Much has been made about the Oakland Raiders lack of offensive production. The problem isn't the talent level with the team, but the way they ahve misuesd the talent available. Well, that and poor tackle play. The key to the success of an offense is to use the players that you have to maximum effect. The Raiders are not doing that at all.
If you were wanting to go off-road driving, you would not buy a Corvette. If you wanted to go racing down the freeway at mind numbing speeds, you wouldn't get a Jeep Cherokee. That would make sense, as both of those vehicles have their strengths and weaknesses. By the same token, the players on the Raiders have their own strengths, but they are not being utulized. Darren McFadden is like a Corvette, but the Raiders keep using him in a manner that doesn't take advantage of that speed. Michael Bush is more like a Hummer, but they keep him in the garage. About the only running back the Raiders are using correctly is Fargas, and he is your basic family sedan. He is not fast or flashy, but he is going to get the job done.
The Raiders have a potential Pro Bowl caliber tight end, but he usually has to stay in to block, negating his talent as a receiver. Ronald Curry has been rotting on the bench after a rough start, when he is normally a reliable possesion reciever. Higgins looked to be off to a hot start as a receiver, but has disappeared. He should be the deep threat, as he is quite fast.
Rob Calonge of Thoughts from the Dark Side recently lammented the Raiders intended use of Michael Bush at fullback, as well as the plays that are called to run Darren McFadden through the line. Both of those are perfect examples of the Raiders' probelms. Prior to the draft, McFadden was touted as instant offense. He was so verstile that he could line up at wide receiver and make plays as a receiver, as well as an all-world running back, and he could even throw an occasional pass or two. The Raiders have done virtually none of that. As Calonge indicated, most of McFadden's runs are through the line. McFadden's greatest asset is his speed, and he needs to get the ball on a pitch, sweep, or stretch play so he can use his speed to get outside and turn the corner. Instead, the Raiders are running him right at the next line of defense.
Prior to his injury, Michael Bush was thought to be a top flight running back prospect. The Raiders got him in the fourth, and seem dead set not to play to his strengths. He has been the Raiders most consistent runner with the ball, but he is asked to be primarily a blocker. Of course, if the Raiders were to use some presnap motion, where Bush would be lined up ahead of McFadden, then McFadden would motion out to wide receiver and Bush would be a threat to run the ball still, that would be one thing. Of course, that seems to make too much sense, so don't hold your breath.
Comments
Morning Patrick,
All true statements on the offensive side of the ball. But what about the zone D Ryan uses in the 4th qrt? Remmeber what T. Edwards said after the Buffalo game? He stated that they were beat'n the heck out of him for 3 qrt's and in the 4th they just backed off.
The Raiders should be using Bush and McFadden as their 1-2 punch. Fargas is still living off what he did last year. He has been ineffective as the starter so far this year and needs to ride the pine. I'd love to see Bush get 25 carries to see what this big kid could do. Let him develop a rhythm and I bet he gets stronger as the game goes on.
Spell check would have served you well. Decent article with some interesting, if not cliche, analogies, but the typos and misspellings made it difficult to take seriously.
Anyway, the Raiders are terrible, have no depth and are more than likely being used in roles that fit the personnel they have as a whole because you can't put individuals in positions to excel at their strengths in a team sport without the right pieces in place to support them. For instance, you mentioned Miller, no argument a great receiving tight end, as being underutilized as a receiver because he is staying back to block. You figure out your own riddle, the o-line isn't good enough to operate without help from the tight-end. The o-line is not good enough to seal off the outside and allow McFadden to turn the corner. The demotion of Curry is a bit more of a question mark, but he does have a penchant for dropping passes and the Raiders have some young receivers they should be giving reps to in order to see what they've got. This is a big picture issue, not a matter of a couple of talented players not being used to their strengths. When and if the support arrives, these players will get a chance to show their stuff.
It doesn't matter how many weapons you have. It all starts with the O-Line. The Raiders O-Line is undisciplined and they suck.
It doesn't matter how many weapons you have. It all starts with the O-Line. The Raiders O-Line is undisciplined and they suck.
MCfadden is fast but not shifty. Check his tapes at Arkansas; he is not the type of back that will "juke" defenders. He is more of a North/South runner similar to Eric Dickerson.
You make some valid points. However, the moves are made out of neccesity. Bottom line is our offensive line as a whole sucks. That is why our "Pro Bowl caliber tight end" has to stay and block. It starts at the line. I believe if we fix the oline we fix the team.
Good Afternoon, this is the communication I enjoy. You guys bring up valid points about our team's sad situation. First of all, again, the offensive line is substandard, and Wide Receivers sub-standard. Second, the roster is young and don't know how to win! Furthermore, the offense has know identity (running team or passing). Lastly, give Michael Bush props, because he is being a good soldier! Hopely, the organization doesn't take advantage of him! Maybe the coaches will use Bush like William Floyd.
Come on guys, our biggest problem is Al Davis! He needs to step down and let the coach do his job, without micro-management techniques. If Davis had just let Kiffin fire Ryan, hire his Dad's Ass't defensive coach, which Monty said he would give his son, and pick Brady Quinn, we would probably be sitting at least a minumum of .500 right now. If you remember, Kiffin was averaging 19 pts. per game whereas Cable is only averaging 7.4 pts. per game. I feel, even with Russell, Kiffin was only 2 to 3 games away from getting all the pieces in place. Another thing I didn't hear anyone mention was how can any team expect to win when you have 6 different coaches in 8 years! There is no continuity due to lack of familiarity with the coach Come on 09.
The Raiders must try to become a P.S.L. team once again, this time in Los Angeles. Teams like the Cowboys, Giants, Colts have access to a cash flow, except this poses a problem for AL DAVIS this means the organization must be fanfriendly. Thus is the Raider Curse.
AL DAVIS "Lane didnt want Jamarcus" now we all know why. Only AL loved Mark Wilson.
Amy, why do we need to go back to L.A.???? Oakland is the original home for the Raiders, and how will this change anything? Cash obviously isn't the answer because if it were we would have been in 1st place in our division right now. Oaklnad, before Davis got greedy and moved to L.A., was sold out 3 years in advance. Don't you think you must win if you wan to pack your stadium??? (ding ding) Jim, and what are you alluding to stating that now we know why Kiffin didn't want Jamarcus?
The reason the Raiders are considering Bush as fullback is because the LOST both of their fullbacks for the year to knee injury. You can lament how they're misusing their talent all you want. But you're an idiot. The whole point is trying to get their good players on the field. Bush is the biggest back they have right now. As for Curry, he drops the ball more than he catches it, which is why he was benched. Lane Kiffin is gone, let it go. Al Davis made and owns the Raiders it's his prerogative. He has 5 more superbowl appearances than any of you. I am sick of losing too, but Al Davis has not had a single penalty called on him. Nor has he he missed a blocking assignment, dropped a pass, or thrown an interception. If you HAVE to blame someone, blame the people sucking on the field. AL has NOTHING to do with it.
Our biggest problem is Al Davis. Offensive play calling and game scheming on both sides of the ball are questionable. Al Davis will never let go of his vertical Sid Gillman offense. Tim Brown lamented about our "70's", 7-step drop back style offense. 6 coaches in 8 years - 'nuff said. Al should have never let Jon Gruden go. He should have given Kiffin more time. I believe that Kiffin was on to something. How many ex-players and coaches do we have to watch leave the Raiders due to a personal feud with Al? From Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden to Marcus Allen. Look at what Kerry Collins of all people is doing for the Titans! He was horrible when he played for the Raiders. Or was it the "system" he was in? Al Davis needs to bring is a good coach (I've always personally coveted Bill Parcels - he and Davis are rumored to have mutual respect for one another - although I don't think that will every happen) and let him coach, let him pick his offensive and defensive coordinators and draft his own players. Therein lies the problem. As long as Al Davis continues to be in charge, this will never happen. When I was a kid growing up the Raiders still had the "Mystique", were professional sports "Most Winningnest Team" (Hope I spelled that right) and everybody wanted to play for the Raiders. It’s so bad, that no NFL Star player wants to play for the Raiders now. Little did I know I was going to be the equivalent of a Los Angeles Clipper fan. It's gotten so bad, even my kids are ashamed to say they are Raiders fans. Sad to say, I will continue to always root for the Silver and Black. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. But I secretly wait for that inevitable day that the great Al Davis let's go of his "Stalin" controlling ways and then finally the Raiders will enter the era of modern football.
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