Post Game...Arizona

[Angry Pope]

Raiders Drop Cardinals 27-23

August 11, 2007

The Oakland Raiders defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. RB Adimchinobe Echemandu. carried the ball 17 times for 75 yards, WR Mike Williams. hauled in a 3-yard TD pass, and DB Hiram Eugene. returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown. Two late Raiders field goals were the difference.

The Cardinals won the opening coin toss. RB J.J. Arrington fielded K Sebastian Janikowski.’s opening kickoff 5 yards deep in the end zone and downed the ball for a touchback. Matt Leinart started at quarterback for Arizona. The Raiders defense held the Cardinals to a three-and-out.

CB Chris Carr. returned P Scott Player’s 41-yard punt 21 yards to the Arizona 49. Josh McCown. started at quarterback for the Silver and Black. McCown’s first three passes fell incomplete and the Raiders were forced to punt. Rookie WR Steve Breaston returned P Shane Lechler.’s 38-yard punt 4 yards to the Arizona 15-yard line.

The Raiders forced the Cardinals offense into another three-and-out. Rookie WR Johnnie Lee Higgins. called for and made as fair catch of Player’s 38-yard punt at the Oakland 40. The Raiders took over with 12:06 left in the first quarter.

Despite completions to WRs Jerry Porter. and Ronald Curry., and a run by RB Dominic Rhodes., the Raiders were unable to pick up a first down and were forced to punt. DB B.J. Ward. downed Lechler’s punt at the Arizona 3-yard line.

Two RB Marcel Shipp runs out to the 15 netted the first 1st down of the game. On 1st down, FS Stuart Schweigert. almost made a diving interception of a pass intended for WR Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona drove to the Raiders 38 before the drive stalled. After a delay of game penalty, Player’s punt bounced into the end zone for a touchback. The Raiders took over at their own 20 with 5:50 left in the first quarter.

McCown led the Raiders on a scoring march. Key plays included a 3rd down conversion pass to WR Mike Williams. and a pass interference call on a pass intended for WR Doug Gabriel.. RB Dominic Rhodes. capped off the 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Janikowski’s successful extra point try gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 13:34 left in the 2nd quarter.

Shipp returned Janikowski’s kickoff to the Arizona 18. Kurt Warner entered the game at quarterback. Warner promptly connected with WR Bryant Johnson for a 59-yard pass, catch and run for a touchdown. K Neil Rackers PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 11:35 left in the 2nd quarter.

Carr fielded the ensuing kickoff in the end zone for a touchback. Andrew Walter. entered the game at quarterback for Oakland. The Cardinals held the Raiders to a three-and-out. Shane Boyd sntered the game at quarterback for Arizona, and DB Hiram Eugene. picked him off and returned the interception 36 yards for a touchdown. Janikowski’s PAT gave the Raiders a 14-7 lead with 9:00 left in the 2nd quarter.

The Raiders forced a punt and got the ball back late in the 2nd quarter. Walter engineered a scoring drive which he capped off with a 3-yard scoring pass to Mike Williams. on a fade route. The TD pass and subsequent extra point gave the Raiders a 21-7 lead. Rackers hit a 59-yard field goal to cut the Raiders lead to 21-10 at halftime.

The Raiders got the ball to start the second half but were held to a three-and-out. P/K Tyler Fredrickson’s punt was downed at the Raiders 38. Boyd capped off the 8-play, 38-yard drive with an 8-yard TD run. Rackers’ PAT cut the Raiders lead to 21-17 with 9:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

Daunte Culpepper entered the game at quarterback for the Silver and Black. Culpepper fumbled his first snap and Arizona recovered at the Oakland 17. Defensive lineman Tyler Brayton. appeared to have intercepted a Boyd screen pass. Brayton then returned the apparent interception 82 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals challenged the ruling on the field. The referee overturned the call on the field and Arizona faced a 3rd and 6. Rookie DE Jay Richardson. sacked Boyd forcing a field goal attempt. Rackers came on and hit from 37 yards out to cut the Raiders lead to 21-20 with 8:39 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Cardinals held the Raiders to a three-and-out. Fredrickson’s punt rolled out of bounds at the Raiders 45. Boyd drove the Cardinals to the Raiders 7-yard line before the Silver and Black forced a field goal attempt. Rackers 25-yard field goal gave the Cardinals a 23-21 lead with 3:40 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Raiders drove to the Cardinals 40 before the drive stalled and Oakland was forced to turn the ball over on downs. The Raiders held Arizona to a three-and-out. P Ricky Schmitt’s put was downed at the Raiders 22. with 11:57 left to play. Culpepper led the Raiders down the field. The 10-play, 69-yard drive culminated with a Janikowski 27-yard field goal, which put the Raiders up 24-23 with 8:10 left to play.

The Cardinals next drive ended with a LB Isaiah Ekejiuba. sack of QB Shane Boyd with just over 5:00 left in the game. The Raiders next possession resulted in a 48-yard Fredrickson field goal to put the Silver and Black up 27-23 with 2:19 to go.

The Raiders were able to stop the Cardinals thanks to Chris Clemons.’ sack of Boyd and aggressive pass defense. The Raiders took over on downs at the Arizona 36 with 1:49 to play. Oakland was able to run out the clock and secure the victory.

 

[Angry Pope]

Eugene's night a roller coaster ride

Second-year safety gives up a touchdown, then scores one on 36-yard interception return

PHIL BARBER

OAKLAND -- One great play during the exhibition season can launch a borderline player onto the 53-man roster. One terrible play can doom him to the unemployment line. So how to judge a young player who does both -- on consecutive trips on the field?

Such was the Saturday night experienced by Hiram Eugene, a second-year safety on the bubble for a roster spot.

