Campbell was an important part of the offense

I read and follow many Raider blogs and have always been dumbfounded by the fact that a portion of the fan base couldn't embrace him as our guy no matter how solid his play was.

"He's just a game manager.", "Any QB could do his job.", "We'll never go anywhere with him as our QB." Just a couple of the statements I've seen posted numerous times around the blogosphere that always stood out to me.

I've even seen a few people with the silly idea in their heads that there wasn't much of a drop off between Campbell and Boller. I'm pretty sure that the select few with that misguided opinion have changed there minds about mid-way through the first quarter if not on the first series of last weeks abomination of an offensive showing.

What has always been clear to me and what should now be clear to the undecided portion of the "Raider Nation" is that Campbell no matter what his future with the team is was a big part of this franchise's turn-around from the humiliating years following our AFC championship season.

He's a smart QB who rarely makes dumb decisions. That may be the reason he wasn't accepted as our QB by some. Some people want a gunslinger type QB who throws down field and makes the occasional stupid decision. Personally I think a guy like Campbell fits this team rather than a Favre type QB. We have a very special back in DMC and I'd take the conservative QB over the gunslinger who both wins and loses games for us any week of the season.

He may not be a hall of famer, but he was as solid as they come. Sure he's not Tom Brady or Drew Brees but you'd think all of us in Raider Nation would respect a guy like JC when we had to sit through crap like Walter, Russell, and see JC get benched for a career back up like Gradkowski who went on to lose the few games he played and look sub-par. What this franchise needed was QB stability and like him or not you have to respect the fact that Campbell gave us that.

I can't help but feel for the guy as I realize he just may be the most unlucky guy in the NFL. He's a class act and has handled everything in Oakland as such and you hate to see a guy like that lose his job the way it seems he's going to lose it. But I can understand the move. Finishing the season with Kyle Boller leading the way is basically throwing in the towel and looking forward to next year. We had to make a move and Palmer was easily the best available guy.

Campbell is a solid QB, a class act, and I wish him the best wherever he may go. Except for when he plays against the silver and black.

Embarrassed: Week 7 grades

Amid all the drama and hype surrounding the QB situation the Raiders forgot there was a football game scheduled for Sunday. At least that's the way things appeared against the Chiefs. The Raiders were outhustled, outplayed, outcoached, and just flat out embarassed by a lowly Chief team.

The passing game was horrendous and along with Hue's gameplan and play-calling possibly the biggest reason for the defeat. You're not going to win many games while throwing 6 picks including 2 pick 6's. The QB's played horrible, and the receivers minus DHB played uninspired.

Pass Offense F

The run game did alright despite losing McFadden early in the 1st quarter. Bush ran for 99 on 17 carries but couldn't punch it in on 4 straight tries on the goal line. Taiwan Jones added 18 yards on 3 carries.

Rush Offense C

Matt Cassell was held to 160 yards and two picks. Van Dyke had the best game of his young career with a pick. Free agent pick up N'Dukwe added an INT of his own.

Pass Defense B+

The run defense gave up two TD's with Battle leading the way with 76 yards on 16 carries. KC picked up 139 on the ground averaging 3.6 yard per rush. Despite the two TD's the run defense played very well considering the Raider QB's kept the Raider D on the field for large periods of time.

Run Defense B-

Hue Jackson in my opinion had his worse day as the HC and play-caller. His decisions on the teams lone goal-line offensive stand was head scratching to say the least. Not to mention his decision to have Boller throw down the field from the get go. Nor his strange trick/QB sneak with Pryor call on 3rd and 1 which caused a penalty which then led to Boller's first pick 6. Hue's decision making left much to be desired.
Coaching F
 

Campbell out, Palmer in

Alot has changed in Raider nation within a span of a couple days. Campbell went down on an season ending collar bone injury against the Browns and the Raiders make a trade for Palmer shortly after. I have mixed feelings about the situation. While I love the fact that we got a pro-bowl caliber QB in Palmer; I hate to see a class act like Campbell lose his job the way he did.

I'm stoked the potential that comes along with acquiring Carson but we gave up a lot for him. Banking a first rounder and a second rounder(which turns into another first rounder provided we win in the playoffs) is a huge investment in a guy who's basically coming out retirement.

If he can play the way he did a few seasons ago it'll be well worth it but it's still a high risk high reward situation. The good thing is we got the best RB in the league in McFadden which should take a lot of pressure off his shoulders not having to carry the team and throw the ball 50+ times a game. I'm confident in the guy because he has a whole lot of talent but I think we overpayed for the man and this move is a huge risk and investment on a guy who's expected to learn the offense on the fly this season.

