Originally published on SBReport.net on Nov. 10, 2012
Oakland heads to Baltimore to take on the tough task of beating a 6-2 Ravens team on Sunday. After giving up 42 points, 515 total yards and 278 rushing yards to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Raiders defense faces another tough offense that features a dynamic running back with Ray Rice. Rice, whose style is similar to Doug Martin’s, is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and has rushed for 622 yards and six touchdowns. There’s no doubt Rice is expecting a big game after seeing what his college head coach Greg Schiano and Martin did to the Raiders defense. Linebackers will need to maintain their gaps as they attempt to limit Rice from breaking off big gains the way Martin did last week. The missed tackles that occurred last week must be limited as Rice will take advantage of any Raiders misstep. Starting cornerback Ron Bartell returns to the playing field on Sunday and returns to his starting position after the team released defensive back Pat Lee. Bartell suffered a broken shoulder blade against San Diego in the season-opener and hasn’t played since. The return of Bartell should help bolster a pass defense that has struggled for much of the year, giving up 245.3 yards per game. It won’t get any easier this week for the secondary as they play a confident Joe Flacco and a pair of quick, dominant receivers in Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. The Raiders secondary will need to keep an eye on Smith and not let his speed beat them deep for a big play. Like the Raiders, the Ravens’ defense is beat up and injured as well after losing Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis earlier this season. Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata and linebacker Terrell Suggs are battling injuries of their own and are not playing at 100 percent. Running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson suffered high-ankle sprains last week and remain out, forcing the ball to be put in the hands of fullback Marcel Reece and second-year running back Taiwan Jones. Jones impressed in preseason and training camp but has only carried the ball once this year for two yards. Jones hopes the offensive line can provide more of a push than it has all season, allowing the Raiders to rush for just 77.3 yards per game, second worst in the NFL. The Ravens are allowing the fifth most rushing yards per game (139.5), a stat that plays into the Raiders favor. With his first and second string running backs out of the game, there’s no doubt that quarterback Carson Palmer will continue to throw the ball a lot in hopes of exploiting a Ravens secondary that is also struggling. Baltimore’s defense is allowing 246.8 passing yards a game while Palmer is averaging 281.3 yards per game, 6th in the NFL. Wide receivers Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey will hope to have a big game should the offensive line hold up and give Palmer enough time. The Raiders offensive line has been less than stellar this year and still face a tough task in the Ravens even if they aren’t 100 percent. Friday’s injury report: RAIDERS: Out: RB Mike Goodson (ankle), RB Darren McFadden (ankle), DT Richard Seymour (knee, hamstring), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) Questionable: T Khalif Barnes (groin) Probable: DT Desmond Bryant (cardiac), LB Miles Burris (elbow), LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder), CB Coye Francies (thumb), S Matt Giordano (hamstring), TE Richard Gordon (hamstring), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), S Michael Mitchell (finger), TE Brandon Myers (shoulder), RB Marcel Reece (hamstring), DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), T Willie Smith (knee), DE Dave Tollefson (shoulder) RAVENS: Out: DE Pernell McPhee (thigh) Questionable: DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), G Bobbie Williams (ankle), G Marshal Yanda (ankle) Probable:LB Josh Bynes (thigh), S Sean Considine (chest), LS Morgan Cox (shoulder), LB Dannell Ellerbe (finger), WR Jacoby Jones (toe), DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu (knee), T Michael Oher (ankle), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder, knee), CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen), LB Terrell Suggs (ankle)
0 Comments
Originally published on SBReport.net on Nov. 2, 2012
The Oakland Raiders will be looking to earn their third-straight victory as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at O.Co Coliseum. Like their previous two opponents, Tampa Bay is coming off a week with extra rest and time to prepare for the Raiders. Oakland’s two previous opponents were coming off of bye weeks, yet the Buccaneers are coming off of a week in which they played a Thursday night game against the Vikings. The Buccaneers have been playing solid ball, winning two of their last three games to bring them to a 3-4 record. Oakland’s secondary will have its handful trying to slow down Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman and the wide receiving corps that features former Charger Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Jackson, who played seven years in San Diego, knows the Raiders well and presents a 6-foot-five, 230-pound frame that is tough for anyone to cover. Michael Huff and company need to limit the big plays from Jackson and attempt to keep everything underneath. Freeman has excelled in the past three weeks after getting a slow start. Freeman has averaged 336.7 yards per game while throwing for nine touchdowns and just one interception in the three previous games. Richard Seymour and the defensive line will need to get into the backfield and disrupt the timing of any play in order to help slow down a Buccaneers offense that is finding its rhythm. Oakland’s defense is coming off of a three-sack game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Rookie running back Doug Martin has been everything the Buccaneers could have hoped for when they drafted him with the 31st overall selection in April’s NFL Draft. The Oakland native is the NFL’s 11th leading rusher with 543 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Head coach Greg Schiano, who had Ray Rice in Rutgers, has enjoyed Martin’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield while he has hauled in 16 receptions for 224 yards. The Raiders rush defense has been solid for much of this year unlike recent years. The Raiders defense is currently ranked 11th in the NFL while allowing 102.1 yards per game on the ground to their opponent. Raiders star running back Darren McFadden was able to get the rushing attack going with 114 yards on the ground but will face a tougher opponent this week. The Buccaneers are allowing a measly 85.1 rushing yards per game, sixth in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will look to include more power blocking once again in an attempt to jump-start the Raiders rushing attack. Should the rushing attack struggle, Carson Palmer and the Raiders wide receivers face a favorable matchup going up against a Buccaneers secondary that has surrendered the second most passing yards in the NFL at 309.6. After trading cornerback Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots this week, Tampa Bay will have to rely on young cornerbacks such as Leonard Johnson, Brandon McDonald and Myron Lewis. Should Palmer want to test this secondary, expect Palmer to line up with multiple wide receiver sets that give Denarius Moore and the wide receivers a chance to make a big play. Moore has shown he can be trusted by Palmer this season with the exception to a dropped touchdown pass last week. Though Moore made up for it later and has hauled in a touchdown pass from Palmer in three straight games. It will be important for Palmer to get Darrius Heyward-Bey and the other wide receivers involved to keep the defense honest. The Raiders would bring their record to 8-8 and either be tied for the divisional lead or remain one game back halfway through the season. Both the teams last met on Dec. 28, 2008 when the Raiders beat former head coach Jon Gruden and the Buccaneers 31-24 before Gruden was fired in the offseason, though Tampa Bay did blow out the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII by a score of 48-21. The only player on the Buccaneers from that Super Bowl season is Ronde Barber, who is now playing at safety instead of cornerback. As for the Raiders, the only two players on the 2002 Super Bowl team that remain on the team is the kicking duo of Shane Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski, though Zack Crockett is now with the team as a scout. Injury Report: Oakland Raiders: Out: T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) Doubtful: LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder) Questionable: RB Taiwan Jones (knee), LB Rolando McClain (toe) Probable: DT Desmond Bryant (elbow), LB Travis Goethel (back), RB Mike Goodson (toe), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), RB Darren McFadden (shoulder), S Michael Mitchell (finger), DT Richard Seymour (knee), DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), T Willie Smith (ankle), DE Dave Tollefson (shoulder), T Jared Veldheer (elbow), C Stefen Wisniewski (ankle) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Probable: DE Michael Bennett (ankle), CB Brandon McDonald (ankle), T Donald Penn (wrist), CB Eric Wright (achilles) Originally published on SBReport.net on Oct. 26, 2012
The Oakland Raiders head into the hostile Arrowhead Stadium to take on AFC West-rivals Kansas City Chiefs looking to climb closer to the division lead with a win. Even with their poor start to the season, the Raiders are just one game out of first place in the division which is currently held by both the Chargers and Broncos. Like last week, the Raiders face a team coming off of their bye week. This, along with facing a divisional foe will prove a tough task for a Raiders team that has struggled at times. There's no doubt that offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will keep trying to get Darren McFadden and the rushing attack going. McFadden is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and only 54 yards per game. Knapp's offense faces a Chiefs defense that is giving up 125 yards per game on the ground, the 11th worst in the National Football League. The offensive line will need to play better than it did last week to open up holes for McFadden and keep quarterback Carson Palmer off his back. McFadden continuously ran into a wall of defenders as he attempted to find running room against the Jaguars last week. The offensive line faces a tough test in a strong Chiefs defensive line that features pass-rushing specialist Tamba Hali. Hali and the Chiefs will undoubtedly look to pressure Palmer to affect the timing of the Raiders passing game. Palmer will test a familiar face on the outside in cornerback Stanford Routt. Routt, who played for the Raiders for his first seven NFL seasons, is susceptible to giving up a big play as Raiders fans know. Routt and the secondary have done a formidable job defending the pass thus far, allowing just 224.5 passing yards per game, 13th best in the NFL. Should the Raiders rushing attack continue to stall, it will be necessary for Denarius Moore and the wide receivers to get open for Palmer. On defense, the Raiders will face their toughest running test yet with a Chiefs offense that features explosive running back Jamaal Charles. Charles and the Chiefs feature the third best rushing attack in the NFL with 164.0 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Miles Burris and the Raiders defense will have to maintain their gaps to prevent any big plays from Charles. Kansas City's passing attack lacks the explosiveness of the ground attack. After taking over for an injured Matt Cassel, Brady Quinn was named the starter this week by head coach Romeo Crennel despite Cassel being back from injury. Quinn has largely been a letdown in the NFL since being drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2007. He has completed just 52.9 percent of his passes attempted for 2,114 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 games played. Oakland's secondary will have to keep an eye on wide receiver Dewayne Bowe who always seems to have a big game against the Raiders. Despite a shaky quarterback situation, Bowe has always accumulated 427 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions. The Raiders will look to pressure Quinn in hopes of continuing their recent success in producing turnovers. After forcing three interceptions against Atlanta, the Raiders were able to force a crucial fumble last week that helped lead to the overtime victory. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Injury report: OAKLAND RAIDERS OUT: T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) QUESTIONABLE: DT Desmond Bryant (elbow), LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder), LB Travis Goethel (back), TE Richard Gordon (hamstring), RB Taiwan Jones (knee), DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), DE Dave Tollefson (shoulder) PROBABLE: LB Miles Burris (elbow), WR Juron Criner (hip), RB Mike Goodson (hip), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), DT Tommy Kelly (shoulder), RB Darren McFadden (shoulder), S Michael Mitchell (ankle), TE Brandon Myers (knee), C Alex Parsons (back), DT Richard Seymour (knee), WR Rod Streater (knee) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OUT: None QUESTIONABLE: CB Jalil Brown (groin), DE Glenn Dorsey (calf), TE Steve Maneri (ankle) PROBABLE: QB Matt Cassel (concussion), RB Peyton Hillis (ankle), WR Devon Wylie (hamstring) Originally published on SBReport.net on Oct. 20, 2012
Though they have won just one game so far this season, Dennis Allen and the Raiders showed promise as they fell to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons due to a last-second 55-yard field goal. The Raiders host a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars team that is also 1-4 coming into the contest on Sunday. While running back Darren McFadden was only able to 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6 yards per carry), he ran hard and appeared to be seeing the holes much better in the new zone-blocking scheme being installed to the Oakland offense. McFadden is yet to have a breakout game season but will look to succeed against a Jaguars defense that is giving up 163.0 rushing yards per game, third-worst in the NFL. McFadden broke loose the last time the Raiders faced the Jaguars, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns, while hauling in three receptions for another 86 yards and one receiving touchdown. Getting the rushing attack going will help alleviate the stress being put on quarterback Carson Palmer and the passing game for much of this young season. With injuries decimating the wide receiving corps for much of the season, Palmer has been able to produce and will look to get wide receivers Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey incorporated early, in hopes of opening up the running lanes for McFadden. Jacksonville has their own weapon at running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, former De La Salle High School standout and Oakland native. Jones-Drew returned to the team just in time for season following an offseason holdout and has struggled as well. Jones-Drew has broken the 100-yard rushing line just once this season and only has one rushing touchdown recorded. Though he has struggled somewhat, Jones-Drew always has the potential to break loose and will be a tough battle for the Raiders defense in the rushing and passing game. Jones-Drew isn't the only player struggling on the offensive side of the Jaguars. Jacksonville's offense is averaging a league-worst 241.2 yards per game and 13.0 points per game. The struggling Jaguars offense is a welcomed sight by a Raiders defense that has struggled much of the season but played hard last week. With both starting cornerbacks still out to injury, Michael Huff has been forced to sub in at corner and showed solid instincts last week and came away with his first interception of the year. Huff has played solely safety in his seven-year career. Oakland will look to pressure young quarterback Blaine Gabbert in hopes of either recording a sack or forcing a bad decision. Allen and the Raiders will need to cut down on the penalties to come away with a win against the Jaguars. Oakland reverted back to their ways from last season as they committed 12 penalties against the Falcons last week. A win on Sunday against the Jaguars will help put the Raiders back into the race for the AFC West Division. Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 28, 2012
Raiders head coach Dennis Allen is heading into a familiar place as the Raiders head to Denver to take on the Denver Broncos at Mile High. Allen served as the Broncos defensive coordinator last season, his only season with the Broncos. The young coordinator improved the Broncos defense and earned praises from around the NFL as a bright defensive mind. After only being a defensive coordinator for one year, Raiders new general manager Reggie McKenzie chose Allen to be the 18th head coach in franchise history. But Allen will be facing a different team than the Broncos team he left. Denver traded away Tim Tebow and signed a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Peyton Manning. While there still remains questions about Manning's arm strength, there certainly aren't any questions about his ability to command the offense, especially at the line of scrimmage. Oakland's defense will need to be on top of their game as Manning is an expert at exploiting a defense's weakness. With their two starting corners still out with injury, it will be safety Michael Huff and Pat Lee getting the starts again. After giving up 384 yards in the air to Ben Roethlisberger last week, the secondary won't have an easier task with wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas. Decker has appeared to become a favorite of Manning's, but Thomas has big-play capabilities and moves well after the catch. Luckily Manning is primarily a pocket passer and has difficulty scrambling which should be beneficial to the Raiders defensive line which has struggled to provide any pass rush. The Raiders have recorded just three sacks through three games. McKenzie signed the veteran Andre Carter this week in hopes of gaining support in rushing the passer. The Broncos have struggled to establish a rushing attack with running back Willis McGahee, averaging just 90.3 yards per game. While the Raiders rushing defense is allowing 116.3 yards per game so far, they will need to maintain gap control and force the Broncos to be one-dimensional. Quarterback Carson Palmer has quietly been having a solid season so far, even with all the injuries to his starting receivers. After losing Jacoby Ford for the season, Rod Streater was poked in the eye last week and Darrius Heyward-Bey was carted off the field and remains out with a neck injury and concussion. Denarius Moore and Derek Hagan will likely get the start at wide receiver. Hagan has shown good chemistry with Palmer despite being signed after training camp. Darren McFadden was able to get the running game going last week after averaging just a measly 27 yards per game the first two contests. McFadden has shown his explosiveness to the Broncos during their last three meetings, averaging 144.6 yards per game, including a 150-yard effort in the Raiders season-opening victory against the Broncos last season. With the numerous injuries to the wide receiving corps, the Raiders may have to rely on their star running back more, in the passing and rushing game. ---------------------------- INJURY REPORT: BRONCOS Out: S Quinton Carter (knee) Doubtful:G Chris Kuper (forearm) Questionable:LB Nate Irving (concussion), WR Matt Willis (hamstring) Probable: CB Chris Harris (ankle), RB Willis McGahee (ribs), CB Tracy Porter (knee), TE Jacob Tamme (groin) RAIDERS Out: T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) Doubtful:WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (concussion, neck) Questionable: RB Mike Goodson (hamstring), TE Richard Gordon (hamstring), TE Brandon Myers (concussion), WR Rod Streater (eye, neck) Probable: TE David Ausberry (shoulder), S Michael Huff (knee), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), RB Darren McFadden (shoulder), C Alex Parsons (shoulder), DT Richard Seymour (knee) Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 21, 2012
