Re- Cap of Cable's Sirius radio interview

[DarthRaidor]

Coach was on Sirius last night and here is some of what he said:

Coach Cable talked about the inefficiency of our offense and the remarkable play of the defense when you consider that they (defense) were on the field for over 80 plays. He stated just the discrepancy in the number of plays tells you of how ineffective the offense played. Brian McGovern asked him about JaMarcus' play and Coach Cable stated that it's puzzling when you consider that he thought that JaMarcus and the passing game had turned the corner over training camp and pre-season in their performance with its consistency and efficiency only to revert to old bad habits. He did have praise for JaMarcus' poise on the final drive, with the setbacks of the penalties, in leading the team to the game winning score. When asked if he considered pulling JaMarcus he said no, but stated that he expected JaMarcus' play to improve once Chaz, JLH and Nick Miller return. Chaz and JLH won't be playing this week, but should be ready following the Denver game. Forgive the lack of sequencing, but the reference of the receiving core followed BMcGovern's asking if we'd be looking for a veteran receiver.

I know a lot of you guys have been wondering why we've abandoned the running game and Coach Cable addressed that as well. He said that it is imperative that we become and are proficient in the passing game because we are going to need to rely on its effectiveness at some time during the season because he doesn't want to be known or type-cast as a running team only--he wants to be explosive offensively.

Regarding the offensive line, Eric Pears will move to LG while Robert Gallery is out because Coach Cable stated that he is their sixth lineman on the depth chart. He was asked about Khalif Barnes stepping in that slot or taking Cornell Green's position and Coach Cable stated that he's pleased with Cornell Green's play thus far, specifically in the running game. When asked about Cornell Green's tendency for false starts he seemed to think that it's about resolved because overall our penalties were down that game. I don't know what to think about that statement because Green did have a false start on the game winning drive, but if I recall correctly that was his only false start that game so maybe the coach is on to something.

Gil Brandt asked Coach Cable about the play of Michael Huff and the coach said that he was very pleased with his play. He went on the state that the reason he benched him last season is because in being the last line of defense that he needed a sure tackler and that Huff was struggling in that area. When he had Huff on special teams he noticed him improving in taking the proper angles and tackling and that's when he started seeing more playing time because he said Huff is the best back there in positioning players and has great range.

Finally, those of you that have started threads regarding the controversial call with Louis Murphy during the Charger game and the awarded td's for the games this past weekend on very similar plays. Gil Brandt asked the coach if he had the opportunity to see those plays and he said that he did and that they'll be getting with the league on the inconsistency regarding that call. Additionally, he stated that Louis Murphy's td was more of a td than the other calls.

Well fellas that's all I can remember; hope it satisifies the thirst.

Peace

[raider60]

Thanks for posting this--

[Postmaster]

:bow:

Awesome re-cap.

Hiram Eugene returning punts again? :shakehead:

[Madturk]

Well at least we won't have Satele back at center. Just hope that Pears is adequate during Gallery's absence.

[Limee]

Personally I don't consider one false start a game to be an acceptable resolution to the Cornell Green problem.

[Madturk]

I agree, however he's played better than anticipated and we obviously don't have a better option at this point. He'll be tested this Sunday against Elvis Dumerville though.

[Raider Outlaw]

Green actually had 2 false starts on Sunday, but he has played above average this season. Hopefully, he can keep it up, but he has to stop the pre-snap penalties. He's clearly one of Cable's guys that he's taken from scrap heap to semi-respectable player and will be given every opportunity to stay in that role.

[Madturk]

Disconcerting that we don't have anything going in the return game. Rankin has no explosion whatsoever and Eugene will be fair catching every ball. Doesn't appear that JLH will be back this week.

[DarthRaidor]

The thing I found most disturbing about this was the fact that Cable didn't seem to have much of an answer to Jamarcus's regression. He also didn't seem to think we could rely on our run game to supplement what's lacking in the pass game which means at least from the way I understand things that if our pass game doesn't get back on track soon, we're pretty much fucked.

[Diceq]

Disconcerting that we don't have anything going in the return game. Rankin has no explosion whatsoever and Eugene will be fair catching every ball. Doesn't appear that JLH will be back this week.

I agree about that...I'd like to resign Justin Miller for Bowie or put DMAC back for the KOR...

As to the punt return...JLH will be back soon.

[Diceq]

I saw this post at the bottom of Jerry Mac's column...I'm not bashing Russell but the other thread was closed. I thought the post was good

JT52 Says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
THIS IS SERIOUSLY MY FIRST JAMARCUS BASHING POST. I HAVE ALWAYS POINTED OUT NEGATIVES BUT THIS ONE SET ME OFF.

WITH 11:50 TO GO IN THE FIRST QUARTER AGAINST KC, WATCH IT IF U TIVO’d THE GAME. DHB WAS SPLIT OUT RIGHT. BALL GETS SNAPPED AND THE CB COVERING DHB FALLS DOWN AS DHB RUNS RIGHT BY HIM. RUSSELL HAS PERFECT PROTECTION FROM THE LINE AND THE SAFETY WAS 15 YARDS AWAY FROM DHB. JAMARCUS THEN THROWS THE BALL TO THE LEFT TO MURHPY WHO WAS TRIPLE COVERED FOR ONLY A 10 YARD ATTEMPT.

NOW STEVE YOUNG MENTIONED JAMRCUS WAS ONLY READING HALF THE FIELD PERHAPS BECAUSE HE IS COACHED TO DO SO, BUT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A 60 YARD TD INSTEAD OF A POSSIBLE INT.

IF THE CAMERA WAS ZOOMED OUT MORE ON GAMEDAYS I AM SURE WE WOULD SEE A LOT MORE OF THESE “POSSIBLE” TD’S THAT WE CANT SEE NORMALLY.

SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS I WAS PRETTY PISSED WHEN I SAW THE PLAY LOL

[Postmaster]

Rich Gannon did a thorough breakdown of Jamacus on Sirius this morning and he touched on everything we all talk about on here everyday.

His main emphasis was his mechanics, followed by the rookie WR's. He said he throws high because he does not step into his throws and he blamed this on not having confidence in his protection. He also said he needs to bend at the knees more and blamed this on his weight. (which I don't know I believe that).
The coaching carousel was brought up as well and how that can affect his progress.

The best part about the piece is that he believes all of Jamarcus's mechanical problems are correctable.

Also he said that Russell looks most comfortable out of the gun as opposed to under center.

[Rupert]

I think Cable's comments about the passing game are indicative that they're still working the decision making process with Russell.

We're likely to see "too much passing" until JaMarcus is comfortable making whole-field reads in live action.

I think this is part of the plan Cable is working, and that Al has signed off on.

We're probably going to be disappointed from this season in the W-L column. I think Job 1 for Cable is getting the kids up to NFL speed. Winning is one of the learning points. It doesn't look like anything Cable is doing is for short-term gains. So the only way I see Al Davis being comfortable is if there's a long-term plan in place and Cable is giving him the progress reports.

[Postmaster]

I think Cable's comments about the passing game are indicative that they're still working the decision making process with Russell.

We're likely to see "too much passing" until JaMarcus is comfortable making whole-field reads in live action.

I think this is part of the plan Cable is working, and that Al has signed off on.

We're probably going to be disappointed from this season in the W-L column. I think Job 1 for Cable is getting the kids up to NFL speed. Winning is one of the learning points. It doesn't look like anything Cable is doing is for short-term gains. So the only way I see Al Davis being comfortable is if there's a long-term plan in place and Cable is giving him the progress reports.

I am sure the defense will be thrilled if that is the case.

[Diceq]

I think that's a better plan than trying to hide the QB...He's going to get better.
Gannon is correct about theshotgun thing...and Russell took a lot of snaps that way in college...

I still think we can win 9...plenty of teams have as many problems as we do if not more...Denver is a big game but in general, most of us thought we'd be 2-1 after 3 games...so we are on course...

[Rupert]

I am sure the defense will be thrilled if that is the case.

Why? Don't you think they already know?

Seriously. It has to already be known by the players. It has to already have been broadcast in a team meeting.

What were our biggest (non-position) questions coming into the season?
1) Run Defense
2) Passing
3) Pass Rush
4) Pass Blocking

We addressed run defense by signing Ellis, drafting Shaughnessy and trading for Seymore. The results look promising.

