Raiders/Rams Post Game Comments

[CrossBones]

Postgame wrap

Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Saturday at 1:18 am
News and notes from Friday night's 20-10 win by the Raiders over the St. Louis Rams:

– After watching both Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown play well, coach Lane Kiffin said regarding the starting quarterback, "We might have answer for you tomrorw or we might go into this next game (in Seattle) without an answer."

– Culpepper actually underthrew a couple of deep passes, but he didn't turn the ball over and again showed the ability to run for first downs. His 19-yard scoring pass to Ronald Curry came on a throw over the middle in which Curry made Tye Hill miss and then ran through a vacated middle for the score.

Culpepper did not fumble the ball and has not thrown an interception in the preseason.

– McCown actually had better stats, going 6-for-9 for 138 yards, with 49 of those coming on a beautifully executed screen to LaMont Jordan, who later scored a touchdown from a yard out.

Left tackle Barry Sims said one of the St. Louis players said, "Hey look, it's Rich Gannon" in reference to McCown's mobility.

"He did kind of look like Rich Gannon out there," Sims said.

McCown's best two passing plays were back-to-back strikes of 18 and 19 yards to John Madsen, the first on a bootleg rollout and the second when Madsen made a nice snag of a low throw.

McCown, who did lose a fumble, sometimes seems to throw better on the run than he does from the pocket.

– Andrew Walter completed 2 of 5 passes for 19 yards and was in the game when the Raiders were mostly trying to kill the clock.

– Jordan lost a fumble at the goal line when he tried to extend the ball, with St. Louis recovering in the end zone for a touchback.

"Fumbling the ball is one thing, but when you fumble going into score, that's unacceptable," Jordan said.

– After Rams quartergback Marc Bulger hit Isaac Bruce for a 40-yard gain over Fabian Washington on the first play from scrimmage, the Raiders forced him into shaky 8-for-19 passing performance.

"I'm very excited about the way our defense played today," Kiffin said. "We wanted to establish a personality so when people came to (play) the Raiders, they knew what they were getting into."

– Cornerback Chris Johnson, Kiffin said, made the "play of the game" when he forced a fumble from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after a big gain that was fumbled through the end zone for a touchback when the Rams could have tightened the game.

It helped atone for a Johnson hold which erased what would have been a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown by Johnnie Lee Higgins.

– Kiffin was generally unimpressed by Oakland's offensive performance, even if the play of that unit remains encouraging when compared to how the Raiders played last season.

He cited two turnovers and four sacks and Jordan's meager 2.3 yards per carry average (18 carries, 41 yards) as an indication the play up front needed to be better.

– Adimchinobe Echemandu, again playing with the third string, carried 14 times for 60 yards but also dropped a pass over the middle. He twice converted runs on fourth down. Jordan also twice ran for first downs on fourth-and-1.

– The Raiders took the ball for the last time with 8:20 remaining and ran out the clock at the St. Louis 13-yard-line. Oakland finished with a 36:27 to 23:33 advantage in time of possession.

– Linebacker Ricky Brown had four tackles and couldn't quite hold what would have been an acrobatic, juggling interception.

– Linebacker Robert Thomas left the game with a knee injury of undetermined severity.

[Jack's sore libido]

My observations ...

-- I don't know if Kiffin is just doing this because it's preseason or if it's a sign of things to come, but I like all the fourth-and-1 tries. I think it sends a positive message of confidence to your offense. Naturally, I'd prefer field goals to fourth-and-1 runs when we're in scoring position, but I'm sick of punting on fourth-and-1 from the opponent's 45, only to see a touchback.

-- John Madsen looks like the truth. That's at least 2 or 3 very impressive catches he's made. I think the 2-TE set could be very effective for the Raiders.

-- Mike Williams really doesn't ever get any separation

-- It might be scary sometimes, but it's also nice to see Culpepper have the confidence to throw into coverage, and the arm to pull it off. He had great throws to Williams, Higgins and Porter, all into tight coverage, but all of which hit the receivers in the hands.

-- Chris Carr shouldn't have stutter-stepped. I think he had that guy beat, but just didn't know it.

-- I don't recall seeing Justin Griffith out there at all, though the game book says he did play. Then again, it says Jeff Otis did not play, when he very clearly came in to handoff to Adimchinobe Wan Kenobi.

