Murphy TD Video
2 feet down, butt on ground with clear, complete control and possession of the football = TD. Don't bother with the argument that "Murphy was going to ground while making the catch ... yada, yada, yada." He caught the ball in the air. He possessed the ball in the air. He possessed the ball with 1 foot down. He possessed the ball with 2 feet down. He possessed the ball with his butt on the ground.
The Raiders lost this game for 3 other primary reasons:
(1) The kick coverage unit getting gashed by Sproles which set up short fields and cheap points.
(2) Turnovers which took points off the board (Russell INT) or set SD up with a short field (McFadden fumble).
(3) The defense going soft with the game on the line. Going to zone coverage and playing your LBs too far off the line of scrimmage led to back breaking, game deciding points when it mattered most.
posted by Calico Jack at 9:51 PM
13 Comments:
CJ,
YOu right for the first time watching the Raiders lose a heartbreaker I felt slightly encouraged by the physicality of the lines.
The Raiders lost the game for one reason Russell was awful.
Please lets not sugar coat it, his foot work is terrible, his touch is non-existent and he looks clueless when it comes to reading defenses. On top of everything else for a guy that has reportedly has such a strong arm if it is not between the hash marks (passes to miller and the one to JLH) his passes sure do wobble.
Lastly his ass is its own eco-system. Don't give me any thing about him being big boned and that's his natural weight etc. From the waist down he looks in terrible shape which means he is not giving his 100% to the team
On the positive side I think he is tough and calm in the pocket.
Are you not beggining to panic a though? Even a little bit about Russell as the long term answer at QB? Whats your opinion---my two cents given this is his third year in the league (it is regardless that he missed the first training camp) and he still seems lost I think we are in trouble.
Regards
Florida Raider
FL Raider - I was really impressed with the physicality, aggression, decisiveness, and overall fundamentals on D.
I don't disagree with your assessment of Russell for this one particular game. He simply was off the mark.
However, I have a different viewpoint from an overall and development standpoint.
Scroll down about 5 posts to get the cold hard facts. "Russell is Right On Track".
I wouldn't be so quick to write him off.
Thanks for the video post, CJ. Excellent review of that stolen TD.
I love how all the haters choose to read only part of that rule. And even then, how long do you have to possess the damn ball?
Did that clown Mike Pereira do his regular gig on NFL Network today here he tries to justify all the bad calls of the weekend past? Wonder what he said. No, actually I think I can predict it.
btw, did you hear the Chris McAlister rumor?
http://tinyurl.com/rdv4fl
X - I heard about the Mcalister rumor on Raiderfans.net. He would be an upgrade over Routt as the nickel CB.
I have put the bogus Murphy call behind me and I'm excited about the Chiefs game. Nothing would be sweeter than Seymour knocking Cassell out for the year!
CJ,
I just read your post on Russell's comps to Ryan, Flaco last seven games from last year as you suggested.
I hear you and your right just like I should not conclude anything from Jamarcus's awful showing on Monday night I will not conclude anything from last years showing when the season was over and he put up some meaningless stats in blowouts against new england or some legit stats in games agains Texas/tampa.
Last quesiton on this topic for now. I remember reading your previous comments throughout the offseason and you were diplomatic and somewhat forgiving about Russel not being in shape---because it was the offseason.
Now that the regular season has begun it just bothers the hell out of me that this guy will not get himself in tip top shape, in fact he is not even close to being in shape. Don't you think that just like any human being ont he planet if you are carrying around an extra 20 plus pounds you are not going to be your best in terms of dexterity, stamina etc..
If he bombs this year that will always linger in my mind as a guy who did not give it his all. If he does well I guess all will be forgiven.
Tell me in your wildest dreams could you ever see Peyton being overweight---no way because he cares way too much. I sorry to be a downer but I have to conclude that when a guy will not get into shape the fire just does not burn. IF that fire does not burn enough to loose weight how much is he motivated to learn how to read coverages. It just killed me when all my friends who are raider haters called me on tues and said Jamarcus sucks and I could nto argue
Regards
Florida Raider
FL Raider:
You seem unnecessarily hung up on Russell's weight. QBs come in a wide array of sizes from a small guy like Brees to a large guy like Russell and everything in between.
While you are concerned about a number on a scale, I'm more focused on the big picture which is Russell's overall development.
The other aspect that I disagree about is the term 'shape'. Russell is a naturally big, strong, and athletic QB.
His body frame will never be tall & lean like Flacco. When Russell was a 17 year old senior in high school he was bigger than many QBs in the NFL today.
The areas of development that Russell needs to concentrate on have absolutely no bearing on whether he is 260 lbs. or 270 lbs. such as
- footwork
- reading defenses
- accuracy & touch
- leadership
- consistency
There are aspects that Russell will get better at through the teachings of Tollner, Hackett, and Cable. There are other areas where Russell will improve with increased experience.
To suggest that Russell didn't work hard in preparation for the 2009 regular season is off base and disengenious in my opinion.
Disingenous, what you are refering to when I just wanted te see if you thought that Russell is acceptable physical fitness for an nfl quarterback. Apparently you think he is????? and also you say it has no bearing on things such as footwork.
Yes your correct CJ 20 extra punds always makes someone light on their feet and able to move around quickly with great dexterity.
Regards
Florida Raider
FL Raider:
Yes, Russell is physicall fit to be a NFL QB.
"light on your feet" ... that's a good one! So by your rule, a 180 lbs. QB should have better footwork, right?
When I was referring to footwork, it was purely in terms of mechanics and fundamentals such as not throwing off your back foot, throwing with your front foot towards the target, having a good center of balance, etc ... which has absolutely nothing to do with whether a QB is 180 lbs. or 280 lbs.
One game in and 'anonymous' florida raider wants Russell's head, what a joke - obviously a dispirited dolphin fan, go blog your jibber somewhere else, waaah waah, it was a great game, we have not seen a defensive line performance like that in 10 years - stick with our strengths and the chiefs go down.
talk about jibberish, look at this sample:
"Are you not beggining to panic a though?"
educated much? what a joke - just ignore the bum
It still amazes me how in less than 7 days our DLine went from a major question mark to a unit of strength.
Look out tomorrow with Seymour having a full week of practice and DC Marshall tinkering with rotations and utility of Seymour.
Mike88P
No need for rudeness, I am just here to comment on CJ’s excellent blog. I am under the impression CJ welcomes constructive criticism.
Regarding you foolish comment, Russell is in his third year and though he managed a few games at the end of last season well the sad truth is he has yet to win one game for the Raiders based solely on his arm.
I have loved the Raiders since 75 and would kill to see nothing more than Russell turn into a star, but I also tell it like it is and do not take solace in losses. If your best defense against this fact is insults and criticizing my grammar that more or less validates my point.
Russell has not lived up to his first pick status in many ways just ask Gannon, Cable, Davis, Bowe etc. Hopefully I am proven wrong today
Regards
Florida Raider
I welcome all opinions, constructive criticism, and debate about Raiders football.
Football is the ultimate team game. No QB wins a game solely on his arm. Execution involves all 11 men on offense, defense, and special teams.
A perfect example of a 'team' win was today where the special teams played excellent, the defense played very good, and the offense struggled.
When the game was on the line, Russell came through in the clutch marching the team 70 yards for the game winning TD.
In particular, the completion from Russell to Watkins on 3rd and 15 showed Russell's leadership and stones to deliver when it counts.
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