Fans may fret over injuries, Waller’s struggle
So, the Raiders’ 36-20 road loss to New England on Sunday means one of two things, what is the truth?
No time to think, gotta panic. It's a favorite quote from a former colleague some 30 years ago who uttered the phrase under duress. I've associated that line for years with the knee-jerk reaction of week-to-week fluctuations in emotions during an NFL season. Especially early in the season.
So the Raiders' 36-20 road loss to New England Sunday means one of two things:
1) The Raiders went to the NFL's most difficult road venue on a short week against the best coach in league and got what was coming to them.
2) The Raiders were exposed as frauds and with Buffalo and Kansas City on the horizon will be 2-3 before they hit the bye week.
Only rational people believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and where's the fun in that?
Here are some problems worth worrying about and issues which are much ado about nothing:
WORRY ABOUT INJURIES » We'll see where rookie wide receiver Bryan Edwards is after a foot injury following a 34-yard gain against New England. Rookie Henry Ruggs is already out with a hamstring strain, Tyrell Willams is done for the year. Tackle Trent Brown and middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski have each missed two games and weren't placed on I.R., meaning the hope was they'd be back for Week 4. Richie Incognito is on injured reserve. Swing tackle Sam Young (groin) wasn't healthy enough to be ac
tive against the Patriots.
“We’re missing a lot of key players. Lost some more today,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “We’ve got to get a good looking medical report and see who’s going to be able to play.”
At least Josh Jacobs got somewhat of a break (for him) with 16 carries and three catches. Keeping him upright will be crucial.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT DARREN WALLER » Bill Belichick made him disappear. It happens. The Patriots have been doing this for years.
Quarterback Derek Carr said he couldn’t always decipher when Waller was double covered and when he wasn’t, and that the Patriots dropped players in coverage underneath Waller. And it’s not as if he can wait forever. Carr conceded he missed chances to get him the ball on a couple of occasions.
“You’ve got to play the game fast. You’ve got to make your decisions,” Carr said.
Said Gruden: “We didn’t come here to target Waller on every play.”
Belichick said of the Patriots plan: “When we had opportunities to jam and reroute him, we tried to do that, but he’s a tough guy to match up on… I don’t think, for them, it’s all about throwing to one guy.”
The beauty of Waller is he’ll be fine with it. He’ll get his numbers.
WORRY ABOUT THE FRONT SEVEN » Maxx Crosby got going with a pair of sacks, but the whole theory of this defensive line was having a centipede effect that would rotate fresh players and wear down the opposition. It hasn’t come close to fruition under Dline coach Rod Marinelli. And keep in mind that until Sunday, the Raiders were doing pretty well at keeping their defense fresh and off the field.
Gruden pushed threetechnique tackle Maliek Collins hard as a difference-maker. Carl Nassib, who got $17 million guaranteed, got a pass deflection against the Patriots and has flashed on occasion, but his snap count has been low. Clelin Ferrell doesn’t look like the eight to 10-sack guy the Raiders were hoping for in Year 2 after being the No. 4 overall pick.
Speaking of differencemakers and big investments, linebacker Cory Littleton’s reputation in pass coverage hasn’t shown itself yet.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE » Tom Cable said when he gets everybody back it will be like Christmas. Hopefully it happens before then.
Even without Brown, Incognito and Young, and with Denzelle Good at tackle, the Raiders protected Carr adequately, although the two sackfumbles Sunday are worrisome. Against the Patriots, running backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry.