Sapp says McFadden was the right choice

Michael Silver, aka the best football writer in the NFL, writes about a conversation he had with Warren Sapp on Monday regarding the draft in a Yahoo Sports column.

“I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and (offensive coordinator) Gregg Knapp are supposed to be these guys who make their living by throwing the ball,” Sapp said. “But our offense is made for downhill guys. And this kid will make that offense go.”

Read more of Sapp's comments in the complete article.

And oh, I do intend to post more often. I'm almost over my 2007 season hangover.

Bucs considering Culpepper

The St Petersburg Times reports that the Tampa Bay Bucaneers are considering signing Daunte Culpepper to backup Jeff Garcia. Checkout the story here.

Randy Moss: Super Bowl Loser

Randy Moss

It was roughly a year ago that I launched TheEyePatch, after watching the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. I did it to express my opinions on the state of the Raiders, which at the time was pretty bad. So here I am, basking in the depression that is another year without a Raiders Super Bowl. If you’re anything like me, it’s a pretty sad day.

I’m certainly not getting any younger, and recent news on more in fighting at the Raiders Alameda headquarters just brings more disdain for the whole situation. Super Bowl Sunday has become more of a day of mourning than a day to celebrate the best the NFL has to offer, because the day is so far from including anything resembling silver & black that it’s just down right depressing.

The funny thing, today looked like it was going to go from bad to worse. Outside of the Raiders current situation, the only thing that could have made it worse was watching Randy Moss win a ring. To have him catch the game winning touchdown in the final 2 minutes of the game would have iced this day as one of the worst ever.

I made it no secret that my disdain for Moss is unparalleled. Moss quit on the Raiders. He quit on every one that supports the Raiders. To see him have a monster year in New England only a season removed from his pout-fest in Oakland was revolting. He’s a “me” guy, not a team guy. And me guys make me sick.

So before you chalk me up as some homer, I’ll tell you that I think the New England Patriots are one heck of a team and that I envy their offensive line. Logan Mankins is a stud, and he’s probably the third best lineman on that team (although today didn’t really reflect that).

Randy Moss, for all his worthlessness today, still had the class to make that swimming move after catching the TD that put the Patriots up late in the 4th. Up to that point he did nothing. In the biggest game of his life, he did nothing to help carry the load, and for that I can only bask in the pleasure of the fact that Randy Moss will get no ring this year. Hopefully ever.

His touchdown came after the defender that was covering him fell down. Yet, the guy acts as if the center of the football universe should take note that he’s some sort of football god.

No Randy, you’re the epitome of selfish, and karma got the better of you today.

More Super Bowl Musings

Besides Moss, I couldn’t be happier that Bill Belichick, Rodney Harrison and Tom Brady get to stew on this loss for a while. Belichick is a cheater. Harrison is a cheap shot artist and Brady was exposed today as the overrated quarterback that he is.

Without guys like Mankins, Brady is a mediocre signal caller. The Giants showed the world that by putting a little pressure on him, he’s just no football demi-god. I just hope the rest of the league takes notice and starts putting him on his back more often.

Good for Kurt Warner pressing the subject on the Pats spygate rumor now swirling around Super Bowl XXXVI. If the Pats did in fact tape the Rams walkthrough before the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should have the stones to really ding the Patriots. Losing a 1st round draft pick and some cash was a slap on the wrist.

Hit’em where it hurts commish!

I can’t wait to hear Tiki Barber’s spin on Eli Manning. Wasn’t it Barber who ripped his former teammate after retiring last spring? Barber questioned Manning’s leadership ability and effectiveness as a passer. The guy looked pretty darn good to me on that final Giants drive.

Oh, and no, they don’t give rings out to retirees.

Live Blogging Game 13

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 13th game of the season vs the Green Bay Packers.

• (END OF REGULATION) GB 38 - OAK 7 And it ends...thank God. Raiders were overmatched by a team playing for something. Fret not, the Raiders help their draft position with their 9th loss of the season.

• (Q4 4:11) Favre hits Donald Lee who then carries Hiram Eugene and Schweigert 46 yards on his back. How these guys have jobs in the NFL is baffling. Schweigert couldn't tackle my grandmother. GB 38 - OAK 7

• (Q4 5:15) Packers killing the clock on the ground. Raiders run defense finally doing something right (allowing it to happen, so this game can mercifully end!)

• (Q4 8:21) Zach Miller 's catch falls a yard short on 4th down and the Raiders turn the ball over on downs.

• (Q4 12:09) Andrew Walter makes his 2007 debut. Kiffin throws in the towel, and rolls out the sacrificial lamb in Walter.

• (End of Q3) GB 31 - OAK 7 What a disaster of a period. 17 unanswered points off mistakes, missed tackles, and a lack of execution.

• (Q3 :34) McCown chucks the ball into traffic and it's picked off by Atari Bigby. Bigby rumbles 73 yards for the touchdown, but a gutless hit by Cullen Jenkins on McCown during the return brings the ball back to the Packers 23 yard line. I don't understand how the league allows crap like that to happen. If there's going to be intent to protect the QB, then do it.

• (Q3 3:10) 3rd & 1 and the Raiders give the ball to Lamont Jordan, who has the acceleration of molasses in January. Run is stuffed. Drive stalled.

