Raiders could be thin in secondary
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 3:21 pm in Oakland Raiders.
News, notes and quotes Thursday as the Raiders prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens Sunday:
– The Raiders could be stretched ultra-thin in the secondary for the season finale.
Starting cornerback Chris Johnson was unable to practice after straining a hamstring in practice Wednesday, and safety Tyvon Branch was limited in practice with a hip flexor issue.
If Johnson can’t play, Stanford Routt can count on a full day of activity opposite of Nnamdi Asomugha. Rookie Mike Mitchell, whose role has increased in recent weeks, would step in for Branch. Branch’s condition will be re-evaluated Friday.
Those who could see increased role in nickel and dime packages depending on who is available would be Hiram Eugene, practice squad promotion Jerome Boyd and converted wideout Jonathan Holland.
– Upon further review, coach Tom Cable is getting in the Raiders spirit of the longstanding organizational belief that officials aren’t exactly evening things out when it comes to all things silver and black.
When asked about the flood of penalties late in the season, Cable said there really wasn’t much he could say to his team about it to try and make it better.
“It’s hard for me to say much about that because of the league rules but when it comes back that a number of them shouldn’t have been called by the head officials, it is what it is,” Cable said. “We coach it to not have those kind of things happen but when the report came back and said ‘No, no, no’ that’s a big deal.”
Asked if this was a relatively recent trend _ the Raiders had 13 penalties against Cleveland and 14 against Washington _ Cable said, “It’s been typical.”
What Cable has done is lecture his team about dealing with the calls, such as they are.
“We did talk about that, staying composed, staying in the game, don’t worry about those things, making plays, getting a lead, playing with a lead, it all seems to take care of itself when you’re doing those things,” Cable said.
– Left guard Langston Walker’s ankle wasn’t stable enough for him to go through practice, making it likely Chris Morris would be the starter.
On its face, with Morris being some 60 pounds lighter than Walker, it would appear to be big matchup advantage for the Ravens with Kelly Gragg at center and Haloti Ngata at right tackle in the 3-4 defense.
– As the Raiders went through warmups before their last practice, a few players amused themselves by trying to hit teammates in the head with footballs.
“Last day of school,” said one as he looked to the sideline.
Cable’s assessment of J.P. Losman, who will finish his three game trial by throwing exactly one emergency pass in his first game against Denver: “He’s in here like the other guys studying, puts a lot of time into it so you see that part of it. He certainly makes sure he’s prepared to go. Unlike the first week when he had to get thrown in there, I think you can do some things with him.”
– It’s official. There will be no local television of the Ravens-Raiders game, the seventh consecutive blackout after a season-opening sellout against San Diego.
The last time the Raiders were blacked out seven times in a season was 1997, when they lost a televised Monday night opener against Kansas City and were blacked out the rest of the season.
Passing game coordinator Ted Tollner’s assessment of Cable’s job performance: “The main thing is, he’s consistent, he’s solid and you know what to expect every day, no matter when we’ve had a good ball game or when we’ve had one that’s been not so good, there’s been a consistency, especially with how he treats the players and how he demands of his staff. ‘Hey, we’re going to keep on pushing and we’re going to get this thing turned right.’ We believe it. Now, we haven’t done it yet, but we believe that we have made some progress.”
– Besides the $25,000 fined tight end Tony Stewart for “physical contact with an official,” defensive lineman Richard Seymour was docked $10,000 for hitting an opponent late after a play and Stanford Routt $5,000 for a head butt following a play.
– Incurable optimists, Bruce Gradkowski is your guy: “By this time next year, we’ll be practicing for the playoffs.”
– The Raiders have passed the Detroit Lions no longer have the NFL’s worst record since the start of the 2003 season. The Raiders are 29-82 during that span, the Lions 28-83. Detroit has won only two of its last 31 games.
Maybe they can put it on the front of their media guide next to “Team of the Decades.”
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December 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Deja-Vu all over again
December 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
And now, on to the upcoming draft…
December 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Trade talk too…
December 31st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Jerry maybe you can put your picture next to the word ‘FOOL’ in the dictionary.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Dont think that would be possible Priest, your picture is already there.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
The Raiders have passed the Detroit Lions no longer have the NFL’s worst record since the start of the 2003 season. The Raiders are 29-82 during that span, the Lions 28-83. Detroit has won only two of its last 29 games.
Maybe they can put it on the front of their media guide next to “Team of the Decades.”
December 31st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
The greatness of the Raiders lies where? Great job, Al. The ego is destroying the team, and your legacy. Al, pay the fare and hire a quality head coach and personnel men.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Cable making more excuses. The raiders are not good enough to over come the penalties, worst than that you let your players have a mental meltdown once it started to against them. Even some of Cable’s so- called team leaders lost it. These are more reasons that support dumping Cable.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:07 pm
At least Cable faced the media and took the heat. Self preservation does make one do strange things
December 31st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
No more of the likes of Lane Kiffin, Norv Turner, Marc Trestman, Joe Bugel, Mike White, and Art Shell. With the exception of Kiffin, the others all had one thing in common: they were weak yes men. Al, man up and hire a man, not a boy you bully
December 31st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
yeah happy new year 2u2 jerry
December 31st, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Florida Pete Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
raiderzmaverick Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’d rather have my nuts nibbled by rabid chipmunks then have to watch another 11 loss season next year….whoever is head coach.
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okay… well then…
let me wish you well in your support for another team…
December 31st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Please fire Cable for not starting Bush.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Priest tells Jerry to put his picture next to the word fool in the dictionary .
Dude tells Priest Jerry can’t do that because Priest’s picture is already occupying the space.
LOL.
That’s an old one Dude but still funny.
Happy new year nation and let’s raise a wee dram tonight to the Raiders.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Routt may be starting over CJ?
A practice squad wideout converted to DB in Holland may play nickel and dime situations? LMAO!
Can we just Forfeit!?!?
The freakin Browns D just destroyed us! This O line don’t stand a chance against a hungry B-more squad. I’m afraid to watch this mess on the field sunday.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:15 pm
CaptainBlack Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
No more of the likes of Lane Kiffin, Norv Turner, Marc Trestman, Joe Bugel, Mike White, and Art Shell. With the exception of Kiffin, the others all had one thing in common: they were weak yes men. Al, man up and hire a man, not a boy you bully
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You can’t put trestman in this group. All of the others had thier shot, trestman has not. His body of work says he is very good coordinator, who knows what kind of hc he wil make. There several others that could may be an interesting look. I’m Davis has his hook in the water.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
If Al hires Trestman as Head Coach, he will not get to the Superbowl. Al needs a hungry innovator, not a never was.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Al, dissent is good. Question boldly!
December 31st, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I would poke around Rex Ryan’s staff. Hell, Rex will be a fine HC. I wish Al had considered him, along with an OC. That would have been fun
December 31st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
As the Raiders went through warmups before their last practice, a few players amused themselves by trying to hit teammates in the head with footballs.
“Last day of school,” said one as he looked to the sideline
Shows the focus and leadership right here. Last day of school?! It’s freakin pathetic that these guys that make millions don’t take their job so seriously. Al will you please step down! This BS never ends.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:21 pm
[...] defensive backs Chris Johnson (hamstring) and safety Tyvon Branch (hip) could be in jeopardy of not playing against Baltimore on [...]
December 31st, 2009 at 6:34 pm
happy new year everybody
December 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
my crystal ball is telling me the final score of the game this weekend…
Ravens 10… Raiders -6…
don’t blame me… it’s the freaking ball…
but somehow it makes sense…
December 31st, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Does Al Davis ever stand up and take any responsibility?
He’s such a slimeball.
December 31st, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Actually I feel its going to be
Ravens 24… Raiders 13
Ravens wont blow us but they would keep running the ball until the clock ends.
December 31st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I don’t give 2 craps about penalties. They sug when they don’t exist and we get flagged but thats ALWAYS been traditional Raider ball. Love it, hate it, matters not, thats the way its been.
Real Raider teams overcome. real Raider teams communicate. Real Raider teams dominate.
Fix the O line in 2010.
Ray Rice makes the pro bowl. Ray Ray and Haloti Ngata (who made the pro bowl too) up against Chris Morris and Satele.
Fix the O line in 2010.
Schilens or Murphy need to step up. Fact is, Higgins hasn’t been good in Bey’s absence. He may be the next Curry…or goawd forbid Whitted…
Wouldn’t it be something if Russell got in and lit it up with Bey?
If Russell manages another game winning drive you have to start to think.
Now I’m meandering…
Go Raiders.
Merry New Year Raider Nation!~
December 31st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
SouthernStyle Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Routt may be starting over CJ?
A practice squad wideout converted to DB in Holland may play nickel and dime situations? LMAO!
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Routt says he prefers the outside to the nickle anyway with the sideline as a friend.
His game is all mental errors. This cat could play if focused.
Likely gone next year.
If I were him, I’d take the opportunity to showcase for a contract next year.
Take chances, go for it. What have you got to lose?
Big plays will make this thing turn around because big plays can mean big W’s and that brings confidence.
I think the Raiders play well against the Raivens this outing and even good enough to win…
December 31st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Two straight years I’ve started withg 300 dollars in my offshore sportsbook account. Last year I made 3000, if raiders win sun, I make 4000. I love my team, but jesus, I love getting plus 450 on the money line. Just a little upside in a down year.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
# priesttj Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Jerry maybe you can put your picture next to the word ‘FOOL’ in the dictionary.
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Class act to the end (of 09, that is). Period.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Happy New Year Jerry! Thank you and IBA for this blog. I spent a good amount of time here last year, and I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Happy New year Nation and thank you for your time. I enjoyed reading your posts.I wish the new year is better than the prev for all of us.
Happy New year Al & the Raiders. Thank you for another losing season, and I really hope next year is better for us.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Damn this courvoisier is tasting nice!!
Good job Va Tech, won dadddy some money. At the Luxor, completely shat-faced, and the just had dinner at this players club event. Saw Tyson and his wife, and some dude I was swearing to my wife is Derrick Fenner.
Happy New Year Nation!!!!
Fire Cable, draft Spikes and Javier Arenas, get rid of Jamarcus and play Bush CONSISTANTLY. RE-sign Seabass and Mario, let Routt and Green walk, and someone tell Darren you don’t get “style” yards, pick up your damn legs and run like a man.
Good night!!
December 31st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Happy New Year Nation!
Nnamdi21 i agree with you, Routt does play better at corner than covering the slot rec. He needs to prove himself for sure after a sluggish 2 years. 07 he had 35 tackles and 3 ints so hopefully he can save his job sunday, but i doubt it.
What cracks me up is we’re so thin at the DB position (which is Al’s specialty) and we have Holland and Bowie stepping in. Behind Nnamdi and CJ we have no depth, no shutdown corners, and CJ is not young. That’s why i believe Al will go CB in the 1st round this year, as much as i’d like to go DT or ML.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
why was darren mcfadden not tried out on kick returns this year?
December 31st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
^^^^ correct mcfadden should do kick return and punt returns! i dont care if it risk and injury hes injured all the time ANyways!
December 31st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Because McFadden fumbles.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR, NATION!!! let’s start this decade out right!
January 1st, 2010 at 12:18 am
Does Al Davis ever stand up and take any responsibility as GM?
He’s such a slimeball.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:17 am
[...] Read more. [...]
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Whats new thats a common thing on this team. All broke banged up and don’t have at least 6 wins to show for it it’s time to get rid of a good portion of these geriatric players! I always look for the next season to come but you know what I’m not this time the same ol raiders with the same ol players equals same ol record next year..