Oakland Raiders blown out by San Diego Chargers

Thoughts from the Dark Side

December 4, 2008

Oakland Raiders blown out by San Diego Chargers

12 Comments

By Patrick Patterson

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Raiders defense was dismal. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

This game was never close. The Oakland Raiders were destroyed by the San Diego Chargers from the opening drive. The Raiders didn't even look like they belonged in the NFL, as they had yet another abysmal performance on both sides of the ball. Only Justin Miller and the special teams did anything positive of note, when Miller brought back a kickoff for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half. Other than that, the Raiders offense was once again Oh-for points.

In fact, the Raiders offense was so inept that they did not once push the ball beyond the Charger 20 yard line. Twice they got close, but threw an interception on one trip, and had penalties push them back to mid field on the other attempt. There were more yards gained by the offense, but when push came to shove they were as ineffective as they were againt the Falcons.

The Chargers took their opening drive down the field with the help of a personal foul call on Tommy Kelly and scored a chip shot field goal. The Raiders followed up with JaMarcus Russell losing a fumble to set up the Chargers first touchdown. The Raiders never recovered. Justin Fargas ran hard, but did not have many holes to get through. Darren McFadden ended the game with only three touches. Ronald Curry had as many catches as he did drops (2). Zach Miller was the only one who could generate any type of significant offense for the Silver and Black with 8 catches.

We're not close. Its clear that we're not close. We don't play good football, we don't play sound football, we have been undisciplined. We wonder why we don't get the prime time games, this is why.--Nnamdi Asomugha

Kwame Harris was his usual penalty riddled self. He had three penalties for 30 yards. He also gave up a sack that nearly got Andrew Walter killed. Cornell Green got thrown out of the way by a defender who knocked Russell out of the game as he forced Russell to throw his second pick of the game.

The defense did not fare much better. Nnamdi Asomugha and Chris Johnson were both victimized by Vincent Jackson. The defense had no discipline as Darren Sproles had two touchdowns on screen passes in the red zone. LaDainian Tomlinson did not look like himself, but still shredded the Raiders to the tune of 90+ yards and another touchdown.

The Raiders just did not look like they wanted to be on the field tonight.

You just wonder how many people care, how many people are upset.
--Nnamdi Asomugha

With apologies to the few Raiders who played well (Justin Miller, Zach Miller, and Kirk Morrison) there will be no good listed for this game. When a team is beat as soundly as the Raiders were by a team as decidedly mediocre as the Chargers looked, there is no bright side. There is no hope. There is no Santa Claus. So, with that being said here comes the bad and the ugly.

The Bad:

Chris Johnson and Nnamdi Asomugha both gave up big receptions.
The defense got no sacks on Phillip Rivers, and very little pressure.
Once again, the Raiders could not stop the Chargers when it mattered.
The play calling was horrid: McFadden three touches?

The Ugly:

11 straight losses to the Chargers.
No trips in the SD red zone.
Russell was back to inaccurate.
Ronald Curry couldn't hold on to the ball.
Cornell Green and Kwame Harris both nearly got Raider quarterbacks killed.
Kwame Harris is a penalty machine.
Too many personal fouls overall.
Outcoached by Norv Turner.

Tags: Andrew Walter, Chargers, Chris Johnson, Cornell Green, Darren McFadden, Darren Sproles, JaMarcus Russell, Justin Fargas, Justin Miller, Kwame Harris, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders, Ronald Curry, San Diego Chargers, Tommy Kelly, Vincent Jackson

Discussion

12 Comments on "Oakland Raiders blown out by San Diego Chargers"

Posted by Raiderhawk, December 5, 2008 6:17 AM

Usually when you watch sports on TV the commentators are supposed to be unbiased and talk about the game and what is happening. Last nights excuse for a prime time matchup was so bad the announcers spent most of the game talking about how utterly horrid the Raiders are as a team and franchise and what a dissapointment San Diego has been after their last 2 seasons to this year's. Very little was really worth mentioning in the game itself. It's really amazing that with the horrible state that the Raiders franchise is in now that there really is ANYONE that can truly believe Al Davis is doing a good job. The last time this team had any success it was the team Jon Gruden built. Gruden was the first coach of the Raiders that ever really got to do things his way (he picked the players, picked the offense style, picked the Defense style) which was opposed to Al Davis's way. Al Davis hated that Gruden was not playing long ball and still being successful. He used the "NE Snow Job" as an excuse to get rid of Gruden so he could put in a coach who would be HIS coach again. The Raiders have not been winners doing things Al's way since the 80's! This franchise should be the next business asking for a bailout from a higher governing body! Just like the financial istitutions and auto makers, the problem stems from bad top management making poor decisions and not having to answer to anyone for their mistakes.

