Keys to Success for the Raiders Against the Chargers in Week 1

                                                             
                             

                                                                       

Oakland Raiders - it is game time baby! The San Diego Chargers sit and wait for the men
in Black and Silver. The Chargers high-octane powered offense is driven by quarterback
Phillip Rivers, who year in, year out controls the reigns of the Boltz offense. He threw for
27 touchdowns last season and over 4624 yards, yet his completion percentage is a
moderate 62.9% and QB rating is 88.7. Rivers can direct a masterpiece of routs to a
stable of excellent wide receivers including R. Meachem, M. Floyd, E, Royal, R.
Goodman, with V. Brown and M. Spurlock. Gone is Vincent Jackson, who last season
accounted for nine TD’s and scampered over one thousand yards for the season. The
wide receivers are the soul of the team as the BIG man Antonio Gates is the heart of the
Bolts. Gates is a control receiver, with a big wide body, hauling down 64 receptions last
year and gaining 778 yard with 7 touchdowns.

The Boltz are just not a chuck and duck team. They have quality in the backfield with
returner Ryan Matthews who carried the rock 222 times last year, and ground out 1091
yards that produced six TD’s. The positive yards he gets on the ground opens the door for
Air Rivers. Matthews is a complete back. He is also one of Rivers’ favorite targets,
receiving the ball from Rivers 50 times last season for 455 yards. Matthews is defining
his role and contribution as a valuable asset in the Charger offensive scheme.

One thing you can’t miss about the San Diego Chargers is the massive front wall that
protects Phillip Rivers. They are a mass of humanity, 6’9 to 6’2, averaging 322 pounds.
These guys are not afraid of a buffet. Nick Hardwick is the old man on the line with nine
years of experience and last year started 16 games. Jeromey Clary, the former KSU
Wildcat, has been with the Chargers since 2007, has played in 64 of 74 games, and is a
rock at the valuable blind side tackle. This group of men is a mass larger than some third
world countries. Yet it is not impenetrable!

The Raiders have brought to the forefront of the defensive attack a blitz package that
enables them to take advantage of large offensive lineman. It has to be a precise strategic
battle plan that can penetrate the massive Charger wall protecting Phillip Rivers.
The scheme puts more men in a gap than there are offensive linemen that loop and twist and
misdirect pressure on the quarterback. This is disrupting the game rhythm of the QB and
receiver. Adding to that, there is constant pressure from the secondary, the defensive
backs playing press coverage, along with bump and run. If the receiver can’t leave the
line on the snap count, then their timing is disrupted, routs are delayed causing more
chaos for the QB and receiver. This combination all ties into the push from the front four.
I have seen this again and again from the Raiders defensive front. It has been a positive
addition to the defensive scheme the Raiders are developing.

Rivers can be flustered, he can be rattled, he can be off. Three things can happen when
you throw the ball and two of them are bad. For the Raiders to win the 2012 opener they
are going to have to make Rivers throw out of the pocket, not let him get into a rhythm,
and hit him every time he throws. Take the throwing game away from them and make
them beat the Silver and Black with their running game.

The Oakland Raiders have an awesome responsibility, not only to maintain the level of
the Silver and Black, but to build on the success of the Oakland Raiders.
Whose shoulders do you put the first game on? I believe they are going to put that task on
the smash and bash running of Daren McFadden, keeping the ball away from the happy
throw lucky Chargers. Gobbling up precious seconds on the clock will pay dividend and
keep Rivers and company off the field.

With this challenge the Silver and Black will rely on the offensive line to open a seam
and sometimes just a crack to allow McFadden to do his magic of gaining positive yards.
Cooper Carlisle will lead the way for the offensive line bringing his 13 years of
experience in the NFL and five with the Raiders.

Mike Brisiel will be making his first start with the Raider Nation. Mike brings experience
from his days with Houston. Brisiel constantly graded out as one of the Texans top
linemen. He brings a toughness needed in the pit. Against Cincinnati last year in week 14,
he played the second half with a broken leg.

Stefan Wisniewski will anchor the line, the youngster plays well beyond his age and
experience.

Khalif Barnes brings experience and improvement. The 6’8 -325 pound lineman looks to
have improved on his agility and speed. With his size he becomes a more mobile player,
able to get to the second-level which will create cut-back lanes for McFadden.

Jared Veldheer is the blind side tackle at 6’8-315—this is his step out year. There can be
no concern, he is the man for the job!

Brandon Meyers, the tight end for the Raiders, blocker or receiver? 16 catches last year
for 151 yards and no TD’s. Production is needed in yards and scoring from the tight end position.
 This group of men are responsible for the success or failure of the running and
passing attack from the Raiders.

To win against the Chargers, the Raiders don’t have to be flashy, they don’t have to be
tricky, all I believe they have to do is what they do best, let McFadden run the ball, use
clock management, and Palmer can throw intermediate routs and go down field to keep
the secondary honest. The defense must play down and distance, pressure Rivers and shut
down the passing game and make them beat you with the run. Allow the kicking game to
do its thing, which is score!

You don’t have to win the game, just don’t lose it! We’ll see you at the goal post!!!!

Posted in: Oakland Raiders,San Diego Chargers