Raider Offense Needs A Time-Out

At the half way point in the season, the Raiders' offensive unit has made no progress. It can be argued that based on the last 4 weeks performances, the offense has regressed. In the MNF game at Seattle, the weather matched the mood of the Raider Nation. As the rain continued to pour, the Raiders' offensive unit once again was unable to execute anything close to a competent level. The statistics and commentary below shows an offensive unit that should be in a full crisis mode. The broken record keeps playing the same depressing song. Cue up an old Robert Johnson ditty. The offense wasted another Herculean effort by the Raiders defenders.

Playcalling:
Walsh is responsible for designing the offensive schemes, selecting the personnel groupings, creating favorable match-ups, and selecting the plays that will give the offensive unit the best chance to succeed. In essence, Walsh should manage the game by providing a road map for the players to get to their destination … the end zone.

What on earth is OC Walsh thinking? Who in their right mind would call 45 pass plays and only 11 run plays in the stormy, wet, windy conditions of Seattle? Why would Walsh abandon the run so quickly when the Raiders were only down 10-0? The Raiders had success running the ball (11 carries for 64 yards) on Monday night and throughout the season (avg. 4.2 yards per carry). Regardless of the score, the opponent, or match-up, the rushing attack needs to be a primary staple in the Raiders offense. With a first year starting QB, the run/pass ratio should be around 55% run to 45% pass. The Raiders for the season are only averaging 25 carries per game. With the pass protection shaky at best and the passing attack struggling, does it make any sense to run the ball only 11 times during the course of a game? Further, when your QB is getting mauled (44 sacks on the year; 9 vs. the Seahawks) on a regular basis, who in their right mind calls for 7 step passing plays? Common sense, right?

Execution:
The players are responsible for winning their individual match-ups, their effort, and carrying out their assignment on each and every play. In essence, the players are the drivers of the car with the OC setting the course and the coaching staff giving instructions on how to most efficiently get to their destination … the end zone.

QB – Andrew Walter’s body language said it all on Monday night. Although he is trying his best in some very adverse conditions, he realizes the deck is completely stacked against him. He is too busy running for his life on each pass play to get in any sustainable rhythm. He is botching the most elementary plays (center snap exchange), holding on to the ball too long, and has been inconsistent with his reads down the field. His development has been severely stunted with Bozo Walsh's playcalling and shoddy protection from his O-linemen.

O-Line – 8 games into the season and the Raiders are on a record pace for most sacks allowed in a season. Undisciplined & unfocused play has become the calling card of this inept unit. Simple bull rushes by marginal defenders are enough to put Walter on his back. About the only thing the O-line has done fairly well on a consistent basis is run block. Unfortunately, a consistent running attack has not been established. The entire foundation for the offensive unit’s success rests with the O-line’s ability to protect the QB. Is it time for the O-line to be reconfigured once again? Should some of the non-starters be given the opportunity to play like Paul McQuistan? It will be critical for the Raiders to identify a blue chip O-lineman in the upcoming 2007 draft and free agent market.

WRs – Is there any sane reason why the Raiders best possession receiver (Ron Curry) gets so few snaps? Is there any logical explanation for why Jerry Porter was glued to the sideline on Monday night? How can an All-Pro receiver like Randy Moss drop so many catchable balls? Is the TE (Courtney Anderson) on the Witness Protection Program? One scheme and personnel grouping that I’m dying to see on Sunday vs. the Donkeys is the 3 WR set (Moss, Porter, Curry) where Porter and Curry run short patterns and Walter uses a 3 step drop. Why is this missing from the playbook?

















Offensive Number Crunching:
8 games played to date
- 5 of 8 games = 0 TDs

94 total possessions breakdown:
-44 punts
-12 interceptions
- 9 fumbles
- 9 field goals
- 8 loss of downs
- 6 TDs
- 4 end of half/end of game possessions
- 1 safety
- 1 missed FG

69 total points produced in 94 offensive possessions. The Raiders offensive unit is averaging 8.6 points per game and only 2.7 per 2nd half. Please note: The scoring avg. below factors in the 25 points scored by the defensive unit.

Offensive Category	Oakland	Rank
Scoring	11.5	32
Yards per Game	227.9	32
Rushing yards per game	105.2	18
Passing yards per game	122.7	32
Turnovers Allowed	21	31
Sacks Allowed	44	32
Time of Possession	27:10	30
3rd Down Conversion	30.8%	30

The numbers above indicate an offensive unit that is beyond just struggling. The unit is on it's death bed. A change needs to be made that will have a positive impact on both the short term results and the upcoming 2007 season. In my humble opinion, the most sensible and practical solution is to fire Tom Walsh and slap the OC tag on TE's coach John Shoop. In season changes to the coaching staff are never easy and don't necessarily produce immediate dividends. However, under the current course set by Walsh, the offensive players are going backwards in terms of performance and confidence. In season changes to the 53 man roster are very limited. I would like to see some of the younger players get some meaningful playing experience to build towards 2007. Players like McQuistan, Morant, Fargas should see an increase in their workload.

“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” John Dewey

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery