Just Win Baby!

[kdmajoslin]

Week 12

Raiders (10-0) @ Cowboys (7-3)

1st Quarter

Neither team can get anything going in the first quarter. The Raiders in particular look sluggish. Lots of penalties and dropped balls.

2nd Quarter

Dallas QB Tony Romo finds a wide open WR Patrick Crayton for a 63yd TD

OAK 0 DAL 7

Oakland QB Ken Dorsey looks awful and after throwing 3 INTs everyone is calling for him to be benched. Coach Joslin decides to stick with Dorsey, much to the ire of everyone.

The Raiders get within FG distance, but the 50yd try goes wide right.

OAK 0 DAL 7 at the half

3rd Quarter

Oakland gets on the board with a 16yd pass from QB Ken Dorsey to WR David Tyree

HB Justiin Fargas is slow to get up and has to leave the game for X-Rays.

OAK 7 DAL 7

4th Quarter

Oakland kicker Matt Prater hts a 33yd FG to give the Raiders the lead with less than 4 minutes to go in the game.

OAK 10 DAL 7

Dallas comes right back with a 39yd FG by Alexis Serna

OAK 10 DAL 10

Not wanting to try his luck in overtime, Coach Joslin tries to have QB Dorsey move the team down the field, but it all goes horribly wrong when DAL CB Anthony Henry jumps the route and makes the INT. Henry is in the clear with the only one who can stop him being OAK QB Dorsey...Dorsey jumps and it looks like he has him, but Henry shrugs him off and goes in for the TD.

OAK 10 DAL 17

OAK takes the kick with 4 seconds left in the game and HB/KR Chris Johnson has a big return, but a big return isn't a TD which is what the Raiders needed.

OAK 10 DAL 17 Final- Sloppy play and poor decision making cost the Raiders this one

Key Performers

OAK QB Ken Dorsey 19/43 for 275yds TD 4 INTs
DAL QB Tony Romo 13/33 for 165yds TD, 2 INTs

OAK HB Jamaal Keddington (R) 17 runs for 90yds
DAL HB Ray Rice 8 runs for 17yds

OAK TE Zach Miller 5 catches for 79yds
DAL WR Patrick Crayton 3 catches for 98yds TD

OAK OLB Thomas Howard 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks
DAL CB Anthony Henry 10 tackles, 2 TFL, INT, TD

Time of Possession: OAK 36:01/23:53 DAL

After the game Coach Joslin had this to say, "It was a tough loss. We didn't play well and if you don't play well, you lose." When asked about QB Dorsey, "Ken is our QB, he had a bad game, but lets not forget that we had 7 dropped balls, the OL allowed 7 sacks as well and 8 penalties costing us 78 yards in field position. There is plenty of blame to go around. Ken will hit the film room with Don (Miraldi) and we'll be better prepared for next week."

Injury Note: HB Justin Fargas will miss 2 weeks with a tricep strain, putting his dream of a 2000yd season in jeopardy. Fargas currently has 1655yds on 326 carries in 10 games played.

[kdmajoslin]

Raider Resignings

Oakland resigns LT Torrin Tucker. Tucker lost his starting job to rookie Patrick Fox this year, but Coach Joslin still considers him to be a valuable player. He gets a 3yr $1.4M no bonus deal.

The Raiders keep converted CB DeMario Minter as the replacement for SS Stuart Sweigert. The price is right at $780K for 2yrs

WR Bryant Johnson agrees to a modest deal to stay with the Raiders. 2yrs for $800k and a shot at a ring.

Oakland resigns backup offensive linemen RT Andrew Crummey and RG Jeb Terry. Crummey agreed to a 2yr $620K deal, while Terry got a 3yr $2.3M deal

In an unexpected resigning the Raiders extend DE Akbar Gbaja Biamilia's deal. The 2yr $800k deal gives the Raiders some cheap depth at DE

HB Dantrell Savage finally comes to his senses and agrees to a 2yr $620K deal with no bonus.

With only two picks in the coming draft (a 1st and 2nd rounder), Coach Joslin felt it was important to hold onto as many guys that can contribute as possible, rather than scrambling to fill holes next year.

