Rupert
The Long Wind
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2005
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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Week 2: Raiders at Baltimore
The Good
Andrew Walter being ready to play after Aaron Brooks injured his shoulder. The best part of his game in week two for me was not the nice completions nor was it his composure in the pocket. For me, the best part of his work against Baltimore happened right after the missed TD pass to Moss. Walter stalked the sidelines. At first I thought he was liked a caged lion wanting to get back onto the field, and that might have been part of it. I thought about what I’d be thinking after that attempt, “Why the hell did Randy put his hand up if he wasn’t going to run the route?” As the camera stayed on him I saw him say, “Where’s Randy?” Eventually, they found each other and talked about the missed opportunity. When those two get on the same page, the TD’s will start flowing.
But I’m not going to stop there. Did anyone see how cool and composed Walter was in the pocket? He stood in there, slid around the pressure (most of the time), and threw some pretty passes. He isn’t the Raiders’ QB of the future; he’s the Raiders QB of the present.
The defense really stepped it up. If their performance in week one against San Diego showed promise, they started to deliver against Baltimore. No sacks in week one? Two against Baltimore in week two. No turnovers in week one against San Diego? One against Baltimore in week two, and opportunities for a couple more that slipped through their grasp.
More on the defense. How about holding Baltimore to three field goals on their first three possessions? They had exceptional field position on those three drives, and even if they self-destructed on one drive, we did enough to hold them to a field goal each time.
Okay, the offensive line was not good overall, but they did give Walter a couple series of decent protection. Sure it was in the second and fourth quarters when Baltimore’s defense had worn down. Against San Diego, they didn’t have a good series, just a couple plays. But this was Baltimore, which already looks like the best defense in football. You have to give them credit for raising their game after complete humiliation against San Diego. They had every reason to expect to be beaten regularly and often in Baltimore, and they stiffened up.
Chad Slaughter did a nice job on the line in place of Robert Gallery.
Terdell Sands throwing guys around again.
The Bad
Six turnovers. Brooks couldn’t handle the snap? I’m sorry, call me a conspiracy theorist, but he was either instructed to take a dive so Walter could play, or he did it on purpose so he wouldn’t have to take a beating for the second week in a row. Then Walter gets into the act by dropping another two snaps? I can accept that a little since he probably didn’t take many snaps in practice from Grove, but come on kid.
Okay, the offensive line did a nice job in pass protection (not a great job, and maybe just barely approaching average), but their run blocking was horrible. Okay, it was Baltimore, an excellent run defense last season, and they were able to stand up and convert a fourth and inches, but for the second week in a row they failed to establish the run.
Giving Baltimore a very short field for their first three drives was horrible. You can't do that and expect your defense to hold the opponent out on a regular basis.
The Ugly
The defense gave up that touchdown drive late in the first half for no apparent reason. They were probably already drinking the ice cold sports drink in the locker room. A close second was the fourth quarter drive after the offense failed to convert on fourth down. Once again it looked like they wanted to be anywhere but on the field. If that’s the case, bring in the subs and let them play for pride.
The safety. Barry Sims almost tackled Walter in the end zone himself. Of all the protections breakdowns, that was probably the worst.
Randy Moss watching Ray Lewis tip the ball to himself to get the interception. Uhhh, Randy, how about trying to break it up? Offense is not a spectator sport, at least not if you’re suiting up.
Speaking of spectating, what was Johnny Morant doing half-assing it on the last interception?
The opening kick-off return. I watched Ronald Curry’s uniform do an unnatural stretch that helped spring that run along the sideline, but I guessed that flags don’t get thrown against obvious Baltimore holding penalties (that stretches all the way back to an infamous play in Oakland in an AFC Championship game). That idea was supported several times in Baltimore’s first couple offensive series. Then the flags started flying for obvious infractions.
Speaking of obvious penalties, why is Chris McAlister, supposedly the best cover corner in the league, resorting to grabbing, holding, and hitting past five yards? Is he slipping? I know that’s what Charles Woodson started doing on his decline from Pro Bowl status. Coincidence? Regardless, those penalties were ugly.