Raiders head coach Dennis Allen is still looking for his first regular-season victory as an NFL head coach. Already 0-2, the Raiders play host to a tough Pittsburgh Steelers team with a stout defense and an offense lead by All-Pro quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. To the Raiders benefit, it appears that the Steelers defense will be without two of its top playmakers in safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and linebacker James Harrison (knee). The Steelers stingy defense is allowing a stingy 276.5 yards per game so far, good for seventh in the NFL. The departure of Polamalu is beneficial to Raiders running back Darren McFadden who has struggled to find any running room through two games. McFadden has totaled a measly 54 yards on 26 carries. McFadden’s numbers are a problem for any offense, but especially in an offense that depends on the rushing attack for play-action calls like offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s does. Knapp’s offense has struggled to find the endzone, scoring just two touchdowns through two weeks of play. One of those touchdowns occurred late in the season opener against the San Diego Chargers. The Raiders will need to get McFadden going to relieve some pressure off starting quarterback Carson Palmer and the offensive line. Having come from the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North division, Palmer is familiar with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Palmer has faced the Steelers 12 times and come up with just four victories. Palmer needs to be quick with his reads and fine the open receiver to avoid sacks against a Steelers defense that enjoys getting in the opposing quarterback’s face. Palmer has been able to avoid the interceptions for the most part, with the exception to a bad throw towards the end of last week’s rout by the Dolphins. Palmer will have to keep track of safety Ryan Clark at all times as he has a knack of always being around the ball. Second-year wide receiver Denarius Moore returned to the field last week after missing much of training camp with a hamstring injury. Moore hauled in three receptions for 67 yards. Moore is capable of making the big play down the field that the Raiders have not found yet this season. Oakland’s injury list has been quite lengthy this week, with the biggest problems occurring on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders are without both of their starting cornerbacks Shawntae Spencer (foot) and Ron Bartell (shoulder). Oakland will have to use patch work moving forward at the corner position, at least until their starters return. Pittsburgh’s speedy wide receivers will no doubt be a tough matchup against the Raiders patched up secondary. Wide receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown both possess big-play capabilities. Oakland also needs to keep an eye on veteran tight end Heath Miller, a favorite of Roethlisberger, especially on third down. Oakland has struggled to get off the field on third downs, allowing their opponent to complete the third-down conversion 14 out of 30 attempts thus far. The task doesn’t get any easier this week as the Steelers have completed the highest percentage of third downs in the league. Pittsburgh has gained the first down 19 out of 34 tries. One of the biggest letdowns of the young season has been the play of the Raiders defensive line. The talented defensive line was thought to be a strength of the team but has only been able to record two sacks so far. There’s no doubt that the defensive line will have to not only apply pressure on Big Ben, but also limit his ability to scramble to relieve their hurting secondary. Oakland leads the all-time record against the Steelers 10-9, including a win for the Raiders in week seven of the 2006 season, the last time Pittsburgh came to Oakland. The victory that year was just one of two on the season for the Raiders. Injury report: RAIDERS OUT: T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) QUESTIONABLE: TE David Ausberry (shoulder), CB Coye Francies (concussion), RB Mike Goodson (hamstring), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), RB Taiwan Jones (ribs), LB Rolando McClain (concussion, ankle), C Alex Parsons (shoulder), DT Richard Seymour (knee) PROBABLE: WR Juron Criner (ankle) STEELERS OUT: LB James Harrison (knee), RB Rashard Mendenhall (knee), S Troy Polamalu (calf), LB Stevenson Sylvester (knee) QUESTIONABLE: T Mike Adams (back) PROBABLE: RB Jonathan Dwyer (toe), T Marcus Gilbert (groin), QB Byron Leftwich (illness), TE Heath Miller (abdomen), WR Emmanuel Sanders (knee), WR Mike Wallace (groin) Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 14, 2012
