Monday Night Snoozer

I'll admit, the MNF game between the Raiders and Chargers isn't over yet, but so far it's been pretty bad. I'm not sure which side has been more annoying, the Raiders with their inability to keep the Charger rush off QB Aaron Brooks or the Chargers due to their passive play calling. Early in the game, LaDainian Tomlinson was gashing the Raider defense. In fact, he accumulated more than 100 yards running in the first half. Without the benefit of good field position, and without much fear of the Raiders mounting a comeback, the Chargers have just been pounding LT and it usually isn't that good an idea to run every play if the defense thinks you are going to run every play. LT is averaging a little over 2 yards per carry on his first 9 carries in the 2nd half because they've run on 14 of their last 15 plays. QB Phillip Rivers has made good throws. He's made good decisions. He has weapons on the outside, and out of the backfield with Tomlinson. Open up the offense and put the Raiders away. Maybe you don't need to throw today to win the game, but do you really want Rivers to only throw 10 passes in his first start? The Chargers just ran Michael Turner on 3rd & 8 near the end of the 3rd quarter from their own 20. You have to love Marty ball!

The Raiders have not been able to sustain drives all night because of penalties and sacks allowed. They've had success with short swing passes to Randy Moss, but little else. Almost every time Aaron Brooks drops back deep, he gets sacked or flushed from the pocket ... or at least that is what it seems like. There is another sack for Merriman with 50 seconds left in the 3rd ... the 6th Charger sack tonight. The Raiders haven't had the ball enough for Brooks to be sacked 6 times. Luis Castillo just racked up the 7th sack on the next play. Run a screen! Run a draw! Do something to deter the rush. Run a QB draw. Roll Brooks (who is a great athlete for a QB) out. Or, I guess you could have him take a 5 step drop and get sacked again ... good call!