• (Q3 4:50) Tim Dwight takes the punt then losses the ball on the tackle. Green Bay scoops it up, then recovers the ball in the end zone. Nothing is going right for the raiders today. Dwight is called down on the 11 yard line, but it is overturned on the challenge. Raiders would be wise to get on the plane now. GB 31 - OAK 7

• (Q3 8:53) Raiders fail to convert on 3rd and long because the Packers bring the house on top of McCown. It's baffling that the Raiders don't do the same thing when the Packers are in the e same situation. Sebastien Janikowski misses teh 44 yard field goal to add to Oakland's misery.

• (Q3 8:26) Ronald Curry makes his first catch of the day, beating Woddson for 29 yards.

• (Q3 9:11) Stanford Routt gets used by Greg Jennings, going 80 yards for the Green Bay touchdown. Routt totally mistimes the jump, then falls flat on his face as Jennings walks into the end zone. GB 24 - OAK 7

• (Q3 9:37) Former Raider Charles Woodson gets away with a push and the Raiders drive stalls. McCown missing the magic he had last week against Denver. The inabilitiy to establish teh running game has left the Raiders with some unmanageble situations.

• (Q3 10:46) Big Warren Sapp stuffs the 3rd down attempt, forcing the 44 yard field goal attempt. Crosby hits it, to push the Packers lead to 10 points. GB 17 - OAK 7

• (Q3 13:30) Raiders had the Packers 3rd and 18, and they allow the 20 yard pass play to Greg Jennings. No pressure on Favre means lights out.

• (HALFTIME) GB 14 - OAK 7 That drive to end the half has revitalized the Raiders. Hopefully they figure out that Favre is a weaker QB when he's on his back.

• (Q2 :26) Jerry Porter makes a HUGE catch, taking the ball away from Al Harris and a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The 26 yard pass play is now being reviewed. Officials looking for any reason to take the points away from Oakland, but unfortunately for them, Porter did not step out of bounds. The catch stands. GB 14 - OAK 7

• (Q2 :40) Raiders move the ball quickly to midfield, then call timeout with 40 seconds left in the half.

• (Q2 1:12) Raiders finally bring pressure on Favre and the Packers QB is forced to get rid of the ball, stalling the Green Bay drive. Nathan Crosby then misses the long field goal.

• (Q2 3:06) Favre starting to heat up. Picking the Raiders apart. Somebody needs to hit Brett Favre.

• (Q2 5:23) McCown goes deep. Al Harris outruns Jerry Porter to the ball for the pick. Raiders simply forgo having their drive killed by the officials and simply hand the ball back to Favre.

• (Q2 5:40) Chris Carr takes the onsuing kickoff, then scampers 100 yards. Nope, referees call Carr down by contact, even though whistle is blown. Carr gets to exert all that energy for nothing, because the officiating team can't blow a whistle...they have no issues throwing flags however.

• (Q2 5:44) Raiders forced to punt from deep within their own zone. Will Blackmon takes the kick 57 yards for a touchdown. It's the 1st punt returned for a TD in Shane Lechler's career (573 punts). GB 14 - OAK 0

• (Q2 7:40) Now a 25 yard plass play to Zach Miller is called back on a holding penalty. Incredible.

• (Q2 8:03) 26 yard pass play is negated on the bogus pass interference call on Porter. Horrible call. The penalty not only takes away the big play, but it forces the Raiders back again.

• (Q2 8:51) 4 linebacker set on 2nd & goal from the 6 and there is nobody there to tqackle Ryan Grant. How is Hiram Eugene the only guy there to fill the gap? Grant easily raches teh goal line. GB 7 - OAK 0

• (Q2 13:47) Gerrard Warrenmakes a nice tackle behind the line to force a 3rd & 7. Favre converts with an 11 yard pass play. Not sure what the Raiders are doing dropping Warren Sapp into coverage? Favre is not 100%, so you go after him with relentless pressure. Raiders are too passive in passing situations.

• (END OF Q1) Gah! McCown had Porter wide open along the left sideline, but he throws the ball too far, carrying Porter out of bounds before the catch.

• (Q1 1:18) A holding penalty on Jeremy Newberry backs the Raiders up to thier own 7 yard line.

• (Q1 1:47) Stu Schweigert comes up with the deflection off Koren Robinson. Big INT to stop another Packers drive.

• (Q1 4:54) Raiders gamble on 4th down and lose. I like the call. I like the play selection. It just didn't work out. Great defensive play to bring down Fargas behind the line.

• (Q1 6:59) Nice call on the sweep left on 3rd & 1. Fargas makes the 1st down easily.

• (Q1 8:20) Raiders stop the Packers on downs after Green Bay drives the ball to the Oakland 26 yard line. Raiders got away with a push in the secondary on the Pacakers 4th down play.

• (Q1 14:11) First drive stalls. Raiders do move the ball to midfield however. Not a great start, but not a bad one either.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Green Bay Packers Inactives: QB Aaron Rodgers, TE Bubba Franks, WR Shaun Bodiford, RB Brandon Jackson, LB Tracy White, G Allen Barbre, DT Daniel Muir, DT Johnny Jolly.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Daunte Culpepper, RB Dominic Rhodes, CB John Bowie, C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 12

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 12th game of the season vs the Denver Broncos.

• Game Balls: Josh McCown (14/21, 141 yards, 3 TDs), Justin Fargas (33 attempts, 146 yards, 1 TD), Raiders Defensive Fron 4 (29 rushing attempts, 86 yards rushing allowed).

• (END of REGULATION) OAK 34 - DEN 20 And there you have it. 2nd win in a row. 2nd win in a row vs AFC West opponents. Unbelievable performance against a pretty decent Broncos team.

• (2 Minute Warning) We get 2 minutes to savor this one. The Black Hole starts the taunts. Where is Shannon Sharp? Bet he's not flapping his gums right now.

• (Q4 2:20) Stokely out of bounds killing the Broncos drive on 4th down. Raiders ball.

• (Q4 3:04) Put a form in em! Fargas goes for 5 with the monster block from Oren O'Neill for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Huge game for Fargas today. huge game for the Raiders offensive line today. Man alive! OAK 34 - DEN 20

• (Q4 3:08) Timeout Broncos. Shenannigan paces the sideline nervously. Hopefully he pays for this season with his job.

• (Q4 3:48) Ha! Kiffin waits a play for the bootleg, rolls left and get teh 1st down. 1st and goal on teh 5.

• (Q4 4:45) Fargas is stopped on 2nd down. I would have liked to see Kiffin call play action and go to the end zone on that play. Broncos loading up the box.

• (Q4 5:31) Holy Toledo what an effort by Griffith to convert the 3rd down after slipping three tackles. 13 yards on 3rd & 11. McCown calls timeout as the play clock winds down.

• (Q4 6:48) Fargas goes around the left end for the first down byt Robert Gallery gets flagged for holding.

• (Q4 7:14) Fargas goes 9 to bring up a 3rd and short.

• (Q4 7:29) McCown can't convert on the 3rd down, but the Broncos are flagged for illegal contact. 1st down Raiders! Nice to see someone else shooting themselves in the foot for once...even better that it's the Broncos.

• (Q4 7:50) Raiders now go to work on the clock. More points would make the clock meaningless.

• (Q4 8:48) Offcials taking forever to figure out if the play stands. Finally after 5 minutes, the play is ruled as stands. Raiders ball on the Broncos 43.

• (Q4 8:48) Fabian Washington with the MONSTER pick. Oh man what a nice catch. Shenannigan throws the red flag, challenging the play.

• (Q4 8:59) McCown ends the drive with a dying quail that falls short on a screen play. Fargas had nothing but green in front of him if he makes that catch. Janikowski barely slips in teh 44 yard field goal to push the Raiders lead to 7. OAK 27 - DEN 20

• (Q4 10:35) McCown threads a needle with a 26 yard plass play to Miller. Miller follows that up with a 19 yard catch.

• (Q4 11:21) Travis Henry waltzes in to the end zone, capitalizing on the McCown fumble. Henry was untouched on the 3-yard run. OAK 24 - DEN 20

• (Q4 11:46) Raiders holding the Broncos to 74 yards rushing thus far.

• (Q4 12:54) Michael Huff blows up Henry on a screen misdirection. 3rd down and long for Denver. Cutler then converts it with another bullet. Raiders need to keep Denver out of the end zone.

• (End of Q3) OAK 24 - DEN 13 Raiders letting the Broncos back into this game with careless mistakes. First Janikowski's miss, then the big pass play to Stokely, followed by the McCown fumble.

• (Q3 :02) Oh no! McCown fumbles the snap and DJ Williams recovers on the Raiders 35 yqard line. First turnover by Oakland today.

• (Q3 1:37) Jay Richardson sacks Cutler on a big 3rd down play to stop the Broncos drive. Even when the Broncos begin to pick up some momentum , the Raiders shut them down. Elam converts the 44 yard field goal, but that wqas a big stop. OAK 24 - DEN 13

• (Q3 3:23) Cutler drills Stokely with a 33 yard bullet. Cutler follows that up with another long pass to tight end Tony Scheffler. Broncos turn two plays into 50 yards, now sitting on the Raiders 20 yard line.

• (Q3 4:40) Raiders botch the shovel pass, but McCown runs for 9 before getting popped. Janikowski MISSES the 35 yard field goal.

• (Q3 6:36) Fargas coughs up the ball, but the Raiders recover. Fargas makes up for it by filling a 10 foot hole then scampering 29 yards to the Broncos 25 yard line.

• (Q3 7:25) Even special teams is getting it done. Carr brings back the kick return 38 yards.

• (Q3 7:25) Culter gets flattened by Clemmons on 3rd down. Conversion fails. Jason Elam punches home the easy 29-yarder to cut the Raiders lead to 14 points. OAK 24 - DEN 10

• (Q3 10:02) Brandon Stokely slips past the Raiders secondary and goes for 58 yards on the play. If Cutler doesn't throw that ball short, Stokely goes for 6 easily.

• (Q3 11:04) McCown drifts left, waits, throws, then gets blasted by Ian Gold. Oh, and the pass lands in Porter's arms in the back of the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Gutsy play by McCown to stay with the play as long as he did. OAK 24 - DEN 7

• (Q3 11:40) Henry coughs up the ball on a strange inside misdirection play. Chris Clemons recovers the ball.

• (Q3 12:45) Jerry Porter makes a circus catch with the left hand, but th eRiaders drive stalls. Janikowski converts the 38-yard field goal to push the Raiders lead to 10 points. OAK 17 - DEN 7

• (Q3 14:12) Thomas Howard openes the 3rd quarter with a big INT deep in Raiders territory.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 14 - DEN 7 One of the best openeing halfs of the season for the Raiders. Fargas 84 yards on 17 carries. McCown with a 128.9 QB rating. Broncos had 41 yards of offense on the 4 drives following their openeing TD drive.

• (Q2 :50) Hey look what play action buys you! McCown with the bootleg right to Zach Miller for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The rookie tight end pays some dividends with thise big mitts. Leads all rookie TE's with 28 catches on teh season. OAK 14 - DEN 7

• (Q2 :56) Justin Griffith with the catch, then makes three Broncos pay! Time out Oakland.