The Raiders travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins on Sunday with both teams looking for their first win of the 2012 regular season. Oakland is coming off a Monday night game in which special team miscues contributed to a 22-14 loss against AFC West rivals San Diego Chargers, while the Dolphins are coming off their 30-10 loss to the Houston Texans. The good news for the Raiders is that they have seen a similar offense to theirs successful against the Dolphins as the Texans tacked 30 points against the Miami defense. The bad news is it was just last week and the Dolphins will likely be making adjustments to try and put their defense in a spot to succeed. The Raiders will need to limit their mistakes in Miami to help give them a chance at giving head coach Dennis Allen his first head coaching regular season victory. Despite only putting up two field goals and one touchdown last week, the Raiders offense was able to move the ball but was unable to finish the drive on numerous occasions. In order to mend their long-snapping debacle suffered last week when Jon Condo left with a concussion, the Raiders held a tryout among five long snappers and signed Nick Guess to their practice squad should Condo not be ready to return. Quarterback Carson Palmer will also need to get the ball to someone other than star running back Darren McFadden for the offense to be successful. McFadden hauled in 13 of Palmer's 32 completions last week. Though Jacoby Ford is expected to miss the year, it appears that Palmer gets back his play-making wide receiver Denarius Moore who has been out since mid-training camp with a hamstring injury. It remains to be seen how limited Moore will be, but when healthy, Moore proved to be a play maker and have a good repertoire with Palmer last season. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's offense has typically relied on a solid run game in the past, something the Raiders were unable to establish last week. The Chargers held McFadden to just 32 yards on 15 carries, something the Raiders hope to improve on while in Miami. There's no doubt that the Raiders defense will have an easier task this week. The Dolphins are starting a rookie quarterback in Ryan Tannehill with a less-than-stellar wide receiving corps. Expect defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to bring a game plan of lots of blitz packages and apply pressure on Tannehill in hopes of forcing a turnover. With starting cornerback Ron Bartell out with a broken shoulder blade, it will be Pat Lee getting the start opposite of Shawntae Spencer. Lee and Spencer have an easier task this week against a wide receiving corps that features Legadu Naanee and Bay Area-native Devone Bess as their starters, Neither of which have broken the 1,000-yards receiving plateau in their career. On paper, the Dolphins' biggest offensive weapon lies in running back Reggie Bush, former USC teammate of Raiders backup quarterback Matt Leinart. Bush had a breakout season last year, rushing for a career-high 1,086 yards and six rushing touchdowns. But as Leinart and the Raiders know, Bush is also a valuable target in the passing game having averaged almost four catches a game for his career. The Raiders showed a defense with improved linebacker play and the ability to stop the run. Oakland only allowed the Chargers to rush for just 32 yards on 19 carries. The Raiders will need to defend the run as well as not turnover the ball to come home with a victory in Miami, something the Raiders have been unable to do since 2007 while under head coach Lane Kiffin. Injury report as of Friday goes as follows: Dolphins OUT: DE Tony McDaniel (knee), RB Daniel Thomas (concussion) DOUBTFUL: WR Anthony Armstrong (hamstring) PROBABLE: LB Jonathan Freeny (thumb), DE Randy Starks (groin) Raiders OUT: CB Ron Bartell (shoulder), WR Jacoby Ford (foot) QUESTIONABLE: LS Jon Condo (concussion), WR Juron Criner (ankle), RB Taiwan Jones (ribs), LB Rolando McClain (ankle), C Alex Parsons (shoulder) PROBABLE: TE David Ausberry (shoulder), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), S Michael Mitchell (ribs), WR Denarius Moore (hamstring), TE Brandon Myers (shoulder), DT Richard Seymour (knee) Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 8, 2012 Well Raider fans, the time is finally upcoming. After seeing the hiring of a new general manager, another coaching overhaul, a relatively mild draft with few high picks, implementation of new schemes and personnel change, the first game is almost upon us. All of these events, and more, have occurred since the Raiders fell to the San Diego Chargers 38-26 last New Year's Day in Oakland, causing the Silver & Black to miss the playoffs. The Raiders have a chance at redemption as they take on the Chargers on Monday Night at O.Co Coliseum to begin the season. But the Raiders aren't the only AFC West team in California to experience much change in the offseason. The Chargers saw some change to their team as well. Starting