Post by TheShadow on Dec 9, 2003 20:20:25 GMT -5
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by Phil Barber
December 9, 2003
Highlights, lowlights and insights from the Raiders' 27-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
WELL GROUNDED: The Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead by returning to the methodical ground attack that looked so good in recent games against Minnesota and Kansas City. During one span of the late first and early second quarters, Oakland ran 11 straight times for 83 yards. The first seven times composed the team's lone scoring drive, which ended with Tyrone Wheatley's 22-yard touchdown run. The Raiders seemed to abandon the run later in the second quarter even though QB Rick Mirer was limited by an ankle injury. With 2:06 left in the half and all three time outs remaining, they called pass plays five consecutive times before Shane Lechler punted. By the time Pittsburgh went up 27-7 on the second play of the fourth quarter, Mirer was forced to pass nearly every down.
WHAT WENT WRONG
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Quarterbacking for the Raiders has to be approaching crop dusting and drug enforcement among the most dangerous jobs in America. Mirer, forced into the starting lineup after season-ending injuries to Rich Gannon (shoulder) and Marques Tuiasosopo (knee), badly sprained his left ankle on a sack by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen in the second quarter. Mirer returned to the game when the Raiders got the ball back, but he was virtually immobile in the pocket. He also had trouble planting for throws, which contributed to his miserable game (10 of 25 for 68 yards).
PLAYING SOFT: The Oakland secondary had been one of the team's bright spots the past month, controlling some potent receivers. Against Pittsburgh, Phillip Buchanon again chose curious moments to give his man cushion. Case in point: Just before the half, he handed Antwaan Randle El a 15-yard advantage on a fourth-and-11 play. Charles Woodson looked downright bored. Terrance Shaw struggled. Steelers WRs Hines Ward, Randle El and Plaxico Burress combined for 10 catches and 153 yards.
HELP WANTED: Bob Casullo's special teams continue to bury the Raiders. Randle El shredded Oakland's punt coverage, averaging 26.4 yards on five returns. He also had a 29-yarder negated because of an illegal block. Randle El's 51-yard return in the third quarter (Shurron Pierson was blasted by a blocker and Teyo Johnson missed a tackle) set up the Steelers' final TD. Randle El and Ike Taylor averaged 28.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
KEEP AN EYE ON
ROB JOHNSON: He's been with the team a little over a month and gets only a tiny percentage of the practice reps each week. But with Mirer hobbling and off the mark, the well-traveled Johnson might get a look at QB against Baltimore this Sunday.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Dana Stubblefield made it back to the field after missing five games with an ankle injury, but Sean Gilbert was down with a groin pull. The Raiders will need all massive hands on deck as they prepare for the hard-running Ravens.
LEADING THE WAY
OFFENSE: By the fourth quarter, the Raiders' deficit had made Tyrone Wheatley a non-factor. But he displayed some tough running before that, picking up 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while splitting time with Charlie Garner.
DEFENSE: Napoleon Harris, playing strongside LB, had six tackles and forced a fumble, though Jerome Bettis got the ball back. Harris did a good job diagnosing screens and shuttle passes early in the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Nobody stood out for recognition here.
UP NEXT
The 8-5 Ravens are flying high after their 31-13 victory over Cincinnati, an outcome that gave them sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Baltimore's defense has changed substantially since it crushed the Raiders in the 2000 AFC Championship, but a few keystones remain: LBs Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware, and CB Chris McAlister. On offense, Jamal Lewis has become one of the most dominant backs in the league. He rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries against the Bengals, giving him an NFL-best 1,622 yards for the season. There are a couple of factors in Oakland's favor, however. The Ravens are 2-4 on the road, and QB Anthony Wright has yet to establish himself as an effective starter. Some incentive for the Raiders: This is the only NFL team they have played but never beaten, losing three games since the old Cleveland Browns were reborn in Baltimore in 1996.
by Phil Barber
December 9, 2003
Highlights, lowlights and insights from the Raiders' 27-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
WELL GROUNDED: The Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead by returning to the methodical ground attack that looked so good in recent games against Minnesota and Kansas City. During one span of the late first and early second quarters, Oakland ran 11 straight times for 83 yards. The first seven times composed the team's lone scoring drive, which ended with Tyrone Wheatley's 22-yard touchdown run. The Raiders seemed to abandon the run later in the second quarter even though QB Rick Mirer was limited by an ankle injury. With 2:06 left in the half and all three time outs remaining, they called pass plays five consecutive times before Shane Lechler punted. By the time Pittsburgh went up 27-7 on the second play of the fourth quarter, Mirer was forced to pass nearly every down.
WHAT WENT WRONG
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Quarterbacking for the Raiders has to be approaching crop dusting and drug enforcement among the most dangerous jobs in America. Mirer, forced into the starting lineup after season-ending injuries to Rich Gannon (shoulder) and Marques Tuiasosopo (knee), badly sprained his left ankle on a sack by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen in the second quarter. Mirer returned to the game when the Raiders got the ball back, but he was virtually immobile in the pocket. He also had trouble planting for throws, which contributed to his miserable game (10 of 25 for 68 yards).
PLAYING SOFT: The Oakland secondary had been one of the team's bright spots the past month, controlling some potent receivers. Against Pittsburgh, Phillip Buchanon again chose curious moments to give his man cushion. Case in point: Just before the half, he handed Antwaan Randle El a 15-yard advantage on a fourth-and-11 play. Charles Woodson looked downright bored. Terrance Shaw struggled. Steelers WRs Hines Ward, Randle El and Plaxico Burress combined for 10 catches and 153 yards.
HELP WANTED: Bob Casullo's special teams continue to bury the Raiders. Randle El shredded Oakland's punt coverage, averaging 26.4 yards on five returns. He also had a 29-yarder negated because of an illegal block. Randle El's 51-yard return in the third quarter (Shurron Pierson was blasted by a blocker and Teyo Johnson missed a tackle) set up the Steelers' final TD. Randle El and Ike Taylor averaged 28.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
KEEP AN EYE ON
ROB JOHNSON: He's been with the team a little over a month and gets only a tiny percentage of the practice reps each week. But with Mirer hobbling and off the mark, the well-traveled Johnson might get a look at QB against Baltimore this Sunday.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Dana Stubblefield made it back to the field after missing five games with an ankle injury, but Sean Gilbert was down with a groin pull. The Raiders will need all massive hands on deck as they prepare for the hard-running Ravens.
LEADING THE WAY
OFFENSE: By the fourth quarter, the Raiders' deficit had made Tyrone Wheatley a non-factor. But he displayed some tough running before that, picking up 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while splitting time with Charlie Garner.
DEFENSE: Napoleon Harris, playing strongside LB, had six tackles and forced a fumble, though Jerome Bettis got the ball back. Harris did a good job diagnosing screens and shuttle passes early in the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Nobody stood out for recognition here.
UP NEXT
The 8-5 Ravens are flying high after their 31-13 victory over Cincinnati, an outcome that gave them sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Baltimore's defense has changed substantially since it crushed the Raiders in the 2000 AFC Championship, but a few keystones remain: LBs Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware, and CB Chris McAlister. On offense, Jamal Lewis has become one of the most dominant backs in the league. He rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries against the Bengals, giving him an NFL-best 1,622 yards for the season. There are a couple of factors in Oakland's favor, however. The Ravens are 2-4 on the road, and QB Anthony Wright has yet to establish himself as an effective starter. Some incentive for the Raiders: This is the only NFL team they have played but never beaten, losing three games since the old Cleveland Browns were reborn in Baltimore in 1996.