Angry Pope
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Raiders find a silver lining
Special teams play provides bright spot in darkness of 0-2 start
Steve Corkran
ALAMEDA — This season has been anything but special for the Raiders so far. They are 0-2, last in total offense, starting quarterback Aaron Brooks is sidelined with a chest injury, and they have not scored a touchdown.
There aren't many silver-and-black linings to be found around here, not with two lopsided losses in the books, the offensive line in shambles and several tough opponents on the horizon.
Yet, amid the rubble comes a glimmer of hope in the form of spirited special teams play under the guidance of first-year coach Ted Daisher.
"The only thing I can hang my hat on right now is the defense and the special teams," Raiders coach Art Shell said.
The defense has held its own, if only by comparison with its offensive counterparts. Yet, it's the special teams that have shined brightest in a season of darkness.
To wit:
-Chris Carr is fourth in the league in average kick return yardage at 27.7. The Raiders are third in terms of average drive start, beginning their drives at an average of their own 33-yard line.
-Shane Lechler is second in the league with a 48.8-yard average. His 40.3-yard net average is fifth.
-Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has made both his field
goal attempts in accounting for Oakland's lone points. His 51-yarder against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday surpassed his season-best of 49 in 2005. He also has gotten desired depth on his kickoffs.
Shell placed a huge emphasis upon improved special teams play this season. To that end, he said, he hired Daisher after a recommendation from Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh.
"We interviewed quite a few people, and it didn't feel comfortable with a lot of the people we interviewed," Shell said. "This guy came in, and I said, 'He's the one.'"
Daisher worked under Harbaugh the past two seasons and played a key role in making the Eagles special teams a top unit.
Daisher was unavailable for comment. He has not been made available to the media since he joined the Raiders in the off-season.
Last season, the Raiders special teams "weren't very good," Shell said. The Raiders fired Joe Avezzano and turned to Daisher.
"Special teams starts every game," Shell said. "It's important that they go down, make a big tackle, create a fumble, or that we have a nice big return so we have great field position for our offense, and now we're ready to get out there and do something with it."
The doing something with it part has yet to materialize. However, Carr has done his part.
"It takes one guy to provide the spark," special teams standout Jarrod Cooper said. "One week, it's Chris Carr, the next it's Isaiah Ekejiuba. We've got a lot of guys waiting to be starters who have a lot of pent-up energy. Ted's got the players in the right spots, and it's working well."
But things aren't all rosy when it comes to special teams. Carr still hasn't found his groove on punt returns. He is near the bottom of the league in average yards, which is in keeping with his performance last season, when he averaged 5.5 yards per return.
Also, opposing teams are beginning their drives after an Oakland kickoff at an average of their own 41-yard line. That is 9 yards worse than the second-worst team overall.
Special teams play provides bright spot in darkness of 0-2 start
Steve Corkran
ALAMEDA — This season has been anything but special for the Raiders so far. They are 0-2, last in total offense, starting quarterback Aaron Brooks is sidelined with a chest injury, and they have not scored a touchdown.
There aren't many silver-and-black linings to be found around here, not with two lopsided losses in the books, the offensive line in shambles and several tough opponents on the horizon.
Yet, amid the rubble comes a glimmer of hope in the form of spirited special teams play under the guidance of first-year coach Ted Daisher.
"The only thing I can hang my hat on right now is the defense and the special teams," Raiders coach Art Shell said.
The defense has held its own, if only by comparison with its offensive counterparts. Yet, it's the special teams that have shined brightest in a season of darkness.
To wit:
-Chris Carr is fourth in the league in average kick return yardage at 27.7. The Raiders are third in terms of average drive start, beginning their drives at an average of their own 33-yard line.
-Shane Lechler is second in the league with a 48.8-yard average. His 40.3-yard net average is fifth.
-Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has made both his field
goal attempts in accounting for Oakland's lone points. His 51-yarder against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday surpassed his season-best of 49 in 2005. He also has gotten desired depth on his kickoffs.
Shell placed a huge emphasis upon improved special teams play this season. To that end, he said, he hired Daisher after a recommendation from Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh.
"We interviewed quite a few people, and it didn't feel comfortable with a lot of the people we interviewed," Shell said. "This guy came in, and I said, 'He's the one.'"
Daisher worked under Harbaugh the past two seasons and played a key role in making the Eagles special teams a top unit.
Daisher was unavailable for comment. He has not been made available to the media since he joined the Raiders in the off-season.
Last season, the Raiders special teams "weren't very good," Shell said. The Raiders fired Joe Avezzano and turned to Daisher.
"Special teams starts every game," Shell said. "It's important that they go down, make a big tackle, create a fumble, or that we have a nice big return so we have great field position for our offense, and now we're ready to get out there and do something with it."
The doing something with it part has yet to materialize. However, Carr has done his part.
"It takes one guy to provide the spark," special teams standout Jarrod Cooper said. "One week, it's Chris Carr, the next it's Isaiah Ekejiuba. We've got a lot of guys waiting to be starters who have a lot of pent-up energy. Ted's got the players in the right spots, and it's working well."
But things aren't all rosy when it comes to special teams. Carr still hasn't found his groove on punt returns. He is near the bottom of the league in average yards, which is in keeping with his performance last season, when he averaged 5.5 yards per return.
Also, opposing teams are beginning their drives after an Oakland kickoff at an average of their own 41-yard line. That is 9 yards worse than the second-worst team overall.