FOF2K4: A Team of Our Very Own - Season 2

[Blade]

I was flying pretty high these days, with our team winning five straight games and in the lead for the division. There have been nothing but questions and doubts about me, John Mackey, and all the moves we have made, but so far, we had done better than expected, and this season just seemed to be getting better.

I was still smiling when Mack walked into my office. I stood up to meet him.

“Hey Mack, take a seat.”

Mack shook my hand and sat down. “Doing well so far, Bear. This is good. We are making this team a more valuable commodity, and selling another city on the idea of bringing our team there is going to be a lot easier.”

I sat down as well. “Great news. We are definitely playing well, and it seems to me that a lot of that has to do with our defence this season. Our offence is still doing well, but they are not as explosive as they were last year. Our defence, though, has improved a lot since last season, and it is the combination of the two sides that have made for the success we have seen. I was looking at the stats and we are in the top half in the league for rushing and passing yards allowed.”

“That is good to hear, Bear. Defence was a big priority for us in the off-season, so it is good to see that your moves are having an effect.”

“Yah, they seem to be, though we still need some work, and to bring on some new pieces, but that can wait until next year. Anyway, I think the biggest reason for our success so far is out turnover margin. We are leading the league in defensive turnovers with 18, and our margin is tops in the league at +10. The defence is creating opportunities for the offence, and more than we could have hoped for.”

“Excellent. Who are our top players so far? I assume that Collins and Jordan are probably two of the best.”

I shrugged. “Well, Collins has improved from the start of the season, as he is now sixth in the league in quarterback rating. He is tied for second in touchdown passes, though he is seventh in yards passing. Jordan is having another solid year in rushing yards, as he is currently fourth in the league. However, he has only have one rushing touchdown all year, and as a team, we have only two. I hope that will change a bit in the second half.”

Mack nodded. “Yes, that hopefully will change, for we need to take advantage of our run game. We have a good backfield, and our offensive line is pretty good too.”

“Yep. In fact, Robert Gallery is having a very fine season, and if he can keep it up, I would not be surprised if he made the first or second All-Pro team. Really, the rest of the offensive line has stepped it up as well, though we are going to have to address some of the age issues we have with the line in the draft next year. But, it is good they are doing well, both in the run game, and the pass game. Speaking of the pass game, our receivers this year are not going to come close to leading the league in yards, but Ronald Curry is tied for third in the league in receiving touchdowns, so that is nice.”

“Receivers by committee?” Mack asked.

“Seems like it, but it seemed to be working, and is better in that opposing defences cannot just key in on one receiver. Defensively, Derrick Burgess is tied for seventh in the league in sacks, though he hasn’t patched up any of his issues with Andra Davis. It hasn’t gotten out of hand yet, but it will bear more watching. Oh, and Stuart Schweigert is having a pretty good season, as he is tied for second in the league in interceptions. In short, we are doing very well, though we are still one of the most penalized teams in the league.”

Mack sat back. “Well, we kind of expected that based on last year, and we knew that Brent Marlin wasn’t any more of a disciplinarian than Jorge Shank was. At least we are playing well despite that. How is the Ted Washington situation coming along?”

I grimaced. “Not as well as I had hoped. I shopped him around earlier in the season, and no one was interested in him based on his current salary and the fact that he is likely to retire any time now. He is still angry that he is not a starter on this team, and he seems to be getting more and more angry as weeks go on. This is not going to go away unless we make him our starting nose tackle, and there is no way we will be doing that unless Jerry DeLoach goes down with an injury. We are going to have to weather this storm, and hope that he either retires at the end of the year, or we will release him with less of a cap hit.”

“Alright. Well, let’s hope we can keep things going. I see that four of our last eight games are divisional match-ups, so we need to have a strong second half.”

“We should, Mack. If we can have a strong game this week against San Diego, we will be heading into our bye week with some good momentum. We can get the team healed up and focused for the stretch run.”

“Sounds good, Bear. Good job.”

“Thanks.”

As Mack left my office, I found that the smile on my face we getting wider. I felt, at that moment, that only good things were to come.

[Izulde]

Beautiful job you're doing, but I do have one suggestion.

It appears I was right when I said that Grier was your best draft pick and he appears to be running well in limited carries.

Why not give him more carries and more of a chance to see what he can do running the ball for you? I think he'll do even better with the increased workload and give defenses more to worry about in your running game besides the three-headed halfback hydra you have.

[Blade]

I will give that a shot...I have already played the next game, so I am too late to do it then, but we will see what happens in the stretch run...

Thanks for the support, Izulde!

[Blade]

Rushing Attack, Defence Let Raiders Down in Loss to Chargers

Oakland (6-3) 23 - San Diego (6-2) 33

San Diego, CA (Week 9, 2005) – During the Raiders’ five-game winning streak, they had come to rely upon a strong running game for ball control, as well as improved defensive play by the entire unit. During a key divisional match-up against the San Diego Chargers, both aspects of the game fell apart for Oakland.

