Camp analysis: Wide receivers
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am in Oakland Raiders.
Fourth in a series of posts analyzing Raiders position groups with players reporting to training camp in five days:
Projected starters: Chaz Schilens, Johnnie Lee Higgins. Backups: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, Javon Walker, Todd Watkins, Jonathan Holland, Arman Shields, Samie Parker, Nick Miller, Shawn Bayes, Will Franklin.
There will be improved numbers from one of the least productive units in NFL history. The season-ending starters, Higgins and Schilens, caught 37 passes for 592 yards and six touchdowns. Combined. They finished strong enough to get the stamp approval from none other than Al Davis, who openly wished both would have gotten more playing time sooner. Heyward-Bey had a good first practice, a poor second one then had hamstring issues throughout the rest of the mandatory minicamp and OTAs. Murphy drew praise from Cable and could provide instant results. Walker is a wild card, having undergone knee surgery but vowing to return to health and regain the form that made him a dangerous receiver. The Raiders are paying him over the next two years after a renegotiated contract. Watkins made the 2008 roster on the strength of a strong training camp and will need to duplicate that effort to stick again. If Shields can’t put practices together, hard to see him surviving unless they want to put him on the practice squad. Bayes and Miller are smallish receivers/return specialists with “Raider speed.” Parker and Franklin have some NFL experience but would be longshots to stick.
The key battle: Heyward-Bey vs. Murphy.
Heyward-Bey has some catching up to do because of his hamstring problem, with Murphy having some impressive practices and having the look of an instant contributor.
What I think: The Raiders have drawn criticism over the past two years for passing on Michael Crabtree in the 2009 draft and DeSean Jackson in 2008. Their answers to those decisions lie in the performance of Schilens and Higgins, players of similar styles who finished the season strong enough to give hope that they landed comparable talents with later draft picks. Don’t be surprised if Heyward-Bey, particularly early on, ends up as more of a clear-out receiver who gets the occasional over-the-top shot from Russell, with Murphy getting more receptions. Here’s a scary thought _ the steady veteran presence in terms of leadership is Walker.
What could go wrong: Schilens can’t stay healthy, Higgins can’t produce as a lead receiver, Heyward-Bey can’t hold on to the ball and the dark cloud that hovers over Walker remains in place.
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July 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 am
1st? really? who cares?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Actually, well thought out Jerry….
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
O,
Giants might be better with Plaxico… But the Eagles draft was sick, and I just think it’s time they did it…
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Thank you Jerry. Great job sir.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
I believe that Schilens and JLH tenaciously hold on to their starting positions for the entire year.
Those two are capable of putting up good numbers. Its more about the Raiders calling more passing plays.
JLH is in his 3rd yr…After tasting success as a starting receiver…I bet the game reallys slows down for him.
Schilens is a physical blocker and a big body with speed. Combine the above with a good work ethic…and usually good things happen.
Murphy/DHB/Walker can fight it out for the 3rd and 4th receiver positions
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
I like the Giants’ draft more.
H Nicks
OLB I forgot his name, but he is good
Barden ( who I like a lot),And they added more help on D.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
An AFC team will win the SB!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
Jerry says:
The key battle: Heyward-Bey vs. Murphy.
Heyward-Bey has some catching up to do because of his hamstring problem, with Murphy having some impressive practices and having the look of an instant contributor.
……………………………………………….
This is true believe it or not. Though I believe Heyward-Bey with be a big time reciever for us, in the beginning his role will be smaller than most hope to get from a #7 overall selection in thier rookie season. Murphy is more of a natural reciever and will make the adjustment to the NFL easier than DHB, but DHB has the “it” factor Murphy might lack. Skill set? DHB has the best skill set of all the WR’s drafted IMO.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 am
AZ,
Are the Eagles your fav NFC team?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Nope, the 49ers are…. Bay area baby!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
I just like McNabb, and D. Jackson (Cali!)… Was a big Dawkins fan till he became a donkey
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Nope, the 49ers are…. Bay area baby!
***
AZ: are you in Arizona?
I would think that if you’re a Raiders fan first, you’d be a Cards fan 2nd (if there is such a thing as a 2nd fav team)
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
AZ Raider,
Truth is…wide receivers emerge from all over the draft and are difficult to project to the NFL.
I like Schilens and JLH as the #1 and #2.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
RR,
H*ll NO! EFF the cards! My boys in Red and Gold are gonna sweep ‘em this year!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
AZ,
49rs!!!!!!
Who Bro???!!!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
Walker is a wild card, having undergone knee surgery but vowing to return to health and regain the form that made him a dangerous receiver.
***
anybody know when Javon Walker is due back? will he be healthy enough to participate in training camp?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am
snb,
Trust me I know WR’s are hard to figure coming into the NFL. That’s also the same reason I was loving DHB as out pick at #7. Raw but a super-talent. i know we probably could have got him later, but the draft is unpredictable as well. If you got a guy you want, just get him if he’s there where you sit.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am
9ers & Raiders win thier devisions this year if the Raiders can hold off the Chargetts…
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am
AZ: the 49ers are probably the g@yest team in the league, outside of Denver …
I’d be surprised if they didn’t finish last in their division. YES – even behind St Louis
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
RR,
I thought I heard he’d be ready for camp, but not sure of the sorce so….
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
If JW can’t get into the top 2 spots, he should be cut or traded. Make room for the young guys. I would not want him providing “veteran” leadership anyway. Just play up to your potential and salary or leave.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
Thats ok RR, most Raider fans are 9er haters and vice versa…
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
9ers D is solid, and Hill is 7-2 as a starter? Am I for real? Yup, and they got Sigeltary in there to crack some heads. I like what I see across the bay. 9ers schedule is a heck of a lot easier than our too so I see 9 wins taking that division as well…
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
Projected starters: Chaz Schilens, Johnnie Lee Higgins.
***
only if Walker & Heyward-Bey are injured!
Higgins & Schilens were decent last year. solid, but not spectacular. I don’t think anybody outside of Raider Nation (even the coaches) that think one or both of these players are capable of 100 catches, 1000 yards or 10 TD’s …
there is some strong Kool-Aid being passed around in here!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
AZ, I agree with you the Eagles look dangerous. Ithink there is going to be a mixture of good and bad early. As I think of it the Raiders really do need Walker to provide some vet leadership. If he doesn’t the Raiders will have some real rough spots during the year.
If Walker can actually come in and play well this could turn out to be a very good recieving corp. While they may not start out great I expect them to really pick up steam as the year wears on.
Just too much talent at the WR position for the entire year to be average if everyone stays relatively healthy. DHB and Murphy IMO will combine to give us a significant boost by years end.
I’ve been getting very encouraging reactions from personnel in the front office concerning Russell. So while it’s true that Russell may not have been scintilating in OTA’s they are much more interested in pre. and reg. season. IOW they are not tremendously concerned as much as the media is indicating.
Most think this is a make or break year for Russell. While we need him to play well normal progress is expected. This organization is hanging their hat on Russell over the immediate future. He just needs to show consistent improvement. Anything better is a bonus IMO.
My personal opinion Russell will have some great games and some bad. Towards the end of the season he should start to level off as a decent performer. I’ve said from day one that Russell needs a 5 year period to realize his full potential. after 30 starts you should some degree of consistency after 50 starts he should be amongst the best at his craft. Similar to McNabbs progression. That’s how I see him at year 3 of consistent starts I think he’ll be in the top 5-6 QB’s in the league.
He came out as a junior from a spread offense and last year laid a foundation this year should see him start to develope.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am
I hate the Whinners!!
I’ll be back in an hour to give AZ a hard time for being a Whinners Fan!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I made the coolaid in January and I’m still passing it around RR…
I thought Chaz WAS spectacular as a rookie WR. TB game and Texas in particular (only 2 he started). Got some big catches for 1st downs in critical situations to keep the drives alive and 3 TD’s in 2 weeks? Pretty good for a “no name” reciever in his first 2 starts.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
I’m not a 9er fan O, I’m a rediculously dedicated Radier fan. But all my friends in Cali are 9er fans, and it’s just better to support them for being a bay area team than it is to bash your friends all year round. Besides, notice when the 9ers are good so are the Raiders and when 1 team sucks, so does the other. I’m a football fan in general, but I’m a Raider fan completely. 9ers get love from me because of where they play, and the awsome cast-offs we get from them who come in and produce, i.e., Garner, Rice, Lott, on and on brother…. RESPECT BABY!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
9ers D is solid, and Hill is 7-2 as a starter? Am I for real?
***
If Shaun Hill is the man, why is he competing with Alex Smith (probably even Damon Huard) for the job? and why were they trying to hard to get Kurt Warner?
He’s a scrub … and Crabtree is a prima donna from a spread offense with a bum wheel
Frank Gore’s numbers are steadily declining and he had as many fumbles as he did touchdowns last year.
Vernon Davis is a bust.
Unless their defense plays like the 2000 Ravens, they’d be lucky to win 7 games again. 9 is out of the question with the Rams & Seahawks improved (and healthy) from last year
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
awsome cast-offs we get from them who come in and produce, i.e., Garner, Rice, Lott, on and on brother…. RESPECT BABY!
***
don’t forget Jeff Garcia! he has a higher rating than Russell on Madden 2010 …
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 am
PRIEST #25 – agree 99%
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 am
i didnt like Garcia in SF either…. i did like TO though
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
i didnt like Garcia in SF either
***
WHAT ???
Garcia was a stud in SF!
I think you got something besides Kool-Aid in that shot glass AZ!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
WR is not a critical position for this season.
IMO,it will be more of a committee with time being spread around to keep fresh legs on the field.
JR is still developing and we will not become a pass happy team to our wideouts.
We will run first and throw alot to backs and Miller.
IMO we will not have the ball alot against good offensive teams this year. They will control the ball by running it down our throats and using that to set up play action. That will make many think our linebackers are weak and that we should blitz more.
The real problem is a weak Dline that can not control the opponent’s run game and can not pressure with four.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
CAN’T STAND THE JUMP PASS!
Garcia always looked filled with panic, running around candlestick with lit fuse in his arse! ALWAYS… ALWAYS, no matter how many games he won hated his style of play… Just looks rediculous on the field. Hill looks pretty dang wierd in the pocket toom but at least he keeps his feet planted LOL.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
AZ: I’m sure his coaching staff and teammates and 95 percent of fans didn’t care about his happy feet while he was winning games and going to Pro Bowls …
you can find a reason not to like ANYBODY if you dig deep enough. My question is, why dig? He’s a friggin Raider! Tons of Raider fans are eager to slam Garcia, but if Russell gets hurt or does a face plant you guys will be his biggest fans. makes no sense to me. you’ve never even seen him play for us in a game yet and you’re already critical of the man.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 am
Sorry RR,
Get no love for Garcia from me other than the tremendous work ethics and leadership he brings. Rather not find out what he can do on the field. Russell is our franchise guy, I’m sticking with him until he proves he can’t do it for us. If he can’t, I don’t stick another vet in there, I draft another one and start again. No more old vets!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Sorry, i meant to say i like Garcia, just not as a football player
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
RRS, saw him play to much last year, the guy 39 be 40 by midseason. Doesn’t excite me. I would rather see a Frye even AW if he’s still here. At least Farve has an arm. All Garcia has is an ego. It’s different for 1 or 2 games over a 5-6 game stretch put someone else.
Also the chance of Russell doing a face plant is very remote. If he were going to fall flat you would definitely have seen it last year. He had every excuse to do so and he just got better.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Is D.J. Hall still on the team?
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 am
Rockstar,
Schilens and JLH performed well in actual NFL games. Therefore, they have an advantage over those who have not played a snap in the NFL. As for Javon Walker, he is still on the team because of his “guaranteed” contract.
Schilens, thankfully, is one of Cable’s guys. He plays tough, is physical, can stretch the field, can make tough catches, take a hit etc….He will be your #1 receiver going into the season. JLH averaged 4 catches a game and had TD catches in each of the last 3 gms as a WR. He also had a 4gm catch against S.D earlier in the year.
JLH was victimised like Michael Bush. Sitting on the bench because of so-called “veteran” experience b.s.
JLH is in his 3rd yr. The game will slow down for him.
And that’s no Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid is expecting some rookie wide receiver to step in and dominate in his 1st yr. The rookies won’t beat out JLH or Chaz…and the Raiders will be better off for it.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
Truth is…wide receivers emerge from all over the draft and are difficult to project to the NFL.
***
great point S&B. QB & WR are difficult transitions to make for most raw talents going from college to the pros. polished players or guys going players with great coaching & leadership often make earlier strides. Russell & Higgins are both heading into Year 3 and Year 3 is often times when players bust on the scene and show that they are finally ready to make an impact and be difference makers
let’s hope that the coaching turnover and added competition hasn’t slowed their progress
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Doesn’t excite me. I would rather see a Frye even AW if he’s still here.
***
Frye, Gradkowski or Walter over Garcia would make us the dumbest team in America!
Even if Garcia was 50, he’d be an upgrade over these clowns … I respect your opinion most of the time Priest, but that was a really dumb comment
It’s one thing to start potential (Russell) over production (Garcia). It’s a whole different thing to start scrubs over production!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 am
priesttj Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
RRS, saw him play to much last year, the guy 39 be 40 by midseason. Doesn’t excite me. I would rather see a Frye even AW if he’s still here. At least Farve has an arm. All Garcia has is an ego. It’s different for 1 or 2 games over a 5-6 game stretch put someone else.
Also the chance of Russell doing a face plant is very remote. If he were going to fall flat you would definitely have seen it last year. He had every excuse to do so and he just got better.
=======================================================
Agreed! 100%
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
[...] Read more. [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Schilens and JLH performed well in actual NFL games. Therefore, they have an advantage over those who have not played a snap in the NFL.
***
so in your theory …
the donks should have started Brandon Stokley or Darrell Jackson instead of Eddie Royal.
the eagles should have started Reggie Brown or Kevin Curtis instead of Desean Jackson.
the rams should have started Dane Looker or Dante Hall instead of Donnie Avery.
right ???
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
RaiderRockstar Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Schilens and JLH performed well in actual NFL games. Therefore, they have an advantage over those who have not played a snap in the NFL.
***
so in your theory …
the donks should have started Brandon Stokley or Darrell Jackson instead of Eddie Royal.
the eagles should have started Reggie Brown or Kevin Curtis instead of Desean Jackson.
the rams should have started Dane Looker or Dante Hall instead of Donnie Avery.
=======================================================
No, depends on what happens in training camp. I am saying that Schilens and JLH have an initial head start. They’ve seen NFL defenses and have played with Russell.
If D-HB, Murphy or Walker can beat out Schilens or JLH then so be it. I am saying that in my humble opinion, JLH and Schilens will beat those other guys out in camp and be the starters for the entire year.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
Eagles win the SB? Sorry, it is going to be the Patriots. They have reloaded big time.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Rockstar,
Schilens and JLH are 2nd and 3rd year players. You can’t really compare them with guys on the back-end of their careers like Stokely, Jackson, Looker and Hall who everyone knows what their max potential is.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Rockstar,
As for Jeff Garcia. He can make a nice back-up if he stops popping off to the media.
Teh problem I have with him being a starter is this. Teams don’t get rid of good QBs. This guy hasn’t been able to stick anywhere. Why? And what makes you so sure he will turn on the lights in Oakland?
Sounds like Art Shell talking about Aaron Brooks.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:51 am
depends on what happens in training camp.
***
exactly. If Walker & Heyward-Bey are healthy, they will start. If Schilens & Higgins were good enough to be the #1 & #2 WR’s then why not cut Walker? Why draft 2 WR’s when we have needs on the OL & DL? They are counting on Walker to return to form (before injury) and they are counting on DHB to be an impact receiver – a #1 WR. You don’t pass on Crabree, Monroe, Raji, etc to draft a guy that you feel can give you 10-20 catches in a season as your 3rd or 4th WR.
Al Davis said what he said in the presser because he didn’t want to tip his hand in the draft. you think Davis really cares about sharing his honest opinion to the media? He hates the media!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
BTW,
As a rule…I generally don’t like playing veteran QBs over young developmental QBs unless you have a veteran team poised for a Super Bowl run.
The problem with veterans…especially guys in their 30’s is that the guy probably has a couple of years left of productive football. That’s why the Raiders have been stumbling for so long. Even when they hit with Gannon…he could only give them a couple of good years….then nothing…and the beginnning of this darkness for 6 yrs.
Great teams have the same QB at the helm for a decade or so. That’s what the Raiders are trying to accomplish with Russell.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Schilens and JLH are 2nd and 3rd year players. You can’t really compare them with guys on the back-end of their careers
***
Chris in NY : S&B said guys who have “performed well in actual NFL games” which describes the players I listed. None of those guys were busts, they are depth players who have had some good & decent games in their careers (just like Chaz & JLH)
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
RaiderRockstar Says:
If Walker & Heyward-Bey are healthy, they will start. If Schilens & Higgins were good enough to be the #1 & #2 WR’s then why not cut Walker? Why draft 2 WR’s when we have needs on the OL & DL? They are counting on Walker to return to form (before injury) and they are counting on DHB to be an impact receiver – a #1 WR. You don’t pass on Crabree, Monroe, Raji, etc to draft a guy that you feel can give you 10-20 catches in a season as your 3rd or 4th WR.
Al Davis said what he said in the presser because he didn’t want to tip his hand in the draft. you think Davis really cares about sharing his honest opinion to the media? He hates the media!
=======================================================
Al Davis drafts the best athlete available regardless of position. You know this. Javon Walker is being kept around because they have to pay him. They probably try to cut him if not for the RIDICULOUSLY bloated salary given to him. His contract no longer demands playing time. Especially given that he was unproductive last year.
Why draft 2 WRs. Again, the Raiders like to draft athletes and fit them in. Look at the draft history Rockstar….which we have gone over before….Louis Murphy was a 4th round pick….SO WAS ARMAN SHIELDS AND JOHN BOWIE. If Murphy contributes that fine.
Hell, the Raiders drafted DMAC with the 4th overall and Bush with a 4th rounder….who’s the starter?
Cable will hopefully put the best players on the field. Schilens is a Cable guy and JLH proved he can score touchdowns. Camp will be interesting
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
what makes you so sure he will turn on the lights in Oakland?
Sounds like Art Shell talking about Aaron Brooks.
***
If you’re giving Andrew Walter and the OL a pass for 2006, you have to give one to Brooks as well.
Garcia accepted a backup role in Philly & Oakland. Worked out well in Philly, why not Oakland? He’s familiar with Paul Hackett. He’s from Gilroy, played for the 49ers, etc. If you saw Andrew Walter start and play against the Carolina Panthers while Russell was injured you wouldn’t complain about having this 39 year old as your backup – no matter what questions the media asks him.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
RR
Because it was a draft for 2010 season and beyond.
How many throws did JR have his rookie season?
What about Bush? Nnamdi?
The Raiders are not rushing their kids.
The Raiders are building from the outside in. I don’t like it because I think it takes longer to win that way.
If you have the patience it can yield some very strong teams similar to the Cowboys with Aikman et al.
DHB will certainly play as will Walker. Don’t expect any WR on this team to catch more than 30-40.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Javon Walker is being kept around because they have to pay him. They probably try to cut him if not for the RIDICULOUSLY bloated salary given to him.
***
Al Davis doesn’t care about money paid to players, just coaches. See DeAngelo Hall, Gibril Wilson, Kwame Harris & Tommy Kelly for example … 3 out of 4 are done after fat contracts and only 1 season. Hall only lasted 8 games!
so how do you know how the Raiders feel about Javon? give me a link to something where Al or Tom say they are keeping him around only because it’s cheaper than cutting him loose. Is it because he’s injury prone? No. Davis isn’t afraid to take a chance on them either … you have no basis for these comments other than “your opinion” so why spout it off as fact ???
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
RRS, Garcia’s age to me is bad his play is worse. Garcia could be 20 and if he played as bad as he did last year I wouldn’t want him.
He age just cements it for me he aint going to get any better. You’re thinking about Garcia 5-6 years ago he cwas good then he aint now. As I said I’d prefer Frye.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Charlie,
You are right. The Raiders tend to draft for the longer term. Don’t agree with it…but that’s Al’s philosophy.
The Raiders drafted D-HB over Monroe, Raji, Rey and others for two reasons:
1. The Raiders like players on the roster (Henderson, Kelly/Warren/Sands, Morrison, Alston/Brown) and didn’t feel they needed upgrades at those positions.
2. D-HB was the most explosive physical talent on the board. The Raiders believe that with coaching and experience he can develop to fit their system.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
RaiderRockstar,
Al Davis might not care about salaries…but he HAS to care about the salary cap.
The Raiders were in a bind. Had they cut Walker, the cap implications were something like $10million or so. However, if the Raiders had cut Walker…Walker would have been out money. Hence the compromise. The Raiders reduce the cap impact and Walker can still get paid.
Walker will be allowed to compete. But unless he goes lights out…I don’t think anyone will be trying to do him any favors to get on the field.
I wonder how Cable felt about finding out about the Spring knee surgery after the fact?
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Because it was a draft for 2010 season and beyond.
***
False. Al Davis wants to win now. always has. he said he won’t step down as GM until we win 3 more Super Bowls. He’s 80 years old, I doubt he’s biding his time
and as for Russell? we had a balanced offense last year. I posted the pass attempts/rush attempts earlier this morning
Kiffin was the one using the “training wheels” approach
the Cable regime brought in youngsters Higgins, Schilens, Henderson, etc. Gave Russell more pass attempts. Gave DB’s Eugene & CJ a chance to play despite the highly paid Huff & Hall back there.
If Cable/Davis weren’t afraid to play the young guys last year, what makes you think they will this year?
We already promised to add more Bush in the ground attack and forced Fargas to take a paycut …
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Al Davis might not care about salaries…but he HAS to care about the salary cap.
***
the Raiders are (and were) well under the cap. The only reason we didn’t go crazy with free agent signings this year is because that approach failed last year. Like you said, the Raiders would be stupid not to ask Javon to take a paycut after paying him like a Top 10 WR and getting next to nothing for it. He owes them. That doesn’t mean they aren’t counting on him to make plays this year or enter the season as a starter. He was a starter last year (before injury) and Cable said you don’t lose your job to injury in Oakland. We’ve seen that year after year with Burgess & Fargas …
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
If Walker can resume form to which hell he hasnt gotten much wear and tear the last 2 years then we have a blessing. The dude was nice for the donks but he lost focus. Lets hope he re-emerges as a reformed/refined Raider.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
# RaiderRockstar Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Schilens and JLH are 2nd and 3rd year players. You can’t really compare them with guys on the back-end of their careers
***
Chris in NY : S&B said guys who have “performed well in actual NFL games” which describes the players I listed. None of those guys were busts, they are depth players who have had some good & decent games in their careers (just like Chaz & JLH)
——————–
Yeah, but Chaz and JLH are still young, developing players. It’s not like you’re not working toward the future by playing 23- or 24-year-old guys over 21-year-old guys. It’s not the same thing as benching those rookies and starting an average 35-year-old vet.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Man, I didn’t have much faith in Obama, but I didn’t think people would abandon him this quickly! Pretty soon every Prius in the nation is going to have a Clinton 2012 bumper sticker….
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:36 pm
[...] Warren Ah, the good ol’ Oakland Raiders. Beat writer Jerry McDonald says that right now Johnny Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens are slated to be the starting wide receivers for the Raiders. That means that they have a #7-overall pick (Darrius Heyward-Bey) and a big money [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
RR
Mr Davis has acknowledged we are not ready to win this year. He said it at the press conference when Cable was announced as head coach.
He is taking a very deliberate rebuilding approach and it started with JR after the disaster of 2006.
There is no way we are a pass first to the WR team in 2009. The offense is not built that way, JR is not ready.
We will take some shots down the field when the time is right but we will use our backs,TE and alot of two TE offense. WR will be run by committee with no one guy really standing out.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
dhitz71 Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
If Walker can resume form to which hell he hasnt gotten much wear and tear the last 2 years then we have a blessing. The dude was nice for the donks but he lost focus. Lets hope he re-emerges as a reformed/refined Raider.
=======================================================
The young players should be the leaders on the field. If Walker can help in certain situation then fine.
Its not enough to collect young talent…you have to get them on the field and let them play. Look at Zach Miller. He didn’t have to LEARN behind some cagey veteran.
Play the young guys and get on with it. Part of the reason the Raiders are in the hole has been a historical reliance on plodding veterans with little left in the tank
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Yeah, but Chaz and JLH are still young, developing players.
***
thats not the point.
S&B said guys who have “performed well in actual NFL games” which describes the players I listed.
you have a different argument all together
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Rockstar,
I will bet you that going into camp…JLH and Schilens will have a leg up early on. They have seen the field and performed in actual games.
Now if D-HB and Murphy outperform them in camp…then they get the nod. But I also bet they will have to beat them by a margin to be named starters on day 1.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
There is no way we are a pass first to the WR team in 2009. The offense is not built that way, JR is not ready.
We will take some shots down the field when the time is right but we will use our backs,TE and alot of two TE offense. WR will be run by committee with no one guy really standing out.
***
great post Charlie.
you had me all the way until “WR will be run by committee with no one guy really standing out.”
we have no way of knowing that! If Heyward-Bey, Murphy or Walker proves to be a consistant target and Russell and deliver an accurate ball, I’m sure Cable will try to call some plays and take advantage of that. Same goes for Higgins & Schilens.
and just so you know, I said “balanced” not pass-first. big difference
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Dang,
i go to lunch and your all heated arguing that everyone agrees with eachother is what I got
1. Chaz Schilens, starts and is our #1 guy all year.
2. JLH is our return guy and I hope he focuses on that, so what happened to Devin Hester doesn’t happen to him.
3. The 2nd WR spot should go to Walker, DHB, or Murphy. That should be the camp battle.
4. DHB is so freakin raw, I doubt he’ll be of any impact other than what Jerry illuded to above. He’ll make some huge deep plays for TD’s (but just a few) and he’ll force safties to back off clearing out the middle, but his play will be limited as he will be 1 demensional for his first NFL season.
Lets say DHB suprises me and he wins the #2 spot in camp/preseason, i think Murphy will be right there with him and the depth chart will read as such:
1. Schilens
2. Heyward-Bey
3. Murphy/Walker
4. JLH
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I will bet you that going into camp…JLH and Schilens will have a leg up early on.
***
it’s possible. why strip somebody of a starting job they held last year? they certainly weren’t weak links on the offense. Chemistry is important, but it’s not everything. Russell probably had better chemistry with Ronald Curry than Chaz Schilens, but who played better? Russell held his own passing camp and Louis Murphy attended. That should help chemistry. I didn’t hear whether or not Chaz or JLH did … I’m sure Davis will want Russell & DHB to get plenty of work in together. He drafted Russell/McFadden/Heyward-Bey/Miller to add firepower and be an explosive offense. Usually 3rd & 7th round picks are guys you draft for depth, special teams or potential. nobody expects them to be pro bowlers, captains or difference makers, but every team needs role players
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
JR’s Fav targets:
1- Miller
2- DMC
3- Chaz
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I got tons of work to do. I didn’t mean to spend this much time on this discussion, but it was fun
you all have a great day … i’ll be back if I can get all my work done early
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I won’t be surprised if DMC was 2nd on the team in catches.
Miller will lead the team in catches!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Later RR.
AZ,
Where you at Whinner supporter? lol
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I hate the whinners, but not more than the Dischargers!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
JLH – avg. 4 receptions 56 yds and 1TD in the last 3 gms. He also had a 4 catch gm earlier in the year.
Sounds like a good number 2 receiver.
Plus big play capability to go with that.
Don’t count the kid out yet….and don’t paint him into the return man corner.
I am sure he wants to make money. Receivers make money…not kick returners
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Where is Whinner supporter?
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
RR
You are correct that I am making the assumption that no one guy will seperate himself from the pack in 2009 at WR.
Given the youth of the players at WR (except Walker)and the fact that the position will not be emphasized in 2009, it seems doubtful that one of these guys is going to get a disproportionate amount of playing time at the expense of others.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Our o-line will not allow the WRs to get big numbers. We downgraded the C position with Satele, Cooper regressed badly last season and may continue to do so, Green at RT is a disaster and Barnes may not be much better based on last year’s numbers, and Henderson still has a lot to prove.
Thank god we solidified the WR spot in the draft though, lol.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
AZ,
lol
He must have left. Too Bad!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Dakota,
Have you seen Satele play? How do you know we downgraded?
Do you get Miami games in SD?
lol
I just wanted to know what it’s like to be a Troll! sorry. lol
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Alight O,
No more 9er gabb from me… After all, you know where my heart lies
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
AZ,
Next to your Jar!!!
lol
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Being a Troll is Fun, we should all Troll.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Settle down Raider O before I bust you over the head with empirical data….
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
There is no way we are a pass first to the WR team in 2009. The offense is not built that way, JR is not ready.
—————————————————–
Say what?!?!?!
How do you know this? What offense are we running?
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Satele is NOT a downgrade …
He is much better than John Wade, who would have been playing 2/3 of the games Grove missed with some silly injury!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Cooper, like Warren, had a serious injury in the Buffalo game. Instead of sitting out, he continued to play. You guys just don’t realize how banged up this team was, and we STILL won 5 games.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Dakota,
I know you have empirical data on all of us, it’s part of your job with the agency.
You can do better!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Man Jhill, you have an excuse for all our schitty players, lol. Oh, he had a boo boo, leave him alone!!!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Dakota,
You are our big brother, and you keep us safe from all the terr@ists AKA Trolls.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Jhill
DMAC, Miller, Bush and Fargas.
Alot of two TE like we played aganst Tampa when we were down TEN with eleven minutes to play.
Throw short to DMAC. Line DMAC up in the slot.
Jr was not a four year starter like the Mannings in college. There is no way he will be pushed to be a “savior” in what amounts to his second year as a starter.
Eli won with a run first team with the Giants. Before that he was a “bust”.
Baltimore led the league in rushing attempts with Flacco.
The Falcons pounded it with Turner to help Ryan.
