ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Raiders vs. Panthers Friday, November 5, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Raiders and Panthers. Now they're back with a
second look.
One thing that really stands out on film when you evaluate the Raiders'
defense is their lack of intensity and effort. They play with little
energy and they do not fly to the football.
WashingtonRaiders' DT Ted Washington is no longer a force in the middle as
a run defender; he lacks mobility and can't move laterally at all. When
the Raiders line up in their 3-4 defense, with Washington on the nose and
Warren Sapp at DE, they have little quickness and speed on their defensive
line, and are extremely vulnerable to the perimeter run game.
One player on the Raiders' defense who does stand out on film is inside LB
Danny Clark. He fights through traffic very well, and always seems to find
the football. Clark and hybrid DE/LB Tyler Brayton both play with great
energy and intensity, but their consistent efforts are not enough to raise
the overall level of the Raiders defense.
The thing that really stands out when you break down the Panthers' defense
this season is the unit's inability to generate any kind of consistent
pass rush with its down four. That was a strength last season, but has
been missing in 2004. The Panthers have not been a high frequency blitz
team, so opposing quarterbacks have had time in the pocket to deliver the
ball comfortably. Raiders' QB Kerry Collins is a pure pocket passer, who
needs time and space to be effective, so this matchup may set up well for
the Raiders.
The Raiders are a base personnel offense. In normal down and distance
situations, they are exclusively two back and one tight end, or one back
and two tight ends. They are not a difficult offense to break down
defensively from a formation standpoint. They are an execution offense;
they are not scheme and design driven.
In studying the Raiders' offense on film, it is evident that their running
backs do not block very well when required to pick up the blitz. While the
Panthers are not normally a high percentage blitz defense, look for them
this week to attack the Raiders with more blitzes, isolating their outside
linebackers on the Raiders' running backs. They will want to force Amos
Zereoue, Zack Crockett and Tyrone Wheatley to have to block.
It is evident studying the Raiders offense on film that QB Kerry Collins
has lost some confidence. Collins is a downfield passer, who is among the
best in the NFL throwing intermediate in-breaking routes and deep
comebacks. Right now, he is either coming off those routes too soon, not
feeling comfortable enough in the pocket to show the necessary patience.
He is just not pulling the trigger when the routes break open, instead
checking it down to the his backs.
Due to the concussion suffered by Panthers' middle LB Dan Morgan last
week, the Panthers may have a weakness in the middle of their defense
against the Raiders. If Morgan is unable to go, look for Vinny Ciurciu to
get most of the snaps since the Raiders are predominantly a base personnel
offense. When the Raiders go to their 3 WR package in long yardage
situations, the Panthers will bring in Brian Allen, who will line up with
Will Witherspoon as the 2 linebackers in Carolina's 4-2-5 nickel defensive
package.
RuckerLast week against Seattle, the Panthers had success generating
pressure on Matt Hasselbeck, using stunts with their defensive ends and
tackles. DE Mike Rucker worked effectively with DT Kendal Moorehead in
breaking down the outstanding left side of the Seahawks' offensive line.
On the other side, Brentson Buckner's sack in the second half came on a
stunt with Julius Peppers. Expect to see more of that against a Raiders'
offensive line that lacks experience playing together.
One player the Panthers' offense will put the star on in this matchup is
Raiders' CB Philip Buchanon. They will attack him with both Muhsin
Muhammed and Keary Colbert. Right now, Buchanon is playing with little
confidence. For a player with his athleticism, he is giving too much
ground. The Panthers will challenge him, and force him to play.
Special Teams
The Raiders' kick return and punt coverage teams have been underperforming
all season. The punt cover team is ranked 30th in the NFL, allowing
12.3-yards per punt return. The Panthers are struggling on punt returns,
averaging only 4.9 yards per return (30th). The Panthers are also weak on
kick returns, averaging 20.3 yards per return, but the Raiders are 27th in
the league, giving up 23.5 yards per kick return. The Panthers can help
their struggling offense with some good returns versus a Raiders' team
that is just not getting it done on cover teams.