-- Kiffin needs a new spotter for those red hankies. He's made some pretty bad challenges these three games. I don't mind the one last night, though I thought there was no way they'd have evidence to turn it over.

-- I don't remember the last time I saw a game where FIVE defensive pass interference calls were made. And I don't remember the last time I saw offensive pass interference called on a screen pass.

[BigTron]

My observations ...

-- I don't know if Kiffin is just doing this because it's preseason or if it's a sign of things to come, but I like all the fourth-and-1 tries. I think it sends a positive message of confidence to your offense. Naturally, I'd prefer field goals to fourth-and-1 runs when we're in scoring position, but I'm sick of punting on fourth-and-1 from the opponent's 45, only to see a touchback.

-- John Madsen looks like the truth. That's at least 2 or 3 very impressive catches he's made. I think the 2-TE set could be very effective for the Raiders.

-- Mike Williams really doesn't ever get any separation

-- It might be scary sometimes, but it's also nice to see Culpepper have the confidence to throw into coverage, and the arm to pull it off. He had great throws to Williams, Higgins and Porter, all into tight coverage, but all of which hit the receivers in the hands.

-- Chris Carr shouldn't have stutter-stepped. I think he had that guy beat, but just didn't know it.

-- I don't recall seeing Justin Griffith out there at all, though the game book says he did play. Then again, it says Jeff Otis did not play, when he very clearly came in to handoff to Adimchinobe Wan Kenobi.

-- Kiffin needs a new spotter for those red hankies. He's made some pretty bad challenges these three games. I don't mind the one last night, though I thought there was no way they'd have evidence to turn it over.

-- I don't remember the last time I saw a game where FIVE defensive pass interference calls were made. And I don't remember the last time I saw offensive pass interference called on a screen pass.

Im glad to hear Madsen is looking good. Is he going to be a good deep threat at TE with Zach being our first down everything bagel TE. Hopefully Mike Williams will be able to still be effective in the redzone even tho he doesnt get much space. I think he can post up and block out smaller DB's creating a good match-up. I have no problems with a Keyshawn type of big guy possesion reciever BUT HE HAS TO CATCH THE BALL or he is worthless. I still have him as my 5th WR right now.

1. Curry
2. Porter
3. J.L.Higgins



4. T.Taylor
5. Mike Williams
6. D.Gabreil

[Madturk]

I'm feeling a lot better about this team then I was last year at this time. Our offense struggled in pre-season last year and that was obviously a harbinger of bad things to come. I don't put a lot of stock in wins vs losses in pre-season but you certainly can notice some trends that carry over into the regular season.

The OL continues to impress. It's clearly evident that Newberry should get the starting gig. I pray to hell that he can stay healthy.

I like the balance on offense, and thus far, we've been able to establish a running game although the low YPC avg. concerns me.

Just when I'm ready to write McCown off, he bounces right back.

We can't afford to keep leaving points on the field. 10 points by my estimation. LJ's fumble and Jano's miss. Am I the only one that's concerned with Jano's inconsistent kicking? He killed us last year.

I don't think we've really seen how good this defense can play yet. 3rd and long is going to be a nightmare for opposing teams. I would like to see more blitzing from RR though. The seconds and thirds got no pressure whatsoever on the QB.

Jack, I think the defender had the angle on Carr after seeing the replay. I was thinking the same thing. Man Carr is electrifying, no more talk about cutting him please.:nono:

[hawaiianboy]

A lot of positives as has been mentioned:

I love the design of this offense and I think we've only seen glimpes of what it'll look like... We're working underneath then throwing over the top when the back 7 starts cheating up... Something a lot of us were begging to do when Gru was here... Mostly I like how Kiff is dictating to the defenses and creating mismatches... From making a LB run 30+ yards to cover Zach Miller on a post the first play, to making a corner make open field tackles on those quick WR screens, to matching up smaller defenders on Madsen and BMW working across the backside, to getting the ball to the RB's in the passing game, to freezing DE's and OLB's by rolling the QB, I love it... Add that to the general confidence level and chemistry the team obviously has, and I'm thinking I want to have one of those Tony Gonzo "committment ceremonies" with Kiff...

