What should we expect against Cleveland?

[Crossbones]

Sigh.

At this point I'm just in a daze. I have no idea what to expect from our Raiders againstg hte Browns in two weeks. I'll be there to see it live but again I'm not sure where Art needs to start.

Any ideas? Obviously we have to do something to slow down the pass rush we've been seeing. I would expect to see more dump off passes and maybe some screens or quick hitters but aside from that, what?

What is Art going to do with this OL? We can't just keep shuffling players around although I understand that McUgly is out and Boothe is in. What about Grove?

And what does it take for ust o get some turnovers? We are the worst at creating turnovers in the entire league I think.

Who has some answers for me?

 

[Rupert]

Well, I'll be able to tell more after Cleveland plays Baltimore. Then we'll have a relatively straight forward comparison.

As it is, Cleveland's defense is worse than ours as far as yards go (30th to 10th), but they're a hair better in points given up (28th to 29th). Against the pass, we're second only to San Diego while Cleveland is 27th. We're 29th against the rush and they're 28th. Considering their opponents are slightly lower on the power rankings (averaging 10 to our opponent's 7.5) maybe that's what we should expect.

What about offense? We're not better than 30th in any category. Cleveland is 29th in yards, 26th rushing, 21st passing, and 19th in points.

So what can you expect? Well, I expect us to be able to control Cleveland's offense. Will we still give up some points? I can't tell. I'll try to watch the game this weekend to evaluate Cleveland.

As for our offense. I'd like to say that we'll be able to get our first TD of the season, maybe even more than one. This might be the first game our rushing attack gets on track and our passing game gets a chance to find a rhythm. Will we succeed?

This is definitely an opportunity we need to take advantage of. Still, I think Sunday will tell us more about what we can expect.

 

[Angry Pope]

In my opinion, the turnovers will come once our offense begins to click. Right now, our defense on the field too long, too tired, and put in bad field positions. We may not be going for the strip instead looking for the sure tackle on our side of the field.

Against the Chargers, they seldom put the ball in the air which didn't give us many opportunities for the interceptions.

As for the game, I would like to see us come out in the formation where there are three receivers up top, a fullback and halfback, and one receiver down below. That would give Andrew a few options on where to go. Have him hit some swing passes and screen passes and build his confidence that way. The running lanes will eventually open up.

Payton Manning threw many interceptions his first year, so we should be patient with Walter. However, I do believe that Andrew is one that learns quickly and from his mistakes and on the run. The more things he is exposed to the better.

 

[Rupert]

As for the game, I would like to see us come out in the formation where there are three receivers up top, a fullback and halfback, and one receiver down below. That would give Andrew a few options on where to go. Have him hit some swing passes and screen passes and build his confidence that way. The running lanes will eventually open up.

Ummm. That formation is impossible. You put 12 guys on the field. 3 (up top) + 2 (HB FB) + 1 (down below) = 6. Unless you leave the QB on the sidelines you can't have 5 OL on the field. Illegal formation or too many men.

I'm guessing you'd leave the FB out of the equation or go with 2 up top leaving the TE on the line in a 2-point stance with a wider split (kind of a jumbo slot look).

But I agree. Even last year I wanted us to use a spread concept. I worry about Crockett's hands, but Foschi's aren't much better. Still, I'd have one of them lined up in the offset I FB spot and either swing or flat them. Another option would be to shift him out of the backfield to run a short route (either an arrow a flat, or a wheel/chair route). In either case, in the backfield or shifted out, you could still run the ball. If you don't shift him too wide of the line he can chip the DE to help the OT before bouncing out into the pattern. You could also shift him to the 2 receiver side and run bunch concept routes. The options are tremendous.

But it all comes back to blocking doesn't it?

 

[Angry Pope]

I screwed that one up. I would probably drop the receiver on the left. Yeah, one of the three would be the TE.

 

[Abelardo]

First and foremost we should score a TD. Failure to do so will damage the teams morale, cos it will mean we didn't traveled to the endzone in september, this makes me sick. But I'm thinking about the game plan. How will they make the run work? what kinda passes will be designed to minimize the chance of getting sacked? Everybody is begging for slants and short escape routes and the shotgun. Let's see what does Walsh have in mind. At this time, his seat must be red hot.

The defence will be probably up to the task, so the brownies should not score more than 20 points unless the offence giftwrap some big turnovers. The question is: Can the offence score 20 points?

From a practical standpoint, This should be an max learning experience for Walter, and some questions must begin to be answered. We will know.

Moss and Jordan are living in hell. This is the kinda players suited for a competitive team, they won't carry the org on their shoulders right now. I'm sad for them.

 

[Rupert]

Actually, this is Jordan's perfect situation (if the line was blocking at least average).

Moss does require a bit more of an offensive powerhouse. Still, he can take a decent team and make them explosive. So the key is making the line decent.

I agree, we need to get in the end zone. We had two perfect opportunities last week and blew them. Walter was upset by both of them. He'll get that sorted out, and this week is a perfect opportunity.

I don't expect Cleveland to just lie there and take it though. It's a perfect opportunity for them too, especially if they struggle against Baltimore. One of these teams could get healthy in a hurry, but it would take the right result. If it's a runaway shootout, they'll both still think they're crappy teams that are only competitive against one another. If they both struggle, then they're both crappy teams.

This has to be a statement game, and I hope we're the one making it.