For those of you who still think Al is doing great, you just keep telling yourself that and living in your own little happy world. Since the Super Bowl loss, there is ONE thing consistent in Oakland, AL DAVIS. I know the NFL is what it is now due in large part to many contributions of Al. I know he knows more about the game than most people. I know the Raiders had GREAT teams in the 70's, 80's and even a few years to start this decade. I hold a GREAT amount of respect and a special place in my heart for what Al had done for football in general and my favorite team. However, being good in the past doesn't mean you will always be good. There's a reason that Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, John Elway, Tim Brown, et. al. don't play anymore. Once you can't get the job done anymore, you move on. It's time Al moves on. I know everyone keeps saying Al is doing what he thinks will help this team win. Hitler did what he thought would help his nation be successful too but that didn't make it right. (NO, I"M NOT COMPARING HITLER TO AL DAVIS!!! But to say that someone is doing what they think is best, doesn't mean they are right, no matter how right they've been in the past!) And to those who think Al is going through this horrible team phase just so that he can pull off the biggest turn around in sports history... There's only 3 ways to explain you; 1 - you're truly nucking futs! 2 - You're lying to yourself and trying to convince yourself that it's true. 3 - You're a "fortune cookie" you make VERY VAGUE or open ended predictions so that in case it ever happens you can come back and say, "That exactly what I said was going to happen. I called it and I was right."

SORRY for the length of this post, I'm just really getting pissed and frustrated and needed to vent before I hurt someone.

Posted by Rob Calonge in reply to comment from Raiderhawk, December 5, 2008 8:28 AM

RaiderHawk - Great post! Don't worry about length. I think that you had a bunch to say and you said it well.

Patrick - Great job holding down the fort while I wallowed in sorrow. Look for another post today after my 'cooling down' period.

Posted by desertraider, December 5, 2008 8:45 AM

The thing that bothered me the most was my nine year old son asking why we are Raider fans. This is the first game we have sat through since Lane Kiffin was fired and the change is obvious. Elkins can say what he wants about Kiffin, but even my nine year old recognized how much better we used to play.

Posted by subzero, December 5, 2008 12:03 PM

I am not surprised Aso hasn't played aswell the last couple weeks (especially this week). I don't really blame him either. Why risk injuring yourself before next season (when he can hopefully get a decent deal fom someone) when you are one of the only players giving it your all. Has mush as I hate to say it, it wouldn't surprise me to see Aso in a Broncos uniform next year.

Posted by subzero, December 5, 2008 12:04 PM

As much not has mush sorry!

Posted by Coach Elkins, December 5, 2008 3:43 PM

Desertraider

I believe Kiffin moved to the midwest in his chase for MONEY. The Oakland Raiders are right where they need to be....

Posted by Coach Elkins, December 5, 2008 3:44 PM

We might want to consider moving McFadden to defense... ????

He might have lead the team in tackles last night even though he was playing offense.....

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, December 5, 2008 3:48 PM

Hey Patrick, how is that 10-6 prediction going for you? What are you going to predict for 2009? lmao, the destruction of the Putrid Raiders just gets sweeter and sweeter every year for me. lol lol lol

Posted by RaiderDoc, December 5, 2008 10:44 PM

Raiderhawk... I only know of one person online or in real life who thinks the emperor is doing a good job... and that is Elkins. And I'm really starting to worry about that guy as he thinks we are "right where we need to be." I guess being a worse looking team than the Lions with a slightly better record is a great spot.

#10

Posted by RaiderDoc, December 6, 2008 1:24 AM

btw Patrick, your last comment was the saddest part... "out coached by norv" ouch!

#11

Posted by Coach Elkins, December 6, 2008 10:52 AM

Coach Turner is an excellent scheme Coach. He understands how to attack a defense and is also a very good play caller on gameday. Where he lacks in terms of coaching is in the motivation department, which is just as if not more important. All this being said, he has had a great career and has given much to this sport!

#12

Posted by pat. T, December 6, 2008 2:20 PM

Elkins im sick & tired of your ridiculous comments! How are the Raiders where they need to be? So your saying the Raiders are supposed to be getting blown out by a division rival on primetime? If Turner is such a great coach why did Al Davis fire him? I know you'll come up with some bullshit excuse! Al Davis has turned this once proud franchise into a joke! At least when Lane Kiffin was here the Raiders were a little more competitive.

Raiders need a GM. Look at the difference a GM can make, example look at the Atlanta Falcons they hired Thomas Dimtroff & now their on the verge of making the playoffs. Arthur Blank let him pick his & Mike Smith pick their guys. Also look at how much a GM can help in drafting, example Baltimore Ravens with Ozzie Newsome. Since he's been there i don't think they drafted a 1st round bust. Almost everyone they draft contributes in one way or another, thats why their usually not very active in the offseason picking up free agents.