But the potential's there. We know he has the talent to be one of the best QB's in the league cause he's done it before. Add that to the fact that he's never had a run game behind him like we have in Oakland and the guy could work wonders for the team and take us to the next level.

And although I'm glad to have a guy who has the tools to be one of the league's best I hate to see Campbell lose his place the way he has. Jason Campbell has shown he was a class act and he's been through a lot in little more than a year with the team and took it all in stride. He handled the ridiculous QB carousel situation with Gradkowski last year like a true professional. He never cried nor complained and when he was called on again he came in and worked his tail off for the team.

And as far as Campbell it's just something you hate to see. The guy seemed to be resurrecting his career along with raising the franchise from the depths of the "QB who shall not be named" era. He made big improvements over last year and finally for the first time in his career was in the same offensive system for a consecutive season. For it to end the way it appears to be ending just seems wrong. But at the end of the day this thing is a business and Campbell is just a casualty of that fact. He's a talented QB and if Palmer works out for us he can start for a number of teams.

So that's the way I feel about the situation. Probably the most mixed I've ever felt about anything related to football. Sad to see the run of bad luck a class act like Campbell has had to endure his entire career, excited at the prospect of what Palmer could bring to this team, but worried about how big this risky investment is. That being said I hope our risk pays dividends and the Raiders return to where they belong.

Bittersweet victory: Week 6 grades

The first home game since the passing of Davis was bittersweet in more ways than one. A day celebrating the accomplishments and accolades of a legendary owner while mourning his death and picking up a Raider victory while losing the starting QB for the season.

The passing game was smooth and efficient on the first drive. Campbell looked to be on his way to a nice day until a fumble on the next drive and a season ending collarbone injury the following drive after that. He was 6/9 for 52 yds on most likely his last day as the Raiders QB. DHB is continuing to mature having another solid day catching 6 for 82 yards. And Ford caught three for 43 yds. Boller started off poor but picked it up a little as the game went on. But for the most part understandibly looked like he wasn't on the same page with the receiving corps and couldn't sustain a drive.

Pass Offense C-

McFadden had a solid day picking up 91 on the ground including a first quarter TD on 20 carries. Bush did well in his new role as closer converting on short yardage situations other than a big 4th and short in the 4th quarter. Tonga got a first down on his first career NFL carry but all in all it was an unspectacular although efficient and while controlling the clock.

Rush Offense C+

The run defense had another solid week in a row shutting down the Browns ground game and holding them to only 65 yards on 21 carries for an average of 3ypc. Outstanding in every aspect and it's very promising to see the run defense pick it up these past two weeks.

Run Defense A+

Colt McCoy was pressured and knocked around all game completing only 46 percent of his passes for 215 yards. Giordano had a good day recording a sack and having another big hit on McCoy. Houston also picked up a sack on the day. A pretty good day for the Pass D despite giving up two TD's.

Pass Defense B-

Special teams carried the team for the second week in a row. Ford scored on an electrifying 101 yard kickoff return and had a solid 37 yard return on his other try. Jano put a 48 yard FG through the uprights, while Lechler put two punts inside the 20. Shane also a TD pass to Boss on a bold fake FG call. The return coverage was solid with the only real blemish was Cribbs 31 yard punt return.

Special Teams A

Hue Jackson did a pretty good job considering losing Campbell in the first quarter. He did make a head scratcher of a call in the 4th though going for it on 4th down instead of kicking a FG which would've put the Browns behind by three scores. Bres called a great game on D dialing up blitzes, keeping Colt McCoy on his back most of the game, and shutting down the Browns rushing game.
Coaching C+

Game balls

Offense Darren McFadden
Defense Rolando McClain
Special Teams Shane Lechler and Jacoby Ford

Raiders win one for Al: Week 5 Grades

On an emotional weekend the Raiders and Texans went down to the wire. It wasn't great, it wasn't pretty but the Raiders won in the end which is all that matters.

Campbell started off bad, and the O-Line extremely leaky. But both picked up their play on the last drive of the 2nd quarter and kept up the pace. JC finished up 15-35 for 190 with 2 TD's and a pick. DHB had a big day with 7 receptions for 99 yards, with a huge play shedding a tackle and taking it in for the score making it a game again. Fords caught 3 and Schilens 2 including one for a score.

Passing Offense C-

McFadden was contained most of the game, with most of his big runs being called back via penalty. He picked up 51 on 16 touches. Bush picked up 9 on 4 carries. The O-Line struggled all game opening up holes and when they did they were penalized.

Rushing Offense D

Schaub passed for 450 while Foster and Dressen had huge days catching the ball. The corners played well but once again the LB's left much to be desired in coverage. That being said the D-Line stepped up putting pressure on Schaub and sacking him three times (including Seymour with 2) while Michael Huff had a game winning pick in the endzone as the final whistle blew.

Pass Defense C-

Arian Foster was shutdown. Picking up only 68 yards on 22 carries and outside of his 20 yard run did absolutely nothing on the ground. The run defense really stepped up this week and the D-Line was a huge part of it. Very impressive and I hope they can keep it up and play like that for the rest of the season as it's been a huge weakness up until last game.
Run Defense A

The special teams was flawless and was the difference in the game. Jano was special converting 3 50+ yard FG's. Shane punted 7 times average almost 50 yards a punt while the kickoff and punt coverage was surprisingly solid. And that fake punt in the 4th was huge.
Special Teams A+

Hue Jackson made adjustments when Houston shutdown the O in the beginning. And I loved the aggressive fake punt call in the 4th quarter, while the defensive gameplan by Bres was surprisingly impressive.
Coaching B


Game Balls
First and foremost Al Davis.
On offense DHB gets the nod.
On defense Richard Seymour.
Special teams no doubt goes to Jano.

The ultimate Raider passes on

A sad day for the Raider nation. Legend, Maverick, Rebel, the ultimate Raider Al Davis passed away today. A great loss for football and for the silver and black. There is no Raiders without Mr. Davis. He created the brand, the mystique, and the persona of this franchise that is recognized across the globe. Without him the Raiders wouldn't be what they are.

He was a great evaluator of talent, drafting greats like Stabler, Woodson, Brown, Shell, Upshaw the list is endless. He could also see talent in veterans who were perceived to be on the downside of their careers or completely done altogether. His vision and knack for player evaluation made the Raiders a perennial contender and world champions three times. Building teams that hit harder, were bigger, stronger, and faster than the rest of the league.

He was a trailblazer of diversity. Giving opportunities to candidates who deserved a chance regardless of their race, color, creed, or gender. He hired the first Latino head coach who then went on to be the first minority head coach to lead a team to a superbowl championship. And under Davis the Raiders were also the first team to hire an African-American head coach, and a female CEO.

Davis was loyal to those he was close to and was intimidating to those who got on his bad side, creating the controversial persona that followed him the rest of his career. He was a players owner who guys loved to play and win for and the games greatest innovator. Al Davis was the most important man in the history of professional football along with his fierce rival commissioner Rozelle.

The sport lost one of it's greatest minds, characters, and villains today, and Coach Al Davis will be forever missed. The sport and the Raiders will never be the same again. But rest assured if there is a heaven up there Big Al will be looking down every Sunday watching over one of the greatest loves of his life. His Raiders.

D shredded: Week 4 grades

The Raider defense seems to get worse and worse every week. For the 3rd week in a row the defense was absolutely destroyed up the middle. The offense moved the ball well but couldn't find the endzone.

Campbell looked good most of the game found open recievers and moved the ball well with the Pats zeroing in on McFadden. He only made two mistakes but those mistakes were very costly. Especially a pick thrown in the endzone on first and goal in the first half. That play changed the entire game as it was back and forth until that point.
Quaterback C-

McFadden had a big 40 yarder in the first half but ended up having an average day with the New England D focused on him. Bush punched one in and converted some short yardage plays.
Backfield C+

Boss and DHB had big days. Boss looks like he can be a huge weapon this year in the redzone with his big frame and sure hands. DHB made some great catches but has yet to show that he's willing to fight for the ball the way Moore and Hagan have. Hagan had 4 catches and Moore 3 including a TD late.
Receivers and TE's B

The defense was totally owned again. The front four were contained getting to Brady on only one occasion. Seymour was uncharacteristically undisciplined committing two personal fouls.
Defensive Line D-

The Linebackers were horrible for the 3rd consecutive week. Nothing to be said other than they are soft against the run and the pass.
LB's F

The safeties were shredded again, and along with the LB's have been the teams biggest weakness. Can't stop the run and horrible in coverage.
Safeties F

The corners were decent. Brady didn't have a record setting day through the air again like usual. Mostly because they found that they could completely run over the D more than anything. But Routt was solid and Chekwa played OK. The only headscratcher was why was Porter on Welker all game but that has more to do with coaching than the players.
CB's C

Hue called a decent game but should have been more agressive with the way the defense was playing. This team isn't going to beat a team like the Pats kicking fieldgoals. The defense was horrible and by now you have to question Bresnahan's ability. The defense has been in a freefall since last year but does it have more to do with a cupcake schedule compared to this year or did Marshall make that much of a difference. A fair question to ask.

Coaching D