Week 2: Raiders at Baltimore
The Good
Andrew Walter being ready to play after Aaron Brooks injured his shoulder. The best part of his game in week two for me was not the nice completions nor was it his composure in the pocket. For me, the best part of his work against Baltimore happened right after the missed TD pass to Moss. Walter stalked the sidelines. At first I thought he was liked a caged lion wanting to get back onto the field, and that might have been part of it. I thought about what I’d be thinking after that attempt, “Why the hell did Randy put his hand up if he wasn’t going to run the route?” As the camera stayed on him I saw him say, “Where’s Randy?” Eventually, they found each other and talked about the missed opportunity. When those two get on the same page, the TD’s will start flowing.
But I’m not going to stop there. Did anyone see how cool and composed Walter was in the pocket? He stood in there, slid around the pressure (most of the time), and threw some pretty passes. He isn’t the Raiders’ QB of the future; he’s the Raiders QB of the present.
The defense really stepped it up. If their performance in week one against San Diego showed promise, they started to deliver against Baltimore. No sacks in week one? Two against Baltimore in week two. No turnovers in week one against San Diego? One against Baltimore in week two, and opportunities for a couple more that slipped through their grasp.
More on the defense. How about holding Baltimore to three field goals on their first three possessions? They had exceptional field position on those three drives, and even if they self-destructed on one drive, we did enough to hold them to a field goal each time.
Okay, the offensive line was not good overall, but they did give Walter a couple series of decent protection. Sure it was in the second and fourth quarters when Baltimore’s defense had worn down. Against San Diego, they didn’t have a good series, just a couple plays. But this was Baltimore, which already looks like the best defense in football. You have to give them credit for raising their game after complete humiliation against San Diego. They had every reason to expect to be beaten regularly and often in Baltimore, and they stiffened up.
Chad Slaughter did a nice job on the line in place of Robert Gallery.
Terdell Sands throwing guys around again.
The Bad
Six turnovers. Brooks couldn’t handle the snap? I’m sorry, call me a conspiracy theorist, but he was either instructed to take a dive so Walter could play, or he did it on purpose so he wouldn’t have to take a beating for the second week in a row. Then Walter gets into the act by dropping another two snaps? I can accept that a little since he probably didn’t take many snaps in practice from Grove, but come on kid.
Okay, the offensive line did a nice job in pass protection (not a great job, and maybe just barely approaching average), but their run blocking was horrible. Okay, it was Baltimore, an excellent run defense last season, and they were able to stand up and convert a fourth and inches, but for the second week in a row they failed to establish the run.
Giving Baltimore a very short field for their first three drives was horrible. You can't do that and expect your defense to hold the opponent out on a regular basis.
The Ugly
The defense gave up that touchdown drive late in the first half for no apparent reason. They were probably already drinking the ice cold sports drink in the locker room. A close second was the fourth quarter drive after the offense failed to convert on fourth down. Once again it looked like they wanted to be anywhere but on the field. If that’s the case, bring in the subs and let them play for pride.
The safety. Barry Sims almost tackled Walter in the end zone himself. Of all the protections breakdowns, that was probably the worst.
Randy Moss watching Ray Lewis tip the ball to himself to get the interception. Uhhh, Randy, how about trying to break it up? Offense is not a spectator sport, at least not if you’re suiting up.
Speaking of spectating, what was Johnny Morant doing half-assing it on the last interception?
The opening kick-off return. I watched Ronald Curry’s uniform do an unnatural stretch that helped spring that run along the sideline, but I guessed that flags don’t get thrown against obvious Baltimore holding penalties (that stretches all the way back to an infamous play in Oakland in an AFC Championship game). That idea was supported several times in Baltimore’s first couple offensive series. Then the flags started flying for obvious infractions.
Speaking of obvious penalties, why is Chris McAlister, supposedly the best cover corner in the league, resorting to grabbing, holding, and hitting past five yards? Is he slipping? I know that’s what Charles Woodson started doing on his decline from Pro Bowl status. Coincidence? Regardless, those penalties were ugly.
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