Murphy returns, but . . .
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, September 30th, 2010 at 1:08 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Wide receiver Louis Murphy was back on the field with his injured clavicle but looked something less than 100 percent.
During drills, Murphy ran a route down the left sideline at about three-quarter speed and raised only one arm in an unsuccessful attempt to catch the ball. He then removed his helmet and watched from near the end zone, later helping cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha with his daily stretching routine.
Murphy leads Raiders wide receivers with 15 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown, followed by Darrius Heyward-Bey (10 receptions, 140 yards).
The only other wide receivers with receptions are Yamon Figurs (2 receptions, 17 yards), who was waived after the opener, and Johnnie Lee Higgins (1 reception, 2 yards). Oakland hasn’t employed a lot of three-wide receiver sets, choosing to keep fullback Marcel Reece in the game and bringing in Khalif Barnes as an extra blocker rather than flooding the field with extra wide outs.
Higgins would be the receiver most likely to get extensive time should Murphy be unable to play.
Players who were suited up and went through some drills as practice began included defensive tackle Richard Seymour (hamstring) and cornerback Chris Johnson (ankle).
Those who weren’t present included left guard Robert Gallery (hamstring), defensive tackle John Henderson (foot), cornerback Walter McFadden (Hamstring), Schilens (knee), linebacker Ricky Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Travis Goethel (lower back).
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September 30th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
(No Raiders OL will ever be as bad as Art Shell’s crew in 2006. Interestingly, Al keeps alternating between OL specialists like Shell & Cable and offensive gameplanners like Norv Turner & Lane Kiffin… and the OL always stinks and the offensive gameplan is almost always a fizzle.)
Kawakami
September 30th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Man Murphy we need you
September 30th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Oakland hasn’t employed a lot of three-wide receiver sets, choosing to keep fullback Marcel Reece in the game and bringing in Khalif Barnes as an extra blocker rather than flooding the field with extra wide outs.
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Kind of a chicken and the egg thing here, but if you are only sending out two WR’s (and one is DHB) how many guys does the other team need in coverage? 3? 4 at max.
Your asking for 6-7 guys to be sent at the QB in those type of situations.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Damn straight we need Murphy! what the hell is up with Chaz? will we ever get an update Jerry? the guy is just taking up a roster spot. We all better pray Murphy is good to go on sunday or else need to prepare to put up 200+ yds on the ground
September 30th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
socalraider2408 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Damn straight we need Murphy! what the hell is up with Chaz? will we ever get an update Jerry? the guy is just taking up a roster spot. We all better pray Murphy is good to go on sunday or else need to prepare to put up 200+ yds on the ground
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McBush!!!
September 30th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Chaz wont be ready until week 7
September 30th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Chaz & N Miller, two roster spots for 2 years = 0 production.
Commitment to Excellence!
September 30th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Caz wont be ready in his lifetime. He will join A Shields in the recliner hall of fame.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
What was that? Nick Miller might actually get some playin time?
September 30th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Oakland hasn’t employed a lot of three-wide receiver sets, choosing to keep fullback Marcel Reece in the game and bringing in Khalif Barnes as an extra blocker rather than flooding the field with extra wide outs.
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Kind of a chicken and the egg thing here, but if you are only sending out two WR’s (and one is DHB) how many guys does the other team need in coverage? 3? 4 at max.
Your asking for 6-7 guys to be sent at the QB in those type of situations.
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well…if Cable didn’t have to keep the extra bodies in the backfield to cut down on the sacks, we could send more people down field.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
KKKell, thanks for flooding the blog with your daily diarrhea.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
To be honest I think the offense looks a lot better now than any other time during the STREAK. Not many 3 and outs and we at least see the red-zone. In years past we wouldnt even discuss the impact of a receiver.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
ItzSteve Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Oakland hasn’t employed a lot of three-wide receiver sets, choosing to keep fullback Marcel Reece in the game and bringing in Khalif Barnes as an extra blocker rather than flooding the field with extra wide outs.
*********************************
Kind of a chicken and the egg thing here, but if you are only sending out two WR’s (and one is DHB) how many guys does the other team need in coverage? 3? 4 at max.
