Pre-Season Game 2...... Cards Vs. Raiders

Wonder what just happened? Don't. Want to know why? Its pre-season and you can only learn so much with players who put in 80% effort because they do not want to get injured and those who have secured a starting role on the team and do not feel the need to go the extra mile in games that don't matter.

I do not put much weight on these games, and my thought is that neither should you. But, for s*its and giggles, I think I should touch on what I saw and give my two cents.

Offense-

Better, but still not where it needs to be. I saw a lot of the vintage Texans offense on display.  A few bootlegs, some misdirection and even cut backs. Inconsistencies reside at the Wide Receiver level and Offensive line, but for the most part the team was able to move the ball with some level of purpose.


Carson was able to avoid some pressure and get the ball on the hands of his wideout's, but as I mentioned, there are a lot of inconsistencies there. DHB dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone and a few other balls that should have been caught.














 Mike Goodson has his debut and subsequently failed miserably. 2 fumbles lost by him alone and looking like he had absolutely no ball control skills. Scary to think this cat could be our back up to McFadden. Not really a chance I think we should take if this keeps up.

Streater looked good at Receiver. 7 for 43 yards and could potentially be our starter opposite DHB should Ford and Moore be out for substantial time. No different than last year, early injuries derailing our hopes of having a great tandem running the sidelines.








Defense-

"That boy is scared" was something you could read from the lips of Tommy Kelly after the sack on Kevin Kolb in the end zone for a safety. That was for the most part the way the game went. The defense (1st team) stood their ground and just about put Kolb on his ass every other play. Aside from poor starting field position, thanks to our special teams and offensiv

e fumbles, the defense held their own forcing 4 turnovers, 3 by way of fumbles and 4 sacks.










Special Teams-
Sucked a big one and this could get bad. A blocked punt, huge return and some other missed responsibilities could spell disaster should this not get taken care of quickly.

What does it all mean? Work, work and more work...........Post game Vids coming soon.

Chaotic View

Post Game Recap.... Preseason Cowboys Vs. Raiders

Great to be back. First and foremost. It was a long offseason and I finished the long list of Sunday honey-do's......

So I went back and watched the tape after it was all said and done last night and I have some particular topics I would love to touch on.

Offense-

1. Mc Fadden is what he is. A Beast! I know we only showed a few things we would be doing (Vanilla Offense), but I was not really paying attention to the play calling
   or scheme. I watched the intangibles. Mc Fadden displayed the burst of speed through the hole, the patience to allow his gaps to open and the ability to break tackles. Overall if this guy stays healthy, we could have the NFL's leading rusher in our backfield.
2. Palmer is still learning the offense. There were a few pass attempts that I think he held the ball for too long as he went through his progressions, but overall, he got first downs and had to deal with an atrocious performance of Jacoby Ford.
3. I'm not going to harp on it too much but Jacoby Ford was a drive killer last night. I think he just had a bad game. He broke his route in the deep interception play, he got alligator arms on two plays, one slant that could have been a nice gain and gotten us beyond the 50 in our second possession and again on an in route that would have given us a first down in our last First Team possession. He also muffed a punt and didn't display the confidence of yester year. I hope this is just because it is the preseason and not because he is getting soft on us.
4. Terrell Pryor is not ready for the NFL. He looked like a deer in the headlights last night. We made some first downs, but his balls were thrown like a QB who was trying to make sure he didn't make any mistakes, rather then the Terrell Pryor I remember at Ohio State with the cannon arm. I would be surprised if he made the team. If so, he needs to be in the Wild Cat formation or as a tight end.

Defense

1. I was not surprised at our performance. As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, the Defense needed to establish dominance and that they did. I was surprised that Seymour was not on the field, but that's ok. He has nothing else to prove in the preseason. That line though. Tremendous. We held Tony Romo  to 3 for 6 and 30 yards and 1 sack with one narrowly being missed by Lamar Houston.. It was refreshing to get it done on the line.
2. D-Backs need more work. Bartell allowed a long pass completion and on a few zone plays, the tight end came out into the flat and was able to convert for first downs. Still preseason, but its the little things that count. Get off the field on 3rd downs!

One last stat......... only 5 penalties for 37 yards compared to 12 for 97 on the Cowboys. I would say that is a victory in itself!

Overall, not bad for the first game.  Still much to do and only a few weeks to work the bugs out, but I think with discipline and a good work ethic, this team can be a playoff contender.

Chaotic View

Common Sense......Time To Come Up...... Free Agency

After the hiring of Dennis Allen, I figured there is enough talk about who he is and what he has done so far in his coaching career and decided to stay away from telling you yet again the same Wiki information you have read about a hundred times already.

What I will do is talk to you all about what the Raiders need to do going into the next year to improve this team at the positions I feel we are the weakest at.

Here are the current Raider Free Agents:

KEY

UFA: Unrestricted free agent; a player who has completed four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

RFA: Restricted free agent; a player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

OFFENSE

• Jason Campbell QB – UFA
• Khalif Barnes T – UFA
• Kyle Boller QB – UFA
• Michael Bush RB – UFA
• Rock Cartwright RB – UFA
• Stephon Heyer OL – UFA
• T.J. Houshmanzadeh WR – UFA
• Marcel Reece FB — UFA
• Samson Satele C – UFA
• Chaz Schilens WR – UFA

DEFENSE

• Darryl Blackstock LB – UFA
• Desmond Bryant DL – RFA
• Tyvon Branch SS – UFA
• Matt Giordano – UFA
• Quentin Groves LB – UFA
• Jarvis Moss DE – UFA
• Trevor Scott DE – UFA
• Lito Sheppard – UFA

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Jon Condo LS – UFA
• Bryan McCann – UFA

In previous blogs, here and here, I posted my comments on certain players and who balled out and who simply busted out. Well, because of the fact that the Raiders have a large amount of free agents and limited draft picks, I thought I would fill in the gaps on our glaring needs from the waiver/free agency wire.

Carl Nicks - Guard - Cooper Carslie is getting old and needs to be replaced. This guy is going to be a hot commodity this offseason. Hopefully courted by us.

Cortland Finnegan - CB - Standford Routt is not a top flight CB, but with the youth at that position, I would say we need to get rid of his 54 million contract and spend it on a guy who is tough and only commits penalties when he is punching someone in the face.

Calais Campbell - DE - Going to the 3-4...... we need some speed on the outside. Hybrid DE that can rush the end well. Has 21 career sacks at the age of 25.

Dwayne Bowe - WR - Chaz "Glass Chin" Schillins, and Louis "Cancer" Murphy are way beyond their time. We need those roster spots for people who actually want to play.

Brodrick Bunkley - DT - Going 3-4? Want a familiar face? Bring in one of your tools Allen.... No better place to start then your former team.

Reggie Wayne - WR - Wow, talk about a retread that could be had at a discount. I would love for this guy to provide a presence on this team that would help DHB and Jacoby Ford become a better squad. Paired with Dwayne Bowe, this may be too lethal of a team to have even your best day as a defensive backfield and not expect Carson Palmer to light it up.

Jon Condo - LS - Just sign him. He is a Raider for life.

Matt Giordiano - FS - Played well enough to earn and keep a starting job. He can only get better.

Tyvonn Branch - SS - Hard hitter, good blitzer and proven team member. Resign for sure.

Marcel Reece - FB - Need I say anymore? Just the name is synonymous with success. Pay him!

Michael Bush - RB - A quality backup to Darren McFadden who is often hurt. If we do not keep McFadden and trade him and make a run at Arian Foster (Who is a life long Raider Fan by the way)  in my opinion, we don't skip a beat in the backfield.

Rock Cartwright - RB - Perennial special teams player who is always around the ball and does what he needs to to finish his career with the Raiders. He is a fan favorite and one of the old goats that the team looks to for leadership!

It is yet to be seen as to whether or not Jason Campbell will stick it out with the team. Just him being in the locker room last year polarized the WR group into who their loyalty was finishing out the season. I think if he is going to stay, then Carson has to go, but if not, he can not be in the Raiders locker room next to Palmer and cause a huge separation through the rest of the offense. Guys pick their guy. Carson was Hue's guy and came in and played great ball for the limited time he was exposed to the offense. Our productivity increased and our average yards per game in the air increased. Like I said though, Jason Campbell was the QB who began the success and guys don't forget that. I would be surprised if he stayed with the team and didn't bicker about not being named the starter.

Speaking of the QB position, can we just release Kyle Boller now please? I heard TO was looking for a new QB. We should look for someone to play and compete with Terrell Pryor for the 2nd spot.

