Raiders- Saints Pre-Season Game 3

We knew that Nnamdi Asomugha would be missed, Kirk Morrison's absence is also felt and it  certainly didn't help that Richard Seymour couldn't play. We knew that rebuilding the D would have its growing pains, but damn... this is some scary shit.  Defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan needs to get his ducks in a row, we're at two weeks and counting before the season opener with the Donkeys of Mile High. 

For as long as we can remember the defense has shouldered the load while the offense contributed next to nothing. Now it appears that the roles have reversed and it's the offense that will have to save the day. That would be fine, if this was an explosive offense capable of generating twenty some points every game.  However, if the pre-season means anything this offensive unit will struggle to put up that many points every time out.

There were some bright spots in the New Orleans game. After falling behind 17-3 the Raiders roared back to take a 20-17 lead. The wheels came off after that with The Saints outscoring the Raiders 23-0 the rest of the game. The offense showed heart in coming back and Jason Campbell appears to have no ill effects from the knee to the head he took against the Niners. 

Drew Brees abused the Raider's defense and for the second year in a row The Saints poured 40+ points on them. The second half was a case of Raider-D comical missed tackles and a cluster fuck of missed assignments. When Chase Daniels marches down the field on you like he's fucking Aarron Rodgers you know something is wrong. 

Hue Jackson is not worried: “I think it’s easily fixed. I feel comfortable and confident that we’ll get them addressed and taken care of,”  yes! he's referring to the Raider's defense. A unit that has allowed opponents at least 400 yds. of offense in all its pre-season games. The Raider-D is last in total defense, last in yards allowed and next to last in third down conversions.

Your view of the Raider's chances in 2012 are contingent on whether you're a glass half empty or half full guy. The offense is coming along, Taiwan Jones could be a gem, Derek Hagan has been impressive and Sebastian is as strong as ever. On the other side of the ball, it looks bleak.

Cheer Up! Raider Nation, it's only pre-season or as Stanford Routt said with this beauty of a cliche, "We're 0-3 in the preseason, but we're 0-0 in the regular season. Got that right!

Random Notes: 

Terrelle Pryor did not suit up for the New Orleans game but is expected to play against the Seattle Seahawks in the pre-season finale.  The Raiders cut their roster down to 80, none of the players waived had been expected to make the team.  Veteran Corner Lito Sheppard has been signed to an unrestricted free agent contract in an attempt to shore up the sagging defense. Lito was with Minnesota last year and is now with his fourth team in four years.

Highlights: Jason Campbell 12-17 passing for a 150 yards, Sebastian Janikowski 57 yard field goal,

Taiwan Jones 13 rushes 81 yards and a td, Derek Hagan 6 receptions 121 yards and a td.

Lowlights: The Defense specifically DeMarcus Van Dyke and Bani Gbadyu

The Other Side: Joique Bell 2 receptions 92 yards, 6 rushes 50 yards and 1 td.  Drew Brees 15-23 passing for 189 yards, Chase Daniels 9 of 18 passing for 191 yards and 1 td.