The feel-good Raider game balls go to…

By Os Davis  |   Monday, October 20, 2008  |  Comments( 65 )

Oakland Raiders
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Aside from the Sebastian Janikowski field goal, there were several happy moments in the Oakland Raiders' 16-13 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. This is the way, ideally, these Raiders are supposed to work – certain name players were accounted for, and generally smart play overcame many stupid penalties. Ultimately, Tom Cable was rewarded with his first-ever NFL head coaching victory.

RealFootball365.com's game balls go to ...

Special teams. Janikowski, of course! Whoa, what a slick and powerful 57-yarder that was to ice the game. A franchise record and surely kudos throughout the media Monday morning to the kicker. Game ball.

Offense. Looking shaky as ever sometimes, the Oakland offense managed to sustain some brilliance for longer than flashes sometimes. Game ball to Javon Walker, certainly, for his first TD as a Raider and the team's only journey to pay dirt – Janikowski field goal aside, how good did it feel, Oakland fans, to see JaMarcus Russell roll waaaaaaaay out so coolly like that and fire the bullet to Walker? Game ball to Russell, too, for steady if not spectacular play and a solid line (17 of 30 for 203 yards, one touchdown) that will should have satisfied the Raider Nation if not fantasy football owners.

Toss one to Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas as well; generosity abounds in the afterglow of a win like this. Coach Carroll suggested on Friday that McFadden get the lion’s share of carries, but there was room enough for both in the Raider attack this week. Fargas ground out 78 yards on 28 tough carries – without blocking on a couple of occasions, Fargas was stuffed badly and generally took a beating. You have to like McFadden’s 50 yards receiving in addition to some swell running, especially that 13-yard gain to put Oakland in the red zone and set up the Walker TD.

And finally, one for Chaz Schilens to commemorate his first start (certainly not to be his last).

Defense. Gibril Wilson showed why he gets the big bucks with seven tackles and the absolutely mammoth huge interception in the second to stifle Brett Favre and the Jets’ methodical drive. What happens if New York scores here? Do the Raiders lose? Thanks to Wilson, we didn’t find out. Game ball.

Trevor Scott definitely scores a trophy for his two sacks, once forcing the fumble for the game ball-winning play by Sam Williams. You had to love Scott’s second bagging of Favre when he feints Damien Woody right out of his jock on third down in a Jets overtime drive. That felt good to the Raiders, but surely not to Favre.

Ricky Brown gets a game ball for his seven tackles, and (oh, this is too weird) so does DeAngelo Hall for his seven plus a much-awaited interception; give him that particular game ball, in fact, and tell him to think on it often.

One other. To head coach Cable for that first win. No one knows how long he’ll be around or if he’ll even lose the “interim” from his official title, but right about now, Cable just wants to feel good a little longer. Game ball, coach.
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's ...
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CommentsComments: 65  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
02:27 AM
10/20/2008
Tom Cable is the future. He can communicate with the players and the coaches. When we were too conservative in overtime, he ...
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No.2
02:37 AM
10/20/2008
I am open to opinions on burning my authentic Michael Huff jersey. I still have hope for him becoming a great player but he needs ...
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No.3
RaiderSensation		02:41 AM
10/20/2008
That's the result of having a team-playing HC. A novel concept these days. No, don't burn your jersey, donate it to charity and ...
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