Oakland Raiders Blog

How good is Raiders corner back Nnamdi Asomugha? Ask pro bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson. Coming off 3 consecutive games with a touchdown reception and over 200 receiving yards against the Tennessee Titans last week, Andre Johnson didn’t make his first reception until the 4th quarter.

As the Raiders pulled off a 27-16 home upset against the Texans, everything came together for the Raiders in Oakland today. With rain coming down throughout the game in an half empty stadium, the Oakland Raiders clicked on all aspects of the game. Asomugha and the defense shutdown a hot Houston Texans team. Fargas and McFadden controlled the ground game. While Jamarcus Russell gave Raider nation a glimpse of his potential completing 18 out of 25 passes for 236 yards while throwing two touchdowns. And shining all season, Johnnie Lee Higgins caught a touchdown and returned another spectacular punt return in the 3rd quarter to lock up the game for the Raiders.

After another disappointing season, the Raiders did their 40,000 fans at the coliseum right today by ending the last home game of the 2008 season with a win. The Raiders displayed their potential and for at least one game met the expectations of Raider Fans at the outset of the season. Rather than going out quietly, the Raiders have certainly built momentum going into the off-season today and Raider nation can hold their breaths for another season.

Highlights are available here at the NFL.com website

The Raiders meet old time coach Gruden next season for a Super Bowl XXXVII rematch in Tampa Bay next week. The Buccaneers having struggled recently themselves, I have but one small peace of advice, watch the Buccaneers-Panthers game from week 14 and run to the right.

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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.