Johnnie Lee Higgins
Damn this guy is fast, not just straight line fast, but quick fast... Since most of you probably were on a gymnastic team at some time of your life, I'm sure have a greater appreciation of that flying, springing flip he did after returning that punt for a TD than I do, but damn... Hopefully someone youtubes it... I have a feeling 'JaMarcus goes deep to Higgins' will be said often in the coming years... We've finally given Al a fast WR that he can coddle that can actually play some ball... Higgins actually appears to be what everyone was hoping the Rocket would be...

Speaking of rookies, Richardson and Moses had impressive games... Looks like Millard has worked with Moses on setting up the outside and working back in because he came free inside a few times... As for Richardson, I'm very impressed with the way he reads the flow of the play and then seperates from the blocker.... He's a DE now, but I think he'll grow into being a high motor DT... All in all, the D-line just kicked the Rams ass... Burgess and Sapp are going to give teams fits...


The O-line

All in all I'm very pleased with the night and day difference between this year and last year... They're protecting well, they're playing with a good base and balance after looking like weebles last year and for the most part they're creating the creases and cutback lanes called for in the running scheme... That said I am a little concerned about our short yard power blocking... We may have to get creative in 3rd and short and goal line situations because the drive blocking is a bit lacking at this point...


Biggest worry

I'm worried about the 3rd and 4th cornerback spots... We're going to be seeing 3 and 4 wide against Detroit and we've been running the likes of Chris Johnson out there... He made a nice play on that fumble, but he is just not impressive in coverage.... Carr is a servicable dime corner, but we may have to have Huff playing the 3rd corner in passing situations unless Routt comes back healthy and effective... I'd be watching for a vet that can play man coverage when cut day comes around... BTW, I thought Huff rebounded nicely from a lackluster Niner performance...

Hate to be him when the team watches film

Fabs, dude I love you, but you're going to get seriously ragged on when the team sees the LEONARD LEAP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyskDnn83ks).... Sapp is going to have a field day with you for doing exactly what we dog Schweig for doing.... :pound:

[S and B Executioner]

Anyone who talks about cutting Carr needs to have raider Nation Membership card revoked!!

[R4Life]

Since most of you probably were on a gymnastic team at some time of your life...

I almost got on the entire gymanstic team, but never at the same time.

[Jack's sore libido]

Biggest worry

I'm worried about the 3rd and 4th cornerback spots... We're going to be seeing 3 and 4 wide against Detroit and we've been running the likes of Chris Johnson out there... He made a nice play on that fumble, but he is just not impressive in coverage.... Carr is a servicable dime corner, but we may have to have Huff playing the 3rd corner in passing situations unless Routt comes back healthy and effective... I'd be watching for a vet that can play man coverage when cut day comes around... BTW, I thought Huff rebounded nicely from a lackluster Niner performance...

I imagine the dime package would include at least 3 safeties. Huff should be expected to play some cornerback if Darius is in the fold.

[Jack's sore libido]

Jack, I think the defender had the angle on Carr after seeing the replay.

Funny, because when I watched it live, I thought the defender had the angle, too. But when I watched the replay, I thought Carr outran the angle, but lost the advantage on the stutter step.

Anyway, I'm back in Carr's corner for now, especially with Routt having missed so much time.

[YodasBeast]

RE: Leonard Leap: This is part of the reason why I was hoping to take this guy in the second round. He's just got some insane athletic ability to go with great football skills. The sad thing is that he's probably not going to see the field as much as he should, since he's behind Stephen Jackson.

Now, I just gotta watch the game today.

[Jack's sore libido]

I wanted Leonard in the third round, because I thought the first two rounds needed to be used on players at other positions.

I can't complain at all about the first three rounds of our draft. Looks like we got five players who will start for us within a year or two.

[Madturk]

I may have been a bit hasty in my remark about our DL. The seconds were applying decent pressure prior to the half. Didn't see the first half until today:shakehead:

Chris Johnson seems to live and die by the big play. Fabian wasn't much better last night.

[Byron2112]

It may be becasue our QB play and scheme has been absolutely horrible, but Culpepper actually looks like he can be a good QB for us in this offense.

The best part of this game is when they showed the O-line on the sidelines in 4th quarter and they were actually laughing and joking around... they looked really close and confident.

Like a real team that believed in what they were doing, and wasn't getting the piss beat out a them :eek:

[Rupert]

Odd observations?

Chris Carr had that guy beaten. The guy had the angle but was sucking wind. Watch the replay and you'll see his head come up and his stride falter. He was gassed. Carr couldn't see it, so he tried to make him miss. Too bad, he could have run away from him.

Chris Johnson might have a future as a corner, odd as that seems. I think he's trying too hard to impress someone. It looks like he's thinking too much out there. He might be a little intimidated. All that said, he does NOT have much of a present as a corner. I don't think he's eligible for the P-squad, so...

Higgins could be the next Cliff Branch. Al Davis is probably in heaven watching him play. Fast and quick. He's got very good hands and great concentration. Williams? Porter? Morant? Taylor? They don't have the hands or concentration. Upside to Higgins. Dude even looks capable of developing into a very good route runner.

I think we're pretty stacked on the DL. Hawthorne and Brayton looked decent against the Rams' 1's. Of course it was the Rams' 1's so...

Warren came out of the chute a bit sluggish, but when he warmed up he was tossing guys around. Of course it was the Rams' 3's, so...

I don't sweat the OL missing a play here and there. That stuff happens, and these guys just started playing together as a unit, so...

What does concern me about our OL is our goalline/short yardage blocking. We really don't get any kind of push there, so...

Does it surprise anyone that our running lanes looked congested when Crockett was in there? Griffith still lays the law on blocks, so...

McCown finally turned in a good performance at QB. Walter was getting pissed at his receivers (Morant twice) for dropping balls right on their hands. Nothing as telling from a not-so-demonstrative guy as the way he unfastens his chin strap. Hmm...

[YodasBeast]

Funny, I thought Davis was watching him play from the owners box....

[Langlier]

- our 3rd string O is a QB, O'Neil and Echemandu
- Our 3rd string OL isnt bad
- good STs all around (no lechler... at all)
- Chris Johnson... how many ways can I tell you that you suck
- Cornell Green - you are the weakest link on our first string OL
- BJ Ward you have claimed Backup S
- John Bowie and Chris Carr are CBs 4 and 5
- lots of good in this game... just a shining star

Surprise Cuts?
- Crockett
- Whitted (finally)
- keeping only 5 LBs (Ekijuba is #5)

this team is looking good. very good

love me some higgins

[Rupert]

Langlier and anyone else: Do you notice how quickly Cornell Green gets off the snap? Every time I see him move I think it's a false start. He beats everyone to the punch. Everyone. He's in his pass set while the other guys are still going backwards. He's lighting off the ball or he's cheating. If he's cheating we're going to see the laundry during the season. I don't remember him getting one yet, so he's probably getting off clean.

[Raidermania12]

Cornell green looks like a lock to start at RT. Odd, but thats how it looks to me. Not because he's so great, but because I've seen nothing or no one stand out enough to remove him.

[Rupert]

- There's a lot of Andrew Walter ballwashing on the thread...
If you wanna have straight puts you gotta have clean balls.

[Langlier]

Langlier and anyone else: Do you notice how quickly Cornell Green gets off the snap? Every time I see him move I think it's a false start. He beats everyone to the punch. Everyone. He's in his pass set while the other guys are still going backwards. He's lighting off the ball or he's cheating. If he's cheating we're going to see the laundry during the season. I don't remember him getting one yet, so he's probably getting off clean.

I agree that sometimes hes lightning off the snap. Its why hes such a monster as a run blocker. He's into the guy before the guy has his hand off the ground. I think he's cheating just a slight bit but he does it with all the QBs and Centers so I think he just has great perception.

[Langlier]

Biggest no show - Fluff. Andy McCollum just stonewalled him at the point. Every time. Brayton could at least put a move on him. It seems as if when fluff meets a guy who has equal or better power he disappears. Something to note.

[Rupert]

Biggest no show - Fluff. Andy McCollum just stonewalled him at the point. Every time. Brayton could at least put a move on him. It seems as if when fluff meets a guy who has equal or better power he disappears. Something to note.

Fluff? Who's that?

[Langlier]

Fluff? Who's that?

'Taj Hawthorne

[Rupert]

Biggest no show - Fluff. Andy McCollum just stonewalled him at the point. Every time. Brayton could at least put a move on him. It seems as if when fluff meets a guy who has equal or better power he disappears. Something to note.
But what explains him moving doubleteams into the backfield? Or anchoring them? I guess two guys don't have equal or better power than one guy. When it's the 2's and 3's, that's probably right. However, the same things could have been said of Terdell Sands when he got here, so I don't think Hawthorne is worthless.

