5 Point Plan to Fix the Offense in 2007

[RaiderIVlife]

1.) Fire Tom Walsh.

No brainer I know, but not for the reason that most of you think. I actually don't think this is all on TW, not by a long shot, but perception is reality and the players, fans & so-called experts think he's the primary problem. For that reason alone, he must go. I'd hire an established and well respected OC to run this offense.

2.) Trade Randy Moss.

1st rounder, 2nd rounder, bag of beans, whatever it takes, get him out of Oakland. His attitude is for shit and his game is sliding away very quickly.

3.) Rehabilitate Jerry Porter.

This would ideally start with this Sunday in KC. JP needs to become part of the team once more. As I stated elsewhere, I have no problem with JP, Ronald Curry, Jonnie Morant and John Madsen as our top 4 WR's next season.

4.) Free Agency.

75% of our FA budget should be allocated to our offensive line. Tackles, Guards, Center, sign at least one player in all three areas. Even if that means we overpay. I've seen nothing from Gallery, Grove & Walker to indicate that we should assume that they are cornerstones. Nothing. No one along this line should be penciled in as an automatic starter heading into camp. Just say, "competition baby" !!!

5.) Draft a Franchise RB.

First off, either LaMont Jordan takes a paycut, or he get's released/traded. LJ could be a decent player if the pieces around him were in place, but the same can be said for almost any player in this game. A franchise RB he ain't and it's now painfully obvious why the J-E-T-S let him go without a fight. I like Justin Fargas as #2 HB and please, p/u a traditional head crunching FB that can catch the occaisional dump off in the flat. Is that too much to ask?

The Raiders need to decide if Adrian Petersen, Marshawn Lynch or that dude in Arkansas can be they type RB that can carry an offense? Frankly, I don't which one is the best, but whoever it may be, that is who we should draft. The Raider scheme is predicated on running the football so it stands to reason that we should have a player that can truly "deliver" on Sunday's. We don't have that player now.

Beyond that, go the "best player available" route. I'd like to see us go DE or DT, but one could make an arguement for almost any position (SS, OL, WR, TE) outside of CB.

 

[Crow]

Pretty sure we won't take a SS in consecutive drafts. Just sayin'.

 

[Banter]

Have you seen the free agent offensive line talent that is going to be available? There are some guards and thats about it. No centers. Mike Gandy and maybe Leonard Davis at RT because both have struggled this year on the left. We'll be lucky to fill 1 spot with a free agent.

 

[Crossbones]

Offensive Lineman who are going to be available in some way or the other:

Max Starks RFA Pittsburgh Steelers
Leonard Davis UFA Arizona Cardinals
Mike Gandy, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Jordan Black, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Dwayne Carswell, UFA, Denver Broncos
Derrick Dockery, UFA, Washington Redskins
Nat Dorsey, RFA, Cleveland Browns
Chris Gray, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Norm Katnik, RFA, New York Jets
Ryan Lilja, RFA, Indianapolis Colts
Sean Locklear, RFA, Seattle Seahawks
Vincent Manuwai, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roman Oben, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Brian Rimpf, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
Eric Steinbach, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Todd Steussie, UFA, St. Louis Rams
Floyd Womack, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

 

[hawaiianboy]

Sadly, I can almost post my plan from before last offseason


1) New offensive coordinator

We need to get an innovative coordinator in here that will have some cred with the players... Give him an Asst Head coach/OC title if necessary and pay the man...

I still favor Ken Zampese... Worked with Martz to set up the passing game with the Rams and has done a good job developing Carson Palmer as QB coach with Cincy... Has experience with two teams that run a variation of a vertical offense and his pops was right there on staff with Coryell...

2) Get the O-line straight

It's not often that I'm right about anything, but my boner of signing Jon Runyan and drafting Marcus McNeil is looking pretty good right now... I don't know if there will be any Jon Runyan types in free agency, but if there are, we need to go get it... I believe Banter made the point that the O-line may be better off with one voice leading them rather than the commitee of coaches we currently have...

