Raiders lose big in shutout to Cards........

[havomatic]

Is the sky falling? No but it sure does feel like it.


The bad:

 Raiders unleash the passing offesnse with a wimper.  Despite controling the ball the entire 1st half, with three pics off a soon to be unemployed Matt Lienart, and getting in the red zone at least 3 times the Raiders could not punch the ball in for six. Granted the Raiders anounced that they would throw the ball and that's exactly what they did. Unfortunately the Cards decided not to cooperate.  Russel was sacked four times and pressured many more, as a result the offensive line was brought back to reality. The Cards blitzed and the Raiders had no answers, penalties didn't help making third and long a common theme all night.  Darren Mcfadden had a bad game coughing up the ball on a swing pass, and gaining only 40 yards on 12 carries, he looked lost on more than one occasion. 
       One cold reality of this game was that this team lacks the chemistry of a veteran group. This is most evident on offense.  Russell most trusted target is Zack Miller who is by rights the best receiver on the team.  The problem with that is that defenese's in the NFL make adjustments. After the 1st drive when Miller picked up a few receptions Russell continued to throw the ball Millers way even when he was double covered and when other options were avalible. This I guess are those growing pains they talk about.  Russell needs to learn to trust his wideouts. The O-line is another matter. Blitz was a major emphasis in practice, but the Big Boys need to go study. Bad teqnique and blown assignments left Russell on the ground or on the run. This is not good. If you can't protect the quarterback it's really hard to build chemistry. 

The Good:

Well the D had three gift picks from future human punching bag Matt Lienart. The D looked good holding the Cards to just three points in the 1st half.  Javon Walker made a few clutch catches. Oh and Johnny Lee made no major gaffes in the return game.


The Ugly:

Two guys lost for the season Drew Carter tore a ligament in his left knee on his 1st catch in the 1st drive. Not to sound cold but this will not be a big loss, Carter never developed the chemistry that was talked about in practice. When they got in game time Carter seemed to disappear. Maybe another wideout will step up or veteran reciever can be brought in to fill the gap. Oren Oneal is another matter, Oneal was the thunder in the backfield as well as a key special teams player.  That will be a tuff gap to fill.

The Reality:

Look this is preseason and like I read in an article, teams will experiment Kiffin can use this game as a tool to teach his players that they have a long road ahead.  They need to keep their confidence and so do the fans. They were actually booing the preseason.  Everyone including Al Davis needs to just calm down.  The Raiders are a ball control team. Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, set up the play action pass. Kiffin made a major coaching gaffe in not sticking to what works, run the ball to set up the pass. This team needs confidence in the system to be successful, set your tempo then open things up. This team needs to grow and I think it will. 

[Aeyjay]

Things we learnt

Unless you have a probowl QB, line and WR's (ala the Pats) you don't advertise the fact you are going pass crazy before a game

That we don't have a probowl QB, line and WR's

We still give up big plays

We need to give Joe Horn a ring

We can forgive ourselves for not drafting Leinert.

We will miss Oneal more than Carter

Russell needs to think clearly at all times and needs a run game and blocking without fail this year.

We learnt a valuable lesson in a game that didn't matter rather than against the Broncos in wk1

Raider fans expectations are too high for this season. (8-8 is going to be a major achievement 2nd in the division also)

[R8RMR]

I'm hoping that Kiffin learned all he needed out of this game and though the projected starters won't see much of the final pre-season game they still need to practice those things that could help in winning the odd game or two. Unless we have missed something through camp etc., we will need to look again at the free agent market to bring in a replacement for Carter. Horn is looking good at this present moment but there may be others that may fit the bill.
O'Neal is a different matter altogether. Though we still have Griffith, Reece is an unknown quantity and free agency may not be able to provide someone of quality that we will certainly need.

[Aeyjay]

If we are running 70% of the time we can't risk Griffith getting injured as well , we need a viable backup and Reese isn't it. We should be able to pick up a cut player but there will have been reasons why they have been cut obviously.

[R8RMR]

We will just have to wait and see if Al will splash out more cash for anyone even half decent, should there be someone come available.

[Aeyjay]

Lorenzo Oneal got picked up recently unfortunately he may be old but a great blocker.

[psj3809]

Gutted by the injuries, O'Neal was an excellent alternative to Griffith, Drew Carter i was looking forward to seeing and causes a huge hole.

Very disappointed with the scoreline, was only 3-0 at halftime though and we should have scored but Miller bobbled a pass which was just out of the EZ and then a missed FG.  Thought we would have done far better considering the 3rd preseason game is the one where the regulars normally play the first half at least.

Have a bad feeling about this year !  Our passing game will scare no one and i can imagine Russell throwing for 190 yards most weeks.  Would LOVE if one of our young WR's steps up, its happened to teams in the past, an 'unknown' just suddenly comes through and surprises so many people.  Marques Colston for the Saints, he wasnt regarded as a starter when they drafted him but came through with a great camp and of course surprised everyone.

Would love it if our own 'Marques Colston' just appeared and started making plays.  I'm unsure about signing a vet like Horn or Robinson, would prefer to go with the young guys

[R8RMR]

At least with Horn or Robinson you would get someone who you know can catch the ball in the clutch.  With the young guys it is always a gamble and unfortunately not a gamble that I see the Raiders taking. Colston is exceptional and the Saints saw his potential during their camp and pre-season. I don't know of any of the young guys that the Raiders brought in, or were already there, that anybody is raving about.

[Aeyjay]

Koren Robinson is NOT a clutch player and drops alot. It was why he was cut by Seattle. Horn has good hands but old (read slow) and injury prone. He is however the best option until the final cuts get made.

As mooted on IBA we will probably wait until after week 1 so the new players contract isn't guarenteed for the whole year if they get injured.

[R8RMR]

With the likes of Branch, Engram and Burleson, plus some young guys Robinson would have been seen as expendable. I think that his problems are more associated with his police record than his playing ability. At his best he made something like 78 catches for 1280 yards and has done duty as a kick returner.