No winning record since 2002... How do we...

[GRIM]

establish a game plan against San Diego that assures enough momentum to get to that winning record in week 6? Where does it all start? Here are my 2 cents.

Turnovers-

OAKLAND must not turn the ball over. That's what killed us in the 4th Quarter in week 1. I won't mention any names, but his initials are Josh McCown. Nuff said. Same smell in week 2 on the road at Denver. Dude turned the ball over against the Broncos twice in the first half. That cost us points! We CANNOT be leaving points on the field like that!

Confidence within the ranks- I see a new confidence I haven't seen in some time. Last week we finished off an opponent instead of fall apart. Kiffin needs to instill confidence in every player that says, "These Chargers are beatable!"

Do Not Leave Points On The Field!-

We cannot stall out leaving Jano terrible field position and expect him to make 50 to 60 yard kicks. If we get into the RED ZONE we cannot stall out! We have to score TD's when we get that close. We did it against the Dolphins in Miami and we need to keep that momentum going. We must figure out what the difference was and is between scoring all those TD's and stalling out leaving Jano with 50+ yard kicks attempts for field goals. We NEED TD's NOT FG's!!! Last week showed us we can do it. But what was the difference??? I cannot figure it out.

SMASH MOUTH!-

San Diego is not Miami. They have a better run defense, but we must establish on the ground and eat the clock again. It's become our identity and calling card. While other teams are winning games through pretty air battles, Oakland has been working on becoming a ugly nightmare on the ground. We're going to be on the road and in order to keep pressure off of our QB we must be hell on wheels on the ground. THANK GOD we have Dominic Rhodes joining our attack in week 6, but from what I have studied, Lamont Jordan should be back with the fold. This really leaves San Diego in a lurch. How do they prepare for Jordan/Rhodes/Fargas? Our running game can and will open up the pass if need be. This alone could give us enough of an edge to snatch the winning record and keep our spot atop the AFC West. RUN, RUN, RUN!!!

The Secondary-

Has been a major concern of mine. Although our LB's have been exceptional and as of late we have had 2 NFL leaders in INT's, our secondary has not been dominant enough. I attribute that to my next point... but first, if our LB corps continue to dominate the way they have and hit the next level, Phillip Rivers will struggle with his throws.

The most important key to establishing victory in my opinion is, getting pressure on the QB! If we pressure him enough he will make mistakes, as Rivers tends to be mistake prone. We have to be dominant up front and dominant in the secondary. Winning this game in astounding fashion and securing a winning record will l hinge upon Ryan's game plan.

Ladainian Tomlinson-

His past reputation scares me. He had mad nightmare capapbility. But, his reputation as of late has been anything but scary. Nonetheless, we must find a way to stop the run. If we do, Rivers undoubtedly make some bad throws and that will make a huge difference. We could actually go up early with defensive plays against Rivers passing if we can shut down the cry baby.
We have to make him cry instead of having him make us break down.

Gates-

He's a huge threat. I don't know the answer here. The guy just makes plays. He's the best damn TE in the NFL IMO. I guess we'll have to rely on having an extra week off to get our ducks in a row and figure out a game plan that will snap another trend for this team. We haven't had a winning record for so long! Almost 3 seasons! The Raiders have tasted blood two weeks in a row and their stomachs are full from last weeks kill, but when the OAKLAND RAIDERS take the field in San Diego, they will want to taste more blood. More fresh meat. If they address some of the concerns I have listed, ALL OF US will be satisfied. A winning record in Oakland will do wonders for the entire RAIDER NATION!



GO RAIDERS!!!

Did I leave anything out?

I didn't mention "fan noise" because there's usually more fans at San Diego games from the RAIDER NATION than there is from the Bolts.

 

[GRIM]

Hey, I worked hard on this post you fuggers! Reply to it, NOW! LOL

 

[BigTron]

Hey, I worked hard on this post you fuggers! Reply to it, NOW! LOL

Well put homie. I think SD will beat Denver and relieve some of their pressure of the awfull start. We will be ready after the bye week and I hope we can come out and shock the world. If we beat SD it would literally tear that team apart! Waht a huge game.

 

[Crossbones]

LT has been a Raider killer. He's had some big days against us. Our run defense is still suspect having given up 130+ to Ronnie Brown. Our linebackers have to step up in the run game. I hope LT doesn't wake up in two weeks. Actually I am really starting to dislike that cat after seeing him whine and almost cry during the last two press conferences. What a wimp.