Raiders’ QB Kerry Collins came out firing, as he connected on a 36-yard pass to WR Jerry Porter on the first play from scrimmage in the game. The play was called back due to an offensive holding penalty, something which has plagued Oakland all season. Collins didn’t seem to mind, however, as he pulled out another big play, hitting Porter again, this time for 73 yards and a touchdown on the very next play. Things were looking good for the Raiders already, but that was to be short-lived as San Diego gained 67 yards on their first offensive series, mainly on QB A.J. Feeley’s arm, and cut the lead with a 26-yard field goal by K Nate Kaeding.

Oakland managed to work their way downfield on their next possession, though RB Lamont Jordan had problems finding room to run the ball. Despite that, K Herb Mallory was able to attempt a 46-yard field goal, but Chargers’ DE Bennie Wilson got a hand in the way and blocked the kick, bringing the Raiders’ drive to an end without any points. Following the change of possession, Feeley and RB LaDainian Tomlinson continued the Chargers’ momentum and proceeded to pick the Raiders’ defence apart at will, as they put together another 67-yard drive, this time taking the lead on a Feeley touchdown pass to WR Eddie Kennison from 8 yards out.

After a three-and-out by Oakland, San Diego again worked the ball down field, converting on a fourth and one play around mid-field, which led to Feeley finding Kennison again, this time for a 24-yard touchdown pass, and a ten point lead. Collins continued to struggle with the Chargers’ defence, as he threw an interception to LB Julian Peterson on the next series, which San Diego took advantage of with a 42-yard field goal by Kaeding. With 2:32 left in the half, the Oakland offence managed to get going again, faking a punt at one point which P Shane Lechler completed a pass for the first down to LB Marquis Cooper, which allowed the Raiders to cut into the Chargers’ lead with a 23 yard field goal as the half wound down.

San Diego came out for the second half, determined to finish the Raiders off, and they made strides to do so by putting together a 12-play, 80-yard drive which was capped off by a one yard touchdown run by Tomlinson. After another three-and-out by Oakland, the Chargers continued to drive stakes into the hearts of the Raiders as they extended their lead to twenty thanks to a 44-yard field goal by Kaeding.

Oakland, desperate to get some points on the board, continued to push too hard as Collins began to move around in the back-field, looking to make something happen, and instead was sacked by Peterson. Collins fumbled the ball, and the Chargers recovered it, allowing them to extend their lead even further with a 34-yard field goal. Now down by 23 with just under a quarter to go, the Raiders were determined to get back into the game. Mainly hanging on the arm of Collins, the Raiders were able to go 80 yards down field, chipping away at the Chargers’ lead with an 8-yard touchdown run by Jordan, though the Raiders were not able to convert for two points. The Oakland defence was also able to hold, forcing San Diego to punt for the first time all game, although not before the Chargers were able to grind almost six minutes off of the game clock.

With just over three minutes left in the game, and down by seventeen points, the Raiders brought in back-up quarterback Kyle Boller. Despite the deficit, Boller came out firing, as he connected on two passes before hitting Porter for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the pass was called back on an ineligible receiver downfield penalty. Boller continued to work, however, and managed to officially find the end-zone as he hooked up with WR Ronald Curry for a 5-yard touchdown pass. That was it for the Raiders, though, as they kicked an onside kick which went out of bounds, allowing the Chargers to take possession and end the game.

While the Raiders were able to put up big numbers with the passing game, collecting 383 yards in the air, they were unable to establish any balance in the running game, formerly a strength of the team. Oakland was only able to pick up 39 yards on the ground, with 24 of them coming from Jordan. Defensively, the Raiders surrendered 154 yards rushing, which allowed the Chargers to control the ball at will.

“We simply were not able to do the things that we need to do well in order to win games,” said Raiders Head Coach Brent Marlin. “Over the past five games, we have been able to keep control of the ball with the run, and our has played very well. Today, though, we were not able to find any running room out there, and our defence could not get themselves off the field very often, and looked very worn out. It also didn’t help that they had a monster out there today in [Julian] Peterson. He had, what, nine tackles, a sack, a pick, and a forced fumble?”

Despite the loss, Oakland did get a strong performance out of their top receiver, Jerry Porter, who had eight receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown. LB Danny Clark also had a strong game with 9 tackles, 1 assist, and 1 sack. Kyle Boller also looked strong in his brief time on the field, as he went 6 for 8, with 62 yards and a touchdown.

Oakland has a bye next week, where they will look to rest up and then prepare for another divisional match-up, this time against the Denver Broncos in week 11.

Box Score

Attendance: 58,200 (71,600).  
  
  
Weather: 52 degrees, rain.  
  
