Post Game Wrap Videos.....Oakland @ Pittsburgh

Tom Cable

Jason Campbell

Run DMC

Bruce Almighty

Robert Gallery

Brandon Myers

All Videos compliments of CSNBayArea

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The Return

Ever get that feeling after a vacation and some long needed rest and relaxation of, man this sucks to be back? For most, this happens because they have to go back to work or somewhere they are not comfortable being. For others, if they enjoy where they are going and used this as a time to get healthy and come back with a new sense of vigor, we may just see the change and fourth gear kick into this team and propel us into the playoffs.

Check out this interview with Grads I found yesterday..........

Do you see that smile on his face? Does that look say to you that he is excited about the remainder of the year or does it say to you that he has to get ready to go back to work this next week to prepare for the offseason and possibly another year with the Raiders.

Well, coming off this bye week, I think the enthusiasm is peaking for me as much as I know it is for the team. I'm sure they are coming back today with smiles and new stories to share, as well as a new sense of enthusiasm that they have the remainder of the season to finish. Keep in mind though, they are riding a 3 game win streak that has propelled them back to a level of accomplishment and accountability, and I truly believe a better sense of who they are as a team. Becoming a playoff contender.

Our upcoming challenge this week is the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the game last night, which I am sure a majority of the players caught, it is easy to see that they had better show up with their "A" game this Sunday. This is going to be I am going to punch you in the mouth game against an elite team in the NFL.



Created by Raider Grafix



So what are the keys to victory that the Cheatriots taught us last night?

1. Throw to the Tight End!

Rob Gronkowski hauled in 5 receptions for 72 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's win.

2. Throw the ball period.

Tom Brady accounted for four touchdowns and went 30-43 for 350 yards in the win.The Steelers have given up 11 passing touchdowns this season.

3. Protect against the pass.

 Ben Roethlisberger finished 30-49 for 387 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Over 300 of Roethlisberger’s 387 yards came in the second half and so did all three of his touchdowns.

Steelers’ wide receiver Mike Wallace also had a big day with eight catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

4. Attack their weaknesses and injured positions.

Pittsburgh finished the game on Sunday without their left tackle (Max Starks), left guard (Chris Kemoeatu), top wide receiver (Hines Ward), starting defensive ends (Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel) and top inside linebacker (Lawrence Timmons). Starks is done for the season by the way.

Just In case you needed a refresher on last year......

Here is a stat we need to be aware of...The Raiders have not won after the bye week since the 2002 season when they beat the Tennessee Titans 52-25. Since then we have lost 7 straight.

2003 13-23 @ the 1-6 Detroit Lions

2004 17-23 to the 6-3 San Diego Chargers

2005 14-27 to the 2-3 San Diego Chargers

2006 21-24 to the 0-3 Cleveland Browns

2007 14-28 @ the 2-3 San Diego Chargers

2008 3-34 @ the 2-3 New Orleans Saints

2009 10-16 to the 1-7 Kansas City Chiefs

After looking at these stats, what was the most common denominator between each of these seasons? We had nothing to play for. Times are different this year, as you can see from the quotes below:

"It is exciting as a coach to know that you're going to get a tight end back and a cornerback back," Raiders head coach Tom Cable said, "and a defensive tackle that is going to help us where we're already improving in the run-defense area. But I think it will help Tommy (Kelly) and Richard (Seymour) in terms of taking a few snaps off. They're both playing very well, but they're both playing a lot."

"I feel pretty beat-up," safety Mike Mitchell said. "So it's good that we have some days off to rest and recover, and that's going to be big for us. Because now, people are going to see a 100 percent healthy Raider team, not a beat-up team that we had out there (in the last game)."

Do you feel the energy? Do you feel the difference? I do! Its gone from more of a pessimistic viewpoint of what we should be doing and what we do wrong, to what we are doing right and how we can continue to get better.

The tides are turning and we are on the right path.

Don't Forget to leave me your comments on the blog. If you have a twitter, I am @RaiderChaos or facebook go to Chaotic View and click that Like Button!

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Gradkowski or Campbell???? The Burning Question!

After hearing Tom Cable in his press conference on Monday so confident that Bruce Gradkowski is our quarterback for the team once he is healthy, I can completely understand his stance.

He made the change when Campbell wasn't playing to the expectations of the team. So I ask myself, as a football junkie and someone who understands the game, why would Cable answer that question with so much confidence for a hurt quarterback, when this team has put up back to back 500 yard games, the most points in team history with 59, and almost blanking the Sea Chickens 33-3 at home.

My simple answer - The Playbook.

Its obvious that Gradkowski has more of the coaches ear because he understands the expectations of  Cable more. He has been in this system for 3 years now, and knows what Cable and Davis expect from the quarterback position. Campbell, doesn't. Its evident in the play calling and execution of the plays and the consistency they play with. Tough thing though is I am not on the field to see what is going on during practice, so we don't see the progressions like Cable and the staff do.

After digging through the teams throwing attempts trying to find the answer I may have found it.

The Vertical Offense.

 Gradkowski has thrown more balls beyond 20 yards versus Campbell, who came from a west coast system of dinking and dunking and has the arm  but not the mindset to get the ball down the field. That is until recently.

Simply put, Campbell doesn't understand the entire concept of stretching the field vertically which will open up more lanes for the running game to smash through to the second level, because opposing teams can not keep 8 in the box.

I know for a fact that this type of West Coast Offense frustrated the hell out of Davis during the Gruden era, because you can tell based on the fact that Gruden was traded to the Bucs for a draft pick, even with his success.

Ahhhh These were the days!

Some input from the Raider Nation:


BSPN-

"Well deserved. 27-47, 514 yards, 4 TD's & 0 INT's last 2 weeks. Lets hope he can continue this great play vs KC."


Inside the Oakland Raiders-

"Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
I trust Cable/Hue/Hackett to choose the correct starting QB. I also trust Cable to stick to his tagline about Grads so that the topic does not blow up in the media. Smart."

"inonewordraider Says:
Grads didn’t even get snaps in last weeks practice so Campbell should go this week, if he continues to play like the last two games ride him, Grads is the kind of guy that could step in at moments notice and Campbell has the higher ceiling and let’s not stop him from possibly reaching it"


Twitter-

CCRaiderNation Oakland Raiders News

Jason Campbell. He has proven himself after the lull. Bruce is a perfect backup. Bruce is a player J Cam is the QB

BuckTaylor64 Andy Buckley-Taylor
Campbell, has more tools. He reads the defense better. Greater accuracy. Better game brain, 5 different offense schemes in 5 yrs.

Moss1212 Curtis(Yung Swag)

I Say Campbell,Go With The Hot Hand.He's Playin Turnover Free Football.If He's Playin Bad,Throw Gradkowski In At Halftime.

 Thanks for the great insights, Raider Nation. Always look forward to hearing back from you. Don't forget to leave a comment or two.

As always, just a

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