• (Q2 2:00) 2 Minute Warning. Raiders have a decent shot at going into halftime with the lead. Let's see what McCown can do.

• (Q2 2:58) McCown back in at QB. Good call by Kiffin. Bring the kid up to speed slowly. McCown with the 1st down conversion on a nice pass to Jerry Porter.

• (Q2 3:07) Henry coughs it up on the Broncos 35 yard line. Raider ball! Tyler Brayton with the recovery. Robert Thomas with the huge strip.

• (Q2 4:13) Kiffin elects to go for it on 4th down & 1 and the Broncos defense stuffs Fargas. Janikowski's injury most likely helped with that decision. WOuld have preferred to see somre more creativity in the play calling. Run left is about as predictable as it gets.

• (Q2 5:03) Russell shows some decent mobility in the pocket, sidestepping a defender then running for 4 yards.

• (Q2 6:40) Big Russ shows off that ar with a bullet that hits Ronald Curry after Champ Bailey slips.

• (Q2 7:00) Raiders running game starting to establish itself. Fargas has 71 yards on 12 carries thus far.

• (Q2 8:14) Raiders defense holds for the second straight series. Could it be the day the D returns? Dwight with the decent return, puts the ball on the 30.

• (Q2 9:56) Sebastien Janikowski's 58-yard field goal attempt is a line drive that falls short. Janikowski looks like he's hurt on the play, hobbling over to the sideline.

• (Q2 10:13) Russell's first drive dies on a bad snap that floats outside his grasp. The kid looks poised.

• (Q2 12:35) Nice call by Kiffin with the screen play call. Russell floats the pass over the right end to Fargas who goes for 13 yards and a 1st down. Fargas follows that up with a 19 more.

• (Q2 13:41) The Jamarcus Russell in Oakland begins. The big guy boot-legs right then hits Jerry Porter with a 16 yard bullet to the right sideline.

• (Q2 13:59) Raiders stop DEnver's drive, but Dwight almost costs the Silver & Black by coughing up the punt on his own 18 yard line.

• (Q2 14:54) McCown has all day, but can't find a receiver. Drive stalls. Now we get to see if this defense is going to help win a game this season.

• (END of Q1) OAK 7 - DEN 7 Nice to see the Raiders capitalize on Denver's big mistake, but the defense has got to show up at least once this season.

• (Q1 :51) Travis Henry right up the gut for 4 yards a nd a touchdown. Incredible how bad the defense is. OAK 7 - DEN 7

• (Q1 4:16) Selvin Young with three straight carries for a combined 24 yards. Raiders horrendous tackling still killing this team.

• (Q1 6:47) Damn! Raiders fail to bring down Brandon Marshall who goes for 32 yards and converts on 3rd down. Raiders had the Broncos stopped.

• (Q1 8:13) What a catch by Tim Dwight in the left corner for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Pass interference on Denver is declined. Man, what a nice toss by McCown. OAK 7 - DAN 0

• (Q1 11:14) Another nice run by Fargas. 7 yards for the 3rd down conversion.

• (Q1 12:42) Thank you Cecil Sapp. The Bronco runs into Shane Lechler, and the Raiders get the ball back with the penalty. 1st down at midfield.

• (Q1 12:49) Risky pass by McCown into coverage. Drive stalls.

• (Q1 14:43) Justin Fargas picks up where he left off. Busts the 17 yard run for a 1st down.

• (Q1 15:00) Raiders win the toss elect to receive. Chris Carr takes th touchback.

Limit Russell's PT

Jamarcus Russell

So the notion of playing Jamarcus Russell this weekend against the Denver Broncos isn’t the worst idea in the world, granted Lane Kiffin doesn’t get greedy and play the kid significant reps, or worse on a continuing basis the remainder of the season. Here’s why I say that. The Raiders are banged up everywhere, but most notably on the offensive line. Sticking Russell out there for the wolves to devour makes no sense if the intent is to simply get his feet wet.

Kiffin needs to limit Russell’s stint to 10-15 plays from scrimmage this weekend, preferably with the game out of reach (one way or the other). I think Mike Shanahan would like nothing more than to knock around the Raiders future, regardless of his own job status in Denver. Don’t give Shanahan the opportunity to muddy the waters by either injuring the kid or making his first taste of NFL caliber ball a thumping.

The fact that the Raiders decided to do this at home is smart. Russell won’t be playing in a hostile environment, and the Coliseum has no shortage of his supporters.

I’d love nothing more than to see Russell tear up the Broncos secondary with laser beam passes being delivered all over the place, but the Raiders need to be patient. Let him get a taste of the pace, before extending him against hostile defenders.

Of the teams remaining on the Raiders schedule, this is probably the weakest opponent remaining. Jacksonville is ranked 28th in passing defense, so let him air things out in week 16 against the Jags. The Raiders face the Colts and Charges at home, but both of those teams are embroiled in division chases.

Forget about giving Russell any lengthy time over center next week at Lambeau. The weather will most likely be bad and the Packers will still be battling for some semblance of home field in the playoffs. Brett Favre’s injury on Thursday night may make that game more interesting from Green Bay’s perspective, but the Packers pass defense has been one of their strong suits this season.

Let Russell build confidence against teams he’ll have any opportunity to succeed against. Yes, Jacksonville is in the playoff hunt, but that secondary is just what Dr Kiffin ordered. Yes, I’ve heard that the Raiders are a “running team” (or at least until Big Al reminds Kiffin that he isn’t shelling out $80 million to someone so they can hand off the ball), but Russell needs to cut his teeth in the air.

Limit his reps against Denver, extend them against Jacksonville, then wait and see if San Diego is playing for anything on December 30th. If they’re not, turn him loose then.

Then start scouting offensive lineman that you can build an offense around. Russell won’t do squat laying on his back 5-10 times a game or on the IR.

Live Blogging Game 11

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 11th game of the season vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Game Balls: Justin Fargas (119 yards rushing, 1 TD), Jerry Porter (3 catches 75 yards receiving), Michael Huff (7 tackles, 2 assists, 1 INT).

• (END OF REGULATION) OAK 20 - KC 17 The Raiders break a 9 game losing streak against Kansas City and a 17 game losing streak against the division. And the Raiders do it on the road. Kiffin learned a thing or two about his opponent and finally had a chance to apply it. The Raiders were a running team today.

• (Q4 1:54) 3rd & 11, Chiefs take their last timeout. That challenge by KC may prove costly. Raiders can end it with a 1st down. Justin Fargas scampers 21 HUGE yards to hammer the final nail in the coffin. Holy Toledo!

• (Q4 2:00) Two Minute Warning. 2nd and 14 on the Chiefs 47 yard line. Get that ball another 15 yards to give Janikowski a chance to force the Chiefs to have to drive the entire length of the field to take this one.

• (Q4 3:23) Play action fake on the obvious run down, Culpepper to Curry for 9 yards.

• (Q4 3:51) Fargas rumbles for 12 yards and a 1st down. Tack on another 11.

• (Q4 4:26) Chiefs lose the challenge and go for it on 4th and 1. Smith is stacked up two yards short of the marker. Raiders defense tackles a runner for the first time today...parade scheduled for downtown Oakland tomorrow morning!

• (Q4 4:26) Kennison makes a crazy catch between his knees. Cheifs are short of the 1st down by a yard. KC calls timeout to figure out what they want to do. Now Herm Edwards challenges the spot of the catch. If he loses, that means KC will have burned two timeouts on the play.

• (Q4 6:36) Croyle finally figuring out how to use Gonzalez. The big Tight End converts his second 1st down of the drive. Smith with 150 rushing yards is killing the Raiders.

• (Q4 9:34) Justin Fargas busts up the middle for 14 yards and a TOUHDOWN RAIDERS! HUGE run by the Raiders tailback. 96 yards on the day for the USC alum. Raiders reclaim the lead. OAK 20 - KC 17

• (Q4 9:45) Culpepper hits Miller for 28 yards, then follows it up a 35 yard pass to Porter. Raiders inside the red zone for the 3rd time today.

• (Q4 10:51) Croyle kills the Cheifs drive with two bad passes. Rayner hooks the field goal attempt badly, keeping the game a 4 point ballgame.

• (Q4 12:20) Raiders finally stop the run, but Michael Huff commits teh personal foul facemask infraction. Move the ball another 15 yards.

• (Q4 14:25) Chiefs open thier drive with a run. Note to Rob Ryan: The Cheifs are going to run the ball this quarter. Run, run, run, run, run. Load up the box and tell your guys to gang tackle for god's sake.

• (Q4 14:44) Raiders open the 4th quarter with a dud. 3 & out, followed by a 30 yard punt. Bleccchh.

• (END of Q3) KC 17 - OAK 13 Nice to see the Dominic Rhodes contributing with his 3rd kickoff return of the game. The Raiders offense is so potent, they can relegate a guy like Rhodes to kickoff returns.

• (Q3 :47) Smith goes 5 for his 2nd touchdown of the day. Raiders defense hucks up all the momentum the offense had generated with that awful series. KC 17 - OAK 13

• (Q3 4:17) Tony Gonzalez makes a big 22 yard catch to extend his consecutive catch streak to 110 games.

• (Q3 5:15) Derrick Burgess follows up Richardson's gaff with the big sack.

• (Q3 5:49) Brainless penalty by Jay Richardson, tacking on an additional 15 yards to Croyle's run.

• (Q3 6:10) Lamont "Release Me" Jordan takes the pitch right, then rumbles for 5 yards and the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Give Culpepper credit for getting that drive started early. Fargas added two key runs for 1st downs. OAK 13 - KC 10

• (Q3 8:00) Raiders try a little razzle dazzle and Tim Dwight turns it into a 9 yard gain after the containment looked like they had him trapped.

• (Q3 12:35) McQuistan kills a 3rd and inches opportunity with a false start. Inexcusable penalties.

• (HALFTIME) KC 10 - OAK 6 The rookie Smith goes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The only thing that has stopped the Chiefs offense thus far, is the Cheifs offense. Penalties after teh Miller turnover saved the Raiders at teh end of the half.

• (Q2 :22) Why would the Raiders burn two timeouts with 4 downs to go and under 30 seconds???? That makes absolutely no sense.

• (Q2 1:42) Raiders playing out the half with the goal of keeping teh Chiefs off the board. "We're a running team"

• (Q2 3:11) Miller now with the false start to back the Raiders up to their own 2 yard line. Fargas 12-yard run then called back because fo a hold on Paul McQuistan.

• (Q2 3:33) Cheifs offense looks like the Raiders on the ensuing series, moving backwards, then punting. Raiders will start on their own 5-yard line.

• (Q2 4:30) Zach Miller coughs up the ball deep in the Raiders zone, but the bigger question is why Culpepper is throwing the ball 10-yards short of the markers on 3rd down? This guy is supposed to be the seasoned veteran? What exactly is he teaching Jamarcus Russell?

