Raiders stopped hitting their head on wall running the ball
Published on November 1st, 2012
Written by: vtafur@sfchronicle.com (Vic Tafur)
A couple of times early this season, first-year Raiders coach Dennis Allen treated us to the definition of insanity when he was asked about the history of penalties and trying to instill some discipline.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, Allen said. Weve got to change, and if we dont change well see the same results.
The quote also works with Oaklands run game this season. It is currently ranked 30th in the league and Allen and his staff have shown they are not insane by using more power-blocking schemes the last three games. Players like center Stefen Wisniewski appreciate it.
Coming in was zone, zone, zone, zone. But I think theyre starting to get to know us better, Wisniewski said, and were getting to know them and so theyre seeing that we can be successful doing both.
The Raiders had 95 yards on 20 carries in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Chiefs in what they hope was the start of something big rather than just trotting over the Chiefs carcass.
We definitely increased our gap run-blocking scheme to get a better balance and to keep defenses honest and weve done it well, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said. So, well keep that same kind of formula working, where its a good change-up for us to have some kind of gap-scheme along with that outside zone. But the big runs came on that outside zone for us.
Yeah, Allen and Knapp are zone blocking guys so scrapping the scheme where the line kind of moves together, blocking off an area as opposed to individual defenders in hopes that the running back can make one cut and hit daylight is not an option.
But this is a nice in-season adjustment.
It is nice, Wisniewski said. You know, (the power-gap), thats more of the stuff we ran last year, so most of us have a lot of experience in that, where were still learning the zone scheme so it helps us because were familiar with it and also its a nice change-up. Teams arent sure whats coming at them and it makes us more likely to be successful.
The Raiders were ninth in the league is rushing last year behind Darren McFadden and then Michael Bush when McFadden got hurt. But Oak land struggled this season, whether it was due to changes and injuries on the offensive line or McFadden (438 yards, 3.3 a carry) running too much East and West instead of North and South when he didnt see a hole to cut back into.
Knapp preached patience all year until he ran out of it.
We had to make an adjustment, and that was a good adjustment for us, Knapp said. It really has paid off.
Wisniewski said its a good sign when coaches arent bound to a scheme.
Were all excited about it, he said. It shows us as players that our coaches are willing to learn from us and work with us and thats really comforting as players, to know.
Published on November 1st, 2012
Written by: vtafur@sfchronicle.com (Vic Tafur)
A couple of times early this season, first-year Raiders coach Dennis Allen treated us to the definition of insanity when he was asked about the history of penalties and trying to instill some discipline.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, Allen said. Weve got to change, and if we dont change well see the same results.
The quote also works with Oaklands run game this season. It is currently ranked 30th in the league and Allen and his staff have shown they are not insane by using more power-blocking schemes the last three games. Players like center Stefen Wisniewski appreciate it.
Coming in was zone, zone, zone, zone. But I think theyre starting to get to know us better, Wisniewski said, and were getting to know them and so theyre seeing that we can be successful doing both.
The Raiders had 95 yards on 20 carries in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Chiefs in what they hope was the start of something big rather than just trotting over the Chiefs carcass.
We definitely increased our gap run-blocking scheme to get a better balance and to keep defenses honest and weve done it well, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said. So, well keep that same kind of formula working, where its a good change-up for us to have some kind of gap-scheme along with that outside zone. But the big runs came on that outside zone for us.
Yeah, Allen and Knapp are zone blocking guys so scrapping the scheme where the line kind of moves together, blocking off an area as opposed to individual defenders in hopes that the running back can make one cut and hit daylight is not an option.
But this is a nice in-season adjustment.
It is nice, Wisniewski said. You know, (the power-gap), thats more of the stuff we ran last year, so most of us have a lot of experience in that, where were still learning the zone scheme so it helps us because were familiar with it and also its a nice change-up. Teams arent sure whats coming at them and it makes us more likely to be successful.
The Raiders were ninth in the league is rushing last year behind Darren McFadden and then Michael Bush when McFadden got hurt. But Oak land struggled this season, whether it was due to changes and injuries on the offensive line or McFadden (438 yards, 3.3 a carry) running too much East and West instead of North and South when he didnt see a hole to cut back into.
Knapp preached patience all year until he ran out of it.
We had to make an adjustment, and that was a good adjustment for us, Knapp said. It really has paid off.
Wisniewski said its a good sign when coaches arent bound to a scheme.
Were all excited about it, he said. It shows us as players that our coaches are willing to learn from us and work with us and thats really comforting as players, to know.
Getting ready for this Bucc's game, we playing at our turf. I'm ready for this game, let's get this W Raider brethrens 
at that bomb by Palmer with nobody near there
Good fukking pressure right there. 
This Defense has stepped up since bye week. 
Now just keep this up now.
how is Kelly slapping Freeman roughing the passer? 
how many penalties the Raiders trying to get now
oh well, not bad, at least they didn't give up a TD. We gotta get the running game going first and than air it out. 