[007]

Rewatched the game again last night:

My observations...

*Jerry Porter dropped a few catchable balls. (One right down the pipe that hit him in the hands and another on right sideline) If keeps that up, Higgins will be starting by week 8.

*First team OL is just different when Newberry is in. On the 4th and 1 we got stuffed, Grove was leading the push and on the 4th and 1 where LJ picked up a handful at mid field, Newberry was in hammering guys.

* Gallery looks like he's got a home at guard.

* Terdell Sands played beastly in the middle. stuffed Leondard a couple times. So did Kirk Morrison...

* Defense was looking great out there, although I would have like to see more pressure.

All in all, its like night and day compared to last year. Both of the QB's looked decent. LJ has some burst back. Curry looked good. Good night overall...

[Langlier]

But what explains him moving doubleteams into the backfield? Or anchoring them? I guess two guys don't have equal or better power than one guy. When it's the 2's and 3's, that's probably right. However, the same things could have been said of Terdell Sands when he got here, so I don't think Hawthorne is worthless.

Hardly worthless. Just a bad game. He finally got someone who could out leverage him one on one.

[Rupert]

Hardly worthless. Just a bad game. He finally got someone who could out leverage him one on one.
One can only hope it motivates him to work harder. He could be a contender.

[Rupert]

*First team OL is just different when Newberry is in. On the 4th and 1 we got stuffed, Grove was leading the push and on the 4th and 1 where LJ picked up a handful at mid field, Newberry was in hammering guys.
Grove looked a fraction slow into his set all the time, which is a bit surprising for a center. On the plus side, he did seem to recover pretty well in pass blocking. In run blocking it took away any leverage he might have created. And it was pretty consistent.

[R4Life]

Building Blocks for Success
August 28, 2007
By Cory Sterling

There was a great deal of preparation and anticipation leading up to The Oakland Raiders third pre-season match up, which took place last Friday night at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. In terms of game planning, the week leading up to the game was as close as possible to the regular season.

If the 20-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams served as a dress rehearsal for the team before its season opener on September 9 against the Detroit Lions, then it appears as if the team is moving in the right direction. With the defense retaining its hard-hitting reputation and the offense producing a balanced attack in the air (163 yards) and on the ground (172 yards), Friday’s game proved to be an optimistic preview of what the 2007 Raiders can offer.

Serving as the anchor for the Raiders defense, third-year LB Kirk Morrison. was pleased with the quality of play and smart decisions made Friday night, but will not be satisfied until such results come to fruition in the regular season. Morrison recognizes that, “We’re getting there, for the pre-season this is okay and we’re excited about what’s in front of us right now, but we’re also ready to go ahead and turn this thing around in the regular season.” Refusing to over-analyze the success of one pre-season game, Morrison credits ‘sticking to the basics’ as the best formula for the future. “We just want to keep setting those building blocks, those foundations for us. Our job right now is just to play defense, go three and out and create turnovers, that’s our game right now” said Morrison.

Competing for the starting position with teammates Josh McCown. and Andrew Walter., QB Daunte Culpepper looked sharp and focused in his first start as a Raider. Firing on all cylinders right out of the tunnel, Culpepper attributes a quick start to a successful game plan. “We were able to go down and score some points early, there were some positive things going on early and I think everybody got a chance to do it,” said Culpepper. The former Pro Bowler has illustrated excellent mobility thus far, showing great progress and recovery from previous injuries. Culpepper affirmed, “Physically, I feel great. It feels good to get back and make some of the plays I am used to making.”

Having only joined the Raiders recently, Culpepper has been making up for lost time by quickly adapting to his new offensive surroundings. Working closely with Head Coach Lane Kiffin, Culpepper acknowledges, “From the day I got here, he (Kiffin) told me that he wanted me to learn the offense and play within the offense. I have bought into it and am part of the team and want to get better.”

The results of Friday’s Raiders victory see the team improve to 2-1 during pre-season play, as players continue to learn and practice through game experiences. Although this game was the closest fans will see to a finished Raider product, there is a still a great deal of work to be done until Week 1. In the interim, it is clear that the players will be continue working hard and focusing on their preseason goal of being fully prepared to succeed in the regular season.