We've gone from having one of the best O-lines in the Aaron Kromer/Bill Calahan salad days, to probably the worst... The funny thing is I believe as well as that line performed, they did it with 3 pretty average players in Sims, Mo and Middleton... The short sets in that scheme helped that line a whole bunch IMO... Robbins would have been a stud in any scheme, and Linc was a wall out there, but would Linc would have been quite as dominant playing in the deep sets this one presents?... I truly believe that the passing scheme back then made average players servicable while this one has made average players worse... When Gallery gets beat it's usually through that inside trap door the 7 step drop opens...

Next year I'd like to take a similar approach that Cincy did when they were breaking in the young left side of Levi Jones and Eric Steinbach their first couple of years in the league and go with mostly 3-5 step drops next season until the line develops the chemistry needed to branch out to deeper drops...

Eric Steinbach would obviously be a good get as a LG and he has ties with Gallery... Jon Runyan may free up again as there's talk that Shawn Andrews is ready to step out to RT with Max Jean Gilles taking his RG spot... Tra Thomas may become available if they push Winston Justice into a starting role...


3. Go hard after Tony Gonzalez

Yes he's 32 years old... but we're currently trotting out Randal freakin Williams... Gonzo is still a very effective player and would give our QB a legit go to guy... Plus we wouldn't have to defend the guy twice a year...


4. Make the RB's an intergral part of the passing game

Whether it's Lamont Jordan, Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch... Get em out in the flats, use them on wheel routes... Dictate mismatches to the defense...


5. Smarten up

If you need a FB, go out and get a bone crushing grunt to crush people instead of converting a tailback... If you need a TE, go out and get a TE instead of blowing up a WR... If you need production from the WR spot, throw the stopwatch out the window and play the guy that can get open and catch the ball... If something is continually not working, adjust and move on to something else... Get your best players out there... There just should never be a situation where a Ronald Curry stands on the sidelines while an Alvis Whitted gets the bulk of the game reps...

 

[Freakshow]

You guys all make excellent points and I agree with every one. here's a few more for '07 success.

1. Have Al step down and gracefully bow out. We all know that great organizations start at the top. Davis was the man for a long, long time but enough is enough already.

2. Art learns from his mistakes. Comminication and consistency come to mind.

3. Bring in somebody that can really evaluate the draft and free-agency. It's time to start hitting better than .250 in April and get in some offensive talent from around the league.

4. Put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With as good as our secondary is, we'd be that much better having more than one guy on the team with more than 6 sacks.

5. Become unified as a team. We always roll out a bunch of guys with skill but it's rare when that translates into wins. I think this comes at least in part from having a system in place for several years. Coaching carosells, new schemes, player turnoverm etc. don't exactly make for great team chemistry. Get rid of the malcontents and bring in guys that live and die Raiders.

Number 1 is pretty much out of the question, and maybe the rest of the list as well, but one can dream...

 

[Abelardo]

Kicking Walsh outa here is the most desirable thing, but considering it wont happen any possible plan must include him. First he has to make a new analysis of the plays he calls. An honest one. It would be better if he does so with the help of a proffesional. If he's honest to himself he will find out the ill patterns in his strategy.

Come up with a new passing game approach. Create the strategy with all those involved, Let every player, Moss, Jordan, even "Martin Lawrence" Brooks select a few plays and make an effective mix out of them and develope a basic game plan. Its clear Walsh has attempted several things to get things going and nothing has happened. By mid season he surely already run out of answers. A new approach is neccesary, and there are other minds in the org, players can help the coach. At least you know they will be on the same page.

Its obvious the line aint gonna be fixed in the short term. Walsh has to put the pressure out of them moving the flow of the ball in the field in different places than the OL. This means a little WCO, fast , short, safe passes with several open formations. The shotgun, though badly timed in Seattle is the anser for Walter. Sweeps, and fast developing pass plays.