Anyhow, that's what I think we should do to get this team better. Some you may agree with, some you may not, but I would love to hear why...... Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

Chaotic View

Post Game Videos......... Raiders Defeat Bears 25-20

Kamerion Wimbley

Tommy Kelly





Michael Huff





DHB and Jacoby Ford





Michael Bush





Marcel Reece





Sebastian Janokowski





Carson Palmer





Lito Sheppard





Tyvon Branch





Louis Murphy






All Videos courtesy of CSNBayArea

Chaotic View

First Place Baby!

 

Our Oakland Raiders are in first place of the AFC West and how sweet it is. Stellar play on the offensive line, by Carson Palmer and Michael Bush along with our entire Defense took a hard won victory from the Chargers in classic Raider Fashion! Being a Bully!

The biggest stat of the day, in my opinion, was Michael Bushs' 30 carries for 157 yards, gashing the chargers as he ran through tremendous holes opened up by a newly formed offensive line. With Samson Satele out this week from an injury sustained in the Denver Game, rookie Stefen Wisniewski stepped in with StephonHeyer to shore up that center of the offensive line and parted the blue sea of Charger jerseys. He ran with finesse when needed and lowered the boom at other times. He also added another 3 catches for 85 yards on screen passes, which caught the gaping Chargers defense off guard and kept long drives going for the opportunistic Raiders Offense.

Carson Palmer was also key to this victory. Following up on his first 300 yard performance against Denver, Carson came out blazing, building on the chemistry with rookie Denarius Moore and throwing 14-20 and 299 yards with 2 touchdowns and one pick that should not have happened had Bush picked up the blitzing line backer in the 4th quarter. Carson read that play perfectly in a repeat opportunity similar to the play that Jacoby Ford caught against Denver for the touchdown against the sideline of the Black Hole end zone in the O.Co. Palmer also continued to keep the defense on their toes, distributing the ball to 6 different receivers in the game.

Not to forget, the defense came up huge in this game for us, with Kamerion Wimbley getting 4 sacks, another from Tommy Kelly and yet another from Desmond Bryant. He was pressured all night and could not find his groove with his banged up wide receiver corp, and miscommunication seemed to be the effect of the tough Bully play of the front 7. That was clearly obvious in the interception that Matt Giordano had in the end zone against Vincent Jackson, who did not appear to even anticipate the throw coming his way.

Team Stat Comparison

	Oak	SD
1st Downs	20	20
Passing 1st downs	11	13
Rushing 1st downs	8	5
1st downs from Penalties	1	2
3rd down efficiency	4-10	5-16
4th down efficiency	0-1	1-1
Total Plays	63	68
Total Yards	489	314
Passing	298	239
Comp-Att	14-21	23-47
Yards per pass	14.2	5.1
Rushing	191	75
Rushing Attempts	41	15
Yards per rush	4.7	5.0
Red Zone (Made-Att)	1-3	1-2
Penalties	7-45	6-31
Turnovers	2	2
Fumbles lost	1	1
Interceptions thrown	1	1
Defensive / Special Teams TDs	0	0
Possession	32:37	27:23

 

 

As you can see, the Raiders dominated in many categories and many more wont be shown by stats. True to form, the Raiders are on their way to Being The Bully we have been promised by Hue Jackson, and the Carson Palmer trade, as I have always said, was the best move of the year so far.


Leave me your comments and feedback below after reading. Let me know who you thought stood out more the others. Who was your MVP? Who was your most improved player or group?

Exciting news coming to Chaotic View in the next blog. Stay tuned!

Chaotic View

  

Not Dwelling.....

                      So much is being made of the loss to the Denver Broncos and rightfully so. I mean the Raiders were expected to hand Denver a loss as sure as the sun was going to rise in the morning. Well, as they say, any given Sunday.....It happened..... Moving On.

I am not here to dwell too much on the negative that came out of the game with Denver, but I am here to talk about what we did right.... as small as the right was.....

Carson Palmer - Sure, he threw 3 interceptions, but did everyone forget he went 19/35 for 332 yards? Did everyone forget to look at the fact that he is gaining trust from his wide receiver core? Jacoby Ford with a TD, Marcel Reece with a TD and Michael Bush with a TD. Carson completed to 8 different receivers in the Denver game. He had 14 passing first downs. He made good throws and had the zip on the ball that so many said he didn't have anymore after his elbow injury a few years ago. Sky is the limit with this guy, and I see his stock going higher and higher and may soon even be close in comparison to the Rich Gannon era of offense. Sorry Jason Campbell, as good as you did in managing the offense, I can't remember the last 300 yard passing day you had.