We drafted a couple WR's and a TE. Since the WR's are starting, the results look as expected, especially considering that Russell is a guy who really needs to get comfortable with his receivers before throwing confidently. We saw that last season. When he finally got comfortable with his guys, he threw confidently.

Pass rush. Seymore and Ellis really help a lot here.

Pass blocking, uhhhh, Hendo's doing well. Morris looks about average. Gallery hasn't changed, other than to get injured. Ummmm. Yeah. It's been okay though. Nothing special. Nothing disastrous. So far.

Really, the defense has to know what's going on.

If we were to lean heavily on the rushing attack, do you think we'd have significantly fewer 3-and-out's? We'd be put into so many 3rd and long situations and ONLY have those situations to work on our passing attack. And that's not ideal for developing the passing game.

The best way for us to develop our passing attack is to do it like a balanced team, which is exactly what Cable is doing. It gives Russell and the WR's fewer critical situations to develop their abilities and more opportunities overall. It also allows Cable to call a more varied passing attack instead of constantly being in medium to long yardage.

The more we work on passing now, the sooner it will be average instead of piss poor. Once it's average we can work it toward good. Then the game plans will work well, and we'll be able to lean on the running game when we want to, and unleash the passing attack when it makes sense.

[Postmaster]

Why? Don't you think they already know?

Seriously. It has to already be known by the players. It has to already have been broadcast in a team meeting.

What were our biggest (non-position) questions coming into the season?
1) Run Defense
2) Passing
3) Pass Rush
4) Pass Blocking

We addressed run defense by signing Ellis, drafting Shaughnessy and trading for Seymore. The results look promising.

We drafted a couple WR's and a TE. Since the WR's are starting, the results look as expected, especially considering that Russell is a guy who really needs to get comfortable with his receivers before throwing confidently. We saw that last season. When he finally got comfortable with his guys, he threw confidently.

Pass rush. Seymore and Ellis really help a lot here.

Pass blocking, uhhhh, Hendo's doing well. Morris looks about average. Gallery hasn't changed, other than to get injured. Ummmm. Yeah. It's been okay though. Nothing special. Nothing disastrous. So far.

Really, the defense has to know what's going on.

If we were to lean heavily on the rushing attack, do you think we'd have significantly fewer 3-and-out's? We'd be put into so many 3rd and long situations and ONLY have those situations to work on our passing attack. And that's not ideal for developing the passing game.

The best way for us to develop our passing attack is to do it like a balanced team, which is exactly what Cable is doing. It gives Russell and the WR's fewer critical situations to develop their abilities and more opportunities overall. It also allows Cable to call a more varied passing attack instead of constantly being in medium to long yardage.

The more we work on passing now, the sooner it will be average instead of piss poor. Once it's average we can work it toward good. Then the game plans will work well, and we'll be able to lean on the running game when we want to, and unleash the passing attack when it makes sense.

Why? Because they were on the field a lot last week. I doubt they can hold up much longer if the TOP is skewed so far for the other team. 3 and outs could be the downfall of a promising defense.

That will take a toll at some point.

[DonkeyKilla]

There really isn't a running game that could make up for what our passing game was last week...
he's right too, if you play a good D you are not going to just be able to run it so they need to keep trying.

[Rupert]

Why? Because they were on the field a lot last week. I doubt they can hold up much longer if the TOP is skewed so far for the other team. 3 and outs could be the downfall of a promising defense.

That will take a toll at some point.

Right. And as I said, you have to develop the passing game under fire to get it working. Practice and 7-on-7 drills don't cut it when your problem is executing under fire.

The only way to speed up the development of the passing game is by passing in games.

You inform the defense you're doing this and they know what they could face on Sunday.

If you don't inform them: they get pissed at you and you have to calm them down, they get pissed at the offense and put more pressure on them than necessary, and they start half-stepping it on defense.

If you inform them: they try to help the offense by encouraging them (or at a minimum not discouraging them) and they can prepare mentally for the likely onslaught.

Like Cable has said, he's building a team ethic. That requires that the team knows what they are working toward.

[Postmaster]

Quick Oakland Raider practice notes
September 23, 1:38 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

The Oakland Raiders were back at work today to begin the process of preparing for the rival Denver Broncos. Here is a quick sampling of the news and notes from thus far today.

Johnnie Lee Higgins was receiving punts in practice. He let one go through his hands, but otherwise looked like he will be the one back there to return punts.

