Raiders’ Week 9 Fantasy Outlook

 Posted by at 9:21 AM  No Responses »
Nov 052011
 

Quarterback

This position, in regards to Fantasy, is less of a crap shoot than it was two weeks ago, but there’s still no way to confidently say play Palmer over other QBs in the NFL. Palmer’s play against the Chiefs was not an indication of his future play because he was unprepared and didn’t have his go-to: Darren McFadden. He was just trying to clean up Boller’s mess. This week he still won’t have McFadden, but he will have T.J. “Who’s-Yo-Mama” Houshmandzadeh with whom he practiced during his “retirement.” Housh will give Palmer a reliable target that he’s comfortable with and can go to on third downs, or any other down for that matter. It would irresponsible to give a definitive “go!” for starting Palmer on your team this week. On the bright side, Tebow will make him look like a pro-bowler again.

Running Back

All of you who have been reaping the benefits of McFadden’s success have probably been drinking yourself to sleep after seeing him leave practice in a boot. Leave the kool-aid alone though because he’ll be back. Until then you can play Michael Bush and/or Taiwan Jones. While neither will get tons of yards, they’ll still get decent numbers, especially Bush. Palmer may go more to the air since he’s got his training-mate on the team now, but the Raiders’ success has been built on the run. Luckily, the Broncos will be unprepared since it’s unclear if the game will be more passing or rushing. Play Bush, he should get 20 carries. The key to winning with regard to your Fantasy team is just remembering to sit McFadden and play someone who will actually run.

Wide Receivers

Darrius Heyward-Bey is the only receiver worth owning in terms of fantasy production. The addition of Houshmandzadeh to the mix really muddies the water for Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. If you’ve been stashing Moore this year, it’s OK to cut him loose now unless you are in a keeper league. Houshmandzadeh was quoted saying that there are a lot of fast guys on the team but they’re not as polished as route-runners. While he is definitely positioning himself within the team, there is a morsel of truth to that. Moore and Ford stretches the field in a way they play and cannot be counted on for consistent production. Coming off a bye, we’re hoping that DHB has built some sort of rapport with Palmer and he is proving doubters wrong. Right now he is considered to be a low-end WR2 and strong WR3.

Tight End

Kevin Boss can make a sneaky play this week for owners truly desperate for a TE. Oakland is squaring off against a Broncos defense who have been pretty stout thus far to opposing tight ends, but coming off a bye, the Raiders could play at a maximum effort to keep pace in the AFC West. The addition of Houshmandzadeh definitely hurts his value, as they both operate in the middle of the field. Boss is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on to see how Carson Palmer utilizes him.

Kicker

Sebastian Janikowski hasn’t been able to practice this week and Dave Rayner may get the call again. Avoid this situation if you can. Some strong plays this week include Matt Bryant who is squaring off against the Colts indoors.

Defense/Special Teams

While the Raiders defense has ranked towards the bottom in most statistical categories this year, this is a defense with value this week vs. Tim Tebow. The Raiders defense has played better than their stats suggests with Richard Seymour leading the way. Tebow is turnover prone and he is susceptible to the pass rush. Seymour alone could match his season sack total of five in this game, to double his output for the season. And yeah, I don’t need to tell you that Ford is returning kicks for this game. It’s added incentive for you to play them this week.

Week 7: Chiefs at Raiders Preview

 Posted by at 7:00 AM  1 Response »
Oct 232011
 

For the first time in a long time, the focus of the NFL has been on the Oakland Raiders quarterback.  We just don’t know who that quarterback is going to be…

Hue Jackson is dancing with the media; winking, hinting, manipulating, and enjoying every second of it.  Reports came out early in the week that newly acquired Carson Palmer would start after just three practices.  Yesterday ESPN and several other news sources stated that it was “unlikely” Palmer was going to start on Sunday.

We may see Kyle Boller, Palmer, and even Terrelle Pryor at some point against KC.  Hue Jackson is an absolute wild man with his play-calling…he will throw everything at you.  We’re not even halfway through the season and we’ve seen a fake punt, fake field goal, flea flicker, and numerous reverses.  How can we have the slightest idea of what to expect?

One thing you can bank on, Darren McFadden will be a very busy man.  Everybody knows it including Kansas City Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel. McFadden will have a heavy workload, regardless of the quarterback so the key will be getting him the ball in more creative ways as the Chiefs will likely crowd the box with eight or more bodies.  Running screens and  flexing McFadden out in the slot may work. Anything the Raiders can do to get the ball in McFadden’s hands, expect to see Sunday.

Kansas City is playing better football over the past few week, but that isn’t saying much. The Chiefs couldn’t play any worse after getting blown out in the first two weeks by a combined score of 678 to 6.  The Chiefs strung together two wins in a row against Minnesota and Indy, opponents with a whopping combined record of 1-11.  Todd Haley is treading on thin ice and the bandwagon has been sold to the pilgrims.