• (Q2 5:30) Raiders stop the Chiefs drive, but not before KC moves the ball 68 yards to the Raiders 12-yard line. Dave Rayner converts the short field goal to push the Chiefs lead to 4. KC 10 - OAK 6

• (Q2 9:41) Missed tackle by Michael Huff, followed up by the lack of a pass rush allowing Cheifs to march down the field. Down to the Raiders 32 yard line.

• (Q2 10:43) Porter catch is now ruled a drop. Drive stalls. Janikowski nails the 54-yard field goal to cut the Cheifs lead to a point. KC 7 - OAK 6

• (Q2 10:54) 3rd and long, Jerry Porter makes the catch, then gets popped. 16 yard gain to keep the drive alive. Chiefs will challenge.

• (End of Q1) KC 7 - OAK 3 Run defense needs to buckle down and make Croyle put the ball in the air.

• (Q1 0:49) Ronald Curry drops a very catchable ball to stall the Raiders drive. Gotta make those catches.

• (Q1 1:53) I like the play action fake after the sequence of run plays. Way to mix it up a bit. Patrick Surtain hurt on the play.

• (Q1 6:02) Smith dances through the pylons for a 10 yard touchdown run. Raiders defense is pathetic. KC 7 - OAK 3

• (Q1 7:25) Smith busts another 16 yard run. Why even bother to throw the ball against this papier mache run defense?

• (Q1 8:23) Herman Edwards got the scouting report on the Raiders run defense. Goes for it on 4th and inches, and converts with a 19 yard run.

• (Q1 10:55) Jarrod Cooper injured on the kickoff. Sports Illustrated ranked the top 4 most losing players in teh NFL (team winning % as a member of the teams that player has suited up for)...Cooper was ranked 2nd. Cooper being carted off the field

• (Q1 11:15) Raiders drive stalls, even though they move the ball inside the 20. Sebastian Janikowski converts the short pooch chot for the first score of the game. OAK 3 - KC 0

• (Q1 13:23) First big play of the game...Michael Huff picks off Croyle giving the Raiders the ball deep in Chiefs territory

• (15:00 before kickoff) Kansas City Chiefs Inactives: QB Tyler Thigpen (3rd QB), RB Larry Johnson, CB Rashad Barksdale, T Herbert Taylor, T Will Svitek, WR Eddie Drummond, DT James Reed, LB Kendrell Bell.

• (15:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, FS Stuart Schweigert, CB John Bowie, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, C Jake Grove, T Seth Wand, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 10

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 10th game of the season vs the Minnesota Vikings.

• (END OF REGULATION) MIN 29 - OAK 22 Chester Taylor, a backup, 2nd rate running back, runs for a rediculous 164 yards and 3 TDs. Tack on the 38 receiving yards for 202 total yards. My grandmother could go for 100 against this Raiders defense. Taylor carried teh ball 22 times, none for a loss.

• (Q4 :00) Final Hail Mary gets bated down in the end zone...I'm surprised Culpepper had enough time to get the throw off.

• (Q4 :12) Raiders stop the clock by downing the ball, but they get called for a false start, forcing 10 seconds to be removed. This is comedy at its finest.

• (Q4 :44) Raiders chipping away with 4 and 5 yard plays.

• (Q4 1:48) 83 yards to go to tie the game...Culpepper throws the pick, but Chad Greeway then fumbles the ball back to Oakland.

• (Q4 2:00) Taylor carries teh ball right down to the 1st down marker. The measurement says short. Raiders will get the ball back, so we can agonize for a few more minutes.

• (Q4 3:04) Morrison shoots the gap to stop Taylor (one of the the few times today), the Raiders burn their final timeout.

• (Q4 3:23) Fake onside kick, pooch it over the blockers and the ball dribbles out of bounds. Raiders football at its finest folks.

• (Q4 3:23) Raiders can't sustain the drive, but they lean on Janikowski for yet another field goal. Down by 7 with 3:23 to play. MIN 29 - OAK 22

• (Q4 7:24) Taylor draws the peronal foul for the leg whip. I think that may be the first penalty called ont eh Vikings in the 2nd half.

• (Q4 8:05) Vikings milking the clock, inching the Raiders closer to that top 5 draft pick.

• (Q4 11:35) Culpepper sacked for teh 4th time today, offense continues to go backwards. 3rd & 22, all the Raiders cando is dump off the screen play...which nets 2 yards.

• (Q4 14:52) Vikings take the Culpepper turnover and drive it 75 yards, capped by a rediculous touchdown run by Taylor. The Vikings running back leaps over the pile at the 5, but he's stood up and the pile carries him forward for 5 yards. MIN 29 - OAK 19

• (End of Q3) Vikings driving downfield. Quarter ends on a receiver pass, that floats like a duck, but a Vikings receiver still makes a shoestring grab to convert the 1st down.

• (Q3 2:44) Culpepper gets hit, fumbles teh ball, then two Raider lineman have a chance to fall on the ball, but they fight each other for it, spitting it up to the Vikings. This team isn't 2-7 for no reason.

• (Q3 3:01) Culpepper dances around the rush, then finds Jerry Porterfor the 31-yard gain. Backing the Vikings into the red zone, the Raiders elect to run on the subsequent play for no gain. Fall start Paul McQuistan to back the Raiders up another 5.

• (Q3 4:42) Chris Clemons with his 2nd sack of the day, ending a Minessota drive. The front 4 has shown life today.

• (Q3 5:53) Run, run, pass, drive stalls. The Raiders might be the only team the Patriots don't need to cheat agains, because everyone already knows what's coming.

