at their own 39-yardline with 9:51 to go.

Smith came out throwing, slinging a 16-yard completion to Darrell Jackson along the 49ers sidelines to move into Raiders territory at the 45. Smith took a shot deep to Jackson but overthrew his target. Hicks found a running lane out to his left for a 7-yard gain to bring up 3rd and 3. Smith threw to Taylor Jacobs and although the pass was incomplete, the 49ers picked up a first down with a pass interference call. Robinson picked up one yard and on 2nd and 9, Smith was sacked as linebacker Kirk Morrison came barreling up the middle for an 8-yard loss. On 3rd and 17, Smith found Hicks on a screen. Hicks dodged one defender but only came up with 6 yards on the play. Nedney converted a 50-yard field goal to up the 49ers to a 6-0 edge with 6:57 to play in the quarter.

A short Walter pass went to Zach Miller for a 5-yard pickup, followed by a short completion to Ronald Curry who got past Nate Clements to pick up a first down at the Raiders 30-yardline. The Raiders stuck with the passing attack with Walter hitting Rhodes on a pass that went for 8 yards when he slipped out of a Brandon Moore tackle. Linebacker Manny Lawson burst through the line to tag Rhodes in the backfield on the following play for a 6-yard loss. After an incomplete pass to Curry, safety Mark Roman picked off Walter and returned the ball 22 yards to the Raiders 31-yardline.

Smith scrambled for 7 yards, but the Raiders were called for holding and the 49ers opted to take the penalty to set themselves up at the Raiders 19-yardline with a fresh set of downs. Smith then fired to tight end Delanie Walker for a 19-yard touchdown and a 13-0 edge.

A false start set Oakland up at their own 18, looking at a 1st and 15. LaMont Jordan fumbled the ball and was soon hit by Derek Smith for a loss of 3. A 6-yard completion to Curry brought up a 3rd and 12, but Walter hit Jordan out to his left who had plenty of daylight. The veteran back got out to the Oakland 40 for a 19-yard gain. Jordan followed that up with a 7 and then 9 yard run, although his second carry was called back due to holding, setting up a 2nd and 13 play. Walter’s 17-yard strike to Curry ended the first quarter of play.

2nd Quarter, 49ers 13 – Raiders 14

Walter opened the quarter with an incomplete throw meant for Joey Porter, but runs of 9 and 1 yards apiece by Jordan moved the chains for Oakland. Walter overthrew Curry, followed by a 4-yard run by Jordan to bring up 3rd and 6 from the 49ers 32-yardline. Walter found Taylor over the middle for an 8-yard completion and a first down at the 25. Jordan jetted up the middle for a 7-yard gain Jordan followed that up with a 5-yard carry and another first down at the 14. Walter took a shot for the end zone but overthrew his target. Walter hit Miller who was immediately taken to the ground by Marcus Hudson for just a 4-yard gain. On 3rd and 3, Walter picked up the first down with a completion to Taylor at the 3.

Jacobs could not make the catch on a pass from Smith on 1st and 10. Hicks found only a yard on the ground, followed by a hurried pass along the sidelines that was incomplete, bringing on Andy Lee for his first punt of the game.

With 8:37 to go, Daunte Culpepper came in at quarterback and fumbled the first snap from Jeremy Newberry. On 2nd and 10, his handoff to Jordan went for an explosive 32 yard gain. Justin Fargas was then tagged in the backfield for a 2-yard loss by Parys Haralson and Jeff Ulbrich. On 2nd and 12, Culpepper threw to Fargas who was drilled by safety Dashon Goldson for only a 4-yard pickup. On 3rd and 8, the 49ers were flagged for being offsides to set up a 3rd and 3 at the 49ers 31-yardline. Culpepper’s 6-yard pass to John Madsen was more than enough to move the chains. Working from the 49ers 24-yardline, Fargas rolled his way towards the end zone for a 9-yard gain. On 2nd and 1 Fargas was stopped for no gain but on 3rd and 1 he picked up 4 yards and the first down at the 12. Zack Crockett caught a short pass from Culpepper to go 12 yards for a Raiders touchdown and a 14-13 lead with 3:04 to go in the quarter.

A 6-yard run by Robinson led to a 20-yard Smith pass to Ashley Lelie to set the 49ers up in Oakland territory at the 43 at the two-minute warning. A 1-yard run by Robinson set up another pass to Lelie, this time a 14-yarder completion at the Raiders 28-yardline. A delay of game penalty on Lelie back the 49ers to the 33-yardline, but Smith then delivered to Davis for a 15-yard gain at the 18. Back to back holding calls on Justin Smiley pushed the 49ers all the way to the 38-yardline looking at a 1st and 30 with 43 ticks to go in the quarter. Smith threw a short pass to Robinson who avoided a few defenders but only picked up 2 yards. Smith then scrambled for 9 to bring up 3rd and 19 with 7 seconds. Nedney came on and missed a 45- yard field goal try.

3rd Quarter, 49ers 20 – Raiders 21

RB Arkee Whitlock started off the second half with an 11-yard gain that was negated due to a holding penalty against Billy Bajema. A penalty for encroachment against Oakland then put the 49ers at a 1st and 9 from their own 9. Whitlock carried the ball twice and netted six yards to set up a 3rd and 3 which Trent Dilfer converted on with a scramble up the middle for 13 yards. Dilfer found Zak Keasey on a short pass that Keasey was able to turn upfield for another 13-yard pickup out to the 41. Whitlock took a carry up the middle for a 4-yard gain, and then ran off right tackle for five yards to set up a 3rd and 1 at midfield. The line was pushed back by the Raiders defense which dropped Whitlock for a 1-yard loss.

After the punt, Oakland started with the ball at the 30. Culpepper’s pass to Mike Williams went for 4 yards. After another fumbled snap on 2nd down, Culpepper was able to move the chains with a 13-yard scramble. After an incompletion to Williams, Culpepper found a wide open John Madsen who broke one tackle and then dashed his way down to the five for a 44-yard gain. Culpepper took a strike at the end zone with Williams coming close to making a touchdown grab on a second attempt. On 2nd and 5, Culpepper avoided pressure from rookie Jay Moore and threw to Madsen for the 5-yard score.

After an incomplete Dilfer pass, the 49ers gained five when Oakland was called for encroachment. Rookie RB Thomas Clayton then weaved his way for a 13-yard gain on the ground out to the 49ers 47-yardline. An illegal contact penalty set the 49ers up at the Oakland 49 with a 1st and 10. Clayton managed to pick up 2 on the ground and led to a 2nd and 8 throw where Bryan Gilmore showed outstanding effort to make a leaping 15-yard catch at the Oakland 31. Dilfer was almost picked over the middle, and the 49ers then stayed on the ground with a 4-yard gain by Clayton. On 3rd and 6, Gilmore again made a nice grab for 7 yards and the first down at the 20. Dilfer went back to a steady find in Gilmore who made a 13-yard catch at the 6. Dilfer avoided the pass rush and fired to Clayton who fought to make it across the goal line but was held up at the 1. Forced out of the pocket, Dilfer had to throw the ball away to avoid a sack setting up a 3rd and goal from the 1. Dilfer gunned it to Lelie on a quick slant for the touchdown score with 1:08 left in the quarter. The 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive closed the 49ers to within 1.

A 1-yard pass from quarterback Josh McCown to Oren O’Neal, followed by a 6-yard run by Fargas ended the quarter.

After being called for a false start, Fargas carried for one yard to end the half.

[Angry Pope]

Culpepper looks sharp, but Niners beat Raiders 26-21 in Battle of the Bay

GREG BEACHAM

08/18/2007

SAN FRANCISCO—If Daunte Culpepper can just hold on to the ball, he might be ready to become the Oakland Raiders' starting quarterback.
Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers' offensive starters also looked well-prepared before their backups won the annual Battle of the Bay.

Culpepper passed for 75 yards and threw touchdown passes to John Madsen and Zack Crockett, but 49ers rookie Thomas Clayton scored on a 1-yard plunge with 47 seconds left in San Francisco's 26-21 preseason victory Saturday night.

Culpepper, the former Minnesota star who signed with the Raiders on July 31, made the biggest impression on a Candlestick Park crowd harmoniously split between fans of the Bay Area's NFL clubs.

After a lost season in Miami, Culpepper is hoping to regain his Pro Bowl form with Oakland (1-1). He went 6-of-8, didn't throw an interception and even scrambled 13 yards for a first down.

Except for two fumbled snaps by a quarterback well known for his butterfingers, he looked sharp against the 49ers (1-1) in a performance that should put him in the lead in his three-man derby with Andrew Walter and Josh McCown—and with No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell still apparently nowhere close to signing a contract.

But San Francisco jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on its first three drives while the Oakland offense floundered under Walter.

"We started off strong, but then they started converting some third downs," San Francisco linebacker Derek Smith said. "We have to do better."
After Culpepper put Oakland ahead in the third quarter, the Niners rallied in the final 17 minutes, capped by the decisive 70-yard TD drive under third-string quarterback Shaun Hill. The Raiders then made a desperate final-minute drive with no timeouts, but veteran Alvis Whitted dropped a sure TD pass from McCown with 5 seconds left.

With plenty of empty seats for company, the clubs' supporters sat side-by-side on a chilly night, mostly without trouble—appropriate for a benign Bay Area rivalry in which the clubs rarely meet in the regular season.

Alex Smith, the third-year pro and former No. 1 pick, again showed poise and maturity while playing the entire first half for San Francisco, going 8-of-12 for 106 yards and throwing a beautiful 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker. Joe Nedney also kicked two first-quarter field goals to cap scoring drives.

LaMont Jordan rushed for 67 yards after missing the exhibition opener with a bad back, while Madsen also had a 44-yard reception in his bid to be the Raiders' starting tight end. The defense also had an encouraging night despite San Francisco's early lead.

"We caught on slow and tried to figure it out in the second quarter," Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison said. "Once we started getting comfortable, everybody started understanding what we were doing. We're playing our brand of football."

The 49ers' defense looked tough against Oakland's first-team offense despite playing without all three projected starters on its 3-4 defensive line. Bryant Young (back), Aubrayo Franklin (knee) and Marques Douglas (personal reasons) all missed the game.

Walter fumbled a shotgun snap on the Raiders' first possession for a 20-yard loss, and Travis Taylor dropped a well-thrown pass for a sure first down on the second possession. Oakland's third series ended with safety Mark Roman's interception, and Smith needed just two plays to find Walker for a score.

After Walter led a 17-play, 77-yard scoring drive, Culpepper entered the game in the second quarter and immediately fumbled his first snap—just as he did in his Oakland debut against Arizona last week. He fumbled another snap in the third quarter.

After Culpepper put the Raiders up 21-13, Trent Dilfer hit Ashley Lelie with a short TD pass late in the third quarter.

[Angry Pope]

Here are some of Culpepper's highlights...

Hit it here... (http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80197d8b)

[Angry Pope]

Here are some of Alex Smith's highlights against us...

Hit it here... (http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d801976eb)

[Angry Pope]

Photos...... (http://www.raiders.com/common/photogallerycenter.aspx?albumId=29334)

[Angry Pope]

Highlights of the game...

Hit it here.... (http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80198450)

[Crow]

Every time I see Culpepper scramble I have the urge to grab a sheet of bubble wrap and twist it violently
I had to pause my Madden '07 game pre-snap. That one got me.

[Angry Pope]

Despite the mistakes by both Walter and Culpepper, I think both did okay....McCown seems to still be running third.

Nice to see that players that have been joked about playing well...Jordan and Gallery.

Also the offensive line seems to be jelling a little quicker than expected.

The game clock kept running as the 49ers scored their last touchdown. Instead of 47 seconds on the clock, their should have been 56 seconds.

EDIT: One more thing is Zack scoring that touchdown. Whether he makes the team or not, he is still very cool and one of my favorite players.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders still waiting for quarterback to take control

Steve Corkran

August 18, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin started Andrew Walter against the 49ers on Saturday night in hopes of getting more clarity regarding a quarterback situation that remains unsettled three weeks before the regular-season opener.

