Raiders Get Smart | McClain, Nnamdi, Davis & Einstein
| FRONT OFFICE SECONDARY LINEBACKERS |
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| DEFENSIVE LINE COACHING STAFF QUARTERBACKS KICKERS |
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| TIGHT ENDS WIDE RECEIVERS |
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| RUNNING BACKS |  |
| OFFENSIVE LINE |  |
September 2nd, 2010
Oakland, CA
The biggest change I see in the 2010 Raiders… the DRAMATIC increase in football intelligence. From the ground floor all the way up to Al Davis’s office, the Raiders have gotten much smarter as a football team.
In the miserable years since our beloved Silver & Black were felled by the Tijuana Meltdown of 2002, an Oakland Raiders offseason would be not complete without some variation of the following offseason events…
a) a head coaching search is embarked upon
b) a “Javon Walker/DeAngelo Hall” type signing
c) we draft the fastest guys on Indy turf
d) we hope Jamarcus shows up in shape
Oakland Raiders & football smarts? …not used in the same sentence often in these last 7 dark years of Raiders football.
The 2010 Raiders offseason “got smart” Right off the Bat
Cable’s mettle was briefly tested with some typical “best for the team” pseudo-searching comments, then Davis unequivocally gave him the reigns. Big splash free agents were spurned for specific need fills: e.g. Kamerion Wimbley rushes the passer, and John Henderson swallows running backs. Hue Jackson was brought in to give an attitiude to the offense with his “in your face” style and creativity. Rolando “little Saban” McClain was drafted (I was standing on my couch screaming “McClain, McClain” as Goodell walked to the podium) along with football gym rat and camp pugilist Lamarr Houston.
Oh, and did I mention that little bit about Jamarcus Russell being dumped for consummate pro (and 13-0 at Auburn) Jason Campbell? To say the Raiders have jumped a few football IQ points higher on that move alone would be a dramatic understatement.
Here then is a top-to-bottom breakdown of the 2010 Oakland Raiders Football intelligence, on an “Einstein” to ”cheat off of Vince Young on the Wonderlic” sliding scale. Graded as an overall assessment of Oakland’s football smarts currently (compared to an avg. of the rest of the NFL at that position), and contrasted with the 2009 Raiders.
- 2010 Oakland Raiders Football IQ Grades -
Raiders Front Office:
Owner and defacto GM Al Davis (didn’t he “have a guy in mind” for GM not too long ago?) will lose more football knowledge with every chunk of passing corn than the rest of the NFL owners combined will ever know. Sure he misses, and often in streaks, but it’s usually in an attempt to swing for the fences. With apologies to John McCain, Al Davis is the true maverick. The same guy that said “Jamarcus will be a great player in this league” also reclaimed Jim Plunkett, leading to 2 Lombardis. Player, Coach, Owner, Commissioner… you can doubt Al Davis’s marketing and public relations (Hererra vs. Gannon, DHB press release, overhead projector) style all day, and often with reason, but you simply cannot challenge his football smarts as an owner. Keeping “team guy” Cable, passing on high priced turds, and drafting smart football players has made this Raiders offseason a welcome contrast from 2009.
Grade: Einstein
Raiders Secondary:
Rolando McClain was earmarked a starter from day one, period. Nnamdi Asomugha had to earn his spot, learning the ropes as a ”total reach” (good call Mel, nice hair…) on the island that is a Raiders cornerback. Playing straight up man defense, jamming at the line, and receiving little to no safety help, makes you learn your craft quickly. Get the mental part down pronto, or suffer a “Philip giveth, and Philip taketh away” fate as a Raiders corner. Well Nnam got it, and is the very articulate and intelligent Berkeley grad battling with Darrel Revis to be the games best corner. If “Nnamaste” Asomugha can take the free reign and direct the raw potential of Chris Johnson, Stanford Routt, Michael Huff, future star Tyvon Branch (stat you may not know: Branch led all DB’s in tackles in 2009 with 124), and Mayock favorite Michael Mitchell, this unit could truly become fearsome. The lights came on for Safety Michael Huff last season , forcing me to dispense with his “puff” moniker, which bodes well paired with young and smart Tyvon Branch. Not much change here from the 2009 squad. Branch is entering his 3rd season, a good time to make that leap into legit playmaker status. If you subscribe to the theory that each group needs “one guy” to be their leader, then having Nnamdi alone ranks this unit as very football savvy. Asomugha has recently articulated ”captain like” comments, and has now earned the freedom to shadow opposing #1 receivers or play centerfield.
Grade: Einstein’s Brother
Raiders Linebackers:
Rolando McClain meet another Raiders MLB who took the position to the pigskin equivalent of MENSA, Greg Biekert. “Biek” reached his cerebral height against Payton Manning, and is surely passing those crib notes along to the sponge-like McClain. It is virtually unheard of to anoint a draft pick a starter on the day you draft him, and even more so when there is not one whisper of dissent. Rolando McClain by virtue of his play and reputation for being “little Saban” on the field, garnered such respect. Already in possession of the “green dot” helmet, McClain will be a defensive version of Manning, making critical last second adjustments and alignments to the Raiders entire defense. You can already see it now. Raiders fans still stung by the lax Jamarcus Russell work ethic, can finally stop wincing when watching tape of Ray Lewis watching tape. With the study habits of Ray Lewis, and a football intellect capable of knowing the entirety of the defense, the Raiders will truly have a coach on the field in McClain. Though I will greatly miss Kirk Morrison and wish him well, the Raiders linebackers football smarts took a huuuuuuge step forward from 2009. Rarely does Al Davis draft a linebacker in the first round…. but McClain is that rarity, a 260-lb coach in the huddle.
Grade: Plato
Raiders Defensive Line:
Richard Seymour was the first guy to step off the bus in camp this year, the bus with the rookies and free agents in a notable and symbolic gesture. Paired with rookie Lamar Houston (read more about our surprise pick for NFL Rookie of The Year … Lamarr Houston: Mel Kiper eats dogshit for breakast) and the emerging Matt Shaugnessy, the Raiders D-line benefits from much more than just Seymour’s run stopping abilities. Seymour gives the Raiders both football smarts, and leadership not seen in Oakland since Howie Long roamed the Donkeys backfield. The impact of Rookie Rolando McClain bears mention here as well, as McClain has the football intellect to know the entire defense, and can make crucial last second adjustments to the Raiders D-line. Putting Tommy Kelly and Seymour into favorable positions to use their 3-technique strengths at either tackle spot, bodes well for the Raiders entire front seven. Al Davis paid Richard Seymour franchise dough to lead and to teach in 2009, and in 2010 Seymour appears ready for that challenge. The raw mold of fire clay he has to work with in Lamarr Houston, might return us to that “frenzied” pass rush feeling we haven’t felt in Oakland since Regan Upshaw and friends pummeled QB’s.
Grade: Confucius & the Kids
Raiders Coaching Staff:
Tom Cable endured a brief twist in the offseason wind, but was soon given the go ahead, keeping needed continuity for the players. Relieving Cable of playcalling is former Raven Hue Jackson. Jackson brings attitude and passion in abundance to the Raiders offensive unit. Jackson allows Cable to focus on the Offensive Line, his guys, and that should boost the play of that very uneven unit. Mike Waufle as the Defensive Line Coach, the man bringing the heat with the Giants in their recent Superbowl win, worked with Cable for 6 years at Cal. Greg Biekert was brought in to help Rolando McClain ease into the “instant starter” MLB role. Biekert is famous in Raider circles for breaking Peyton Manning’s “enigma code” offense down and stealing playcalls in a wild 38-31 Raiders win at Indy. Cable focused on the O-line and Jackson’s creative playcalling and passion, bring new life to an offense shuddered under the immense weight of Jamarcus Russell in 2009. Vast improvement here.
Grade: Spock
Raiders Quarterbacks:
If ever there was a case of addition by subtraction, it is in the football smarts of Raiders Quarterbacks. Jettisoning work ethic and study challenged Jamarcus Russell, for consummate pro Jason Campbell was done in the offseason, all while keeping the smart and gutty Bruce Gradkowski. Grad earned his roster spot with smart decision making and ball security in 2009, whereas Russell often seemed confused by the basics, such as where players should line up. Russell displayed little to no pocket presence or leadership skills to a sagging Raiders offense. Can you imagine hearing Jamarcus point out John Candy in the stands at a crucial moment in the 4th quarter? ”Jamarcus like candy” maybe. Hue Jackson brings attitude to this position, and Campbell and Grad both command a good huddle. Kyle Boller learned his QB smarts from Jeff Tedford and Charlie Frye is a gym rat. Playmaking, smarts, leadership, and passion from the Raiders QB spot should bring new life to this offense… and open up the other 1/2 of the playbook used to coddle Jamarcus Russell in 2009. Impossible to overstate the improvement here. from 2009.
Grade: The Professor (Gilligans Island)
Raiders Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:
Huge question marks when discussing the relative football smarts of the Raiders Wide Receivers and Tight ends, that is once you get past Zach Miller and Louis Murphy. Miller is a budding Pro Bowler with the brainpower to exploit seams and zones, and use his slightly undersized body as an effective blocker through great technique. Murphy, a 2nd year receiver from Florida is simply a leader. Murphy plays with passion, and will probably be a key player in the development of speedy Darrius Heyward-Bey. Without an established veteran on the squad at receiver, one could argue that this is an area of weakness for the Raiders. Chaz Schillens could help here, a savvy pass-catcher himself, but needs to be on the field to really contribute. Somebody needs to step up and lead this unit, and teach them the things that Tim Brown and Jerry Rice learned. Javon Walker’s presence hurt this unit last season, as opposed to being the steady veteran influence this group needed him to be. I predict that man will eventually be Louis Murphy, but who fills that role now is the question?
Grade: Doogie Howser
Raiders Running Backs:
Michael Bush, one of my all-time favorite Raiders draft picks ( limitless upside potential) is the key here. His blitz pickup ability is improving, but his football smarts are uncertain. Darren Mcfadden factors here of course, but hasn’t shown any signs of taking the job. Holding onto the rock can be a mental thing and Mcfadden has yet to do it consistently. Ask Tiki or Tom Coughlin about the “rugby grip” Darren, please. 9th year player Rock Cartwright is the veteran of the group, along with ex Viking Michael Bennet. Both would not be in this league still were it not for their football smarts. Most certainly not Cartwright, who appears to go about 5″8″ on his tiptoes. Considering that nobody has stepped in to fill Justin Fargas’s shoes yet as this groups leader, underscores the uncertainty at the position. The “tasty waves and tasty babes” Spicoli ranking is not an indictment of current Raiders running backs smarts. It is a realization that most NFL teams have an established veteran leader who teaches the intricacies of smart running back play to the kids. One Marcus Allen would give an Aristotle grade to this young group.
Raiders Offensive Line:
Ahh the Raiders Offensive line. Tom Cable gets to focus on this group in 2010, a line that hasn’t had a true leader since Steve Wisnewski and Lincoln Kennedy were road grading defenders. Robert Gallery has come into his own at left guard, playing at a near Pro Bowl level, but he hasn’t taken ownership of the group. Admittedly this group frustrates me the most; with Cable at the helm I expect them to perform consistently. Dumb pre-snap penalties and missed assignment have been the norm. The heady Langston Walker (Cal Berkeley) returns from Buffalo at Right Tackle, but he needs to perform at a higher level to ever hope to lead this group. The fact is, it might be rookie Jared Veldheer who takes the reigns of the Raiders Offensive Line. In a surprise move, Cable asked Veldheer to make the line calls against the Forty Niners last Saturday at Center, though he had been practicing at Tackle. Art Shell or Gene Upshaw we summon you, please send someone to lead this group.
Grade: Cheat off of Vince Young on the Wonderlic
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While the rankings are arbitrary to some extent, the point remains…. the Raiders have gotten a whole lot smarter in 2010. Somewhere Bill Callahan is nodding in approval…
Bill Callahan: “The Raiders are the Dumbest team in America”
Related posts:
Hello.
Wanted to see what you though of the Broncos Tim Tebow. Supposedly Tebow got a way below average on his Wonderlic, but that didn’t exactly stop him from diagnosing the SEC. I think you have over-rated football IQ in terms of its final effect on the game. You still gotta run and pass and tackle.
Thanks in advance. Denver Don
Bill Callahan is so far up Rex “we are the champions on Hard Knocks” Ryans ass, he can’t see straight.
