Monday Morning Musings: Troubles along the Line of Scrimmage, Curry, & Tid Bits

[RaiderInNY]

Monday Morning Musings
Raiders losing along the line of scrimmage
Monday, November 19, 2007
By Victor Cotto Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist


Ronald Curry hauls in one of his four receptions on the day

The battles that occur in the trenches during NFL games have a major impact on what the outcome of the contest will be.

The Oakland Raiders (2-8) have failed to win any encounters along the offensive and defensive lines during their current 6-game losing streak and their ineptness was on display once again during Sunday’s 29-22 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings (4-6).

For the seventh time in 2007, the Raiders allowed a rusher to break the 100-yard mark and only twice this season have we seen the Silver & Black hold a team to under 100-rushing yards. The 228-yards that the Vikings compiled yesterday were the most allowed by Rob Ryan’s group this season – and Adrian Peterson didn’t even suit up.

Chester Taylor, a capable back up who rushed for 1,216 yards in 2006 for the Vikings was the next in-line to feast on Oakland’s feeble rush defense. His superb 7.5 yards per carry were too much for a Raider defense that came into the game allowing 144.2 yards per game and were no match for the caliber of offensive line that Minnesota presented.

In a nutshell, the Raiders saw across the field a team that has attributes they need and haven’t possessed in years.

Bryant McKinnie in his 6th season is everything that Robert Gallery isn’t. The former Iowa star is in his 4th season is still trying to find his way at the pro level and no longer at the vital left tackle spot that he was drafted for. Matt Birk is a 10-year pro that has anchored the center spot for the Vikings since his arrival – something that was expected out of Jake Grove after the Raiders selected him in the 2nd round during the 2004 draft. Steve Hutchinson is a rugged guard who the Vikings lured with a big free agent deal to form one of the strongest left sides of any line in the NFL. The type of player that Oakland has desperately needed since the gutting of their offensive line after the 2003 campaign.

Cornell Green was ineffective once again, Barry Sims is a penalty waiting to happen and against a very good rush defense, Justin Fargas could only muster 2.7 yards per carry.

Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and the steady rotation of linemen that Minnesota flooded the field with controlled the line of scrimmage and didn’t allow the Raiders to establish their 5th ranked ground game.


Warren Sapp and Thomas Howard celebrate after a sack

On the other hand, Warren Sapp, Terdell Sands and a slew of Raider linemen continued to be pushed around and manhandled by opponents that are more physically imposing and/or suited to take advantage of the deficiencies that the Silver & Black present along the line of scrimmage.

Both lines for the Raiders have not gotten the job done. And this is why their fans are facing another horrible season and looking forward to what they may do with another high selection in next April’s draft.

SPICIN’ IT UP WITH CURRY

Ronald Curry played well, hauling in 4-receptions for 120-yards and adding some highlights to his already extensive reel. At the start of the 2nd quarter, he was able to jump between two-defenders and snare a bomb from Daunte Culpepper for a 49-yard gain. In the process of coming down with the football, Curry lost his helmet and controlled the reception as he hit the turf.

LOOK…IT’S A FUMBLE!

Oakland recovered their first four fumbles of the season on Sunday. Robert Thomas stripped Bobby Wade in the 1st quarter, and Kirk Morrison was able to pounce on the Raiders first recovery in 2007. Their final recovery gave them an opportunity to make the Vikings sweat out the end of the contest, as Chad Greenway intercepted a Culpepper pass with under 2-minutes remaining, but he coughed up the ball during his return – giving the Raiders a chance to resume their final drive.


Ronald Curry celebrates after making a difficult catch in double coverage!

GAME TID BITS

• Chris Clemons recorded 2-sacks, giving him 5 for the season for the team lead.
• Nnamdi Asomugha picked off his first pass in 2007 in the first quarter as the Vikings attempted to score deep in OAK territory. His 10-yard return out to the 2-yard line proved costly, as the Raiders lost 18-yards on a possible touchback. Instead, and on their ensuing drive, Culpepper was called for an intentional grounding penalty that led to a safety and a 9-0 Vikings lead.
• Oakland was flagged 10-times for 55-yards.
• John Madsen’s 10-yard reception, which cut MINN lead to 12-10, was his first touchdown of the season.
• Sebastian Janikowski was 5-for-5 in field goal attempts, connecting from 42, 30,42,49 and 52-yards.

[raidernation200]

Goooooooooooooooooooooo Janoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kennyrat923]

Good job RINY as always!!!

[raidernation200]

chris clemons was consistantly getting pressure he is a nice compliment to derrick burgess .

[ErMonnezza]

nice write.

as the Monty Phyton sang:

Always look at the bright side of life

fargas can run
porter and curry can catch and go deep too
carlisle can avoid false starts , lol
kiffin brought to the game the "passing game book" too , lol
r.thomas,clemons and routt are useful players
janokovski and lechler are in pro bowl shape
special teams are improving

I want to add as soon as possible:

russell is an NFL QB
bush is an NFL RB
grove is a legit NFL starter
our scouts are NFL standard , lol

not very bright but better than dark...

[ErMonnezza]

Goooooooooooooooooooooo Janoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

after than denver affair he's playing his best ever
I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for the nfl record this year...he went very near
thanks shanahan

[palika01]

RINY--thanks for the great post.
STOP DA RUN! STOP DA RUN! STOP DA RUN! STOP DA RUN!STOP DA RUN! STOP DA RUN!
STOP THE RUN AND THE RAIDERS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GEEZ!

I'M IN

[R8RFATEFUL2K5]

You would think that, since opposing teams run consistently against us, we would work on run D all week. Why is'nt this happening? We prepared for Chicago's return man, and were able to contain him, why not prep on defense? With Priest Holmes next on the schedule, hell, any RB could run on this line right now.

[RaiderInNY]

You would think that, since opposing teams run consistently against us, we would work on run D all week. Why is'nt this happening? We prepared for Chicago's return man, and were able to contain him, why not prep on defense? With Priest Holmes next on the schedule, hell, any RB could run on this line right now.

At this point of the season, its not somethign you just work on and get better.

Its been 4+ years we have been horrid at stopping the run. We are more than half way done with the season, and they are who they are. Yeah, you can bring up the Colts last season who after being one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL, they clamped down in the playoffs. But that isnt the norm and the Raiders are who they are - not a very good run stopping team!

[RyanDaRaider]

Great Read

Im Tired Of Losing

[Jimbo UK]

Sands should hand back the extra money we gave him with his new deal in the summer....

[Christafur]

All I can say is, these fools didn't work with Turner,Shell and now Kiffin like Schweigert,Gallery,Sims,Jordan,Porter. They are the cancer of this team. If they are not gone next season, we will know for sure which direction we are heading in. I love Sapp, but he is getting to much money next year. Look for him to be chopped. Burguess will want big money. He should be chopped. Replacing Sam Williams will be a plus. Asomugha is not Woodson. He need to move on. No franchise, No signing. Let him hit the Market. We need to let the NFL know we mean business by hitting the free-agency hard for top players in these spots. We need tall-speedy recievers, hard hitting safties, Smart fearless O-linemen. And a new Defensive back coach. Hire Rod Woodson or something? But most of all, have a no tolerance for fools just playing for their checks attitude!! I love you to death Big Al. And thanks for giving us the Raiders. But it is time to back off. Get a real GM that means business. Let Kiffin grow on his own and pick his players. And can we change our uniforms to a year 2008, meaner, darker and sinister look? Come on now it's time. Plus trade our 2008 #1 pick please for more picks!!! By the way let Culpepper finish the season. If he flops put Walter in to sell himself for next season. But do not put Russell in this year. Let him start from off-season in to preseason and into the real season with some respect. GO Fargas, Bush, Higgins, Richardson, Clemons, Sand, Russell, Rhoutt, Morrison,Howard, Warren and maybe Huff for next season. GO Raiders!!!