If anything, Kiffin's task to determine the best option at quarterback got even more difficult based on what he saw in a 26-21 loss at Monster Park.

One play, Walter was mishandling a snap on a third down that lost 20 yards. The next, Walter was executing a well-thrown pass to wide receiver Travis Taylor on a third-down play that looked like a first down until Taylor dropped the ball.

Then came an ill-fated decision by Walter to force a pass into tight coverage for Taylor that 49ers safety Mark Roman intercepted and returned 22 yards. Finally, Walter completed 6 of 9 passes for 60 yards on a well-executed drive that culminated with a touchdown.

''He ended up playing pretty well after that rough start,'' Kiffin said.

Kiffin is waiting for Walter, Josh McCown or Daunte Culpepper to seize command of the position so he can begin game-planning with that player's abilities in mind. The waiting game isn't over quite yet.

Culpepper complicated matters by engineering an impressive scoring drive of his own on his first series in relief of Walter and another in the third quarter.

He completed all three of his passes for 22 yards, including one for 12 yards that running back Zack Crockett turned into a touchdown, on his first drive. He hooked up with tight end John Madsen for a 5-yard touchdown on the other drive.

McCown started the Raiders' first exhibition game. He was the third quarterback to play against the 49ers and did little to distinguish himself. It's not difficult to envision what's coming Friday night against the St. Louis Rams.

It makes perfect sense that Kiffin will start Culpepper against the Rams so that he has the added benefit of having videotape of each quarterback playing against a first-team defense in helping him make his decision.

''We all understand that it's part of the rotation, so it's cool,'' McCown said. ''The competition has been good, though, because we're pushing each other upward.''

Imagine how difficult it would be for Kiffin if rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell had signed a contract by now and been in uniform. At least now he doesn't have to factor Russell into this already messy equation.

Most teams already have identified their starting quarterback by now. The Raiders likely won't know who their main man is until they ready themselves for their exhibition finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 30.

''I couldn't tell you,'' Culpepper said, when asked if he is starting against the Rams. ''Whenever I'm called on to play, I'm just going to be ready.''

Kiffin said after the game that he hasn't decided on a starter for the Rams game.

Deciding upon a full-time starter sooner rather than later would benefit the quarterback, the offensive line and the receivers, just as it would Kiffin.

Identifying a starter would enable that player to get more repetitions in practice. It also would give the offensive line more time to learn the tendencies of their quarterback, and the receivers more time to acclimate themselves to things such as how hard the quarterback throws the ball and where he likes to put the ball.

A quarterback also needs ample time to get a feel for how fast his receivers are, how precise they run their routes, and who has a penchant for making plays in crucial situations.

As it stands, everyone is going through the paces, letting the process run its course, and waiting for Kiffin to make a decision.

McCown and Walter have had their shot at convincing Kiffin that they are the right man for the job. McCown, like Walter, did just enough good things to keep it interesting but not enough to end the debate.

Fortunately for Kiffin, the rest of the pieces that comprise his team seem to be coming along pretty well.

The starting defense played well for a second straight game. Starting running back LaMont Jordan sparkled in his first game since he sustained a knee injury late last season. The retooled offensive line did a nice job protecting the quarterback for the second straight game.

[Angry Pope]

Jordan's not running away from challenges

He's playing tough and trying to prove he should be a starter.

Jason Jones

August 19, 2007

Veterans aren't supposed to make plays like this in an exhibition game.

LaMont Jordan was near the end of a 32-yard run with the sideline to his right and 49ers defensive backs Dashon Goldson and Keith Lewis to his left.

Jordan tucked the ball and barreled into the 49ers rather than step out of bounds.

The Raiders' offense was supposed to be tough last year and got pushed around. The talk is the same this year, and Jordan flashed some of what head coach Lane Kiffin wants to see.

"We're not looking to run out of bounds when there's extra yards to be made," Kiffin said. "We're looking to be physical. We want our backs to be physical; we want our line to be physical."

During the Raiders' 26-21 loss to the 49ers at Monster Park, Jordan ran hard, knowing he needs to impress the new coaching staff.

Jordan admitted he didn't like the plan for the running game when the new coaching staff arrived.

He said offensive-line coach Tom Cable was key in helping him understand the system and the "sideways running" of the zone blocking scheme.

"I knew if I was going to have success, I had to stick to my reads," Jordan said. "Trust the offensive linemen and be patient."

Jordan ran for 67 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in his first exhibition action. He also had a catch for 19 yards.

Jordan returned to practice last Monday after missing more than a week with back and hamstring injuries.

Jordan took a pay cut to stay with the team and saw the team sign Dominic Rhodes.

Kiffin wants the Raiders playing with something to prove every snap. Jordan showed he isn't planning to concede the starting running back job.

"For me, my goal today was to come out and show coach Kiffin and this coaching staff that I'm the guy," Jordan said. "I have two more years left on my contract, and I think this has to be the year that I show them that I'm the guy."

Jordan said he wouldn't have been the guy Saturday night if not for the offensive line, which is enjoying playing the scheme Jordan shunned initially.

"Of course my name is going to be credited with all the yards, but the most important thing is our offensive line did a good job," Jordan said. "I can go out there and have the ability, but it's those guys up front blocking that makes that happen, and tonight they did a good job."

Kiffin still isn't completely happy with the running game. He'd like more consistency and not to see as many runs for zero or negative yards, even if Jordan did have runs of 32 and 18 yards.

He likes the "big ones" but wouldn't mind more four and five-yard runs, too.

"We've got a long ways to go, but there are some good things going on up front," Kiffin said.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders/49ers Notes: Second string puts it on the line with three out

The backups play into the third quarter on the defensive line.

Matthew Barrows and Jason Jones

Sunday, August 19, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO -- The 49ers were without their top three defensive linemen for Saturday's game against the Raiders. Left defensive end Bryant Young and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin missed the game because of injuries. Right defensive end Marques Douglas was home with wife, Sparkle, who was expecting their second child.

With the three starters out, the second string began the game and played into the third quarter.

Rookie Ray McDonald, a third-round pick out of Florida, started in place of Douglas.

Ronald Fields substituted for Young, who has been nursing a bulging disc in his back.

Isaac Sopoaga made his second consecutive start for Franklin, who is expected to miss the remainder of the exhibition season with a sprained knee ligament.

Tight-end two-step -- Vernon Davis, who went without a catch Monday against Denver, was Alex Smith's first target of the day. Smith hit Davis for a short pass, which the tight end turned upfield for a 14-yard gain.

Last week, the 49ers started the game with Davis and fellow tight end Delanie Walker in the lineup. Saturday, it was Davis and tight end Billy Bajema.

New guard -- San Francisco backup offensive linemen Joe Staley and David Baas got a chance to play with the first-string unit, entering the game on the 49ers' third possession, which lasted only three plays and ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Walker. The two were in on the fourth possession for the first-team offense, a three-and-out that ended in the 49ers' only punt of the half.

Frontline flexibility -- The Raiders continue to do different things with their most versatile defensive lineman.

Tommy Kelly played defensive tackle most of last season, but the Raiders started him at defensive end for the second consecutive exhibition game, something he did toward the end of last season.

Kelly began playing more defensive end with Terdell Sands playing defensive tackle in part to solidify the run defense.

Kelly has played end and tackle in the exhibition season.

The Raiders' base defense against the 49ers was Kelly and Derrick Burgess at defensive end with Sands and Warren Sapp inside.

Kelly slides back to defensive tackle on passing plays.

Defensive-line coach Keith Millard said Kelly has the size (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) to be a force at either position. Millard likened Kelly's versatility to that of four-time Pro Bowler Trevor Pryce, whom Millard coached in Denver.

Offensive look -- Besides Andrew Walter starting at quarterback, the only change on offense for the Raiders was starting Justin Griffith at fullback instead of Zack Crockett. Raiders center Jeremy Newberry was a team captain against his former team, but Jake Grove started.

Newberry entered the game with 14:04 left in the second quarter and joined the starting offensive line to finish the first half.

Newberry was in for both of the Raiders' scoring plays in the second quarter.

Grove had a false start and a holding penalty on the drive before coming out.

Raiders injury report -- Strong safety Donovin Darius sat out the game with a left calf injury.

Darius was hurt during Thursday morning's practice in Napa while defending a pass. Darius landed awkwardly and left the practice field shortly afterward.

Drought ends -- Smith completed his first pass to receiver Ashley Lelie since the May minicamp. The two hooked up on a 20-yard completion with two minutes left in the first half.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders start game sloppily, but get act together quickly

David White

Sunday, August 19, 2007

The Raiders looked so last year, with the fumbled shotgun snap, fumbled normal snap, fumbled handoff, double-team interception, false start and offensive holding, all before the midway point of the second quarter.

Then, before Oakland fans could scream, "Not again!" the Raiders did something they rarely did during last year's two-win stinker of a season: They got off the green, shook off the flubs and got back in the game.

With consecutive touchdown drives in the second quarter, the Raiders took a 14-13 halftime lead before the 49ers' third-stringers outdid Oakland's third-stringers in the final minutes to give San Francisco a 26-21 victory in Saturday's exhibition game at Candlestick.

Sure, the Raiders lost, but they looked better, and more competent - despite dropping to 1-1 in the exhibition season - than they ever did during last year's 4-0 practice start.

"Started off extremely poor," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said, "but we did OK coming back."

They did it, not merely with an infusion of new players, but by using the reworked holdovers from last year.

The first touchdown drive was run by quarterback Andrew Walter and running back LaMont Jordan - two big faces behind last year's offense that ranked worst in the NFL in scoring.

Their improved play made it plain to see the Raiders' offense has made significant strides under Kiffin.

Of course, it didn't start that way.

On Oakland's first drive of the game, Walter let a third-down snap bounce off his hands and over his head for a 20-yard loss to the Raiders' 4. One drive later, wide-open receiver Travis Taylor dropped an 18-yard pass on 3rd-and-7.

The third drive ended when Walter forced a throw toward Taylor in double-zone coverage. Niners safety Mark Roman intercepted the pass and returned it 22 yards to the Raiders' 31, setting up a 49ers touchdown and 13-0 lead with 3:34 left in the first quarter.

Jordan entered the game on the next drive, and promptly dropped the handoff from Walter for a 3-yard loss. Center Jake Grove threw in a false start and a holding penalty for bad measure in the first six plays of the drive before leaving with a knee injury.

Last year, that would have been precisely when the game would freefall out of hand. Instead, Jordan gathered himself to power a 17-play, 77-yard touchdown drive capped by his 3-yard touchdown run.

"I thought we had a couple bad breaks," Walter said. "We had a (17-play) drive after some adversity and you can't do any better than that."

Jordan got it started with a 19-yard screen catch. He followed with seven rushes for 38 yards, making the necessary cuts to find the open holes in the zone-blocking scheme.

Walter, making his first start of the exhibition season, was 6-for-9 for 60 yards with four third-down conversions on the drive. He finished 9-for-16 for 78 yards.

Daunte Culpepper took over the job with 8:37 left in the second quarter, and fumbled his first snap from center Jeremy Newberry. Jordan busted out a 32-yard counter run on the next play, his final run in an eight-carry, 67-yard appearance.

His run opened a nine-play, 70-yard drive that ended with fullback Zack Crockett - another holdover from last year - catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Culpepper for a 14-13 lead.

The drive was held together by the first-team offensive line, which played the entire first half and did not allow a sack for the second straight game.

Yet another sign of progress for a unit that yielded a league-high 72 sacks last year, and rest assured, Raiders fans will take that over an exhibition victory any day.

[Angry Pope]

Newberry's homecoming includes ups and downs

David White

Sunday, August 19, 2007

The team captain looked familiar enough to the Niners crowd. Same stodgy frame, same intricate arm tattoos, same buzz cut.

If not for that silver helmet with an eye patch, Jeremy Newberry would have looked the same as every other game at Candlestick Point, where he called home the past nine NFL seasons.

Instead, Newberry showed up as the backup center for the Oakland Raiders for Saturday's exhibition game, which the 49ers won 26-21 on his old turf now known as Bill Walsh Field.

The two-time Pro Bowler from Antioch got plenty of face time.

Newberry was the Oakland offense's team captain, walking to midfield for the pregame coin flip.

When starting center Jake Grove was hurt at the end of the first quarter, Newberry took over in the second quarter and played into the fourth.

His struggled only with snapping the ball to quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who fumbled twice at the point of exchange.

The Raiders have taken it slow with Newberry in training camp, giving him every other practice off to take care of his surgically repaired knees. He is still considered a candidate to win the starting job for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Detroit Lions.

Burgess starts: Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess looked game-ready in his exhibition debut. He got to play a second series, even though Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said he'd play only one.

Burgess ended the 49ers' opening drive with a deflected pass. In the second series, he applied outside pressure to force quarterback Alex Smith into a sack by middle linebacker Kirk Morrison.

New fullback: Justin Griffith, picked up as a free agent in the offseason from the Atlanta Falcons, made his first start as a Raider fullback.

He moved ahead of 13th-year fullback Zack Crockett, who entered the game in the second quarter and caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Culpepper.

Griffith's highlight was a lead block for LaMont Jordan's 3-yard touchdown run earlier in the second quarter.

Darius out: Strong safety Donovin Darius missed the game with a tight calf, forcing the Raiders to switch their defensive emphasis.

With the offseason addition of Darius, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has increasingly turned to his "Wolverine" package, a 4-2-5 alignment that puts three safeties on the field.

The scheme got its name from Charles Woodson, a former Michigan star who played as a third safety in the middle of the field.

The Raiders stuck with their traditional 4-3 defense, with outside linebacker Sam Williams often lining up on the edge.

So close: Receiver Alvis Whitted's 38-yard sideline catch gave the Raiders a chance to pull out a last-second victory.

One pass play later, he kept it from happening as he dropped Josh McCown's 32-yard pass in the end zone with 5 seconds left.

Briefly: Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington was treated by trainers after a sideline collision in the second quarter. An injury update was not given. ... Backup cornerback Hiram Eugene also required treatment on the field.

[hawaiianboy]

GOOD

* I concur with Natty... If we get this kind of O-line play on a weekly basis, we'll be all right... I also thought Mario Henderson looked much better this week... To add to this, I'm really pleased with the way our receivers as a unit have been blocking... BMW and Whitted had some especially effective blocks...


* It's safe to say that Lamont showed his critics something, though it's a concern that he looked like he needed an oxygen tank and an adrenaline shot to the heart at one point... He needs to get in better shape.... Fargas also had some nice runs but boy does his running style open him up for some hits...

* Welcome to the Raiders Justin Griffith... Some awesome lead blocks out there... Sad to say, as hard as Zach Crockett runs when he carries the ball, he really doesn't seem to give much effort as a lead blocker...

* Quickly becoming my favorite offensive play: Flooding one side of the field with WR's and allowing John Madsen to work against single coverage on the other... Just wait till we start leaking out a back behind that... Just say setting up mismatches baby...

* I just love seeing these long, clock eating drives, especially when we're running the ball as effectively as we were...

* Sam Williams... I thought he had a standout game....

* I really like the effort we're seeing from Brayton inside, and I also like what I have seen from Ricky Brown... He reminds me a bit of Riki Ellison...

* Antaj! Nips boy did some nice things out there... I'm still hoping we pick a fat toilet clogger up before the season, but Taj and Brayton have shown that they can get penetration and make some plays...


NEEDS WORK

I'm sure I'll come up with more when I watch the tape:

* Mike Huff: I don't mind the TD the TE caught on him since it was more or less a perfect throw to a perfect spot, but the missed tackle and losing outside contain on that kick return are a concern... I'm hoping the glowing practice reports translate to the field soon....

* Chris Morris: I guess he's strictly a guard now as that's where he's gotten his snaps... Good luck to you in whatever you do after we cut you because you just haven't looked good...

* Our RE spot: Richardson looks great playing the run but just tries to bullrush a pass rush... He really looks like a future DT to me.... Moses didn't look good out there a lot of the time and may be a guy better suited to spot play for now... Kelly looks like the starter there as things stand right now...

* Too many penalties and snap problems obviously

* Me... I kept referring to Travis Taylor as Ronald Curry because TT is wearing the #1 Curry wore at UNC....


QB'S

* Walter: He does things that really excite me, but he always seems to temper that by making a couple of killer mental errors... That INT was just plain bad decision making and bad field vision... As a pocket passer, he's absolutely dialed into patterns run between the hashes and he throws a really nice ball when he is able to set his feet... I didn't like that he threw off his back foot again when Kiff called a rollout for him...

* Culpepper: Outside of rumbling and bumbling through the center-QB exchange again, he looked good out there... His timing could be better as evidenced by his miss to BMW, but he looks confident... The scramble is definitely a good sign... None of this matters if he keeps putting the ball on the ground though....

* McCown: I like that he puts pressure on the defense with his rollouts, but he was looking like Nuke Laloosh with some of his throws out there... Just not a very good night for him....

It'll be interesting to see what our QB rotation looks like next week since it is considered the pivotal preseason game...


There's alot of work ahead but there's also a lot to feel good about and build on... The O-line was solid and the first team defense looked swarming when Ryan turned them loose... Ryan really seemed to dial things back early tonight and squat in our base defense...

On another note, Patrick Willis looks like he's going to be an absolute stud for the Niners and Frank Gore should never give interviews because he comes off as being as dumb as a rock... The Niner coverage was pretty good and I found their announcers pretty fair in their game assesments...

[Angry Pope]

Aug 19, 2007

Tough night for Grove, Huff

Center penalized twice on same drive; safety misses key tackle, blows coverage

Phil Barber


SAN FRANCISCO -- Center Jake Grove and safety Michael Huff are in the middle of the Raiders' offensive and defensive schemes -- figuratively and literally. Saturday, they found themselves the centers of attention, for all the wrong reasons.

Grove was flagged twice on one drive, for a false start and holding. His infractions pushed the Raiders into first-and-15 and second-and-14, though they overcame both for first downs. Grove also sent a shotgun snap past quarterback Andrew Walter, though it didn't appear to be much off the mark.
Veteran Jeremy Newberry replaced Grove midway through Oakland's third possession, before any other offensive linemen came out.

Huff, meanwhile, looked nothing like the No. 7 overall pick of the 2006 draft. He's supposed to be able to tackle and cover with equal skill, but had trouble with both. On the 49ers' first play from scrimmage, Huff missed a tackle on tight end Vernon Davis and let him escape for a first down. Later, he got locked in coverage with tight end Delanie Walker and never turned around to see Alex Smith's 19-yard touchdown pass.

Huff even flubbed on special teams, getting picked off by a blocker on a Raiders kickoff.

COACH ON THE MEND

A week ago, spending 4½ hours on the field at McAfee Coliseum knocked out coach Lane Kiffin. He got a case of mononucleosis and wound up spending two days in the hospital. Kiffin made it through Saturday's loss to the 49ers, but looked a bit spent in the post-game interview room.

"I feel fine," he said. "I know you're doing your job, but I feel bad that it's a distraction to the team."

EXTRA POINTS

For the second week in a row, safety Hiram Eugene was the first player to line up at nickel back for the Raiders.

Outside linebacker Sam Williams had two nice-looking tackles on the Niners' first three plays from scrimmage.

One of the Raiders' more successful plays was the quick hitch pass to Ronald Curry. Walter hit him twice on such throws, and Curry juked a defender each time.

Tight end John Madsen wound up with no one within 20 yards of him on a third-quarter pass. He caught the ball from Daunte Culpepper, shook Keith Lewis' tackle and gained 44 yards.

Culpepper fumbled twice for the second consecutive week. The Raiders have fumbled seven times in two games, though they have lost only one.

Linebacker Ricky Brown had five tackles to lead the team, as he did against the Cardinals a week earlier.

The Oakland captains were defensive tackle Warren Sapp, center Jeremy Newberry and kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

[Angry Pope]

Aug 19, 2007

Offense difficult to gauge

First three drives fail; Walter, Culpepper good vs. mostly backups

By Phil Barber


SAN FRANCISCO -- The exhibition season is meant to answer vital questions for football coaches. Who are my best players? Which plays are effective? How good are we? Sometimes, though, it can all be a giant enigma.

Take Saturday night's 26-21 loss to the 49ers at the newly christened Bill Walsh Field at Monster Park. You could say the Raiders' first-team offense flailed against the Niners' starting defense in three head-to-head series, and note that the defense allowed points on each of its first three trips onto the field.

Or you could argue that the Oakland offense settled down to mount some nice drives, taking control of a game that the fill-ins eventually gave away, finally caving in when receiver Alvis Whitted dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass with 5 seconds left.

There's no denying how badly the Raiders' first three possessions ended. The first died when quarterback Andrew Walter let center Jake Grove's snap sail through his hands on a shotgun snap on a third-and-6 play; Walter gave chase and recovered at the Oakland 4-yard line. The second was snuffed when Walter threw a strike to Travis Taylor on a third-and-7 play, and the veteran receiver dropped it.

The Raiders finally got a couple first downs on their next try. But on third-and-16 from his own 36-yard line, Walter put up an ill-advised pass that Mark Roman intercepted. San Francisco capitalized on all three stops and jumped to a 13-0 lead.

The next time out, the Raiders looked like they would self-destruct again, beginning with a false start and a handoff fumbled by LaMont Jordan. But on second-and-18, they came alive. They picked up six first downs -- four of them coming on third-down snaps -- and powered 77 yards in 17 plays, chewing up 8:59 of the clock.

Coming on the heels of two extended first-half drives last week against Arizona, the 77-yard march was further evidence that Lane Kiffin's offense not only can control the ball efficiently (Oakland had a 10:34 edge in time of possession in the first half), but can deliver in the red zone. LaMont Jordan punched in a touchdown from three yards out, powering through Jeff Ulbrich's tackle.

"(Defensive coordinator) Rob Ryan was saying the other day that they try to keep the offense out there for a long period of time, because they figure eventually (the offense is) gonna screw up," Walter said. "So to be out there for 19 plays (including two penalties) and then get a touchdown was sweet."
The next time Oakland got the ball, Daunte Culpepper had replaced Walter at quarterback, but with most of the starting offensive line intact. And Culpepper was equally productive, leading the Raiders 70 yards in nine plays and finishing the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to fullback Zack Crockett.
Walter finished 9-of-16 for 78 yards; Culpepper was 6-of-8 for 75 yards and two touchdowns -- the second was a five-yard toss to tight end John Madsen that followed a bobble snap and a nifty reverse rollout by the quarterback -- before giving way to Josh McCown late in the third quarter.

Clouding the issue was the level of competition. The 49ers pulled their defensive starters midway through Walter's long drive. So he and Culpepper were working largely against second-stringers when they got things rolling.
One thing that can't be disputed is the effort of Jordan, who looked excellent in his first action of the summer.

Jordan has been nursing back and hamstring strains, but showed no ill effects in running around and through the 49ers. He had 63 yards from scrimmage on the 77-yard drive, and he did it in a variety of styles -- sometimes sprinting around the edge, sometimes wiggling up the middle and occasionally bulling into defenders. It boded well for a running game built around offensive line coach Tom Cable's zone-blocking scheme.

[Angry Pope]

Aug 19, 2007

Raiders have hot commodity in Culpepper

Lowell Cohn


I admit to a weakness for Daunte Culpepper. The Raiders have something like a million quarterbacks, and of course, the main quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, isn't even signed yet and he missed the entire training camp and he's not ready to play, not any time soon.

