Raiders- Panthers Week 15

Oakland Raiders  6         Carolina Panthers   17

A lump of coal in the guise of another loss was stuffed into the old Oaktown Christmas stocking. Then, as to further dampen the holiday spirit, Raider quarterback Carson Palmer will miss the final game of the season following a helmet spear to the back from Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy. The exacting hit by Hardy (for which he was penalized) left  Palmer, with broken ribs and a bruised lung. He was hopitalized overnight upon his return to the Bay Area.  Palmer had started all 15 games for the Raiders, racking up 4,018 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and 14 soul crushing interceptions.

The onus is now on backup Matt Leinart who spelled Palmer against the Panthers. Leinart saw extensive playing for the first time since an injury during his only start for the Texans, in 2011. Leinart was out of sync, but avoided total disaster  (and injury) completing 16-32 pass for 115 yards and one interception. Terrelle Pryor will backup Leinart in the season finale at San Diego. Pryor, was to receive substantial playing time, but he took just three snaps on Sunday. (all out of the shotgun formation) Pryor threw a lateral to Palmer, who threw a screen back to Pryor for a 22 yard gain. Later, he was stopped on the four yard line after a two yard carry in the red zone.

"Matt's our backup quarterback," Allen said. "Terrelle's done a nice job. He's working extremely hard, we don't feel like he's ready to be the backup quarterback yet." said Coach Allen, before circumstances forced his hand. Ready or not Terrelle is now the backup. “Our plan right now is to work both of them this week,” Allen said, “and then we’ll see how practice goes. Later in the week, we’ll be ready to name a starter.” Shane Lechler, who serves as the emergency Qb. will be slotted in at No. 3, if worse comes to worse. "I'm definitely going to prepare this week like I'm going to be starting," Matt Leinart said.

A column by Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, suggested that  offensive coordinator Greg Knapp planned to deploy third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor on third-down and red zone situations in order to "use his athletic ability." Oakland used a third round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft to select him, he's languished on the inactive list ever since. As for the Raiders getting their moneys worth, Tafur says, "Given how things go in Raider-land, a third-round pick for a quarterback who will see his first meaningful action in two meaningless games over a year after he was drafted, well, that's a bargain"

The Raiders haven't scored a touchdown since the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos (Dec. 6th) Sebastian Janikowski, for the second game in a row scored all of Oakland's points on field goals. The running game which showed some spark against Kansas City was shutdown by Carolina's defense. Darren McFadden reverted to Darren McFadden type numbers (17 attempts for 33 yards) and the Raiders as a team picked up a trifling 47 yards on a mere 22 carries. The 17 points allowed by the defense, was the fewest against a team not named the Chiefs. The Raiders did leave some points on the field, specifically the DMC touchdown that was called back.  

My Monte Poole quote of the day: "NFL schedules dictate that each team receives one bye week per season. Defensive coordinators fortunate enough to face the Raiders practically steal another" During Oakland's six game losing streak, the defense was abysmal while the offense shouldered the burden. Now, the defense has come together and the offense has done a 360 and is in full blown retreat.  Why is it that we always have peanut butter but no jelly, Kool-Aid but no sugar, cereal but no milk? Why can't the two units come together, if not in the same game...  then at least in the same season?

Raider Notes:

We'll have to wait and see if Tommy Kelly suffers any consequences for his forthright admission  that he targeted Carolina Qb., Cam Newton for a little payback. "You take our guy out, we're going to take your guy out,'' Kelly stated "We're not out to hurt someone, but when that happens ... ." Newton writhing around in pain ala Joe Theisman, is what Kelly had in mind.  

In frustration at being the target of some rough play, Newton kicked Kelly at the end of a scrum. Kelly was penalized for unnecessary roughness "He kicked me, and I ain't fixing to take that off nobody," Kelly said. "What are you going to do when someone kicks you? You going to take it? Nah.''  Cam Newton later bumped an official as he was pleading his case for another personal foul penalty on Oakland. 

Newton was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, but was not ejected. The ref, Jerome Boger later corrected himself, saying that Newton was penalized for " "disrespectfully addressing an official'' and that the contact "was not of a malicious nature.'' Newton issued an apology after the game.  Past Raider coaches would have applauded Kelly's behavior, Coach Allen did not "We're trying to change the culture, and what we have to understand is we have to keep our composure in those types of situations because nothing good comes out of it."  

Interesting column in Deadspin this week. Oakland, Ca., paid the Oakland Raiders $17.3 million for the ten home games staged this season, while attempting to balance their budget by cutting the police force by 200 officers. "If someone calls 911, you're looking at an indeterminate amount of time before an officer can respond," says Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland police union. "Citizens are suffering." 

Oakland which has the fifth highest crime rate in America, pays the Raiders to cover "debt financing & operations" that is supplemented by another $13.3 million from Alameda County. Donelan says that "Reversing a renewed rise in violent crime is out of the question" During  2012 murders rose in Oakland by 16%, rapes by 24%,  and burglaries by a whopping 43%. The average response time for emergency calls has increased to 17 minutes. Man! don't call the cops, they can't help you, just call Tommy Kelly!

Raider Trash Talk:

(Let's go to the Raider FB page and see what Raider fans have to say on this joyous Christmas Day.)

 Just sell the team so they can go somewhere else. Put us raider fans out of our misery! so tired of this BS!!!!

Growing up I loved the Raiders they've always been my favorite team but I can't stand to watch them anymore, its a joke. They need to hire Bill Parcells or someone who knows football to build this once proud franchise back to its glory.

 JUST WIN BABY!!!

 The NFL is better when the Raiders are good.

Merry Christmas Raiders, fans and team! We'll get them next year , or the year after that God willing!

better luck next time!

Palmer is dead weight and Leinart just isn't good. Play Pryor and I'd bet my house we'll start competing.

I don't care if we go 0-16, just PLEASE do not bring Michael Vick to Oakland. I've been a Raiders fan my entire life and would like to continue being one. But I will dump the only team I've ever loved if that piece of crap ends up in Oakland.

Play Pryor for the whole game, Dennis!!!

Leinart sucks. Put Pryor in.

fire that stupid oc now!

dont worry raiders i still love ya for life

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant wait til a team moves to los angeles so i can stop being a raider fan 

#Fail

Why didn't they play Pryor!!!!!!

Coaching staff sux

Why in the world we play linart? Cus he is he back up dummy.....lol

 At one point offensive coordinator Greg Knapp called back 2 back screen plays. Both failed miserably!

Coach ALLEN PLEASE KEEP OUR LONG TIME RAIDER "SHANE LECHLER"HE 'S A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE PLAYEr

Vote For A New Qb.....! im watching now they talking bout Tim Tebow... what yall think

 Los Angeles Raiders !

 Convince John Gruden to come back to the silver and black!!!!!

WTF!!!!