  

Michael Bush - Oh how big of a task it is to fill in the shoes of Darren McFadden this year. For the most part, what I have always noticed about Michael Bush when he would go in to give Darren a break during a long drive, he would always run into the back of his offensive lineman and wouldnt get his downhill speed going, constantly going down on first contact. In addition to that, he never lowered the shoulder to finish out runs like McFadden has become so notorious for in recent past. Well this week was a night and day difference for Michael. He was able to get through the line of scrimmage to the second level consistently and ran for a total of 96 yards on 19 carries. It may not seem like a lot to some, because we are so used to being spoiled by Darren, but 96 yards for Michael Bush is a big deal to me because it is not only the distance that he ran for, but the punishment that he handed out when finishing the runs that is making the diifference for me. If he can get the same thing going against a Charger defense that is hanging on from multiple injuries to their defensive line, then we will have the ball control that we need to control the clock and keep Philip Rivers off the field and win the game.

Now, I am not going to act as if there are not any negative things that we need to do a better job at, but talking about them just reminds me of the bad feelings I get when watching the games and does not do any good, nor does it make you want to read more. But, just for s*its and giggles, they are:

• Aggressive play calling. Play to win, not to lose.
• Better pass protection. Give Carson more time to make his progressions is going to be key to not turning the ball over.
• Improved special teams gap assignment play.
• Improved linebacker and defensive line play. CONTROL THE RUN!

All in all, if we can continue building this bully and playing smart controled football, success will go our way again.

Dont forget, we are tied for first place still in the Division and determine our own future going forward.

FYI. Exciting news coming to Chaotic View soon. We are bulding our affiliations and will be making this blog more interactive for you. More to come.

Chaotic View

You Know You Can't Resist............

Good, cause neither can I. If I find it, it gets posted!

Post Practice Videos

Wednesday


Jacoby Ford

Big Rich

Former Raider Bill Romanowski...... Love this guy!

And Yes, Romo did call them a sorry ass team! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Chaotic View

All Videos COurtesy of CSNBAYAREA.com

Hue Jack City Is Not Screwing Around!

I don't know about you, but I have waited for someone like Hue Jackson for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. This man controls his environment, makes smart decisions, takes risks, makes no excuses and WINS! I mean, when was the last time you could look at a Raiders coach and say, this guy has the potential to make a difference? Jon Gruden right?

Look at the message this guy is sending not only to his team, but to the league. We are going to win. We are going to win now. And if you are a potential free agent or a player on our roster, you either come with your lunch in a brown paper sack ready to work, or I will bring someone else in here who will eat your lunch for you.

This guy is exactly what Al Davis needed to make sure that his franchise was ran beyond his time here. I am impressed and excited about being a Raider Fan. Not only for my love of football, but because there is an element of surprise in this team again.

Jackson was asked today, "Are you sending a message to your team." I mean come on. Really? You ask that? Here is what he said, "What do you think?" "No doubt. I told them, I am going to do everything I can, the organization has backed me, to give this team the best opportunity to win football games, and that’s all you can ask for." "As a head coach, when you have ownership, Mark Davis, Amy Trask and the rest of this organization stand behind you and say, ‘Hey, look, whatever we think it takes to win, that’s what we’re going to do,’ and that’s what we’re doing. The players appreciate that because it gets no better than that. You come to work everyday knowing that you’re fighting for something. And we’re fighting for a championship."

So you have to wonder, how does this affect the Veterans. You know, the guys who have this cloud of "Respect" and "Expectation" that they are here for the long haul just because they have experience and long tenure in the NFL. No one summed that up quite like Seymour. "This is a production business." "Our job is to go out and produce and get better as a team, and we’re always evaluated year in and year out, from game to game. And the best players are going to play. And that’s what we’re always told, so I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure my job is safe." Ha. Richard Seymour is worried about his job? Wow. You think this is a culture shock? No more scholarships? I think so!

So, today is Wednesday, the first day of the Carson Palmer era, and it is said that he, Kyle and Terrell all took snaps from the first team today.

Here are some quotes from the players following their first day's work together:

“He looked great,” wide receiver Chaz Schilens said. “That’s all there is to it, man.”

“He looked good,” Ford said. “It’s just a matter of the timing. He has to get that down and get used to the offense and new receivers. Whenever we can do that, we’ll be clicking on all cylinders.”

