fester
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Next week Carolina hosts Tampa and Oakland hosts St. Louis. They should both win so they'll be middle of the pack after next week.
In week 3 though, Carolina hosts Cincy and Oakland goes to Arizona. No cupcake games there for those teams.
Next week Carolina hosts Tampa and Oakland hosts St. Louis. They should both win so they'll be middle of the pack after next week.
In week 3 though, Carolina hosts Cincy and Oakland goes to Arizona. No cupcake games there for those teams.
I think Bradford can take the Radiers.
After Week 2, the update:
1st Rounder from Raiders (1-1) between #9 and #24
2nd Rounder from Carolina (0-2) between #33 and #40
4th Rounder from Denver (1-1) between # 105 and #120
6th Rounder from New Orleans (2-0) late 190s/early 200s
Not so long ago, the Raiders boasted of a defense that was among the league leaders in terms of average yards allowed. Now, they're allowing big yards and scrambling to plug holes.
The Raiders allowed 947 yards to the Houston Texans and San Diego Chargers over the past two games. That represents the most allowed by a Raiders defense in back-to-back games since the 1997 team -- which went 4-12 -- was gouged for 995 yards by the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.
In all, the Raiders have dropped from second in the NFL (260.7 yards allowed per game) after three games to tied for 23rd (345.8) after surrendering 441 yards to the Texans and 506 yards to the Chargers.
"My biggest concern right now for our defense is to play a complete game," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "One week it's this, the next week it's that. Neither one of them is acceptable."
Against the Texans, the Raiders allowed 249 yards rushing. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers torched the Raiders for 431 yards passing on Sunday.
Overall, the Raiders are 10th against the pass at 198 yards per game and 31st against the run at 147.8 yards per game.
They also are 28th in points allowed at 26.8 through five games, and the 31 points scored by the Texans and 27 by the Chargers are what concerns Asomugha the most, he said.
The Carolina Panthers' offensive linemen can stop counting now.
The math isn't much fun, anyway. The numbers don't work:
Eight defensive players jammed near the line of scrimmage - which is at least one more than Carolina has available to block, unless the Panthers are in a two-back, two-tight end set.
That defensive strategy - combined with Carolina's youth at quarterback and receiver - has plunged the Panthers to the bottom of the NFL's offensive statistics and produced the third 0-5 start in team history.
Carolina has scored a league-low 52 points - by far the lowest total in franchise history through five games.
With one exception, the Panthers' games have unfolded in a predictable, nauseating pattern:
Carolina's offense tries to establish a running attack, the backbone of a John Fox-coached team.
Defense counters by stacking the box with as many as nine defenders.
Rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen (and Matt Moore before him) is faced with too many second-and-8 and third-and-long situations.
With top receiver Steve Smith doubled (or last week vs. Chicago, injured), rookies David Gettis and Brandon LaFell fail to get open and/or make the catch.
Panthers trail in the second half, and are forced to throw to try to catch up.
Defenses take more chances with blitzes.
Bad things happen to Clausen and Moore (see turnovers, head injuries, et al).
Repeat the following week.