ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Raiders vs. Chargers Friday, October 29, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Raiders and Chargers. Now they're back with a
second look.
Expect the Raiders' defense to play an eight-man front almost exclusively
in normal down-and-distance situations. The Raiders did this against
Denver two weeks ago, and although they did not play with great discipline
and energy on that day, it is the best tactical approach to take against
the Chargers, whose foundation is clearly the running game.
Look for the Chargers to run to the outside against the Raiders' base 3-4
defense. One thing that really stands out on film is that NT Ted
Washington and DE Warren Sapp lack lateral movement ability, and more
importantly, stamina. You can wear them out by consistently running to the
perimeter early in the game.
GatesThe Chargers' offense challenges the defense to locate and account
for RB LaDanian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates. The Chargers' offense is
limited in terms of explosiveness in the passing game, so they look to
dictate matchups with their two best players, Tomlinson and Gates, by
lining them up all over the formation. One matchup to watch for is Gates
against Raiders SS Marques Anderson, who struggles in coverage.
When you watch the Raiders' offense on tape, and you understand Norv
Turner's offensive philosophy, you immediately see that the Raiders'
personnel in the backfield does not match his concept. The foundation of
Turner's approach is a lead blocking-based inside running game with a
strong, lead-blocking FB and a physical and durable feature back. Neither
FB Zack Crockett nor RB Amos Zereoue fits what Norv wants to do.
In the first half last week against New Orleans, the Raiders used almost
no shifting and motion, which is normally the way Turner plays. In the
second half, the Raiders consistently used pre-snap movement, and they
forced the Saints' defense to interpret a lot before the snap of the ball.
Look for the Raiders to do more pre-snap movement against the Chargers'
base 3-4 defense.
JolleyRaiders TE Doug Jolley is an excellent receiver, and while he is not
in the athletic class of Tony Gonzalez or Gates, he poses problems for the
Chargers' defense. The Raiders move him around the formation, including
lining him up wide, and they force the defense to locate him and account
for him.
The Chargers' four linebackers in their base 3-4 defense match up to the
strength of the offensive formation. OLB Ben Leber always lines up on the
strong, or TE side of the offense, while the other OLB, Steve Foley, is
the weakside OLB. The Chargers do the same with their ILBs: Donnie Edwards
is the weakside player, while Randall Godfrey is the strongside ILB.
Edwards is a run-and-chase LB who reacts quickly to what he sees, and you
can exploit him in the run game with misdirection and backfield action.
Last week against Carolina, the Chargers matched up to the Panthers'
three-receiver sets by staying in their base 4-3 defense, with S Jerry
Wilson coming down over the slot. Look for them this week to play a third
corner, more than likely Drayton Florence, when the Raiders go their
three-receiver package. At times in their three-receiver sets, Jerry
Porter lines up in the slot; the Chargers will not match up with a safety
on Porter.
One player who really stands out on film is Raiders rookie right tackle
Robert Gallery. Gallery uses his hands very well in pass protection, which
is something a lot of veteran tackles don't do. Last week, he dominated
Saints DE Charles Grant. When the Chargers play their nickel and dime
packages, rookie Shaun Phillips lines up at LDE; he's an active and quick
pass rusher who is relentless and quick.
Look for the Chargers to blitz with more frequency from their base 3-4
defense in normal down-and-distance situations. OLB Steve Foley is a good
pass rusher, and neither Zack Crockett nor Amos Zereoue has shown he is
strong in pass protection. In addition, Kerry Collins, who can be dominant
as a playmaker with his arm when protected and comfortable in the pocket,
loses considerable efficiency and is prone to mistakes and interceptions
when pressured.
Special Teams
The Raiders lost kick returner Carlos Francis to a season-ending ACL
injury last week and PR Phillip Buchanon continues to be a disappointment.
Buchanon has yet to return a kickoff for more than 15 yards this season.
The Raiders are losing the field-position battle each week, putting
increased pressure on Collins and the offense.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Raiders 20
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Raiders and Chargers. Now they're back with a
second look.
Expect the Raiders' defense to play an eight-man front almost exclusively
in normal down-and-distance situations. The Raiders did this against
Denver two weeks ago, and although they did not play with great discipline
and energy on that day, it is the best tactical approach to take against
the Chargers, whose foundation is clearly the running game.
Look for the Chargers to run to the outside against the Raiders' base 3-4
defense. One thing that really stands out on film is that NT Ted
Washington and DE Warren Sapp lack lateral movement ability, and more
importantly, stamina. You can wear them out by consistently running to the
perimeter early in the game.
GatesThe Chargers' offense challenges the defense to locate and account
for RB LaDanian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates. The Chargers' offense is
limited in terms of explosiveness in the passing game, so they look to
dictate matchups with their two best players, Tomlinson and Gates, by
lining them up all over the formation. One matchup to watch for is Gates
against Raiders SS Marques Anderson, who struggles in coverage.
When you watch the Raiders' offense on tape, and you understand Norv
Turner's offensive philosophy, you immediately see that the Raiders'
personnel in the backfield does not match his concept. The foundation of
Turner's approach is a lead blocking-based inside running game with a
strong, lead-blocking FB and a physical and durable feature back. Neither
FB Zack Crockett nor RB Amos Zereoue fits what Norv wants to do.
In the first half last week against New Orleans, the Raiders used almost
no shifting and motion, which is normally the way Turner plays. In the
second half, the Raiders consistently used pre-snap movement, and they
forced the Saints' defense to interpret a lot before the snap of the ball.
Look for the Raiders to do more pre-snap movement against the Chargers'
base 3-4 defense.
JolleyRaiders TE Doug Jolley is an excellent receiver, and while he is not
in the athletic class of Tony Gonzalez or Gates, he poses problems for the
Chargers' defense. The Raiders move him around the formation, including
lining him up wide, and they force the defense to locate him and account
for him.
The Chargers' four linebackers in their base 3-4 defense match up to the
strength of the offensive formation. OLB Ben Leber always lines up on the
strong, or TE side of the offense, while the other OLB, Steve Foley, is
the weakside OLB. The Chargers do the same with their ILBs: Donnie Edwards
is the weakside player, while Randall Godfrey is the strongside ILB.
Edwards is a run-and-chase LB who reacts quickly to what he sees, and you
can exploit him in the run game with misdirection and backfield action.
Last week against Carolina, the Chargers matched up to the Panthers'
three-receiver sets by staying in their base 4-3 defense, with S Jerry
Wilson coming down over the slot. Look for them this week to play a third
corner, more than likely Drayton Florence, when the Raiders go their
three-receiver package. At times in their three-receiver sets, Jerry
Porter lines up in the slot; the Chargers will not match up with a safety
on Porter.
One player who really stands out on film is Raiders rookie right tackle
Robert Gallery. Gallery uses his hands very well in pass protection, which
is something a lot of veteran tackles don't do. Last week, he dominated
Saints DE Charles Grant. When the Chargers play their nickel and dime
packages, rookie Shaun Phillips lines up at LDE; he's an active and quick
pass rusher who is relentless and quick.
Look for the Chargers to blitz with more frequency from their base 3-4
defense in normal down-and-distance situations. OLB Steve Foley is a good
pass rusher, and neither Zack Crockett nor Amos Zereoue has shown he is
strong in pass protection. In addition, Kerry Collins, who can be dominant
as a playmaker with his arm when protected and comfortable in the pocket,
loses considerable efficiency and is prone to mistakes and interceptions
when pressured.
Special Teams
The Raiders lost kick returner Carlos Francis to a season-ending ACL
injury last week and PR Phillip Buchanon continues to be a disappointment.
Buchanon has yet to return a kickoff for more than 15 yards this season.
The Raiders are losing the field-position battle each week, putting
increased pressure on Collins and the offense.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Raiders 20