Theres not much you can do with headcases like Gallery and Walker. You have to live with that, and it is in some way a disability. You have to deal with that disabity with special measures. Your men can't hold the defence for more than three secons or even less? Max protection ain't workin? Well you have to do somethin in those two or three seconds you got. There mujst be something in the playbook alerady set. If you can't achieve protection try to fool a little more the enemy. Roll out are in the recipee.

Walter needs to learn to deliver faster in the bench or not. Some Dan Marino videotapes in his best days may help. A faster release is a must now for him. Martin Lawrence is back from injury, Walter's bad days and foul mouth meant the meeting of his butt with the bench, but then will expose Martin to hard time beating no mater his scrambling. Walter will be on the field any time.

The running plays have worked -more or less- but it doesn't mean Jordan and Fargas can carry the offensive load. It works when adequately mixed with the pass. Again, an offensive plan must be worked around the players. Make the best out of them. Jordan has some features and Moss hass some others, there musts nbe in this phreakin world a way to comobine them with what we have.

Art must change the lineup. Maybe Curry is not the starter for him, but, man make a little rotation, don't be so stiff. More open formations with short passes could give those WRs we have to yield better results.


But honestly, I think it's too late.

 

[GRaider]

1.) Fire Tom Walsh.

No brainer I know, but not for the reason that most of you think. I actually don't think this is all on TW, not by a long shot, but perception is reality and the players, fans & so-called experts think he's the primary problem. For that reason alone, he must go. I'd hire an established and well respected OC to run this offense.

2.) Trade Randy Moss.

1st rounder, 2nd rounder, bag of beans, whatever it takes, get him out of Oakland. His attitude is for shit and his game is sliding away very quickly.

3.) Rehabilitate Jerry Porter.

This would ideally start with this Sunday in KC. JP needs to become part of the team once more. As I stated elsewhere, I have no problem with JP, Ronald Curry, Jonnie Morant and John Madsen as our top 4 WR's next season.

4.) Free Agency.

75% of our FA budget should be allocated to our offensive line. Tackles, Guards, Center, sign at least one player in all three areas. Even if that means we overpay. I've seen nothing from Gallery, Grove & Walker to indicate that we should assume that they are cornerstones. Nothing. No one along this line should be penciled in as an automatic starter heading into camp. Just say, "competition baby" !!!

5.) Draft a Franchise RB.

First off, either LaMont Jordan takes a paycut, or he get's released/traded. LJ could be a decent player if the pieces around him were in place, but the same can be said for almost any player in this game. A franchise RB he ain't and it's now painfully obvious why the J-E-T-S let him go without a fight. I like Justin Fargas as #2 HB and please, p/u a traditional head crunching FB that can catch the occaisional dump off in the flat. Is that too much to ask?

The Raiders need to decide if Adrian Petersen, Marshawn Lynch or that dude in Arkansas can be they type RB that can carry an offense? Frankly, I don't which one is the best, but whoever it may be, that is who we should draft. The Raider scheme is predicated on running the football so it stands to reason that we should have a player that can truly "deliver" on Sunday's. We don't have that player now.

Beyond that, go the "best player available" route. I'd like to see us go DE or DT, but one could make an arguement for almost any position (SS, OL, WR, TE) outside of CB.

Don't forget about Will Buchanon. I have a good feeling about him.

 

[Crossbones]

Don't forget about Will Buchanon. I have a good feeling about him.

Another reason I'm against taking a WR this high in the first round. There are plenty of receivers than can work with this team we get a few things fixed.

Somebody tell me what is wrong with Johnnie Morant. Art (Shell)? Ya wanna send me an email on this? Get your head out big guy.

 

[Rupert]

The problem with Morant is they say he forgets the assignments. Call a play in the huddle and he goes out to the wrong side of the field. He also runs the wrong routes from time to time. That's been the word on him since day one. I don't know why and won't speculate, but I think it's keeping him off the field.

