Goal Line Stand! Warren Sapp is Back! Defensive Pressure Improved overall. The day was made for defense and it held. Other than two big plays by the Dallas offense, our Defense won this game for us today.
But before I give defense it’s due let me tell you something about Moss. Randy Moss has the grace of a Gazelle and the hands of a pediatrician delivering a baby. I was seated at an angle that revealed his wide open hands clamping down on a hard thrown spiral and his fingers encasing the the ball pulling it into his body without losing stride. It was a thing of beauty to watch it live. I’ve only seen Jerry Rice make catches like that. Graceful!
But that defense was awesome and held at a crucial time. I remember seeing 1:49 left in the game with us calling a timeout. Dallas only needed five yards for a touchdown or three for a first on 4th down. That old friend tension returned for another Sunday at the Coliseum. This time our defense brought the pressure and the pass was hurried and short. Us fans were relieved first then ecstatic when the referee ruled incomplete, Raiders football
With many penalties but less at crucial moments in the game, the Raiders got their first win of the season. Lamont Jordan ran to daylight thanks to his offensive blockers clearing the way. Janakowski has gotten back into his rhythm and is kicking stronger (touchbacks on kickoffs) and more accurate in making two field goals of 40 plus yards with ease. Special teams rookie Chris Carr is still learning and you could see Doug Gabriel educating him after an impressive kick return where he could of cut it to the outside for a touchdown. All in all it was a game of relief. There's still room for improvement but we go into our bye week with a much needed win.
It was a hot day for all fans in the stadium. The Coliseum was packed more than it was for the Kansas City game. Anytime you see and smell herbal indulgence after the game you know it was a productive day. Many Dallas Cowboy fans were out representing their team. For some reason the Dallas fans weren’t harassed that much. Only one threat of a fight near our section and by the time security arrived all had been forgiven. The Raider fans had tailgated too hard for a hot day and it showed in the two fans taking knaps in my section. My friend Big Lar said they’d arrived at six o’clock this morning and the jello shots started at sunrise. But he’d limited his afternoon drinking to sierra mist on ice.
It was Hispanic Heritage day at the Coliseum and the half time show featured mariachi performers with little senorita dancers. Jorge Santana did an admirable job at singing the national anthem though many afterward stated that Jorge was no Carlos Santana.
Our one weakness on offense was the Red Zone. We must begin scoring touchdowns in the Red Zone. We seem to do okay between the two twenty’s but go flat in the Red Zone. I blame the play calling and Kerry Collins. We cannot play inside the twenty like we’re outside the twenty. A change in formations and strategy are needed for those plays. Kerry must change from a deep passer to a short yardage master during red zone execution.
Lamont Jordan went over one hundred yards for the first time as a Raider. He ran hard and was rewarded. The play action pass worked to perfection just as it’s drawn up to work. Kerry ran the play action with perfection at times. Some of Kerry’s passes are still floating and he could use some work on pump action and looking off receivers.
Defensive Line Day with a dose of Moss is what today’s game was. We didn’t give it away in the final moments. For that I can feel promise for the rest of the season.
Final
Raiders 19 Cowboys 13
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