Welcome to BlandaRocked!
This blog is dedicated to the Oakland Raiders. Much of what I write here will be an attempt to provide a perspective that the press will not. I’ve learned a great deal about the Raider organization over the years. This knowledge comes from searching diligently for relevant news that the media neglects in favor of “conventional wisdom.” No need for the entire story about that here. It will come out over time, I’m sure, while attempting to explain a position I’ve taken to a disagreeing Raiders fan. For now, it is enough to say that I’ve been an avid Raiders fan since the Fall of 1969, the year following the Raiders’ first Super Bowl appearance.
Game Seven
The Pittsburg Steelers are the worst team in the history of the world. They take the crown from the Arizona Cardinals who were the holders last week. Next week, the Seattle Seahawks are potentially the future worst team in the history of the world. Sorry Steeler fans. I really respect the Steelers, and your guys did us credit by not playing us as though we'd be a push over.
Congratulations to PantyRaider for correctly predicting, in the week leading up to the game against the Cardinals, that the Raiders would win their next two home games. I actually thought that the Raiders would lose this one, but by a close score in a low scoring game.
Randy Moss missed two more. Shell brought Jerry Porter back, no doubt, because of all of these unauthorized substitutions of someone who’s “just enjoying life.” Randy will make a few catches, and then turn it over to the guy who’s “just enjoying life.” Shell seems to have called it exactly right. When Porter made his one catch, the guy who’s “just enjoying life” took a swipe at it and whiffed, allowing Porter to make the catch.
It was good to see Porter make that catch. Welcome back, Jerry. Your activation, the week after you returned from suspension, should be all the peace that is required between you and Shell. Now let’s all work together and see if we can do better than 98 yards on offense next week.
Although you wouldn’t know it from the stats, the Raiders’ offense again progressed. They made mistakes, but they didn’t make game changing mistakes. It was clear from the first quarter onward that the Steelers were going to take advantage of Oakland’s weak offensive line. Walsh and Shell took the position that the running game, even without the threat of the pass, was working enough to at least maintain the possession of the ball.
Gallery played better. It was Langston Walker who was getting beat all day. I’d like to see McQ get a good look in that spot.
One thing the Raiders offenses of 2003, 2004, and 2005 didn’t have that the offense of 2006 does have? They have a defense that watches their backs. This was, without a doubt, the best overall performance by the defense since the team returned from Los Angeles.
If I’d had a blog then, sometime during preseason I’d have predicted that Nnamdi Asomugha would become a shut down corner for the Raiders. Lester Hayes is a corner I was able to watch during his entire development. Hayes used to use the preseason to see exactly how much he could get away with. He’d play with the boundaries of pass interference just to see how close he could come without getting flagged. I watched Asomugha do that several times during the preseason. When you have so much control that you can play with the edges like that, you’re something special.
Game Seven
The Pittsburg Steelers are the worst team in the history of the world. They take the crown from the Arizona Cardinals who were the holders last week. Next week, the Seattle Seahawks are potentially the future worst team in the history of the world. Sorry Steeler fans. I really respect the Steelers, and your guys did us credit by not playing us as though we'd be a push over.
Congratulations to PantyRaider for correctly predicting, in the week leading up to the game against the Cardinals, that the Raiders would win their next two home games. I actually thought that the Raiders would lose this one, but by a close score in a low scoring game.
Randy Moss missed two more. Shell brought Jerry Porter back, no doubt, because of all of these unauthorized substitutions of someone who’s “just enjoying life.” Randy will make a few catches, and then turn it over to the guy who’s “just enjoying life.” Shell seems to have called it exactly right. When Porter made his one catch, the guy who’s “just enjoying life” took a swipe at it and whiffed, allowing Porter to make the catch.
It was good to see Porter make that catch. Welcome back, Jerry. Your activation, the week after you returned from suspension, should be all the peace that is required between you and Shell. Now let’s all work together and see if we can do better than 98 yards on offense next week.
Although you wouldn’t know it from the stats, the Raiders’ offense again progressed. They made mistakes, but they didn’t make game changing mistakes. It was clear from the first quarter onward that the Steelers were going to take advantage of Oakland’s weak offensive line. Walsh and Shell took the position that the running game, even without the threat of the pass, was working enough to at least maintain the possession of the ball.