quarterback Phillip Rivers is left without wide receiver Vincent Jackson who became a big play receiver and a favorite of Rivers. The Chargers signed former Saints wideout Robert Meachem to replace Jackson, who signed with the Buccaneers during the free agency period. Meachem has appeared to be out of sync with Rivers during preseason, hauling in just one reception for seven yards in four preseason games started. Monday's game provides the first real look at the Raiders new defensive unit that has two new starting cornerbacks, two new starting linebackers, and a healthy Matt Shaughnessy. Cornerbacks Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer will have their hands full with Rivers and the wide receivers, but the Raiders safeties will have to keep tight end Antonio Gates in check. Gates, a former basketball player, appears to be healthy again and sure to be a favorite target of Rivers again, especially with the departure of Jackson. Expect defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to attack the Chargers left tackle position, where they are expected to start an un-drafted rookie Mike Harris with Jared Gaither out to recurring back problems. Defensively, the Raiders will benefit by facing a depleted Chargers rushing attack with an injured Ryan Mathews limited for the game, and the departure of fullback/running back Mike Tolbert to free agency. The 30-year-old Ronnie Brown will likely get the start in the place of Mathews. The Raiders have yet to see a complete offensive unit this preseason but finally get wide receiver Denarius Moore back to the field after missing the preseason with a hamstring injury. Moore played arguably his best two games last season against the Chargers, hauling in a total of eight receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Starting quarterback Carson Palmer will need to keep his decision making on point as the Raiders can't afford to give Rivers and the Chargers offense extra possessions. The regular season also marks the chance for offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to unleash his star weapon Darren McFadden. McFadden has remained limited in the preseason with his touches as the Raiders didn't want to risk injury. Even while limited, Run DMC has showed his explosiveness both in the rushing attack and receiving the ball. McFadden will surely be the focal point of the Raiders offense, especially against a Chargers team that ranked in the middle of the pack when it came to defending the rush last season, giving up 116.5 yards per game last season The Raiders offensive line will need to remain cohesive against a Chargers defense that features a strong linebacker corps and a strong pass rusher in rookie Melvin Ingram. The offensive line showed some struggle adjusting to their new zone-blocking scheme in the preseason and will need to play improved to give Palmer enough time and open up holes for McFadden. Oakland has not fared well against the Chargers on Monday Night Football, losing their last two contests on Monday Night against San Diego. The game has been announced a sell out, allowing local media to air the game. Fans are encouraged to get into the stadium early as the Raiders have lined up a live performance by self-proclaimed "Raider Nation President" Ice Cube, along with a couple of other surprises for their fans. Oakland hopes to begin the season 1-0 just as they did last season when they defeated the Denver Broncos on Monday Night in Denver. Originally published on SBReport.net on Aug. 7, 2012
The Oakland Raiders are set to hold Raider Nation Celebration on Sunday, August 12 at O.Co Coliseum. The family-friendly event is set to take place from 1-4:00 p.m. in parking lot "B," the south parking lot located off of Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif. The fan rally is free and open to the public and will offer numerous opportunities such as autography opportunities with Raiders legends and Raiderettes, an on-site Raider Image store, food and alcohol-free beverage concession stands and an interactive Kid's Zone for the children. Fans will also get a look at new head coach Dennis Allen and the 2012 Raiders and Raiderettes. Season ticket holders get an opportunity at an exclusive tour of the locker room and a food tasting is made available for suite holders. Raider Nation Celebration has been held by the Raiders since 1998 and has been located in various locations throughout Oakland. The event comes just one day before the Raiders take on the Dallas Cowboys in their first preseason game on Monday night, August 13. Originally published on SBReport.net on May 13, 2012 Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen took time to speak with the media following Saturday's practice at the Raiders 2012 Rookie Minicamp at the Raiders' training facility in Alameda, Calif. Allen talks specifics about players attending the event, the lead up to the minicamp, fullback Marcel Reece's contract, as well as the importance of attending the event for the rookies. |
Archives
May 2014
Categories
All
|