• (Q3 8:23) Vikings march down field, capped by Taylor's 15 yard run. Longwell hits another mid-distance field goal to give teh Vikings the lead back. MIN 22 - OAK 19

• (Q3 11:07) For whatever reason, Kiffin & Knaoo are intent on establishing a run game. Drive nets 13 yards after 7 plays, then the drive stalls.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 19 - MIN 19 Raiders running game has gone nowhere. They're moving the ball when putting it up top. Defense still needs to start wrapping up people.

• (Q2 0:00) Raiders move teh ball downfield, then Janikowski cashes in to end teh half all tied up. Nice sequence to draw even. OAK 19 - MIN 19

• (Q2 :58) Tarvaris Jackson is leveled, then fumbles the ball. Sapp recovers. Raiders back in business.

• (Q2 1:47) Two incompletions stal the drive. Janikowski converts to cut the Vikings lead to 3. MIN 19 - OAK 16

• (Q2 2:00) Nice play action fake on 3rd & short, then Culpepper finds Curry for a big gainer. THAT is the kid of play calling the Raiders need more of. 2 minute warning, Raiders in striking distance.

• (Q2 3:25) Justin Fargas blows up Lieber with a monster block.

• (Q2 8:30) The brain trust calls for a short plass play on 3rd & 15, but Curry is tackled well short of the sticks. Drive stalls.

• (Q2 9:17) Raiders learn to tackle this week...ah, just kidding... tackling is as shoddy as ever. Taylor rumbles 38 yards for the TD. Vikings retake the lead. MIN 19 - OAK 13

• (Q2 12:00) 3 & 12 deep in Vikings territory, playing the worst pass defense int eh league, and the Raides run a sweep right for no gain. Janikowski converts the short field goal, but the Raiders fail for the second time today to get the ball in teh end zone from the red zone. OAK 13 - MIN 12

• (Q2 12:44) Holy Toledo, the Vikings cough up the ball again. Sapp knocks the ball loose from Taylor, and Jarrod Cooper pounces on it.

• (Q2 12:57) Culpepper finds John Madsen all alone in the end zone, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The O-line started to collapse, but Culpepper slid forward to avoid the rush. MIN 12 - OAK 10

• (Q2 14:12) WOW! What a catch by Ron Curry. Splits two defenders in the secondary and snatches the ball out of the air for the 49 yards.

• (Q2 14:56) Ryan Longwell converts the 30-yard pooch shot to put the Vikings back up by 9. MIN 12 - OAK 3

• (End of Q1) Minnesota having their way on the line of scrimmage (both offense and defense). This could be a long afternoon. MIN 9 - OAK 3

• (Q1 1:14) Schweigert is on the sidelines nursing a hip injury. Hiram Eugene in at safety. Chester Taylor looking like Ladanian Tomlinson against the porous Raiders defense.

• (Q1 4:45) The turnstiles allow Culpepper to get sacked again. Sebastian Janikowski converts the 42 yard field goal to get on the board. MIN 9 - OAK 3

• (Q1 5:33) Culpepper prefers throwing 15 yard touchdowns to 6 yarders, so he backs the line of scrimmage up by taking a 9 yard sack.

• (Q1 6:20) Culpepper unleashes the cannon and hits Curry with the big 46 yard pass play. 1st & goal on the Vikings 6 yard line.

• (Q1 6:50) Kirk Morrison pounces on the Minnesota fumble. Finally a break in the Raiders direction.

• (Q1 8:30) So Asomugha's brain cramp results in 2 points for the Vikings. The Raiders offense stays consistent in moving the ball backwards. MIN 9 - OAK 0

• (Q1 9:51) Vikings get great field posession, then drive the ball right down teh Raider's throats again. Namndi Asomugha stops the drive with a pick in the end zone, then runs the ball out and gets tackled on teh 2 yard line. Brilliant. Help your inept offense by starting their drive on the 2 rather than the 20.

• (Q1 14:10) Chester Taylor pounces into the end zone for the easy 5 yard TD run. Schweigert playing deep in the end zone so he doesn't get burned again. MIN 7 - OAK 0

• (Q1 14:30) My computer's not even warm and Stu Schweigert bites on the end around and gives up the deep ball. Only reason it wasn't a touchdown was that the ball was under thrown.

Live Blogging Game 9

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 9th game of the season vs the Chicago Bears.

• Game Balls: The parking attendants (they had the Coliseum gates open on time. It was the only thing that wnet as planned today.

• (END OF REGULATION) Ah, the icing on the cake with an INT by McCown. Hopefully the Raiders wrote (un)incentives into McCown's contrac...like he pays the Raiders for every INT he throws. this season. CHI 17 - OAK 6

• (Q4 1:06) If you're going to go through the motions, why not just chuck it downfield on every play from here on out? What does a 10 yard dump off do?

• (Q4 1:39) McCown hit, fumbles, Bears recover on the Raiders 3. Cedric Benson punches it in for a TD. Paper bags available at all Raider Image stores on Monday. CHI 17 - OAK 6

• (Q4 2:24) Just over two minutes to play, Raiders need 4 to tie and they elect to punt. It's unreal that these people get paid as much as they do to make these kinds of decisions.

• (Q4 2:36) Raiders need a first down to extend the drive, and McCown elects to chuck it downfield, then overthrows his receiver by 10 yards.

• (Q4 2:58) Raiders couldn't sustain a drive al lseason, and there's no reason to believe they're going to do it here. McCown can't even hit a wide open Zach Miller.