Dwayne Bowe is starting to heat up and running back Jackie Battle (who sounds like a character from some 1970s funk movie) is coming off an impressive 100 plus yard performance. Don’t bet your house on the Chiefs’ offense against an improving Oakland defense at home.

The Raiders will continue to blitz and pressure the quarterback.  Matt Cassel should get to know the Raiders’ defensive line well on Sunday.  The Chiefs’ offense will have to BATTLE for yards all game long.  (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

The Raiders will be without Sebastian Janikowski for a couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury.  Not only will the Raiders field goal game suffer,  but their kickoff coverage will as well. The Raiders will have to do better for Dave Rayner than the 43-yard line.

Even without Janikowski and with a Kyle Boller sighting the Raiders will take this one.  Although it may be a little closer than previously expected. Raiders 27,  Kansas City 20

Special Teams is Raiders’ X-Factor

 Posted by at 10:25 AM  No Responses »
Oct 212011
 

Kickers are usually the guy you tease; the “weakling” on the team. When they make tackles, guys nudge each other and say “That was the kicker! Bet he’s happy.” Sure, everyone knows that the kicker is absolutely essential. At times the entire game rests on his shoulders. Even still, special teams is the “special” team on the field. This is absolutely not the case with the Raiders, and the entire NFL knows it.

Perusing the Raiders’ longest plays in history, current Raiders like Shane Lechler, Sebastian Janikowski and Jacoby Ford hold many of the records. Janikowski in fact holds just about every field goal record ranging from 55 to 63 yards. Lechler has the longest punt at 77 yards. Jacoby Ford holds 4/6 of the longest kickoff returns, after last week. All this to say, while many teams’ special teams are decent, none in the NFL compares overall to the Raiders. Some may have a key player or two, like Devin Hester, but the Raiders have special teams weapons at every turn.

Last week, Shane Lechler became the first punter since Hunter Smith in 2009 to throw for a touchdown. In the wake of Jason Campbell’s injury, and Boller’s implosion rusty arm, Lechler was a weapon no one saw coming. He not only threw for a touchdown, but threw in a 4th and punt situation. What team can defend against that? This isn’t your grandpa’s wildcat offense; what the Raiders have the weapons to create is an entirely new beast. They also have the creative, aggressive coach who can make it happen.

These are few teams who can legitimately say their special teams helped them win the game week after week. Sure, they contributed, but they weren’t an actual factor. The Raiders’ special team is a factor in each and every week. Let’s hope Janikowski’s hamstring injury is not too severe.

Studs and Duds From Week 3

 Posted by at 3:38 PM  1 Response »
Sep 272011
 

The Raiders victory over the Jets has the coach and the team riding high. Even the national media is catching on as the Raiders are now making the top 10 in the mostly ridiculous power rankings.

Tom Brady comes to Oakland in week 4 so the Raiders don’t have much time to think about their early season victory. The Raiders need more studs on defense if they are to beat the Patriots.

Studs

Samson Satele

I sometimes have a hard time believing he is the same player as he was last season. I heard Satele was dealing with headaches and dizzy spells last season. I’m not sure how much this impacted his on-field performance and how much his production has to do with having Bob Wylie and Steve Wisniewski as offensive line coaches. It doesn’t matter now as Satele has done a great job this season. Early in Sunday’s game Sione Pouha got the best of him on one running play and Satele dominated at the point of attack from that point on.

 

Darren McFadden

I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the list every week. You already know his stats 171 yards, 2 touchdowns.

 

Hue Jackson & Chuck Bresnahan

The Raiders made the Jets defense look silly most of the afternoon. Bresnahan switched to zone coverage when youngsters were forced into action and it worked in the second half. Coaching staff pulled all the right strings and called all the right plays. Credit to them.

 

Jason Campbell

Took care of the football. No turnovers and didn’t force throws into the Jets secondary. Stepped up into the pocket and delivered a strike to Michael Bush down the left sideline that lead to the game sealing field goal.

 

Kevin Boss

First game in Silver and Black looked pretty good. Made a key catch on the Raiders opening touchdown drive and a key block that sprung McFadden for over 70 yards. He’ll make everyone forget about Zach Miller if he stays healthy.

 

Chimdi Chekwa

Coming out party for the rookie? He entered the game when Chris Johnson went out with an injury and had tight coverage on Plaxico Burress most of the day. If the Raiders secondary remains banged up the Raiders will need Chekwa and Joe Porter to play well and Demarcus Van Dyke to get healthy.

