Raiders Get Run Over by Dallas Cowboys

By MikeBullock  |   Friday, November 27, 2009  |  Comments( 6 )

Oakland Raiders
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Raiders Get Run Over by Dallas Cowboys

With 3:31 left in the first quarter, Dallas Cowboy running back, Tashard Choice lined up as the Wildback and blew the game open. To that point, Oakland’s Justin Fargas had been the game’s best ground performer, but after Choice took off for a 66-yard scamper up the middle, it was all Dallas. Choice ended with a 22.3-yard average and teammate Felix Jones carried for an average of 9.7, once again exposing the Raider’s glaring need for a run stuffing defensive tackle to compliment the solid ends they’ve brought in recently.

On offense, the Raiders failed to cross midfield until 6:04 into the third quarter. Speedy wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey continued to show off his track star speed, and his hands of stone, touching, yet failing to catch several key passes in the first half.

Former Raider Warren Sapp recently said the Raiders were at their worst after a win, and coming off last week’s stunning victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, they certainly weren’t at their best. However, they weren’t at their worst either. Sorry, Sapp.

Bright spots for Oakland included the play of free safety Michael Huff, defensive end Trevor Scott and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Both combined to effectively shut down the Cowboys best receiver, Miles Austin until Dallas offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett started lining Austin up in various places to put him against Oakland’s other corner, Chris Johnson, allowing Austin to shine. Austin ended the day with seven catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was questionable, with an uncalled illegal block in the back by Dallas right tackle Doug Free on Raider safety Tyvon Branch, springing Austin for the score. Even if the Raiders had held Dallas out of the end zone on that drive, they still didn’t do enough in the rest of the game to even sniff a win, though.

On offense, second time starter Bruce Gradkowski got off to a rough start, compounded by several dropped passes by Raider receivers, before settling into a groove in the second half. However, a lack of solid offensive line play and yet another poor performance by the Raider wide receiving corps, handicapped the young QB beyond his ability to overcome.

Watching the game, one couldn’t help but wonder if offensive coordinator Greg Knapp had remained on the Raider staff would this year look different? Both years under Knapp, the Raider running game finished in the top ten. This year, they’re barely in the top twenty even though they arguably have one of the best running back corps in the league. Instead of gaining notoriety as a great running, team, however, the Raiders seem content to gain it as a team anyone can run on.

Overall, the Raiders performance on Thanksgiving wasn’t anything to be thankful for, however certain players gave a valiant performance and showed there is hope for this team. At this point, unfortunately, Raider Nation should start looking forward to the off-season, putting together a Christmas list that includes a run defense, receivers who can catch and offensive lineman who can block. With that, and a little luck, the Raiders could end this seven season skid. In the meantime, Dallas is headed for post season play, and the Raiders are headed for five meaningless games before vacation time.
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CommentsComments: 6  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Big Tex		11:58 AM
11/27/2009
Excuse me Mike, but didn't Austin burn Nnambi for 49 yards on the second play from scrimmage? BTW, isn't it the coach's job to ...
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No.2
Raidehz		12:49 PM
11/27/2009
Ok, I put about 600 hours of thought into this... and I WANT JON GRUDEN BACK! Let's get him back, let's fix this. I'm not ...
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No.3
neil b		10:05 AM
11/28/2009
"If he's willing"...........says it all really.Give it up 'cause it's never going to happen.I'd love to see Gruden back in siver ...
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