Way too much evidence to suggest anything other than the “vertical game” taking a back seat in 2009.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Wrong guy Dakota,
I already have Cooper replace in the starting lineup with McQuistan. But are you really telling me that the “boo boos” to Warren and Carlisle last year were no big deal and shouldn’t have impacted their play?
Excuses?
Aside from the continuing saga of coach Lane Kiffin, the most significant news had to do with injuries which could cost the Raiders two starters for their game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday at the Coliseum.
Defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who has been Oakland’s most dominant interior defender, has a torn pectoral muscle (it was originally identifed as a neck injury against the Bills). Right guard Cooper Carlisle, who left the game against the Bills and returned, has an ankle injury and may not practice this week.
While most coaches do their best to mask the seriousness of injuries, here is what Kiffin said regarding the Raiders two injured players.
Regarding Warren: “That could be a serious issue for us.”
Regarding Carlisle: “It’s bad.”
Not coincidentally, with Warren out of the game, the Raiders faded down the stretch against the Bills. That leaves Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands as the two remaining tackles. Kiffin also counts Fred Wakefield as a third tackle, but in reality Wakefield is a tight end/offensive lineman/defensive end who only recently began playing tackle.
The Raiders can also move Jay Richardson inside.
If Warren’s injury is for the longterm, the Raiders will be on the lookout for available tackles. It is doubtful anyone could be brought in this week to have an impact.
Carlisle was replaced in the lineup by Chris Morris, who would assume the starting role if Carlisle can’t play.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
DMAC was on the sideline while we where down 10pts 11 mins left.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
AZ
They had a gadget play with Bush throwing deep to Watkins for pass interference.
They ran the ball about 80 percent of the fourth quarter with Bush.
Your point?
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
AZ Raider Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
DMAC was on the sideline while we where down 10pts 11 mins left.
=======================================================
Yeah, Ian Eagle said it best at 1:07 on the clip:
“Bush is in the backfield as the running back because Fargas has a knee injury and McFadden has an ankle injury.”
“1st down and 10, Bush good block by Cornell Green he got by…Oh there he goes, look at this run, chased by Barber, Chased by Buchanon….and he’s in for the touchdown……a 67 yard sprint! and the Raiders have recaptured the lead!”
“Breaking one tackle after another”
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-air-and-ground-players-of-the-week/09000d5d80db1052/WK-17-Michael-Bush-highlights
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
just that he wasnt on the field… i thought you said that. He and fargas were both injured for the 2nd half of play.
that gadget play was sick! A little more on it, a little sooner = TD. PI worked though
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
VETERAN LEADERSHIP?
Get off it people.
Being OLD doesn’t make you wise, a good teacher or a good leader.
Walker is a doofus who a whole one year ago showed Chazz and JLH how to a) get your melon cracked in Vegas, b) retire until a senile owner pays you to waste a roster spot and just act retired.
The guy was a crybaby in GB and Denver before that.
THAT’S YOUR LEADERSHIP? OMG people think then type!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Jhill, so you think McQuistan will supplant Cooper at LG, but you gave Cooper an out for 2008 because of an ankle injury….hmmm, can’t have it both ways. Either Cooper is declining and will be replaced or Cooper is now healthy and back to his 2007 form, which would easily place him ahead of McQuistan.
Besides, the coaching staff came out and said McQuistan was better on the left side, so he will be backing up Gallery and will only be used at RG if Cooper is injured.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Jhill, so you think McQuistan will supplant Cooper at RG, but….my bad
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
….not sure why you even bothered to mention G. Warren…that guy is perpetually injured with the occasional decent game….not a player we can EVER count on.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
It seems as if Chazz will hold on as a possession guy while JLH and DHB battle for the flanker deep ball spot. Murphy is better suited to be a #3 slot guy or a Chazz type so I don’t see him battling DHB or JLH per se.
WR is actually two different positions SE and FL with different roles.
While Chazz and JLH have potential (story of all Raiders) they have hardly proven to be #1 guys – yet.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
AZ
Fargas and Dmac were both out and we still pounded it with one guy while down by ten.
My earlier point is that with the weapons we have at TE and RB we will see JR throwing short to medium distances and handing off or pitching out alot.
We will take our shots down field but we will NOT be a deliberate passing team. We will use the run to set up the pass.
My sense is that some belive that since we have Hackett and Tollner and we drafted DHB we will return to the days of Daryle Lamonica.
No way.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I know Dakota .. I just like the Mullet. I think he should be starting based on the way he played RT the year before last. That left side think makes ZERO sense.
Mentioned Gerrard W because I think that’s the only other player I gave an “excuse” for, and you had an s on the end of player.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
So far in Jerry’s breakdowns -
UNPROVEN POTENTIAL -
QB Russell
RB DMAC / Bush
WR – All of them
Proven Player of NFL caliber
TE – Miller
The sad thing is entering last season all the same names were on the unproven list. People showed flashes but nobody stepped up and consistently showed they were NFL talent the way Miller has.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
perpetually injured???
Como?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Jhill, I agree about McQuistan playing well at RT back in 2007….that is why it stuck in my mind when the staff stated he was better suited for the left side of the line…strange.
I am all for whatever makes us better…you know, like benching Fargas, Green, Huff, Burgess, etc etc etc
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
jhill Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
perpetually injured???
Como?
________________________
You know…continually, eternally, always, unendingly etc
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Benching Huff???
Como?
For who?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Good post Charlie.
People don’t realize a “verticle team” may take a shot deep once a quarter. The NFL isn’t Madden EAsyplay where you can throw deep every play and win.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
For anyone that can make a play?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Thankfully Huff was already benched…whew…
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Ohhh … Now I understand!
But … That does not really apply, right? I’m no doctor but tearing your pectoral muscle, and continuing to play Dline in the NFL should not translate to perpetually injured. Maybe he should have ignored team doctors, as should McFadden and all the other injured players. I think he would have been remembered better if he just sat out 6 games instead of toughing it out. People used to get credit for playing hurt, now they get bashed for “underachieving”, lol!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
…although, on Huff, I still hold out hope Marshall can undo any damage Rob Fukin’ Ryan may have done to him and salvage some form of useful player out of the #7 pick…not much hope, but just a little…not that Marshall is some great D-coordinator, but he couldn’t be worse than Ryan trying to coach a 4-3 right????
