Matthew Ghanem

Pass Offense & Rush Defense Still a Problem

 Posted by at 10:00 AM  No Responses »
Aug 082011
 

Attempt to think back to when the Raiders went 12-4, won the AFC West and led the NFL in rushing. It was the year 2000 when the Raiders did exactly that. With a similar two-headed monster in the backfield of Tyrone Wheatley, the bruiser, and Napolean Kaufman, the speed guy, the Raiders ran all over opponents.

In 2010 the Raiders were second in the NFL in rushing with Darren McFadden, the shifty speed guy, and Michael Bush, the bruiser. The Raiders running game was tough for any front seven to handle, but it may be necessary for the Raiders to improve the rushing game even more in 2011 because of the mediocrity of the passing game and rush defense. If Hue Jackson is going to achieve his goal of “building a bully” and earning a 2011 playoff berth these two areas must improve dramatically.

The key to this season’s offense is improving the passing game. The Raiders ranked 23rd in passing with 3180 passing yards. However in 2000, the Raiders finished with just a middle of the road passing attack, at 15th in the league with 3306 passing yards. Although the yardage was very similar, the discrepancy is passing touchdowns. In 2010, Raider quarterbacks combined for 18 touchdowns through the air, which tied them for 25th with the St Louis Rams. By comparison the Raider threw 26 touchdowns in 2000, tied for 5th in the league.

Had the Raiders had the same success in 2010 passing in the red zone as they did in 2000, they would have been in the playoffs. If they can in 2011, there is a good chance they will be playing in January.

The 2000 Raiders were 5th in the league in rush defense as they gave up 1551 yards on the ground while the 2010 Raiders came in at 29th, giving up 2138 yards. The Raiders have made moves to strengthen the front seven. There have been improvements shown by Quentin Groves and the Raiders having both Trevor Scott and Travis Goethel healthy will make the front seven a lot stronger against the run.

Lamar Houston and Matt Shaughnessey should see more consistent playing time this season and the Raider brought back John Henderson, who lives to stop the run. The mixture of these players in the front seven should hopefully cut 300-400 yards over the course of the season. It is a seemingly small amount, just 18-25 yards per game. That drop off in opponent production would have placed last year’s Raiders in the middle of the pack, and probably in the playoffs.

The Raiders need to steadily improve the passing offense and score an extra touchdown through the air every other week. The defense must cut out about 25 rushing yards per week. The combination of these two should give the Raiders equal to seven points per week. An extra seven points per week in the 2010 season could have made for a staggering 13-3 record as the Raiders lost only 3 games by more than 8 points.

Improving to mediocrity last season may have been just enough to make the Raiders the favorites in the AFC West. If they can take the next steps towards “building a bully” they may indeed find themselves on top of the division.

Follow me on Twitter: @MatthewGhanem

 

 

Pass Offense & Rush Defense Still a Problem

 Posted by at 10:00 AM  No Responses »
Aug 082011
 

Attempt to think back to when the Raiders went 12-4, won the AFC West and led the NFL in rushing. It was the year 2000 when the Raiders did exactly that. With a similar two-headed monster in the backfield of Tyrone Wheatley, the bruiser, and Napolean Kaufman, the speed guy, the Raiders ran all over opponents.

In 2010 the Raiders were second in the NFL in rushing with Darren McFadden, the shifty speed guy, and Michael Bush, the bruiser. The Raiders running game was tough for any front seven to handle, but it may be necessary for the Raiders to improve the rushing game even more in 2011 because of the mediocrity of the passing game and rush defense. If Hue Jackson is going to achieve his goal of “building a bully” and earning a 2011 playoff berth these two areas must improve dramatically.

The key to this season’s offense is improving the passing game. The Raiders ranked 23rd in passing with 3180 passing yards. However in 2000, the Raiders finished with just a middle of the road passing attack, at 15th in the league with 3306 passing yards. Although the yardage was very similar, the discrepancy is passing touchdowns. In 2010, Raider quarterbacks combined for 18 touchdowns through the air, which tied them for 25th with the St Louis Rams. By comparison the Raider threw 26 touchdowns in 2000, tied for 5th in the league.

Had the Raiders had the same success in 2010 passing in the red zone as they did in 2000, they would have been in the playoffs. If they can in 2011, there is a good chance they will be playing in January.

The 2000 Raiders were 5th in the league in rush defense as they gave up 1551 yards on the ground while the 2010 Raiders came in at 29th, giving up 2138 yards. The Raiders have made moves to strengthen the front seven. There have been improvements shown by Quentin Groves and the Raiders having both Trevor Scott and Travis Goethel healthy will make the front seven a lot stronger against the run.

Lamar Houston and Matt Shaughnessey should see more consistent playing time this season and the Raider brought back John Henderson, who lives to stop the run. The mixture of these players in the front seven should hopefully cut 300-400 yards over the course of the season. It is a seemingly small amount, just 18-25 yards per game. That drop off in opponent production would have placed last year’s Raiders in the middle of the pack, and probably in the playoffs.

The Raiders need to steadily improve the passing offense and score an extra touchdown through the air every other week. The defense must cut out about 25 rushing yards per week. The combination of these two should give the Raiders equal to seven points per week. An extra seven points per week in the 2010 season could have made for a staggering 13-3 record as the Raiders lost only 3 games by more than 8 points.

Improving to mediocrity last season may have been just enough to make the Raiders the favorites in the AFC West. If they can take the next steps towards “building a bully” they may indeed find themselves on top of the division.

Follow me on Twitter: @MatthewGhanem

 

 

Raiders Must Target Boss, Veteran Receiver

 Posted by at 6:30 AM  5 Responses »
Aug 042011
 

Although the Oakland Raiders operated a run first offense in 2010 with Darren McFadden rushing for over 1100 yards and coming in third in the NFL with 5.2 yards per carry, it is imperative that the Raiders help Jason Campbell in 2011. The Raiders have to get Campbell a reliable target at tight end. Zach Miller was targeted 14 more times than any other receiver on the team in 2010. The 92 balls he thrown his way made him the 10th most targeted tight end in the NFL. He’s now a Seahawk.

Adding Kevin Boss is a no brainer. Although Boss had 25 less catches than Miller last year, he had just 150 yards less than Miller. He averaged nearly 4 yards more per catch than Miller. He may not be a better receiver, but he is a more proven blocker and is the best available tight end left in free agency.

By adding a veteran wide out, the Raiders passing game could improve enough to make the loss in tight end production and afterthought. Boss is just 27 and has a lot of miles left on his body. He could be a long-term solution for the Raiders.

Louis Murphy was the Raiders most targeted wide out in 2010 with 78 targets. Those 78 targets made Murphy the 53rd most targeted wide out in the NFL. That must change for the Raiders to allow Darren McFadden to have another breakout year. The Raiders must keep defenses honest by giving Jason Campbell viable targets in 2011.

Will Darrius Heyward-Bey improve or will Jacoby Ford have another breakout year? Can Chaz Schilens actually stay healthy? If the Raiders can answer yes to two of these questions they may have enough to give Campbell what he needs to succeed. Only Ford’s breakout is expected and production from rookie Denarius Moore would just be a bonus.

Heyward-Bey will likely see reps as one of the top two receivers in 2011.  He has played more snaps than his performance has warranted. He now must show that he deserves to be out there with the first unit. Heyward-Bey was 72nd in the league with 65 targets last year, and with those 65 targets he only amassed 366 yards and one touchdown. To put that in perspective, out of all of the wide receivers with between 60 and 70 targets in 2010, Heyward-Bey amassed better stats than only Chansi Stuckey who had revolving door of QB’s in lowly Cleveland’s 29th ranked passing attack. Although Heyward-Bey is showing improvement, he needs to make a major leap to help Campbell in 2011.

Jacoby Ford was thrown to 11 less times than Heyward-Bey and had one more receiving touchdown and 104 more yards than Heyward-Bey in 2010. All of those numbers should improve in 2011 for Ford. Assuming he enters 2011 healthy, he is poised for a breakout year.

As for Schilens, at this point he looks great in shorts and shoulder pads, but he has yet to realize his potential. He simply must stay healthy. Chaz did not crack the top 100 in targeted wide receivers in the NFL due to his injuries. He only appeared in five games and averaged one catch per game. There is a lot of potential with Chaz, but the Raiders cannot count on the San Diego State product to produce for 16 games until he actually does it.

There are a few wide receivers still available in free agency that could help Jason Campbell and the Raiders offense in 2011. The best fit for Oakland would be six-year veteran Malcom Floyd. The ex-Charger averaged nearly 20 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns in 2010.

Another option is Derrick Mason, the former Raven. Although he is older, he has a year or two left in his tank and would produce. He has had multiple one-thousand yard seasons and his 61 receptions in 2010 would have led Raiders. He amassed over 800 yards and 7 TD’s in 2010 and is stable veteran presence.

If all else fails Braylon Edwards is still available.

Follow me on Twitter: @MatthewGhanem

 

 

Raiders Must Target Boss, Veteran Receiver

 Posted by at 6:30 AM  5 Responses »
Aug 042011
 

Although the Oakland Raiders operated a run first offense in 2010 with Darren McFadden rushing for over 1100 yards and coming in third in the NFL with 5.2 yards per carry, it is imperative that the Raiders help Jason Campbell in 2011. The Raiders have to get Campbell a reliable target at tight end. Zach Miller was targeted 14 more times than any other receiver on the team in 2010. The 92 balls he thrown his way made him the 10th most targeted tight end in the NFL. He’s now a Seahawk.

Adding Kevin Boss is a no brainer. Although Boss had 25 less catches than Miller last year, he had just 150 yards less than Miller. He averaged nearly 4 yards more per catch than Miller. He may not be a better receiver, but he is a more proven blocker and is the best available tight end left in free agency.

By adding a veteran wide out, the Raiders passing game could improve enough to make the loss in tight end production and afterthought. Boss is just 27 and has a lot of miles left on his body. He could be a long-term solution for the Raiders.

Louis Murphy was the Raiders most targeted wide out in 2010 with 78 targets. Those 78 targets made Murphy the 53rd most targeted wide out in the NFL. That must change for the Raiders to allow Darren McFadden to have another breakout year. The Raiders must keep defenses honest by giving Jason Campbell viable targets in 2011.

Will Darrius Heyward-Bey improve or will Jacoby Ford have another breakout year? Can Chaz Schilens actually stay healthy? If the Raiders can answer yes to two of these questions they may have enough to give Campbell what he needs to succeed. Only Ford’s breakout is expected and production from rookie Denarius Moore would just be a bonus.

Heyward-Bey will likely see reps as one of the top two receivers in 2011.  He has played more snaps than his performance has warranted. He now must show that he deserves to be out there with the first unit. Heyward-Bey was 72nd in the league with 65 targets last year, and with those 65 targets he only amassed 366 yards and one touchdown. To put that in perspective, out of all of the wide receivers with between 60 and 70 targets in 2010, Heyward-Bey amassed better stats than only Chansi Stuckey who had revolving door of QB’s in lowly Cleveland’s 29th ranked passing attack. Although Heyward-Bey is showing improvement, he needs to make a major leap to help Campbell in 2011.

Jacoby Ford was thrown to 11 less times than Heyward-Bey and had one more receiving touchdown and 104 more yards than Heyward-Bey in 2010. All of those numbers should improve in 2011 for Ford. Assuming he enters 2011 healthy, he is poised for a breakout year.

As for Schilens, at this point he looks great in shorts and shoulder pads, but he has yet to realize his potential. He simply must stay healthy. Chaz did not crack the top 100 in targeted wide receivers in the NFL due to his injuries. He only appeared in five games and averaged one catch per game. There is a lot of potential with Chaz, but the Raiders cannot count on the San Diego State product to produce for 16 games until he actually does it.