“Carson looked great,” Hagan said. “Obviously, the same Carson I’ve been working with throughout the summer. We had a few throwing sessions out in L.A. He looks the same. He’s putting the ball right on the money. Obviously that’s something we’re looking forward to.”

“I thought we were going to get (David) Garrard, but we got Palmer, so, hey, man, can’t do nothing but be happy,” Said Tommy Kelly

Here is Palmers take on the day:

“Definitely rusty,” Palmer said. “Good to be back in it but definitely have some rust to wear off. I haven’t thrown to NFL receivers in awhile. Whether it’s been high school kids or my brother, I have had one NFL guy to throw to in T.J. Houshmandzadeh but, other than that, I haven’t thrown to guys that can run like this and lots of guys that can run like this in seven-on-seven situations and team situations, things like that.”



Amid reports today that Al Saunders committed to Palmer starting, Hue Jack City had this to say. “You hear it come from me?” Jackson said. “It didn’t come from anybody over here. I know I never said that.” Jackson was asked how Boller took the news of Carson's signing and he said he took the news the way he expected.“He’s awesome, he’s a pro.” “Honestly, I don’t worry about that, because my players exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing,” Jackson said. “I don’t mince for words, I don’t pull any punches. I’m not sliding a guy in when nobody knows. It is what it is. It’s about the team. It’s about the winning. It’s about being the best we can be and I don’t think anybody runs from it.”

Raider Nation, our time is now. We can compete with the Patriots, Chokers, Squeelers, Green Bay and all of the other elite teams. I would bang my best against their best any day! Look out. We are coming through!

Chaotic View

The Great Schilens Debate

As the bye week gets into full effect, the Oakland Raiders are looking to improve on the overall health of the team with many key positions. You have Nnamdi with the ankle, Henderson with the foot, Miller with the foot, and the most anticipated and oft injured Chaz Schilens and the knee, or is it knees? Or is it a foot? Or is it.......oh God I give up.

Lets get into who this notorious WR is that seems to be on the Al Davis scholarship.

Chazeray "Chaz" Schilens  is a 25 year old 6'4", 225 WR, with similar physical stature to Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Super Chokers. Schilens was a seventh-round pick out of San Diego State in 2008. His contract was signed on 7/17/2008 for four-years @ $1.755 million. The deal included a $50,000 signing bonus.

His yearly salary will be 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent.

After being drafted by the Raiders, Schilens played his first game against  the Denver Broncos where he caught two passes for 29 yards. Schilens got his first taste as a starter on October 19, 2009  vs. the New York Jets. In his first year, Schilens played in all 16 games, six of those as a starter. See his 2008 stat line below.

Schilens finally made his 2009 debut in a game against the Chiefs in Week 10 where he had 3 Rec. for 27 yards in a 16-10 loss. Schilens finished out the month of November with 7 Rec. for 100 yards, and bettered in December with 14 Rec. for 166 yards and two touchdowns. In the final game of the 2009 season against the Baltimore Ravens, Schilens hauled in eight passes for 99 yards, a career high, and the Raider Nation fell in love!

Here is his Career stat line:

2008

15 Rec. 226 Yards 2 TD's

2009

29 Rec. 365 Yards 2 TD's

Injuries

On August 18, 2009, Chaz broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot in a non-contact drill during an intra squad scrimmage against the 49ers and he subsequently missed half of the ’09 season. Upon his return, he had 29 catches for 365 yards and two touchdowns, but needed another operation after the season to help the foot fully heal.

During the pre season of 2010, the Raiders had high expectations of their wide receiver corps, with a returning Chaz playing the 1, DHB playing the 2 and Louis Murphy at the 3. That was until August of this preseason, when we found out the Schilens injured his foot during practice. When head coach Tom Cable was interviewed about the injury, he said it was that Chaz was just just pushing a little too much and hurt his foot again. They took it easy on him and upon his return to practice and two a days, the injury bug bit again when Chaz injured his knee. Cable said the knee injury was likely a result of overcompensating for the foot injury and he underwent a "minor procedure" to clean up the knee.

After week upon week of pressing questions and the press asking Cable about the injury and rehab, it was finally acknowledged that Chaz Schilens' August knee surgery wasn't just a simple scope as he originally led us to believe.

"I think the procedure that was done was not something real minor or anything like that," said Cable "It was fairly extensive, so it takes time."

Damn I hate a liar.

