Post by TheShadow on Dec 6, 2003 15:29:17 GMT -5
www.bayarea.com
by Steve Corkran
The Raiders get a chance to do something Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers that they haven't done in 364 days: win a game away from Network Associates Coliseum.
That's right, the Raiders' past 10 road games resulted in losses. The streak started with a loss against the Miami Dolphins one week after a road victory against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 8.
Loss No. 2 came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The streak jumped to four after exhibition losses against the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys this season.
It now stands at 10 after regular-season losses to the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday's game is one of two final shots at ending the string this season.
"We have not played well as a road team," coach Bill Callahan said. "That bothers me, and it bothers a lot of our current players, that we haven't performed as we would like on the road."
There doesn't appear to be any one reason for Oakland's sudden inability to win away from home. The Raiders have lost games on grass and artificial turf surfaces, indoors and outdoors, daytime and nighttime, Sunday and Monday, East coast and West coast, 10 cities, you name it, since Dec. 8, 2002.
"It's overall execution," Callahan said. "The primary objective going in into Pittsburgh is to execute and to eliminate the errors that have cost us those close games on the road. With the parity in the league, and now with the fact that we're playing more backups, there is even less margin for error."
Expected freezing temperatures likely won't make things any easier for a Raiders team accustomed to playing the bulk of its games in a much milder climate.
One national forecast calls for temperatures ranging from a high of 37 degrees to a low of 20, with a chance of snow. The wind-chill factor likely will be in the teens, the forecast said.
Callahan said earlier this season that elite teams win at least six of their eight regular-season road games. They won five of eight last season en route to winning the AFC West and advancing to the Super Bowl.
"You have to be able to establish yourself as a team that can go on the road and have some success," quarterback Rich Gannon said after the Raiders lost their first two road games this season. "We've just got to find a way to have a better start on the road. That's the big thing. We've gotten off to very poor starts on the road, and it's very difficult to come back on the road when you get behind and you get the crowd involved."
The Raiders started well against the Bears and Browns but lost leads in the fourth quarter. They fell behind in their other four games and failed to overcome those deficits.
The Raiders last lost as many as six road games in one season in 1997, when they went 2-6.
Raiders host event
The Raiders will host Raiders Football en Espanol in an effort to give Hispanic football fans a behind the scenes look into football Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 at The West Side Club at Network Associates Coliseum.
Former NFL kicker Raul Allegre will emcee the event, along with KAZA radio personalities Erwin Higueros and Ambrosio Rico. Raiders defensive tackle John Parrella, quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, defensive end Tyler Brayton and tight end Teyo Johnson are scheduled to attend and provide insight.
Extra points
Callahan said he won't determine whether Nnamdi Asomugha will start at free safety for the second straight game until conferring with defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan. Derrick Gibson is expected to play Sunday, Callahan said, after missing last Sunday's game with a neck injury. Also, defensive tackle Sean Gilbert (groin) is not expected to play, Callahan said. ... Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown will sign autographs in exchange for new, unwrapped toys as part of the annual Toys for Tots drive Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 at The Raider Image store at Hayward's Southland Mall.
by Steve Corkran
The Raiders get a chance to do something Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers that they haven't done in 364 days: win a game away from Network Associates Coliseum.
That's right, the Raiders' past 10 road games resulted in losses. The streak started with a loss against the Miami Dolphins one week after a road victory against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 8.
Loss No. 2 came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The streak jumped to four after exhibition losses against the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys this season.
It now stands at 10 after regular-season losses to the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday's game is one of two final shots at ending the string this season.
"We have not played well as a road team," coach Bill Callahan said. "That bothers me, and it bothers a lot of our current players, that we haven't performed as we would like on the road."
There doesn't appear to be any one reason for Oakland's sudden inability to win away from home. The Raiders have lost games on grass and artificial turf surfaces, indoors and outdoors, daytime and nighttime, Sunday and Monday, East coast and West coast, 10 cities, you name it, since Dec. 8, 2002.
"It's overall execution," Callahan said. "The primary objective going in into Pittsburgh is to execute and to eliminate the errors that have cost us those close games on the road. With the parity in the league, and now with the fact that we're playing more backups, there is even less margin for error."
Expected freezing temperatures likely won't make things any easier for a Raiders team accustomed to playing the bulk of its games in a much milder climate.
One national forecast calls for temperatures ranging from a high of 37 degrees to a low of 20, with a chance of snow. The wind-chill factor likely will be in the teens, the forecast said.
Callahan said earlier this season that elite teams win at least six of their eight regular-season road games. They won five of eight last season en route to winning the AFC West and advancing to the Super Bowl.
"You have to be able to establish yourself as a team that can go on the road and have some success," quarterback Rich Gannon said after the Raiders lost their first two road games this season. "We've just got to find a way to have a better start on the road. That's the big thing. We've gotten off to very poor starts on the road, and it's very difficult to come back on the road when you get behind and you get the crowd involved."
The Raiders started well against the Bears and Browns but lost leads in the fourth quarter. They fell behind in their other four games and failed to overcome those deficits.
The Raiders last lost as many as six road games in one season in 1997, when they went 2-6.
Raiders host event
The Raiders will host Raiders Football en Espanol in an effort to give Hispanic football fans a behind the scenes look into football Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 at The West Side Club at Network Associates Coliseum.
Former NFL kicker Raul Allegre will emcee the event, along with KAZA radio personalities Erwin Higueros and Ambrosio Rico. Raiders defensive tackle John Parrella, quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, defensive end Tyler Brayton and tight end Teyo Johnson are scheduled to attend and provide insight.
Extra points
Callahan said he won't determine whether Nnamdi Asomugha will start at free safety for the second straight game until conferring with defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan. Derrick Gibson is expected to play Sunday, Callahan said, after missing last Sunday's game with a neck injury. Also, defensive tackle Sean Gilbert (groin) is not expected to play, Callahan said. ... Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown will sign autographs in exchange for new, unwrapped toys as part of the annual Toys for Tots drive Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 at The Raider Image store at Hayward's Southland Mall.