Category: Oakland Raiders

Raiders face tough road test in Pittsburgh for Week 9

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

Bing photos of Oak Raiders QB Derek Carr

OAKLAND — If last week’s 34-20 victory over the visiting New York Jets was any indication that the Raiders are a team to be reckon with in the AFC, then Sunday’s trip to the Steel City to face the Steelers may forecast the remainder of the season for Oakland.

Raiders’ starting quarterback Derek Carr dismantled a star studded Jets’ defense headlined by cornerback Darrelle Revis, throwing for a career high-tying four touchdowns to go with 333 yards passing.

For the season, Carr has thrown for 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions for an Oakland team that is in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh, kickoff at 10:00 a.m. PT, could have that playoff type atmosphere, something that the second-year signal caller from Fresno St. appears to be ready for. Carr’s play this season in each game is reminiscent of a 10-year veteran who doesn’t let the moment get bigger than it is.

Oakland (4-3) has come a long way this season after starting last season 0-10, thanks in large part to the play of Carr, a talented receiving corps led by rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree (both are on pace for 1,000-yard seasons), and a strong defense led by the ageless wonder, safety Charles Woodson.

”It’s fine for some people to play from the underdog role, but I don’t like it,” said Woodson (via CBSSports.com), who played for the Raiders’ last Super Bowl team. ”I don’t like being the underdog. I want to be expected to win games. I want these guys to go out there and be expected to win games. Yeah, it’s a little premature to be thinking that far ahead, playoff-wise, but there’s no reason you can’t think of yourself as a playoff team.”

The 18-year veteran leads the NFL with five interceptions and is the heartbeat of the Silver and Black.

Pittsburgh (4-4) is coming off a tough loss at home last week to fellow AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10. The Steelers blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead after having the still undefeated Bengals (8-0) on the ropes, and lost All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell for the season with a torn MCL in his right knee.

Steelers’ starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who made his return to the lineup after missing the previous four games with a left knee injury, looked rusty completing 28 of 45 for 262 yards with one touchdown, but threw three interceptions.

Roethlisberger is 1-4 in his career versus Oakland, but does average 300 yards passing and a quarterback rating of 97.5 against the Raiders.

Oakland’s 31st ranked passing defense (giving up 302.1 yards a game), will have its hands full with wide receiver Antonio Brown (52 catches, 718 yards, 3 TD).

Brown is a wide receiver that just runs right by people and if Oakland gives Roethlisberger time in the pocket to survey the field, he will find his dynamic wide receiver.

Mix in reliable tight end Heath Miller (you know Oakland has had issues covering tight ends this season), and Pittsburgh can move the ball and get first downs at a rapid rate.

“They’re coming in here, it’s going to be very physical,” Roethlisberger said. “Their defensive backs like to do a lot of grabbing, holding, and just being physical in general. It’s a really good test for our receivers and for me to be accurate.”

Oakland Raiders podcast with Jeremy Kahn: Former Raider convicted of three murders looking at another charge; plus Raiders get set for Steelers

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On the podcast with Jeremy former Oakland Raider defensive end Anthony Smith is convicted of triple murder and is facing a fourth count of murder. Smith who played for the Raiders between 1990-98 was convicted of the 1999 double murder of the Nettles brothers Ricky and Kevin.

Ricky Nettles was leaving for work according to an employee who watched Ricky leave their place of business where he was the boss. The employee described who he identified as Smith forcing Ricky into a car this would be the last time that he would see his boss alive. Smith was also convicted of the 2001 murder of Dennis Henderson in Los Angeles. Smith is looking at a fourth charge of the 2008 killing of Maurilio Ponce of Antelope Valley.

Also on the podcast JJ talks about the Raiders chances as they head into Heinz Field to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. The Raiders are coming off a two game win streak against the San Diego Chargers and the New York Jets. The Steelers are rough and tumble and their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger one of the top throwers in the NFL might be a match for the Raiders defense.

Jeremy discusses all of that and more on the podcast below right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

bing photos of former Oakland Raider defensive end Anthony Smith convicted for triple murder

 

 

NFL podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders getting respect from league as they prepare for Pittsburgh

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On the podcast the Oakland Raiders go up against a mighty Pittsburgh Steelers club at Heinz Field as the Steel Curtain are 4-4 and have been tough at home. Their starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been thrown for 95 completions for 1174 yards and with five touchdowns and five interceptions for this season.

The Raiders had an impressive game against the New York Jets in their win at the Coliseum last Sunday 34-20 and also won the week before with a commanding first half but the second half the Chargers scored on Oakland none the less the Raiders won it 37-29 and the odds makers are taking notice although the Steelers are favored for next Sunday the Raiders have made the odds much smaller.

The San Francisco 49ers (2-6) Colin Kaepernick will sit down this Sunday as the 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons (6-2) at Levis Stadium Santa Clara. Kaepernick had one of his worst games against the St.Louis Rams (4-3) last Sunday in their 27-6. Kaepernick suffered a 59 percent quarterback rating and going 20-41 with 162 yards passing. Head coach Jim Tomsula had announced on Monday that Kaepernick will not start and Blaine Gabbert will start the game against the Falcons.

Tony Renteria does the NFL podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Panic Button photo of Oak Raiders QB Derek Carr

 

Carr drives Raiders to victory

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo Raiders Khalil Mack tackles Jets Chris Ivory

OAKLAND-Derek Carr is proving to the National Football League that he belongs up there with the big name quarterbacks in the 32-team league.

Carr went 26-for-33 for 333 yards passing with four touchdowns, as the Oakland Raiders defeated the New York Jets 34-20 at the Coliseum.

The second-year quarterback tied his career-high with the four touchdowns that was previously set on October 12, 2014 against the San Diego Chargers. Also three of Carr’s four touchdown passes were longer than 35 yards.

Carr became the first Raiders quarterback since Rich Gannon against the Tennessee Titans during the 2002 season to have at least four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

This was Carr’s fourth career 300-yard game of his two-year career, and his third one this season.

“I was impressed with him last year. We knew he was a good young quarterback. We’re going to face young quarterbacks from here on out, so we have to be ready to play and make plays. We didn’t make plays,” said Jets head coach Todd Bowles.

Latavius Murray carried the ball 20 times for 113 yards, as he topped the 100-yard plateau for the second time this season. The previous time Murray topped the 100-yard plateau was against the Cleveland Browns on September 27.

Andre Holmes scored two of Carr’s four touchdowns, as he caught a five-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and a season long 49-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Holmes was the first Raiders receiver to have two touchdowns in the first half since Jerry Porter against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004.

This was the second multi-touchdown game for Holmes in his career, with his previous coming on October 12, 2014 against the Chargers.

Taiwan Jones caught his first NFL touchdown pass in the third quarter, as he hauled in a 59-yard pass from Carr that gave the Raiders an insurmountable 28-6 lead. The 59-yard reception was the longest offensive play of Jones’ career, breaking his previous career-high of a 52-yard reception.

“Once I caught that ball, I turned around. I think it was the linebacker coming inside. Part of me thought to cut it back, but I was like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to go,’ Once I hit that gear, I was gone, Like I said, instincts kicked in and I was like, ‘I am going to make a cut back.’ I felt good after that,” said Jones.

Rookie Amari Cooper to impress everyone each week, as he hauled in five catches, giving him 38 on the season. This was the fifth five reception game of Cooper’s career, breaking Marcus Allen’s 33-year old team record that was set in 1982, the Raiders first year in Los Angeles.

Michael Crabtree finished the afternoon with seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Charles Woodson picked up his fifth interception of the season, his most with the Raiders since he also intercepted five in his rookie season of 1998.

“Just one of many big plays that happened in the game. I think (it was) an overall good game by everybody, Offense was making good plays and they were moving the ball well. It’s great to be to get a turnover and get those guys the ball back when they’re playing so well,” said Woodson.

It was the 65th interception of Woodson’s career, tying with former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley for fifth place on the all-time list.

Woodson also moved into second place with the most interceptions since the merger between the AFL and the NFL in 1970. The 18-year veteran trails only current Raiders assistant coach Rod Woodson who intercepted 71 passes in his legendary career.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Jeremy Kahn: Will Raiders fans persuade NFL reps in preventing a move to LA; It’s a shame that Tadich Grill ex-owner won’t see his own grandkids

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by Jeremy Kahn

Craig Lee SF Chronicle photo of Tadich Grill in SF

OAKLAND–Hundreds of Oakland Raiders fans who crammed the Paramount Theatre on Thursday night to plead with NFL officials to try and do everything they can to try and stop the Raiders from moving to Carson Calif in the Southland. The Raiders owner Mark Davis and Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf were also attending the meeting with NFL representatives Chris Hardart, Eric Grubman, Cynthia Hogan and Jay Bauman.

Schaaf said she can fund $90 million to $120 million in infrastructure costs that would include road alignments around the Coliseum. It won’t be enough as fans tried to get creative in generating money for a new stadium like using a fan sourcing program to raise monies to build the stadium.  It’s  a huge project to ask the fans to raise that kind of money, “I don’t think it would be fair for us to ask you to do that” said NFL rep Grubman.

Cecil Upshaw’s sons and grandfather Tadich Grill owner Steve Buich: Former Tadich Grill owner Steve Buich said that it was about character and never about race why he banished his daughter out of the family. That he didn’t like former Raider Upshaw’s character. Upshaw had an upstanding career in the NFL and with the Raiders also he led the NFL Players Association for years until he passed away from cancer in 2008.

Buich’s daughter Terri said that it was because she married a black man Upshaw as the reason for the banishment. The shameful part about all of this is Terri’s children can’t see their grandfather at all as Buich will not permit Terri or his grandchildren to see him. What kind of a grandfather will not see his own grandchildren?

You know what would be ironic poetic justice if Terri and her kids someday could buy Tadich Grill and can own and run the business themselves. Right now Tadich Grill in San Francisco is being ran by Terri’s brother.

Jermey Kahn does the Oakland Raiders podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

 

 

Carr and Raiders look to validate legitimacy with Jets visiting Oakland Sunday

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — As October comes to an end and November begins in the National Football League, the playoff puzzle starts to take shape and the Raiders are hoping to be a major factor this year.

After boat-racing the Chargers 37-29 last Sunday behind an offensive onslaught led by quarterback Derek Carr’s 24 of 31 completions for 289 yards three touchdowns, Oakland (3-3) faces a tough pass defense when the Silver and Black host the New York Jets Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT.

Rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper has been absolutely dynamite this season and is by far the odds on favorite to win the rookie of the year award.

Cooper torched the Chargers’ shaky pass defense for five catches and 133 yards, including a 52-yard catch and run touchdown that put Oakland ahead 30-6 shortly before halftime.

The former Alabama star leads all rookies with 33 catches for 519 yards and three touchdowns and became the first rookie to have three 100-yard efforts in his first six games since tight end Mike Ditka in 1961. Both Cooper and former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree are on pace to have 1,000-yard receiving seasons, which Oakland hasn’t had since Randy Moss’s 1,005 yards in 2005.

But the Jets (4-2) aren’t the San Diego Chargers and New York’s cornerback tandem of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. It can be expected that first-year Jets head coach Todd Bowles will have Revis following Cooper all day to prevent Cooper’s explosive play-making ability.

New York squandered a 20-16 lead at AFC East-leading New England last week with 13 minutes to go, before falling 30-23 to the Patriots. The Jets, who sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady three times, comes into the game with seven sacks over their last three games.

Stud defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson leads the team with five sacks, while Oakland’s offensive line has protected Carr all season just yielding seven sacks.

Gang Green leads the league in stopping the opposition’s running game, surrendering just 71.5 yards per game. New York held New England to 16 rushing yards, their fourth-lowest total in franchise history.

Oakland has given up 303.8 yards per game this season, but has registered seven interceptions in the last five games after picking off Philip Rivers twice last week.

Raiders safety Charles Woodson, who was named AFC defensive player of the month for October, continues to be a marvel at age 39. It’s the fifth time Woodson has won defensive player of the month after recording three interceptions in three games in October.

Chris Ivory is the Jets’ bellcow, is dealing with a hamstring injury and his status for Sunday remains uncertain. Ivory mustered just 41 yards on 17 carries against New England.

In last season’s 19-14 victory over Oakland at MetLife Stadium last year, Ivory wore down Oakland with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown. Given the hamstring injury to Ivory, Oakland maybe better suited to stopping the Jets’ ground attack as the Silver and Black are third against the run this season allowing just 84.3 yards per game.

If Oakland is able to win this game against the Jets, it will give Oakland the head-to-head advantage in any tiebreaker situations for a playoff spot.

After Sunday’s game, Oakland travels to 4-3 Pittsburgh, in another tough game with possible playoff implications for both.

NFL podcast with Tony Renteria: Cassel throws himself in trouble for Dallas; the Cardinals are hot with their 5th win; Raiders first three quarters looks like an improved team

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On the NFL podcast with Tony Renteria the Dallas Cowboys are trying their way until quarterback Tony Romo comes back and putting Matt Cassle in for his first start. In his start Cassel threw three interceptions on three consecutive drives last Sunday against the New York Giants.

Also the Arizona Cardinals handed the Baltimore Ravens another loss. The Ravens were closing in for the victory until the Cardinals Chris Johnson rolled over a defender on a 62 yard run and set the Cardinals up for a game winning field goal.

The Raiders are 3-3 they’re not looked at as a post season contender in some circles but their a comer as they defeated the San Diego Chargers last Sunday. The win was crucial after losing two straight to Cleveland and Denver. The Raiders came off a well needed bye and lit up the Chargers for the first three quarters of Sunday’s game.

Tony Renteria discusses the top stories in the NFL on this week’s podcast listen below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders unplug Chargers

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by Jeremy Kahn

Coming out off the bye week, the Oakland Raiders returned to the field in the middle of a two-game losing streak.

Derek Carr put an end to the notion that the Raiders would lose for the third straight game, as he threw three touchdown passes and the Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 37-29.

The Raiders scored on their first seven possessions of the game on their way to taking a 30-6 lead at the end of the first half.

Amari Cooper is his making his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he caught five passes for 133 yards on the afternoon and a touchdown.

Carr went 24-for-31 for 289 yards passing and threw touchdowns to Clive Watford and Michael Crabtree.

It was a tough game for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers from the get go, as he threw an interception on the third play from scrimmage, when his pass tipped and caught by Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith. Two plays after the interception that was returned to the two-yard line, Latavius Murray scored on a two-yard run.

Sebastian Janikowski kicked three field goals on the afternoon.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Raiders were leading by the score of 37-6, but the Chargers attempted to make a game of it, as they scored 23 unanswered points to get within 37-29 with six seconds remaining in the game when Rivers found Danny Woodhead for a touchdown and the subsequent two-point conversion to Ladrius Green.

Josh Lambo’s third onside kick of the afternoon fell right into the hands of Raiders tight end Mychel Rivera, and then Carr took one kneel down and the Raiders escaped with an eight-point victory, their first road divisional win since the 2012 season.

With the victory, the Raiders have matched their win total for the 2014 season, and now return to the Coliseum where they will face another longtime rival in the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Jeremy Kahn: Look for Raiders to get help from their secondary in defending against Chargers, Rivers

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by Jeremy Kahn

photo credit google images Charles Woodson Oak Raiders

ALAMEDA–After the bye week the Oakland Raiders have regrouped after two tough loses with Cleveland and Denver and they’re set to face another division opponent again this weekend in San Diego as they get ready for the Chargers.The Raiders are hopeful that they can come back from that two game losing streak.

The Raiders come into Sunday’s game at number 26 in the league in defense and they will face one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL the Chargers Phillip Rivers. The Raiders have to get their secondary going with Charles Woodson and Khalil Mack back there and they’ll just be just fine handling Rivers.

This is going to be a very close game and the Raiders can come out of this one with a win because their playing a lot better and head coach Jack Del Rio says that their more experienced going into this game. Their more experienced on offense and defense going into week seven and the Raiders could come out with a victory.

Jeremy has more on his podcast with the Oakland Raiders tonight click below to hear more at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders take on Chargers in key divisional game in San Diego

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — With the bye week in the rear view mirror, it’s time for the Raiders to get back to the business of football. And business begins in San Diego Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT against the Chargers. Both Oakland (2-3) and San Diego (2-4) are jockeying for position in the AFC West as they’re trying to keep pace with the division-leading and undefeated, Denver Broncos (6-0).

Oakland’s 26th ranked defense will have to contend with Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers, who was a passing machine in San Diego’s 27-20 loss in Green Bay in Week 6.

Rivers, who set career highs for completions (43, is also the most completions in a loss in  NFL history), passing attempts (65), and passing yards (503) to go along with two touchdowns, just couldn’t engineer the Chargers to victory against the Packers. Rivers and the Chargers were stopped by Green Bay on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds to play in the fourth quarter.

In six games, Rivers is the NFL leader in passing yards with 2,116 and touchdown passes with 12. His 70.0 percent completion percentage is just .6  behind league leader Tom Brady (70.6) for quarterbacks with at least 150 passing attempts.

Rivers’s gunslinger mentality can get him into trouble, as his five interceptions can attest, three of which have been returned for touchdowns, a league-high.

San Diego boasts the NFL’s top ranked offense in total yards at 433 yards per game, and passing yards at 349 yards per game, thanks in large part to the return of perennial All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates.

Gates, who missed the first four games of the season due to performance-enhancing drugs, has been on a tear the past two games. The future Hall of Famer (in my honest opinion), has 18 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders have had a penchant for allowing tight ends to have big games on them.

Gates is the one tight end that the Raiders can’t afford running down field freely on Sunday. In 24 career games against Oakland, Gates has 96 catches for 1,273 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Those are numbers that some guys have in an season.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (1,171 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions; 93.9 passer rating) and his pair of standout wide receivers in rookie Amari Cooper (28 catches, 386 receiving yards, and two touchdowns) and Michael Crabtree (27 catches, 318 receiving yards, and one touchdown) will face a much improved Chargers defense that ranks seventh against the pass, just yielding 222 yards per game this season.

Carr has been able to stay relatively healthy all season, thanks in large part to a quality offensive line that has taken all 341 snaps together. The second-year signal caller is the 30th-least pressured quarterback (25.9% of his dropbacks) according to Pro Football Focus resulting in just seven sacks surrendered by offensive line coach Mike Tice’s crew.

San Diego has just 11 sacks as a unit this year, ranking 18th in the NFL.