Meltdown in Oakland: Raiders 'Embarrassed' by Saints 45-7

OAKLAND, Calif. -- NFL preseason games are about as meaningful as a Lindsay Lohan vow of chastity. But there is a modicum of significance to the third exhibition contest. Starters play for extended periods. Opponent game plans are installed. Coaches expect signs of rhythm, timing, execution. Then they yank the first teams at halftime and put them on ice until
Week 1.

All of which made Saturday's surreal 45-7 New Orleans Saints' takedown of the Oakland Raiders at a stifling hot, mostly empty Oakland Coliseum even more disturbing for those expecting to see, well, anything of substance from the always rebuilding home team.

Even the NFL Network pulled the plug on this Raiders' total meltdown by halftime. Early in the second quarter, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who completed 14-of-17 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, already had finished his assignment and more. His team had outgained the Raiders 225 yards to 44. The Brees-led Saints offense had piled up 14 first downs to the Raiders' two.

Have a seat and a cool drink, Drew! You're done for the day.

"I think the expectation was for all of us to play at least a half," Brees said of the New Orleans' offensive starters, "but once we got those three quick scores, we felt like we had run a lot of plays."

Translation: The Saints scored on their first three drives. Fullback Heath Evans strolled four yards into the end zone right past Oakland's high-priced defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who was otherwise occupied, what with being hoisted in the air by guard Tim Duckworth and all.

Brees looked like he was playing against himself in Madden NFL 10. He found tight end Jeremy Shockey on passes of 21 and 23 yards, then hit wide receiver Devery Henderson on a 40-yard touchdown strike.

"We had probably run the equivalent number of plays as if it had been a half," Brees said of his quick appearance. "Then at that point we're thinking, 'Hey, there's still a lot of guys we want to evaluate here. Let's just go ahead and pull our first-team guys out, walk away healthy and let those young guys get some work."'

If only it were that simple for the Raiders.

This is a franchise still waiting for big-money quarterback JaMarcus Russell to decide how and when to deliver the ball, either to a back or a receiver. His opening-drive fumble, when he was sacked from behind by Roman Harper and coughed up the ball to Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, was symptomatic of a longstanding weakness.

"You know, that one he probably could have put in the back's hands a little sooner," said Raiders coach Tom Cable, who admitted his team's play was "disappointing" in such a significant dress rehearsal. "He held it, trying to find Zach (Miller), I believe. He should have put the ball in the back's hands and went on to the next play."

The Raiders had hoped to put the ball in any back's hands. But when the offense lost three fumbles and the team fell behind 31-0 by halftime and 45-0 before veteran backup Jeff Garcia threw a 43-yard scoring pass with 6 minutes, six seconds remaining to salvage some credibility, the running back playbook was tossed aside in a hurry.

Tony Stewart and Pierson Prioleau

In Russell's defense, there were at least three drops by Raiders' receivers on third down. His favorite and most dependable receiver, promising second-year wideout Chaz Schilens, is out at least six weeks with a foot fracture. The protection was terrible; Russell was sacked three times. His team committed its usual spate of penalties, 10 for 94 yards.

When he got in sync, Russell looked very, very strong. He threw a tight, on-the-money spiral to Miller for 35 yards just before the sack-fumble, and completed 12-of-18 passes for 153 yards.

And while an out-of-uniform Russell continues to look like an overpaid young quarterback who could stand to 1) Lose at least 25 pounds, 2) Lose at least 10 of those by removing some of the oversized diamond-and-platinum jewelry, and 3) Lose another pound or two by shaving off the ridiculous Mohawk hairdo, he is displaying an admirable sense of duty when it comes to delivering the goods to the paying customers.

"Everything that could have possibly went wrong, went wrong today," Russell said. "When things like that happen you have to go back to your fundamentals, and as a team you have to buckle down and become one. It was a tough situation and for young guys to do that, sometimes they go into a cubby hole,but the thing is, by you being there for awhile, and being a leader, you pull those guys up.

"It was very embarrassing today. It was disrespectful to our fans, ourselves and our family to go out and perform that way, but look on the brighter side, another day to go to work tomorrow, and days to come, and hopefully will pick it up from that end learn something from it, be positive about it."

Raiders defensive players owned up to their poor tackling. Cable summed it all up pretty well: "Obviously, I'm embarrassed about that effort," he said.

Said Miller, the talented tight end who knows he can do better than this: "It's an embarrassment. As an offense, we didn't do what we normally do. Way too many mistakes, myself included. Penalties, turnovers, something kept happening that killed the drive.

"I don't think it was any one thing. I think a lot of different things had to do with it but we just got to, we can't let those types of things happen. And if something bad happens, we can't let it snowball and keep turning it into worse things. We've got to turn it around."

If it seems like you've heard this before, you're right. It's standard practice in Oakland, where the word embarrassment is tossed around in a Raiders' post-game locker room like a wet towel, and where the impetus for that description plays itself out on the field far too often.

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Oakland Raiders Photos

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: A fan of the Oakland Raiders looks on during a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

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Oakland Raiders Photos

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders looks on against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaMarcus Russell

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Jeff Garcia #7 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Garcia

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders passes against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaMarcus Russell

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Mike Bell #21 of the New Orleans Saints runs against Tommy Kelly #93 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Bell;Tommy Kelly

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Member of the Oakland Raiders are introduced against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders is introduced against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nnamdi Asomugha

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Head coach Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders looks on against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cable

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 29: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders is sacked by Bobby McCray #93 of the New Orleans Saints during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 29, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaMarcus Russell;Bobby McCray

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-29-2009 @ 10:54PM

janandrick84 said...

I watched the game and appears that the raiders have a long long way to go.

8-30-2009 @ 12:22AM

rssw53 said...

Go Saints !

8-30-2009 @ 12:32AM

gbbob450 said...

Nancy i think your my new favorite writer you have hit it on the head your descripition of the raiders play.

I see no sense of urgency or passion in Jamarcus Russell laughing on the sidelines in the fourth quarter he may be the chosen one after all he did get 30 million for basically doing nothing.

he's not the only problem with this team that's just how i see it with him where's the passion. oh what a sad demise of the great raiders teams i grew up with.

8-30-2009 @ 12:46AM

Albert S. said...

Hey Al IF you REALLY want to win put a clip board in J.R.s hands to keep notes from Jeff Garcias play . And please cut Bey and Murphy . They might be ready in about 5 years mabey . Concentrate on Higgens and Walker ( get B.Marshall ) .The defence damn, let Cable punch them ALL one time in the face.

8-30-2009 @ 8:17AM

Hi! Michael said...

I watched them play the 49er's and what I saw on defense appalled me. In the first half, their star (49er's) running back, Coffee was ripping off 20 and thirty yard runs and in the second half, their 2nd string (or third string?) running back who averaged a little over 2 yards a carry last year was ripping up 10 and 15 yard runs straight through the middle of the Raiders defense. They had the lead and blew it (typical) They self destructed themselves with penalties (also typical) Defense still sucks. It's going to be a very long year for Raider fans again.

8-30-2009 @ 8:28AM

JFCJR said...

My Broncos SUCK! They really really SUCK! They will SUCK for many years to come under McDumbass! HOWEVER, it's always good to know that no matter how bad things get, there is NO WORSE franchise in all of professional sports as Al Davis & his Raiders!!!

8-31-2009 @ 11:42PM

reikilight said...

I think you'd better take another look at the Denver organization ... LOL! They are the WORSE NFL franchise now and getting rid of Shannahan and their star QB shows that they are even worse than Al and the Oakland organization! At least here we have hope ... Al is getting old and his insane inability to hire a real Head Coach and let that Head Coach build a coaching staff with care will happen soon ... have you seen Al lately? He looks like the walking dead! JFCJR You are wrong Oakland is above Denver and KC in the AFC West in everything ... even with screwed up Al Davis! Whine on JF!

8-30-2009 @ 9:14AM

Mike said...

JaMarkus Russel is one of the most over rated players to ever come out of college. No leadership and no skills. What has happened to the Raiders, how can they actually be as bad as they have become? From the owner, to the head coach, to all the players, they are terrible. You get a player that tries to embarress your team? Trade them to the Raiders and show him how bad it can really be. What college player would want to play for them,,,really play for them,,,not many if any.

8-30-2009 @ 11:28AM

horatiowrd said...

watch Garcia's play? What about Garcia's play was noteworthy? Ah that the Saints 6th Safety cant make an open field tackle?

look at Brees Numbers, look at Russell's other than the blindsided hit and fumble Russell looked good. Plus this is a team that I think had 1 rushing yard in the 1st half.

If Raiders dont get 120 rushing yards they dont win, period. Thats where all the talent is.

8-30-2009 @ 12:16PM

Kelli said...

as a new orleans saints fan, I remember a player by the name of aaron brooks who, much like russel showed all the physical tools but just didn't have much upstairs. i think the raiders made a huge mistake drafting him #1. he played on an lsu team that was so loaded with talent, any quarterback would look good. he just doesn't have the smarts to play the position. the sooner yall accept it the better off you will be.

8-30-2009 @ 9:52PM

tyrekyoung said...

the silver and black has not been a relevant team since bo jackson. lyle is rolling over in his grave at the sorry site that is and now has become the raiders. they need to blow up this whole team starting with the owner, management, coaches, players

8-31-2009 @ 6:00AM

chucksterr124 said...

i grew up watching this team,inever thought i would ever feel the need to jump ship.but could it verywell be the dumbest team in america? the same excuses after every game,year after year .got to be the coaching.RUSSELL needs to sit and take note of GARCIA's drive and passion for the game.players making dumb penalties,pull their but"s out of the game for series or two.

8-31-2009 @ 11:28AM

dcabre777 said...

As a Raiders fan, all I have to say is this: Al Davis, you need to retire.Thank you for all you did for the AFL and Football in general but the Raiders are stuck in the 1970's.Al, you did your job but the franchise needs a new direction.Cable must go, he is clueless.We need a real coach.Jamarcus,you are getting paid a lot of money....EARN IT!!!

8-31-2009 @ 5:50PM

Brad said...

Jeff Garcia needs 2 B the starting QB for the Raiders,,,,,,that's at least a start......nuff said! ! !

8-31-2009 @ 7:25PM

3rd force said...

In Spain, they waited for decades for Gen. Franco to die, just as the Cubans now wait for the Castros to pass away - and just as Raiders fans now wait for Al Davis to kick the bucket. What else could they do?

9-01-2009 @ 8:39AM

Hey reikilight...just keep your head in the sand (I'm being nice) but EVERYONE, including Raider fans, know that the Raider organization is the MOST dysfunctional team in all of sports. Sports commentators have been saying it for years. Al Davis is beyond hope and until he is gone, you guys are just going to have to deal with it. Now with my Broncos, Bowlen may have experienced a "brain fart" but he will recover because the fan base in Denver will demand it. It may take couple seasons like 3-13 & 4-12 to get his attention. Hell, I hope they go 0-16. Losing to you guys twice in 1 season will be the best remedy for getting McDumbass out of Denver.

By the way, as pure dollar value, despite being in a small market the Denver Broncos are rated by Fortune as one of the top 5 franchises in the NFL! You are gonna be fun to spar with this season because your Raiders will continue to give me plenty of ammunition on a weekly basis!

9-01-2009 @ 3:55PM

hulk411 said...

i think its halarious to blame this on al davis. when are these over-paid bunch of cowards gonna get tired of getting there asses kicked and stand up and be men. im a raider fan but these guys are the most heartless bunch of players ive seen. always excuses and we will get them next time. we just gsather losers now. no fight in these guys. i mean give me a freaking break. al davis doesn't play on the field and we have talent to not be this sad of a team. get it together you freaking losers

9-04-2009 @ 1:09PM

I agree with you Hulk, Al Davis does not play on the field and true,some of the players in the roster are a bunch of overpaid idiots. It is sad that some football players take their "Job" for granted.However, Mr Davis needs to get a real coach in place.The Raiders have lost the respectability they once had.WE NEED TO GET IT BACK!!!