Eugene came on with the second-team defense early in the second quarter, and was central to the plays that ended each of the Cardinals' first two drives after that. First, in a second-and-8 from Arizona's 42-yard line, he was playing the deep middle when wide receiver Bryant Johnson caught a slant from Kurt Warner, running ahead of Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson. Eugene missed a crucial tackle, and Johnson was gone for a game-tying, 58-yard touchdown.

It was a significant gaffe. But after an Oakland punt, the Cardinals were facing third-and-3 when first-year quarterback Shane Boyd threw the ball right in Eugene's numbers. The young safety caught it and sped to the end zone for a 36-yard score.

LONG RUN, FOR NOTHING

Tyler Brayton, playing defensive tackle now, dove for a pass by Boyd in the third quarter, tipped it with one hand and looked to catch it.

"I looked over at the referee, I was looking right at him, and he was staring back at me," Brayton said. "So I was like, (shoot), let's go."

Brayton got up and rumbled 82 yards for an apparent touchdown. Upon review, however, referee Bill Leavy said Brayton had short-hopped the ball -- which the defender had known all along.

"I've never ran that far with a football in my hands -- ever," he said. "I was hoping they didn't have a good camera angle."

BACK OFF, BIG MAN

After the game, coach Lane Kiffin expressed his displeasure with defensive end Kevin Huntley, who incurred a roughing-the-passer penalty for slamming Boyd in the third quarter, a play that helped sustain an Arizona field-goal drive.

"You work hard to get back there. You don't want to go back there for no reason," Huntley said. "Next time I'll know, if he don't still got the ball, I'm gonna go ahead and let up."

EXTRA POINTS

On the Raiders' first scoring drive, they used five wide receivers and two tight ends. Seven Raiders caught passes in the first half.

Captains for the game were Sims, FB Zack Crockett and P Shane Lechler.

McCown missed his first three pass attempts, then completed 5-of-6 for 42 yards. Andrew Walter completed 8-of-10 for 50 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

There were no sacks in the first half, though Kelly pressured the Cardinals into two incompletions.

 

[Angry Pope]

Strong Start

PHIL BARBER


OAKLAND -- Exhibition games mean nothing, except when they mean something.

The Raiders went 4-1 during the summer last year, but the warning signs were evident from the beginning. The first-team offense put together by Art Shell and his coordinator, Tom Walsh, struggled throughout the exhibition season, only to be repeatedly saved by the defense and the second- and third-stringers.

The Raiders beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, at McAfee Coliseum on Saturday night, and this time the signs were largely promising. Quarterbacks Josh McCown and Andrew Walter started slowly, but both directed long touchdown drives. The Raiders went 80 yards in 12 plays behind McCown in the first quarter, finishing with Dominic Rhodes' 1-yard scoring plunge. In the second quarter, Walter led a 14-play, 67-yard drive and capped it with a pretty 3-yard floater to Mike Williams, who easily out-leaped cornerback Darrell Hunter for the ball.

"The first unit, it took us a couple of series to get going," McCown said. "But once we got going, I thought we moved the ball well and got it in for a score. You always like to be able to get your first unit moving in and score. This first preseason game, it was a good thing."

There were blemishes, too, of course. Arizona's starters outgained the Raiders'. And Oakland's third quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, disappointed the crowd by fumbling twice on his first three snaps. Cardinals rookie Alan Branch recovered the first.

But for a team starved for offense of any variety, and especially for long, sustained drives, Saturday night was a good start for 32-year-old coach Lane Kiffin and his staff.

Kiffin showed a willingness to substitute liberally at the skill positions, and there was much more movement on offense than the Raiders exhibited a year ago. In 2006, the passing attack generally consisted of longer routes and emergency dump-offs, and it was plagued by sacks.

Oakland quarterbacks didn't get sacked once in the first half Saturday, and their passes were often aimed at tight ends and running backs. On Walter's second-quarter scoring march, he completed three passes in five plays, all of them to tight ends in the middle of the field.

With LaMont Jordan resting his sore back, Rhodes got the bulk of the first-half carries. He was nothing special statistically -- eight carries for 21 yards and the touchdown, plus a 10-yard reception -- but he looked both agile and hard-nosed in eluding tacklers. Rhodes will probably get fewer touches in subsequent games, though, as he approaches a four-game, league-imposed suspension to begin the regular season.

"A lot of us were feeling pretty sluggish out there, you know, from a long camp and working hard, but I think we did pretty well for the first half," Rhodes said.

The defense wasn't spectacular, allowing the Cardinals 205 total yards and a 4.8-yard rushing average in the first half, while failing to generate a sack. That was far from the dominant effort the Raiders mounted against Arizona in Week 7 last year, when they allowed just nine first downs while keying the team's first win (and one of only two) on Oct. 22.

Then again, Rob Ryan's unit wasn't at full strength. Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess, a month removed from hernia surgery, sat out the game. And veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp hardly played.

Arizona's Neil Rackers nailed a 59-yard field goal (about 59½, actually) to end the first half, then added two more in the third quarter. First-year quarterback Shane Boyd shredded the Raiders for an 8-yard touchdown run in the third period, too, helping the Cardinals take a 23-21 lead.

But Sebastian Janikowski hit a 27-yard field goal to give Oakland the edge again at 24-23 in the fourth quarter. And former Cal kicker Tyler Fredrickson padded the lead with fluttering 48-yarder that just cleared the crossbar.

"It's good to be back," wide receiver Jerry Porter said. "We got a lot of guys out there playing hard, playing fast, and that's what we're trying to do this year -- sustain drives, keep the defense off the field for a second, and it seems like we're doing that pretty well."

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders Notes: Positive step for Williams

Jason Jones

Sunday, August 12, 2007

OAKLAND -- It's the kind of play he should make.

The Raiders were three yards from the goal line and Andrew Walter dropped back to pass.

He lobbed the ball to Mike Williams, who snatched it from a defensive back doing all he could to stop the play.

The 6-foot-5 Williams, who is listed at 230 pounds but is probably closer to 240, should be a mismatch against any cornerback in that situation.