Your asking for 6-7 guys to be sent at the QB in those type of situations.
__________________
well…if Cable didn’t have to keep the extra bodies in the backfield to cut down on the sacks, we could send more people down field.
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Does anyone think Hue will run more two rb sets? I think its called pro-form.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Also im afraid grads has used up all of his get out of jail free passes when it comes to turn overs. You know the texans are running tip drills and telling defenders to be ready because the ball is coming their way.
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You don’t think teams do this every week?
The guy has NEVER thrown more than one INT in a start for the Silver and Black. Enough with this “coulda-woulda-shoulda” mess. Campbell threw one in the STL game that hit a DB between the numbers, and it was dropped. You know why??
DB’s CANT CATCH!!! They drop INT’s every game, every week.
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Not again bra, if grads turns over the ball ( which he often has over the course of his career) we will lose to the texans. Why bring up Campbell, he will have no impact on this game from the bench. Yes coaches do make it a point of emphasis to the defense when a player is turn over prone like grads is. They put in extra work on stripping when they play fumblers, and extra work catching and catching tips when they play qb’s that throw a lot of ints. Common knowledge.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
# 8RaiderReign8 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
To be honest I think the offense looks a lot better now than any other time during the STREAK. Not many 3 and outs and we at least see the red-zone. In years past we wouldnt even discuss the impact of a receiver.
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I agree with this 100 percent, hue’s offense ( and we still havnt seen the real playbook because of our o-line), has been a huge improvement.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
The PPG v. PAPG are eerily similar over the last 8 years. The difference this year is the YPG, RYAPG, Red Zone appearances, which would take far too long to post.
Through 3 games…..
2010
52 points for
76 points against 1-2
2009
36 points for
57 points against 1-2
2008
60 points for
73 points against 1-2
2007
67 points for
83 points against 1-2
2006
27 points for
79 points against 0-3
2005
57 points for
76 points against 0-3
2004
67 points for
51 points against 2-1
2003
53 points for
76 points against 1-2
September 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
It seems like this team won’t be running on all cylinders until after the bye week.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
YPG, RYAPG, Red Zone appearances much, much better this year.
Just a few things to be cleaned up. Really.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
As for the Supreme Commander, even he said last year playoffs are unlikely and this year he is ‘cautiously optimistic,’ but unless we clean up the red zone stuff and make sure our DTs are healthy (Fat Albert, anyone?), we’re running a serious risk of the whole playoff-appearance-first-year-of-every-decade streak.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Passing game will hurt without Murphy in there. Hopefully JLH will step up. I think I saw Jacoby Ford in the game last week but have yet to see Nick Miller in there. C’mon Hue.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Would Shanarat unload Hayensworth on us? Would we want him? What would the asking price be?
Big John is big for us. The whole bend-but-don’t break concept won’t work if we allow the big back-breaking runs.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
8RaiderReign8 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
It seems like this team won’t be running on all cylinders until after the bye week.
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After the Fire Cable break in the schedule!
September 30th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Mistic1 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
# 8RaiderReign8 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
To be honest I think the offense looks a lot better now than any other time during the STREAK. Not many 3 and outs and we at least see the red-zone. In years past we wouldnt even discuss the impact of a receiver.
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I agree with this 100 percent, hue’s offense ( and we still havnt seen the real playbook because of our o-line), has been a huge improvement.
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Mystic I think the point you make is valid. Until Gallery is back this o-line has little chance of building a comfort zone for Grads. The run blocking is “okay”, but pass blocking is much more technical. Also DMAC makes the line look way better.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
La to the Bay, That post #16 ruined my day. I’ve been thinking that these Raiders seem like the old Raiders but now that I see the stats I know. Dammit!
September 30th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I know a lot of people want Cable fired, but I think that would be unwise. The team has improved markably since his tenure. Also the ratings for offense and defense are pretty good. But more importantly than anything else, players are buying into the system instead of arriving for a check. That is easily the biggest improvement the team has made during the STREAK.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Does anyone think the Raiders stay a top 5 D after this week?