And I think, no big deal because Culpepper can be the starter. You may say I'm nuts. Well, fair enough. The preseason is a time for arguing and speculating and wondering what may be. And this is what I know. Culpepper is 6-4, 265 pounds, for heaven's sake. He's a big guy who can run, which makes him a precursor of Russell, who's the same kind of quarterback. I know in 2000, Culpepper's first season as a starter, he took the Vikings to the NFC championship game. He threw 33 touchdown passes that season and everyone -- I repeat everyone -- thought he would be the next great quarterback in the league. I also know he handled the competition between wide receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter like a real champ. Those were two big egos and each would whisper to Culpepper to throw the ball to him. And Culpepper would smile and then play the game the right way. Teammates like him. Because he runs like a truck, opponents have trouble structuring coverage against him. He has tremendous talent and equally tremendous flaws.

He has a rocket arm and thinks he can laser the ball wherever he wants, and he throws too many interceptions. He has a reputation for mishandling the ball -- and he fumbled his first snap Saturday night. His knees have not held up well.

He's had an up-and-down career, sometimes playing dreadfully and getting booed, and he got run out of Miami after only one year. All that should cause concern. But he's shown signs of greatness. In 2003 he was the NFC's starting QB in the Pro Bowl. And in 2004 he passed for a whopping 4,717 yards.

It was absolutely correct for the Raiders to take a chance on Culpepper, and it fits Al Davis' profile as a man who resurrects players -- he looks at Culpepper and wonders if he can be Jim Plunkett.

So understand this. The rookie Russell is not a factor at this time. Andrew Walter looked good on Saturday, but we've seen what he can do, and Josh McCown has been around and is a modest talent. Culpepper is the only Raiders quarterback who can make a loud statement, who can induce fear in other teams.

After fumbling that first snap in the second quarter, he looked confident and efficient and upbeat. He threw a rope to Justin Fargas on the right side. He hit tight end John Madsen on a crossing pattern. He found Zack Crockett all alone in the left flat and hit him with a perfect pass which Crockett ran in for a TD, and that put the Raiders ahead 14-13 at the half. He led a nine-play drive that covered 70 yards and used more than 5½ minutes. Not bad.

What Culpepper did to start the third quarter was, well, it was vintage Culpepper. Naturally, he fumbled a snap -- his second of the night. He'll always mishandle the ball -- it's one of his flaws. But on the very next play, he ran for 13 yards, got a first down. And that's Culpepper, demonstrating the bad and the terrific in successive plays. After that, he hit John Madsen for 44 yards and then he sprinted left, set his feet, let the ball fly and hit Madsen alone in the end zone for a touchdown. In the process, he proved his legs are healthy and he still can run and stop and throw, and he seemed to answer the big question looming over his career.

Coach Lane Kiffin said, "He's unique to watch on game day. He's a dynamic competitor. We heard that about him."

We all did.

I hope the Raiders think bravely and creatively. Culpepper can be a big presence, a difference maker, and he's the quarterback Oakland desperately needs and he should be the starter when season begins.

[Madturk]

NFLN is replaying the game on Tues @ 12:30 p.m.

Let's just pray that Newberry can stay healthy because Grove is the weakest link on the OL. I think drafting a center should be a priority next season. I'm really disappointed in Chris Morris's play.

I still can't get a good read on Mike Huff. He hasn't done anything to validate his top 10 status IMO.

I think Daunte will get the starting gig come opening day but as alluded to those botched snaps are disconcerting. I really expected a lot better from McCown.

Lamont, I take back half the things I said about you.

[Angry Pope]

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

08/19/2007


LB Sam Williams -- He stuffed run plays on back-to-back downs in the first quarter. This bodes well for a player trying to retain his starting spot.

RB LaMont Jordan -- He totaled 54 yards rushing and receiving on the Raiders' first scoring drive. He capped the drive with an impressive burst from 3 yards out. He added a 32-yard run on the Raiders next drive.

QB Daunte Culpepper -- He engineered a scoring drive on his first series and added another in the second half. He capped the first drive by throwing a pass to running back Zack Crockett that resulted in a 12-yard touchdown and a 14-13 lead. He had a pass that went for a touchdown on the other drive, as well.

Thumbs down

QB Andrew Walter -- He had a snap sail through his hands on a third-down play on the Raiders' opening series. He had a pass intercepted and returned 22 yards on another series. He also was charged with a fumble on a hand-off to Jordan. He did lead an impressive 17-play, 77-yard scoring drive.

C Jake Grove - He was called for two penalties on a first-quarter drive, one which negated a first-down run. He also had a hand in a botched center-quarterback exchange that resulted in a 20-yard loss. He left the game with an injury.

-- Steve Corkran

[Angry Pope]

Walter keeps his hat in the ring Raiders QB both good, not so good

Steve Corkran

08/19/2007

SAN FRANCISCO — Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin started Andrew Walter against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night in hopes of getting more clarity regarding a quarterback situation that remains unsettled three weeks before the regular-season opener.

If anything, Kiffin's job of determining the best option as the most important position got even more difficult based on what he saw in a 26-21 loss at Monster Park.

One play, Walter was mishandling a snap on a third-down play that lost 20 yards. The next, Walter was executing a well-thrown pass to wide receiver Travis Taylor on a third-down play that looked like a first down until Taylor dropped the ball.

Then came an ill-fated decision by Walter to force a pass into tight coverage, a pass for Taylor that 49ers safety Mark Roman intercepted and returned 22 yards.

Finally, Walter completed 6 of 9 passes for 60 yards on a well-executed drive that culminated with a touchdown.

"We had a couple of bad breaks," Walter said. "We had a couple of holds the first series, and we had a snap-count issue. When we (got in synch), we had a 19-play drive. After some adversity, you can't do any better than that."

Kiffin is waiting for Walter, Josh McCown or Daunte Culpepper to seize command of theposition so he can begin game-planning with that player's abilities in mind.

The waiting game likely isn't over quite yet. Culpepper complicated matters by engineering an impressive scoring drive of his own on his first series in relief of Walter and another in the third quarter.

He completed all three of his passes for 22 yards, including one for 12 yards that running back Zack Crockett turned into a touchdown, on the first drive. He hooked up with tight end John Madsen for a 5-yard touchdown on the other drive.

McCown started Oakland's first exhibition game. He was the third quarterback to play against the 49ers and did little to distinguish himself.

It's not difficult to envision what's coming Friday night against the St. Louis Rams. It makes perfect sense that Kiffin will start Culpepper against the Rams so that he has the added benefit of having videotape of each quarterback playing against a first-team defense in helping him make his decision.

Imagine how difficult it would be for Kiffin if rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell had signed a contract and been in uniform. At least now he doesn't have to factor Russell into the messy equation.

No, it's McCown, Walter or Culpepper at this point. Pick a quarterback, any quarterback, win a prize. Welcome to the NFL, coach. Most teams already have identified their starting quarterback by now.

The Raiders won't know who their man is until they ready themselves for their exhibition finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug.30.

Of course, doing so sooner would benefit the quarterback, the offensive line and the receivers, just as it would Kiffin.

Identifying a starter would enable that player to get more repetitions in practice. It also would give the offensive line more time to learn the tendencies of its quarterback, and the receivers more time to acclimate themselves to things such as how hard the quarterback throws the ball and where he likes to put the ball.

A quarterback also needs ample time to get a feel for how fast his receivers are, how precise they run their routes, and who has a penchant for making plays in crucial situations.

As it stands, everyone is going through the paces, letting the process run its course, and waiting for Kiffin to make a decision. McCown and Walter have had their shot at convincing Kiffin that they are the right man for the job.

McCown, like Walter, did just enough good things to keep things interesting but not enough to end the debate.

Fortunately for Kiffin, the rest of the pieces that comprise his team seem to be coming along pretty well. The starting defense played well for a second straight game.

Starting running back LaMont Jordan sparkled in his first game since he sustained a knee injury late last season. The retooled offensive line did a nice job protecting the quarterback for the second straight game.

[Angry Pope]

Jordan shows Rhodes the way

Running back displays no rust in first action this year

Steve Corkran

08/19/2007


SAN FRANCISCO — Dominic Rhodes started at running back for the Raiders in their exhibition game against the 49ers on Saturday night. However, projected regular-season starter LaMont Jordan stole the show from the challenger to the job he has occupied for two seasons.

Rhodes carried the load in Oakland's first three possessions. He totaled only 5 yards on five rushes and added one reception for 8 yards. Then the Raiders turned to Jordan for his first action this season.

Jordan's first hand-off resulted in a fumble — it was charged to quarterback Andrew Walter — and a 3-yard loss. It was nothing but positives for Jordan the rest of a 17-play, 77-yard drive that consumed almost nine minutes and culminated with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jordan.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin called Jordan's number nine of the 17 plays. Jordan notched first downs on three of those plays and scored a touchdown on one.

Jordan wasn't through yet. On Oakland's next series, Jordan ripped off a 32-yard run around right end for a first down in 49ers territory.

This passes as great news for a Raiders team without the services of Rhodes for the first four regular-season games — Rhodes was suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Kiffin is counting upon Jordan to be the primary ballcarrier until Rhodes returns.

At that time, Kiffin intends to use a two-headed attack, with the player that has hot hand getting the bulk of the carries. Jordan showed Saturday night that he is up to the task.

"We can be very potent," Rhodes said after the game. "The sky's the limit. LaMont is more of a pounder, and I'm the quicker back, so we're going to be a great one-two threat."

It bears noting that the 49ers played without their entire first-team defensive line. All three projected starters missed Saturday's game because of injuries.

BAD OMEN: Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper fumbled the snap on his first play for the second straight game. This time, he recovered the loose ball. Against the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders lost possession and allowed a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Culpepper atoned for the miscue by guiding the Raiders on a nine-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a Culpepper pass to running back Zack Crockett for a 12-yard touchdown. He completed all three of his passes for 22 yards on the drive. He also led another drive that resulted in a touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS: Raiders center Jeremy Newberry replaced regular Jake Grove early in the second quarter when Grove sustained an injury. Newberry was one of three captains for the Raiders in the pregame coin toss. The Raiders let Newberry call the toss in his first appearance at Monster Park since he left the 49ers. ... Starting cornerback Fabian Washington sustained an injury midway through the second quarter while defending a pass to the sideline. He didn't return, as the Raiders removed their first-team defense. ... Tommy Kelly started at right defensive end for the Raiders. He is competing for the starting spot with rookies Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson, as well as veteran Kevin Huntley. This move also portends the Raiders going with Terdell Sands at the defensive tackle spot occupied by Kelly for most of the past three seasons. ... Oakland safety Hiram Eugene sustained an injury late in the third quarter while making a tackle near the Raiders goal line. He left the game for observation. ... Raiders rookie cornerback John Bowie was beat for a 1-yard touchdown pass to 49ers wide receiver Ashley Lelie late in the third quarter.

[Angry Pope]

Postgame wrap

Jerry McDonald

News, notes and opinions formulated after leaving an empty press box and heading home after the Raiders' 26-21 loss to the 49ers at Monster Park:

– It's hard to come to any conclusion other than Daunte Culpepper put himself out front in the quarterback race after throwing a pair of touchdown passes and going 6-for-8 for 75 yards.

Culpepper had another disconserting fumbled snap and a bobble or two, but was under control, didn't force the ball downfield and again displayed his mobility.

"Mainly I want to get my timing down with the centers," Culpepper said. "I've got to get used to these centers and they've got to get used to me. We've just got to keep working, as simple as that. I don't know (if I'll start next week). Whenever I'm called I'll be ready to play."

Culpepper said he is almost caught up with offensive installations but remains behind in overall knowledge of the offense.

On his 13-yard run, Culpepper, who took on tacklers like a fullback with Minnesota, made a hook slide rather than take on a defender. A concession to his injury, perhaps?

"I try to be smart and do what I've got to do," Culpepper said. "Sometimes I'm going to have to drop my shoulder and try and run a guy over. In that situation I made him miss and got the first down."

Lane Kiffin has not been much of a read-between-the-lines quote, but he sounded as if Culpepper had taken a major step against San Francisco.

"He's unique to watch on game day," Kiffin said. "He's a dynamic competitor. We'd heard that about him, but until you really see it . . . this is a guy who when he gets in there, he wants to play."

