Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth?

Thoughts from the Dark Side

September 27, 2008

Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth?

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There were questions about the Oakland Raiders' depth or lack thereof coming into the 2008 campaign. Now that the Raiders are facing a mounting injury toll early, the earlier questions about depth take on a new found urgency. One of the truisms of the grind of the NFL season is that it is a war of attrition. There are going to be injuries, and the teams with the best depth are the ones that will come out on top. Here's a look at where the Raiders stand depth wise with regard to the current injury report.

Running back:

This position was the deepest position on the Raiders with Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush at tailback and two starting quality fullbacks in Justin Griffith and Oren O'Neal. O'Neal is out for the season, having been replaced by Luke Lawton who was cut and brought back before the opening game. Fargas is out for the game Sunday, and McFadden is still hobbled with turf toe leaving Bush as the only fully healthy tailback on the roster.

With the running game expected to be the strength of the Raiders offensive attack this season, this cuts deeply into what the Raiders can do offensively. Late in the game against Buffalo, some of Justin Fargas's hard running could well have made a difference in keeping the chains moving. Had McFadden been completely healthy, he would not have fallen down four or five times without being touched, and the Raiders could well have taken home the victory.

Fortunately, this unit is expected to be back at full strength for New Orleans after the bye week. Unfortunately, it could be two weeks too late to save Lane Kiffin's job.

Offensive line:

The offensive line may as well as have been called The Riddler coming into the season as they had more questions than a presidential debate. The line has outplayed expectations as JaMarcus Russell has had some time to throw. The real surprise was the play of Mario Henderson who had been known as "the guy who almost got Andrew Walter killed" before he stepped in for an injured Kwame Harris and gave up no sacks or penalties. Paul McQuistan, who was the top reserve lineman is out for the season with an injury sustained in week one. Now, with Cooper Carlisle expected to miss at least one game, either Chris Morris or Jon Wade will be starting in his stead. Wade has no game experience playing guard, and Morris's is minimal.

With the importance of the offensive line to being able to execute any type of offense, it seems that the Raiders are relying on patchwork unit. This is an area where depth was sorely needed early, and whilst it worked out with Henderson, now the Raiders have to cross their fingers to hope it works with Carlisle's replacement.

Defensive tackle:

The Raiders opened the season with only three defensive tackles on the roster. They had utilityman Fred Wakefield to be a fourth, but that left no room for a margin of error. With the biggest questions of the offseason surrounding the defensive tackle position, it seemed odd that the Raiders kept three who had been on their roster a season ago. Now, starter Gerrard Warren is likely out with a torn pectoral muscle. This leaves the Raiders with only two full time defensive tackles. Wakefield and defensive end Jay Richardson are expected to be part of the rotation. It wasn't until Warren was out and Wakefield was in that the Bills started moving the ball well on Sunday, and with Richardson the Raider Nation should remember the lessons from the ill-fated move of Warren Sapp from defensive tackle to defensive end.

Considering that running back LaDainian Tomlinson has a well deserved reputation for being a Raider killer, the dearth of depth in the middle of the Raiders' defensive line creates a problem with the lack of success the Raiders have had in the past against Tomlinson.

Cornerback:

Coming into the season, the Raider Nation felt very secure at the corner position starting Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, with Stanford Routt being the nickleback. Disregarding the fact that no one could have expected Hall's play to be substandard, injuries to Asomugha and Routt make this once perceived strength to be a question mark. Asomugha is expected to play, despite a fractured bone in his elbow. The million dollar question is whether or not Aso will be his elite self out there, or will a messed up elbow limit his ability? Routt is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. This is a huge concern as speed and ability to make quick breaks on the ball are crucial to a corner's game.

If Aso and Routt are able to go and play well, then the Raiders have the bye week to rest up. Either way, expect more playing time for Chris Johnson, with the possibility of Michael Huff sliding over to corner on occasion. If Aso and Routt can't go, this will create a major vacuum in the Raiders' secondary.