"He is on the field working now," coach Cable said in a week 5 interview. "There's no running, nothing quick twitch. (We're) just trying to get him back on his feet."

I mean come on, Schilens was only expected to miss 3-6 weeks after undergoing the knee surgery. Can someone say scholarship?

Our Achilles hell this year has been the wide receiver position. DHB sat out of the 3rd scrimmage game with what was called "fatigue" after a promising pre season and has been more then inconsistent during the first 9 games of the season. Louis Murphy has been a little more consistent during the season, but has been slowed by a collar bone injury he sustained against San Diego and a bruised lung that has kept him out since the San Francisco game. Without the unsung hero, Jacoby Ford who singlehandedly willed the Raiders in the win at home against Kansas City, its safe to say this wide receiver corp has been a huge disappointment.

Back to Chaz....what is it about this guy that is so amazing that the Raiders are wasting a roster spot to keep this guy on the payroll? Terrel Owens was available, and we passed. Michael Crayton was available, and went to the Chokers. Hell even Randy Moss was a free agent and we could have placed a waiver claim on him, but we passed.

So I did a little homework and found this highlight video of Chaz. Yes, you heard it right, a highlight video of Chaz.

To be quite honest with you, I am tired of waiting for this guy, as promising as he may be. Let me know what you think. Your comments and opinions are important!

As always, just a

Chaotic View

Post Game Wrap Up Videos...Week 9 Chiefs @ Raiders

Jason Campbell

Richard Seymour

Darren McFadden

Jacoby Ford - The Games MVP!!!

Kahlif Barnes - The Prima donna

Sea Bass

Quentin Groves

All Videos Courtesy of CSNBayArea

Chaotic View

Seeing is Believing - Special Teams

Read an interesting story yesterday about the love affair between Brien Schneider, the beloved special teams coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2 years under Lance Kiffin, and the now head coach of the Seattle Sea Chickens, Pete Carrol. Sounded like something out of a fairy tail book and went something like this.

One day, long long ago, in Raiderville, a visiting prince rode into town with his Trojan Army, riding a Stallion of Maroon and Gold, to observe the great practice before the hand to hand combat to come. This Prince was alone, and looking for some "Special Love", and found a maiden who was a team builder and had many followers. This Maiden's name was Brian Schneider. Fearless leader of a special team, who used bravado and his enthusiastic voice to win the hearts of many, and when Pete observed Brian in action, thus began the courtship of Pete Carrol who would stop at nothing to win his prize.

Back to the story some other time. Anyhow, the year good ole Lance was fired (we all know the story), Brian was left there floundering in the breeze. Pete saw his opportunity and brought him to the Land of Troy for an 8 month stint with the Trojans, and when Carrol went to Seattle, Brian followed in his footsteps.

This year, Seattle is proving on Special Teams why the courtship was so important. They are starting with an average field position of the opponents 32 yard line, and I believe we all saw the beat down Leon Washington single-handedly, gave to the San Diego Super Chokers, scoring 2 touchdowns in the game,  one 99 yards and the other 101 yards. They are 4th in the league with the opponents starting field position.

Now, our special teams isn't chopped liver, OK not all of it. We have 2 of the best kickers probably to play the game in terms of skill in Sea Bass, and with stats in Lechler.Our kickoff teams are also very good, but we are in the cellar with a 20.1 average starting field position, and this needs to change dramatically, starting this weekend.

You knew the stats were coming. These are our current leaders:

Kick Returns

Ranked 27th in the NFL

Jacoby Ford

360yds

Ret   Yds    Avg   TDs

17    360    21.2    0

Punt Returns

Nick Miller

118yds

Ret   Yds   Avg    TDs

11    118   10.7     0

Kicking - 

Ranked 3rd in the NFL for Kickoff Yards

Sebastian Janikowski

15FG

Att   Made   Pct   Long

20    15        75*  54

Punter 

Ranked 15th in the NFL

Shane Lechler

Punts   Yds   Avg   IN20   IN20%

31      1520  49.0    13       41.9*

*WOW

We once challenged Devon Hester and he did nothing to us. You think Leon Washington and a rookie, Golden Tate, out of USC are gonna scare this team? I'd say bring it on.

It could be this kind of day.

Stay in your lanes, pursue the ball as a team and get some damn helmets on the ball carrier. Field position will play a key role in our time of possession and our ability to stay out of long drives. Lets see what the Raiders and John Fassel have up their sleeves this weekend.

As always, just a

Chaotic View