– Nice recovery by Andrew Walter after letting a shotgun snap go through his hands and then forcing an interception to Mark Roman.

But if Kiffin is as bottom-line oriented as he says regarding mistakes and turnovers, Walter's two miscues led to 10 points _ three more than he created during his time in the game.

– Even allowing for the fact that the 49ers are one of the more pass-rush challenged teams in the NFL, the Raiders protection _ considering where they were last year _ was remarkable. Walter in particular seemed to have all the time he wanted behind the first unit.

– Assuming LaMont Jordan wakes up without back trouble and can stay healthy, his performance against San Francisco virtually erases any doubt he's the lead back and will get most of the work in the regular season until Dominic Rhodes comes off a four-game suspension.

– Adimchinobe Echemandu had more nifty cutback running, but this time it came on a 23-yard pass play.

– Kiffin's assessment of what appears to be a vastly improved running game _ he wants more consistency.

"We’re hit some runs but we've got to be more consistent," Kiffin said. "It’s `big little, big little' right now. We like those big runs, don’t get me wrong, but there are too many zeroes and ones and twos. They are doing better, it is still is preseason, and they’ve got a long ways to go but there are some good things going on, I know that."

– Alvis Whitted didn't do himself any favors by dropping what could have been the game-winning touchdown. Tyler Fredrickson's missed field goal attempt only hurt his resume _ he wasn't going to win the job anyway.

"I wish we would have finished better," Kiffin said. "We should have finished the drive when we missed the field goal. We should have finished and caught the ball for a touchdown to win the game."

– The Raiders had a 34:58 to 25:02 advantage in time of possession _ which seemed like the weekly disadvantage a year ago.

– It struck me last week during practice when Michael Huff stole a pass from scout team quarterback Jeff Otis and headed the other way that it was the first really big play I had seen Huff make.

Huff got victimized by Vernon Davis early against San Francisco, and one of my colleagues told me it happened later as well (Must have had my head in my computer at the time).

Particularly if Donovin Darius is down for any length of time, the Raiders need more big plays from a guy who is being paid to make them.

– Without Darius in the lineup, the Raiders used much more 4-3 defense with their first unit.

– Derrick Burgess is ready. If I'm the Raiders I strongly consider doing what San Diego did with LaDainian Tomlinson last year _ having him take a seat until the regular season begins. He's too important to lose to injury in the preseason.

– If he were to ever sign, the Raiders can only hope JaMarcus Russell is as good in his third year as Alex Smith appears to be now.

– Zack Crockett just might hang on after all.

– I've heard a million times about how the Bay Area has the two worst football venues in the NFL, and while McAfee Coliseum doesn't measure up to the new palaces around the league, it's the Taj Mahal compared to Monster Park.

Fear not. That new stadium ought to be coming any day now.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders' O-Line is oh, so good

Carl Steward

08/19/2007


SAN FRANCISCO — Blocking ... what a novel football concept. Having grown so accustomed to the Oakland Raiders not being able to do it at all last year, watching them Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers was a revelation of how much it means.

My lord, they blocked. And blocked well. They blocked for the pass. They blocked for the run. They not only blocked efficiently, but dare it be said that the Raiders actually looked to be kicking a little butt against the dudes in red.

OK, maybe it was a bit of a preseason mirage against a 49ers team that has been struggling to generate a pass rush. Then again, maybe it was a legit preview. A couple of holds and a false start aside, this definitely was an eye-opening performance by the Raiders' revamped line under the direction of veteran blocking guru Tom Cable.

It's tough to recall any time last season when the Raiders O-line looked so solid, even in the games that didn't count. And from the first one that did, of course, the group was so pathetic, an abysmal season was virtually assured.

But if what the Raiders showed at Monster Park has some real basis for belief, the Lane Kiffin coaching regime already has made a dramatic impact. Oakland has little chance of significant improvement this year if it doesn't upgrade its blocking up front, but this early performance offers genuine hope.

Everybody wants to know which of the three Raiders quarterbacks is going to win the starting nod, but it's not going to matter which guy gets the job if the men up front can't protect a lot better than they did a year ago. Conversely, if the line can sustain some approximation of this stark improvement into the regular season, any of the three quarterbacks should be able to be productive.

How appropriate that last year's human tackling dummy, Andrew Walter, got the start against the Niners and received the benefit of this line turnaround. Walter not only wasn't sacked during his first-half stint, nobody even came close to him.

Playing behind first-unit tackles Barry Simms and Cornell Green, guards Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle and center Jake Grove, the third-year quarterback actually had a chance to operate ... and did.

Walter wasn't even flushed out of the pocket, despite the fact that on a couple of pass plays, he held the ball for at least five seconds before making a throw.

Last year, Walter was generally buried in three seconds or less while incurring 46 of the team's 72 sacks allowed. He rarely stood a chance to show what kind of ability he might have. Even though he had some rocky moments early — a fumbled shotgun snap, an ugly interception and two dropped passes — Walter eventually settled down and directed a pretty 17-play, 77-yard, 9-minute touchdown drive in the second quarter.

Reason? He wasn't getting hammered or even pressured when he set up to throw. Saturday night, Walter actually could let plays develop before cutting it loose. His protection was superb, and once he could start to trust it, he made plays behind it.

Things got even better when Daunte Culpepper entered the game in relief of Walter. Culpepper quickly engineered a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive getting the same kind of blocking up front that Walter did. But the Raiders weren't just pass blocking impressively, they suddenly were opening huge holes for the heretofore MIA LaMont Jordan to run through.

Jordan had eight first-half carries for 67 yards, including an electric 32-yard burst that looked like the Jordan of two seasons ago. It was all set up by the blocking schemes and their execution, something Jordan rarely received in 2006 as the Raiders finished 29th in NFL rushing with a league-worst five running TDs. What's potentially exciting is that the Raiders haven't really unveiled the full extent of their blocking strategies.

Cable has been instituting cut-blocking techniques into his wholesale retool of the Oakland line but they mostly won't be put into effect until the regular season. Against the Niners, they were hardly needed. The Raiders were blocking straight-up with striking proficiency.

When Kiffin pronounced at the draft that the offensive line might be one of the strengths of the team, it sounded like propaganda, a pipe dream rather than a promise. But it could be that Cable and his revitalized group will make the head coach look like a sage. All right, maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit. It's preseason, preseason, preseason.

But even in an exhibition game, you can learn so much simply by how a unit is executing. On this night, the line looked sharp, and when was the last time we could say that? It looked together. It looked like it knew precisely what it was doing. It looked confident, and at times, almost dominant. Amazing, if you remember last year.

This development could the single-most important factor in the Raiders getting back on their competitive feet again in 2007. In fact, nothing else is even remotely close.

[Angry Pope]

With Walter, as the system becomes more routine for him and as the flashbacks to last season's sacks start to disappear, he can have more emphasis on the areas of his game that need work.

Culpepper also did okay and will get better once the game slows down for him.

For the second preseason game and where these two came from, I am content so far.

I think you can see the influence of Tom Rathman by how hard the running backs were going. Some of it is a chip on their shoulders (Jordan), but I think some of the coaches personality can't help but rub off on players.

That Moses is Millard's special project has me excited.

Very nice of Jordan to give props to his offensive line.

[Angry Pope]

Photos...

Alex Smith's pass attempt is blocked by the Raiders' Derrick Burgess in the first quarter. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers0062kr.jpg)

The Raiders' Doug Gabriel is stopped by Donald Strickland in the first half. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers0509kr.jpg)

Andrew Walter started the game for the Raiders. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers0014kr.jpg)

49ers' Brandon Moore can't keep the Raiders' Dominic Rhodes from getting past him during Saturday's game. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers_0227_kr.jpg)

Zach Miller makes a first down in the first half. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers0196kr.jpg)

LaMont Jordan bulled through the Niners' defense in the first half, and finished with 67 yards on eight carries. (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/08/19/sp_49ers0423kr.jpg)

[SoCalRaider]

Culpepper is the only Raiders quarterback who can make a loud statement, who can induce fear in other teams.


That's pretty much going to be the deciding factor... DC is the only QB we have that defenses are going to have to gameplan for. He's shown he can rollout in both directions and throw on a dime... and he showed last night he can still scramble and make people miss. He still can make every kind of throw. This guy flat out makes plays. He's going to force defenses to play on their heels... We just have to find a way to snap the ball to him.

I also think we saw exactly where Walter is as a player last night. The potential to be a very good pocket passer is definitely there... but he still has mental breakdowns that lead to the big INT or the unnecessary sack. I wouldn't trust him as a starter just yet, but he would be a very capable backup.

For the 2nd straight week, McCown has shown me absolutely nothing... which according to some reports is an exact replay of how he's fared in practices. Everybody talks about his mobility, but every time he's rolled out, his passes haven't even been within 20 yards of a receiver. I'll be surprised if he sticks once Russell signs. There just aren't enough practice snaps to go around to justify hanging on to him.

[Ghost Poster]

Sustaining drives and using clock it's nice to have a offense that can achieve this again. If we just cut down on the mental errors this team will be very solid.

Mike Huff I was with you man but your giving me a bad feeling, step up your game anytime now. You look lost out there for a guy that studys game film religiously.

Jake Grove meh......Newberry please stay healthy.

Pepper practice your snaps because what a drive killer and let down that can become.

Walter scan the field more but you made good with the help of short passes and now a decent running game. So you get the pass again for the week for holding your composure.

Whitted and No 1! :baghead: Please clean out your lockers now!

Art Shell I still see your mindless stare please make it stop.

DE's quit getting pushed to the outside by the tackles throw in a inside spin move something. Quit over running the QB, that drives me insane, and they keep on doing it gosh darn it. Rob throw in a cheap blitz once in awhile, ya don't have to give your entire defensive package away but rush a safety, backer or somebody. Hell it's pre-season blitz everyone for just one play for shits and giggles give me some kind of havoc out there.

Tom Walsh I'm coming to Swan Valley Idaho you better have my bacon, eggs and, coffee ready bitch.

Zach Crockett go through the hole and lay some wood next time. Nice catch for a TD but work on that blocking or you'll just be the cook.

Madsen nice work out there.

BMW nice try for that fade, that is going to be a staple and a good set up to get other things done in the red zone.

Ronald Curry WHOOOOOOOOP! WHOOOOOOOOOP! I hope to hear that many times this season. Still need to get the ball in his hands more.

JP where are you out there?

McCown just keep the bench warm study plays, clipboard duty basically.

Hard to break down a lot on a TVU viewing but overall glad the offense moved the ball consistently and L-Boogie did damage.

Adimchinobe Echemandu? Excellent running hopefully we get to see you more with the first team also. Great run on the screen pass and following your blocks a very good run.

I can't wait for next week, hopefully JR is signed by then also.

[Angry Pope]

Post game with Lane...

Hit It Here... (http://www.raiders.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=29590&categoryId=0)

[Angry Pope]

Lane speaks with the media...

Hit it here... (http://www.raiders.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=29620&categoryId=0)

[Angry Pope]

The Kiffin review

Jerry McDonald

News and notes from a conference call with Lane Kiffin Sunday night with Bay Area reporters regarding the Raiders' 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers:

– The most serious injury was to safety Hiram Eugene, whom Kiffin said would under go tests on his hand with a specialist.

– Cornerback Fabian Washington and center Jake Grove, both staters, left the game because of injuries but neither was serious. Washington said he had the wind knocked out of him and Kiffin said Grove had someone fall on his back.

– Kiffin said he isn't ready to decide on a starting quarterback. He described Daunte Culpepper, who played the best of the three against San Francisco, as a "variable."

"Whether Daunte was here early like everybody else or whether Daunte didn't come in, we may have had it figured out by now," Kiffin said.

When asked if the starter would be picked by the final preseason game, Kiffin said, "You never know. We'd love to have it by then. We'd love to have it right now. But we don't. So we'll just keep figuring it out."

– If Alvis Whitted was interfered with on his last dropped pass in the end zone, Kiffin didn't see it.

"I saw the ball hit him in the hands and drop it," Kiffin said.

– You get the impression Kiffin wants to see safety Michael Huff do something befitting his status as the No. 7 pick in the 2006 draft.

"Michael has a ways to go and Michael needs to improve," Kiffin said. "For us to continue to improve on defense, we need more plays out of Michael and he needs to be more of a playmaker in our defense."

– Behind the scenes, the Raiders offensive line is going to get a big dose of, "Yeah, you were OK, but it was only the 49ers." As tactfully as possible, Kiffin said the 49ers, minus Aubrayo Franklin, Melvin Oliver and Bryant Young, weren't exactly murderer's row along the defensive front.

"You can only go who you go against," Kiffin said. "We're going to have a test this week in St. Louis with their front. Obviously San Francisco had a few guys out."

– While center is the only starting position on the offensive line currently being contested, with Newberry challenging Grove, the defensive right end positon has four candidates _ Kevin Huntley, rookies Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson, and veteran Tommy Kelly.

– Expect right end Derrick Burgess to make cameo appearances and take the rest of the night off heading into the opener.

"By not playing Derrick in the first game and a few snaps in this game, there is a reason for that,' Kiffin said. "There are some things in practice he needs to work on, but do we need him to play (in the preseason) as much as other people? No we do not. It's not like it's a new scheme where if yo uarean offensive guy you might need to get used to something in a new system. We're pleased with where Derrick is right now."

– Kiffin wanted to beat the 49ers, but he didn't want to beat them bad enough to alter a plan of substitution. With Oakland leading 21-20, Kiffin let Tyler Fredrickson attempt a 40-yard field goal with 3:04 to play rather than use Sebastian Janikowski in a pressure situation in a difficult kicking environment.

Fredrickson missed.

"We have a plan for the most part of how we are going to kick our kicker and punt our punter," Kiffin said. "We're not going to overuse a guy once we've iced him down or bring him back out there after the temperature has dropped. We are trying to win regular season games."

[Angry Pope]

Daunte Culpepper states case to be Raiders starting quarterback


ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - Lane Kiffin hoped one of his quarterbacks would make it obvious in the pre-season who should start when the regular season begins.

Halfway through the exhibition season, Daunte Culpepper is doing his best to be that player.

Culpepper outplayed Andrew Walter and Josh McCown in Saturday night's 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, throwing two touchdown passes and showing he can still run a little on his reconstructed knee.

"Daunte has done a great job and really is performing well," Kiffin said Sunday. "It's great to see him out there on the field and the way he is on a game-day environment. He couldn't be more serious about winning this job."

A former Pro Bowl quarterback in Minnesota, Culpepper has been slowed by knee injuries the past two seasons. That led to his release from Miami in July and the chance to recharge his career in Oakland.

He is behind his competitors at quarterback in terms of learning the offence and shaking off the rust that built up after he missed the final 12 games last season recovering from his knee injury.

But he has also shown flashes of the player who had so much success in Minnesota. He is 11-for-20 for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the exhibition season and has been healthy enough to rollout and scramble.

"I feel that I have to continue to get better every day," he said. "That's really my focus right now to get a little bit better every day. Every time I step on the field I want to get a little bit better. If I can do that I can be the player that I was brought here to be and the player I want to be."

With No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell still at an impasse in contract talks, Kiffin's choice of starter for the season opener against Detroit on Sept. 9 will come from Culpepper, Walter and McCown.

McCown started the first exhibition game against Arizona, followed by Walter and then Culpepper. Kiffin switched it up against the 49ers with Walter starting, followed by Culpepper and McCown.

Kiffin has not said who he will use his quarterbacks against St. Louis on Friday night but he might want to give Culpepper a shot with the first team. He hopes to have a decision after that game, but he said the addition of Culpepper on July 31 has made the decision more difficult.

"Daunte brought a different variable because we didn't have him the whole time," Kiffin said. "If we hadn't added him, we might have figured this out already."

Culpepper's most telling play against San Francisco might have been when he scrambled 13 yards to convert a third down, cutting on his rebuilt knee to elude a defender. He slid at the end of the play instead of trying to bowl over a defender like he might have done in the past. It's one of the few concessions he'll make to his knee injury.

"I'm just trying to be smart and try to do what I have to do," he said. "Sometimes I'm going to have to try to run a guy over and drop my shoulder. In that situation I made a guy miss, got the first down and went down."

Culpepper's biggest problem so far has been the simplest task - the exchange from centre. He has fumbled three snaps in two games, including his first play in both contests. Kiffin said it's mostly a matter of timing with new teammates.

Walter, who struggled last season in his opportunity to play as a pro, has looked better behind a more solid offensive line in the exhibition season.

But he showed signs of last season in his start against San Francisco. He fumbled a shotgun snap on the Raiders' first possession for a 20-yard loss, and threw an interception on the third possession before leading the Raiders on a touchdown drive in his final series.

McCown finished 8-for-17 for 97 yards, working with second-and third-stringers against a backup defence. He almost led an improbable winning drive, connecting with Alvis Whitted on a 38-yard pass before Whitted dropped a sure touchdown catch in the end zone in the final seconds.

[CrossBones]

– You get the impression Kiffin wants to see safety Michael Huff do something befitting his status as the No. 7 pick in the 2006 draft.

"Michael has a ways to go and Michael needs to improve," Kiffin said. "For us to continue to improve on defense, we need more plays out of Michael and he needs to be more of a playmaker in our defense."Not sure what's going on with Michael Huff. He's played "OK" but surely nothing like what was expected of the guy. Is this because he isn't being put in a situation to make plays or is there something more to it?

• I agree with Kiffin. It's getting time for Michael Huff to step up and makes some plays.
• Our run defense is troubling (125 yards / 4.8 per carry) against a Goreless Niner team.

[BigTron]

Free Michael Huff... for he should be a free safety!

[Raidermania12]

good play by cullpepp. he's earned the start for the next game. Jordan also played well.

but there were too many turnovers and fumbles. that has to stop quickly.

[Raidermania12]

– If Alvis Whitted was interfered with on his last dropped pass in the end zone, Kiffin didn't see it.

"I saw the ball hit him in the hands and drop it," Kiffin said.


Can I rep Kiffin?:D

[Raidermania12]

Right now it looks like DC vs AWAL with McCown trying to stake his claim. I thought Walter started rough but didnt waver one bit and recomposed after that int to play pretty decent. That composure is probably one of the few good byproducts of the murderous abuse he suffered last year. If that doesnt toughen your skin, nothing will.


Also DC made some great plays too after living up to his rep as a lil hands fumbler earlier. He played smarter that I expected of him and locked in good on our big receivers/TE's.

[Jack's sore libido]

My observations after watching the game tonight on DVR ... aside from the things others have said.

-- John Bowie got worked pretty good by Ashley Lelie on a few passes, but give it up for hte little guy sticking Thomas Clayton at the 3-yard line.

-- Did George Atkinson have a stroke? He sounded awful.

-- Robert Gallery's weenie voice is quite jarring.

-- Isaiah Ekejuiba is going to have a hard time making this team if Ricky Brown continues to plau so well. Ekejuiba just doesn't give us anything from a defensive standpoint, and it's going to be hard to justify carrying two linebackers just for special teams (Condo being a sure thing to make it).

-- Nice catch and run, Zack, but Justin Griffith is like another lineman out there blocking, which is something Crockett never, ever gave us.

-- Couple sweet moves after the catch by Ron Curry. Please, God, don't let anything happen to him again.

-- Pass interference should have been called against Whitted in the end zone, but when the ball hits you in the hands, you catch the motherf_cker. C'est la vie, Alvis.

-- Daunte gets credit for the completion and yards, but man, could he have made it any tougher for John Madsen on that big catch? No one was within 20 yards of Madsen, but Daunte almost managed to throw an incomplete pass.

-- Jeremy Newberry should be starting. Like, yesterday.

-- Dave Tollefson got credit for a sack of Dilfer, but the knee was down 7 yards back and the sack should have gone to Kyle Shotwell.

-- B.J. Ward got worked by the fullback on a long run for, I think, Thomas Clayton, but on the next play I thought he made a great defensive play that was wrongfully flagged for illegal contact.

[Angry Pope]

Atkinson is a little harder to understand at times this year than last year. Like you, I thought about a stroke...I also wondered if it could be dentures.

I don't see Crockett making the team for the reasons you gave.

[Angry Pope]

Inside slant Aug. 20, 2007

The Raiders have vowed to improve the league's No. 29 rushing game, but as training camp came to a close, it was unclear which running backs were going to help fulfill that promise.

Oakland has not wavered from an offensive line featuring Barry Sims at left tackle, Robert Gallery at left guard, Jake Grove at center, Cooper Carlisle at right guard and Cornell Green at right tackle.

Question marks abound in the backfield, where injuries, suspensions, incumbents and overachievers leave the makeup of the Week 1 backfield a question mark.

LaMont Jordan, a free-agent acquisition in 2005, has not become the lead back the Raiders envisioned when they signed him away from the New York Jets despite never carrying the ball more than 93 times in a season.

In the offseason, the Raiders signed free agent Dominic Rhodes to a two-year contract after Rhodes enjoyed an excellent postseason in the Colts' Super Bowl run. They did so with full knowledge Rhodes could be suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season after a DUI arrest in the days following the Super Bowl.

Rhodes was indeed suspended and will be unavailable for the first quarter of the season.

Justin Fargas returns as the Raiders' leading rusher with a paltry 653 yards, Adimchinobe Echemandu has been a camp standout, and fourth-round draft pick Michael Bush has yet to be activated from the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list.

Oakland's first order of business is to see if they can get the Jordan investment to pay off. The two sides almost parted ways in the offseason, with the Raiders offering to pay $3 million of a scheduled $4.75 roster bonus. Jordan accepted but wasn't happy about it.

He is off to a slow start in training camp, at one point missing six consecutive days of practices with a back injury.

"We obviously have got to get LaMont going," coach Lane Kiffin said. "He needs a lot of work, especially in these next two games. He needs to see this zone (blocking) system. This is not something he's used to."

In his good games, Jordan hits a hole hard, fast and without hesitation. The zone-blocking scheme calls for a runner to be patient, then make one decisive cut as defensive linemen or linebackers are stretched and then hit with cut blocks.

During Jordan's preseason debut, the Raiders accomplished their mission. Jordan ran for a team-high 67 yards on eight attempts with a long run of 34 yards in a game the Raiders lost 26-21 to the 49ers.

Since offensive linemen don't get the chance to cut-block against their own teammates, it was Jordan's first chance to run behind the new scheme.

"He's got to see what he can't see in practice, to see that backside getting cut, guy on the ground, how holes open up," Kiffin said.

Jordan, who said his back injury led to a tight hamstring, is working his way back into shape and believes he can make the transition to a Denver-style rushing attack.

"I'm starting to get a better understanding of sideways running," Jordan said.

Kiffin wanted more consistency from the running game overall after a 133-yard, 31-carry effort against San Francisco.

"Don't get me wrong, I like the long runs, but right now it's a lot of, 'big, little, big, little,' with two many zeroes, ones and twos," Kiffin said.


CAMP CALENDAR

The Raiders held their last training-camp practice at the Napa Marriott on Aug. 18 and began daily workouts at their practice facility in Alameda on Aug 21.


Strategy and personnel


Quarterback Daunte Culpepper appeared to move into the lead of Oakland's three-headed quarterback race by completing six of eight passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco.

He showed enough mobility to rush for a 13-yard first down, and enough common sense to slide once the yardage was attained, rather than take on tacklers as he did in Minnesota.

Andrew Walter played well after a poor start in which he essentially handed the 49ers 10 gift points on a fumbled shotgun snap and an interception forced into coverage by Mark Roman, leading to a 49ers touchdown.

Josh McCown had the Raiders in position for a potential win, but a pass into the end zone was dropped by Alvis Whitted. McCown was not particularly sharp with his passing, although his 38-yarder to Whitted helped set up the chance for the win.