 

Duds

Special Teams

It didn’t really burn them on Sunday, but the coverage units did terrible covering kicks on Sunday. John Fassell is really missing Hiram Eugene. Rock Cartwright can’t cover kicks alone. Lechler had a rare off day and Jon Condo had a few sub par long snaps. Seabass kept the special teams from being a complete disaster, but even he missed one. Taiwan Jones and Denarius Moore didn’t stumble and fall down like Nick Miller, but hardly improved the return game. Big difference between a muff and a forced fumble.

 

Rolando McClain

He had a solid game, but he makes the duds list for his weak arm tackle on Tomlinson’s long reception. When he properly diagnosing runs he’s at his best. He’s been solid in coverage, but far too many missed tackles and bad angles.

 

Matt Giordano

Plays too tentatively. He always seemed to be watching players run by him. He’s a ticking time bomb in the secondary, but until the Raiders young cornerbacks relieve Michael Huff from cornerback duties Giordano will keep playing. 

Khalif Barnes

The weakest link on a much improved offensive line. It shouldn’t be long now because Joseph Barksdale is starting at right tackle. He’s already been promoted as evidenced by Stephon Heyer’s deactivation on Sunday. The only pressure on Campbell came from Barnes inability to handle the speed rush. He’ll continue to have a role as a sixth lineman in jumbo sets, but his starting job is very much in jeopardy.

 

Raiders Week 3 Fantasy Preview

 Posted by at 9:56 AM  No Responses »
Sep 232011
 

Alright fantasy football die-hards, if you are looking for information regarding the Raiders players, you’ve come to the right place. Each week we will break down the fantasy impacts of the Silver and Black in case you own any or most of them.

There were no major injuries to speak of when it comes to the skill positions and the only area where the injury bug has hit seems to be in the Wide Receiver position as was the case last week. Notable returns this week include the enigmatic Darrius Heyward-Bey and Tight End Kevin Boss, which will be discussed in our picks.

 

Running Backs

This week you need to start both Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. McFadden isn’t at the top of his game, but he has been practicing and will play. As long as he’s on that field, you better believe that he will be carrying the ball (and hopefully holding onto it). Expect him to put up similar numbers to last week, around 60-70 total yards. Since McFadden is a bit banged up, Bush will get more carries than usual, and most likely close to the end zone (hello six-point gimme). He’ll at least hit the 30 yard mark, if not more, depending on how McFadden is at game time. The Raiders staff is being overly cautious with McFadden during the week, thus the limited participation in practice, but he should be fine moving forward. Consider Run DMC a must-start in all formats and Bush to be a low-end flex starter in deep leagues.

 

Quarterbacks

Jason Campbell is clearly the better quarterback in this match up. His completion percentage is slightly higher than Mark Sanchez and he’s thrown less interceptions and only one less touchdown, but that’s mostly due to the fact that the Raiders have been running the ball. Look for him to throw about 200 yards and at least one touchdown.

 

Wide Receivers

Here’s the one area that many fantasy players will be curious to see. If you were lucky enough to nab Denarius Moore, this position will be in flux all year long. Currently, Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy is battling injury and will not see action vs. the Jets. Darius Heyward-Bey, however is primed to go this week. As a savvy owner, I watched the situation last week and when DHB was a no-go, I inserted Moore into my WR3 and was handsomely rewarded. In fantasy, it’s all about opportunity and Moore is primed to breakout. This week, however, be a little bit more cautious. Coach Hue Jackson has expressed that Moore is locked into more playing time, but the matchup vs. the best cornerback tandem in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie should give Moore owners pause for concern. Moore will not be sneaking up on anybody in this matchup and should be reserved. If anything, the return of DHB should justify you benching him for this week. Not the greatest of news for owners who were lucky enough to get him through the waiver wire, but after the Jets the Raiders will play the Patriots, Texans, Browns and Chiefs in Week 4-7. These are all WR-friendly matchups and he should reap the benefits then.

 

Tight End

Kevin Boss is in line to make his return this year and should be reserved this week on a wait and see approach. However, as the season progresses, he should be productive catching passes in the middle as part of the run-heavy, possession game the Raiders employ. Keep an eye on him this year as he could be valuable in Points-Per-Reception leagues.

 

Kicker

Sebastian Janikowski should be in line for a productive day as the Raiders square off against a formidable defense. If the offense stalls, look for Seabass to chip in from all over the field. If you own him, this is a no-brainer. Conversely, the Jets kicker Nick Folk could see plenty of action as well with the struggling Sanchez and ineffective Shonn Greene in the backfield.

 

Defense

The Raiders defense was gashed last week by the Bills and should be reserved in fantasy in favor for a better matchup. The Jets is a weekly play despite the opponent. My suggestions would be any defense playing against the Seahawks and the Chiefs, which would be the Cardinals and Chargers defense this week.

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