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Oakland Raiders notebook: Defense takes its hits after another poor showing |
A 38-26 loss on Sunday to the San Diego Chargers that knocked the Raiders out of the playoffs was in large part due to the kind of defensive failures that arose often in 2011 and probably will mean the demise of defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan’s job after one season. “I think Chuck knows how I feel,” Raiders coach Hue Jackson said while not commenting directly on Bresnahan’s status for next season. “I’m disappointed over there. I have been. It’s not like we haven’t had conversations. Chuck knows what I feel, and it’s not good enough.” Oakland ended the season allowing 433 points, the second most in franchise history (the Raiders gave up 442 in 1997), an average of 27.1 points per game. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers’ three touchdown passes brought the total to 31 against the Raiders this season, the most in club history. Oakland also gave up 2,158 yards on 430 carries, an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. Defensive collapses were conspicuous in Week 2, when Buffalo scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions in a come-from-behind win, against Denver, when the Raiders gave up 299 yards rushing and 38 points, and against Detroit on Dec. 18, with the Lions going 71 and 98 yards to win the game in the fourth quarter. “What I saw today is what I saw at different times this year,” Jackson said. “When you play defense in the NFL, you’ve got to hunt. You can’t give up 28, 29 points and expect to win games.” The Raiders gave up an average of 31.8 points in their last five games, during which they went 1-4 and went from in control of their own destiny to out of the playoffs. “I know some people are going to try to blame Chuck, some people are going to try and blame Hue, but at the end of the day, we’re the ones on the field,” free safety Michael Huff said. “Regardless of the defense that’s called, we’ve got to line up and play and execute.” Bresnahan was originally hired as defensive assistant in the offseason and eventually was elevated to coordinator. Jackson was turned down by the New York Jets when he requested to interview Jets secondary coach Dennis Thurman for the position because Thurman was under contract. It remains to be seen how the decision-making process will work and if the Raiders will hire a front-office executive with decision-making power. Jackson promised change. “I’m going to take a stronger hand in this whole team, this whole organization,” Jackson said. “There ain’t no way I’m going to feel like I feel today a year from now. I promise you that. Defensively, offensively and special teams, I ain’t feeling like this no more. This is a joke.” “That’s not why we lost today, but that is a problem on this football team,” Jackson said. “There’s some work that has to be done.” The Raiders went over the penalty-yardage mark in the first half on a personal foul by Matt Giordano, with Rock Cartwright getting a holding call on the second-half kickoff return to break the penalty record. Comment Below!. Posted in 1, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kansas City Chiefs, Louis Murphy, Michael Huff, New York Jets, Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers, raiders-news, Rock Cartwright, San Diego Chargers, Sebastian Janikowski, Tommy Kelly | Comments Off
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Oakland Raiders Score Update: Playoff Hopes In Jeopardy, Trail 24-16 To Chargers |
Read More: Carson Palmer (QB – OAK), Antonio Gates (TE – SDC), Philip Rivers (QB – SDC), Sebastian Janikowski (K – OAK), Mike Tolbert (FB – SDC), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR – OAK), Louis Murphy (WR – OAK), Richard Goodman (WR – SDC), Curtis Brinkley (RB – SDC), San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders had a great shot to get to the playoffs if they could get some help from the Kansas City Chargers. They’re getting that help, but they’re hardly helping themselves. After Oakland punted the football, Philip Rivers went right back to work, connected with Antonio Gates for 37 yards and Malcolm Floyd for 16 yards. Nice rushes by Curtis Brinkley helped set up a Mike Tolbert one yard touchdown rush to put San Diego up 14-7. Oakland drove right back down the field with Carson Palmer connected with Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey to help set up a Sebastian Janikowski 52 yard field goal, but San Diego came right back with a Richard Goodman 105 yard kickoff return to put them up 21-10. The teams traded field goals to end the first half thanks to solid passing by both Palmer and Rivers, and another quick Oakland drive with a huge Palmer pass to start the second half helped put more points on the board thanks to Janikowski. The Raiders would win the AFC West if they win and the Denver Broncos lose–which they are currently doing to the Kansas City Chiefs. To discuss the game with Raiders fans, go to Silver and Black Pride. To check out the game with Chargers fans, head to Bolts from the Blue. That’s all for today. Posted in 1, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kansas City Chiefs, Louis Murphy, Oakland Raiders, Philip Rivers, raiders-news, San Diego Chargers, Sebastian Janikowski | Comments Off
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Oakland Raiders: Signs indicate Jacoby Ford might play Sunday |
Wide receiver Jacoby Ford, last seen catching a 41-yard pass from Carson Palmer against the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 10, made it back to the practice field Wednesday. That would seemingly make it possible for Ford to face the Chargers on Sunday at O.co Coliseum, although it was his first practice in 48 days because of a foot sprain. Running back Darren McFadden, on the other hand, hasn’t practiced in 66 days, and his continued absence means he’ll likely miss his ninth consecutive game with a severe midfoot sprain. Ford was limited in practice and, according to Palmer, didn’t have a lot of balls thrown his way. “It was good to kind of get his feet wet the first day, and he’ll get more and more as the week goes on,” Palmer said. If Ford were to return, it sounds unlikely that he’d be returning kickoffs, given the amount of time he’s missed. “I don’t know that I’d feel comfortable with that yet,” coach Hue Jackson said. “If he has the opportunity to play we’ll put him out there, but I just don’t want to put him out there and put him in a bad situation.” Jackson doesn’t see a scenario in which McFadden could play Sunday without practicing, and it doesn’t appear he’ll practice this week. “As fast as Darren runs and as violent as Darren runs, you’ve got to make sure you’re healthy,” Jackson said. “You can’t just go out there and wobble and run around and jog through it. You’ve got to be able to run through it, and he’s not ready yet.” “No one is 100 percent this time of year,” Huff said. “You just go out there and see what you can play with.” Also listed as limited along with Ford and Huff were running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (groin). Those who did not participate besides McFadden were defensive tackle John Henderson (knee), defensive tackle Richard Seymour (illness) and quarterback Jason Campbell (collarbone). Jackson said he expected Seymour to be fine and play Sunday. “Those two guys are very unusual guys,” Turner said by conference call. “To have both of them in the Pro Bowl, it’s a real testament to what they do and how good they are. Those two guys know how I feel about them. They’re special people and players.” Not much else going on in the NBA world today. Posted in 1, Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, Jason Campbell, John Henderson, Louis Murphy, Michael Huff, Mike Scifres, Nate Kaeding, Norv Turner, raiders-news, Richard Seymour, San Diego Chargers, Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler | Comments Off
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Raiders Vs. Lions Injury Update: Darren McFadden Doubtful, Kevin Smith Questionable |
Read More: Rob Sims (G – DET), Michael Huff (FS – OAK), Samson Satele (C – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Kevin Smith (RB – DET), Louis Delmas (S – DET), Amari Spievey (S – DET), Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders, Dec 18, 2011 1:05 PM PST The Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions have been stumbling to the finish line. Both of them have suffered from the same issue–lack of a strong running game. Both Darren McFadden and Kevin Smith have been the mainstay backs for both teams, but they can’t seem to stay on the field for an extended period of time. McFadden has been out forever, so it’s no surprise that his foot injury seems to prevent him from returning to action. Smith has similar issues, but it appears that he’s been able to play through it and will continue to try and play through it. Smith was able to move from not participating in practice to at least being able to perform in a limited fashion, so it might give the Lions a much-needed boost in their offensive balance. More injuries are below. Detroit Lions
Oakland Raiders
For more on McFadden and the Raiders, head on over to Silver and Black Pride. For more on Smith and the Lions, check out Pride of Detroit. Leave any suggestions in the comment box. Posted in 1, Chaz Schilens, Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Detroit Lions, Jacoby Ford, Jarvis Moss, Jason Campbell, John Henderson, Justin Durant, Louis Murphy, Michael Huff, Oakland Raiders, raiders-news, Samson Satele, Tommy Kelly | Comments Off
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Denarius Moore Injury Update: Oakland Raiders WR Back At Practice |
Read More: denarius moore injury, oakland raiders injury report, Carson Palmer (QB – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Chaz Schilens (WR – OAK), Marcel Reece (RB – OAK), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR – OAK), Louis Murphy (WR – OAK), Jacoby Ford (WR – OAK), Denarius Moore (WR – OAK), Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore returned to practice Wednesday and will look to make his way back onto the field Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Moore sat out last week’s game against the Chicago Bears with an ankle/foot issue that kept him out of practice all week. If he is a full participant on Wednesday, that is an excellent sign he will be able to go this Sunday. The Raiders skill position players are fairly decimated with injuries with Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford already likely outs for Sunday against the Dolphins. Moore has been able to stretch the field and developed a solid rapport with Carson Palmer before the injury. The Raiders are built around a strong rushing attack, but having players that can stretch the field is important to open up the running game. If Ford is unable to go on Sunday, Darrius Heyward-Bey remains the top option, with Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy getting worked into the rotation. The Raiders pulled out the win against Chicago with limited weapons, but when Marcel Reece puts up the biggest receiving numbers, concern will rise. If Oakland can get Denarius Moore back on the field, that will be huge against a resurgent Miami Dolphins squad. For more on the Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride. Feel free to leave your comments below. Posted in 1, Chaz Schilens, Chicago Bears, Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy, Marcel Reece, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, raiders-news | Comments Off
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