Hue of Shame

 Posted by at 1:28 PM  1 Response »
Dec 202011
 

It is easy enough to blame Chuck Bresnahan for the Raiders second half collapses this season. He was never Hue Jackson’s guy and his performance this season means there will likely be turnover in that area unless the Raiders defense turns into the 1985 Bears the last two weeks and the team squeaks into the playoffs and continues to dominate defensively. That’s not going to happen.

Jackson will likely get a pass for his rookie season. Dealing with the loss of legendary owner Al Davis and assuming the General Manager duties, losing his starting quarterback, his star running back, and having some of his best players miss time will all be excuses to give Hue Jackson another chance. That’s probably how it should be, that’s a lot to bite off for any first time head coach. Add to it the Jackson-created hype and expectations and you have a dangerous mix that has a segment of the Raider Nation upset.

Playing the blame game

Let’s take a look at the two phases of the game. Let’s assume Jackson is responsible for the offense and Bresnahan the defense and see how many of the seven losses are on Jackson and how many are on Bresnahan.

Week 2: 35-38 Loss to the Bills

Raiders scored 35 points and 14 in the 4th quarter. The Raiders defense allowed 35 points in the second half and 21 in the final quarter.

Blame: Bresnahan

Week 4: 19-31 Loss to the Patriots

The Raiders couldn’t score more than 19 on the terrible Patriots defense at home. The defense couldn’t stop the Patriots offense.

Blame: 50-50

Week 7: 0-28 Loss to the Chiefs

The Raiders scored no points. Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer combined for six interceptions. Hue didn’t have enough confidence in his backup quarterback that he had to give up a King’s ransom to bring in Carson Palmer. The defense was at a huge disadvantage when the offense throws so many interceptions.

Blame: Hue

Week 9: 24-38 Loss to the Broncos

The Raiders couldn’t stop Tim Tebow and the Broncos read-option offense. The offense cobbled together 24 points and a 17-7 halftime lead only for the defense to give up 31 in the second half and 14 in the 4th quarter that put the Raiders away.

Blame: Bresnahan

Week 13: 14-34 Loss to the Dolphins

The Raiders didn’t score until the Dolphins had a 34-point lead. Garbage time touchdowns do not equal good offense. 46 yards rushing and all the passing yards came in garbage time. The defense did allow 200+ rushing, but the defense was playing decently until giving up 21 points in the 3rd quarter. It wasn’t a good performance by the defense, but the offense didn’t score until the 4th. That’s not good enough.

Blame: Hue

Week 14: 16-46 Loss to the Packers

The Raiders didn’t score in the first half, perhaps they didn’t because the defense couldn’t make s top of the Packers.

Blame: 50/50

Week 15: 27-28 Loss to the Lions

The offense scored 20 and the defense scored 7. Take the defensive score away and the score is 20-14 Raiders prior to the two easy touchdown drives for the Lions that won them the game.

It was a close game and the offense and defense had opportunities to put the game on ice and neither could do it.

Blame: 50/50

That puts the blame share at 3.5 losses each for Jackson and Bresnahan. The offense has scored 22.6 points per game and the defense has allowed 27.3 and that’s ultimately what will get Bresnahan fired and save Hue Jackson, but Bresnahan is just a scapegoat. Half the losses are easily attributable to the offensive struggles and Hue Jackson deserves a little more heat for his share in the woes of this team. It’s not as simple as plugging a new defensive coordinator in and erasing the problems that have plagued the Raiders in their 7 losses.

Midseason Report Card

 Posted by at 3:40 PM  No Responses »
Nov 102011
 

The Raidersblog team gives their grades at the midway point of the season.

Quarterback

Chris Hansen: B
Brandon Dwonch: C – (Incomplete)
Nick Silverman: B-
Natalie Saar: C – (Boller D)
Bram Makonda: C+
Jeff Fagen: B
Overall GPA: 2.5

Jason Campbell played his game and did it well enough until he got injured. Carson Palmer, given ample time to learn the offense, tossed three touchdowns and had such command of the offense he was audibling at the line. The grade can be considered incomplete for now, but with significant room to grow.

Runningback/Fullback

Chris Hansen: A-
Brandon Dwonch: A-
Nick Silverman: B+
Natalie Saar: A
Bram Makonda: A-
Jeff Fagen: A
Overall GPA: 3.8

Darren McFadden held the league lead in rushing until his injury against Kansas City. Michael Bush is a great replacement back and can consistently put up 100-yard days. Marcel Reece injury really hurt the offense, but he’s as good as they come at the position. Richard Gordon and Manase Tonga have done a good job as blocking fullbacks. I’d like to see a bit more of Taiwan Jones, but that’s of minor concern with this group.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Chris Hansen: B-
Brandon Dwonch: B
Nick Silverman: B
Natalie Saar: B-
Bram Makonda: B
Jeff Fagen: C+
Overall GPA: 2.8

Emergence of Darrius Heyward-Bey, the emergence of Denarius Moore, the injury of Jacoby Ford and then re-emergence of Ford against the Broncos. Signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh to be a veteran. Schilens has stayed healthy. A lot of talent here, but the group hasn’t been consistent enough and Hue Jackson seems content to rotate them based on matchups. I’d like to see two of these guys develop to a point that they merit the majority of the playing time. The tight ends drag this down. Kevin Boss isn’t even getting on the field and you have to wonder if a Palmer-run offense needs one. Brandon Myers hasn’t done anything notable. What gives?

Offensive Line

Chris Hansen: A
Brandon Dwonch: A-
Nick Silverman: A
Natalie Saar: C
Bram Makonda: B+
Jeff Fagen: B+
Overall GPA: 3.3

It’s almost amazing how fast this unit has come together. There are a few signs of weakness lately, but overall this unit has been magnificent. This unit was able to run block in the past, but when it came to protecting the passer they didn’t get the job done. This season the offensive line has been able to pass protect in addition to run blocking. It’s a remarkable turnaround for being one of biggest questions this offseason. The unit has been playing at a high level and they get extra love for an unexpected jump.

Defensive Line

Chris Hansen: B
Brandon Dwonch: C-
Nick Silverman: C-
Natalie Saar: B
Bram Makonda: C+
Jeff Fagen: C-
Overall GPA: 2.3

Not nearly up to expectations when it comes to rushing the passer, but aside from the atrocity in Oakland last week they have done a solid job stopping the run. Considering the loss of Matt Shaughnessy for the season this unit has still played pretty well, particularly up the middle. There is certainly room for improvement, but don’t sleep on this group in the second half.

Linebackers

Chris Hansen: D+
Brandon Dwonch: D
Nick Silverman: C-
Natalie Saar: B-
Bram Makonda: C
Jeff Fagen: D
Overall GPA: 1.7

Flashes here and there from the group of linebackers. If Wimbley as a pass rusher is considered in this grade it would be higher. Groves was replaced by Curry. Curry and McClain show flashes, but haven’t gotten the job done consistently. Too many missed tackles, missed gaps, and poor coverage.

Secondary

Chris Hansen: C
Brandon Dwonch: C
Nick Silverman: C-
Natalie Saar: C+
Bram Makonda: C
Jeff Fagen: C-
Overall GPA: 2.0

The only consensus among the Raidersblog staff. The secondary is in transition and hasn’t been healthy. Stanford Routt and Tyvon Branch have been solid, but too many yards have been given up in the air. Michael Huff and Chris Johnson haven’t played up to expectations. There is potential for better play here, with young players ready to break into the lineup and players getting healthy.

Kicking, Punting & Special Teams Coverage

Chris Hansen: B-
Brandon Dwonch: C+
Nick Silverman: B
Natalie Saar: A
Bram Makonda: C+
Jeff Fagen:  B
Overall GPA: 2.8

Sebastian Janikowski is one of the best. So is Shane Lechler. Too bad the coverage units really drag down the grade here.

Kick Return/Punt Return

Chris Hansen: C+
Brandon Dwonch: C+
Nick Silverman: B-
Natalie Saar: B
Bram Makonda: B
Jeff Fagen: C
Overall GPA: 2.5

Aside from one Jacoby Ford return touchdown the return game hasn’t done a lot to help the Raiders. Punt returns have been terrible all season. Huge room for improvement.

Studs and Duds From Week 7

 Posted by at 12:32 PM  No Responses »
Oct 252011
 

Studs

Michael Bush

While he was stone-walled at the goal line by Derrick Johnson three times he still managed to put up a very respectable game with 99 rushing yards on 17 carries. That’s a very healthy 5.8 yards per carry. He managed a respectable game despite little to no threat passing and an early two score deficit. He wasn’t amazing, but no one was on Sunday.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

He snarred another 5 balls for 89 yards and he’s the Raiders leading receiver and it isn’t close. Heyward-Bey is on pace for over 1100 yards receiving on 72 receptions. Over the past four games Heyward-Bey is averaging 96 yards and 6 receptions. If that trend continues he’ll finish the season with 82 receptions for nearly 1400 yards. It probably will not continue at the same level, but it is worth noting. Ten receivers finished the 2010 season with more than 1100 yards and only Brandon Lloyd finished 2010 with more than 1400 yards. The sample is still relatively small, but Heyward-Bey may have finally arrived. 

Aaron Curry

Flying around and consistently around the ball. He hasn’t looked as lost in coverage as he did in Seattle. The Raiders turned in another solid performance against the run and Curry was a big part of it. The Raiders have been playing a lot of big nickel and Curry isn’t a part of it, but what the Raiders have asked him to do he has done well. Let’s hope it continues as he gets more and more comfortable in the defense.

Demarcus Van Dyke

 He did allow a few receptions, but he was targeted a lot and had pretty solid coverage most of the game. Obviously he is a rookie so he is still learning things. He showed more willingness to tackle and use his body on Sunday. He’s thinly built, but he’ll get bigger and can’t shy away from contact. Rod Woodson and Kevin Ross have done a good job with the Raiders young corners. It wasn’t a great game for him, but it was a good game and worthy of recognition.

Honorable Mentions: Tyvon Branch, Stanford Routt, Lamarr Houston

 

Duds

Kyle Boller

It would be easy to write and entire post here about how poor Boller played. He locked onto receivers, he made bad decisions. There just isn’t a lot to say. If the Raiders have their way he wont start again and he shouldn’t.

Hue Jackson

Just for talking large and then letting his team put up a goose egg is enough for dud status this week for the Raiders leader. He’s wearing a lot of hats now and made a spectacle of the Raiders acquisition of Carson Palmer. Then there was a decision on who to start at quarterback and some shoddy playcalling. Hue did just about everything wrong last week, but those same moves are genius if the Raiders win. That’s just life as a coach that talks a big game. He’s only seven games into his head coaching career and will rebound from the loss and learn from some of his mistakes.

Denarius Moore

Four of the six interceptions were in the direction of Denarius Moore including one that bounced off his chest. Perhaps the quarterbacks placed a little too much confidence that Moore would “make a play” and it seems like there was a communication issue and a poorly run route among the interceptions. Boller has to make the right decisions, but Moore wasn’t helping on Sunday.

Jared Veldheer

At least one of the interceptions was the result of pressure from Tamba Hali. Hali bull rushed Veldheer and blew through him giving Boller less than two seconds to make his read. He was blown into the backfield numerous times and failed to get enough of a push at the goaline to open up things for Bush on the wildcat run that would have made it 14-7. He’s had a very good season, but he struggled with Hali.

Dishonorable mention: Carson Palmer, Samson Satele

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