1Q: 14:22 OAK - Jerry Porter 73 pass from Kerry Collins.  
1Q: 14:22 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
1Q: 07:48 SDO - Nate Kaeding 26 field goal.  
2Q: 13:17 SDO - Eddie Kennison 8 pass from A.J. Feeley.  
2Q: 13:17 SDO - Nate Kaeding extra point.  
2Q: 05:48 SDO - Eddie Kennison 24 pass from A.J. Feeley.  
2Q: 05:48 SDO - Nate Kaeding extra point.  
2Q: 03:02 SDO - Nate Kaeding 42 field goal.  
2Q: 00:17 OAK - Herb Mallory 23 field goal.  
3Q: 09:00 SDO - LaDainian Tomlinson 1 run.  
3Q: 09:00 SDO - Nate Kaeding extra point.  
3Q: 04:42 SDO - Nate Kaeding 44 field goal.  
4Q: 14:53 SDO - Nate Kaeding 34 field goal.  
4Q: 09:27 OAK - LaMont Jordan 8 run.  
4Q: 09:27 OAK - LaMont Jordan run for conversion failed.  
4Q: 00:58 OAK - Ronald Curry 5 pass from Kyle Boller.  
4Q: 00:58 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
  
Game MVP: SDO 3 A.J. Feeley  
  
Oakland           7      3      0      13     -      23  
San Diego         3      17     10     3      -      33  
  
Team Statistics          OAK           SDO  
  
First Downs              20            25  
  
Total Rushes             15            40  
Rushing Yards            39            154  
Yards Per Carry          2.6           3.8  
Pass Attempts            35            30  
Completions              24            22  
Passing Yards            383           244  
Yards Per Attempt        10.9          8.1  
Sacked                   2             3  
Yards Lost               11            21  
Interceptions            1             0  
Fumbles/Lost             1/1           0/0  
  
Total Plays              52            73  
Total Yards              411           377  
Yards Per Play           7.9           5.1  
  
3rd Down Plays           4/9           7/14  
Avg. YTG on 3rd          6.1           6.2  
4th Down Plays           1/1           1/2  
  
Penalties                4             4  
Penalty Yards            25            20  
  
Avg. Drive Start         OWN 22        OWN 41  
Time Of Possession       20:53         39:07  
  
Oakland Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
34 Jordan                10     24     2.4    8      1  
22 Kuehler               5      15     3.0    6      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
5 Collins                26     17     314    12.0   73     1      1      2  
7 Boller                 8      6      62     7.7    23     1      0      0  
9 Lechler                1      1      7      7.0    7      0      0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
84 Porter                8      190    23.7   66     73     1  
34 Jordan                4      14     3.5    11     4      0   
81 Curry                 4      47     11.7   5      18     1  
85 Gabriel               2      32     16.0   3      23     0  
80 Distel                2      23     11.5   0      15     0  
83 Anderson              1      50     50.0   0      50     0  
57 Cooper                1      7      7.0    0      7      0  
44 Grier                 1      12     12.0   2      12     0  
89 Rackers               1      8      8.0    0      8      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Gabriel               3      63     21.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
9 Lechler                2      85     42.5   50     0  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
2 Mallory                1      2      23     2      2  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
55 Clark                 9      1      1.0    0      0      0  
35 Williams              8      0      0.0    0      0      0  
30 Schweigert            6      1      0.0    0      0      0  
53 Adams                 5      0      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Washington            4      1      1.0    0      0      0  
95 DeLoach               4      4      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Burgess               4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Asomugha              4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
24 Foley                 4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
98 Hamilton              3      0      1.0    0      0      0  
56 Davis                 3      3      0.0    0      0      0  
51 Brayton               3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Denney                2      4      0.0    0      0      0  
57 Cooper                2      3      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Robinson              2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
58 Rainer                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
81 Curry                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
65 Sims                  0      0      0      0      0      2  
62 Treu                  0      0      0      0      2      0  
5 Collins                1      0      0      0      0      0  
70 Badger                0      0      0      0      1      0  
  
San Diego Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
21 Tomlinson             23     87     3.7    15     1  
25 Wells                 14     69     4.9    20     0  
3 Feeley                 2      -3     -1.5   -1     0  
43 Sproles               1      1      1.0    1      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
3 Feeley                 30     22     244    8.1    24     2      0      3  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
88 Gardner               5      58     11.6   9      17     0  
84 Kennison              4      57     14.2   8      24     2  
89 Parker                4      66     16.5   5      18     0  
83 Jackson               4      33     8.2    11     10     0  
21 Tomlinson             3      16     5.3    17     7      0  
44 Goings                1      7      7.0    2      7      0  
25 Wells                 1      7      7.0    0      7      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
43 Sproles               1      -4     -4.0   0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
43 Sproles               3      80     26.6   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
5 Fitzgerald             1      29     29.0   29     0  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
10 Kaeding               4      4      44     3      3  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD   
95 Peterson              9      0      1.0    1      36     0  
59 Edwards               7      2      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Jue                   4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
37 Allen                 3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
99 Olshansky             2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
36 Schulters             2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
76 Williams              2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
79 Robertson             2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
41 Fenimore              2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
23 Jammer                2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Wilson                1      0      1.0    0      0      0  
22 Davis                 1      2      0.0    0      0      0  
54 Reese                 1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Burke                 1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
47 Mitchell              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
81 Lee                   1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
60 St. Clair             0      0      0      0      4      2  
69 Peko                  0      0      0      0      1      1  
62 Bourgeois             0      0      0      0      2      0  
68 Alston                0      0      0      0      2      0  
67 Willig                0      0      0      0      1      0  
56 Wiegmann              0      0      0      0      1      0  
72 Naeole                0      0      0      0      1      0  
95 Peterson              0      1      0      0      0      0  
44 Goings                0      0      0      0      1      0  
34 Pinnock               0      0      0      0      1      0  
93 Castillo              0      0      1      0      0      0  