And that play is the kind of play Williams must make to show coach Lane Kiffin that he's worth a roster spot.

The Raiders traded for Williams and quarterback Josh McCown during the NFL draft.

McCown was brought in to compete for the starting quarterback job. Williams, the 10th overall choice in 2005, was acquired to see if he could salvage his career after two lackluster seasons in Detroit.

"It was nice to see Mike make a couple of plays," said Kiffin, who coached Williams at USC. "The touchdown catch reminded us of the Mike we remember, but he still has a long way to go."

Big return -- Safety Hiram Eugene had reason to smile last September.

After the Raiders made their final cuts, he was a surprise keeper on the 53-man roster.

But he was waived four days later. The Raiders signed him to the practice squad, where he spent most of the season before being signed to the active roster Dec. 29, two days before the season finale. He did not appear in the game, however.

Eugene took a step backward when he took a bad angle and missed a tackle on Bryant Johnson's 58-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

But he bounced back with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Eugene missed much of last season's offseason program playing in NFL Europa but feels better this year.

"I feel I'm in a better position," Eugene said. "The coaches trust me a little more, so that's a plus."

Line shuffling -- Defensive end Derrick Burgess sat out. He only started practicing last Monday after a stint on the physically unable to perform list following hernia surgery last month.

Rather than start Kevin Huntley or rookie Jay Richardson, the Raiders moved defensive tackle Tommy Kelly to end opposite rookie Quentin Moses.

Warren Sapp and Terdell Sands started at defensive tackle.

Sapp played a series before leaving the game. Kelly then moved back to defensive tackle with Richardson coming in at defensive end.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders: Who helped/hurt themselves

08/12/2007


Who helped themselves

S B.J. Ward. Downed a punt at the Cardinals' 3-yard line in the first quarter, and capped his night by flattening wide receiver Troy Bienemann on a high pass in the second quarter.

DT Tommy Kelly. Pressured Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart into forced passes on two occasions in the first quarter. Kelly is trying to hold off Terdell Sands for his starting spot.

S Hiram Eugene. Intercepted a pass from third-string quarterback Shane Boyd and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Who hurt themselves

T Cornell Green. Got beat by Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry on a second-quarter play in which Berry hit quarterback Josh McCown just as he attempted a pass. Green was called for a false start two plays later.

CB Chris Johnson. Late reacting to a slant-in by Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson on a pass play that went for a 58-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

- STEVE CORKRAN

 

[Angry Pope]

Quarterback shuffle

The Raiders play three QBs, but none of them stands out in a victory.

Jason Jones

August 12, 2007

OAKLAND -- So who's the leader in the race to become the Raiders' starting quarterback? Saturday's night's exhibition opener didn't exactly answer that question.

First-year head coach Lane Kiffin, his trio of quarterbacks and the Raiders' new offense made their debut at McAfee Coliseum against the Arizona Cardinals.

The result was a 27-23 win for the Raiders.

Not that final scores matter at this point. The Raiders went 4-1 in exhibition games last year before a 2-14 regular season.

The game was about the offense and the many questions that surround it after last season's impotent attack and who will lead it.

With first overall pick JaMarcus Russell still unsigned, that leaves Josh McCown, Andrew Walter or Daunte Culpepper to become the starting quarterback.

McCown was unspectacular in his 18 plays with the first-team offense. He completed 5 of 9 passes for 42 yards.

"I thought Josh did OK," Kiffin said. "He got the ball to the right places and got us in and out of plays that we needed to do. I'd like him to be a little more accurate at times."

There were two three-and-outs followed by a 12 play, 80-yard scoring drive that ended on a Dominic Rhodes one-yard touchdown run. McCown fumbled twice on the drive but recovered both times.

"After that first series, I felt good about what we were doing offensively," McCown said.

"We got in a groove, started running the ball well and had a long drive in there."

Walter took his lumps last season. But he was sacked only once in 20 plays and looked poised directing the second-team offense.

"Andrew played really well," Kiffin said. "He played good and took command -- his presence in the huddle and on the sidelines -- I was really pleased with him."

Walter completed 8 of 11 passes for 50 yards and had a three-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams to end a 14-play, 67-yard drive.

"It's one preseason game, nothing to hang your hat on," Walter said.

Culpepper came in last and heard the loudest cheers when he entered the game but had the most uneven performance.

He fumbled his first snap from Jeremy Newberry, which was recovered by the Cardinals.

"It happens sometimes," Culpepper said. "You don't want it to happen the first play when you go in, but it happened. I think the main thing was we were able to come back and get in a little bit of a rhythm."

Culpepper was 5 of 12 for 78 yards and showed off his strong arm with a 50-yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins.

"He is not playing with the same personnel as the other two guys were early. Keep that in mind," Kiffin said.

The three quarterbacks left the game relatively unscathed behind the maligned offensive line.

Walter's sack was the only of the game. When there was trouble, the new scheme aided the offensive line.

Right tackle Cornell Green was beat by Bertrand Berry's pass rush on McCown's scoring drive.

But McCown wasn't holding on to the ball waiting for a deep route to develop. So though he was hit, the result was a wobbly incompletion, not a sack.

As for next week, Kiffin said he hasn't decided the quarterback rotation, leaving the question of who's leading the starting race unanswered.

 

[Angry Pope]

Taking baby steps

Skepticism is a natural response to Raiders' less-than-revelatory showing

Nancy Gay

Sunday, August 12, 2007

This much you can count on in a Raiders exhibition game: Shane Lechler will punt well. And the Raiders often win.

Heck, in 2006, the Raiders won their first four contests in the preseason. They made people believe.

Then, once the games counted, the reality of 2-14 knocked the breath out of everyone.

You got the sense that the modest gathering of faithful Saturday night at the Coliseum wanted to scream and cheer with abandon, but the familiar mistakes kept pace with the good stuff in a 27-23 Raiders victory over Arizona.

This is still a skeptical Raider Nation. Loyal to the teeth, but rightfully skeptical.

When guys like Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart see only 17 plays and many of the Raiders' defensive starters get about half that many looks, the game is about as real as Pacman Jones' pro wrestling career.

What did the Raiders' 2007 practice game debut reveal, other than rookie coach Lane Kiffin making sure his players hustle to the line of scrimmage a lot faster than before?

The defense, an outstanding third-ranked unit last season that was unfairly overlooked because of the ineptitude of the offense, hasn't lost its muscle or its step.

And there is nobody you can call the quarterback. Not yet.

Josh McCown started. That's about it.

Andrew Walter, who has been the interception king of training camp, completed 8 of 11 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Daunte Culpepper, the gotta-have-him veteran presence? He fumbled his first snap from center Jeremy Newberry, handing Arizona a touchdown drive. He fumbled again.

Which brings us to rookie JaMarcus Russell, who still remains a Raiders rumor, not a fact. He might not have even seen the game - unless he hacked a satellite feed from somewhere (Mobile, Ala.? Atlanta? The Oakland Hills?) to catch a glimpse of his teammates rolling around on the Coliseum's dirt infield.

Ideally, Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and the Raiders' handpicked ticket to future success, would have been there. He should have signed for that fat 30 million bucks guaranteed by now. No question.

But is this standoff between the Raiders brain trust and Russell's stubborn agents something extraordinary? Not at all.

All you had to do Saturday was look across the field at Leinart - the 10th pick overall in 2006 - and remember his training camp last year. Check that ... he didn't really have one.

The former Heisman Trophy winner hung around the Phoenix area for two weeks while his agent, Tom Condon, haggled with the Cardinals over a contract. The smack you heard from both sides sounds familiar if you've been following the Russell impasse: deadlocks, escalator clauses, guarantees, bonuses, multi-million-dollar stuff that makes your head explode.

Leinart, you'll recall, didn't sign until Aug. 14. He was the last first-round pick - the final draft choice out of the entire class of '06 - to put his name on a contract.

Incumbent starter Kurt Warner offered a stern lecture about the importance of training camp.

"I think everybody knows that the more days you miss, the more games you miss, the farther and farther you fall behind and the harder it is to catch up," Warner said at the time.

Five days later, Leinart played against the Patriots in Week 3 of the preseason, completing 4 of 11 passes

By Week 5 of the regular season, Leinart had unseated Warner, the former Super Bowl MVP, as the starter.

By Week 12, Leinart established an NFL rookie record with 405 passing yards against the Vikings in a 31-26 loss.

By Week 17, Leinart had thrown 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He played for a lousy Cardinals team, had a shoulder sprain in Week 16 against the 49ers and, well, survived.

By all accounts, Leinart had an above-average debut for a rookie quarterback chosen in the top 10 of the NFL draft. Nobody expected him to make the Pro Bowl.

Nobody expects the rookie quarterback to do much of anything.

In truth, more folks figured the Cardinals, with Warner, Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald on offense, would be a playoff contender, with or without Leinart.

Keep all of this in mind while pondering the Russell-Raiders' stalemate.

Is he killing his chances for 2007 because he's not getting two-a-day snaps in Napa? Probably not. His copious offseason work, the minicamps and organized team activities that Russell participated in with his new teammates - what he gained from these probably remain imbedded in his brain matter.

In his virtual existence as an Oakland Raider, Russell is taking care of some business. Seems he was more consumed this past week with the settlement paperwork on his purchase of an Oakland Hills home - hey, no Blackhawk for this Silver and Black superstar! - than with closing the most important deal of all.

That playing contract.

He'll eventually sign. And he'll play. On a team recovering from a 2-14 2006, Russell has plenty of time to make a difference. The Raiders, who made the choice to pick him No. 1 overall, have to allow for that.


3QB comparison

Name Com-Att Yds TD Int

McCown 5-9 42 0 0
Walter 8-11 50 1 0
Culpepper 5-12 78 0 0

 

[Angry Pope]

Offense shows signs of life

Only an exhibition game, but new look looks good


David White


Sunday, August 12, 2007

The Oakland Raiders' offense scored, the defense held, and all was won by the home team.

Sounds great, but before proceeding, here's a disclaimer brought to you by the 2-14 Raiders who started 4-0 in last year's exhibition season: A 27-23 exhibition victory over the Arizona Cardinals at the Coliseum does not a turnaround make.

With that said, Raiders fans witnessed on Saturday the beginning of a quarterback competition that promises to keep the exhibition season interesting as the JaMarcus Russell sit-out drags into Week 3.

Josh McCown started, and slowly at that. Daunte Culpepper fumbled his opening act, but put together the comeback portion of the victory. Andrew Walter played in the middle, and played best of all.

"It's one preseason game, so it's nothing to hang your hat on," Walter said.

Maybe, but the Raiders have to start somewhere, and quarterback play is as good as any.

Most noticeable were the things that never happened. There were no interceptions, lost fumbles or sacks allowed in the first two quarters, which means the first half was the Bizarro-world opposite of everything that unraveled last year.

There was new Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, wearing a Jon Gruden-tight white visor on the sideline as he called plays in his head-coaching debut (at any level). Right away, it was obvious this wasn't last year's archaic offense of seven-stop drops, immobile pockets and vertical passes that never were.

The quarterbacks fired off passes after three-to-five steps. Shotguns were in third-down vogue. Tight ends and running backs were sprung open in West Coast offense-style.

"Not a bad start for these guys," Kiffin said.

Especially for Walter, who was slightly booed when he replaced McCown in the second quarter. He went 2-6 as a starter last year, and some fans seemed to boo him just for being linked to last year's offense, the worst in team history by all accounts.

After a three-and-out, Walter strung together a 14-play, 67-yard drive that started with 6:50 left in the second quarter and ended with 28 seconds remaining.