[kdmajoslin]

Week 13

Raiders (10-1) @ Chargers (6-5)

1st Quarter

The Chargers strike first with a 47yd FG from K Nate Kaeding

OAK 0 SD 3

Oakland QB Ken Dorsey looks bad out there throwing an interception that is returned for a TD by San Diego Safety Eric Weddle

OAK 0 SD 10

QB Dorsey can't complete a critical 3rd down, leaving the Raiders to kick a 35yd FG with K Matt Prater.

OAK 3 SD 10

2nd Quarter

WR Ronald Curry is wide open and after making the catch goes 48yds for a TD

OAK 10 SD 10

QB Phillip Rivers reads the blitz coming and audibles to a deep pass for TE Antonio Gates. It works like a charm. Gates goes 59yds for the TD.

OAK 10 SD 17

QB Ken Dorsey continues to struggle and another INT in the redzone kills a Raiders scoring opportunity and gives the Chargers the ball. The Chargers turn it into 3pts on a 31yd Nate Kaeding FG.

OAK 10 SD 20

After another INT by Oakland QB Ken Dorsey, Coach Joslin sends in backup QB Andrew Walter. (The INT went for a TD, but was called back because of a holding penalty on the INT return.) The Raiders defense makes the stop and Walter goes to work. He narrows the lead when he hooks up with WR David Tyree for a 5yd TD pass.

OAK 17 SD 20

3rd Quarter

Oakland QB Andrew Walter pitches to HB Chris Johnson, he's hit in the backfield and the ball comes loose. SD DE Igor Olshansky scoops it up and goes 18yds for a fumble return TD. Coach Joslin challenges the call and after the review it is clear HB Johnson was down when the ball came free. Oakland keeps the ball, but can't do anything with it.

OAK 17 SD 20 at the end of the 3rd

4th Quarter

Oakland's offense is struggling, but they get close enough for K Matt Prater to tie the game with a 45yd FG

OAK 20 SD 20

SD TE Antonio Gates is a monster after catching the ball he runs through a tackle by MLB Akin Ayodele and goes 42yds for the TD. K Nate Kaeding hits the upright on the PAT. NO GOOD!

OAK 20 SD 26

With time dwindling, the Raiders are feeling the pressure. Backup QB Anrew Walter moves the team down the field and ties the game with an 18yds pass to WR Ronald Curry. The PAT by K Matt Prater gives the Raiders a 1 pt. lead.

OAK 27 SD 26

The Chargers have just over 3 minutes left in the game. They move the ball efficiently but QB Phillip Rivers is intercepted in the red zone. Coach Joslin turns to the run attack to run time off the clock. HB Chris Johnson has another idea, after getting jammed up in the middle, he turns the run to the outside and goes 66yds for a TD

OAK 24 SD 26

QB Phillip Rivers has 53 seconds to bring his team 54yds for a chance. The Raiders defense is having none of it. MLB Akin Ayodele sacks Rivers twice and backup SS DeMario Minter knocks down a pass leaving the Chargers facing a 4th and 18. SD Coach Turner calls for a draw play hoping to catch the Raiders off guard. It almost works. HB Tomlinson has his longest run of the day going for 15yds...3yds short of the first down marker.

Oakland takes over on downs and backup QB Andrew Walter takes a knee to end the game.

OAK 34 SD 26 Final- The Raiders win a nail biter!

Key Performers

OAK QB Andrew Walter 14/23 for 232yds 2TD, INT
SD QB Phillip Rivers 9/20 for 207yds, 2 TDs, INT

OAK HB Chris Johnson 27 runs for 160yds TD
SD HB LaDanian Tomlinson 16 runs for 45yds

OAK WR Ronald Curry 6 catches for 146yds 2 TDs
SD TE Antonio Gates 6 catches for 178yds 2 TDs

OAK OLB Thomas Howard 7 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks
SD S Eric Weddle 10 tackles, INT, TD

Time of Possession: OAK 29:52/30:05 SD

[kdmajoslin]

QB Controversy in Oakland?

Is there a QB controversy brewing in Oakland? Over the last 4 games starting QB Ken Dorsey has completed 54 of 110 passes (50%) for 671yds (167yds per game) with 3 TDs and 8 INTs compared to 118 of 190 (59%) for 1829yds (261yds per game) with 14 TDs and only 9 INTs in his first 7 games.

There is no denying that his play has declined.

With backup QB Andrew Walter taking over before the half in the Chargers game and putting up respectable numbers 14 of 23 (58%) for 232yds with 2 TDs and 1 INT in this game; and in limited playing time in 3 games (including the Chargers game) he has 29 of 46 (61%) for 465yds with 5 TDs and only 1 INT. The question has to be asked, will the Raiders make a change?

Coach Joslin responded, "We will go with the QB that gives us the best chance of winning. Right now, I think that guy is Ken Dorsey. He has had a couple of rough games lately, but he's our guy." When asked about the benching, Coach Joslin had this to say, "I said Ken is our guy, I didn't say I'm stupid. If any QB throws 3 INTs in less than a half, it is time to consider your options. We're fortunate to have a capable journeyman in Andrew Walter and we'll use him when we need to."

[kdmajoslin]

Time and Punishment

No position is more physically taxing than running back, where the best are often finished not long after they get started
By Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated

In the second quarter of the Oakland Raiders' opening game this season, Ken Dorsey stuffed the ball into running back Justin Fargas' midsection just as Denver Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas drove his helmet into Fargas’ thigh. The contact knocked the 220-pound Fargas to his left, but he kept his legs churning and plunged into the line, where he caught a forearm just below his face mask from linebacker D J Williams. Fargas seemed not to even notice that blow as he slipped past linebacker DeMorrio Williams with a shoulder fake, but not before Williams had clipped him on the hip. That gave safety Donovin Darius time to plant his helmet in Fargas' rib cage, driving him into the turf, where the 232-pound Williams fell on top of him for good measure.

The final tally on Fargas’ few seconds of work: one carry, three yards and six jolting blows to the body. It was a typically brutal slice of life for an NFL running back—the kind of assault that makes it the most physically punishing position on the field.

As Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas closes in on a 2000 yard season, his fellow backs marveled not just at the yards he has accumulated but also at the 326 carries' worth of blows he has survived. Fargas has accumulated 83 broken tackles and has earned 1034 of his 1655 yards after the first hit. He is averaging 33 runs a game and will likely finish the season with around 425 carries. "Take however many carries he's had, and then double it or triple it, at least," says former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, and current commentator for the NFL Network, Jerome Bettis. "That's about how many shots he's taken. That's the amazing number."

Whether they are contact-seeking battering rams like former Steelers’ running back Jerome Bettis or slippery change-of-direction artists like former Rams’ running back Marshall Faulk, all running backs absorb the kind of abuse usually reserved for guys who have missed one too many payments to their loan shark. "You get pounded," says Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Tom Rathman, who spent eight of his nine years in the NFL as a Niners fullback. "You get pounded on every play. You're either carrying the ball and routinely taking three or four hits, or you're being asked to block some lineman or linebacker who's probably got at least 20 pounds on you. Everybody in this league takes his share of hits, but I don't think anybody takes them more consistently than backs."

Quarterbacks and kickers have more rules protecting them than the bald eagle. Receivers running pass routes and the defensive backs that cover them get away contact-free on some plays. Linemen batter one another but usually from such close range that they don't have a full head of steam when they collide. Running backs get little relief from the rule book, and at the moment of impact with an opponent, one or both parties are often moving at high speed.

Not coincidentally, an NFL Players Association study that tracked rosters from 1987 through '96 found that the average career of a running back is 2.57 years, shorter than that of a player at any other position and nearly a full year shorter than the average for all NFL players. According to the report running backs have only a 6% likelihood of reaching their 10th year in the league.

It's far more common for running backs to go into early decline or retirement due to injury or the accumulation of blows. Gale Sayers played only 68 games before succumbing to knee injuries. Earl Campbell ran over defenders for six years and gained more than 1,300 yards in five of them before, at 29, his body seemed to suddenly lose its remarkable power. Two forgettable seasons later he retired. In 1998, at the age of 26, Jamal Anderson led the NFC in rushing while playing for the Atlanta Falcons, but four years and two torn ACLs later, he is out of football. The latest casualty is Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos. After beginning his career with four phenomenal years, including a 2,008-yard rushing season in 1998, Davis played only 17 games over his next three years because of a series of knee, ankle and leg injuries, and in August 2002 he announced his retirement.

Running backs tend to age so quickly that even relatively young ones become suspect at the first sign of slippage. Former Tennessee Titans' running back Eddie George gained 6,874 yards over his first five seasons, but when he averaged only 3.0 yards a carry in his sixth year while struggling with toe, ankle and knee injuries, speculation began that he was already past his prime. George played for 9 years in the NFL, but he was never the same again. For a running back there is no compensating for even a slight loss of speed or explosiveness the way there is at other skill positions. Quarterbacks can make up for a loss of mobility with shorter drops or a quicker release. Receivers can run more precise routes. But if a back can't hit a hole before it's plugged, all the wisdom and experience in the world won't help him.

"What's hard on backs is that losing just that little bit of speed or quickness makes all the difference," says Jim Skipper, Oakland’s Running Back Coach. "Sometimes guys might carry the ball a lot for two or three straight years, and that next year, even though they feel fine, the pounding has slowed them down just enough that they don't beat a guy one-on-one the way they used to, or they can't outrun the linebacker anymore. Suddenly they're not the same back."

The ability of some running backs to withstand punishment over a long career while others flame out early is still a mystery, but there is evidence that the compact back tends to have more staying power than the big bruiser. Emmitt Smith (5'9", 216 pounds), who has missed only fourteen games because of injuries in his 15-year career, and the Jets' Curtis Martin (5'11", 205), who has been sidelined for only eight games in eleven seasons before being knocked out of the 2006 season and his subsequent retirement. Both guys are relatively small, strong backs. So were Payton (5'10", 202) and Barry Sanders (5'8", 203), who had played 10 years and was still at the top of his game when he abruptly retired before the 1999 season.

But regardless of size, the wise running back learns that there are two ways to increase his NFL life span—taking care of his body off the field and avoiding the full force of collisions on it. Even former Steelers’ running back Jerome Bettis, known for his battering ram style, swivels his 256-pound frame enough to diminish the impact of defender's blows. "I don't shy away from a lot of hits, but I shy away from hits I can't win," he says. "That's what people don't necessarily see. They see me run over one guy, but when there are two guys, they don't see me getting between them. I just try to be a little more elusive. I shield, I deflect blows. I go sideways. Longevity for big guys like me depends a lot on being able to slip away from that big, crunching blow."

When those collisions are inevitable, it's better to be the hammer than the nail, as Raiders’ Offensive Coordinator Rathman puts it. "Whenever possible you want to deliver a blow rather than absorb one," he says. "Backs who are always taking punishment and never giving it won't last long in this league."
Bettis was among the best at dishing out punishment, but like most running backs he had days when he was so sore that getting out of bed was almost as hard as getting into the end zone on fourth down from the one. Many backs say it's not the morning after a game that they dread but the one after that. Thanks to former teammate and fellow running back Roger Craig, Rathman learned early in his career about the healing powers of deep-tissue massage and chiropractic therapy, both of which are now common treatments around the league.

But there is no therapy that can completely erase the aches and pains, some of which last forever. Earl Campbell, 53, walks gingerly; with a right knee so torn up that doctors have recommended replacement surgery and fingers so arthritic he avoids handshakes. No wonder that players like Rathman, by comparison, consider themselves to be in great shape. "I've just got little problems," he says. "I feel it in my spine and neck from pinched nerves, and I've got a little arthritis, but nothing too severe. I'm one of the lucky ones."

[kdmajoslin]

Week 14

Raiders (11-1) @ Giants (10-2)

1st Quarter

New York looks unstoppable on the first drive, getting a TD on a HB Ahmad Bradshaw dive.

OAK 0 NYG 7

2nd Quarter

Oakland QB Ken Dorsey is struggling. The Raiders move the ball with difficulty, but can't come up with a much needed 3rd down conversion. Oakland settles for a 31yd FG by K Matt Prater

OAK 3 NYG 7

Oakland QB Ken Dorsey is sent to the bench after throwing an INT, this one caught by New York Safety O J Atogwe and returned for a 34yd Interception Return TD. Dorsey had completed less than 25% of his passes in the half, and the interception was the final straw.

OAK 3 NYG 14 at the end of the half

3rd Quarter

QB Andrew Walter lasts all of 2 plays before leaving the game on an injury. Walter ran it on a QB Sneak to get an important 3rd down conversion. Good news he got the conversion. Bad news he is out for the game with a chest injury and needs x-rays. QB Ken Dorsey comes back in. HB Charles Johnson breaks off a big run for a 17yd TD and then rookie HB Jameel Keddington gets the 2pt conversion.

OAK 11 NYG 14

4th Quarter

The Raiders defense makes a big redzone stop, forcing the Giants to take a 20yd FG by Jason Hanson

OAK 11 NYG 17

An Oakland fumble puts the Giants in scoring position and HB Ahmad Bradshaw delivers again. The Giants get the 2pt conversion as well.

OAK 11 NYG 25

Oakland closes the gap with an 8yd TD run on the pitch play by rookie HB Jameel Keddington.

OAK 18 NYG 25

The Raiders opt for the onside kick and despite thunderous disapproval from the crowd, they get it! The Giants send everyone on a blitz...QB Ken Dorsey sidesteps the linebacker and with a lineman in his face throws a wounded duck...WR Kevin Robinson is there and he's all alone...59yd TD! Coach Joslin wants the win and the Raiders go for two pts. HB Jameel Keddington takes the pitch he's in trouble, FB Justin Griffith throws a last second block to clear a path, Keddington dives, he's hit in the air, he comes down on the line, the Referee rules...Conversion Good!

OAK 26 NYG 25 with 40 seconds on the clock

The Giants KR Domenik Hixon posts a 37yd return, his long of the day to put the Giants 28yds away from a long FG to win it with 33 seconds left on the clock.

QB Eli Manning pitches the ball to Ahmad Bradshaw (what are they thinking?) Bradshaw starts to turn it upfield, when OLB Thomas Howard explodes into him, knocking the ball out. SS Ken Hamlin scoops it up and it is off to the races. Hamlin returns it 35yds for a Fumble Recovery TD.

A couple of dropped passes later and this one is over.

OAK 33 NYG 25 Final- The Raiders pull out the win in a very close game.

Key Performers

OAK QB Ken Dorsey 10/30 for 171yds TD, INT
NYG QB Eli Manning 25/41 for 294yds, INT

OAK HB Jameel Keddington 11 carries for 62yds TD
OAK HB Chris Johnson 12 carries for 41yds TD
NYG HB Ahmad Bradshaw 15 carries for 8yds 2 TDs

OAK WR Kevin Robinson 6 catches for 108yds TD
NYG HB Ahmad Bradshaw 6 catches for 43yds

OAK SS Ken Hamlin 9 tackles, 2 TFL, Fumble Recovery for a TD
NYG S OJ Atogwe 6 tackles, INT, TD

Time of Possession: OAK 28:38/29:24 NYG


Injury Update: QB Andrew Walter has a strained chest muscle and is probable for next week's game vs. the Steelers.

[kdmajoslin]

Week 15

Raiders (12-1) @ Steelers (8-5)

1st Quarter

Neither team can get anything going in the 1st quarter.

2nd Quarter

Pittsburgh draws first blood with a 4yd run by HB Willie Parker

OAK 0 PIT 7

The Steelers add a 24yd FG by K Jeff Reed

OAK 0 PIT 10

3rd Quarter

It goes from bad to worse when QB Ken Dorsey is picked off by James Sanders who takes it back 59yds for the TD

OAK 0 PIT 17

4th Quarter

QB Andrew Walter replaces Dorsey and it pays off with a 7yd TD strike to TE Zach Miller. The 2pt conversion by HB Justin Fargas closes the gap to 9.