September 30th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I think the Texans will expose our pass D and then our rating will drop.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
We are a top 15 but def not a top 5 right now.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Do you know what they call a DB that can catch….
a WR
September 30th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Well…I’m betting plenty of $$$ on the Texans this weekend and I’m hoping I jinx it and the Raiders can pull off the win!
September 30th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
The Raiders should use empty backfield sets with DMAC split out wide.
Grads gets the ball out in 3 seconds, so the rush doesn’t matter.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
John Marshall better blitz the crap out Schaub from the inside and outside.
Keeping pressure on Schaub and causing disruption in the backfield is going to be VERY important this weekend in trying to win the game.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Here’s a link to the Docket quote
Here’s the link
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/14040996/with-backfield-all-his-raiders-mcfadden-thrives
September 30th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Raiders Total D #2 in the NFL tied with the Ravens
Raiders pass D #2 in the NFL
NFL.com
September 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Why not try some bubble screens to JLH or Jacoby Ford with Miller and Murphy blocking for them?
September 30th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
This so-called Head Coach actually has one responsibility this season since AD stripped him of his play calling. That would be the OLine. There he has been lacking due to his being a zone blocking schemer when AD prefers a power blocker 7 step drop Oline. He has failed to improve matador Mario at LT and does not really know who to play where. Can’t even get the referees to acknowledge his timeouts. If he goes into the break 2-7 or 3-6, he should be replaced. Even Seymour says this team has talent.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
You guys remember last year when the Packers were having protection issues with Aaron Rogers and they kept trying to keep more players into block and it was not having any effect? Then they started running 4-5 wideouts, spreading the field and that seemed to improve things. We could also spread McFadden, Miller and even Reese into the mix, since we may not have many WRs to do this.
Raider News had an article that Chaz is supposed to be back by week 7.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Raiders #4 in rushing yards per game.
I don’t get it? #2 in total D and # running the ball. This should be a better team then what their record is. I just don’t get it?
September 30th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I believe the Texans lead the league in sacks surrendered. Bodes well for the defense if can can contain the run game.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Dutch, sounds pretty good, and I think Reese was a WR a while back.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Total defence as of week 3…..
1. Baltimore Ravens 244.3
2. Green Bay Packers 260.7
3. Oakland Raiders 260.7
4. San Diego Chargers 272.7
5. Minnesota Vikings 276.3
NFL.COM
September 30th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
The reason our record isnt better is we havent been scoring in the redzone something like 4 for 14
September 30th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Is this because of playcalling? Or not being about to run for the tough yards? Not using our tall WRs better?
WTF is wrong with this team!?
September 30th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
RNOraiderFan Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Raiders #4 in rushing yards per game.
I don’t get it? #2 in total D and # running the ball. This should be a better team then what their record is. I just don’t get it?
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Our kicker missed a game winning field goal. It’s that simple.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
It was obvious coming into the season that the Raiders were woefully thin at WR.
There was no way Davis should have been counting on Schilens when he was still feeling the effects of a year-old injury. 24-year-old athletes recover quickly from injuries. When they don’t, something is seriously wrong.
DHB will be mediocre at best this season, as he still can’t get any separation from defensive backs. Despite all the attention on his hands, his biggest problem is that he can’t get open. He doesn’t look fast on the field, even if he has a great 40 time.
Murphy, then, has to have an 80-catch, 1100-yard, 10-TD season if the Raiders are to have a credible passing game.
We have no one else. Without Murphy at 100%, we are in big trouble.
It’s all because Davis insists that DHB is great and Schilens will be great.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
JLH’s TIME TO SHINE!!!!!!
Right Rockstar?
September 30th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
[...] (clavicle) returned to practice on Thursday, but was not 100 percent healthy, according to the Oakland Tribune.Our View: Still, the fact the he participated is a good sign. Expect him to be active on Sunday, [...]
September 30th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
How did Wimbley not record one tackle, one assist, or one sack last weak?
He had 4 solo tackles, one assist, and a sack in each of the two previous games before Arizona.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
[...] Murphy returns to practice, though not at full health The News Louis Murphy (clavicle) returned to practice on Thursday, but was not 100 percent healthy, according to the Oakland Tribune. [...]