We do have to establish our running game against SanDog. Doing that will give Culpepper a better chance in the passing game. I think it's going to be necessary to throw more than 12 passes down there. Having two weeks to prepare I'm pretty sure Kiffin will come up with some new little wrinkles to surprise Norval. That ought to be GOLD.

 

[hawaiianboy]

I think it's important that the team ignore the message board and media blather about the demise of the Bolts under Norv and approach this game as if we're playing the 14-2 hitting on all cylinders Charger team... San Diego has way too much top tier talent for us to walk into the game overconfident, especially since that top tier talent has completely run amok over us lately...

I think the two most important things are:

1) Load up on Tomlinson

Until we find a way to nuetralize him, we are still LT's bottom bitch... The guy has killed us whether running, catching or throwing the ball... The guy also feeds on the whole Raider hating thing thanks to Marty... I expect he'll DEMAND to get 35-40 touches against us... If Norv doesn't go away from LT in the second half, the Bolts would be sitting here at 2-2 with us... I wouldn't count on that happening against us... This is a game where the front 7 will have to step up and stay true to their gap responsibility even if the trade off is some pass rush... Sands in particular is going to have to play big... I swear if I see that big nickel as the base defense, someone is getting their ass kicked... I'll concede Gates his 8 catches and 100 yards in exchange for holding LT down...

2) Culpepper must make quick decisions

The Charger pass rush used us for a pinata last year... The same principle with LT holds true here as well, until we find a way to nuetralize Merriman and Phillips, they own us... I wouldn't count on the Bolts continuing to drop Merriman into coverage as often as they have... Daunte needs to have his reads down and be quick with the ball... Double clutching and hesitating was part of what killed him during his last year in Minny and doing so against Merriman and Phillips will likely result in sacks and fumbles... I'd like to see more of those quick throws to the WR's that we used in preseason and more short throws to the backs... Use throws to the flat and three WR sets to force their OLB's to play more East/West and make plays in space to slow down the rush... I know everyone wants to pound the ball, but it wouldn't surprise me if Kiff dusts off the gameplan Calahan used against the Steelers in 2002 and used mostly 3 WR sets with Rhodes in Garners pass catching/4th WR role and tried to pick apart a spread out 34 using primarily the short passing game...

I'm hoping the Donx beat them this weekend... I know that allows Denver to keep pace in the standings, but I think SD is the more talented team and more dangerous in the long run... I also think we match up much better head to head with Denver than we do with SD... I'd rather face a Bolt team coming off a loss that may be packing it in mentally than a Bolt team coming off a win that is starting to really believe they can make a run... I think Marty was the one that inspired the mental toughness for that team... another loss and we could see a finger pointing implosion starting... We as Raider fans know all too well than even the most talented teams have a hard time overcoming that....

 

[Madturk]

I think the last thing Kiff will have us, is going in there too overconfident. I do agree that we'll probably see the passing game open up some. I look for a healthy dose of a refreshed Dominic Rhodes and hopefully more of the TE's. Madsen had a pretty good game against them last year working the seams. I'm confident that Kiff will devise a good game plan to counter their quickness.

Defensively, I hope Ryan looks at game tapes of last year's second game. I thought we did a pretty good job of neutralizing LT and Philip Rivers for most of the game up until that bogus fumble reversal call. If we drop back in that soft zone crap again, Rivers will just dink and dunk them down the field. I hope we get a healthy Burgess back.

Here's to a very physical SD-Denver game this weekend

 

[R4Life]

San Diego is giving up 98 yards rushing and over 260 yards passing per game. Depending upon what the Donks can do to them this week (using the same O line scheme) , I would expect to run early and then set up the play action pass. Unless we're winning and/or running the ball against them, then of course, you run 'til they stop you.

 

[SoCalRaider]

Minimize LT's touches

Given that we statistically rank dead last in the league in ypg and ypc, I think we can flush any pipe dream of stopping LT right down the toilet. The best way to get out of this mess is to not allow the Chargers to be in a position to feed LT the ball on every freakin' play... and we have 2 things working in our favor... Norv and an offense that can score points......


Open up the offense and let DC do his thang

One way to get the ball out of LT's hands is by getting out to a fast start and opening up a big lead. Assuming DC starts (and this is a big assumption right now)... I'd like to see the Raiders go after Diego's weak secondary and try to score some points in a hurry. Coming off a bye week, if we can win the toss and get the ball first, I would seriously even consider coming out in a no-huddle to really energize the offense and avoid coming out flat after 2 weeks off. Whatever we do, we need to take some shots down the field. Porter was dead on in his IV this week when he said teams have picked up on a lot of Raider tendencies in the short passing game.... to the point where making one adjustment can lead to an easy TD.


Expose Norv

The only other way to get the ball out of LT's hands is by letting Norv do his thang... One of the biggest weaknesses of Norv as a coach is his tendency to get away from the run and air it out... We saw him do it last week as well as a countless number of times with us... RR spent 2 years coaching alongside him and knows that tendency as well as any of us. Hopefully Al will cut RR enough slack to run blitz the hell out of that offense and force Norv's hand.

 

[GRIM]

I like all the ideas posted here.

I like the way Kiffin keeps his cards so close to the vest. At first I was skeptical, but damn, he's not giving any hints to teams about anything. I like that. At first I thought it was kind of school yard, but now I am seeing it as effective.

 

[GRIM]

Here's to a very physical SD-Denver game this weekend

Great point.

San Diego is going to be all hurtin' and beat up after facing Denver. We'll be coming off a nice bye week and I like our chances. This isn't the same San Diego team we faced last season. And even more importantly, this isn't the same Raider team San Diego faced last season. Not by any stretch.

GO RAIDERS!

 

[Freakshow]

I'm hoping the Donx beat them this weekend... I know that allows Denver to keep pace in the standings, but I think SD is the more talented team and more dangerous in the long run... I also think we match up much better head to head with Denver than we do with SD... I'd rather face a Bolt team coming off a loss that may be packing it in mentally than a Bolt team coming off a win that is starting to really believe they can make a run... I think Marty was the one that inspired the mental toughness for that team... another loss and we could see a finger pointing implosion starting... We as Raider fans know all too well than even the most talented teams have a hard time overcoming that....

My sentiments exactly. Never easy to root for Denver, but in this case it's justified.

My keys to beating San Diego are:

1. Loading 8 in the box vs. LT and forcing Rivers to beat us through the air. With some pressure I'm not convinced he can do that.

2. Max protect with Griffith and Miller. Simply cannot allow Shawn and his Merry Men truck us over again like last year.

3. Avoid implosion. Marty always said of Raider teams that "they will beat themselves at some point during the game so be patient...". Well, hopefully Norv's new message erases that memory from the hearts and minds of every Charger (and Chief) player and we capitolize on Kiffin's new theme - play smart and kick ass.

 

[Raidermania12]

I dont care who we are up against. If we improve our execution, teams will worry about playing us rather than us hoping one beats the other. This early it shouldnt matter. I prefer to see the team closest to our record lose. But thats how i always feel.

 

[BigTron]

I wanna run the ball down the Chargers throat. But i do think the secondary is their weak spot. Should be interesting. I think we might have to open up the passing a little bit.

 

[poptart]

Count me among those wanting to see Denver beat San Diego.
I wouldn't mind seeing Denver lose, but I think our game with the Chargers sets up better for us if SD is coming off a loss rather than a win.
If they lose to Denver, and hopefully get beat up in the process, they will be in a very bad way, mentally.
We can kick 'em while they're down, and I like our chances.

Our passing game needs to pick up.
The Blots can be hurt through the air.
We will have to hit a few big plays through the air, but I see us once again trying to pound with the running game.

Slow LT goes without saying.
As was pointed out, the best way to do this is to play from the lead.
An early lead would do wonders for us in this game.

No turnovers, minimal penalties, smart football.

It's a winner.

 

[GRIM]

We can kick 'em while they're down

Payback is a bitch, isn't it. They kicked us in the teeth last year and now it's payback time coming off our bye week. Time for the Chargers to reap the whirlwind. BANG! Right between the eyes. We're gonna break their teeth.

Our passing game needs to pick up.

Trust me on this. I feel like we're going to hit a blackjack. Kiffin holds the cards REAL CLOSE to the vest. We do have the ability to attack through the air, but game plans over the past couple of weeks have not dictated much need for such a weapon. We do have the great ability to bombard teams. We haven't seen anything yet. Neither has the NFL. When Kiff takes Culpepper off the leash, it's going to be like, "WHAT?" "These are the RAIDERS?"

And we're all gonna be, "Yep, these are the OAKLAND RAIDERS!"

All in good time. All in good time.

I can't wait to get to the Chiefs either. I hope we kick the living shit out of em!

 

[raiderfreak7]

I wanna run the ball down the Chargers throat.

This kind of reminds me of the 4th down play on Friday Night Lights when the Dallas Carter coaches are saying, "They have to be passing" and right before the play it flashes to Permian's coach and he says, "Were gonna run it right down their throats." I'd love it if we could get our running game going for 4+ a pop against SD. That should help open up our passing game on there weak secondary.

 

[Crossbones]

The Chefs must go down.