The obvious highlight was his 3-yard timed lob to wide receiver Mike Williams on the right side of the end zone for a 21-7 lead. Everything else before that showed how radically changed the playbook has become.

Three of his passes went over the middle to tight ends. Two passes went to running back Justin Griffith out of the backfield. No attempts were for more than 15 yards, a strong sign that the Raiders aren't going to rely solely on the vertical pass anymore.

Walter completed 8 of 11 passes for 50 yards with a 111.9 quarterback rating, more than double his league-worst rating as a 2-6 starter last season.

"Andrew played really well," Kiffin said. "Good command, a good presence."

McCown did "OK," Kiffin said, and he played the first three drives of the game with the first-team offense.

Starting against his former team, McCown opened with three straight incompletions and consecutive three-and-outs.

The third drive is where he drew Kiffin's praise, with McCown guiding a 12-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 7:05. And to think, it started with McCown fumbling and stumbling for a 4-yard loss at the Raiders 16.

Running back Dominic Rhodes got it started with two first-down runs in third down situations. McCown then took over with a 12-yard pass to Jerry Porter, a 10-yard dump-off to Rhodes on a forced rollout and a 15-yard throw to Mike Williams at the Cardinals 17 on 3rd-and-8.

A pass interference on Doug Gabriel in the end zone gave the Raiders a first down at the Cardinals' 1, and Rhodes followed with a 1-yard touchdown run with 13:25 left in the second quarter.

"I thought it was OK," McCown said of his Raiders debut. "Once we got going, I thought we moved the ball well. You always like to get your first unit moving in and score."

Culpepper had to work with the third-team offense, and he didn't help by fumbling away his first snap from scrimmage with 9:38 left in the third quarter.

He fumbled after a sack on the next drive, but the Raiders recovered, as did Culpepper. He started the fourth quarter with a 10-play, 69-yard drive, starring a 50-yard throw to Johnnie Lee Higgins, to set up Sebastian Janikowski's 27-yard field goal for a 24-23 lead.

Culpepper finished 5-of-12 for 78 yards.

"It's a starting point, something to build on," Culpepper said.

 

[Angry Pope]

New era opens with promise

Raiders first-team offense actually looks good in win

Steve Corkran

08/12/2007


OAKLAND — More than seven months had passed since fans last witnessed the Oakland Raiders offense at work in a game.

For some, the long break helped them forget about just how awful the Raiders offense was last season.

A quick recap showed that the Raiders offense scored only 12 touchdowns, allowed a league-worst 72 sacks in 16 regular-season games and finished at or near the bottom of every statistical category last year.

Hence, Raiders managing general partner Al Davis fired coach Art Shell, offensive coordinator Tom Walsh and offensive line coaches Jackie Slater and Irv Eatman, and turned to 32-year-old offensive whiz Lane Kiffin for a change.

The six-plus months Kiffin has spent installing his version of the West Coast offense came under wraps, behind closed doors, with everyone eager for evidence that things will be different this season.

That came Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals, when the Raiders scored two second-quarter touchdowns on sustained drives by quarterbacks Josh McCown and Andrew Walter in a 27-23 victory at McAfee Coliseum.

OK, so the Cardinals aren't known fortheir defense, and they aren't the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers or Denver Broncos. You have to start somewhere.

For Kiffin, he started by hiring respected offensive line coach Tom Cable and proven offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. He then traded for McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams, traded away disgruntled receiver Randy Moss,
drafted tight end Zach Miller and signed free agent running back Dominic Rhodes and free agent guard Cooper Carlisle.

Every one of the aforementioned newcomers played a huge role in a successful start to the Kiffin era, at least as far as games are concerned. McCown engineered an 80-yard scoring drive — aided by three Arizona penalties for 39 yards — that culminated with Rhodes plowing in from 1 yard out.

Williams made a leaping catch of an Andrew Walter pass for a 3-yard touchdown later in the quarter. He also kept alive the first scoring drive with a 17-yard reception on a third-down play.

Cable's retooled offensive line paved the way for Oakland's offensive outburst. The projected starting offensive line didn't allow any sacks, committed only one penalty and enabled McCown to operate without fear for his safety.

The same could be said for the backups when Walter entered the game. None of the Raiders made too much of Saturday's showing. Yet, deep down Kiffin has to be feeling good, if not breathing a sigh of relief.

For, Kiffin knows he is going to be judged on two things: how many games the Raiders win and how well his offensive scheme translates from the practice field and meeting rooms onto the field.

Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has every starter back from last season's third-ranked unit. He has things under control on his side of the ball.

It's Kiffin's responsibility to bring along his offense so that it complements the defense and no longer is a liability. Such was the case against the Cardinals, where the Raiders offense scored 14 points and the defense added seven points before the reserves took over in the second half.

Efforts comparable to the one put forth by Oakland's offense Saturday night now can be used as a confidence booster and a building block for the long road that lies ahead in the form of the regular season.

If that happens, Kiffin can look back to Saturday night's game as the starting point of something positive and not the continuation of last year's nightmarish showing.

 

[Angry Pope]

Oakland finds many uses for veteran Darius

Steve Corkran

08/12/2007


—The Raiders signed veteran safety Donovin Darius in an attempt to bolster their secondary and add experience to a young secondary. No one doubts Darius' playing ability.

He was a stalwart during an impressive nine-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The only uncertainty stemmed from where and how to use Darius.

Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on Saturday night provided a glimpse into how he intends to use Darius on a defense that returns all 11 starters, including free safety Stuart Schweigert and strong safety Michael Huff.

Darius entered the game on Oakland's second defensive series in place of Schweigert. One play later, all three safeties were on the field in the team's "Wolverine" package, where outside linebacker Sam Williams leaves the lineup.

Later in the same series, Darius filled in for Huff at strong safety. Darius, who turned 32 today, had a reputation as a linchpin of the Jaguars defense.

Injuries limited him to 12 games the past two seasons and made many wonder if he had anything left. Ryan already is sold on Darius.

"He's got to learn our system and fit in," Ryan said, "But, trust me, all defenses have spots for great players, and he's a tremendous player. He's been a tremendous player in this league, and we're excited about him. His leadership and his toughness are great plusses for the Raiders."

HOLDING A GRUDGE: Saturday's game was more than a test run for Ryan. No, this was personal. The game provided him with yet another shot at seeking retribution against a Cardinals franchise that fired him, his twin brother, Rex, and their father, Buddy, after the 1995 season.

"Heck, yeah, we're ready," Ryan said Thursday night. "We're playing the Cardinals, you know; long history there. Fired the whole family. So we'll be ready to go."

Rob and Buddy Ryan, 73, spent considerable time before Saturday's game walking around the perimeter of the field, with Rob's right arm draped around his father's shoulder most of the time. Buddy Ryan was in a Raiders sweat suit and Raiders hat.

Rob and Buddy Ryan mingled with Raiders fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures. They even chatted with several Cardinals players. At one point, Rob entered the stands so that he could greet a handful of Raiders fans.


INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNING: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper's Raiders debut is one he would just as soon forget.

Culpepper entered the game early in the third quarter to a rousing ovation from the Raiders faithful. Seconds later, Culpepper fumbled the snap from Jeremy Newberry, and the Cardinals recovered at the Raiders 17-yard line.


EXTRA POINTS: Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton (elbow) played despite being listed as a pregame scratch. He was injured during practice this week and missed two days. ... Rookie defensive end Jay Richardson received a few snaps on Oakland's second series. So did fourth-year player Chris Clemons. They played so early because of starter Derrick Burgess' absence as he recovers from hernia surgery. ... Chris Carr and rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins split time on punt returns. Carr busted his lone return for 23 yards in the first quarter. Higgins called for a fair catch on his first return and let the ball bound into the end zone on his second return. ... Raiders rookie tight end Zach Miller snared a high pass for a 14-yard gain on his first NFL reception.

 

[Angry Pope]

Jerry used the same word I used...

Kiffin's first big test will be choosing the right QB

Jerry McDonald

08/12/2007

Lane Kiffin has already earned a reputation for being meticulous, so much so the first-year Raiders coach admitted the other day, ``Some people think I do too many walkthroughs.''

It stems from Kiffin's wish to predetermine the outcome as much as possible, anticipating all the potential successes and pitfalls before the ball is snapped.

If the Raiders didn't have to actually play, things would be far less complicated.

There is no bigger decision Kiffin has to make than to select his first quarterback, a call that didn't get any easier Saturday night when the Raiders beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at McAfee Coliseum.

Josh McCown, working with the first team against the Cardinals first team, didn't seize the day but didn't lose ground either. Andrew Walter, last year's tackling dummy, finished with a quarterback rating of 111.9.

If that wasn't enough, Daunte Culpepper fumbled his first snap then showed flashes of the quarterback who threw 39 touchdown passes and had 11 interceptions in 2004 for the Minnesota Vikings.

``It's going to make a tough decision for Kiff to see who is going to be the head guy opening up against Detroit,'' wide receiver Jerry Porter said. ``But it sure beats having three guys who don't know what the hell they're doing.''

At least Kiffin doesn't have to concern himself with the pressure of whether or not to start the No. 1 draft choice. JaMarcus Russell has removed himself
from the equation for the foreseeable future by not having agreed to a contract.

With Russell out of the picture, and no way to meld his three quarterbacks into a single Andrew McCulpepper, Kiffin is looking for a man who can stay away from turnovers.

Erase Culpepper's fumbled exchange, and the Raiders had no turnovers.

Kiffin is looking for a man who can create points.

It happened against Arizona in triplicate.

Kiffin wants someone to be a leader.

All three got their team in and out of the huddle and played with poise and presence.

Thank goodness Jeff Otis didn't get in and throw a touchdown pass.

Given that the Raiders host Detroit in Week 1 and Cleveland in Week 3, picking the right quarterback could mean a fast start which could catapult a moribund franchise to mediocrity and beyond.

It's instant credibility for a 32-year-old head coach in charge of his own team for the first time.

On the other hand, with Denver on the road in Week 2, picking the wrong quarterback means the potential for 0-3, the possibility of another laughing stock, and the local and national press pointing to Kiffin as evidence that Al Davis hired the only guy that would take the job.

The guess here is that in his mental ``walkthrough,'' Kiffin envisions McCown as his Week 1 starter. McCown throws a decent pass and is the best of the three operating the bootlegs and reverse rolls which will involve backs and tight ends and keep drives alive.

McCown would be ideal for an offensive line which is new to zone blocking — a line which had an encouraging debut Saturday night across the board. He was 5-for-9 for 42 yards, missing at least two passes he could have completed. With the help of some Arizona penalties, McCown left with a 7-0 lead after a 12-play, 80-yard march that consumed 7:05 of clock time.

`` After that first series, I felt good about what we were doing,'' McCown said. ``It was good to have a long drive. Especially with your first team offense, you put together a long drive in the preseason and finish it off with a touchdown, it helps build confidence.''

Said Kiffin: ``I thought Josh did OK. (He) got the ball to the right places, got us in and out of plays. I would have liked for him to be a little more accurate at times.''

Walter, 8-for-11 for 50 yards, had drive-sustaining completions of 14 yards to Zach Miller and 13 yards to John Madsen. He was conservative, precise, and totally unwilling to offer an I-told-you-so after a single preseason game.

``Nothing to hang your hat on,'' Walter said. ``Time to go back to work tomorrow.''

Kiffin lauded Walter's presence and command.

Logic suggests Walter remains the long shot here, given the Raiders' desire to put an entirely new face on their 2006 offense.

Culpepper, given the ovation when he came in and the breathtaking nature of a 50-yard strike to Johnnie Lee Higgins, will be the people's choice even if he's not the choice of Kiffin.

More impressive than Culpepper's deep threw were a pair of rollout passes which were dropped _ one by Will Buchanon and another by Higgins. They were precisely the kind of plays Culpepper was incapable of running last year in four games with the Miami Dolphins, coming off a serious knee injury.

`` It felt really good to be able to roll out in the pocket and make an accurate throw,'' Culpepper said. ``That's kind of what I wanted to see, if I could get out and do it against a defense in a game. It felt good. It's a starting point. It's something to build on.''

So now what? Kiffin said he's not sure how to best go about the remainder of training camp of the preseason. Does he give Walter and Culpepper shots with the first team? Does he try and get McCown running smoothly and trust his first instinct?

 

[Angry Pope]

Post-game wrap

Jerry McDonald

News and notes from the Raiders' 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night at McAfee Coliseum:

– The 27 points were more than the Raiders scored at any time in 21 preseason and regular-season games in 2006. The most points Oakland scored last season came in a 23-7 preseason win in San Francisco.

– Oakland's offensive line had an encouraging debut. Josh McCown wasn't sacked, and Andrew Walter and Daunte Culpepper were sacked once each.

– Each quarterback had his moments, which will be detailed in an exclusive on-line column posted Saturday night, but the most impressive part aspect might have been Daunte Culpepper's rollout passes to Will Buchanon and Johnnie Lee Higgins.

Both were dropped, but it hardly mattered. There were serious questions as to whether Culpepper still had mobility, and they appeared to be answered on those two throws. The 50-yard completion to Higgins was a beauty, but everyone knew Culpepper had a great arm.

– Oakland had just two first-half penalties on false starts by Cornell Green and Ronald Curry, but got sloppy in the second half, finishing with eight penalites for 58 yards. Most troublesome was a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on Kevin Huntley which won't do much for his chances of fending off rookies Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson.

– Adimchinobe Echemandu deserves a shot against the first team before preseason is out just to see what he can do. Echemandu finished with 17 carries for 75 yards, looking strong and decisive, willing to make one cut and get as many yards as possible.

– Mike Williams did exactly what Kiffin hoped he would do when he leaped over Darrell Hunter for a 3-yard touchdown reception.

– The Raiders employed a lot of single-back sets early and used the fullback more often as the game welnt along. Fullbacks did not carry the ball, although Justin Griffith caught three passes for 10 yards.

– Jerry Porter was the intended target of three of McCown's first four passes.

– Shane Lechler is ready _ three punts for a 50.3 average and 44.3 net.

– B.J. Ward got a leg up in his bid to become the next Jarrod Cooper by downing a Lechler punt at the 3-yard-line.

– Tough night for cornerback Chris Johnson, who was beaten for a 59-yard touchdown by Bryant Johnson _ blowing a tackle _ and also getting called for an illegal hands to the face penalty which was nullified by an offsetting foul.

– The Raiders were 8-for-17 on third-down coversions, one of their many disaster areas of 2006.

– An hour before game time, Buddy Ryan, escorted by his son Rob and decked out in Raider gear from head to toe, walked along the black hole and the east stands, signing autographs for fans.

At one point, Rob Ryan actually went into the stands to shake hands and talk with fans.

– JaMarcus Russell was nowhere to be found, but he's already making some money for the Raiders. There were plenty of No. 2 Russell jerseys to be found on fans in the parking lot and in the stands.

– In a not-too-well disguised attempt to poison the Arizona coaches staff working in the booth, a Raiders employee left eight press box hot dogs for the coaches when they returned from the locker room.

 

[Angry Pope]

Look who's back - Porter gets first start since 2005

David White

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter had a season, and then some, all before the end of the first quarter.

Back from a wasted 2006 season, the Raiders made it clear Porter was their No. 1 receiving option for the first time since he came to Oakland eight years ago.

Porter made his first start since the 2005 season during Oakland's 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Saturday's exhibition opener at the Coliseum.

His line doesn't look huge - two catches for 17 yards - but there was more to it than that. With Josh McCown at quarterback, the first two throws of the game, and four of the first six, were directed to Porter.

For context, Porter had one catch for 6 yards, and only two passes thrown his way, all of last season, after an offseason argument with former coach Art Shell led to his season-long benching. He didn't play in the 2006 exhibition season because of a calf injury.

He's healthy and happy as can be now, as displayed in his 12-yard catch-and-juke in the team's first touchdown drive.

"It's good to be back," Porter said. "We've got a lot of guys out there playing hard, playing fast, and that's what we're trying to do this year ... sustain drives, keep the defense off the field for a second. It seems like we're doing that pretty well."

Another recovery: Ditto all that for wide receiver Mike Williams, acquired in a draft-day trade after three disappointing seasons with the Detroit Lions.

The former first-round pick from USC made a highlight catch in the third quarter, using his 6-foot-5 frame to outjump and outmuscle 6-foot-1 Cardinals cornerback Darrell Hunter for a 3-yard touchdown catch from Andrew Walter in the second quarter.

Williams also came up big on a 14-yard catch on 3rd-and-8 on Oakland's first scoring drive of the game.

Burgess sits: Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess sat out as a precautionary move in his return from offseason hernia surgery.

That allowed the Raiders to play two rookie defensive ends with the first-team defense. Fifth-round draft pick Jay Richardson played in Burgess' spot on the left side and third-rounder Quentin Moses started at right end.

Condo delivers: Backup linebacker Jon Condo was named the new starting long snapper because he can get downfield in a hurry.

That showed in a hurry Saturday, when he charged across the field to make two tackles in punt coverage.

Condo also was error-free snapping on four punts and three extra-point kicks.

J.J. returns: Former Cal running back J.J. Arrington came off the bench for Arizona and ran nine times for 32 yards.

He also had an 8-yard catch and 21-yard kick return.

Nice kick: Former Cal kicker Tyler Fredrickson was signed last week to help Sebastian Janikowski carry the load in training camp.

He ended up kicking an insurance field goal with 2:20 left in the game. His 48-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 27-23 lead.

Briefly: Raiders running back LaMont Jordan (back) and cornerback Stanford Routt (knee) did not dress for the game. The Raiders resume training camp practice Monday in Napa, where they will spend five more days.

 

[Angry Pope]

Kawakami: Back in the run of things

By Tim Kawakami

08/12/2007

The Lane Kiffin Era in Raiders exhibition football began relatively smoothly Saturday evening, though it would've been more auspicious for everyone involved if the JaMarcus Russell Era had begun as well.

That was not to be, however, given the realities of top-level NFL contract negotiations, Al Davis' fiscal beliefs and Russell's differing vision of his worth as a potential quarterback savior.

So Russell remained unsigned and at home in Mobile, Ala., or perhaps at his newly purchased home in the Easy Bay, while the Raiders defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at McAfee Coliseum in both teams' exhibition openers.

The early results: not horrendous and, at times, bordering on encouraging, if you're a Raiders fan dreading another 2-14 experience or you're Davis and praying that Russell doesn't gain any more bargaining power.

"We've got a lot of guys out there playing hard, playing fast, and that's what we're trying to do this year - sustain drives, keep the defense off the field for a second - and it seems like we're doing that pretty well," wide receiver Jerry Porter said.

This is not a good team, by any means. But the defense, which was quite good last year, still looks sharp, and the offense might not be embarrassing. Not embarrassing? Hey, that's something you never could say about the Raiders last year.

If Russell gets in there eventually, $30 million richer or maybe $31 million, depending on Davis' Swiss-bank payment plan, there are signs that this offense might be ready to support a quarterback as talented as Russell . . . by 2008.

It's still 2007, and Russell could remain unsigned for a long time, but the whole thing is not wholly hopeless or tied to a stubborn Hall of Fame lineman and his bed-and-breakfast sidekick.

The night began with Josh McCown at quarterback, and the journeyman looked moderately not-terrible while leading the Raiders on a penalty-fueled first-quarter touchdown drive.

Andrew Walter, the only quarterback returnee from last year, came next and looked OK while leading another touchdown drive; flashy recent signing Daunte Culpepper didn't get in until the second half.

When Culpepper finally entered the game early in the third quarter, he received generous applause, then immediately fumbled away the ball on the snap from Jeremy Newberry.

But even that almost turned out fine - two plays later, Tyler Brayton somehow came up with an interception while diving to the ground, got up when the Cardinals assumed it was an incomplete pass, and ran 81 yards for the Raiders' second defensive touchdown.

The play was challenged, reversed and ruled an incomplete pass - the ball clearly hit the ground, despite Brayton's adroit attempt - but it was fun for the Raiders while it lasted.

That Culpepper is instant offense!

Overall, the Raiders offense really did seem different Saturday: running backs caught passes (avoided like the plague in 2006), wide receiver pick-up Mike Williams caught a lob touchdown pass, the line didn't blow apart at the seams. Kiffin's offense looked like it probably won't be the most pathetic I've ever seen.

That last part, of course, instantly places this Raiders offense well ahead of the 2006 Art Shell/Tom Walsh/Aaron Brooks follies, though that is a very low bar to pass.

I mean: two offensive touchdowns in the first half and, with an interception return in the second quarter, 21 points at halftime?

Even in an exhibition game, that's something. In 2006, the Raiders managed to score 21 points in a whole regular-season game only twice, and they failed to break 20 points at all in the final nine games.

Plus, 2006 was strewed with sacks, penalties and fumbles from the opening bell. This wouldn't seem spectacular for any franchise except the Raiders or a few junior high school squads, but McCown was not sacked and didn't fumble in an entire half of play.

If Russell was watching this, wherever he was watching this, he probably had the same conflicting feelings as everybody else in Raider Nation:

It was good that the offense has been updated to modern times and can actually move the ball, and it would be a lot better if it had been Russell in there, moving it himself.

But even Al Davis can't have everything. On this night, he probably was pleased just to see the faint outlines of offensive salvation.

 

[massraider]

I watched much online, but wasn't able to really watch the line play, so I'll save my hardcore observations till after I watch it tonight (I know you're all awaiting my thoughts), but I will say:

Overall, further along than I thought. Nice to see Kelly get some pressure, if he can bounce back this season, it'd be a huge boost.

I think we are a ways away from seeing the QB position sorted out. So I am going to hold off on making any early decisions on who I think the starter will be. And frankly, I don't really care. May the best man win, and help us out. Nice to see Walter have some success.

God, if we can get a running game going..............All of the backs had some success, I think Lamont better hit the ground running, because Fargas and Rhodes both looked fine. I hope Joe E makes the team.

It's apparent they are going to spread the ball around, and rely on short passes and misdirection to ease the pressure on the Oline. Justin Griffith is gonna be a fan favorite on this team.

 

[Angry Pope]

I think we are a ways away from seeing the QB position sorted out. So I am going to hold off on making any early decisions on who I think the starter will be. And frankly, I don't really care. May the best man win, and help us out. Nice to see Walter have some success.

That is how I felt all along.

 

[Madturk]

I couldn't find the link to the video stream but will watch the replay tonight as well. How did the first team defense look? Looks like Ariz had some success running the ball early. I assume most of the firsts were out when Warner torched us. Was Hiram Eugene the culprit on the TD to Johnson?

 

[Raidermania12]

replay on nfl network at 11pm eastern tonight

 

[Angry Pope]

Photos from game day....

 

[Angry Pope]

It will be interesting to see what we do with Michael Bush. If we don't remove him from the PUP list prior to the final cutdowns, he has to stay there for the first six weeks of the season.

That might work out well considering if his health is not just right yet, it would buy a roster spot for Mandu, and it opens up the possibility of a trade of Jordan prior to the trade deadline. Not saying it will happen but those are options.