September 30th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Now that I think about it, do we have a LB that can match up with Owen Daniels?
September 30th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Surprisingly I think we’re OK at WR, JLH can certainly fill in where Murphy might not show and JFord can take up the slack but the kid I think that can really help is Nick Miller. The Raiders really need to take a look at playing more 3 wides with him and JLH in the slot. Add DMC to the mix in the passing game split wide, slot and screens.
DHB is lifting the defense all we need is a consistent running game there are plenty of pass recievers.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
DHB will be mediocre at best this season, as he still can’t get any separation from defensive backs. Despite all the attention on his hands, his biggest problem is that he can’t get open. He doesn’t look fast on the field, even if he has a great 40 time.
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I disagree with this. campbell missed him while he was running deep. Grads missed him running deep, and he was interfered with twice becuase he had smoked the dbs. Grads also missed him wide open running a post corner no db was even on the screen.
He needs to learn to get better position with the ball in the air. I say this kid will have somewhere between 60 and 80 catches this year.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
The o-line cant protect to run 3 wides. Also especially against this 3-4 defense this week. Our o-line is in trouble.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Davis overrode Coaches who wanted to cut Mike Mitchell.
Davis essentially wanted to avoid the P.R. hit and admit he made such a big mistake last year. (Maybe Davis told them Mitchell “is a great player. Get over it.”)
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/05/report-al-davis-overrules-decision-to-cut-mike-mitchell/
September 30th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
KK,
Im not sure about this story, but even if it is true, i ok with it. It is the owners perogative what playrs play for his team. Since we have both of these guys on the team, we havent lost anything. For the record I think mm34 needs more time on the field as branch is struggling, and brown absolutely should learn on the job over huff. becuase although huff is a good cover guy and has range, brown seems to fit that mold and has a knack for taking the ball away, something our dbs dont do very well.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Anyone wh says DHB can’t get open and can’t get separation is clueless. That is probably his best attribute they can’t cover the kid. The problem is timing between QB and DHB needs to get much better. I have yet to see anyone cover him the season.
In fact our wideouts are plenty open can we protect and get them the football is the issue. Even ZMiller is drawing single coverage due to DHB you saw that on the first TD to Zack. This passing game has a ton of potential it’s just starting to gel.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I like Stevie Brown alot but do we really know he has a knack for the ball I mean he was getting interception’s off 3rd string players in Pre-season
September 30th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
RNOraiderFan Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Why not try some bubble screens to JLH or Jacoby Ford with Miller and Murphy blocking for them?
^^^^^^^
I have been screaming to see more bubble screens also to get the ball in the hands of their speed guys. All they need is two blockers in front of them and they can do the rest.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
# PurpleDrank81 Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I like Stevie Brown alot but do we really know he has a knack for the ball I mean he was getting interception’s off 3rd string players in Pre-season
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fair enough, this is why I want to see him get some run. I saw him right bu the ball on the muffed punt, he looked like a line backer in run support standing up blockers and tackling the rb with one hand.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
LA to TheBay Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Would Shanarat unload Hayensworth on us? Would we want him? What would the asking price be?
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For the right compensation, sure. He already jobbed us for a 4th in exchange for Campbell. He doesn’t mind taking advantage of his old employer.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
LA to TheBay Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
As for the Supreme Commander, even he said last year playoffs are unlikely and this year he is ‘cautiously optimistic,’ but unless we clean up the red zone stuff and make sure our DTs are healthy (Fat Albert, anyone?), we’re running a serious risk of the whole playoff-appearance-first-year-of-every-decade streak.
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what hurts is the fact that we got ripped off by NE for our 1st. i hope we find a diamond in the rough in Rd2 and we get at least 8 wins so our pick we give them is a mid and not a top 5.
September 30th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Travis Groethel is taking up a roster spot and hasn’t even practiced this year once. Why keep switching the Pears/Stevie Brown but keep him on the active roster? He’s a Back up LB that I haven’t seen do anything (at least that I remember)