[Blade]

Oakland Looks Sluggish After Bye Week But Comes To Life Late

Denver (5-5) 27 – Oakland (7-3) 34

Oakland, CA (Week 11, 2006) – After a poor performance in Week 9 against San Diego, the Oakland Raiders used their bye week in Week 10 to rest up and get focused for the stretch run. They hoped to come out for their game against the Denver Broncos with some quick success, but instead looked to be unorganized and disinterested. After getting down 27-0, they got back into the game to get an improbable win.

The Broncos took advantage of the Raiders early, as they ran a punt fake on their opening drive in which P Todd Sauerbrun successfully passed the ball to TE Stephen Alexander for a first down. This extended their drive and led to a 30-yard touchdown pass from QB Jake Plummer to WR Rod Smith. On the ensuing kick-off, WR Doug Gabriel fumbled the kick and it was recovered by Denver FB Omar Easy, giving the Broncos the ball on the Oakland 13 yard line. This led to a 26 yard field goal by K Jason Elam, giving Denver a 10-0 lead only six minutes into the game.

The Raiders were able to get their offence going on their next possession, working the ball downfield for a 47 yard drive, but K Herb Mallory missed a 47 yard field goal by kicking the ball short. Denver continued to take advantage of Oakland’s mistakes by making a quick drive for another touchdown, this time on a 34-yard pass from Plummer to WR Joe Jurevicius. Oakland followed up the Broncos’ TD by going three and out, so Denver continued to take advantage by stringing together a seven-play drive which was capped off with a 46 yard field goal, extending the Broncos’ lead to 20-0. The teams traded turns with the ball after that, with both being unable to generate any more points, and the game went to half-time with the same score.

“It was embarrassing to come out and have a half like that,” said Raiders Head Coach Brent Marlin. “We are playing a divisional opponent, we are coming off a bye week, and we are coming off a bad loss. There is no way we should have come out as flat as we did today. We had a conversation about that at half-time in the locker room. Well, actually, I did all the talking and they did all the listening. I basically told the players that if we are going to have a shot at winning at all for the rest of the year, we needed to step up as a team.”

As the second half got under way, the speech by Marlin did not seem to have any affect on the Raiders as they went three and out again, giving the ball to Denver. The Oakland defence looked to be playing a bit better as they forced the Broncos to punt, but an offside penalty on the punt gave Denver the ball back. They made the Raiders pay for their mistake as Plummer found RB Tatum Bell for a 1-yard touchdown pass, putting the Broncos up 27-0. Oakland looked to have completely buried themselves on the next drive as QB Kerry Collins threw an interception to the former Raider CB Renaldo Hill.

“Coach [Marlin] just exploded on the sidelines,” said Raiders LB Danny Clark. “He said that we needed to step up now, or we might as well get off the field. The guys knew that something had to be done, so we tried to get some momentum back.”

The Oakland defence did just that, as they were able to force Denver to a three and out. Sauerbrun did not get a good punt off, and the Raiders took control on the Denver 34 yard line. On the first play of the series for the Oakland offence, Collins found WR Jerry Porter for a 32 yard pass, then got on the board with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Collins to WR Ronald Curry. The Raiders continued to take the momentum as they forced another Broncos punt early in the fourth quarter. Collins, again, wasted very little time as he hooked up with RB Lamont Jordan for a 70 yard touchdown pass, although Mallory missed the extra point.

The Broncos’ struggles continued on their next series, as Plummer threw an interception to rookie CB Quinn Foley, giving the Raiders’ possession on their 48-yard line. Once again, only three plays later, Collins hooked up with Porter for a 35-yard touchdown pass, and Oakland found themselves down by only seven points with 9:54 left in the game. Denver, desperate to get control of the game again, found it slipping further away as Danny Clark forced Rod Smith to fumble the ball, allowing LB Keith Adams to scoop it up and give Oakland control on the Denver 30-yard line.

Oakland took four plays on the ensuing series to tie the game at 27 with a 3-yard touchdown run by Lamont Jordan. The heart seemed to go out of the Broncos as Oakland held them to another three and out on the next drive, then put together their best offensive drive of the game, going 84 yard on 11 plays and taking the lead on a 16-yard touchdown run by rookie RB Erik Kuehler, leaving Denver 1:34 to respond. Raiders DE Derrick Burgess finished the Broncos off, though, as he collected his third sack of the game, then hurried Plummer into an incompletion to force the ball back to the Raiders on downs. Oakland killed off the rest of the clock, securing the comeback victory.

“It was amazing to see what this team was able to do,” said Marlin. “34 unanswered points, 27 of them coming in the fourth quarter, just unbelievable. Everyone stepped up to do this, too. Kerry [Collins] had a rough first half, but took control of the game in the second half. Derrick [Burgess] was just a force out there. And our rookies stepped up with some key plays, specifically Quinn’s [Foley] interception and Erik’s [Kuehler] touchdown run. We came out today looking very bad, but we were able to get it done in the end, and that is all that matters. That said, my heart may not take it if we come out this poorly again.”

Oakland now looks to take on the Seattle Seahawks next week, and they look to do so with a good half of football to build upon.

Box Score

Attendance: 56,700 (62,500).  
  
  
Weather: 75 degrees, fair.  
  
1Q: 10:44 DEN - Rod Smith 30 pass from Jake Plummer.  
1Q: 10:44 DEN - Jason Elam extra point.  
1Q: 08:56 DEN - Jason Elam 26 field goal.  
1Q: 03:20 DEN - Joe Jurevicius 34 pass from Jake Plummer.  
1Q: 03:20 DEN - Jason Elam extra point.  
2Q: 12:19 DEN - Jason Elam 46 field goal.  
3Q: 06:54 DEN - Tatum Bell 1 pass from Jake Plummer.  
3Q: 06:54 DEN - Jason Elam extra point.  
3Q: 02:46 OAK - Ronald Curry 2 pass from Kerry Collins.  
3Q: 02:46 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
4Q: 13:04 OAK - LaMont Jordan 70 pass from Kerry Collins.  
4Q: 13:04 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point failed.  
4Q: 09:45 OAK - Jerry Porter 35 pass from Kerry Collins.  
4Q: 09:45 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
4Q: 07:41 OAK - LaMont Jordan 3 run.  
4Q: 07:41 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
4Q: 01:26 OAK - Erik Kuehler 16 run.  
4Q: 01:26 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
  
Game MVP: OAK 91 Derrick Burgess  
  
Denver            17     3      7      0      -      27  
Oakland           0      0      7      27     -      34  
  
Team Statistics          DEN           OAK  
  
First Downs              19            21  
  
Total Rushes             36            27  
Rushing Yards            164           164  
Yards Per Carry          4.5           6.0  
Pass Attempts            34            24  
Completions              20            12  
Passing Yards            215           248  
Yards Per Attempt        6.3           10.3  
Sacked                   3             3  
Yards Lost               20            16  
Interceptions            1             2  
Fumbles/Lost             1/1           1/1  
  
Total Plays              73            54  
Total Yards              359           396  
Yards Per Play           4.9           7.3  
  
3rd Down Plays           7/17          5/10  
Avg. YTG on 3rd          6.1           8.3  
4th Down Plays           1/2           0/0  
  
Penalties                6             5  
Penalty Yards            55            35  
  
Avg. Drive Start         OWN 33        OWN 36  
Time Of Possession       34:37         25:23  
  
Denver Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
26 Bell                  33     149    4.5    17     0  
16 Plummer               2      13     6.5    9      0  
86 Jurevicius            1      2      2.0    2      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
16 Plummer               33     19     211    6.3    34     3      1      3  
10 Sauerbrun             1      1      4      4.0    4      0      0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
26 Bell                  5      22     4.4    11     9      1   
22 Fleming               4      31     7.7    11     11     0  
80 Smith                 3      48     16.0   3      30     1  
82 Alexander             3      31     10.3   2      17     0  
89 Northcutt             3      24     8.0    2      10     0  
86 Jurevicius            2      59     29.5   5      34     1  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
27 Williams              3      82     27.3   0  
87 Finneran              2      42     21.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
10 Sauerbrun             5      185    37.0   42     3  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
1 Elam                   2      3      46     3      3  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
56 Wilson                7      2      0.0    0      0      0  
52 Gold                  4      2      1.0    0      0      0  
55 Williams              4      3      0.5    0      0      0  
47 Lynch                 3      2      0.0    0      0      0  
76 Kalu                  3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Hill                  3      0      0.0    1      0      0  
79 Warren                3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
23 Staigvil              3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Pryce                 2      0      1.5    0      0      0  
24 Bailey                2      0      0.0    1      19     0  
86 Jurevicius            2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
36 Hanson                2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
87 Finneran              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
89 Northcutt             1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
72 Foster                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Holt                  1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Williams              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
83 Davies                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
50 Hamilton              0      0      0      0      1      2  
65 Coleman               0      0      0      0      3      1  
66 Nalen                 0      0      0      0      3      0  
72 Foster                0      0      0      0      3      0  
78 Lepsis                0      0      0      0      2      0  
80 Smith                 1      0      0      0      0      0  
45 Easy                  0      0      1      0      0      0  
29 Holt                  0      1      0      0      0      0  
  
