Oakland Raiders Blog

So there I am, patting myself on the back for calling this week’s upset as Johnnie Lee Higgens returned a punt for 93-yards with under 5 minutes to go. The Raiders defense, playing solid as usual, just had to shut down the Fish for one drive and I will become a self-ordained seer. Well no, a couple of big plays capped off by Oakland’s homegrown Devone Bess’ 17-yard grab got Miami into field goal range and here we are. Raiders lose 17-15 to the Dolphins as the offense, now under command of interim head coach Tom Cable, extended their streak to 13 straight quarters without scoring an offensive touchdown. The Raiders managed 2 field goals, a sack, anda Higgins punt return, but feeble production from the ground and air game.

Now I’m not one for playing the “what-if” game, but what-if the Raiders managed a mediocre offense this year? A few strong fourth quarter drives, a few clutch third down conversions, a few defensive stands, and the Raiders this year are easily 5-5 and 2nd place in the AFC West and one game out of first place.

I know… the what-if game is a slippery slope and for all we know, with enough what ifs, the Lions also may actually have won a game this year and the Patriots would have won the Superbowl. But no, the Lions are winless and the Patriots are jackasses (or jackass’ ?) for buying the copyrights to the phrase “19-0″ before the Superbowl. But anyhow, let’s take a look at this years close ones:

Week 3: Raiders lose 23-24 and blew a 3-possession lead giving up 17-points to the Bills in the final eight minutes of the game.

Week 4: Raiders went into the half controlling San Diego with a 15-0 lead and then gave up 25-points in the 4th quarter losing 28-18.

Week 11: Raiders couldn’t hold Miami’s last drive despite taking the lead 15-14 with 4-minutes to go.

It’s a shame, I was looking forward to titling this entry with a defeaning RRRAAAAIIIIDDDDEEERRRRSSSS call.

Here we go, another one bites the dust. After Al Davis cut DeAngelo Hall last week, the second major off-season acquisition departs. This time due to injury, Javon Walker announced he is done for the season with a left ankle injury. Well I’m certainly glad that $13 million got us eight games, 15 catches, and 196 yards. Just a bit over $800,000 per NFL grab. You know, this may be a leap, but I’m beginning to suspect that Al Davis consults Bear Stearns, AIG, and Fannie Mae on his spare time.

Javon Walker in the off-season did offer to opt out of his contract and return any bonus money to the organization. Excellent news as long as we get the flux capacitor to work in our time machine.

Javon Walker OUT

Cable Takes Over

It’s official, Tom Cable has realized the Raiders offense is struggling. Despite forcing 4 turnovers off the Panthers in Week 10, the Raiders scored no touchdowns. Though, the Raiders offense managed a quantum leap greater than the week before where the Atlanta Falcons shutout the Raiders 24-0 in the Black Hole.

Gregg Knapp, the now former coordinator worries his removal will deeply strain young quarterback Jamarcus Russell: 

“I’m frustrated because I’m trying to help this guy develop and become a very good quarterback in this league.”

Sure thing Knapp, as by taking the ball from the center and handing off to a running back for over 75% of the plays, there’s a simpler way of doing that. It’s called the Wildcat. Jamarcus Russell’s in his second seasonand if Knapp was watching the same games we are, Jamarcus has little opportunity to develop.

Let Cable take a shot, afterall, he is the “interim” head coach. Cables out as soon as Davis can bait anyone into coming to Oakland; We know it, Al knows it, and Cable knows it. As “interim” head coach, Cable’s a bit like FEMA. He’s not really a solution, but somebody has to be plugged into the problem.