(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Oakland Raiders offense has been nearly unwatchable for the first four games. They have not been able to run or pass the ball with any effective consistency. If this offense is causing flashbacks to the 2006 Art Shell-Tom Walsh debacle, that is because this team is on pace to be even more inoffensive than that benchmark of ineptitude.
Through four games, the Raiders have yet to break the 1000 yards mark for total offense, having only gained 834 yards. Their 208.5 yards per game average is good for dead last in the league, trailing the Kansas City Chiefs by 38 yards.
Yards are nice, but it is points that are the true aim of an offense. The Raiders are 30th in points scored, ahead of only the St Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers. However, the Raiders only have a five point lead over the Panthers, despite having played in one more game.
The passing game has gained a woeful 479 yards, which is dead last in the league. That is 42 yards less than the Minnesota Vikings that have only played three games. In fact, five other teams have only played in five games are ahead of the Raiders in total passing yardage.
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What of that running game that was supposed to set the league on fire? The Raiders have the 25th ranked rushing attack in terms of total yards. To give some perspective on that ranking, four of the teams behind them in total rushing yards have played one less game. They are 27th in yards per game on the ground.
Whilst those numbers are dismal, it would seem safe to think that it has been hyperbole to invoke the specter of the 2006 offense. That would be incorrect. The numbers thus far in 2009 project out to be even worse than '06.
In the following table, the 2009 numbers are projected from the first four games and compared side by side with 2006:
| 2009* | 2006 | |
| Total First Downs | 188 | 243 |
| Total Offense | 3336 | 3939 |
| Rushing Yards | 1420 | 1519 |
| Passing Yards | 1916 | 2420 |
| Touchdowns | 12 | 16 |
They are only projecting around three quarters as many first downs as they had during the season that was considered the low water mark of any offense. This is also 85% as many total yards and seventy five percent as many touchdowns.
Considering the Raiders have used each of their first round picks on offensive weapons, it is exceedingly disturbing that they have regressed from that low water mark. They were supposed to be able to run the ball, but they can't. Russell has had accuracy issues and the receivers have had issues holding onto the ball.
Louis Murphy said after the game, "We are a great team, it may not look like it from the outside looking in, but we are." Great teams can move the ball. This team, can't.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
it may be time to change the qb just to see if it help`s any!!!
That may be.And I have been angry with his all season.But Russell's accuracy was much better yesterday.But the guy needs some help out there, he had 9 passes dropped by receivers against Houston.Those were all balls that should have been caught. He's got to get better, but he needs his receivers to steo up.The running game is all about poor line play and opposing teams stacking 9 guys in the box on every play. It is virtually impossible to run when the defense puts 9 guys in the box. By doing that they are daring you to throw the ball. In our case betting that we won't be able to. That's gamble that paid off huge for Houston and Denver. The Giants will do the same thing next week. Every team we play fr the rest of the season will put 8-9 guys in the box and eliminate the ground game until we prove we can move the ball through the air. Then the running game will open up. Of course we still need to stay committed to the run.
I agree that Russell played better yesterday until they got so behind in points that he had to throw too often. They would have needed Joe Montana to get them out of that hole and Russell is not Montana, but then who is? The receivers were a mixed bag with only Murphy and Miller running good routes. Heyward Bey seems to need too much work to be starting right now but will be good down the line. It was good to see Fargas back although rusty and ineffective because of the defense stacking against the run.
This game wasn't Russell's fault, the receivers couldn't catch. Ya, the passes were a little late, but if they hit your hands you better catch'em. The main concern is our receivers....why is Heyward-Bey starting? I truly would rather see Higgins or Walker in there, at least their route running will be sharper.
Oh, one more thing....can somebody please tell me why Chris Johnson was flagged for going down to his knees and looking up after he intercepted a pass in the endzone? I know the refs are always against us, but this was rediculous!
I am disgusted!!!!! Watching the game late in the 4th Q the camera panned the bench. Louis Murphy had angry look on his face (and rightly so he had a terrible game). Jamarcus was sitting next to him with a smile on his face giggling with another player. I'm tired of everybody making excuses for him. He is supposed to be a professional that takes his trade seriously...I don't see! I see a classic case of I already got my money. I don't need to work hard.
Al, He is not what you thought he was when you drafted him. What happened to the "Commitment to Excellence"? This is a "Commitment to Failure". It's time to admit your mistake and move on.
Your Defense is good, Your offensive line is good. Your offensive weapons are good.
All your ship needs is a good Captain and you pulled the cook out of the Galley to run it.
Your loyal fans deserve BETTER.
The rest of the team deserves better.
Do the right thing!!!!!!!
The worst part is the team still thinks they're good and that they're doing okay!! They're just plain awful. ALthough they don't have the worst record, They're the worst team in the NFL hands down. New coach and a top 5 pick in 2010.
First Off- Demote Cable to O-line coach!! They need one on one coaching!!
Second Off- Hire Chuckie back!!! We need his tenacity and iron fist, no more "well, we are getting better" BULL SH!T... WE SUCK!
Third Off- Sign Garcia and Sit Russell, DHB, C.Green, and whoever else isnt getting it done. Tape dont lie!!! (See missed tackles from LB's)
Fourth thing- Let Chuckie take over hiring and firing of coaches, this guy can win us games with our defense and J.Garcia and keep the chains moving and the defense off the field with the west coast offense. We dont have the players upfront or WR to go BIG Offense...
CUT OUR LOSES NOW AND BUILD FOR THE FUTURE, IF THIS IS THE FUTURE WE ARE IN FOR A LOOOOONGGEEEEEEEERRRRR ROAD AHEAD THAN THE ONE WEVE TRAVELED FOR 6 yrs.
Forth-
And we play the Giants next week, yipee! That's whats the most frusterating thing about this organization. All Mikes suggestions would be perfect (except the Garcia thing, he already said he wouldn't come back).But we won't make any of the right moves. We are just wollowing in the mire. I think I had reasonable expectatations this season. I predicted 8-8, but I had us 3 and 1 at this point. Here we are going into week 5 and it's pretty much over, especially if we keep running this same team out there week after week. We all look forward to football every year then this. Sometimes I wish I could just be a front runner and jump ship cause this is getting ridiculous....oh wait it's been ridiculous!!
This has become so ridicles I love the Raiders been a card carrying member of the nation since the 87. The last couple of seasons have been like what the h_ll to watch I'll always be a raider but all the comments r pretty spot on but I would blow it up not yet i'm not sure what it would take but I do believe we better personal in the front office and with coaching. Jruss gets 1 more yr dmac to injury prone when the raiders stop getting players 4 madden and getting players for the nfl then we'll have better days untill then we will just have a great video game team. I know I'm all over the place but there's 2 much dissapointment to cover in this one comment RAIDERNATION 4 now and ever
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