--G Ben Claxton, restricted to riding on an exercise bike since camp opened, was waived.

--LB Isaiah Kacyvenski (knee) reached an injury settlement with the team and could sign elsewhere when healthy.

--WR Will Buchanon, who made the 2006 practice squad and eventually the 53-man roster gained on his play in training camp, was waived.

--DT Jared Clauss, a roommate of Robert Gallery all four years at the University of Iowa, was signed.

--OT Torrin Tucker was signed to a contract for depth along the offensive line.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK

Jake Grove vs. Jeremy Newberry at center -- Grove was whistled for a hold and a false start, and although neither penalty was particularly damaging, it could swing things in a tight competition. Newberry continues to hold up and is the stronger of the two, with Grove being the most mobile. Newberry and Culpepper lost one fumble exchange, with Culpepper making the recovery.

cont'd...

[Angry Pope]

cont'd...

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS

Justin Griffith vs. Zack Crockett at fullback; Hiram Eugene vs. Eric Frampton for reserve safety; Quentin Moses vs. Ricky Huntley for starting right defensive end.

ROOKIE REPORT

QB JaMarcus Russell remains unsigned. ... TE Zach Miller is the likely starter but is being pushed as a primary receiving target by John Madsen, who is in the game often as a second tight end. ... Mario Henderson is a backup at both left and right tackle. ... WR Johnnie Lee Higgins drew praise from Kiffin for not hitting a rookie training-camp wall. ... RB Michael Bush remains on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list and Kiffin is not sure if and when Bush will practice with the team. ... CB John Bowie hopes to progress enough to challenge for playing time at a thin position in terms of depth. ... DE Jay Richardson continues to get plenty of work, some of it with the first team. ... S Eric Frampton remains on the bubble and has yet to make the sort of eye-opening plays he made in college. ... FB Oren O'Neal may have trouble dislodging veteran Zack Crockett from the roster after Crockett's 12-yard TD reception against San Francisco.

INJURY REPORT

S Donovin Darius missed the 49ers game with a calf injury of unspecified severity. ... C Jake Grove left briefly with what appeared to be a knee injury. ... DE Chris Clemons, an end in the nickel defense who has battled hamstring problems, suited up but did not play against San Francisco. ... CB Stanford Routt (knee) will not be ready until the regular-season opener. He was running as the first-team nickel back, a position that has been assumed by Chris Carr. ... OT Chad Slaughter (ankle) has been out for almost all of camp. His ability to stick as a reserve has often swung on his ability to remain healthy. ... DT Josh Shaw (knee) returned to practice Thursday but did not suit up against San Francisco. ... CB Fabian Washington went down on the sideline against San Francisco but reported he simply had the wind knocked out of him.


Notes, quotes


--Coach Lane Kiffin said he first started feeling ill moments after concluding his remarks to the press following the preseason opener against Arizona. Before long, Kiffin's temperature was 103.7 degrees and he was hospitalized in Napa with what doctors believe is mononucleosis.

He missed three practices while in the hospital, with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan running things. When Kiffin returned, he was much more subdued and quiet.

"The limitations are that I'm really not supposed to do anything but walk out here," Kiffin said. "I'm not supposed to exert energy and yell. I guess a lot of coaches coach that way, anyway, so I'm going to see what that's like."

Raiders players were concerned for Kiffin. "You don't put healthy people in the hospital," left tackle Barry Sims said, but he also razzed him about his absence when he returned.

Tackle Cornell Green said when Kiffin entered one meeting, a few linemen wore surgical masks to keep Kiffin's germs away.

On Kiffin's second day back, he was more animated than on the first.

"Getting out here is a little bit of therapy," Kiffin said. "You get a little bit of energy just being out here with the guys. Then you go back in and come down a little bit."

By Kiffin's second day back, he was serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Raiders rookie show for the veterans.

--Undrafted free-agent C Jesse Boone had his initial tryout to make the Raiders training-camp roster at 11:15 p.m., illuminated by the headlights of five cars. He sat in a hotel room with another lineman before getting the call to come to the field.

Since it took the portable lights at least 30 minutes to warm up, the support staff lined up cars instead.

"They took us right here on the grass; we went through a full workout," Boone said. "The offensive line coach came out, they had trainers holding the bags as we went through bag drills. It was a lot of fun. You've got maybe 25 or 30 players and coaches watching. It was like the movie, "Invincible." "

--RB Michael Bush, who missed his senior season with a broken leg at Louisville, remained on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list and there was speculation he could end up on injured reserve for the season. Kiffin said that decision has not been made.

"If you're out here, and you see the stuff they put me through, you'd think, 'Why is he not out there (with his teammates)?' " Bush said. "But I feel good, every day."

Bush's right leg is disfigured at the point of the break, but he said it is actually stronger than the left because of the insertion of a titanium rod.

Bush isn't considering injured reserve, even if the Raiders may be.

"I'm not even thinking about it," Bush said.

--FB Justin Griffith, who left the Atlanta Falcons as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Raiders, has watched the Michael Vick drama unfold from afar.

"I was surprised about the whole thing," Griffith said of Vick's alleged involvement in a dog-fighting ring. "I didn't think this would ever happen to him because of the guy I knew he was. It's a shock to most people. ... I know it's a shock to the owner and coach in Atlanta."

When asked if his opinion of Vick has changed, Griffith said, "Mike Vick is still the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons in my eyes and he's still a good guy to me. We all make mistakes. I think you need to move on from them. Choose your friends better, then move on."

--After earlier maintaining contact with No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell on the phone, Kiffin said he has not spoken with Russell within the last week as the contract dispute continues.

"I've got to get this team ready to face Detroit (in Week 1)," Kiffin said. "To take time worrying about JaMarcus is not helping this team right now. If he gets here, when he gets here, we'll do everything we can. Right now we've got to get ready to win as if he's not going to be here."

QUOTE TO NOTE

"There's track speed, the guy running a 40 who runs track, that I could care less about. I want to see football speed. He had it in college, he showed it on film and in the game. He has football speed. He puts cleats on and pads on and has to change direction and the ball is in his hand, he's really fast." -- Lane Kiffin on wide receiver/kick-return specialist Johnnie Lee Higgins, a third-round draft pick from Texas-El Paso.

[Angry Pope]

Aug 20, 2007

First team's blocks first rate

Offensive line's starters haven't given up a sack in 3½ exhibition quarters

Phil Barber

For most of the last year, the Raiders' offensive linemen constantly heard how horrible they were, from fans and writers from coast to coast. Now they may have to deal with the psychology of a different message: These guys are looking pretty good.

Granted, the first-team line has played less than a full game of exhibition action, staying on the field into the second quarter against Arizona on Aug. 11 and playing nearly all of the first half against the 49ers on Saturday. But the starters haven't yielded a single sack yet. And anyone who witnessed even portions of last year's dam break knows how amazing a sackless 3½ quarters are.

"They are doing things right, and they are playing very consistent, which shows up in the stats as far as sacks and quarterbacks getting hit," coach Lane Kiffin said on a Sunday conference call. "Our quarterbacks are staying pretty clean in pass protection and our backs are not having a lot of negative runs. So there are some things we've done up front."

Andrew Walter, who started against the Niners and stayed upright while hitting 9-of-16 passes for 78 yards, had a more direct assessment of his linemen.

"I went up and thanked every one of them," Walter said. "I thought they did a tremendous job."

And as Kiffin alluded, it wasn't just the pass protection. The Raiders' running backs -- primarily Dominic Rhodes early in the Arizona game and LaMont Jordan in the first half of the San Francisco game -- have found some encouraging holes to blast through.

The Raiders have two new starters, right guard Cooper Carlisle and right tackle Cornell Green -- both of them free-agent acquisitions. They also have a new center, Jeremy Newberry, who has gotten mostly second-team repetitions but is battling Jake Grove for the starting job. Left tackle Barry Sims and left guard Robert Gallery both were at different positions last year.
But it isn't the personnel or the positions that will determine the fate of the Raiders' offensive line this season. It's the zone-blocking scheme that new offensive line coach Tom Cable brought with him from Atlanta. So far, it's a system that seems to be repairing the damaged self-esteem of the Raiders' linemen.

"When you go out there and you do what those guys did (Saturday) night, of course you're gonna gain confidence," Jordan said. "They controlled the offensive line."

"When you know exactly what's required of you and what you have to go do, sure, a player's gonna be more sure of himself," Walter said. "But I've said all along, they're virtually the same group we had last year, and I thought they were great last year. Just put in tough situations. I think they're money."
The line also is being helped by a new overall offensive plan. As opposed to last year's scheme, which was primarily designed by since-fired coordinator Tom Walsh, Kiffin's system takes pressure off the men up front with quick passes, including short dumps to running backs and tight ends. Kiffin also has shown a willingness to run the ball thus far.

"I think for the first time since I've been here, we've had some play-calling that kind of stuck with the run game," said Jordan, who had 86 yards from scrimmage Saturday.

And the linemen aren't the only beneficiaries. Last year's breakdown could also be blamed on the backs and tight ends who failed to get the job done blocking, especially in blitz pickup. Lately, those players have been doing better, too. Jordan got a lot of his yardage bouncing outside, where he found the edge sealed by a tight end or wide receiver. And the backs, led by newcomers Rhodes and fullback Justin Griffith, look solid in pass protection.
For Kiffin, though, the big difference is communication among blockers.
"As you watch now for two games, you don't see people running free," he said. "And we're throwing the ball a good amount. We're talking about 75 passes in two games, and that's the whole thing: Up front, are we communicating with our backs and tight ends? It's the same thing when I got here. We said, 'Seventy-two sacks. Is it the offensive line?' No, it's everybody. It's the system."

Not to make too much of two meaningless games, but so far, the system is a go.

EXTRA POINTS

The Raiders resume their exhibition-season work in Alameda today.
S Hiram Eugene injured his hand against the 49ers. Kiffin said Eugene will see a specialist for further tests.

Kiffin said he is not ready to name a starting quarterback, either for this Friday's game against St. Louis or for the regular season.

[Angry Pope]

Culpepper shows he can still do it


Jason Jones

Monday, August 20, 2007

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin hasn't figured out who his starting quarterback will be.

Daunte Culpepper is to blame for that.

Culpepper signed with the Raiders on July 31 and spent time catching up on the playbook.

Saturday night against the 49ers, Culpepper completed 6 of 8 passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the 26-21 loss at San Francisco's Monster Park. Kiffin likes Culpepper's competitive nature in the battle with Andrew Walter and Josh McCown for the starting job.

Kiffin said if not for Culpepper, he might have settled on a starter already.

"Daunte brought a different variable because we didn't have him the whole time," Kiffin said Sunday on a conference call with local media.

But not all has gone perfectly for Culpepper. He has fumbled three snaps in two games working with center Jeremy Newberry. Kiffin said it's something that will be ironed out.

"It's him getting used to the snap count with our center," Kiffin said. "Anytime you're talking about a snap count, there's only a half-second difference."

Kiffin hasn't decided if Culpepper will start Friday against St. Louis. McCown and Walter started the first two games.

No excuses -- Kiffin wasn't happy to see more dropped passes in the second exhibition game.

Travis Taylor dropped a pass that would have given the Raiders a first down in the first quarter.

The worst was Alvis Whitted dropped a pass in the end zone that would have won the game. Whitted had caught a 38-yard pass from McCown to put the Raiders at the 49ers' 32, but the drop stands out.

Whitted appeared to be tripped on the play, but Kiffin offered no justification for the drop.

"I saw a ball hit him in the hands and he dropped it," Kiffin said.

Injury report -- Kiffin said the only serious injury from Saturday night was safety Hiram Eugene, who hurt his hand and would undergo further tests.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders' No. 1 QB job still up for grabs

David White

Monday, August 20, 2007


There's nothing unusual about having two quarterbacks competing for a starting job. After all, such are the competitions that make football in August almost meaningful.

