Post by TheShadow on Dec 4, 2003 20:42:52 GMT -5
www.sportsnetwork.com
(Sports Network) - Two of the NFL's most disappointing teams meet Sunday when the Raiders travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers at Heinz Field. What might have looked like a battle for playoff positioning back in the preseason has turned into an opportunity to try and build momentum for next year.
The Steelers are still mathematically alive for a playoff berth, but any realistic opportunity ended last week with a 24-20 loss to division rival Cincinnati. Pittsburgh used a no-huddle offense and drove 80 yards in 11 plays to take a 20-17 lead with 1:05 to play. The Bengals took over on their 48 and needed just four plays and 52 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown.
The Raiders lost for the seventh time in eight games last week, falling at home, 22-8, to Denver. The Raiders lost three fumbles, committed 11 penalties, two of which led directly to 11 Denver points, and finally earned the wrath of their coach. Bill Callahan called his team the dumbest in America after the latest loss.
"As I watched the performance on the field, I strongly felt that if we don't learn how not to beat ourselves, we won't win again," he said. "And we won't win for a long time.
"I am highly critical because of the way we give games away. We give them away, period. It's embarrassing, and I represent that (effort). I apologize for that. But if that is the best we can do, that is a sad problem."
Callahan's stern attitude left little margin for error down the stretch.
"It's a lot. It's undisciplined play. It's uncharacteristic play. A lot of it has to do with the character of playing hard and playing smart and being emotionally disciplined enough to pull off and make a smart play and not get yourself penalized. That is where we're at. We're in this funk we can't get out of right now. Until we learn how not to lose games the way we've been losing them, we will continue to lose them.
"We're certainly capable of winning. ... I think that is indicative of the way we are playing. All that effort goes right out the door when you get an effort like this from a penalty standpoint."
SERIES HISTORY: The longtime rivals meet infrequently in the regular season. Oakland has an 8-6 advantage in the series, but Pittsburgh has won three of four against the Raiders.
The teams last played on September 15, 2002 in Pittsburgh. The Raiders won that Sunday night matchup, 30-17. Oakland passed for more than 400 yards in the game.
Callahan is 1-0 against Pittsburgh. Steelers coach Bill Cowher has a 3-1 record against Oakland.
RAIDERS OFFENSE VS. STEELERS DEFENSE
Callahan's post-game comments were no harsher than anything Bill Parcells has said a dozen times in his coaching career. But while no player on a Parcells team would attack his coach, Raiders players were outraged.
"If that's what he said, I won't allow no man to call me stupid or dumb," said cornerback Charles Woodson, who has been Callahan's most vocal critic. "We're not going to stand for (stuff) like that. There's frustrating, but I don't care what it is. If he says we're dumb, he's dead wrong."
Callahan backpedaled during the week, saying his players aren't dumb, only their play on the field would warrant that tag.
Whether Callahan's outburst saves his job or guarantees his exit will be known soon enough. The only puzzling thing about his criticism is the timing.
Earlier in the season when the team was committing the same mistakes against Tennessee, Chicago, Cleveland and Kansas City, Callahan's rip job may have turned the season around. Now, the only question is how the team will respond on the field. Previously when Woodson was telling anyone with a microphone or notebook that Callahan had lost the team because of a giant ego, he was clearly wrong. The Raiders continued to play hard, if not smart, for the coach. Sunday they get a chance to show if they will continue to compete now that they have officially been eliminated from the playoffs.
At least some Raider players agreed with Callahan's bluntness.
Linebacker Eric Barton, who hit Denver quarterback Jake Plummer out of bounds to give Denver a first down instead of a fourth-and-five and a 40-yard field goal attempt, agreed with Callahan's assessment of his team's smarts: "He's probably right," Barton admitted.
"I was chasing the guy," Barton said of the hit. "I didn't know if he was going to run up the sidelines. ... I made a dumb play and it cost us."
"You can't blame nothing on a penalty but the person who made the penalty," linebacker Tim Johnson said. "You've got to be accountable. If I get a penalty, it's my fault, I did it."
Linebacker Eric Johnson said Callahan's telling the truth, but should probably have kept his comments private.
"You don't play the smartest game in the world, maybe you are, sort of, the dumbest team in America," Johnson said. "He's not necessarily lying. But it's not a smart thing to say."
What Callahan can be criticized for is play-calling and time management. Against Denver, the Raiders went away from the power-running attack that had been working so well.
The Raiders were averaging over 170 rushing yards in their three games prior to Denver. Against the Broncos, Oakland passed 30 times in a steady rain despite a close game until the final minutes. For the second week in a row Callahan chose to run Charlie Garner wide on a third-and-one instead of going up the middle with bullish backs Tyrone Wheatley or Zack Crockett. The play failed for the second time.
Against the Steelers, the Raiders will be tempted to throw frequently again. In last year's game, Oakland threw almost exclusively in marching up and down the field. Wide receiver Jerry Porter and Garner presented huge matchup problems in the passing game.
Pittsburgh put cornerback Chad Scott on injured reserve this week with a torn tendon in his hand. Dewayne Washington, who was benched several weeks ago, will return to the starting lineup against the Raiders.