The same Callahan mind you who orchestrated the adjustments to our offense against Tampa Bay, when the Bucs knew our fucking plays in the Superblow. Might want to rethink that one Billy.
Jeffy
Are you kidding, your kickers are brainiacs? Philip Rivers is probably smarter than your coach, and AJ Smith would eat Al Davis for breakfast.
Dumb and Dumber Raiders Fans!
Bolt21
@ChargerBolt21
dude, you are on crack. bitch rivers has had a great supporting cast and surprisingly good o-line play, all of which may be gone once gates wears out and mcneil and jackson tell AJ “i’m tougher and smarter than anyone, just ask me” Smith gets done with them.
the bolt run is losing wattage, and bitch rivers will look very ordinary and very whiny. see the future dolt fan.
EddieE
How much money will it cost for Al davis to buy the Raiders a champiuonship?
@eddieTheeagle
Until you get to see Fresno States Ryan Mathews, Mathews is smart and tough. Rivers may have had a great cast around him, and a great LT didn’t hurt, but he has been great when asked to be. Losing Jackson sucks, assuming he bolts, but Mathews and co. will be a fine supporting cast. You wish you had AJ Smith, ever since Brice Allen departed.
Don’t like a QB that talks shit, then shut him up Raiders.
Bolt21
Your kicker is Sebastian Janikowski, of GHB and date rape fame. You really want to compare him to somebody smart like Spock?
Lechler is awesome, I’ll grant you that one, but Janikowski not so much.
Telling the Raiders offensive line to “Cheat off of Vince Young on the Wonderlic” is the funniest thing I’ve read this year. You would think Cable could get more out of this unit with Gallery and company?
I hear the Veldheer small school kid will start at center, I wonder about his football IQ. This unit needs a leader and a veteran to teach them. Badly.
“Cheat off of Vince Young on the Wonderlic” <— What is this supposed to mean? LK
Are the raiders the dumbest team in America, Marty S. says yes. “Just stay close” Marty told his teams “…and the Raiders will fold their tent.” How often he was right. Callahan may have been on to something.
red
Keep posting crap like this and I might just subscribe to your site. I’m tired of the same old boring shit being reported in the same old boring way… “Raiders lose on dumb penalties” can only be said in so many ways over and over again. Thanks for mixing it up and providing us an outlet from the same old crap about our boys!
Grant (fan since ’69)
The kickers are good, and deserve the high rankings. Lechler and Jano have been superior since they were drafted, we are very lucky to hae them. Just ask Dallas and new Orleans.
Why is the O-line taken to task in your article, they have been bad at times and great at times. A moderate grade would have been more appropriate IMHO. Gallery is heading to a Pro Bowl.
Oaktown Pride
Houston, Seymour, Asoghuma, and McCalin form a rock solid foundation for talent AND smarts on the defensive side of the ball for years to come.
Great read on the smarts of our team, I too think this is our biggest area of improvement over the 2009 squad.
Sky
Damn straight the O-line needs to cheat off of stupid assed vince young, they are bringing this team down with them. C’mon Tom Cable, these are your guys, get them pointing in the same direction at least.
The pre-snap penalties are killing us, dumb shit errors. These guys can run block fine, even well at times, but the focus on the snap is basic football, even for a California Gurl to see.
Dolly Raider
Hola,
raidergirls.com – Greetings from Bangkok and Gracias for keeping us in the loop.
Now back to my “girlfriend” and her friends on the beach. Bring on the Teaxans!
LowDown Banger
Raaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiderrrrrrrrrrrrssssssssss rock!!!!!
Enjoyed the post!
When is the last time the words “smart” and “football” were used in the same Raiders sentence?
Love the Bill Callahan “Raiders are the dumbest team in America” video at the end, helps me remember where we came from. Shoulda’ kept Barret Robbins in house Billy Boy, now that would have been smart football. DD
Nnamdi might be the smartest corner to have ever played the game. If our O-line continues to progress (I see this post was written before the Tennessee game, when our O-line put in their worst combined effort since the Dinosaur era) as they have since the opener, we might be ballers.
We can run with Bush and Mcfadden, and with some support from Schillens (or a breakout from Murphy or DHB) our line has a chance to shine. The Raiders Offensive Line can road grade with the best of the AFC, but can they play smart football in the clutch? Great post, made me think.
Sonic