There are a few wide receivers still available in free agency that could help Jason Campbell and the Raiders offense in 2011. The best fit for Oakland would be six-year veteran Malcom Floyd. The ex-Charger averaged nearly 20 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns in 2010.

Another option is Derrick Mason, the former Raven. Although he is older, he has a year or two left in his tank and would produce. He has had multiple one-thousand yard seasons and his 61 receptions in 2010 would have led Raiders. He amassed over 800 yards and 7 TD’s in 2010 and is stable veteran presence.

If all else fails Braylon Edwards is still available.

Follow me on Twitter: @MatthewGhanem

 

 

Raiders Must Target Boss, Veteran Receiver

 Posted by at 6:30 AM  5 Responses »
Aug 042011
 

Although the Oakland Raiders operated a run first offense in 2010 with Darren McFadden rushing for over 1100 yards and coming in third in the NFL with 5.2 yards per carry, it is imperative that the Raiders help Jason Campbell in 2011. The Raiders have to get Campbell a reliable target at tight end. Zach Miller was targeted 14 more times than any other receiver on the team in 2010. The 92 balls he thrown his way made him the 10th most targeted tight end in the NFL. He’s now a Seahawk.

Adding Kevin Boss is a no brainer. Although Boss had 25 less catches than Miller last year, he had just 150 yards less than Miller. He averaged nearly 4 yards more per catch than Miller. He may not be a better receiver, but he is a more proven blocker and is the best available tight end left in free agency.

By adding a veteran wide out, the Raiders passing game could improve enough to make the loss in tight end production and afterthought. Boss is just 27 and has a lot of miles left on his body. He could be a long-term solution for the Raiders.

Louis Murphy was the Raiders most targeted wide out in 2010 with 78 targets. Those 78 targets made Murphy the 53rd most targeted wide out in the NFL. That must change for the Raiders to allow Darren McFadden to have another breakout year. The Raiders must keep defenses honest by giving Jason Campbell viable targets in 2011.

Will Darrius Heyward-Bey improve or will Jacoby Ford have another breakout year? Can Chaz Schilens actually stay healthy? If the Raiders can answer yes to two of these questions they may have enough to give Campbell what he needs to succeed. Only Ford’s breakout is expected and production from rookie Denarius Moore would just be a bonus.

Heyward-Bey will likely see reps as one of the top two receivers in 2011.  He has played more snaps than his performance has warranted. He now must show that he deserves to be out there with the first unit. Heyward-Bey was 72nd in the league with 65 targets last year, and with those 65 targets he only amassed 366 yards and one touchdown. To put that in perspective, out of all of the wide receivers with between 60 and 70 targets in 2010, Heyward-Bey amassed better stats than only Chansi Stuckey who had revolving door of QB’s in lowly Cleveland’s 29th ranked passing attack. Although Heyward-Bey is showing improvement, he needs to make a major leap to help Campbell in 2011.

Jacoby Ford was thrown to 11 less times than Heyward-Bey and had one more receiving touchdown and 104 more yards than Heyward-Bey in 2010. All of those numbers should improve in 2011 for Ford. Assuming he enters 2011 healthy, he is poised for a breakout year.

As for Schilens, at this point he looks great in shorts and shoulder pads, but he has yet to realize his potential. He simply must stay healthy. Chaz did not crack the top 100 in targeted wide receivers in the NFL due to his injuries. He only appeared in five games and averaged one catch per game. There is a lot of potential with Chaz, but the Raiders cannot count on the San Diego State product to produce for 16 games until he actually does it.

There are a few wide receivers still available in free agency that could help Jason Campbell and the Raiders offense in 2011. The best fit for Oakland would be six-year veteran Malcom Floyd. The ex-Charger averaged nearly 20 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns in 2010.

Another option is Derrick Mason, the former Raven. Although he is older, he has a year or two left in his tank and would produce. He has had multiple one-thousand yard seasons and his 61 receptions in 2010 would have led Raiders. He amassed over 800 yards and 7 TD’s in 2010 and is stable veteran presence.

If all else fails Braylon Edwards is still available.

Follow me on Twitter: @MatthewGhanem

 

 

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