 

[Crossbones]

The problem with Morant is they say he forgets the assignments. Call a play in the huddle and he goes out to the wrong side of the field. He also runs the wrong routes from time to time. That's been the word on him since day one. I don't know why and won't speculate, but I think it's keeping him off the field.

I don't know anymore than you do Rup (only what we read) but I'm calling BS on those reports. All I know is what I see and Morant makes plays up the butt in almost every pre season game and then never sees the field (at all) during the regular season. What is he? The next Kenny Shedd. D'oh.

 

[Banter]

2nd day of training camp after Porter stops practicing with his "injury" Morant was the guy opposite Moss with the 1st stringers. It was reported that Freddy was chewing him out on a daily basis and after about 3 days Gabriel, Whitted and even Will Buchanon seemed to leapfrog him in the pecking order.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

I think John Madsen is someone to watch...at WR...not TE. Looks like a possible Jurevicous type WR to me.

I intentionally omitted QB, because I presume we'll see another year of Brooks/Walter at QB. If we can follow-up the blueprint(s) above, even these guys would be OK in my opinion.

Draft a WR first? I hope the fuck not.

I brought up SS because Huff is much better suited IMHO at FS. Just like having a bonecrushing FB is needed, I think we could benefit from a missle at SS. Huff will never be that, put him at FS, please. There is enough speed all around the secondary to accomodate an "Enforcer" that may (or may not) be half a step slow.

 

[Seraph24]

I'm alone on this. But Huff is better suited for SS to get the most out of everything he does. His tackling isnt perfect yet, but its gotten better and he has been a vital piece to our run defense shooting gaps. For some reason people are mad that our FS sweigert doesnt shoot gaps not realizing that thats not what you want. If it becomes a Play action or trick play, you've just expended your last line of protection trying to gamble on a gap with a FS when you already have your SS playing that area. I honestly feel our safeties have been exceptional enough to be there for the long haul. where we wanna get better on defense is the trenches. The reality is that Sapp is gone soon and that he is a leader and respected DT who still draws double teams. We are gonna need someone to fill that.

Either way congrats to our defense for showing heart no matter what. i have nothing bad to say about any of them.

 

[007]

I'm alone on this. But Huff is better suited for SS to get the most out of everything he does. His tackling isnt perfect yet, but its gotten better and he has been a vital piece to our run defense shooting gaps. For some reason people are mad that our FS sweigert doesnt shoot gaps not realizing that thats not what you want. If it becomes a Play action or trick play, you've just expended your last line of protection trying to gamble on a gap with a FS when you already have your SS playing that area. I honestly feel our safeties have been exceptional enough to be there for the long haul. where we wanna get better on defense is the trenches. The reality is that Sapp is gone soon and that he is a leader and respected DT who still draws double teams. We are gonna need someone to fill that.

Either way congrats to our defense for showing heart no matter what. i have nothing bad to say about any of them.

I think you are alone on that one.

I'm all for putting the best players on the field whenever you can, but I feel as though SS plays to some of his weaknesses when you consider what Michael Huff can bring the Raiders going forward...

The guy is smart, fast, instinctive and great at making plays on the ball...

Okay, why don't we put him in the box as an undersized SS, get rid of the space he needs in order to make plays and have him shoot gaps and play on the LOS all game long.

-Silly, if you ask me...But I'm not a coach. Im just happy Huff is so talented he can adapt to the position and play relatively well there. (Although we've all come to expect at least 1-2 whiffed tackles a game by this point...)

I think he can be a solid Strong Safety. I also think he could be a Pro Bowl Corner or Free Safety.

 

[GRaider]

I think John Madsen is someone to watch...at WR...not TE. Looks like a possible Jurevicous type WR to me.

I think the same thing.