Please let us sweep the Chefs this year. It would be soooooooooo much fun.

I hate those fuckin' rat bastards.

 

[GRIM]

Please let us sweep the Chefs this year. It would be soooooooooo much fun.

So let it be written.
So let it be done.

 

[Abelardo]

I think one of the keys is surprising them. They've gone through a very bad time these weeks, so they must be confused. They are gonna go out and fight hard, they're tough, but they're not really very smart. Add to this formula the even less smarter Norv Turdner, which we know phuckin well, and they're set for an ambush. Kiffin has been good doing some tricks like the onside kick, or the pass on third and short two weeks ago, beautiful call.

The premise is the running game. They know we're gonna run the ball. But also the phishes knew it and did nothing. But in won't be enough. Next step for Kiffin is to make the passing game work. Right now, it looks like a mess. A good play here and, incompletions, lack of synchronicity between QBs and WRs, still inadequate protection more than desired, Cable needs to translate that effectivity in the running game.

Of course this SD is better than phins, but right now, they're mentally damaged, and that affects performance. They want badly to go out and play, they're anxious trying to rigthen the ship, they may be overreacting first, and then being iced for an eternity thinking about their previous mistake.

They will watch the film and prepare for the Raiders. But Kiffin is new, and still doesn't have a fingerprint as an offensive mind. He sure looks like he loves like hell the running game, but probably the future look won't resemble much the present. Grungden himself, had to go with what Jeff George could do at the moment.

Rule #17 of Art of War books says success in war is achieved mostly by deception. If we get to three - two everybody in the nation will probably get drunk (Myself included), and while there's a long and painful road ahead, we would probably had turned the way.

 

[R4Life]

Trust me on this. I feel like we're going to hit a blackjack. Kiffin holds the cards REAL CLOSE to the vest. We do have the ability to attack through the air, but game plans over the past couple of weeks have not dictated much need for such a weapon. We do have the great ability to bombard teams. We haven't seen anything yet. Neither has the NFL. When Kiff takes Culpepper off the leash, it's going to be like, "WHAT?" "These are the RAIDERS?"

Miller agrees

Raiders Insider: Tight end Miller is a key cog in the Oakland running game
By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer

Saturday, October 6, 2007

ALAMEDA -- Mention Zach Miller's receiving numbers, and even he chuckles.

Seven catches for 54 yards. No catches in Oakland's win in Miami. Miller's not worried.

"That'll come when we start throwing the ball a lot more," Miller said. "We only threw the ball 12 times (in Miami). With five completions in a game, I'm not going to complain if I don't get any of them, as long as we win."

Miller's role in the running game is a big reason his receiving numbers aren't prolific.

The Raiders' second-round pick in April's draft was expected to step in and help the offensive line by becoming a quick passing option for Raiders quarterbacks.

Miller helps the offensive line by becoming an extra lineman in the team's league-best rushing attack.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin praised Miller's run blocking as a reason the running game has been consistent.

Miller's size (6-foot-5, 255 pounds) was a big reason the Raiders drafted him. The running game suffered in recent years because the Raiders lacked big tight ends and relied on bulked-up receivers to do the job in the running game.

Kiffin was impressed with Miller's blocking last Sunday against Miami's defensive stars -- linebacker Joey Porter and defensive end Jason Taylor.

"I thought Zach did a great job of stepping up, and he's exactly what we hoped we were getting when we got him," Kiffin said. "(He's) a competitive guy that wasn't going to worry about the competition coming from college to the NFL, and he played two of the best around and did a great job."

Miller's play is another example of how draft prognosticators can be off. The knock on Miller was he wasn't a good blocker.

Miller's blocking figures to pay off in the passing game on play-action passes. If teams see Miller fake a run block, they could be fooled and allow Miller to sneak out for pass opportunities.

Until then, he looks at the 299 rushing yards against the Dolphins with pride.

"When you're a tight end and you run for 300 yards, you're just as proud as an offensive lineman," Miller said. "You're blocking almost as much as they are."

Slot games

Being the nickel back isn't easy.

Cornerback Stanford Routt has looked better since starting, meaning he's not covering the opposition's third, or slot, receiver as often.

Covering the slot is tough because the receiver is closer to the quarterback and offenses usually try to exploit the matchup, assuming a third receiver will usually be superior to a third cornerback.

When covering the slot, Routt struggled and is admittedly more comfortable on the outside.

"He's the first to tell you he's more comfortable out there, because most of them are, because they've played out there all the way growing up, high school, college," Kiffin said. "In the NFL, not many of them are playing in nickel unless you get a veteran who's playing in there. ..."