But, Oakland's current three-for-all is a new one on rookie head coach Lane Kiffin. Training camp is over, the exhibition season is half through, and he still can't pick a starting quarterback with the Sept. 9 season opener but three Sundays away.

"Yeah, I think it definitely is (unusual)," Kiffin said in a Sunday teleconference. "We'd love to have (a starter) right now, but we don't."

What Kiffin has is three quarterbacks - Andrew Walter, Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper - who do just enough wrong to blemish the right. No one is winning the job, and no one is eliminating himself from consideration.

Walter started Saturday's 26-21 loss to the 49ers. He looked miserable with a fumbled snap, fumbled exchange and forced interception, but rallied for a 17-play touchdown drive.

McCown was unproductive in his exhibition start against Arizona, but galvanized the third-team Raiders to the brink of victory in San Francisco.

As for Culpepper, the three-time Pro Bowler looks wonderful on sheer talent alone, but he still hasn't mastered the playbook - remember, he didn't join the team until July 31.

Kiffin blamed Culpepper's three fumbled snaps on unfamiliarity with the center, and can't find enough ways to praise him.

"Daunte has done a great job and really is performing well," Kiffin said. "He couldn't be more serious about winning this job."

Blame unsigned No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell for this quandary.

His holdout (25 days and counting) is what inspired the Raiders to sign Culpepper so late, a move that threw the quarterback derby into slow motion while Culpepper crammed on new plays and terminology.

"Daunte brought a different variable because we didn't have him the whole time," Kiffin said. "Whether Daunte was here early ... or whether Daunte didn't come in, we may have figured it out by now. He's a variable that the timeframe's changed each week."

Kiffin won't commit to a starter for Friday's home game against the St. Louis Rams, but don't be surprised if Culpepper gets his first crack with the first team.

Kiffin is open to waiting until after the final exhibition game to make a decision, but he will not let the competition extend into the regular season.

"Whenever I'm called, I'll be ready to play," Culpepper said Saturday.

If Russell ever signs, that will open up a whole new competition: The two current quarterbacks who don't start will be left fighting for a roster spot, because teams don't carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

More competition: Kiffin said Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry are still "battling" for the starting center job.

Grove is the incumbent starter. Newberry is a 10th-year veteran with Pro Bowl experience as a longtime 49er. Newberry played one drive with the first-team offensive line Saturday, and ended up with three quarters of playing time.

"It's a great competition to have right now," Kiffin said.

Upon further review: Raiders fans complained that receiver Alvis Whitted was tripped and interfered with before he dropped an end-zone pass with five seconds left in the game.

Kiffin wasn't making any excuses, in part because the ball was still catchable especially when Whitted got off the ground.

"Um, I saw a ball hit him in the hands and drop it," Kiffin said.

Briefly: Backup kicker Tyler Fredrickson was on the field for a fourth-quarter field-goal attempt because Sebastian Janikowski had already been iced down, Kiffin said. Fredrickson missed a 40-yard try. ... Safety Hiram Eugene injured his hand and will get more tests.

[Angry Pope]

Culpepper shows he can still cut it

Steve Corkran

08/20/2007


Quarterback Daunte Culpepper will start the Raiders next preseason game, Friday against the Rams. (Associated Press)Raiders coach Lane Kiffin knew the play was coming. He didn't know when, just that it would come at some point in a regular-season game. When it did, Kiffin wanted to make sure that quarterback Daunte Culpepper's surgically repaired right knee would hold up.
So it was that Kiffin put Culpepper in just such a situation during a workout July 31 in which Culpepper was asked to make a sharp cut in the open field and change direction as if he were eluding a defender.

Culpepper passed the test, received a one-year contract and set out to show people that he is closer to the player who shined during a seven-year run with the Minnesota Vikings than the player who struggled during a failed four-game stint with the Miami Dolphins last season.Sure enough, Culpepper found himself in just such a situation on a third-quarter drive against the 49ers on Saturday night, just as Kiffin envisioned. Culpepper scrambled out of the pocket, turned upfield, made a defender miss and turned a short run into a 13-yard gain and a first down.

"We don't need him to be a big-time scrambler," Kiffin said. "But what's going to happen when there's one guy there, and he's got to put his foot in the ground, and he's got to go back (the other) way. That's what he showed us that workout day before we signed him, and it was great to see it out here on the field, as well."

Culpepper also did a pretty fine job throwing the ball against the 49ers. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns for a second straight impressive showing.

Kiffin on Sunday night stopped short of saying Culpepper is the starter for Friday night's exhibition game against the St. Louis Rams. However, he admitted that Culpepper's late arrival to the equation has forced him to drag out the search for a starter.

"Daunte has done a great job and really is performing well," Kiffin said. "It is great to see him out on the field in a game-day environment. He couldn't be more serious about winning this job."

Culpepper said he's never been in a situation in which there are three quarterbacks vying for the starting spot so late in the process.

Just the same, he said, he doesn't mind the uncertainty.

"It's good," Culpepper said after the 49ers game. "We're helping each other, and it brings out the best in competition. ... I'm just grateful for the opportunity."

Quarterback isn't the only position unresolved with less than three weeks before the regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions.

Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry each received time with the first-team offense against the 49ers.

Grove hurt his cause by unleashing a laser-like snap that sailed through the hands of quarterback Andrew Walter — Kiffin included Walter in on the blame — on a third-down play that lost 20 yards and forced the Raiders to punt. He also was

penalized twice on one drive.

Newberry replaced Grove and played well enough to keep alive his chances of unseating Grove in the starting lineup.

"They're battling," Kiffin said. "It's a great competition to have right now."

Strong safety Michael Huff struggled in pass coverage against the 49ers and is at risk of losing playing time to veteran Donovin Darius.

"Michael has a ways to go," Kiffin said, "and Michael needs to improve. For us to continue to improve on defense, we need more plays out of Michael. He needs to be more of a playmaker in our defense."

Huff was beaten for a 19-yard touchdown late in the first quarter by tight end Delanie Walker. That's cause for concern for a player who would be asked to cover the likes of San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales twice each during the regular season.


NOTES: The Raiders assemble in Alameda today for the first practice at their year-round facility since training camp started July 26. They are scheduled to practice once a day every day until the regular-season opener, with the exception of the days after their final two exhibition games. ... Safety Hiram Eugene sustained a hand injury against the 49ers. Kiffin said the injury appears "serious" after the initial tests. However, Eugene is scheduled for more tests in the coming days. Grove (back) and cornerback Fabian Washington (wind knocked out) are "OK," Kiffin said, on the heels of injuries sustained against the 49ers.

[Angry Pope]

Mike Tanier...


Daunte Culpepper vs. Andrew Walter

Raiders quarterbacks fumble a lot. They fumble snaps. They fumble handoffs. So maybe JaMarcus Russell isn't really holding out. Maybe he just keeps fumbling the pen before he signs his contract.

Andrew Walter got the start against the Niners and fumbled in his first series. He later fumbled a handoff to LaMont Jordan deep in Raiders territory. He also threw an interception on a deep pass to Travis Taylor. That being said, his performance wasn't all bad; Walter distributed the ball nicely on one long scoring drive, completing passes to Taylor, Jordan, Ronald Curry, and Zach Miller to set up a short touchdown run by Jordan.

Culpepper took over in the second quarter and — you guessed it — fumbled on his first play. He fell on the loose ball, then directed a touchdown drive that ended with a 12-yard catch-and-run by Zach Crockett. He repeated the trick in the third quarter, dropping the ball but recovering early in the drive, then leading a long march down the field. Culpepper looked sharper than he did last week, but he still bears little resemblance to the 2004 Culpepper. Josh McCown carried the mop in the fourth quarter.

Walter didn't do enough on Saturday to hold off Culpepper. With Russell clearly out of the 2007 picture, the smart money is on Culpepper getting the starting nod before Labor Day.

Odds: Culpepper, 2-to-1; Walter 7-to-2, Josh McCown 12-to-1.

[jatfly]

Free Michael Huff... for he should be a free safety!


Yeah ur right, then that way that piece of trash Stu can ride the bench.:rolleyes:
Did you see the horrible coverage and tackling that he had this weekend and he allowed that one TD. Wait maybe I got the numbers 24 and 30 confused.....OH YEAH THAT WAS HUFF NOT STU.....

This isn't a huge knock on Huff but it looked like he was totally out of it this weekend. He needs to play better.......

[SoCalRaider]

I don't see Crockett making the team for the reasons you gave.

Here's one out of left field for ya, bro




Although he seemed like a virtual lock for the Raiders’ starting FB job after looking great in blocking drills, former Falcon Justin Griffith is watching Zack Crockett run with the first team.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2007/whispers2208.htm


:confused:

[Angry Pope]

Thanks SoCal...that kind of confuses me too.

[Jack's sore libido]

Perhaps Griffith is hurt?

Perhaps this is a nod to Crockett's veteran leadership?

I can't imagine that lasts long.

[R4Life]

Griffin could be getting the Burgess treatment, but that seems a bit unlikely with him being a firstie.

[hawaiianboy]

Seems like that particular whisper is a little dated because Griffith started vs SF and looked every bit like one of the leagues best FB's to me...

[Angry Pope]

I haven't read anything about Griffith being injured...the articles are usually pretty thorough with the bump and bruises... but they could have missed something.

For me, the veteran leadership is kind of trumped by the news that Griffith has looked good in blocking skills and that O'Neal was knocking the defensive players on their backside...but I don't know for sure.

EDIT: I was typing as you posted that HB....makes sense.

[Madturk]

Isn't Crockett due nearly 2 mill this season? I'm sure Griffith will be the guy when all is said and done. Too much familiarity with Cable and Knapp. I can see maybe a cut/re-sign scenario with Crockett with O'Neal going to the PS.

[Angry Pope]

I would rather keep O'Neal than re-sign Crockett. My feeling is that if some of these teams read our reports from the articles...O'Neal might not make it to our practice squad...but I don't know for sure.

[Jack's sore libido]

That makes more sense, HB

[Madturk]

I would rather keep O'Neal than re-sign Crockett. My feeling is that if some of these teams read our reports from the articles...O'Neal might not make it to our practice squad...but I don't know for sure.

I agree, would hate to lose O'Neal to another team especially a hated rival. The guys been knocking the snot out of people in pre-season. I think if he learns to catch the ball, he's probably on the inside looking out. He'd be worth a roster spot over, let's say, an Alvis Whitted:eek:

[Stanny]

Raiders should get on the horn and call up old Bruce Allen and Chucky....see if they can trade Crockett to the Bucs....He knows that offense, they have no Alstott and could use him...See if we can get the 5th round pick back for Warren.

[R4Life]

Anyone found a torrent or nzb of the 49er game?

[Madturk]

Had a chance to watch the replay on NFLN this afternoon.

The OL looks nothing like the line we had out there last year. Guys are picking up their assignments and the pass blocking was phenomenal, albeit with SF's #1 DL out. The lone black mark was Jake Grove's play. He certainly didn't play like a guy who is battling for the starting center gig.

If we get that kind of production out of LJ, it's going to make for a competitive season. He really did a good job of waiting for his blocks to develop and cutting back through the holes.

Walter has got to learn to throw the ball away when he doesn't have anything. That's his achilles heal. When given time to throw, he's probably as effective as anyone we have.

The mental mistakes were eerily reminiscent of last season, fumbled snaps, key drops. We won't win many games spotting teams 13 points.

I thought Sam Williams was our best defensive player in the game. A really good push from the interior of the line too, although our pass rush was non existent at times. I just hope it's RR vanilla coating our schemes. Burgess already looks to be in mid season form. Really would like to see more blitzing from our backers. Huff looked awful out there. He better learn to wrap up because there just happens to be several decent TE's in our division. I'm still not entirely sold on our run defense. We'll get a good test Fri night against Steven Jackson.

Really didn't see much from the ST's. I'd trade Nedney straight up for Jano right now. To think we had him at one point.

In Whitted's defense, he was interfered in the end zone but probably should have come up with the catch anyway.