Prediction: Panthers 20, Raiders 14
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Raiders and Panthers. Now they're back with a
second look.
One thing that really stands out on film when you evaluate the Raiders'
defense is their lack of intensity and effort. They play with little
energy and they do not fly to the football.
WashingtonRaiders' DT Ted Washington is no longer a force in the middle as
a run defender; he lacks mobility and can't move laterally at all. When
the Raiders line up in their 3-4 defense, with Washington on the nose and
Warren Sapp at DE, they have little quickness and speed on their defensive
line, and are extremely vulnerable to the perimeter run game.
One player on the Raiders' defense who does stand out on film is inside LB
Danny Clark. He fights through traffic very well, and always seems to find
the football. Clark and hybrid DE/LB Tyler Brayton both play with great
energy and intensity, but their consistent efforts are not enough to raise
the overall level of the Raiders defense.
The thing that really stands out when you break down the Panthers' defense
this season is the unit's inability to generate any kind of consistent
pass rush with its down four. That was a strength last season, but has
been missing in 2004. The Panthers have not been a high frequency blitz
team, so opposing quarterbacks have had time in the pocket to deliver the
ball comfortably. Raiders' QB Kerry Collins is a pure pocket passer, who
needs time and space to be effective, so this matchup may set up well for
the Raiders.
The Raiders are a base personnel offense. In normal down and distance
situations, they are exclusively two back and one tight end, or one back
and two tight ends. They are not a difficult offense to break down
defensively from a formation standpoint. They are an execution offense;
they are not scheme and design driven.
In studying the Raiders' offense on film, it is evident that their running
backs do not block very well when required to pick up the blitz. While the
Panthers are not normally a high percentage blitz defense, look for them
this week to attack the Raiders with more blitzes, isolating their outside
linebackers on the Raiders' running backs. They will want to force Amos
Zereoue, Zack Crockett and Tyrone Wheatley to have to block.
It is evident studying the Raiders offense on film that QB Kerry Collins
has lost some confidence. Collins is a downfield passer, who is among the
best in the NFL throwing intermediate in-breaking routes and deep
comebacks. Right now, he is either coming off those routes too soon, not
feeling comfortable enough in the pocket to show the necessary patience.
He is just not pulling the trigger when the routes break open, instead
checking it down to the his backs.
Due to the concussion suffered by Panthers' middle LB Dan Morgan last
week, the Panthers may have a weakness in the middle of their defense
against the Raiders. If Morgan is unable to go, look for Vinny Ciurciu to
get most of the snaps since the Raiders are predominantly a base personnel
offense. When the Raiders go to their 3 WR package in long yardage
situations, the Panthers will bring in Brian Allen, who will line up with
Will Witherspoon as the 2 linebackers in Carolina's 4-2-5 nickel defensive
package.
RuckerLast week against Seattle, the Panthers had success generating
pressure on Matt Hasselbeck, using stunts with their defensive ends and
tackles. DE Mike Rucker worked effectively with DT Kendal Moorehead in
breaking down the outstanding left side of the Seahawks' offensive line.
On the other side, Brentson Buckner's sack in the second half came on a
stunt with Julius Peppers. Expect to see more of that against a Raiders'
offensive line that lacks experience playing together.
One player the Panthers' offense will put the star on in this matchup is
Raiders' CB Philip Buchanon. They will attack him with both Muhsin
Muhammed and Keary Colbert. Right now, Buchanon is playing with little
confidence. For a player with his athleticism, he is giving too much
ground. The Panthers will challenge him, and force him to play.
Special Teams
The Raiders' kick return and punt coverage teams have been underperforming
all season. The punt cover team is ranked 30th in the NFL, allowing
12.3-yards per punt return. The Panthers are struggling on punt returns,
averaging only 4.9 yards per return (30th). The Panthers are also weak on
kick returns, averaging 20.3 yards per return, but the Raiders are 27th in
the league, giving up 23.5 yards per kick return. The Panthers can help
their struggling offense with some good returns versus a Raiders' team
that is just not getting it done on cover teams.
Prediction: Panthers 20, Raiders 14
