Comments on: Raiders Recap–Preseason 2008 Week 1 http://www.tygrrrrexpress.com/2008/08/raiders-recap-preseason-2008-week-1/ Drinking the love from her Holy Grail Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:46:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jersey McJones http://www.tygrrrrexpress.com/2008/08/raiders-recap-preseason-2008-week-1/#comment-9191 Jersey McJones Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:10:02 +0000 http://www.tygrrrrexpress.com/?p=645#comment-9191 I still think the Raiders made the usual Al Davis mistake of signing big names at top spots while ignoring fundamentals. A great team starts at the offensive line. Though the Raiders offensive line looks good on paper (the rushing and passing stats aren't that bad) when it comes to key plays, like third down conversions, the Raiders are average at best, making only about one third of them last year. Without penalties, the Raiders first down percentage would be amongst the worst in the league. It's all well and fine to average 5 yards or so per play, but unless you can convert third downs and make first downs in general, you can't attain a winning season. On special teams, another squad ignored by Al Davis, the Raiders seem to have nothing improved. On defense, I see no great leap forward. If the Raiders can't get more sacks, or at least a little more pressure, QBs are going to be throwing over their heads all year. I won't even get into interceptions and the secondary here. I love crazy ol' Big Al (but I love Pete Rozelle a helluva lot more), but God I wish he'd get with the times. On the other hand, there's a good mix of vets and youth on the lines, and I like that. If they can click, the weapons Al has added to the team could be quite prolific. I wish the Raiders a great season - except on 10/19 and as long as they don't meet the Jets in the post-season! JMJ I still think the Raiders made the usual Al Davis mistake of signing big names at top spots while ignoring fundamentals. A great team starts at the offensive line. Though the Raiders offensive line looks good on paper (the rushing and passing stats aren’t that bad) when it comes to key plays, like third down conversions, the Raiders are average at best, making only about one third of them last year. Without penalties, the Raiders first down percentage would be amongst the worst in the league. It’s all well and fine to average 5 yards or so per play, but unless you can convert third downs and make first downs in general, you can’t attain a winning season.

On special teams, another squad ignored by Al Davis, the Raiders seem to have nothing improved. On defense, I see no great leap forward. If the Raiders can’t get more sacks, or at least a little more pressure, QBs are going to be throwing over their heads all year. I won’t even get into interceptions and the secondary here. I love crazy ol’ Big Al (but I love Pete Rozelle a helluva lot more), but God I wish he’d get with the times.

On the other hand, there’s a good mix of vets and youth on the lines, and I like that. If they can click, the weapons Al has added to the team could be quite prolific.

I wish the Raiders a great season - except on 10/19 and as long as they don’t meet the Jets in the post-season!

JMJ

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