OAK 8 PIT 17

The Steelers add a 46yd FG by Jeff Reed

OAK 8 PIT 20

An interception by Walter sets up a 3yd TD run by HB Willie Parker

OAK 8 PIT 27

Instead of running out the clock, the Steelers go for the 31yd FG

OAK 8 PIT 30 Final- The Raiders get pounded by the Steelers

Key Performers

OAK QB Ken Dorsey 14/30 for 130yds 2 INTs
OAK QB Andrew Walter 10/22 for 104yds TD, 2 INTs
PIT QB Ben Roethlisberger 11/23 for 124yds

OAK HB Justin Fargas 16 runs for 106yds
PIT HB Willie Parker 25 carries for 92yds 2 TDs (best rushing perfomance by any back vs. the Raiders this year.)

OAK WR Kevin Robinson 9 catches for 119yds
PIT WR Hines Ward 4 catches for 50yds

OAK MLB Kirk Morrison 3 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks
PIT S James Sanders 5 tackles, 3 INTs, TD

Time of Possession OAK 33:11/26:45 PIT

[kdmajoslin]

Week 16

Redskins (6-8) @ Raiders (12-2)

Coming off a difficult loss to the Steelers and suffering from poor play at the QB position the Raiders host the Redskins.

1st Quarter

The Redskins start the game with a bang when WR/KR Santana Moss returns the opening kickoff 98yds for a TD.

WAS 7 OAK 0

The Raiders settle for a 43yd FG by K Matt Prater

WAS 7 OAK 3

HB Clinton Portis shows he still has a few big plays in him as he busts a 93yd TD run on the Raiders.

WAS 14 OAK 3

2nd Quarter

The Redskins look to run away with this one when WR L. Wallace catches an 11yd TD pass from QB Jason Campbell.

WAS 21 OAK 3

The Raiders get HB Justin Fargas into the endzone and convert for 2pts.

WAS 21 OAK 11

Washington gets their second Kickoff Return TD of the day when WR/KR Antwan Randle El returns the kickoff 92yds for the TD.

WAS 28 OAK 11

3rd Quarter

OAK QB Ken Dorsey gets knocked out of the game and his backup can't find his rythym. The ball gets punted to the Redskins and Washington continues to flog the Raiders, adding a 32yd FG by K S. Suisham

WAS 31 OAK 11

HB Justin Fargas adds another TD for the Raiders, but can't get the 2pt conversion.

WAS 31 OAK 17

HB Clinton Portis busts another big run, this one for 63yds and a TD. Postis has rushed for more yards than any other back vs. the Raiders vaunted Run Defense.

WAS 38 OAK 17

4th Quarter

HB Justin Fargas adds another rush TD, but once again fails on the 2pt conversion

WAS 38 OAK 23

HB Charles Johnson gets in on the action scoring his own rushing TD with HB Jamel Keddington adding the 2pt conversion.

WAS 38 OAK 31

Oakland can't stop Washington from getting into FG range and adding a 33yd FG by K S. Suisham.

WAS 41 OAK 31

An interception in the redzone kills a Raider comeback and ends with another FG by WAS K S. Suisham

WAS 44 OAK 31 Final- The Raiders lose another one. What is happening to the Raiders? Things don't look good for the final game of the season when the Raiders must face the Baltimore Ravens and HC Gary Hammermill.

Key Performers

OAK QB Ken Dorsey 14/25 for 190yds INT
OAK QB Andrew Walter 4/9 for 32yds 2 INTs
WAS QB Jason Campbell 7/14 for 57yds TD

OAK HB Justin Fargas 26 runs for 166yds 3 TDs
WAS HB Clinton Portis 31 runs for 254yds 2 TDs

OAK WR Kevin Robinson 4 catches for 51yds
WAS WR L. Wallace 2 catches for 21yds TD

OAK OLB Duane Beal 5 tackles, 2 TFL, Sack
WAS MLB London Fletcher-Baker 7 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs

Time of Possession: WAS 25:50/34:07 OAK

Injury Update: QB Ken Dorsey has a bruised kidney and will miss next week's game vs. the Ravens and League MVP candidate, rookie QB Luke Rambis.