Week 9 Preview – Raiders @ Seattle

[Rupert]

Week 9 Preview – Raiders @ Seattle
November 1, 2003
By Rupert Pollard

This week the Raiders get to hit the road again. Another foreign stadium with crazed fans that will be making as much noise as they possibly can to try to induce our already mistake-prone offensive line into false starting. The Raiders are coming off a stellar performance by their defense. Even though they allowed over 200 fourth quarter yards, they made several plays that changed the tone of the game, including two interceptions returned for touchdown.

Seattle is coming off a disappointing loss in Kansas City. With several key injuries (Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck come to mind) they still managed to put together enough offense to stay in the game. An arguable special teams call that resulted in a touchdown made the score closer than it should have been, and a dumb play on a turnover by a KC defensive tackle gave them more life than they deserved. However, they’re not a team without means, so let’s take a look at the matchup.

Offense

The strength of Seattle’s defense is their linebacking corps. They’re very good at flowing to the ball and can bring the lumber. They can get caught over-pursuing and their tackling was inconsistent against Kansas City. I will definitely give some of the credit to Larry Johnson and Michael Bennett, but every linebacker missed tackles they should have made, even on lesser talents. The Seahawks defensive line is built on strength over speed. It was a bit of an oddity to see them start to overwhelm KC’s offensive line late in the second quarter, but fade in the fourth. There is really no pass rush from the front four; they generated most of their pressure with blitzes. The secondary is an average unit at best, and the lack of a pass rush really hangs them out. Having a corner take over at safety also was a liability in the tackling arena.

Kansas City mixed the running game up enough to prevent Seattle’s linebackers from getting comfortable. Even though KC ran wide frequently, they mostly got yards outside because of poor tackling, occasionally because of traffic, and some good reads by Johnson or Bennett. I don’t foresee the Raiders having equal success around the corner, but I don’t think they can leave it out of the plan altogether. The Raiders should take it right up the middle with cutbacks and the occasional wide play keeping the backers guessing. KC didn’t have too much success with counters and was about 50-50 on delays, so I think the Raiders should also minimize these as well.

Seattle’s secondary is a good unit for the Raiders to go three wide against on a consistent basis, since they should not be able to cover everyone. Seattle generally kept their backers in the middle of the field, so the occasional swing pass would be a good thing. They also used a mixture of zone and man to keep KC’s young QB guessing. Regardless, KC completed 68% of their passes for 12.5 yards per attempt. Seattle’s tackling and coverage are liabilities we must attack.

Defense

Seneca Wallace is a running threat. That out of the way, he didn’t do much running against Kansas City. He has a strong arm, but it’s not particularly accurate. It might just be due to a lack of time in the saddle, but he wasn’t sharp in his passing and made more than a couple errant throws, including two interceptions. A very strong body (not arm) pump-fake got defenders jumping, and led directly to a score when Ty Law evaluated the hip padding in his uniform. Seattle’s pass protection is solid, if not spectacular. Their offensive line is based around power blocking and can be fooled by stunts, but they demonstrated very good feet and kept on most of their blocks. Darrell Jackson is a good all-purpose receiver, but Deion Branch is also a threat. Their receiving corps is full of #2 guys, so they can keep running them out there. Jerramy Stevens and Itula Mili are good pass catching TE’s with enough grunt as blockers. Mack Strong is a good blocking FB who can catch passes in the flat, but Maurice Morris is pedestrian as a runner.

It’s unlikely the Raiders will be able to exploit Seattle’s line. Left guard was an obvious weak spot, but they were able to adapt to it. KC’s defensive line had trouble getting through it, but they were able to bottle up the running game. Seattle got one touchdown on a fluke play and another when an aging corner fell down on a double move. I don’t expect the Raiders secondary to be fooled by such move, or at least not give up the big play because of it. Still Seattle’s scheme attacks multiple areas of a defense, so we won’t be able to sit back and wait for them to come to us. Still, I think our defense is up to the challenge, especially if they bring the kind of energy they did against Pittsburgh.

Special Teams

Josh Brown is a good kicker and Ryan Plackemeier had some really nice punts. Seattle’s kick coverage was pretty good, but their return teams were lackluster. The Raiders appear to have an advantage here, especially in the return game.

Goal Line

Kansas City’s defense is a better run stuffing unit than the Raiders’ but their pass coverage isn’t as strong, even though it is in the top ten. I think this is another game where our defense will be able to set the tone.

Seattle’s defense relies on sack-master Julian Peterson to generate pressure on the QB, and I don’t expect them to throttle back against us. However, this is a game where we should be able to get the offense back on track, and maybe make some progress (please God).

Unlike the book-makers, I see this as a close game. I do see crowd noise as a potential problem, but I see the fire building in our young QB as a positive. Okay, we’re back in the 20’s on offense (just barely) and our defense keeps them down. We continue to cut down on our mistakes and pull this one out 20 – 17.

 

[Abelardo]

Seattle is not as imposing as Denver or KC in terms of hostility. Still, the home field advantage is a big factor. They're not playing as good as last year, but still have some game under the arm, and sadly, they're the better team.

But as usual, circumstances dictate the script, and without their primetime star Alexander, and their supposedly reliable Hasselbeck, they're crippled. For the Raiders, this is a job for the defence. of course we can't expect another defensive performance like sunday's.

If we can control the run, the task will not be so difficult. As usual with young QBs, there's the mobility factor, but this guy Seneca aint Michael Vick. Still they run a pretty much effective system, but without Alexander is like using low octanes gas for a race.

What to expect from our offence? It's very hard to improve something that much from one week to another, but it is true the Steelers defence is better than Seahags defence. This will help. But Holmgren does watch film, and there are some Raider's previous games, specially in terms of blitzing they can use as blueprints.

Our OL can't defend complex blitzes and man to man often miss the block. If its a low scoring game, we better take care of the ball. That was probably the best thing they did last sunday, and its no minor thing. Walter's ill advised INT has no excuse and he must be very aware. A reliable starter is so, when he holds up to the ball. That's the problem with Tui, he's a living turnover machine.

A couple of big mistakes are on the line for them. If we get some points from that, a possible score may be 17-14, Raiders.

 

[Abelardo]

Oops, repeated post.

 

[jatfly]

I see this being a close game as well.....I am hoping the D stays strong and the Offense can put something better then last week together........
I hope Jordon get more carries this week and He and Fargas carry the O. Hopefully Porter has a few more Catches as well......

 

[Madturk]

Hopefully we can get the running game going this week which will take some of the pressure of our anemic passing game. Memo to Tom Walsh:" The corner on Randy Moss will be 7-8 yards off the L.O.S. , what ya say we exploit that big guy"? We're still going to need a big defensive or ST play to win this one IMO.

 

[Crossbones]

Hopefully we can get the running game going this week which will take some of the pressure of our anemic passing game. Memo to Tom Walsh:" The corner on Randy Moss will be 7-8 yards off the L.O.S. , what ya say we exploit that big guy"? We're still going to need a big defensive or ST play to win this one IMO.

It drives me nuts that we don't exploit that fact over and over until they stop playing off moss 10 yards. He's always wide open. Talk about "taking what the defense is giving you"... Duh!

 

[Stanny]

Michael Huff and our Ends are going to be the key to this game. We need to keep Wallace in the pocket and our ends need to contain and force him to move up in the pocket. This is where Huff makes an impact as Ryan has been sending him more on delayed blitzes. If we can force him to make plays with his arm and not his feet we should be ok. I expect to see a lot more blitz's from Thomas Howard as well. He played a heck of game last week and we should expect more blitz's from him with Morrison being our field general.

On offense, well we all know the story there. I would expect more motion this week with all the blasting that was received from Rich Gannon among all the ESPN turds as well. I wouldn't be surprised if we came out throwing the ball to setup the run which would be completely opposite of what Walsh has been doing. We need to spread the offense out and take away some of the blitzing packages we have been receiving to give our line more one on one match ups. I still don't understand why they haven't implemented shotgun?

For some odd feeling I think this is the week where our offense shows a little something...but non the less I tight battle and Shane Lechler will again be huge regarding field advantage.


Raiders 19
Hags 17

 

[Crossbones]

I heard D-Jack might be questionable too.

But, don't underestimate Wallace. The kid has a good arm and can get the ball down field. We better not fall asleep on this aspect of Wallace's game.

I agree though that keeping a 'spy' on Wallace might be a good idea.

Hags 16 Raiders 17

 

[Rupert]

Hopefully we can get the running game going this week which will take some of the pressure of our anemic passing game. Memo to Tom Walsh:" The corner on Randy Moss will be 7-8 yards off the L.O.S. , what ya say we exploit that big guy"? We're still going to need a big defensive or ST play to win this one IMO.

We did that twice against Cleveland on successive plays. I understand why we stopped then, but I don't undertsand why we haven't brought it back out now and then. Yeah, I know, it's a WCO / Spread / Bunch principle not a vertical strecth concept. So what? You want to keep those corners guessing? Do it now and then. Throw one to Whitted for Christ's sake. Throw that poor bastard a bone for all the run blocking and deep decoying he does. Let him take a CB to the chops once or twice. I mean, wasn't Whitted a punt / kick returner? He could make the first guy miss couldn't he? Then what? It's a track meet.

Just knowing we break it out a couple times a game would force the defense to prepare for it. If Moss doesn't like the guaranteed hit, let Morant take it. Or better still, run Art's boy Porter out there and let him take the pounding. You want to punish him? There's a good way. And if he breaks a couple long ones, you can claim you were using him to his strengths in the press conference.

I think part of the reason we don't like to use it is we want the corners backing off the LOS so we can get a better block on them when we run wide. But hell, if the WR takes two strong acceleration strides off the LOS, the CB's first step or two will be back even if he's rolled up to 5 yards to defend the quick hitter.

 

[Rupert]

On offense, well we all know the story there. I would expect more motion this week with all the blasting that was received from Rich Gannon among all the ESPN turds as well. I wouldn't be surprised if we came out throwing the ball to setup the run which would be completely opposite of what Walsh has been doing. We need to spread the offense out and take away some of the blitzing packages we have been receiving to give our line more one on one match ups. I still don't understand why they haven't implemented shotgun?

We use motion most frequently in 3-wide. Occassionally with 2-wide or 2TE to bring the WR in to cut off the backside pursuit on a running play, or to place the TE there for the same reason.

Motion in this offense is not used to expose the defensive coverage, it's used to put players in position to execute something. In 3-wide Curry often motions inside or onto the hip of Whitted. Then the two run various combination routes to confuse the secondary. Good use of motion.

Unlike Gruden's offense, which Gannon knows so well, we don't use motion to expose the defense's charge or coverage. I think it's a limitation of the offense. I don't know that it's vital to expose the defense with motion, and I don't know that the defense will necessarily be exposed with motion, but I do think it can be used to get additional information, even if the offense doesn't use it initially. Gather the information in the first half, use it against the defense in the second. It might only help you convert a couple plays a game, but when you're playing tight games, those couple plays are critical.

 

[Stanny]

We use motion most frequently in 3-wide. Occasionally with 2-wide or TE to bring the WR in to cut off the backside pursuit on a running play, or to place the TE there for the same reason.

Motion in this offense is not used to expose the defensive coverage, it's used to put players in position to execute something. In 3-wide Curry often motions inside or onto the hip of Whited. Then the two run various combination routes to confuse the secondary. Good use of motion.

Unlike Gorden's offense, which Gannon knows so well, we don't use motion to expose the defense's charge or coverage. I think it's a limitation of the offense. I don't know that it's vital to expose the defense with motion, and I don't know that the defense will necessarily be exposed with motion, but I do think it can be used to get additional information, even if the offense doesn't use it initially. Gather the information in the first half, use it against the defense in the second. It might only help you convert a couple plays a game, but when you're playing tight games, those couple plays are critical.

Yo Rupert,

It's the same offensive scheme Mike Mertz runs as well Sanders with the Redskins. But yet it seems we only motion one guy for end containment on running plays or it's used over and over again for Curry to run an 8 yard curl, basically helping him get off the line so he doesn't get jammed. Our motions are terrible in that rather then keep the defense on their toes and spread them out, we actually dictate to the defense our actually setup by our offense. So by the 3RD series the defense realizes that we haven't changed anything and they begin to "cheat." How many times have we motioned Moss or Curry only for them to stop at the outside hip of the tackle or TE and then run right to them to get negative play or minimal gain? Usually it works somewhat for the first couple of times. Then by the 3RD, 4Th series the SS creeps up to the outside hip or the LB slides, they crash and we burn. We need to motion out of the backfield, we need to mix up the WR's and TE's as well and I don't understand why it's not happening?