Gallery played better. It was Langston Walker who was getting beat all day. I’d like to see McQ get a good look in that spot.
One thing the Raiders offenses of 2003, 2004, and 2005 didn’t have that the offense of 2006 does have? They have a defense that watches their backs. This was, without a doubt, the best overall performance by the defense since the team returned from Los Angeles.
If I’d had a blog then, sometime during preseason I’d have predicted that Nnamdi Asomugha would become a shut down corner for the Raiders. Lester Hayes is a corner I was able to watch during his entire development. Hayes used to use the preseason to see exactly how much he could get away with. He’d play with the boundaries of pass interference just to see how close he could come without getting flagged. I watched Asomugha do that several times during the preseason. When you have so much control that you can play with the edges like that, you’re something special.
posted by BlandaRocked at 5:11 PM
7 Comments:
BR,
Congrats on the launch of your blog. Now I have two stops on the Internet while I enjoy that first cup of coffee.
Best of luck!
BlandaRocked:
Congratulations on establishing your blog. Your timing couldn't be better! What an awesome game.
Despite the low yardage, Walter and company did a great job protecting the ball against a defense designed to take it away... although, the late interception was a heart-stopper. Only Walter knows what he saw, throwing the ball right in the middle of four defenders. Jerry Porter made a nice tackle on that play. Notable, a couple weeks ago, Moss just watched a defender get up untouched and run with a pass intended for him.
What is wrong with Randy Moss? He looked like a cartoon character the way he short-armed a would-be first down. Maybe Whitted should play for him.??
Here's hoping J. Porter gets some more touches next week.
Raiders have some real stars developing on defense. Game balls should go to the entire "D".
Asomugha not only put points on the board, he made some big hits. And, Morrison was rushing the passer before he dropped back to intercept a pass. Burgess had three sacks, but Sapp had the biggest sack.
How good is this team going to be when they figure out an offense? I'm still holding out hope for Walsh, but something needs to be done to get this offense up to speed with the defense.
Walter looked good on play-action, and can be dangerous when given time.
A winning streak (2-0). How awesome is that!
BlandaRocked:
I will enjoy being a regular visitor to your webpage! I wish for you and our beloved Raiders continued success. Let's make it 3 in a row vs. the Sea-Chickens!
Best Regards,
Calico Jack
BlandaRocked, cheers to you and your new blog! Your analysis is consistently insightful and uplifting, and it's never short on context and historical perspective. Keep it up! Raiii-derrrs! Raiii-derrrs!
Thanks, folks!
The defense is obviously way ahead of the offense. Don't be discouraged! It took Ryan three years to put it together, but it's now one of the best defenses I've seen on any field.
The offense will get there. It will be interesting to see if Porter goes back into the starting line-up, and how that will affect what Walter is doing. The key is keeping that guy who's "just enjoying life" off of the field while the grown ups are trying to work.
We're going to have to do better than Courtney Anderson. Don't forget, Anderson was brought in for his blocking ability, not for doing what we want him to do now. He should be our number 2 TE, and we should look for a "hands" guy, who still can provide some run blocking and pass protection.
Congrats, BlandaRocked! Looking forward to more of your insight...
I agree with the offense still making progress. Fargas seems to be a quintessential Gilman style back...every time he touched the ball yesterday he seemed to be running hard, hitting the holes, whether it was for 9 yards or one. It's that physicality (I believe) that caused the Squeelers to melt down for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in succession.
The Seahags have a less than formidable defense, so let's hope our O can find some rhythm next Monday.
Raider Rick:
Great. I usually go by memory, you seem to have it all on file. I'll enjoy your comments.
Horsecollarjack:
Right, on Fargas. In the last two weeks Fargas has shown himself to be very tough. Running last week when his shoulder came out of the socket the week before proved everything to me. If he shows that his injury history is behind him, I think he should be starting over Jordan. Still, between the two running backs, it looks like we might be in for a little of the Thunder and Lightening thing that we used to have going with Weatley and Kaufman.
It's all going to come down, this season, to the OL. I think three more games before it comes together in full. After that, it's going to be about who we bring in during the off-season.
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