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Another insightful post from the Coach himself. Thanks for enlightening us all, as usual.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Talk about having it both ways Dakota …
Was Huff ever in position to make a play in Rob Ryan’s defense?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Man! Our group of WRs still scare me mainly because there is not a veteran presance within the group.
Walker does not count he is a wild card and nothing tells me this guy is reliable. He is always cool, saying the right things until the season starts. As soon as things gets a little shaky this guy trips out. Not to mention his knees are toast!!! When ever a guy has to sneak to get his knees scoped you know something is up man.
Does anyone know if Amani Toomer is still an available free agent? He could teach DHB a thing or two about selling routes.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
WILL RUSSELL BE A DEEP THREAT?
The biggest problem we have in terms of big play WRs is our QB.
Too often JR completes passes but he does it in a way that kills any run after the catch. He throws high, low or behind guys so they rarely catch the ball in stride. His seam passes to JLH v. Buffalo and Miller for 56 yards are how he needs to be doing it. If DHB has to stop to catch the ball all that speed is wasted.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Toomer is availible…
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Jhill, always willing to hand out excuses, lol. Warren has had two major injuries in two seasons with the Raiders…so what if he played through one, he was still injured and didn’t play up to his potential, just like he has done his ENTIRE CAREER….can’t count on him on a weekly basis and you know it.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
If there is one pass Russell can throw, it’s the streak… The wheel down the sideline is a weak point.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Good point Coach on Wheels!
I am still not sure what kind of WR DHB is yet.
He is fast but I also saw in college he could get physical on a # of plays as well. He has a big frame for a 4.3 40 guy.
————————————————–
Coach on Wheels Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
It seems as if Chazz will hold on as a possession guy while JLH and DHB battle for the flanker deep ball spot. Murphy is better suited to be a #3 slot guy or a Chazz type so I don’t see him battling DHB or JLH per se.
WR is actually two different positions SE and FL with different roles.
While Chazz and JLH have potential (story of all Raiders) they have hardly proven to be #1 guys – yet.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
It’s a great day to be a Raiders fan. Isn’t it?
Pass-heavy or run-heavy Offense? Obviously, a “balanced” attack is the season-long ideal…but, there are times when a 50-50 run/pass balance just doesn’t fit individual games/situations.
We don’t even know what our main Offensive strengths are yet — basically, a sophomore class of RB’s are assumed to be it — but it’s entirely possible that the receiving corps could be it, if Chaz, JLH and the young guys are as good as we all hope (and soon).
One thing’s for sure — Whether a game calls for 40-passes & 20-runs, or 20-passes & 40-runs…JaMarcus better be ready to manage that game. If, by the Bye-week, he’s not ready to carry the team when called upon, having a balanced Offense won’t matter…and we’re in BIG trouble.
Fragile stuff, molding a franchise QB.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
What was Warren’s injury the year before?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Jhill – I agree that Cooper is not a lock to start given the team released him during the offseason. Of course since they brought him back I guess they don’t see much in McQ.
I thought McQ played well when given the chance. Not sure why he can’t get by Cooper or Green at RT. This year could be his big chance with Cooper dropping off and RT wide open.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Jhill, I am not wasting anymore of my time talking about Warren…he missed 4 games the year we got him, you can look it up yourself if you would like….just another crap player we are depending on at a key position.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
CJ,
Veterans are only good if they can play. Who mentored Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald?
Who is mentoring Calvin Johnson?
The Raiders can do themselves a favor and play the young players and let them make mistakes and develop.
This team is not going to the Super Bowl…so the team better be developing along the way.
2007 was a complete waste of time with McCown/Culpepper/Porter/Sapp etc….
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
The problem with our Dline is we really do not have any good, durable NFL talent.
Ellis will help but Burgess has always had injury problems going back to his days in Philly.
Everyone else is a castoff, undrafted free agent or day two draft pick. Far too many projects.
Maybe next year we can draft a DT with one of our first two picks.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
What kind of team keeps a loser like Walker? Oh, yea, we do.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
The Raiders can do themselves a favor and play the young players and let them make mistakes and develop.
This team is not going to the Super Bowl…so the team better be developing along the way.
***
YES S&B !!! start Heyward-Bey!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
COW is mostly right about Javon Walker as a leader. Mostly.
Whether or not we like the fact that Javon has done some immature and flat-out stupid things…Javon was a Pro-Bowl WR, and (when not hurt) he has shown receiving skills teams drool over. He has shown that talent in the NFC and the AFC, with different QB’s and systems…and he knows things about playing WR that only veterans know (that only GOOD veterans know).
So, regardless of how much $$ the guy makes, or whether or not we “like” the guy, the things he brings to practice/film room make him an asset for the young guys. Even if the young WR’s blow-away everybody, and there is no room for Javon on the team (read: regardless of cap consequences)…the young guys have plenty of FOOTBALL to learn from Javon Walker. (And from his off-field negatives, too…but we know those aren’t lessons we like coming from their own teammates.)
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I try to stay optimistic but when we talk (like today) about guys like Walker, Warren, McQuistan and Huff needing to step up or vying to start it shows how little real talent this team has…
Of all those guys Cooper Carlisle is the only proven starter and he got no interest from other teams when we released him. How many of our starters would start for 50% of the NFL teams? Gallery, Miller, Aso, Howard, Morrison (if moved to OLB), and Lechler? Throw in Jano and you’ve got 7 proven starters out of 24 spots.
What are the odds all 16 other guys are going to step up? Same as last year?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
oops 17 other guys bad math.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
AZ Raider Says:
If there is one pass Russell can throw, it’s the streak… The wheel down the sideline is a weak point.
———————————-
Actually, AZ — Russell showed last year his touch is a major problem. Throwing a “streak” wasn’t a JaMarcus strong point last year — simply heaving it downfield did not work, no matter who was running-down the ball. JaMarcus over- and under-threw plenty of guys streaking downfield last year. No single pass pattern stands out as his strength (although ZMiller in the seam sure looks like it could be special!).
JaMarcus can make ALL the throws…but, can he make all the throws, to the right places, with the right amount of touch?
Yeah, methinks he’ll have it all figured out soon.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Oh Hayes I don’t deny that there is a microscopic chance Walker will be a decent WR. He will NOT be a mentor or leader however. Cris Carter was a mentor for Moss. No matter how good he is, Moss joins guys like TO in the “no leadership / mentoring” catagory.
BTW – Walker used SPEED to go to the pro bowl five(?) years ago a three knee surgeries ago. He has really had TWO seasons in his career he put up #1 WR numbers and the Denver year was two surgeries ago. I’ll be pleasantly shocked if plays in 8 games this year and has 400 yards.
Frankly, I’d rather see our youngsters learn by doing than wasting time with Walker.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
y’all have a great night now. ya hear?
till tomorrow … same time, same place
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hayes…
Can’t say I ever saw anyone but Watkins run a streak pattern where they actually got the ball thrown to them and it was Bush who threw that pass for PI call in TB. But I can tell you Russell and his #1 at LSU had the steak perfected. Problem is, we had no reliable reciever to go run the streak down. We drafted that guy, and got another in the 4th.
That play we run all day with Miller, well that’s not a seam, its an in pattern and he also catches the short post, but regardless what you call it, it works well.
I stand by my statement that Russell CAN and WILL throw the streak nicely.
The wheel pattern we like to run with DMAC up the sidline? He needs to work on that or he’s gonna get someone seriouly injured or picked off. He puts way too much air under that ball.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
What needs to happen, is Coach Cable needs to call plays for DHB in the red zone or just outside the red zone when he has one on one coverage and have him get a chance at scoring some TD’s early in the season to get DHB’s confidence going early on.
He also needs to some WR screens for him and give some over the top balls to go up and grab.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
DK,
forgot about DHB’s jump ball… I agree he better be in there in every redzone situation.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Coach on Wheels Says:
Oh Hayes I don’t deny that there is a microscopic chance Walker will be a decent WR. He will NOT be a mentor or leader however. Cris Carter was a mentor for Moss. No matter how good he is, Moss joins guys like TO in the “no leadership / mentoring” catagory.
———————————————
Carter was mentor to Moss? This is the same Randy Moss that “shoved” a traffic cop all the way down the street with his car…while Carter was his mentor?
Some mentor.
Mentoring isn’t just preaching “values” (whatever that means) at kid. Mentoring is…how to play…how to run…when to run…how to deke…how to cut…where to cut…WHO to cut on…WHO to cheat on…WHO to run on…and so on all the way down the line. Most coaches don’t know all those things, unless they’ve played at a high level and/or against the same defenders they’re “teaching” our guys about.
Coach, I know you’re a better than average coach, I believe it anyway. But, assuming you’re a real coach and not just a name, you must admit that there are guys on ALL teams that aren’t saints, and who maybe aren’t contributing the way they are expected to. Those things do not make those guys automatically disposable.
To discard a talent like Javon Walker before it’s proven he’s done would be foolish (especially with the already-spent investment). And to assume he has no more to offer, just because of his stupid behavior on his own time, would be a mistake.
No sweet way to say it, it works both ways for players/owners: Use the guy for everything you can before you discard him.
Let the young kids play!! I’m all for it, always have been. But, don’t just throw the WR kids onto the field without a little more inside info…or they won’t be more than flashes this year…
…as opposed to the season-long contributors we want at least one of them to be in his rookie year. Walker could be valuable, even if he gets beat out.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
AZ — The TE FINDS the seam…he’s not “sitting” on either of those routes…
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
NEW POST HAYES
July 24th, 2009 at 5:49 am
[...] Here’s a bold prediction: The Raiders will get more production from their receivers this season. Inside the Raiders [...]
July 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Dear Jamarcus Russell,
In a year where all the TV analysts are saying this is your make or break season I disagree. Typically the rule is 3 years before the “bust” tag can be applied and your first year didn’t count because of the hold-out. That contract is done, feed and house your family well and give us fan-family what we deserve; A Super Bowl!! Not this year, no pressure but in time? Yes, I believe in you.
So as a big fan of yours and an active member of the Raider Nation I have to ask you: ARE YOU READY? Are you ready to quiet the critics? Are you ready to handle the media? And most important are you ready to be the LEADER of the Oakland Raiders for the next 15 seasons? In the huddle, in the locker room, off and on the field, down by 7 with 1:32 in the 4th? ARE YOU READY?
Your skill is a gift, a god-given gift that was given to you for the purpose of winning and entertaining. And you ARE a RAIDER, so let’s do this huh? I don’t know yet if they gave you that right tools to be a true passer with DHB. Khalif Barnes etc..but only time will tell. And Garcia? They just put him there to light your fire. That’s all. You are the starter for now, but listen to Jeff because he has been around the block a few times seeing that he is 39 years old and all. But also know this, you are 24 years old right? You have your whole life ahead of you, don’t you want to go to the hall of fame some day? I think it’s possible but you need to apply yourself as a leader NOW! That’s where it starts.
While critics say what they say about you, they rarely mention the positive. Never have a seen you blame your WR’s or your O-line men, or slag off your team mates in the media (think Ryan Leaf), You seem to be accountable on the field. Never mind the big arm, that’s just something you already have. You were born to do this.
This season understand this; our defense against ranks worst against the run, and this will not allow you much time to even be on the field as teams will again know to simply eat up the clock on the Raiders by running the ball over and over. This was not addressed in the off season. The schedule is also VERY difficult. This means that 2-6 by mid-season is very possible. But it won’t be your fault necessarily , the organization is to blame for not putting the right people in place. Garcia will come in, he’ll win a couple games and the analysts will go crazy. Warren Sapp will be beaming with arrogance (even though he praised you a few months ago, what’s wrong with that dude?), and people will say “I told you so” BUT they will be wrong. I know there is greatness in you, I know you are pro-bowl material, and I know you can take US to the Super Bowl.
So go into this season as the leader of the Oakland Raiders, hold your head up high, get the team to play for you and gather around you and respect you as a LEADER!!
-A true fan
July 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
[...] Camp analysis: Wide receivers – Inside The Oakland Raiders – A … [...]