Man oh Man

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by nidan
Sorry Russ but yes I think they are that bad and old as well.

I watched Rice catch one and waited for him to turn it on leaving the safety in the dust. There was no second gear any more, all he needed was 1 fast step and it was 30yds to pay dirt.

The step wasn't there.

It wasn't there last year either, same with Brown. They miss Porter but what's really happened is teams seem to know their plays.

Gannon was complaining that when he saw the defense, he never had time to audible. It's as if they knew what was coming, had the perfect defense for it, and Gannon couldn't change the play. That'll make anybody look bad. This is still the same Raider team that scored all those points last year, they simply have to figure out the league has adjusted.

That's an area Trestman has always struggled with, adjusting when his system isn't working.

I guess what I'm saying is let's not blame this all on the Raiders, shanahan did a fabulous job of putting Jake in situations where he had wide open receivers because of play design. Everyone knows my opinion of Jake as a QB, but even he can succeed if guys are that wide open. My one comment is if they do this for 16 games Jake won't last the season he's going to get hit too much.

FYI I've posted the same thing on the Broncos board, I am really amazed do you realize in the last 2 first halves Jake has 5 TD passes, 1 td run and O INT's? That's astonishing. He again had a first drive TD, 84 games as a Card he never did that once and he's done it 2 out of 3 games with Denver. I don't think he can keep it up but I have to give him credit so far.

 

[Rivercard]

Did you see.........

Gannon yelling at Trestman? Wow, they look like they are unraveling. You gotta love seeing the Raiders fall apart!

 

[Sandan]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
This is still the same Raider team that scored all those points last year, they simply have to figure out the league has adjusted.

No it isn't and in three ways.

1) Folks like Rice Brown and Gannon are 1 year old and they were old to start with.
2) The team is now 2 years removed from Gruden. Heck, even the idiot in Dallas won a SB with what Jimmy left him, before it started to fall apart.
3) They lost their only youthful "go to" WR, not suree of the name.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by nidan
No it isn't and in three ways.

1) Folks like Rice Brown and Gannon are 1 year old and they were old to start with.
2) The team is now 2 years removed from Gruden. Heck, even the idiot in Dallas won a SB with what Jimmy left him, before it started to fall apart.
3) They lost their only youthful "go to" WR, not suree of the name.

Jerry Porter. Don't forget Gruden wasn't the play caller Callahan was. It was Gruden's "system" but Callahan was calling as many plays as Gruden. I think that's the problem now, the last year they had Gruden, Callahan and Trestman and it was too many Chiefs. WHen Gruden left, they sort of split the play calling duties. When they lost 4 straight, they went to a passing offense that everyone could see was Trestman's baby(that's what he wants to do). But now that it's not working, Callahan appears reluctant to either take over play calling, or tell Trestman what he wants.

Rice wants more passes, I think they need to run more. I know they're a year older but I think the main problem is everyone suddenly knows what's coming.

Callahan and Trestman got them farther than Gruden did because they were willing to throw more, but now the league has caught up and they haven't adjusted.

 

[Sandan]

He may not have been the "Play Caller" but the man at the top sets the tone and the strategy.

Not to mention how they practice, draft etc.

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
I am really amazed do you realize in the last 2 first halves Jake has 5 TD passes, 1 td run and O INT's? That's astonishing. He again had a first drive TD, 84 games as a Card he never did that once and he's done it 2 out of 3 games with Denver. I don't think he can keep it up but I have to give him credit so far.

Russ:

I'm also surprised by the success Jake's had so far this season. But maybe I shouldn't be.

After all, it's not like Plummer ever had two Pro Bowl receivers and a Pro Bowl TE and a 1,500+ yd RB and one of the best run-blocking lines in the league and a coaching staff known for its offensive acumen, all at the same time, when he played for the Cardinals.

And Denver's deep at the skill positions, too. Portis goes down, and a former 1,500 yd rusher replaces him. Rod Smith gets ejected, and first-rounder Ashley Lelie takes his place.

Let's remember, with Brian Griese behind center last season, this was one of the top offenses in the league (7th pts, 3rd yds). The personnel is clearly good enough to score on almost anyone, and Shanahan has figured out how to game plan to Plummer's strengths.

Yeah, the Bengals are still a terrible team, and both the Chargers and Raiders have been disappointing so far. But Plummer has played far better than I'd ever have expected. And the Broncos look like they're going to be tough to beat this year.

WC

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Wild Card

Yeah, the Bengals are still a terrible team, and both the Chargers and Raiders have been disappointing so far. But Plummer has played far better than I'd ever have expected. And the Broncos look like they're going to be tough to beat this year.

WC

I am looking at their schedule and it gets tougher pretty soon, Detroit is next 4-0. Then they play KC,Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Baltimore and New England before the bye. I gotta believe a couple of those teams will be good enough to make Jake make plays in the pocket. Cincy did and he threw 3 picks, but they were so far ahead it didn't matter.

Their last 2 games will be really tough at Indy(great defense so far) and at Green Bay in the frozen tundra.

Jake is playing great so far, I don't think any coach is good enough to get a guy that many wide open throws consistently, but so far the plan is working.

FYI he said last night he laughed at Romo after the big hit and told him he wasn't hurt. But supposedly in the locker room after the game reporters said he was noticeably wincing taking off his uniform and pads while talking to reporters, so that shoulder injury was real not a ploy by Shanahan.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

i'll fess up too . . . i was impressed with jake. it's one of the best halves i've ever seen from him. i no longer hate him. agree that he was a bad fit here as he had to press to do too much.

 

[MrY]

I have dragged my wife (who is a staunch Bronco fan) to probably 10 Cards games over the last five years. She has seen plenty of Jake and was understandably nervous about him going to Denver. She sat there with her mouth open watching last nights performance unable to believe what she saw. Her first comments went something like " where was that dude when we went to Cards games?" etc. Having watched alot of the Broncos with her, IMHO Shannahans system fits his abilities very well. I, too think he will struggle when their running game is not clicking. I wish him well, I am glad we have Blake.....Go Cards

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by nidan
He may not have been the "Play Caller" but the man at the top sets the tone and the strategy.

Not to mention how they practice, draft etc.

Agreed. My thing is the Raiders got to the Superbowl because they basically ignored the mantra that you have to be balanced. Gannon was playing so well Trestman just said screw it let's throw until they stop us.

Now that they've stopped it, Trestman isn't adjusting.

The other parts I completely agree with, I don't like Gruden but he's an oustanding coach and the Raiders miss him.

Boy I love to watch Buchanon though god I wish we'd got him last year, he is the most dangerous punt returner in the NFL.

 

[CoachBigDog]

Originally posted by Jetstream Green
Hats off to Jake, playing a great game against the Raiders and man oh man did Gannon just go off on Marc Trestman. I mean he was furious. Oh, well... I STILL like Jeff Blake better and still hyped over his gutsy performance against the Pack.

GO CARDINALS!!!

I loved when Jeff Blake was the choice of the Big Red! He is much more accurate and he wants to win! Jake had gotten in such a rutt in AZ that he got the AX and sad but deservedly so. The shame is that I have everyone of his rookie cards soI have to root for him.

Secondly, I know O have heard whispers of Eli Manning, but folks let me tell you what, give Blake one more year and then draft Brad Smith out of Missouri. I mean to tell you this guy is a phenom and by the time this year is over he will be mentioned with the likes of Michael Vick, I kid you not. His passing pct. currently is 71 percent with 672 yards passing thru 3 games(stats haven't been updated for game 4 yet) with 7 td passes and he has rushed for 362 yards with 2 td's. ........WOW!

If Missouri could pull off some upsets ( which may happen) this guy is heismann material in his second year! I can't help putting in a plug for this guy, especially since our birds need a qb in a few years and the fact that they passed on Justin Smith for Wendall Bryant(bust!) Everyone , keep your eye on this guy he is special!