Bolts Vs Raiders post game wrap up

[Panama]

I don't understand why Bo didn't get a shot earlier? Was it really just his size? He had a ton of production at Buffalo in his final year. He's short, but not small. His 40 is nothing to write home about (think it's a 4.6), but I suspect his 3 cone wasn't terrible. He's a very agile guy with some wiggle. Oh well our gain. Even had an insane work ethic apparently from some tweets I read about. Where is the red flag that kept this guy off a roster?

I think his stature is only the half of it. He played at the University of Buffalo, not exactly a football powerhosue. I think had he gone to one of the big football programs he would have been drafted.

[RTPbolt]

There are only so many roster spots for RB in the NFL. Teams can be picky. There are guys like him on practice squads that never get a chance to play due to draft position and stud RBs in front of them.

Loving Oliver so far...good effort and he is very hard to bring down. Seems to be advanced for his first year....blitz pickup and outlet passes for Rivers really improve his chance to be on the field. He really will be a nice combo with Mathews. Mathews was that outside edge speed that Brandon lacks and some homerun ability bur Brandon is a tough between the tackles runner with good third down potential....i think he gets Woodheads role once Mathews is back....if he keeps up this type of performance.

[richpjr]

Don't forget that in front of BO were Mathews, who we rode hard down the stretch last year to the playoffs, Brown who average 5.5 yards per carry in Indy, and Woodhead who is the best 3rd down back since Sproles. UDFA are not going to get playing time over those guys and who knows how comfortable he was with the playbook and protection schemes. Whatever the reason, thank God TT picked him up!

[richpjr]

Raiders running their mouths:

Raiders defense takes loss hard
By Steve Corkranscorkran@bayareanewsgroup.com

OAKLAND -- Never mind that the San Diego Chargers had the ball for more than 37 minutes and amassed almost 400 yards by the time they trotted on the field for one final drive, needing a touchdown. The Raiders defense felt as if it had the Chargers right where it wanted them.

In the end, the Chargers marched 39 yards in six plays and scored a game-deciding touchdown en route to a 31-28 victory at the Coliseum on Sunday.

"As a defensive player, you always want to be in that situation," Raiders veteran defensive end Justin Tuck said. "It didn't work out the way we wanted it to (Sunday), but you always want to have the opportunity to stop an offense and deserve a win."

The loss dropped the Raiders to 0-5 and left a sour taste in the mouth of linebacker Sio Moore for the way it was decided.

"The goal is to win the game," Moore said. "We didn't do that. We didn't execute in the last bit of plays when we needed to, how we needed to.

"It's a very sick feeling because we let a team off the hook that's not supposed to be let off the hook. They're not what they're acclaimed to be, whatever the situation is. I'm pretty pissed about it."

Moore said it doesn't matter how long he and his teammates have been on the field or where the opposing team begins the drive. It's the Raiders' job to make a play that preserves a hard-fought lead and yields a victory.


Instead, it was the Chargers offense that made all the plays on their pivotal possession.

Quarterback Philip Rivers scrambled for 7 yards and a first down on the second play. Then, rookie running back Branden Oliver ripped off runs of 12, 10 and 7 to get the Chargers to the Raiders' 1-yard line.

Oliver capped the drive with a leap across the goal line. A Raiders' last-gasp drive ended with rookie quarterback Derek Carr throwing an interception deep in Chargers territory.

Oakland interim coach Tony Sparano credited the Chargers offense with making plays when it needed to. He also conceded that, "There were some plays down at the end there that we didn't make" on defense.

At the same time, Sparano said, he is heartened that his defense made some plays at crucial times, too, and that the Raiders were in a position to win for the first time in 11 games.

"That was a one-score game," Sparano said. "Those are the ones that hurt. And they should hurt for a while."

Sparano said it's about playing in enough of those kinds of games to learn what it takes to win them.

"That's how you turn this thing around," Sparano said.

Rookie cornerback TJ Carrie said this loss felt different.

"We all feel like we've done something," Carrie said.

For it to mean even more, Tuck said, the Raiders need to back up the solid effort with another one against the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.

"That's what we have to build on because last time we had a close game, we came into the next week and didn't play anywhere close to what we're capable of playing," Tuck said of the Raiders' following a last-second loss to the New England Patriots with a lopsided loss against the Miami Dolphins. "This one will hurt for (Sunday) night and probably (Monday) a little bit."

The Chargers carved up the Raiders defense for 423 yards, five scores and a 57 percent success rate on third-down plays.

Yet, Moore said the Raiders are a lot closer to turning the corner than some might believe.

"There's enough to build off of, but there's more that we got to do," Moore said. "We just got to find that place to play the correct type of situational football to come out with a win.

"We're not supposed to be in this locker room like this right now at all, by any standard. If anybody watched that game, you know we had that game won and sealed. We got to finish that. They're not better than us, period."

[Formula 21]

ReFo: Chargers @ Raiders, Week 6
Thomas Maney | October 13, 2014

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2014-REFO-WK06-SD@OAKWhile a bye week and a coaching change sparked Oakland’s best game of the year, it still wasn’t enough to get their elusive first victory as the Raiders squandered a fourth quarter lead at home to fall to 0-5 on the season, while San Diego moved to 5-1 and remain ahead in the AFC West.

The Raiders remained competitive throughout the game and were in good position in Charger territory with over a minute remaining in the game before their quarterback had a rookie moment, making an ill-advised decision to go for the home run instead of playing it safe.

San Diego Chargers – Performances of Note

Malcolm Floyd, WR: +2.1

Breakdown: Floyd was a consistent target as usual, catching five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, more or less allowing Phillip Rivers to throw it up and let his receiver make a play in contested situations.

Signature Play: 1Q, 1:35. Made the adjustment to haul in a 20 yard reception despite defensive pass interference and face guarding by T.J Carrie on the play.

Jason Verrett, CB: +3.1

Breakdown: Playing more than 50 of his 58 snaps at the right cornerback spot, San Diego’s first-rounder played well with his second straight game in the green. Targeted seven times, Verrett allowed just two receptions and pulled in the game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter.

Signature Stat: Throwing into Verrett’s coverage yielded a meager 8.9 QB rating for Oakland.

DJ Fluker, RT: -2.4

Breakdown: While he had a pretty good day in pass protection, Fluker struggled run blocking, both at the point of attack and moving to the second level, which has been a team-wide trend this season as the Chargers again failed fell short of averaging four yards per carry on the ground.

Signature Play: 2Q, 12:41. Was easily shed inside by Lamarr Woodley, who had a shot at bringing down the running back for a short gain.

Oakland Raiders – Performances of Note

Derek Carr, QB: +0.1

Breakdown: Had a rough end to the game with a fumble and interception on the team’s final drive, but otherwise took care of the ball and played his best game of the season, completing 18 of his 30 aimed passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns, the first of which was about as good a throw as you’ll see.

Signature Play: 1Q, 14:18. Tough to throw it better than Carr did on the third offensive play of the game as he hit receiver Andre Holmes in stride for a 77 yard touchdown.

Menelik Watson, RT: +3.3

Breakdown: Nothing spectacular here, just a solid display in both phases in his first full game of the season. Allowed just a pair of hurries in 38 snaps pass blocking, with several nice blocks against Kendall Reyes in the run game.

Signature Stat: This was the first time in his career (two seasons) that Watson played every offensive snap.

Miles Burris, LB: -4.4

Breakdown: While the Raiders largely contained the San Diego rushing attack, Burris wasn’t much help as he consistently failed to get off blocks, particularly against center Rich Ohrnberger at the second level. He did manage several positive plays, including two defensive stops, but otherwise had a forgettable day.

Signature Play: 1Q, 0:43. Burris was unblocked on the play, but failed to bring down Branden Oliver in the backfield as the RB picked up four of the five yards needed on the play.

PFF Game Ball

Jason Verrett gets this one for his work in coverage and ensuring a San Diego victory with his interception late in the fourth quarter.

[Geezbolt]

"Yet, Moore said the Raiders are a lot closer to turning the corner than some might believe." You know Sio, I hope you guys do turn the corner because you can help us out with Denver and KC. The November 16 game is ours (and this time we'll be coming off of a bye) but other than that, put some hurt on those other AFC West guys.

[Boltdog]

Don't forget that in front of BO were Mathews, who we rode hard down the stretch last year to the playoffs, Brown who average 5.5 yards per carry in Indy, and Woodhead who is the best 3rd down back since Sproles. UDFA are not going to get playing time over those guys and who knows how comfortable he was with the playbook and protection schemes. Whatever the reason, thank God TT picked him up!

Agreed--Plus we are paying those established RBs good money to perform--There was really no need or incentive to bring up BO until all those guys went down. AND Grice seemed to be as good if not better in the preseason as it progressed. Bolts were desperate for an effective running game several weeks ago, and BO has come thru bigtime up to this point...

[oneinchpunch]

Fluker is really having a sophomore slump. Hopefully he can turn it around

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Teams have lots of tape on him now. Now its up to him to adapt and overcome.

Still needs work on his hands and feet IMO.

[richpjr]

Fluker is really having a sophomore slump. Hopefully he can turn it around

Daniel Jeramiah was on the radio and was asked about Fluker and is quite high on him. Said he is progressing nicely and now can handle the inside move that used to give him trouble last year. Said he will always struggle with elite speed outside but is such a physical mauler that he is real high on him.

[oneinchpunch]

Daniel Jeramiah was on the radio and was asked about Fluker and is quite high on him. Said he is progressing nicely and now can handle the inside move that used to give him trouble last year. Said he will always struggle with elite speed outside but is such a physical mauler that he is real high on him.

Yet the inside rush, or threat of, has killed him