Oakland Raiders receivers not catching on

October 8, 1:29 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Ronald Curry can't get open in the red zone
Photo by Patrick A Patterson TFDSsports.com

When the Oakland Raiders lost Drew Carter to injury in the third preseason game, it was obvious that it would set back the wide receiver corps. Instead of being set back, it has been questionable whether the Raiders even have any threats at the wide out position. As it stands Johnnie Lee Higgins and Ashley Lelie are the two top wide outs in catches, but they are tied for fifth on the team in catches with only FIVE apiece. 

The knee jerk reaction would be to blame the deposed Lane Kiffin's notoriously conservative play calling. That would have some merit, but when the entire wide receiving corps have combined for a total of 19 catches in four games, there has to be more to it. JaMarcus Russell has been inconsistent at times, but there have been several of his passes dropped. The line has not been a force in pass blocking, but they have not been the seive that they were feared to be either.

Ultimately, the responsibility falls on the play makers to make plays, and the playmakers on the outside have fallen short of that standard. Johnnie Lee Higgins has the single highlight for the wide outs with his 85 yard catch and run against Buffalo, and he was the one who seemed to be on the bubble at the end of the preseason. Other than his one catch and run, the receivers are conspicuous by their complete absence.

Javon Walker: 4-52-0

Walker missed the first two games with injuries he acquired in training camp. He was signed to a lucrative contract in the offseason to be the Raiders primary threat receiver. Since signing that contract, he was found unconscious in a Las Vegas alley, contemplated retirement in training camp, and missed the first two games of the season. In his time on the field, he has not produced much.

Ronald Curry: 3-29-1

Curry has been the biggest disappointment of all the Raider receivers. Over the past few years, Curry has been the most consistent and that was expected to continue this season. Instead of being the move the chains threat he has been, Curry has had a catastrophic case of butterfingers. Curry has had at least four drops, which exceeds his number of catches. HE is a great story and a hard worker, but either he gets his head in the game or needs to be replaced.

Johnnie Lee Higgins: 5-119-1

Higgins is tied with Lelie for the lead in catches for wide outs and is the tops in yardage at his position. 84 of those 119 came on a perfect slant and go pass from Russell in the fourth quarter of the Bills game. That leaves him with 35 yards on four catches for the remainder of his body of work. He seems to be improving after a shaky preseason, and could end up being the break out wide receiver the Raiders need.

Ashley Lelie: 5-71-1

Lelie was brought in prior to the season opener. He looked to be stepping into a leading receiver role with the Raiders in the first couple of games, but promptly disappeared.

Chaz Schilens: 2-29-0

Schilens was a force in the preseason, which enabled him to make the team as a seventh round pick. He started with two catches in the season opener, but like Lelie has not been heard from since.

Todd Watkins is the other receiver on the roster, but he has been inactive for all four games thus far. Considering the lack of production up and down this position, it would make since to give Watkins a chance out there considering he was the best receiver to survive preseason.

Overall, something has got to give. Wide receiver is far from the most crucial position on a football team, but they have to be able to catch the ball. If the Raiders are going to rebound from their 1-3 start, this crew has to step their game up and make plays.