It's been yet another lost season out in Oakland, as the Raiders are already on their second head coach of the year, employees are jumping ship to join the former head coach at his new place of employment, all while they've assured themselves a sixth straight 10-loss season. Good times, indeed. One of the players who was supposed to help turn this thing around was No. 4 overall pick Darren McFadden. Thus far, his rookie season has been somewhat of a disappointment, mainly because he's been hampered by some turf toe problems -- that may or may not be the result of shoes that don't fit -- and some curious decisions by an agitated Tom Cable.
On Sunday, when the Raiders were absolutely throttled by New England, McFadden didn't play much in the first half, and didn't start getting regular touches until the third quarter when the game was already well out of reach. This isn't sitting well some members of the Oakland media.
Following the game, Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune offered his initial feelings on the lack of McFadden, saying his performance once he got in proves that the turf toe issue is, well, no longer an issue. On Tuesday, Monte Poole weighed in on McFadden's usage, and he too isn't thrilled with the interim head coach.
There are many reasons why Cable won't be promoted after this season, and many of them are beyond his control. A few things, however, are not. At least one of them - McFadden on Sunday carried 12 times for 46 yards and caught three passes for 68 more during a 49-26 loss to New England at the Coliseum. Fifteen touches may not seem like a light load, but the numbers mislead. On a cold, drizzly afternoon perfect for hot soup and old movies, D-Mac in the first quarter had time for both. As the Patriots were scoring touchdowns on their first four drives, Oakland's response on offense remained stubbornly on script, mostly starting running back Justin Fargas ramming between the tackles, and quarterback JaMarcus Russell trying to find receivers who rarely separate from coverage.Don't hold back, Monte, tell us how you really feel. Cable attempted to explain his bizarre McFadden plan by claiming the Raiders never-ending cycle of three-and-outs prevented them from inserting the talented rookie. He didn't address the fact that some of those three-and-outs could have been avoided had they actually let McFadden play.
On Sunday, when the Raiders finally decided to use him, he hauled in three passes for 68 yards, and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which seems to be the basis of the bay area anger, in a "see what happens when you give him the ball" type of manner.
As we've already established many times this season, Oakland's best chance to win football games is to make sure McFadden, Fargas, Michael Bush and Zach Miller touch the football as often as humanly possible, and McFadden, for example, can't really do that when he's sitting on the bench.
Though, to Cable's credit, he did get creative (or he lost his mind, this is certainly open to debate) when he allowed Bush to throw two passes in Sunday's game, including one that was attempted for Russell. Obviously, since Russell is having trouble completing passes, Cable decided to give him an opportunity to try and catch one.
As one would expect, it didn't work, and I'm sure the Raiders front office loved seeing their second-year quarterback -- and highest paid player -- running down the sidelines trying to haul in a pass from a 240-pound fullback. Then again, they probably expected it, seeing as how bizarre coaching decisions have become quite common out in Oakland.
I wonder what Kevin Gilbride thinks of all this?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-16-2008 @ 3:28PM
Larry said...
I am embarrased to say I watched that game. I swear I could coach better than that with no planning at all. And I have only coached one team in my life. A little league team. The Raider defence seems to be worthless, when at the first of the year they had promise. Russell needs to sit for about 5 years, because it will take him that long to learn NFL defences. The Raidas coaches need to plan an offence that can score on the first possession. A scripted plan that gets 3 yards minium on every play. Then if the defence isn't having to play most of the game, and have a lead, they might jell and get some actual pride and stop the other team on occasion.
The first damm thing I would do is stop those offensive line problems of false starts, and holding. Also in a league where the defences are so varied with blitz's, it helps alot do the short quick one step passes, until the defence is tired, then look long. Give me those players for just 1 year and we would go to the playoffs. I never coached football. But I won several little league championships. And it's all attitude. Even the average player can be great if they want to be.
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12-16-2008 @ 3:52PM
Larry said...
I take that back about Russell needing to read defences and 5 years.
Russell needs a mentor that he believes in. One that can help him to build confidence. To say to himself. This is a really great day, and I am going to win this ballgame. To see the win in his mind first, and play with confidence. I am the best damm athelete on this field, and I am on a really good team, who all believe in me. It's a beautiful day and this game win or lose is what I love to do. But winning is alot more fun. But if we should lose, that will be a sign that we are that much closer to being a great team, because we paid for it.
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12-16-2008 @ 10:10PM
Rebel2124 said...
I'm sick of reading these articles blaming Russell. You people are idiots, plain and simple. He is basically a rookie quarterback doing the best he can behind an offensive line that can't block worth a damn. You bastards try playing QB when you're getting blindsided every other play. The smart and most important thing to do is get him some protection at both the offensive tackle spots before his career is ended before it begins. He needs a proven QB coach.
Another thing that utterly pisses me off the the lack of effort I still see from Michael Huff. I swear if I see this guy running half speed again, I'll leap from out of the stands and punch him in his frickin face. I can't stand lazy effortless anything.
Rob Ryan must be fired as SOON as possible. Please get some frickin linebackers. Everyone seems to really like Morrison, but I watch this guy closely and he ain't getting it done. 53 is the only LB I'd keep currently on the roster.
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12-17-2008 @ 1:02PM
seth said...
The Raiders are the Bay Area's version of the "Detroit Lions"
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12-18-2008 @ 4:52PM
footballassasin said...
there is no one to blame but the man himself for the comical turn of events in oakland or as i like to refer to them the oaktown clowns ,now thats a catchy phrase,THE OAKTOWN CLOWNS HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!AND IF YOU LOOK REAL HARD YOU CAN SEE THE RAIDERS EMBLEM OF THE RAIDER TURNING INTO A BIG CLOWN HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12-21-2008 @ 10:38AM
Grancat712 said...
Start McFadden & Bush w/ 4 young receivers, if the line blocks, try a few screens & quick passes to draw the def. in maybe the WR's can see some action. This should be the start of putting the pieces in place for next year. Still we need a Cowher or Green as head coach. Maybe Billick & Fassell As coordinators, with a vet QB to help Russell. Put the money in all star coaching. Crabtree would be a nice addition, since we will be picking early in the draft again. It's a dream I have to see a winning Raider TEAM once more, whatever it takes.
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12-23-2008 @ 6:29PM
TNO said...
new D coach...new head coach...move Morrison from middle to side and bring in a true run stopping middle LB. I still think they should of keep Clark in middle but ..that a while back.. oh yeah new fresh young competitive players for O and D line... also move down in draft for more players (O and D line) that take less money then a top 5 pick.... just my thoughts
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12-27-2008 @ 12:02PM
donnieray said...
the raiders should trade bush for a vet player on the o/l get a gooooooooood w/r and go to the short passing game and get d-mac at least 15-20 touches a game and stop with the trick plays. IN HE OFF SEASON THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS SEND HARRIS BACK TO S.F
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