Oakland Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
34 Jordan                18     96     5.3    16     1  
22 Kuehler               5      32     6.4    16     1  
5 Collins                4      36     9.0    17     0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
5 Collins                24     12     248    10.3   70     3      2      3  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
84 Porter                6      132    22.0   19     35     1  
34 Jordan                2      79     39.5   41     70     1  
81 Curry                 2      18     9.0    0      16     1  
44 Grier                 1      12     12.0   14     12     0  
80 Distel                1      7      7.0    0      7      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
34 Jordan                2      11     5.5    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
27 Washington            4      86     21.5   0  
85 Gabriel               2      53     26.5   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
9 Lechler                3      119    39.6   45     1  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
2 Mallory                0      1      0      4      5   
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
55 Clark                 10     1      0.0    0      0      0  
35 Williams              8      1      0.0    0      0      0  
30 Schweigert            6      4      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Burgess               5      1      3.0    0      0      0  
56 Davis                 4      2      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Washington            4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
51 Brayton               3      5      0.0    0      0      0  
53 Adams                 3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Asomugha              3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
57 Cooper                3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
95 DeLoach               2      3      0.0    0      0      0  
25 Walker                2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
84 Porter                2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
24 Foley                 1      1      0.0    1      5      0  
98 Hamilton              1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Denney                1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Robinson              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
59 Grant                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Brown                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
49 Foschi                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
89 Rackers               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
34 Jordan                0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
76 Gallery               0      0      0      0      3      1  
68 Williams              0      0      0      0      0      2  
70 Badger                0      0      0      0      4      0  
67 Stone                 0      0      0      0      1      0  
62 Treu                  0      0      0      0      1      0  
55 Clark                 0      1      0      0      0      0  
53 Adams                 0      0      1      0      0      0  
85 Gabriel               1      0      0      0      0      0  

[Blade]

Clark Signed to New Contract, Raiders Win in Overtime Over Seahawks

Seattle (5-6) 17 - Oakland (8-3) 23

Oakland, CA (Week 12, 2006) – Prior to the Oakland game against the Seahawks, the Raiders announced that they had resigned LB Danny Clark, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, to a new 3 year contract worth a reported $10.74 million dollars. So far this season, Clark leads the Raiders in tackles.

“It was a pretty easy decision to make,” said Raiders GM Barrett Blade. “We had the cap space, and Clark has been our defensive leader for the past few years. We wanted to show him that we appreciate what he does for this team, and that we would like to see him continue to do it for this organization in the future.”

Clark seemed to be very happy to remain with the Raiders. “There is always a lot of questions when you are in your last year of a contract. Where are you going to be next year? Are you going to have to move? Does your current team have any interest in keeping you around? The Raiders stepped up and made me the offer, so there was no way that I was going to turn them down. I love it here, and I see no reason to want to leave.”

The Raiders then set their sights on the Seattle Seahawks, a week after coming off a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Denver Broncos. They were hoping to come out with more of an effort this week, but again looked unfocused early on, as a respectable 9-play drive ended with a missed 38 yard field goal attempt by K Herb Mallory. The teams traded punts for a few series, until Oakland got into penalty trouble, then got a poor punt from P Shane Lechler which allowed Seattle to take possession of the ball on the Oakland 35-yard line. The Raiders’ defence stepped up their play, however, as LB Tyler Brayton got to QB Doug Pederson for a sack, forcing Seattle to punt again.

Oakland’s offence seemed to come to life at that point, as they were led by QB Kerry Collins on a 13-play drive that spanned 80 yards and was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown run by RB Lamont Jordan. On Seattle’s next possession, they were held to a fourth and one on their own 40-yard line and decided to gamble, but good coverage by the Raider defensive unit forced an incomplete pass and gave them the ball. Unfortunately for Oakland, their offence cooled off and were forced to a three and out. With two minutes remaining in the first half, the Seahawk offence got on track as Pederson found WR Peerless Price for a 42-yard touchdown pass, one play after Pederson took a 9-yard sack by DE Derrick Burgess. Both teams went into the half tied at 7.

The Seahawks came out for the second half looking to continue the momentum they had gained as the first half came to a close, and they were able to do just that with a drive taking them 74 yards. The drive gave them the lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Pederson to RB Shaun Alexander. Seattle continued to press, holding Oakland to another three and out, then pressured the Raiders again by attempting a 34 yard field goal by K Doug Brien. The kick went wide, but Oakland took an offside penalty which allowed Brien to try again, this time from 29 yards, and he made it count. Collins, seeing the game slipping away, carried the Raiders’ offence on his arm and cut the lead as he found WR Jerry Porter for a 14-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

The game wound down to four and a half minutes with neither team putting up any points, when Oakland finally started to string together a drive. Oakland brought the ball to the Seattle 10-yard line as the game got to the two minute warning, then penalties forced the Raiders back. A false start on third down led to a Mallory 24 yard field goal to tie the game, rather than a possible game-winning touchdown. Seattle did not have enough time to get any points, and the game went into overtime.