With all the injuries, this game may resemble the second half of a preseason game for the guys in the black jerseys. This is not conducive to success in the National Football League, but there are no excuses. The Raiders didn't make moves for depth towards the end of camp, which was something that had the Nation wondering. If the Raiders can win with their depth, Al Davis and Lane Kiffin will both be vindicated.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

27 Comments on "Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth?"

Posted by Umer Waris, September 27, 2008 1:27 AM

An outstandingly written, detailed, precise article, Pat.

Sadly the content wasnt as good as the presentation and delivery.

Its really unfortunate this all occurs with Kiffin on the hot seat and right before the bye week, when the axe is believed to finally fall from the hands of Davis.

A real pity, man.

Warren was playing well, O neal was going to be a big man in the running game, Mcquistan was the most expeirenced backup on the o line and now Aso is also not good in what was thought to be the best secondary bbut turned out to be short of that.

Sigh.... my prayers & love to Kiffin and our beloved Raiders for this season that is slowly escaping our grasps.

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 2:35 AM

Excuses excuses excuses....

Injuries are part of the game. This is when good coaching should come into play.....

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 2:36 AM

I didn't hear Bill Belicheck complaining when Brady went down. In fact, last week when they lost to Miami, he took the responsibility!

In Oakland, our head coach is talking about his wife!

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 2:37 AM

It's not rocket science!

Posted by RaiderDoc, September 27, 2008 3:34 AM

Wouldn't it be fun to have Belicheck as the head coach, and Al as the owner? Nobody would ever talk to anybody about anything! Nobody in the organization would ever know what anybody else was doing under any circumstances. They would each distrust the other, and hate one another with passion. Hell, they would probably each have spys in the others business.

Belicheck however is a pretty impressive coach, and I like a lot of what he does (including his silence at times). If you take away his cheating, and the fact that he is questionable as a human being... not too shabby.

But before you pick Belicheck as the great coach Kiffin should emulate, one might want to remember Cleveland. And you might even recall that he took an 8-8 patriot team ('99) and made them 5-11 ('00). Hmmmm can you say edge to Kiffin? Might I even go completely nuts and add that at the end of week 3 of his second year he was 1-2... and at the end of week 4, 1-3... now he is really making Kiffin look good. Maybe Kraft should have fired him! Do you think?

Posted by rodmoney, September 27, 2008 4:40 AM

I could not figure out why we did'nt sign another DT (ed johnson) especially since we have only 3 DT

s anyway. We will get ran over tomorrow and Lane will be dismissed for I know Al has to have a reason to rid himself of Lane so he won't allow Lane to aquire the players as well as get rid of players that can't help this team. BURN IN HELL al!!!

Posted by Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth? - Oakland Raiders Forum, September 27, 2008 5:02 AM

[...] Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth? There were questions about the Oakland Raiders� depth or lack thereof coming into the 2008 campaign. Now that the Raiders are facing a mounting injury toll early, the earlier questions about depth take on a new found urgency. One of the truisms of the grind of the NFL season is that it is a war of attrition. There are going to be injuries, and the teams with the best depth are the ones that will come out on top. Here�s a look at where the Raiders stand depth wise with regard to the current injury report. Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders independent news, commentary, analysis, and m... [...]

Posted by Dreycom, September 27, 2008 7:33 AM

Didn't Kiffin complain about this during the off season.

He knew he needed more bodies to compete and he complained.

Posted by SpokaneOakfan, September 27, 2008 8:56 AM

Elkins- Seriously, it's time to get help.

That's not Al Davis calling you, that's the third string punter at Modesto Junior college telling you not to starch his jock when you wash it.

That's not Amy Trask, that's your mom telling you to keep the basement door closed when you are flaming all of the Raider fans, she's got company over.

You are worse than Mike 49er. At least his fantasy world ends with this site.

I think Kiff worked nothing less than a miracle with Mario Henderson. Here's hoping he can take a couple of the track guys at DB and do the same. In the meantime, why not bring in Rod Coleman?

#10

Posted by Rash of injuries to expose Oakland Raiders lack of depth? | The RaiderCast, September 27, 2008 9:18 AM

[...] (more…) [...]

#11

Posted by Raider Scott, September 27, 2008 9:37 AM

Elkin - I don't think the point of the article was to make excuses but to point out the underlying weakness of our team. We had questionable areas when healthy to start with and with some of these injuries we are exposed deeper than any of us could have anticipated. The most devastating part is how early in the season so many injuries have occurred. I think one area Patrick overlooked is the wide receiver corps. We lost our number 2 guy in pre-season and our number 1 guy has been non-existent for the most part. I think the wide receiver shortcomings put more strain on our running game and when we took hits in the running game it makes us look even more one-dimensional with no depth in the near term. I can't believe I'm saying this, but our defense really needs Warren and his absence will hurt us...........just as LT comes in to town.

#12

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 9:51 AM

Umer Waris says:

September 27th, 2008 at 1:27 am

An outstandingly written, detailed, precise article, Pat.

Mike: What is it with you kissing ass? Seriously. Between you and Pat, it doesn't matter what's written, you gush like a little school girl.

Oh..sorry...forgot...as you've stated, you are a little high school wuss...my bad.

Oh..and stating "My love to Kiffin and the team"???

No, UberGeek, that's not the same as saying 'I love the Raiders. I love the team. I'm a fan." Who the hell professes their love for the coach? lol...I mean, besides infatuated little school girls?

#13

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 10:25 AM

Wannabee Elkins? You don't want to set yourself up like that again, do you?

You get shit on post to post, where you tuck tail and just allow it...and at this point you're a joke.

You already ran that stupid "wife" take...it got shredded.

Hell, I'm sure most would like to know the answer to how it is you're such a failure at coaching, yet you, in your delusional state, say "I know more than any other coach in the NFL"?

http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/2008/09/22/lane-kiffin-theres-no-way-im-quitting/

No..I don't expect you to answer.

Just kind of entertaining knowing you know you can't.

For some odd reason, I have a feeling one day, whimpering Elkins will just disappear from this site.

Just know when that day happens, I'll truly be laughing my ass off at you..pretty much like now.

#14

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 10:40 AM

Hey, here's something you can "look forward to"

L.T. needs 2 td's..and 55 or so yards.

He then will own the record for the MOST YARDS AND TD'S AGAINST ONE TEAM IN A SPAN OF 15 GAMES.

I mean, you all pretty much know L.T.'s made you guys his bitch these last 14 games...but...if he gets those td's and yards???

You'll BE HIS BITCH FOREVER.

Kind of gives you girls warm and fuzzies, doesn't it? :)

Enjoy.

#15

Posted by BIG ROC, STOCKTON, CA, September 27, 2008 11:46 AM

Excellent article. The only thing I disagree with you about is Jay Richardson. He is a bigger DE and with his athleticism, he should do well when rushing the passer. Where it's going to hurt is against the run. Tommie Kelly is going to have to play the game of his career on Sunday. He's been playing solid but he needs to step it up a little more in this one.

#16

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 1:08 PM

Doc-I didn't say Belicheck was a good Coach, I also didn't say I thought he was a bad Coach. I was simply making a comparison.

Spokane-Nice research buddy, was that all you found? You can do better than that!

Niner-There is a story below that I like to tell:

(hope you enjoy it)

#17

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 1:08 PM

One day Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him. "You have no right teaching others," he shouted. "You are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake." Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man "Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?"

#18

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 2:10 PM

I have a story for you, Wannabee Elkins..and I hope you get all giddy over it.

A man walks into a room, and proclaims he's not only worthy of being hired by an organization, but states, quite boldly, that he not only knows more than anyone in the organization, but also the complete industry.

Others listening comment: "balderdash...we doth thinks you have shit for brains, are a fool, and an idiot to boot".

That man then welcomes all challenges to his self-proclaimed brilliance, guaranteeing all he is, in fact, the cat's meow.

Systematically all the doubters shoots holes in the man's silly claims. The man is not only humbled, embarrassed, and floundering, but he's now meekly just accepting the fact everyone knows he's totally full of shit, a liar, and a coward.

Now...the question is...are all of those 'doubters" who so efficiently slapped that meek little man down all that good...or was that man just a complete joke, a fraud, and someone who ended up being everyone's bitch, just by the mere fact he set himself up??

