Here we are, two games into pre-season, and things look better. Russel is starting to make educated decisions in and out of the pocket. No interceptions. Yeah, he got sacked once, but it was centimeters away from being just a tackle. McFadden, Bush and Fargas are set. Our defense is looking more and more like 2 years ago, but better. The tackling is much better than last year. Mostly on our 1st squad, but I see flashes on our 2nd and 3rd.
The receivers still need work, but, like I have said before, ZACH MILLER IS THE MAN. This guy will be a pro-bowler. There's no doubt in my mind. He is phenomenal. Quick feet, great hands, nice instincts. He's gonna be Russel's bread and butter for a long time.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Don't even get me started on our secondary. Hall, Asomugha, Wilson and Huff, forget it. Monsters!
Tommy Kelly is looking pretty good out there. A lot better than I expected. Moving his position was a good idea. The only negative thing I have to say is that there was too many turnovers. Granted they were made by our 3rd stringers, except Higgins. (With Higgins, that was just a stupid mistake) Mario Henderson, I see exactly why Kiffin is talking kind of negative about him. He is not holding his ground and protecting the QB. Hopefully Kiffin can correct or rectify that before regular season.
I actually want to add a few words about Chaz Shillens. This guy needs to be made a starter. He's got a fire in him that needs to be out there. Like Miller, he's got good hands and fast feet. I think we've got something in this kid.
So, even though todays game was a loss on paper, we still won it in my heart. Great pre-season game to both teams.
comments (12) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
I think that J Russ played good. He did not force any passes and most important he did not throw any interceptions. He protected the ball well. Overall I think that the starters did good against a playoff caliber team. The only negative in the game had to be Higgins bad choice of trying to return the ball from the eight yard line. What was he thinking? I think that he wanted to repeat last weeks return.
3 months ago
Of course we won it... we spotted them 7 and even then we kept them to 10 points... Plus, I didn't see Namdi nor Hall out there?!?! did I miss something coz if they play thing are totally different.
Titans humiliated the Lambs last week, we dominated them I'm very pleased. We're getting better and this is a great thing!!!
3 months ago
Janikowski needs to go. I have said it before...he is not a clutch kicker . Elling shows us that we can do just fine without that out of shape HGh ingesting, hamstring pulling unreliable weasel. Jano is average at best outside of 40 yards. He does not deserve to break Cris Bahrs record. I won't budge on this one...Jano needs to go.
Jamarcus looked good on one drive...the other drives he moved around well and did not make mistakes. It is our receivers that appear in need of a wake-up call. I would like to see Schillens and Watkins get a series or two with the first team. I would also like to see Bush and Rankin get a crack with the first team.
Johnnie Lee...hang on to the damn ball. He carries it like the proverbial loaf of bread. We all know of the fumble, yet he did the very same thing the very next play he handled the ball...on the end-around, he was carrying it like a sack of potatoes. Someone needs to work with that guy on ball security, otherwise, cut him.
Expect William Joseph, Waddell and Bowie to be cut real soon. Joseph was playing with the 5th stringers and still looked like a steaming pile of dog crap. Sam Williams gets one or two more preseason games to stay on the team. His scholarship has about run out. Yeah, he had one good play...wow...not bad for a 5+ year veteran.
Overall, this was a good game, and the staff got to see who the real players are and who may need to pack bags and not let the door hit them in the arse. The Raiders are going to contend for the AFC West this year.
from 3 months ago
so agree with you about Johnnie Lee, he needs to be taught ball security. My 13 year old son could hang onto the ball better. And Waddell, I could match up against him and come down with the ball.
But, don't count out Janikowski. Remember, he made a 56 yarder, but then hit the upright on the 45 yarder. Let him play a few more games before he's counted out.
All in all, I liked the game yesterday, like what I saw.
3 months ago
Nice write up Lori! I have to disagree with your take on Chaz Schillens being a starter. I like him and think he has a lot of talent but I don't think he is ready to start right now. This is not to say that he can't down the road. I've had and still have my doubts about Javon Walker.
Had the game against the Titans been a real game it would've been a Raider win! I have no idea why Johnnie Lee Higgins decided to give us the three mistake trifecta on friday of 1) catching a punt at the 8 yard line 2) once he made the catch immediately going backwards 3) fumbling the ball in the end zone. It appears that he was trying to impress and repeat the success of the previous game. The punt return job is his to lose and he knows he needs to play better.
J Russ looked good and the running game was solid again. I the defense played well. A 56-yard FG by Elling was nice to see. I have to agree with Wallace and his take that "Joseph, Waddell and Bowie to be cut real soon".
3 months ago
As far as i am concerned, the raiders starters out played a very talented titans starting line up, on both sides of the ball. Besides that, i don't really put much in to the preseasons games. I hope Johnny lee learns from his mistakes, i still think he will be a very exciting player. Next week, we should get a real good look at the raiders starters, plus Nnamdi and Hall, playing most of the game.
3 months ago
As a longtime Raider fan but one that has become jaded about the franchise I was pleased with Russell. He not only has a strong arm, but an accurate one as well which was on display on the touchdown. He threw that ball on the move and through a small window. I was also impressed with his mobility and poise. All that said it was a preseason game, but still, there is reason for hope at that position. I would have liked to have seen better progress on the run defense, but in all honesty the defense was such a hodgepodge of starters and subs I don't know how we can accurately judge. The O line looked better too. That being said they were undefeated in the preseason a couple of years ago and sucked ass, so my fingers are crossed.
from 3 months ago
Rick, definitely agree on the run defense. But as you said, the mixture of starters, 2nd and 3rd stringers makes it impossible to tell how well they will do.
3 months ago
Pre-season games are won if the starters do what the team is trying to do. Miller im sure will be a pro bowler but only when Gonzalez retires or Gates gets hurt. Raiders need to work on the pass more. Russell is doing better but he needs way more snaps, alot of his yards are good plays by Miller. Russell might not live up to his hype at the begining of the year but when is draw to the close and he has games under his belt he will look alot better. The run is set, everyone knows that. The CB's I heard are both hurt, Hall said he broke his hand and Asomugha hurt his foot, if they're out for awhile thats not good news for the Raiders. Good article
3 months ago
Actually the injury to Hall was released, it's not broken. It's a tendon and he's ready to play. Asomugha, the Raiders stated his injury is nothing, just needed rest.
Russell is doing better, a lot more snaps and the confidence will come. He's definitely showing signs that he is the emerging leader, which will help having him locked as the starter. The QB shuffle last year hurt us real bad, (we were bad enough) as it would any team.
Thanks!
3 months ago
Shoutout to Chad, for contributing with honest remarks despite his alliegence to the Red side.
I would say that LT will have a few more good years, in that time the CAL product Tony will be retired/not a pro bowl canidate. When LT goes down hill, so will Gates production.
On the flipside. JR, Miller and the stable of RB's are extremely young. They wil be a better offense with every year they play together. Also, WR's will be the next major upgrade year after next, since we all know OT's will be the highest priority next offseason.
In any case, that was a good game especially for pre-season. Sucks we lost, but JR had a good drive and it took SEVERAL mistakes for the loss, and barely at that.
3 months ago
That loss was solely on 2 players in my book. Higgins and O'Neal. Higgins especially. What the hell was he thinking running around like some lost little whatever? Losing by one point. Higgins put 7 up on the other teams scoreboard. He fumbled and made bad decisions last year, nothing has changed.
write a new comment