Seattle won the coin toss, but the Raider defence came out hard, led by another Burgess sack and forcing a Seattle punt. The Seahawk defence also got into the act, swarming the Oakland offence, causing a Raider punt. This time it was LB Marquis Cooper who sacked Pederson, giving the Raiders the ball again, and Collins wasted no time getting to work. Oakland marched down the field on a 10-play drive, finally winning the game with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jordan.

“We won, which is the main thing,” said Raiders Head Coach Brent Marlin. “All that matters at the end of the regular season is how many wins you have, not how you got them. However, we have started out very slowly the past few games, and that is something we need to work on. If we continue to keep the other team in the game, we are going to get killed, sooner or later. But, it is a win, and we will be happy with that for the time being.”

The Raiders were very happy after the victory, but one player seemed to be upset during the game while on the Oakland sidelines. DT Ted Washington, who has only seen action in two games this season, was seen standing alone often during the game, and was seen having an argument with Raiders’ Defensive Coordinator Mel Porter during one occasion. When asked about the incident after the game, Washington only said, “I don’t want to talk about it right now. The reasons will come out in due time.”

Oakland will now prepare to face the 3-8 Buffalo Bills next week.

Box Score

Attendance: 57,300 (62,500).  
  
  
Weather: 48 degrees, fair.  
  
2Q: 09:55 OAK - LaMont Jordan 3 run.  
2Q: 09:55 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
2Q: 00:49 SEA - Peerless Price 42 pass from Doug Pederson.  
2Q: 00:49 SEA - Doug Brien extra point.  
3Q: 06:48 SEA - Shaun Alexander 3 pass from Doug Pederson.  
3Q: 06:48 SEA - Doug Brien extra point.  
3Q: 00:49 SEA - Doug Brien 29 field goal.  
4Q: 10:20 OAK - Jerry Porter 14 pass from Kerry Collins.  
4Q: 10:20 OAK - Herb Mallory extra point.  
4Q: 01:31 OAK - Herb Mallory 24 field goal.  
OT: 04:27 OAK - LaMont Jordan 3 run.  
  
Game MVP: OAK 5 Kerry Collins  
  
Seattle           0      7      10     0      0      -      17  
Oakland           0      7      0      10     6      -      23  
  
Team Statistics          SEA           OAK  
  
First Downs              14            28  
  
Total Rushes             22            40  
Rushing Yards            112           155  
Yards Per Carry          5.0           3.8  
Pass Attempts            33            43  
Completions              16            24  
Passing Yards            178           277  
Yards Per Attempt        5.3           6.4  
Sacked                   8             1  
Yards Lost               52            6  
Interceptions            0             0  
Fumbles/Lost             2/0           0/0  
  
Total Plays              63            84  
Total Yards              238           426  
Yards Per Play           3.7           5.0  
  
3rd Down Plays           4/15          8/19  
Avg. YTG on 3rd          8.2           7.2  
4th Down Plays           0/1           0/0  
  
Penalties                5             10  
Penalty Yards            26            60  
  
Avg. Drive Start         OWN 30        OWN 28  
Time Of Possession       31:50         38:44  
  
Seattle Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
37 Alexander             16     90     5.6    12     0  
44 Dishman               3      14     4.6    6      0  
2 Pederson               2      6      3.0    4      0  
43 Weaver                1      2      2.0    2      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
2 Pederson               33     16     178    5.3    42     2      0      8  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
37 Alexander             7      50     7.1    26     17     1  
85 Price                 2      48     24.0   17     42     1  
82 Jackson               2      28     14.0   5      17     0  
80 Jackson               2      35     17.5   9      23     0  
81 Aiken                 2      12     6.0    0      7      0  
86 Stevens               1      5      5.0    1      5      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD   
34 Ingley                1      7      7.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
80 Jackson               4      92     23.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
13 Gordon                9      400    44.4   69     1  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
18 Brien                 1      1      29     2      2  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
20 Little                9      6      0.0    0      0      0  
50 Tatupu                8      2      0.0    0      0      0  
26 Hamlin                7      3      0.0    0      0      0  
94 Fisher                6      1      1.0    0      0      0  
31 Herndon               6      3      0.0    0      0      0  
56 Hill                  6      1      0.0    0      0      0  
96 Wistrom               4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
23 Trufant               4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
79 Buckner               3      2      0.0    0      0      0  
55 Sharper               3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Dyson                 2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Ware                  2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
70 Nelson                2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Tubbs                 1      4      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Harvey                1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
25 Smith                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
82 Jackson               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
73 Hunter                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
59 Spencer               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
97 Stoltman              0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
60 Bjorlin               0      0      0      0      0      1  
59 Spencer               0      0      0      0      2      1  
73 Hunter                0      0      0      0      2      1  
71 Jones                 0      0      0      0      2      1  
62 Gray                  0      0      0      0      3      4  
74 Forney                0      0      1      0      1      0  
2 Pederson               1      0      0      0      0      0  
80 Jackson               1      0      0      0      0      0  
57 Pierce                0      0      1      0      0      0  
  