 

[Abelardo]

We should ask: If the line improves, will there be a running game, or the problem does have to see with the playcalling? a bad protection doesn't allow very much an evaluation of the system, and I'm eager to see how the calls dictate the games.

Same for Moss, once they get some protection for the QB, is Walsh ready to give Moss enough chances? In the past this guy only needed the ball around him to make big plays... Now just making the ball get near to him is an inmensely difficult task.

 

[Rupert]

Yes it is. Until we see some consistent protection or some solid blocking, we can't really evaluate the system or the play-calling. Many people have questioned the play-calling and say they need to make some different play calls to adapt to the protection.

It all comes back to that damned protection. Once that cleans up, we can see what we have. Right now, we've got bupkis up front. Grrrrr.

 

[Crossbones]

Until we see some consistent protection or some solid blocking, we can't really evaluate the system or the play-calling.

Rup -- bullshit.

The playing calling sucks. We know the defenses are pinning badck their ears and going after the QB, whether in a 3, 5 or 7 step drop it doesn't matter. Yet the OC has yet to complete a pass to a running back. We have only thrown one pass to RB's in two games -- on third and 11 and it was imcomplete. That is piss poor play calling and adjusting to the situtation. We could have adjusted and run some screens, flares or little dump offs to the running backs and that surely would have kept the defense more honest. But oh no we're just gonna give it the old "we're gonna do this until we get it right" crap. I'm not buying it. The Mayor has to do a better job of recognizing what will work better in spite of the piss poor blocking. It can be done. He just hasn't.

 

[Angry Pope]

Maybe three days off will be Raiders' tonic

By Bill Soliday


ALAMEDA — Absence may or may not make the heart grow fonder, but Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell is counting on it improving performance and refreshing their spirits.

The Raiders wrapped up their bye week practice schedule Thursday, then raced to their cars for three days of R&R — days Shell hopes will refresh his troops as they come off an exasperating 0-2 start.

"I want them to get away and relax, get with their families, enjoy themselves," he said. "While they're away, I know some of them will be thinking about what they're supposed to do, how they can get better, how they can help the team get better. I know that's going to happen because that's the nature of an athlete."

When the NFL posted its 2006 schedule, it was believed the Raiders — along with Dallas, Kansas City and San Diego — were the unfortunate teams to receive the first byes of the season. Most teams prefer the bye come later in the year, when teams begin to wear down and could use the rest more.

But in the cases of all but San Diego, it turned out to be a plus.

The Raiders (0-2) have injuries at quarterback (Aaron Brooks), offensive line (Robert Gallery) and in the secondary (Fabian Washington, Nnamdi Asomugha) that need to heal.

Dallas (1-1) will get an extra week to allow receiver Terrell Owens' broken finger to heal. Kansas City (0-2) will get a week off to extend the recovery time for quarterback Trent Green (concussion).

San Diego, off to a 2-0 start, is the one team that doesn't need the additional time for wounds to heal. The Chargers are in danger of having a hot streak interrupted.

The Raiders find themselves in the diametrically opposite classification.

"It (the bye) comes at a very good time ... for us injury-wise, and it's good for us to take a hard look at what we're doing and how we're doing things," Shell said.

What the Raiders are doing is leading the NFL in sacks allowed (15) and ranking No. 30 out of 32 teams in rushing. In 120 minutes of play, they have yet to score a touchdown. The situation has gone well beyond criticism.

Accordingly, the Raiders have become pin cushions for jokes such as the one that said a recent Raiders practice was postponed for two hours following discovery of a mysterious white powdery substance on their practice field. Fearing a terrorist plot, a hazardous materials team was brought in upon which it was determined the substance the team couldn't identify was the goal line.

"I think it (the criticism) is merited," guard Barry Sims said. "Obviously. We're last in the league in sacks given up. You can never be proud of something like that. We're last in a lot of offensive categories. We're not getting the job done."

"Criticism is part of this business," Shell said. "It's always been in there. And you can't, as an individual player, allow that to seep into your brain. Most players will look at themselves and will be more critical ... than you guys are. They will be more critical of themselves than the coaches are of them.

"It's not the end of the world. You don't stop because two games are gone, and you're not doing the things you want to do."

After a 4-1 preseason record, the slow start — particularly by the offensive line — was unexpected.

"I was surprised, to be honest," Shell said. "I expected better. It's not like they aren't trying. They're good kids. They work hard and want to do well. But wanting and doing are not the same thing. Our job is to try to get them better."

Over their three-day work week, the Raiders worked at their deficiencies, went back to fundamentals, and the coaches — who will stick around for an extra day today — will review game-plan issues. Shell will give his coaches Saturday and Sunday off.

As for Shell, he will "take care of some things I've been putting aside. I need to go to the dentist and go see another doctor. I need to do some honey-do's ... and I'll probably stop in the office and do some work, too."

The way the season has been going up to now, the dentist's visit may be the least painful of his tasks.

EXTRA POINTS: Although they contacted former Steelers QB Tommy Maddox this week, the Raiders have not signed a third quarterback, and Shell said in all probability no one will be signed immediately, if at all. ... The work load of LT Robert Gallery (calf) was increased Thursday, bolstering the possibility he might play a week from Sunday against Cleveland. ... RCB Asomugha (foot) practiced Thursday and could be ready for the Browns. Shell also said LCB Washington (ankle) might get the go-ahead for Cleveland.