Russell already hurting

Dmac had a fumble too.

Edit: ESPN.COM had Macfadden down for a fumble. NFL.Com has it in one box score and doesn't in the other, so I don't know what the deal is.

Any way you cut it, not a good outing for the raiders. I can't wait for the spin from our silver and black sage.

 

Leinart: 4 of 12 for 24 yards, 3 INTs

If this was a regular season game, it would go down as one of the worst QB lines ever. Fortunately for Leinart, it will be pretty much forgotten soon enough.

 

Watching the game on NFLN right now. It could have been called either way. As it was, he caught a pass, turned, and fumbled the ball. The refs ruled it a fumble, then it was challenged and overturned, ruled as an incomplete pass.

Man, Leinart and Russell both look absolutely terrible so far (4:02 left in the 1st quarter). If this game is any indication (and I realize preseason games are relatively meaningless), these are going to be a couple of joke franchises again this season.

 

Leinarts 3 INTs wont make him a starter. Kurt Warner will take over.

Oakland has a long way to go. Even Kiffin knows the talent isn't there yet, but has untapped potential.

 

No Let me explain it to you. Kiffin on purpose went away from Raiders blueprint ON offense. USE their running game,to set up the passing game. (Go look up play by play on NFl.com to confirm this)

HE wanted to see where the Raiders passing game was, when teams knew they were going to pass the football. IT wasn't unexpectly that Raiders offense struggled mightly.
The Raiders aren't good enough on offense yet , to be able to move the ball consistantly through the air, when teams know they are going to pass. (nothing thast should supprise anyone)

UNfortunately for every team that plays the Raiders, you will be seeing Raiders relying heavily on that running game. That running game going to set up everything they do on offense. Key up on the running attack and Raiders will hurt you with the pass.

The goal for every team is to get Raiders in known passing situations. Thats alot harder to do with Raiders rushing attack. Shouldn't be alot of third and Longs.

Don't read too much into this preseason game because that is not the Raiders offense.
If you think it is, your going to be in for as big dissapointment.

 

Jeaux, you do realize that the third pre-season game is where the "Real" gameplan should be played.

They do this because a) it gets the starters back into the swing of a full half of football. b) See where the gameplan they are actually going to use is at. c) Establish anything that needs fixing before the games matter.

Now I know every single Raider and back up is a pro-bowler so they might do things a bit different at Napa, I don't get this. The Raiders decide screw fixing the bread and butter of our offense and making sure it runs mistake free and like an WELL OIL MACHINE; they decide to work on some shit they know they're not going to rely on, on a regular basis.

Sounds real smart. Ignore your major offensive component and work on shit you're really not going to use, brilliant.

 

I guess Kiffin didn't read the memo that you must treat the third preseason game like the real deal. I mean really, who gives a crap? Why not experiment and try to improve the things you're not good at in a game that doesn't count? They averaged 240 yards on the ground in the first two games and they're obviously confident in that part of their game. Might as well give the young QB a few reps to work things out. And at least Javon Walker showed a pulse.

You're not the only ones overreacting. Over on the Raider board some people are treating this like the biggest loss since Super Bowl XXXVII! I don't get it.

 

Come on guys, the shutout was all part of the genius master plan by the Raiders. They fool everyone into believing the offense is inept and then bam, first game and the rest of the season they explode for 40 points a game.

What a genius plan it is..

 

NO Kiffin Like every Raider Fan knows what they have with their running game. They already proved last year that they were one of the best teams rushing the football. So exactly what are they accomplishing by working on what they do very well, or wearing down those important Rbs in a practice game. ITs trying to improve on what you had the most problem last year doing.(passsing the football)
Why let teams know your going to pass? Easy get your young QB ready to see alot of pressure and see If he capable of making the right decision- protect the football.
LIke I been saying Jamarcus Russell in a very good situation with the Raiders. He dosen't have to carry this offense , as he has a running game to lean on . Should speed up his development alot faster.

 

Good is the enemy of great. Any athlete that is complacent will soon be surpassed. Just because it was good last year doesn't mean you stop working on it. Last year don't mean shit, you always have to be getting better.

Execution is what wins games. Every play is designed to score if everyone does their jobs. John Madden actually said something that I really respect "We're going to play the cover 2. Everyone will know that we play the cover 2, but we are going to execute so well it will not matter what they do. We are going to dictate the game to them."

Is the raiders run game mistake free? No, They should be busy making sure it is as FLAWLESS as possible if its what they are going to lean on. Especially in their last oppurtunity before it counts.

 

I'm not sure I'd put too much stock in the 240 yds/game average. In each of the first two games, well over 100 yards came in the 4th quarter, large chunks of which came from long runs by 4th and 5th string backs. Still, with the Jets averaging just over 100 yds/game last year, I'd take over 100 through 3 quarters any day of the week.

What I'd be at least a bit more concerned with is the fact that on a day when the Raiders were obviously emphasizing the pass, and the defense began playing accordingly, the running game couldn't generate 3 yards per carry. I agree that the Raiders have taken a step in the right direction offensively. The reaction here, as usual, is to Jeaux's hilarious assertions that the offense is a lot further along than it is. If I thought Jamarcus was the next coming and was going to start showing it this season, I'd probably be concerned with the performances he's given so far.

 

NO Kiffin saw enough this offseason to know that his running game going to be very good. ( He hasn't even shown any of the stuff they will be doing with Mcfadden and M Bush. Who are going to be tremendous additions to the passing offense.
JMO I think Kiffin wanted to prove a point to his players on offense. The Oline in particular were coming off two very good weeks going against two very good front sevens.(49ers , Titans) Kiffin threw those guys a curve this week. Took away the threat of the running game, and pretty much told the other team they were going to pass the football. That the oline didn't do so well this week. Just a guess, but something Kiffin expected. Now when he says there is still alot of work to do on the oline, those guys now working that much harder. (after not as strong performance yesterday)


BTw Raiders in a meaniless game lost a key member of the running game. FB oren Oneal a devasting lead blocker who a big part of the RBs sucess.

 

I hear you but obviously the Raiders don't expect him to drop back 40 times and win games this year. In other words, you won't see last night's gameplan again any time soon. It was just a chance to gauge his progress and put more on his shoulders in a game that doesn't count.

Having said that if you look at the first half, when the starters were in, it wasn't such a horrific picture. Russell threw for around 110 yards and Leinart threw for 24 yards with 3 picks. The Raiders just sucked in the red zone but it's preseason, it happens. Zach Miller was a toenail away from one TD and they missed a FG.

And as for the "padded" running stats, it's not necessarily a "4th quarter of a preseason game" phenomenon. Kiffin has always said that their running game is designed to wear out the front seven over the course of a game by making them defend sideline to sideline, worry about cut blocks, etc. Even in the regular season last year, the Raiders average per carry was much better in the 4th quarter than it was in the first. The majority of their long runs came late in games last year. I don't expect this year to be any different. So when an offense is designed to work that way, and it worked that way last year, I don't think it's flukey when it works that way in the preseason although I understand the dynamic of backups coming in, etc. If anything I expect more long runs this year when tired defenses have to deal with McFadden late in the game...


Raiders-

 

Again your not going to get too excited over preseason numbers. Simply the RBs aren't getting enough carrys to get a feel for offense. Preseaon numbers are so important that L Tomlinson never runs the ball in the preseason.

Your point about Raiders not be able to generate more than three yards per c arry despite trying to pass it is not valid. Simple only times Raiders ran the ball was in short yardage situations. Your average per attempt is obviously going to be alot lower when your consistantly running the ball in those type of situations.

Again Raiders offense is alot further along this year and it will be proven once they start playing for real. Jamarcus Russell going to be one of the top Qbs in this league in time. (no doubt about it) The beauty part is Raiders don't need Jamarcus Russell to carry this offense by himself. The running game going is going to carry this offense.

 

You don't even know how funny you are...

 

Raiders have 2 offensive TDs and 4 FGs in the pre-season. If you want to be generous and throw in the 1 special teams TD go ahead. So thats 1 TD and about 1.25 FGs per game.


I don't care if its regular season, pre-season, camp scrimmages or touch football in the backyard; those numbers will not win you games.

Don't even think about breaking down the red-zone opportunities, because if they raiders have many trips to the Red-Zone then they're not producing anything, not even FGs. If they can't even get down to the red-zone thats even worse than pathetic.

 

I'm a little confused, I thought someone said the Raiders were 'hiding' these guys till the regular season? I will have to look back and read it again.