Oakland Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
34 Jordan                29     110    3.7    11     2  
22 Kuehler               8      33     4.1    10     0  
5 Collins                2      7      3.5    7      0  
44 Grier                 1      5      5.0    5      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int    Sckd  
5 Collins                43     24     277    6.4    28     1      0      1  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    YAC    Long   TD  
84 Porter                5      82     16.4   14     28     1  
81 Curry                 5      53     10.6   9      17     0  
85 Gabriel               5      69     13.8   18     26     0  
34 Jordan                2      14     7.0    0      8      0  
22 Kuehler               2      9      4.5    6      5      0  
44 Grier                 2      12     6.0    0      8      0  
80 Distel                2      21     10.5   3      12     0  
83 Anderson              1      17     17.0   1      17     0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
34 Jordan                2      5      2.5    0  
85 Gabriel               1      3      3.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
27 Washington            2      44     22.0   0  
85 Gabriel               1      22     22.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
9 Lechler                8      288    36.0   57     3  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att   
2 Mallory                1      2      24     2      2  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
51 Brayton               7      2      1.0    0      0      0  
30 Schweigert            5      2      0.0    0      0      0  
56 Davis                 5      1      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Burgess               4      0      2.0    0      0      0  
95 DeLoach               4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
55 Clark                 4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
53 Adams                 3      0      1.0    0      0      0  
27 Washington            3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Denney                2      0      2.0    0      0      0  
57 Cooper                2      0      1.0    0      0      0  
58 Rainer                2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Asomugha              2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
98 Hamilton              1      1      1.0    0      0      0  
35 Williams              1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
25 Walker                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
76 Gallery               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
49 Foschi                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
89 Rackers               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
24 Foley                 0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   FForc  Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
65 Sims                  0      0      0      0      1      1  
62 Treu                  0      0      0      0      4      0  
67 Stone                 0      0      0      0      2      0  
70 Badger                0      0      0      0      2      0  
76 Gallery               0      0      0      0      2      0  
79 Carswell              0      0      0      0      1      0  
58 Rainer                0      1      0      0      0      0  
83 Anderson              0      0      0      0      1      0  
64 Grove                 0      0      0      0      1      0  
57 Cooper                0      1      0      0      0      0  

[Blade]

Ted Washington Speaks Out Against Treatment By Oakland Raiders

Oakland, CA (Week 13, 2006) – At an interview with a local Oakland television station, DT Ted Washington shed light on his sideline altercation with Raiders’ Defensive Coordinator Mel Porter during last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, and spoke about his frustration and anger with the Oakland Raiders organization.

“It is complete garbage,” said Washington, during the interview. “They have treated me like [expletive deleted] this entire season. I have seen only limited action in two games this season, and other than that, I sit on the bench. That is why I got into it with Porter last week. I am here to play, and they just want me to sit on the bench and rot.”

Currently in his sixteenth season in the NFL, Washington has not made a tackle or a sack this season. Last season, he collected 27 tackles, 8 assists, 4 hurries, and 1 sack for the Raiders. He lost his job as the starting nose tackle when the Raiders brought in Jerry DeLoach from the Houston Texans, and drafted Frankie Grzecki during the off-season. As the Raiders’ starting nose tackle, DeLoach has 37 tackles, 18 assists, 3 sacks, 2 blocks, and 9 hurries so far this season.

“All I want to do is play. I think I have earned that right with the way my career has gone. But all I can do is sit on the bench, they just don’t want me in the line-up. And I am not the only one who has been treated this way since the new ownership took over. Warren [Sapp] had to sit a lot last year, then got released in the off-season. It is just not right.”

When asked about Washington’s comments, Raiders’ GM Barrett Blade seemed disappointed. “Ted has had a great career in the NFL, and we were very excited to have him here to help mentor our younger linemen. He was a great run stuffer, and it would have been fantastic if he could help out Jerry and Frankie. It is really too bad that we couldn’t work this out privately, and that he had to get the media involved. I am not sure where we go from here, but for right now, he is under contract and we are focused on finishing off the season with a good run, and have our sights set on the Super Bowl. I hope that everyone on this team can get on board with that, but if not, we will have to see what we can do.”

Washington is currently under contract to the Raiders until the end of the 2008 season, though many expected him to retire before then. He is making $3.5 million this season. When questioned about his future, Washington was unsure. “I have been in this league a long time, and I know I am almost done. That is why I want to finish things off doing what I love to do, and that is to play football. I still have a lot to give, and all I want is a chance to do it. If they aren’t going to let me do it here, then let me go do it elsewhere.”

A first round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1991 draft, Washington has been named to three pro bowls during his career (1998, 1999, 2001), and has played for the 49ers, Broncos, Bills, Bears, Patriots, and the Raiders.