Raiders Fall In Nashville; Find Passing Connection

JaMarcus Russell may be saddled this year without any decent wide receivers, but last night in Nashville, he found a reliable target in tight end Zach Miller.  Miller ran solid routes and got himself open and Russell found him.  And thus begins a possible connection that will continue through their careers... Russell to Miller.

I was very impressed with JaMarcus Russell's play last night.  In his ability to make plays with his feet, he's not and never will be Steve young, but he showed the ability to respond to a collapsing product, get out of trouble, get the ball away or at worse, protect the ball.  That is something that Raider QB's have not done since injuries forced out the great Rich Gannon.  Last night, I was really excited because I see it coming together for JaMarcus.

The Raiders starting unit also showed one brilliant short flash that they've not shown since before Bill Callahan got run from Oakland: the quick strike to capitalize on a window left open by their opponent.  It started seemingly benign.  The Titans failed to close the first half out and the Raiders stung them for it.  Darren McFadden hit them with a 25 yard burst leaving 1 second on the clock, time enough for the Raiders to score a 56 yard field goal with their back-up kicker.  The back-up kicker I said!  Aaron Elling, a guy who will most certainly be cut in favor of Sea-Bass when he gets over his jock-itch or lap dance injury or whatever it is keeping him out, put his name on the map with every NFL team who is unsteady about their situation at the kicker position.

if you're looking for more bright spots, take a look at the passing defense with the first unit.  Vince Young, everyone's all-American, was 4 for 13 for a mere 37 yards.  The first defense stuffed any passing game the Titans first unit tried to muster.  The rushing defense still has some room to improve, but it appears that we're seeing a return to the stout passing defense.

Yes, they lost the game, but if you look more deeply at the game, there was a lot to be pleased with on Friday night.