Washington will start at right corner and Deshea Townsend will move to left corner. Rookie Ike Taylor will continue to be the third cornerback.
Rookie safety Troy Polamalu has been playing more each week and had his first sack against the Bengals. It may be tempting to throw 30 times again against the Pittsburgh secondary, but to win their first road game of the season the Raiders must stick with the running game even if they don't have early success against the Steelers.
STEELERS OFFENSE VS. RAIDERS DEFENSE
Quarterback Tommy Maddox played like it was 2002 against the Bengals. He was masterful in the no-huddle drive that gave the Steelers their short-lived, fourth-quarter lead. Maddox, however, hyperextended his knee in the game and is iffy to play against Oakland in Week 14.
While the season has been a major disappointment for the Steelers, Cowher said all of the games in the final quarter of the season are important.
"First of all, we are three games out with four games to go," Cowher said. "I know it may not be probable, but there is a possibility that exists. Until they tell us that we are mathematically eliminated, we are fighting for that last playoff spot. Secondly, if it is not for the postseason, then you are fighting for next season. We all know the importance of finishing strong."
The Steelers last missed the playoffs in 2000, but won four of five to end the season and Cowher said that may have had a carryover to the back-to-back division titles.
"How much of 2001 came from what we were able to build upon because of the finish the previous year? It is hard to say that, but I think there is a lot of merit to that," Cowher said. "When you look at how you finish a year, you look at Seattle last year and what they were able to take into this season. So there are a lot of examples that have taken place where finishing strong is very, very important in terms of what you are trying to build for the next year. And so, in our case if it is not for the postseason, it is for next season."
Cowher won't play young players just to give them experience.
"We are not going to do that at the expense of just trying to give people experience," Cowher said. "If we feel that it gives us the best chance of winning, then if they both coincide, then so be it. But our plans are to do whatever we can to win these last four football games."
While Callahan's future is uncertain, Cowher, the longest-tenured coach in the league, isn't going anywhere. That means his players know they have to play well even if the games are meaningless. The coach was asked whether he would be watching to see which players continue to play hard over the final month.
"Very closely and they know it," said Cowher.
Against Oakland's defense, the Steelers will have a chance to run the ball. The Raiders are the worst in the league against the run.
If Maddox can play with the injury, he needs to throw early to get a lead and let Jerome Bettis control the clock. Starting receivers Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress each went over 100 yards last week. The duo combined for 21 catches and 261 yards. It was the first time Burress had 100 yards receiving since Week 2, and the first time both went over the century mark since then.
(Sports Network) - Two of the NFL's most disappointing teams meet Sunday when the Raiders travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers at Heinz Field. What might have looked like a battle for playoff positioning back in the preseason has turned into an opportunity to try and build momentum for next year.
The Steelers are still mathematically alive for a playoff berth, but any realistic opportunity ended last week with a 24-20 loss to division rival Cincinnati. Pittsburgh used a no-huddle offense and drove 80 yards in 11 plays to take a 20-17 lead with 1:05 to play. The Bengals took over on their 48 and needed just four plays and 52 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown.
The Raiders lost for the seventh time in eight games last week, falling at home, 22-8, to Denver. The Raiders lost three fumbles, committed 11 penalties, two of which led directly to 11 Denver points, and finally earned the wrath of their coach. Bill Callahan called his team the dumbest in America after the latest loss.
"As I watched the performance on the field, I strongly felt that if we don't learn how not to beat ourselves, we won't win again," he said. "And we won't win for a long time.
"I am highly critical because of the way we give games away. We give them away, period. It's embarrassing, and I represent that (effort). I apologize for that. But if that is the best we can do, that is a sad problem."
Callahan's stern attitude left little margin for error down the stretch.
"It's a lot. It's undisciplined play. It's uncharacteristic play. A lot of it has to do with the character of playing hard and playing smart and being emotionally disciplined enough to pull off and make a smart play and not get yourself penalized. That is where we're at. We're in this funk we can't get out of right now. Until we learn how not to lose games the way we've been losing them, we will continue to lose them.
"We're certainly capable of winning. ... I think that is indicative of the way we are playing. All that effort goes right out the door when you get an effort like this from a penalty standpoint."
SERIES HISTORY: The longtime rivals meet infrequently in the regular season. Oakland has an 8-6 advantage in the series, but Pittsburgh has won three of four against the Raiders.
The teams last played on September 15, 2002 in Pittsburgh. The Raiders won that Sunday night matchup, 30-17. Oakland passed for more than 400 yards in the game.
Callahan is 1-0 against Pittsburgh. Steelers coach Bill Cowher has a 3-1 record against Oakland.
RAIDERS OFFENSE VS. STEELERS DEFENSE
Callahan's post-game comments were no harsher than anything Bill Parcells has said a dozen times in his coaching career. But while no player on a Parcells team would attack his coach, Raiders players were outraged.
"If that's what he said, I won't allow no man to call me stupid or dumb," said cornerback Charles Woodson, who has been Callahan's most vocal critic. "We're not going to stand for (stuff) like that. There's frustrating, but I don't care what it is. If he says we're dumb, he's dead wrong."
Callahan backpedaled during the week, saying his players aren't dumb, only their play on the field would warrant that tag.
Whether Callahan's outburst saves his job or guarantees his exit will be known soon enough. The only puzzling thing about his criticism is the timing.
Earlier in the season when the team was committing the same mistakes against Tennessee, Chicago, Cleveland and Kansas City, Callahan's rip job may have turned the season around. Now, the only question is how the team will respond on the field. Previously when Woodson was telling anyone with a microphone or notebook that Callahan had lost the team because of a giant ego, he was clearly wrong. The Raiders continued to play hard, if not smart, for the coach. Sunday they get a chance to show if they will continue to compete now that they have officially been eliminated from the playoffs.
At least some Raider players agreed with Callahan's bluntness.
Linebacker Eric Barton, who hit Denver quarterback Jake Plummer out of bounds to give Denver a first down instead of a fourth-and-five and a 40-yard field goal attempt, agreed with Callahan's assessment of his team's smarts: "He's probably right," Barton admitted.
"I was chasing the guy," Barton said of the hit. "I didn't know if he was going to run up the sidelines. ... I made a dumb play and it cost us."
"You can't blame nothing on a penalty but the person who made the penalty," linebacker Tim Johnson said. "You've got to be accountable. If I get a penalty, it's my fault, I did it."
Linebacker Eric Johnson said Callahan's telling the truth, but should probably have kept his comments private.
"You don't play the smartest game in the world, maybe you are, sort of, the dumbest team in America," Johnson said. "He's not necessarily lying. But it's not a smart thing to say."
What Callahan can be criticized for is play-calling and time management. Against Denver, the Raiders went away from the power-running attack that had been working so well.
The Raiders were averaging over 170 rushing yards in their three games prior to Denver. Against the Broncos, Oakland passed 30 times in a steady rain despite a close game until the final minutes. For the second week in a row Callahan chose to run Charlie Garner wide on a third-and-one instead of going up the middle with bullish backs Tyrone Wheatley or Zack Crockett. The play failed for the second time.
Against the Steelers, the Raiders will be tempted to throw frequently again. In last year's game, Oakland threw almost exclusively in marching up and down the field. Wide receiver Jerry Porter and Garner presented huge matchup problems in the passing game.
Pittsburgh put cornerback Chad Scott on injured reserve this week with a torn tendon in his hand. Dewayne Washington, who was benched several weeks ago, will return to the starting lineup against the Raiders.
Washington will start at right corner and Deshea Townsend will move to left corner. Rookie Ike Taylor will continue to be the third cornerback.
Rookie safety Troy Polamalu has been playing more each week and had his first sack against the Bengals. It may be tempting to throw 30 times again against the Pittsburgh secondary, but to win their first road game of the season the Raiders must stick with the running game even if they don't have early success against the Steelers.
STEELERS OFFENSE VS. RAIDERS DEFENSE
Quarterback Tommy Maddox played like it was 2002 against the Bengals. He was masterful in the no-huddle drive that gave the Steelers their short-lived, fourth-quarter lead. Maddox, however, hyperextended his knee in the game and is iffy to play against Oakland in Week 14.
While the season has been a major disappointment for the Steelers, Cowher said all of the games in the final quarter of the season are important.
"First of all, we are three games out with four games to go," Cowher said. "I know it may not be probable, but there is a possibility that exists. Until they tell us that we are mathematically eliminated, we are fighting for that last playoff spot. Secondly, if it is not for the postseason, then you are fighting for next season. We all know the importance of finishing strong."
The Steelers last missed the playoffs in 2000, but won four of five to end the season and Cowher said that may have had a carryover to the back-to-back division titles.
"How much of 2001 came from what we were able to build upon because of the finish the previous year? It is hard to say that, but I think there is a lot of merit to that," Cowher said. "When you look at how you finish a year, you look at Seattle last year and what they were able to take into this season. So there are a lot of examples that have taken place where finishing strong is very, very important in terms of what you are trying to build for the next year. And so, in our case if it is not for the postseason, it is for next season."
Cowher won't play young players just to give them experience.
"We are not going to do that at the expense of just trying to give people experience," Cowher said. "If we feel that it gives us the best chance of winning, then if they both coincide, then so be it. But our plans are to do whatever we can to win these last four football games."
While Callahan's future is uncertain, Cowher, the longest-tenured coach in the league, isn't going anywhere. That means his players know they have to play well even if the games are meaningless. The coach was asked whether he would be watching to see which players continue to play hard over the final month.
"Very closely and they know it," said Cowher.
Against Oakland's defense, the Steelers will have a chance to run the ball. The Raiders are the worst in the league against the run.
If Maddox can play with the injury, he needs to throw early to get a lead and let Jerome Bettis control the clock. Starting receivers Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress each went over 100 yards last week. The duo combined for 21 catches and 261 yards. It was the first time Burress had 100 yards receiving since Week 2, and the first time both went over the century mark since then.