Another thing is when he ran this offense way back when, he used to use the FB more with offsetting screens and send into motion wide and the FB would run a fly pattern. Steve Smith was great at that and yet we NEVER EVER do that with Crockett. We've attempted one TE screen all year as well....He's never called it again. Very bad at mixing things up.

 

[Rupert]

Can't disagree one bit. Our motion is strictly utilitarian. But seriously, the reason I don't think teams are cheating before the 3rd or 4th series is they're playing the odds. They can't believe we wouldn't try to fake them out. Then they learn otherwise.

There's a simple reason we don't use Crockett like Steve Smith: Crockett has stone hands. He can carry the rock without dropping it, but he's horrible at catching it. That said, what about Rashard Lee now that he's at FB? It needs to be tried.

I recall between 3 and 5 TE screens this year. Every single one a dropped pass. 3 were very vividly Randall Williams. But yeah, you work it in practice, you use it in games. It goes back to my perpetual execution rant, but I'll recap it later.

The funny thing is, we mix up our play calling pretty well in the games. The tragic thing is we use a fairly small playbook for each game. And I see two main reasons:

1. Like no-one sees this coming, our execution is for s#!t. Whether it's pass protection, running routes, catching passes, whatever, we screw up too often.
2. The other reason I see is we've got personnel problems. Madsen can catch passes, but he can't block too well yet. Williams lost his ability to catch passes when he bulked up so he could block okay (not great). Etc.

I see those two reasons as why our play selection has been cut back. Those and Walter at QB, which by now should no longer be an issue.

There are a lot of things that people complain we don't do. I think a lot of that has to do with the TV. Certain things just aren't visible on TV. But regardless, we don't do enough complementary things to keep a defense honest.

I'll go back to execution for a minute. We keep doing some things over and over, and we don't execute them too well. I understand repeating them until they get them right. But as you, and countless others point out, defenses can sit on those things. Even if you only introduce one or two wrinkles a week, you have to include something to keep the defense guessing. Sure, we used more play action against Pittsburgh early than we have all season, but that proved to be a mistake for the style of defense they use.

I'm hoping we get our execution to a level where we bring more plays to a game on a regular basis. But some things seem beyond our players abilities today. Might Williams have softer hands next year, when he's more used to his extra weight? I hope so. Will Madsen be a better blocker next year with another 15 lbs and still have his soft hands? I hope so. What are we going to do at FB? Will we have a RB who can catch the ball (yeah Jordan did alright last year)? Or will we consistently get the blocking that will allow our deeper passing game to work (which will open up the underneath routes to guys who can actually release instead of staying in to block)?

All good questions. No easy answers yet. Hopefully this season, if not then next season for sure (damnit).

 

[Madturk]

We did that twice against Cleveland on successive plays. I understand why we stopped then, but I don't undertsand why we haven't brought it back out now and then. Yeah, I know, it's a WCO / Spread / Bunch principle not a vertical strecth concept. So what? You want to keep those corners guessing? Do it now and then. Throw one to Whitted for Christ's sake. Throw that poor bastard a bone for all the run blocking and deep decoying he does. Let him take a CB to the chops once or twice. I mean, wasn't Whitted a punt / kick returner? He could make the first guy miss couldn't he? Then what? It's a track meet.

You know, you can smack my ass and call me Sally, but I'd line Chris Carr up in that situation. He's got good hands and that elusive first move that will have defenses clutching air. I see no reason why we can't work him into the offense for half a dozen plays a game.

 

[Crossbones]

I'd just throw that pass to Moss until the defense says they're not going to let us. WTF? But we don't. The "we'll take what we want" mentality needs to be put back on the shelf. We got no HOF players on this roster (except Moss) so we better start taking what the defense gives us. And that is coaching.

 

[Rupert]

You know, you can smack my ass and call me Sally, but I'd line Chris Carr up in that situation. He's got good hands and that elusive first move that will have defenses clutching air. I see no reason why we can't work him into the offense for half a dozen plays a game.

They see it once, they'll expect it the second time, you pump-fake and throw over their head the second time. We used to draw 'em up like that in flag football (That's a joke about the Pittsburgh fan behind me at the Raider game Sunday).

 

[Rupert]

I'd just throw that pass to Moss until the defense says they're not going to let us. WTF? But we don't. The "we'll take what we want" mentality needs to be put back on the shelf. We got no HOF players on this roster (except Moss) so we better start taking what the defense gives us. And that is coaching.

You just can't do that! They'll roll up and take one to the house against you. And if we used the shotgun (which Al hates), we could avoid the possible DE batting the pass down problem too.

See, there are good reasons not to do it a lot, but I can't think of a good reason to never do it. Like I said, 2 or 3 times a game at random moments, it's a long handoff, even if you only get 4-5 yards, that can move the chains, or make a 3rd and short instead of 3rd and long. Every once in a while we need to do it.

 

[Stanny]

Can't disagree one bit. Our motion is strictly utilitarian. But seriously, the reason I don't think teams are cheating before the 3rd or 4th series is they're playing the odds. They can't believe we wouldn't try to fake them out. Then they learn otherwise.

There's a simple reason we don't use Crockett like Steve Smith: Crockett has stone hands. He can carry the rock without dropping it, but he's horrible at catching it. That said, what about Rashard Lee now that he's at FB? It needs to be tried.

I guess what I tried to say is, at least send the guy out on the route. We need to spread these defenses out to create more one on one matchups. You send the full back out and you take a Will or Sam with you or at times the SS.

I recall between 3 and 5 TE screens this year. Every single one a dropped pass. 3 were very vividly Randall Williams. But yeah, you work it in practice, you use it in games. It goes back to my perpetual execution rant, but I'll recap it later.

I would agree...in fact I think we have only completed 1 screen in general. Our screens regardless of to a back or TE have to be the worst developing and utterly gross designed play with execution in the NFL.

The funny thing is, we mix up our play calling pretty well in the games. The tragic thing is we use a fairly small playbook for each game. And I see two main reasons:

Our mix up is run right followed by run left in my eyes. We run on damn near every 1st down. And even when we run we do a horrible job of mixing traps, with draws or even in our formations of eye or split or single backs. It's always the same design, eye formation and run off guard/tackle. Every now and then we go single back, normally on 3rd and long and then the guy calls for a run. It kills me.

1. Like no-one sees this coming, our execution is for s#!t. Whether it's pass protection, running routes, catching passes, whatever, we screw up too often.
   
   This is why I think we need to mix it up more. You are correct our execution is the shits so why not try to confuse the defense to our advantage to run a simple play? We try and go smash mouth with a vanilla design against a stacked box.
2. The other reason I see is we've got personnel problems. Madsen can catch passes, but he can't block too well yet. Williams lost his ability to catch passes when he bulked up so he could block okay (not great). Etc.

I see those two reasons as why our play selection has been cut back. Those and Walter at QB, which by now should no longer be an issue.

I think you can still make the offense look complex with formation design but yet the plays themselves don't have to be as complex. Things start to get complex when you give the QB and WR's multiple check-downs based off of the base defensive package they recognize at the line of scrimmage. QB calls one play yet the players change their routes, blocking schemes and the QB with his check down routes change....that's where it gets confusing for the young players.

There are a lot of things that people complain we don't do. I think a lot of that has to do with the TV. Certain things just aren't visible on TV. But regardless, we don't do enough complementary things to keep a defense honest.

Totally agree...I TIVO every game and break it down in slow-mo. I have a sickness.

I'll go back to execution for a minute. We keep doing some things over and over, and we don't execute them too well. I understand repeating them until they get them right. But as you, and countless others point out, defenses can sit on those things. Even if you only introduce one or two wrinkles a week, you have to include something to keep the defense guessing. Sure, we used more play action against Pittsburgh early than we have all season, but that proved to be a mistake for the style of defense they use.

Where they screwed up was with a 3-4 style defense or even a cover 2 you spread them out and attack through multiple outlets by passing the ball. See what Bill Callahan did against Pitt when Gannon threw the ball 50 times. Ask Tom Brady what he just did against the Vikings. But yet we went Vanilla against the Steelers and ran deeper patterns with no release valves;ie backs out of field or short curl routes, quick slants, etc.

I'm hoping we get our execution to a level where we bring more plays to a game on a regular basis. But some things seem beyond our players abilities today. Might Williams have softer hands next year, when he's more used to his extra weight? I hope so. Will Madsen be a better blocker next year with another 15 lbs and still have his soft hands? I hope so. What are we going to do at FB? Will we have a RB who can catch the ball (yeah Jordan did alright last year)? Or will we consistently get the blocking that will allow our deeper passing game to work (which will open up the underneath routes to guys who can actually release instead of staying in to block)?


We need a TRUE full back who can crack some heads. I still think Courtney Anderson pans out to be decent. He'll never be Gates or Gonzo but who is? My main concern would be LG and Center and a 3rd down change of pace back.
All good questions. No easy answers yet. Hopefully this season, if not then next season for sure (damnit).

I like your responses by the way....look forward to your postings.

 

[Rupert]

I guess what I tried to say is, at least send the guy out on the route. We need to spread these defenses out to create more one on one matchups. You send the full back out and you take a Will or Sam with you or at times the SS.

I think you can still make the offense look complex with formation design but yet the plays themselves don't have to be as complex. Things start to get complex when you give the QB and WR's multiple check-downs based off of the base defensive package they recognize at the line of scrimmage. QB calls one play yet the players change their routes, blocking schemes and the QB with his check down routes change....that's where it gets confusing for the young players.

I'll respond to these two together since my answer is the same. Sending the fullback would eventually become a non-issue if you never throw to him, defenses would stop covering him (kind of like never throwing to the WR when the CB is 7 yards off and leaning backwards). The same goes for multiple looks pre-snap. If you're not using multiple check-downs and option routes based on coverage, the defense will also see it.

It's why Gruden's offense doesn't fool good defenses. As complex as it is pre-snap, you just wait until they stop and then you know what they're running. The key to Gruden's motion and shifts is to force the defense to make their read at the last minute, right before the snap. With no time to think about it. For some defenders, that's better, for others it's a problem. All he needs is one defender to screw up. The problem is, it's also possible for the offense to screw up, as he's seeing first-hand now.

Our mix up is run right followed by run left in my eyes. We run on damn near every 1st down. And even when we run we do a horrible job of mixing traps, with draws or even in our formations of eye or split or single backs. It's always the same design, eye formation and run off guard/tackle. Every now and then we go single back, normally on 3rd and long and then the guy calls for a run. It kills me.

It's a trend in the NFL, for the most part, to not bring too many running plays on game day. Most teams only bring a handfull of plays (and their mirrors). When our OL execution gets better, we'll be a little more creative in that area, but probably not much because of the trend. Most people don't complain because their teams can execute pretty well. The Raiders...

Where they screwed up was with a 3-4 style defense or even a cover 2 you spread them out and attack through multiple outlets by passing the ball. See what Bill Callahan did against Pitt when Gannon threw the ball 50 times. Ask Tom Brady what he just did against the Vikings. But yet we went Vanilla against the Steelers and ran deeper patterns with no release valves;ie backs out of field or short curl routes, quick slants, etc.

Go back and watch the San Diego game. We were all over the place. Lots of different things going on. Bunch formations, etc. Execution was horrible, but... When we brought in Walter we dumbed it all down. Against Cleveland, San Fran, and Arizona we mixed it up again (not extremely, but we got more creative). Against Baltimore, Denver, and Pitt we got way simple. We tried not to lose it rather than tried to win it. Coaching decision obviously. But Walter got hot about it last time. It sounds like he wants to do more. Time to take it up a notch with him out there. The short routes were there against San Diego, so maybe we start mixing them in again (soon damnit).

As far as personnel. I know most people are down on our TE's. I think they'll all get better. As for a fullback, I'm with you. We might find out if we have the LG in house Monday night if Sims can't go.

 

[Seraph24]

the formations in that san diego game were nothing like what callahan ran in the pittsburgh game. just saying is all.

in that game shovel hand offs and variated bunches were a premium. our variety in the san diego game was better than nothing, but not comparable to the callahan pittsburgh game imo.

 

[Crossbones]

I'm ready to go...Monday is still a ways off.