Post by TheShadow on Oct 11, 2012 17:17:47 GMT -5
www.insidebayarea.com
By Jerry McDonald
ALAMEDA -- Those involved insist there is forward progress, even if it doesn't show up in terms of first downs or touchdowns.
A block here, a cut there and running back Darren McFadden will lead the Raiders 32nd-ranked running game out of a 3.4-yards-per-carry abyss and into the second level, thereby improving down-and-distance, third-down conversion rates improving virtually every facet of offense and defense.
"I know a lot of people outside this facility are discouraged in our run game," Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said. "We're going to continue to work at it. We're not going to stop running the football. If anything, we're going to run the football more."
As daunting as the Raiders' assignment is Sunday at the Georgia Dome against the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons, there's a welcome mat in the form of an opposing defense that has given up rushing yardage in chunks.
Of Oakland's first four opponents -- San Diego, Miami, Pittsburgh and Denver -- only the Steelers (4.1) are giving up more than four yards per carry. Miami has the NFL's top-ranked run defense.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is ranked 27th against the run, giving up 142.8 yards per game and is also 27th in yards per attempt at 5.4 yards per carry.
In last week's 24-17 win over the Washington Redskins, the Falcons gave up 115 yards in 18 carries to Alfred Morris facing a zone blocking concept similar to the one employed by the Raiders.
The Carolina Panthers gashed Atlanta for 199 yards, Denver's Willis McGahee had 113 yards in 22 carries and the Chiefs ran for 152 in 33 attempts.
So when Atlanta coach Mike Smith talks about the threat of McFadden, he means it.
"I think the running back is probably the guy that you have to stop, not only carrying the ball, but catching the ball," Smith said. "He's their leading receiver and leading rusher, and he can get around you, over you and past you. He's got that kind of skill set."
In the Raiders' 37-6 loss to Denver before the bye, McFadden had 34 yards in 13 carries and Oakland gained only 56 yards in 16 attempts overall.
Instead of looking at it as another subpar rushing effort, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp saw it as a reason for optimism.
"We did actually have a more efficient run game, we just didn't have any breakout runs," Knapp said. "We had more consistency and less negative runs. It was good improvement for us."
Indeed, 13 of Oakland's 16 rushes went for positive yardage. Only two resulted in losses. About the time where zone scheme teams are supposed to flourish -- in the second half -- the Raiders were forced to abandon the run because of the mounting deficit on the scoreboard.
"We see it out there," McFadden said. "Guys keep grinding, like I say. It's one of those things that you have to keep pushing and eventually it's going to start hitting and it's something we feel like we've been doing lately."
While Raiders coach Dennis Allen has remained confident in the zone scheme, he also said the bye week would be used for self-scouting and evaluation. Although Allen was non-specific about any changes, the result could include more lead and gap carries from McFadden.
"You can't throw everything out and just start over in the middle of the year," Allen said. "There have been a few tweaks, a few (points of) emphasis, but no drastic change other than we've got to execute better."
McFadden would like nothing better than return to Southeastern Conference country and put on the kind of show he did at Arkansas as a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.
"I love being down south and playing," McFadden said. "I get to see a lot of family and just being in that southern environment, I love it."
Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who was limited the previous day because of a foot injury, was a spectator as team sessions began Thursday. Also not practicing were right tackle Khalif Barnes, tight end Richard Gordon (hamstring) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot).
By Jerry McDonald
ALAMEDA -- Those involved insist there is forward progress, even if it doesn't show up in terms of first downs or touchdowns.
A block here, a cut there and running back Darren McFadden will lead the Raiders 32nd-ranked running game out of a 3.4-yards-per-carry abyss and into the second level, thereby improving down-and-distance, third-down conversion rates improving virtually every facet of offense and defense.
"I know a lot of people outside this facility are discouraged in our run game," Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said. "We're going to continue to work at it. We're not going to stop running the football. If anything, we're going to run the football more."
As daunting as the Raiders' assignment is Sunday at the Georgia Dome against the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons, there's a welcome mat in the form of an opposing defense that has given up rushing yardage in chunks.
Of Oakland's first four opponents -- San Diego, Miami, Pittsburgh and Denver -- only the Steelers (4.1) are giving up more than four yards per carry. Miami has the NFL's top-ranked run defense.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is ranked 27th against the run, giving up 142.8 yards per game and is also 27th in yards per attempt at 5.4 yards per carry.
In last week's 24-17 win over the Washington Redskins, the Falcons gave up 115 yards in 18 carries to Alfred Morris facing a zone blocking concept similar to the one employed by the Raiders.
The Carolina Panthers gashed Atlanta for 199 yards, Denver's Willis McGahee had 113 yards in 22 carries and the Chiefs ran for 152 in 33 attempts.
So when Atlanta coach Mike Smith talks about the threat of McFadden, he means it.
"I think the running back is probably the guy that you have to stop, not only carrying the ball, but catching the ball," Smith said. "He's their leading receiver and leading rusher, and he can get around you, over you and past you. He's got that kind of skill set."
In the Raiders' 37-6 loss to Denver before the bye, McFadden had 34 yards in 13 carries and Oakland gained only 56 yards in 16 attempts overall.
Instead of looking at it as another subpar rushing effort, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp saw it as a reason for optimism.
"We did actually have a more efficient run game, we just didn't have any breakout runs," Knapp said. "We had more consistency and less negative runs. It was good improvement for us."
Indeed, 13 of Oakland's 16 rushes went for positive yardage. Only two resulted in losses. About the time where zone scheme teams are supposed to flourish -- in the second half -- the Raiders were forced to abandon the run because of the mounting deficit on the scoreboard.
"We see it out there," McFadden said. "Guys keep grinding, like I say. It's one of those things that you have to keep pushing and eventually it's going to start hitting and it's something we feel like we've been doing lately."
While Raiders coach Dennis Allen has remained confident in the zone scheme, he also said the bye week would be used for self-scouting and evaluation. Although Allen was non-specific about any changes, the result could include more lead and gap carries from McFadden.
"You can't throw everything out and just start over in the middle of the year," Allen said. "There have been a few tweaks, a few (points of) emphasis, but no drastic change other than we've got to execute better."
McFadden would like nothing better than return to Southeastern Conference country and put on the kind of show he did at Arkansas as a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.
"I love being down south and playing," McFadden said. "I get to see a lot of family and just being in that southern environment, I love it."
Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who was limited the previous day because of a foot injury, was a spectator as team sessions began Thursday. Also not practicing were right tackle Khalif Barnes, tight end Richard Gordon (hamstring) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot).