Oakland Raider player analysis: Oakland Raiders Johnnie Lee Higgins giveth and he taketh away

August 18, 1:06 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Johnnie Lee Higgins is of on the bubble. Photo by Patrick Patterson TFDSsports.com

Johnnie Lee Higgins picture could be in the encyclopedia next to the phrase "On the Bubble." He was little utilized his rookie season, but when he was in the game he often looked like he was over his head. He never really settled in anywhere on the team, and coach Lane Kiffin had lamented over the offseason not having used Higgins more in 07. This meant that Higgins needed to have a very good camp and preseason to break camp a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Rather than take his opportunity, grab it with both hands and make a run, he has been the very definition of inconsistent. In the two weeks of preseason thus far, he has been both the hero and the goat. He looked on his way to the penthouse after week one against the San Francisco 49ers, but against the Titans in week two he took his alleged 4.2 speed and ran straight to the outhouse. In fact, he went from looking like a lock to make the team to looking like a cut day casualty in the space of one week.

2007

Higgins played his was on to the team last season with a strong performance in the preseason that included a punt return for a touchdown against the Rams in week three. Once the season started however, he mostly disappeared. When he did play, he was mediocore at best having several drops in the receiving game, and even more telling three fumbled punt returns, which ultimately cost him his main job with on the team.

2008 Training camp

One of the common themes emanating from all the reports out of training camp was the poor performance of the wide receivers, with few exceptions. None of the exceptions mentioned ever bore the name Johnnie Lee Higgins. He didn't make the negative headlines in the manner of Javon Walker, but had Higgins done so he doubtlessly would have been allowed to retire.

2008 Week 1

Higgins played like a man possessed. Higgins broke two long punt returns including a 51 yard touchdown. He also was making plays in the receiving game, making it look like he had finally turned the corner and was ready to make things happen for the Oakland Raiders.

Rob Calonge of Thoughts from the Dark Side wrote:

Johnnie Lee Higgins -What a difference an offseason makes!  Higgins was confident, decisive, and smart with the football, all things he wasn’t very good at his rookie season.  What I liked most about his play was that he was very quick to the ball and was set up to run far sooner than he had to be which is important because when he caught the ball, he was ready to make his move.  In the first quarter, he had a 39 yard kick return brought back for a clipping foul on Oren O’Neal.  I looked at the play several times in slow motion, it was a bad call.  O’Neal hit the guy, who was away from the play, on his side and not his back.  Later Higgins returned that punt for a touchdown that you’ve no doubt seen on Sports Center.  Every criticism I’ve ever had about this kid, had been addressed by this young man which is very exciting for the Raiders.  Chris Who?

2008 Week 2

Higgins looked even worse than he did at any time during the 2007 season. He tried to return a punt where only a block in the back by a teammate saved him from decapitation. He looked lost in the passing game, including one play where he ran the wrong route. His worst transgression directly led to points for the Titans. He fielded a punt on the six yard line, (A violation of punt return 101) and ran backwards trying to make something happen, (compounding the problem) and ultimately fumbled (D'oh!) and the Titans recovered it in the end zone. To that time the Titans had not been able to do squat, but Higgins handed them six points on a silver platter. He was making mistakes that even a frosh-soph player at the high school level should know better, let alone a second year player in the National Football League.

TFDS opined on Higgins's performance:

Johnnie Lee Higgins looked lost in both the receiving and passing games. His key play was fielding a punt at the six and fumbling in his own end zone, where the ball was recovered for the Titans’ first points. He also looked awful as a receiver. His only highlight was an eight yard carry on an end around, but he seemed to lack the speed that he was touted for.

What a difference a week makes. The Raiders have one more game before cut down day, and Higgins had better play like he did against San Francisco or he will be on the unemployment line. The injury to Tyvon Branch, who was slated to compete for the return job, helps Higgins's chances, but if Branch comes back healthy Higgins already has a few strikes against him.

For more info: Check out Thoughts from the Dark Side for the latest Raiders News.