#19

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 5:19 PM

That's all you have this time around?

You must be saving the good stuff!

#20

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 7:15 PM

Hey, don't get me wrong, little man...I feel for ya.

I mean, you get fired from a high school coaching job, by your admission, and now you can't get a gig coaching pop warner....now you're reduced to posting on message boards how you're going to now go from unemployed high school asst. coach to an NFL coach.

Hell, I threw a football to my son today. I now think I can be a qb in the NFL.

I honestly can't do any worse than Russell, so I too sent in a letter to Al telling him that not only am I better than any other qb in the league, but I'll play for half of Russell's salary.

Yes, I'm a steal, and Al would be wise to get in on a good thing when he has the chance.

And considering everyone knows the HC with the Raiders has no pull, once we both get in, you'll basically be working for me.

Is that cool...or what?

#21

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 7:40 PM

I was never fired from coaching football....

I am not reduced to anything NINER, I like to educate our fans why we won't be winning upcoming games....I choose to be here, same as you!

I also played catch with my son today.....what's your point?

If you were the Coach of the Raiders, I would be honored to work for you.....

#22

Posted by YOUR RAIDER HATER SELF AWARENESS CHECK, September 27, 2008 8:32 PM

I WOULDN'T ELKINS BECUASE NINER PROBABLY THROWS LIKE A GIRL AND HIS SON IS PROBABLY A LIL' FRUITY BASTARD.

#23

Posted by Chargers Fan, September 27, 2008 10:33 PM

Hey Your Niner Reality Check your a bitch you know that. The 49ners Are bitches. Your kids are basterds and you were probably born as a girl and had a sex change or probably are a girl. You should just shut the hell up and go back to cheerleading your bull shit niners. Your probably gay too.

Chargers Are the best.

#24

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 27, 2008 11:00 PM

Coach Elkins says:

September 27th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

I was never fired from coaching football….

Mike: Got it!. You QUIT as an asst. at a Jr. College to be an asst. at a high school..and then quit???

And now? No coaching anywhere?

Yeah, that makes total sense.

I am not reduced to anything NINER, I like to educate our fans why we won’t be winning upcoming games….I choose to be here, same as you!

Mike: again..GOT IT!. No coaching gig..anywhere..yet here you are insisting to all you're better than anyone out there.

What's wrong with this picture? lol...

Take your time.

----

I also played catch with my son today…..what’s your point?

Mike: *rolling eyes*. You need everything explained, don't you? Point is you coached at a high school, and now feel the NFL is next.

I played catch....by your reasoning, I must be ready for the NFL...all things considered, I couldn't do any worse than Russell.

---

If you were the Coach of the Raiders, I would be honored to work for you…..

Mike: That goes without saying.

#25

Posted by Coach Elkins, September 27, 2008 11:20 PM

I'm gonna make you talk trash til you won't do it anymore Niner.....

#26

Posted by Desertraider, September 28, 2008 9:21 AM

Coach Elkins, what exactly do you coach. I coach high-school age boys basketball and I gotta tell you I love depth. If my backup give me good quality minutes (not dominate but play well.) then my starters can rest longer, I have more options when people are injured or foul out etc.

As far as good coaching goes, everything monday through friday is coaching, once the ball tips on Saturday then all I can do is yell from the sideline and make adjustments during timeouts and halftime. It is up to the players to make good split second decisions and make the plays that I put them in a position to make. Better players make better decisions and take better advantage of opportunites.

So while agree with you that it is a coaches job to coach the players that he has and put THOSE players in a position to be successfull, having a higher quality (whatever quality you are looking for) player just makes a coaches job easier.

#27

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, September 28, 2008 2:57 PM

Desert-Elkins..actually...at this point..coaches nothing. He was an asst. at a junior college...that didn't work out...then he was an asst. at a high school.

Not sure what happened there, except that he's currently unemployed.

What's rather entertaining is he feels the above puts him in a prime position to take over the HC job with the Raiders, and teach Al a thing or two.

Although he did mention he would gladly work for me as well.

It is my way.