Where is the sure thing?
Aren't We Forgetting Someone?
Where has Zack Crockett gone? In past years, Crockett was considered a short yardage specialist and when called upon, he was almost always a sure thing.
Now, he blocks. In the past three preseason games, Crockett has carried the ball 0 times! I realize that Jordan has had success picking up the needed yardage in short yardage situations but Crockett is as good as they come in those situations. Plus running with Crockett would also save a little wear and tear on Jordan. A fullback is easier to replace than Jordan would be.
I am hoping that this is just part of our "vanilla" preseason offense but it is doubtful because a short yardage run is not anything suprising and there is no reason to try to keep it a secret.
NFL.com's AFC West Preview
NFL.com takes a look at the AFC West in their AFC West Preview. In their preview, they pretty much say the division is wide open because all four teams have questions and problems. Denver needs a running game, Oakland has questions at quarterback and along the offensive line, Kansas City has major offensive line issues and San Diego has an inexperienced quarterback.
The fact that they brought up that I really liked was that no team has won the division more than once since the realignment in 2002. I could see any one of the teams in the AFC West being great but I could also see anyone one of them struggling. Hopefully, we can pull all of our peices together and emerge as a contender.
Training Camp
in his training camp blog, McDonald talks about Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. He says how Porter is the best option to play the slot and Curry could do it to but we can't expect him to return to form so quickly.
I agree with him. I think we have to expect Porter to play the slot recevier this season and if Curry can stay healthy all year, we can trade Porter next offseason and turn the role over to Curry then. If Curry doesn't stay healthy, we can hope Morant continues his development.
Where has Zack Crockett gone? In past years, Crockett was considered a short yardage specialist and when called upon, he was almost always a sure thing.
Now, he blocks. In the past three preseason games, Crockett has carried the ball 0 times! I realize that Jordan has had success picking up the needed yardage in short yardage situations but Crockett is as good as they come in those situations. Plus running with Crockett would also save a little wear and tear on Jordan. A fullback is easier to replace than Jordan would be.
I am hoping that this is just part of our "vanilla" preseason offense but it is doubtful because a short yardage run is not anything suprising and there is no reason to try to keep it a secret.
NFL.com's AFC West Preview
NFL.com takes a look at the AFC West in their AFC West Preview. In their preview, they pretty much say the division is wide open because all four teams have questions and problems. Denver needs a running game, Oakland has questions at quarterback and along the offensive line, Kansas City has major offensive line issues and San Diego has an inexperienced quarterback.
The fact that they brought up that I really liked was that no team has won the division more than once since the realignment in 2002. I could see any one of the teams in the AFC West being great but I could also see anyone one of them struggling. Hopefully, we can pull all of our peices together and emerge as a contender.
Training Camp
in his training camp blog, McDonald talks about Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. He says how Porter is the best option to play the slot and Curry could do it to but we can't expect him to return to form so quickly.
I agree with him. I think we have to expect Porter to play the slot recevier this season and if Curry can stay healthy all year, we can trade Porter next offseason and turn the role over to Curry then. If Curry doesn't stay healthy, we can hope Morant continues his development.
posted by The Analyzer at 7:38 AM
5 Comments:
Is Crockett still on the Raiders?
Yes he is. He is pretty much your standard fullback now but he needs to be used in short yardage situations more often.
i have been completely baffled the last 3 years that the leagues best short yardage back hasnt been used in that capacity. teams knew what was coming but rarely did anything to stop it. it could be that when Ritchie left in 2003.. the 16 blast went along with him.. but that play was our money maker.. no team ever stopped Crockett 2 times in a row.. 3rd and 1. stopped 4th and 1.. first down or TD
Analyzer -
I wouldn't worry about Crockett. His opportunities to carry the ball are always going to be limited especially in the pre-season. In the 3 pre-season games so far, how many times was he even on the field for a 3rd and short, 4th and short, or goal line play?
As far as the AFC West preview, the writer says "The AFC West has not had a repeat champion since the league realigned in 2002."
The AFC West wasn't exactly "realigned". The Seahawks moved to the NFC West. That is all. The Seahawks joined the AFC West in 1976 and won the divisional crown only twice (1988, 1999). All of the other teams have been in the division together for at least 43 years.
Raiders (since 1960)
Broncos (since 1960)
Chargers (since 1961)
Chiefs (since 1963)
As far as the slot receiver, I would rather see Gabriel, Curry, Morant filling this role with ocassionally Moss in the slot to mix things up and when Whited is in to stretch the field. When the Raiders go to a 3 WR set, which won't be that often since the TE is a primary weapon in Shell's offense, the following combinations will work just fine without Pouter:
Moss/Gabriel/Whited
Moss/Gabriel/Curry
Moss/Gabriel/Morant
Moss/Whited/Morant
Moss/Whited/Curry
I would like to see the Raiders trade or even cut Pouter if necessary. The Broncos were smart to trade Lelie for a 3rd round pick. Get rid of the bad apples before the regular season starts. Pouter has had ample time to get with the program but continues to have a bad attitude. Porter is like a black cloud hanging over the franchise.
I am worried about Crocket because he wasn't used in the short yardage situations the last two years. We have been using Jordan because he is also a powerful runner but it would seem to make sense to use Crockett when we don't have a decent backup for Jordan if he is injured.
The entire NFL was "Re-aligned". What else would you call it? The division did change.
I agree about Porter and I really don't care if he is a Raider anymore but our front office seems reluctant to trade him and if he is going to be here why not play him until he mouths off again. He has been quiet since making those comments in the beginning of camp. If we play him we can probably get more out of him in a trade next season and won't have to worry as much about a cap hit.
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