Todd Watkins looks like he is going to be the slot receiver again.

Erik Pears was seeing time as the first team left guard, whilst Chris Morris was at center.

Sebastian Janikowski said that the Chiefs game was the best game that the combination of himself and Lechler have had.

Kirk Morrison said that he had five missed tackles despite the statsheet showing that he had 13 on the game.

More to come after Cable addresses the media....

[Postmaster]

Right. And as I said, you have to develop the passing game under fire to get it working. Practice and 7-on-7 drills don't cut it when your problem is executing under fire.

The only way to speed up the development of the passing game is by passing in games.

You inform the defense you're doing this and they know what they could face on Sunday.

If you don't inform them: they get pissed at you and you have to calm them down, they get pissed at the offense and put more pressure on them than necessary, and they start half-stepping it on defense.

If you inform them: they try to help the offense by encouraging them (or at a minimum not discouraging them) and they can prepare mentally for the likely onslaught.

Like Cable has said, he's building a team ethic. That requires that the team knows what they are working toward.

I still don't think the defense is thrilled with the idea of being on the field for 45 minutes. Can I say that?

[Madturk]

I think we'll re-establish the running game this weekend.

[Postmaster]

Gannon on Russell

During his show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Gannon gave a thorough breakdown of Russell’s game as only he can. Gannon will be the color analyst Sunday in Oakland.

Among his observations:

– “I’ve talked to personnel people around the league. I’ve talked to people who have been at the games and there’s a lot of concern right now about JaMarcus Russell and his accuracy, his completion percentage. So I went back and did a study. I looked at his 21 starts, he’s completing just over 51 percent of his passes. And then this season, you look at his first two weeks, he’s completing around 35 percent of his passes. That obviously is not very good. I just think he’s missing too many opportunities and he’s holding back this offense right now.

“So what I did was I broke down every pass attempt from the first two weeks. I looked at whether he was under center or in the shotgun. I looked at the personnel on the field. I looked at whether it was a three-step drop, a five step drop, a seven-step drop, whether it was play action, whether he was rolling, and I really tried to break it down.”

– “There’s a number of things that you need to take into consideration. First and foremost, he’s had a number of different coaches, a number of different play-callers, a number of different coordinators, different QB coaches, in just his three short years in the league. That, I think, has had an impact on him, a negative impact. The second thing is the inexperience and lack of production at the wide receiver position has hurt him as well. Finally, after looking at all the film, I am convinced that all the things that he is struggling with can be corrected. So that’s a positive.”

– “A couple of things are very glaring. I think, you see a lot of times he falls away from throws. He seems to bail. I think a rush up inside bothers him. He needs to get more bend in his knees when he throws. He’s very upright and not a lot of bend in his knees. It may have something to do with his weight. He seems to be more comfortable operating out of shotgun than he does under center. He doesn’t do a very good job seeing out in front of throws and I think that comes with experience, really understanding and anticipating coverages. So that’s not something he does. When you look at the offensive game plan, the passing game, I think they’ve condensed the plan. It’s not very complicated. Fundamentally, right now, he is not very sound. His mechanics, his footwork, it’s inconsistent.”

– “He is much better, his completion percentage is much better, when he’s throwing to the tight end in that offense. Clearly, there’s a comfort level there with Zach Miller.”

– “I think sometimes he predetermines where he’s going to go with the ball. You can see that he makes up his mind very early in his drop. And the other thing is he misses a number of throws, almost a majority of his throws if you go back and look at it, they’re high which tells you that more of that weight is not on the front foot, that he’s leaning back, he’s throwing off of his back foot. These are some things that really jump out at me.”

– “Let me say this in terms of the coaching. He may have the premier (quarterbacks) coach in the National Football League when it comes to footwork, when it comes to preparing a quarterback in terms of the mechanics. Paul Hackett was my QB coach in Kansas City and was one of the big reasons why I was able to go on and have success in Oakland. He is a phenomenal coach. He coached Joe Montana. He’s coached a lot of great players in this league. I know he’s got a good coach there in Paul Hackett, his quarterbacks coach, a guy that I have the utmost respect for, and I know these are not the types of things, when I look at (Russell’s) footwork, that he’s coaching.”

Gannon from Sirius today.

[Rupert]

I still don't think the defense is thrilled with the idea of being on the field for 45 minutes. Can I say that?

Sure. But who would be? As long as they understand it's going to be a part of their near-term pain for long-term gain, they're less likely to dial it in.

[Postmaster]

Sure. But who would be? As long as they understand it's going to be a part of their near-term pain for long-term gain, they're less likely to dial it in.

Well I am hoping this is Russell's somewhat breakout game. His number vs the Donks are pretty good although their defense is entirely different than what he has faced before.

Just imagine how good the d could be with some nice long offensive drives. Seymour really stood out in the KC game as being winded. He had guys picking him up off the grass near the end.

[Rupert]

I think we'll re-establish the running game this weekend.

Hopefully.

Like anyone else, I'd like to see our game plan look more like it was designed to hit the opposition's weaknesses than simply work on ours.

For all I know it is, but with Russell struggling, it's not going to look very good any way you slice it.

[Rupert]

Well I am hoping this is Russell's somewhat breakout game. His number vs the Donks are pretty good although their defense is entirely different than what he has faced before.

Just imagine how good the d could be with some nice long offensive drives. Seymour really stood out in the KC game as being winded. He had guys picking him up off the grass near the end.

The D in general was looking winded.

Too many games like K.C. early will mean the offense HAS to be clicking later in the season because our D will be spent.

[Postmaster]

The D in general was looking winded.

Too many games like K.C. early will mean the offense HAS to be clicking later in the season because our D will be spent.

To their credit, they sealed the deal.

Huffdaddy.

[Rupert]

To their credit, they sealed the deal.

Huffdaddy.

With the game-clinching PD!

[Raider Bill]

.

Just imagine how good the d could be with some nice long offensive drives. .

Fuckin Stanford Rout ass would be on the bench more!

[Postmaster]

Fuckin Stanford Rout ass would be on the bench more!

You know I was a little pissed at Nnamdi and the training staff. How can you not be hydrated for the game. These guys are professionals. Aren't they taking the proper steps to make sure this doesn't happen?

If not for the heroics of "Mr. Clutch", we lose that game because Nnamdi wasn't hydrated.

[SBISR8RGOAL]

Gannon from Sirius today.

Russell, Gannon address inaccuracy
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm in Oakland Raiders.

Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, quizzed about his accuracy problems in his weekly meeting with the media Wednesday, said timing has been a problem with his young receivers.


Through two games, Russell is 19-for-54, a league-low 35.2 percent. No other NFL starter is below 50 percent _ a figure Russell would need 16 consecutive completions to reach.

“On my behalf, sometimes extra-hitching it, the drop-step, when you’re expecting a guy to be a certaind depth,” Russell said. “Things like that happen. Just move on from it and look forward to the next game.”

Asked about the youth in the offense, Russell said, “That’s a part of it. Most of them are learning on the move. Most of them learning every day, the things we do with them. We try to get everybody on the same page.”

Russell described the issues of the passing game as not one thing but a lot of little things that will “get that ball going different ways.” He said he’s not always sure where receivers are going to be depending on the route.

“I know where the guys are going to be, but at the same time, once you look there, they’re not quite there yet,” Russell said. “Things sort of… you know… we worked on that, things that they should know and I should know . . . sometimes you have a guy get in your way so you’re not going to make your next step.”

That’s a word-for-word transcription, by the way, exhibiting that sometimes it’s as hard to see where Russell is going with an answer as where his pass is going on any given play.

Russell downplayed having a “breakout” game, saying, “I just see a complete game coming. I wouldn’t know what you want to call a breakout. But something we can go in there and just continue to do it on a consistent basis.”

Then there’s the loss of a wide receiver Russell trusted in Chaz Schilens.

“Chaz, he’s a big guy that you can miss at times,” Russell said. “He started off, was making some big plays. The guy can go up and attack the ball. He’s one that we can say that we miss. But at the same time, that’s why we have guys to step up in that spot for. Just work those guys.

“Don’t know when Chaz will be back. Hopefully he’ll be back soon. It is a guy that we miss out there.”

It could be all the function of having a great punter. When it doubt, throw it out of bounds and let Shane Lechler do his job.

“With the punter we have, you know, all-world Shane Lechler, go to the sideline, look at again, come back out again, let’s do it again,” Russell said.