I intentionally omitted QB, because I presume we'll see another year of Brooks/Walter at QB. If we can follow-up the blueprint(s) above, even these guys would be OK in my opinion.

AW will be just fine behind an OL that will allow him step into his throws throwing to WRs who will catch. I find it funny how everyone seems to overlook the positive plays that he has made and only focuses on the bad ones.

Draft a WR first? I hope the fuck not.

Agreed. I would like it if we took Early Doucet in the fourth round or so. He is a gamer. Mike Hass would be a nice slot receiver on third downs also. He is on the Bears PS.

I brought up SS because Huff is much better suited IMHO at FS. Just like having a bonecrushing FB is needed, I think we could benefit from a missle at SS. Huff will never be that, put him at FS, please. There is enough speed all around the secondary to accomodate an "Enforcer" that may (or may not) be half a step slow.

There was a kid named Jason Shivers that really intrigued me last year. He would be worth a look if available as a FA. He had size, speed and a nasty disposition if I remember right.

 

[jatfly]

Guys, tell me something?
Why everybody picking on Stu.

I know that our FS Stuart Schweigert doesn't set the world on fire, but he is solid.....Please lets look at spots that need someone.

Leave Stu alone, he is tackling better taking better angles and commanding the DB's back there to keep our Defense in the top 10 all year.

Let's Pick on the Line or a New Full back or something................

 

[GRaider]

Guys, tell me something?
Why everybody picking on Stu.

I know that our FS Stuart Schweigert doesn't set the world on fire, but he is solid.....Please lets look at spots that need someone.

Leave Stu alone, he is tackling better taking better angles and commanding the DB's back there to keep our Defense in the top 10 all year.

Let's Pick on the Line or a New Full back or something................

My only problem with him is that his presence does not seem to make receivers leery of going across the middle. Offenses seem to target him in matchups. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Seraph24]

Stu isnt perfect and Huff is capable od playing FS. Because of that people will forever be stuck in "what if" limbo. But i'm content with our safeties and think that they both will be fine where they are. I also think Huff has gotten a little bigger and will be interested to see where they list his weight next year. He's listed at 205 at the moment and Kenoy Kennedy(a big hitter SS) is listed at 215 at the same height. Huff is not all that undersized imo.

 

[NIPS]

I'm really torn between Petterson/Lynch or Johnson

KC has proven you can win games with dogshit WR

Other teams have proven it as well

Where you see the seperation appears to be the RB

I see a big dropoff in the WR's after Ginn and Samardzja

I see only 1 team that will take a RB around mid 1 or later and thats the Steelers

I personally think Lynch will prove to be the best RB of this class in 2 years

Micahel Bush broke his leg in September, that should push him into rd 2

Kenny Irons and Tony Hunt will fall to rd 2

Tony Hunt is said to come from the same mold as Larry Johnson, a big fast guy with quick feet

Kenny Irons is more of a north south runner, powerful but slow.. we have that already in Lamont Jordan

Calvin Johnson is said to be a soft spoken very disciplined kid

TO abilities with Marvin Harrison attitude.

Calvin Johnson in rd 1

And Michael Bush in rd 2

Bush would have been a top pick if he didnt break his leg. Could be a steal if he falls to rd 2 and they do to him what the Bills did with McGahee

Led the nation in scoring and a whopping 14.4 yards per carry

Michael Bush is a franchise back that this team needs desperately

We could possibly move up into late rd 1 if need be

Calvin Johnson and Michael Bush would be a great draft

Johnson and Curry as WR's with Madsen or Morant as the #3

Another thing to seriously consider other than dumping Moss/Porter and Walsh is to do whatever they can to pickup Max Starks the RT from the Steelers who is a RFA, but I've found the Raiders to be in a pretty good cap room come next year

Langston Walker is a big problem on this OL

I dunno about you guys but I think Chad Slaughter ought to be this teams LT. He looks to hold his own. Gallery should be move to guard or traded.