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November 15th, 2008

Raiders Preview - Week 11 at Dolphins

By Eric Patten | The Patt Down, Oakland Raiders, NFL, Column

Raiders (2-7) at Dolphins (5-4) — Sunday, 10:00 a.m. PST, CBS

THE SCENE:

Score the results of the Raiders 2008 offseason on a scale of 1-10, and they earn a 0. Fill out a report card on their first nine games, and they get a G, one step down from F. Last week they intercepted Panthers QB Jake Delhomme four times, but managed to parlay that into a mere two field goals. The 259 yard effort made their futile 77-yard performance two weeks ago, but it ain’t gonna get it done. Meanwhile, they were saddled with 10 penalties, five sacks and converted only two out 17 third downs. Progress is an extremely relative term with this bunch.

Back to that offseason for a sec: Take a look at their three biggest name/money maneuvers. Javon Walker, 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown, is out for the season with an ankle injury. DeAngelo Hall, released prior to last week’s game, is now with the Redskins. And Tommy Kelly, 34 tackles with two sacks, isn’t even the best defensive tackle on the roster. That would be Gerard Warren. Total dollars guaranteed to Walker, Hall and Kelly: $42.125 million. Total production? Not $42.125 million.

Something tells me that’s not quite how the Giants built a Super Bowl champion.

And it’s also not the way the Dolphins, this Sunday’s opponent, built one of the most surprising and entertaining teams in the league.

PERSONALITIES:

Oakland Raiders

Tom Cable, Head Coach. If walking up and down the sidelines clapping and cheering your team qualifies as play-calling, Cable will be an offensive genius. On the other hand, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has reportedly been stripped of the same duties for the rest of the season. The Raiders have failed to score a touchdown in the last nine quarters with Knapp manning head-set and laminated play-sheet.

Darren McFadden, RB #20. His return will certainly help the struggling offense. McFadden is more of a game breaker than Michael Bush or Justin Fargas, and while his toe may not be 100%, he’s likely to take the field for the first time in four weeks. Expect Cable to get McFadden out on the edge of Miami’s 3-4 defense.

Miami Dolphins

Chad Pennington, QB #10. The always sneaky Bill Parcels acquired Pennington three days after he was released by the Jets in the wake of the Brett Favre deal. And while their division rivals are married to the erratic former Cheesehead (a winner Thursday night in New England), the Dolphins are led by one of the league’s most consistent performers under center. Arm strength aside, Pennington is the steady leader Miami was missing during the two previous seasons in which the Fish went 7-25.

Ted Ginn Jr., WR #19. Most draft experts scoffed at the Dolphins for selecting Ginn ninth overall in the 2007 draft, and while he may never be an elite, go-to receiver, the 23-year-old is emerging as a quality NFL target. In nine games he’s averaging 13.4 yards per catch and has already duplicated his reception total last year (34). Still, the Raiders have an advantage with corner Nnamdi Asomugha. He’s been a dominant force, cutting the field in half against even the best recievers, and because Ginn has yet to prove he can overcome strong, physical defenders at the line of scrimmage Asomugha could make an even bigger impact Sunday.

Ronnie Brown, RB #23 / Ricky Williams, RB #34. The duo makes the Dolphins nearly impossible to game plan for. Last week, Williams rushed for 105 yards (a personal season high). In other scenarios, Brown receives the majority of carries. It all comes down to how Miami wants to attack the opposing team’s defense. The “Wildcat” formation, which has become the trendiest offensive formation in the league, is not the only way the Dolphins get both backs touches–although it’s certainly the most exciting. Expect to see the Raiders use various “checks” in the defensive play-calling to neutralize the single-wing “Wildcat.” As a counter, Miami will likely depend on more of a “traditional” running game with Brown and Williams alternating series. Here’s Williams taking a hand-off from Brown for a 51-yard TD run last week versus Seattle.

Joey Porter, LB #55. He leads the NFL in sacks (12), but more importantly he’s added a contagious swagger to a defense that was far from dominant a year ago. Linebacker Matt Roth has complimented Porter nicely on the opposite side, and some think he may even be the reason Porter is getting free. Porter will line-up across from the much-maligned Kwame Harris (another big free agent acquisition this off-season), while Roth will take on Cornell Green.

ISSUES:

“Oh my God, the quarterback is toast.” The Sacramento Bee says that Russell’s knee is better and he’ll line-up under center. But the same thing was reported early last week, and Andrew Walter ended getting the nod on Sunday. The Miami Herald is reporting that Russell and Walter failed to fully partcipate in practice on Thursday. The Raiders line play has worsened as the season has progressed. They allowed three sacks to Julius Peppers and John Abraham in consecutive weeks. The Dolphins, with Porter on the outside, will likely take full advantage. That being said, it probably doesn’t matter who suits up, takes snaps or holds the clipboard.

Pass to set up the run. Both teams are of the run first, pass second mind-set. Expect to see that change a bit this week as the defenses gear up to stop the ground attack. This factor is especially important to the Raiders, who can’t afford to have the Dolphins stack the box and corral their three-headed running attack. Russell or Walter will likely need to focus on tight end Zach Miller, the team leader with 25 receptions and 363 yards.

Overconfidence. Coach Tony Sparano says the Dolphins will not overlook the Raiders, insisting that they have a lot of “weapons.” He’s right about the first part. The Dolphins are too young and hungry (remember they were a shameful 1-15 last year) to have a let down at home. But it’s interesting fodder. The Raiders aren’t just your average sort of awful. They’re 29th in total offense, last in points scored.

TURNING POINT:

The coin toss, opening kickoff and subsequent return. Let’s say the Raiders win the toss and Johnnie Lee Higgins takes it to the house… 258y7q[23`9h dfn… sorry, I had to stop myself, I was laughing so hard I lost control of my fingers. In all honesty, Oakland isn’t winning anything beyond, maybe, the opening flip.

LINE: MIA (-10.5)

WEATHER:

Dolphins Stadium, Opa Locka, FL. Mostly sunny, 20% chance of rain, 84-degrees.

INJURIES:

Oakland:Out - Jake Grove, C (calf), Walker, WR (ankle); Questionable - Derrick Burgess, DE (triceps), Ricky Brown, LB (groin), Chaz Schilens, WR (ankle), Walter, QB (ankle), Russell, QB (knee), McFadden, RB (toe); Probable - Gibril Wilson, S (back)

Miami: No injuries reported. Seriously.

PREDICTION:

The trend of west coast teams struggling in the Eastern time zone will continue. Dolphins 24, Raiders 13.

Discuss:

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