• (Q4 3:11) Grossman to Berrian with the 59 yard TD with 3 minutes to play. Raiders football at its finest. Who are the top 3 draft prospects again? Why does Chris Carr have a job in the NFL? He should be parking cars for a living. Berrian ran right past hm and had 15 yards on him as he crossed teh end zone. CHI 10 - OAK 6

• (Q4 4:04) Janikowski hits from 52-yards. Could he be the Raiders savior? OAK 6 - CHI 3

• (Q4 7:12) Oh my god, are you kidding me? How can this team continue to try running up the middle on 1st & 2nd down? This is absolutely rediculous.

• (Q4 11:18) Run, Run, incomplete pass. Lane Kifin is supposed to be an offensive genius??? I'll do his job for half the pay and give the same dead ends.

• (Q4 12:44) Back-to-back sacks will give the Raiders the ball back at midfield. If the offense is going to do anything today, this is the drive to do it.

• (Q4 14:06) Incomplete pass, penalty, penalty, draw, end of drive. This is Pride & Poise? I'd hate to see Indifference & Futility.

• (End of Q3) OAK 3 - CHI 3 I could take a nap and still be more productive than either of these offenses.

• (Q3 5:09) Magic 8 Ball is correct. The offensive turnstiles let the Bears bust into the Raidres backfield. McCown throws it 2 yards out of bounds.

• (Q3 5:33) 3rd & 8...I'm guessing a pass play. I can't tell you if they'll convert or not. Magic 8 Ball says "unlikely".

• (Q3 7:29) Here is where the Raiders will lose this game if they can't move the ball out of their own end. Chicago will get the ball with great field position.

• (Q3 10:13) Raiders play calling is becoming so predictable, the Bears are loading up the box on run plays. Now Fargas coughs it up.

• (Q3 11:36) Gould misses the 53-yard attempt short.

• (Q3 11:44) Officials turning a blind eye to the holding while Gross man rolls out. No Fair League.

• (Q3 12:40) Muhammed goes for another 33 yards on the reception from Grossman. Blitz fails.

• (Q3 13:40) 2nd down and long and the Raidres elect to run the ball setting up 3rd and long. Ensuing play goes for a pass play well short of the sticks, which is irrelevant because the receiver drops the ball. Do any of these coaches know how down & distance works?

• (Q3 14:15) First 1st down of the drive killed because of a holding penalty. More of the same. Moving backwards.

• (HALFTIME) OAK 3 - CHI 3 Raiders can do nothing on offense and the defense has dodged bullets. Only bright spot has been kick coverage, which has not allowed Devin Hester to return anything.

• (Q2 :25) McCown gets sacked, then has to scramble for his life, thus ending any chance for a late score before the half. Raiders offense is pathetic.

• (Q2 :44) Griese, left shoulder injury. Taken into the lockerroom for x-rays.

• (Q2 1:08) Tim Dwight replaces Higgins on punt returns. He doesn't fumble on his first chance...good start.

• (Q2 1:22) Nice to see Grossman in his prefered position...laid out on on the turf

• (Q2 1:32) Rex Grossman warming up after Griese gets banged up on the Kirk Morrison sack.

• (Q2 3:54) Awful play selection and exceution on 3rd & 3. Another drive stalled. Terrible.

• (Q2 5:41) Justin Fargas pounding out yards, but he needs to bust one to get the offense kick started.

• (Q2 6:51) Raiders defense bends, but doesn't break. Robbie Gould hits the 31-yard field goal to tie the game. OAK 3 - CHI 3

• (Q2 11:45) Secondary exposed. Mushin Muhammed for 45 yards.

• (END of Q1) OAK 3 - CHI 0 No offense to speak of from either side.

• (Q1 1:00) Johnnie Lee Higgins resumed his punt return duties today...that may may have been his last of the day (season maybe).

• (Q1 1:07) Nice coverage by Chris Carr to stall the Bears drive

• (Q1 1:53) Brainless penalty by Jarrod Cooper. Uncontrolled mayhem does not win championships

• (Q1 4:55) Stu Schweigart lays out Bernard Berrian on that sideline throw. Gotta send a message with Asomugha and Washington out in the secondary.

• (Q1 9:22) Drive stalls, but Sebastian Janikowski converts the 37-yard field goal for the lead. OAK 3 - CHI 0

• (Q1 12:40) I told you McCown should be the starting tailback on this team! 45 yards on the opening offensive play.

• (Q1 13:20) 3 & out for the bears. Good opening defensive series for the Raiders

• (20:00 before kickoff) Chicago Bears Inactives: QB Kyle Orton (3rd QB), CB Nathan Vasher, DB Brandon McGowan, RB Lousaka Polite, LB Rod Wilson, G Josh Beekman, WR Mike Haas, DE Antonio Garay.

• (20:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Fabian Washington, LB Sam Williams, C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DT Josh Shaw.

Live Blogging Game 8

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 8th game of the season vs the Houston Texans.

• (END OF REGULATION) HOU 24 - OAK 17 4th consecutive loss, including the 3rd straight to the Texans. The Raiders are 0-3 all time vs the expansion team. Raiders get the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears next week.

• (Q4 1:28) Raiders attempt the onside kick, fail to recover it. Ballgame.

• (Q4 1:37) McCown heaes into the end zone and recently signed receiver Tim Dwight hauls it in for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! HOU 24 - OAK 17

• (Q4 1:57) Barry Sims false start...again.

• (Q4 1:57) No timeouts and under 2 minutes to play. Only question will be if McCown can throw a 4th pick today.

• (Q4 2:04) Matt Turk shanks the punt, giving the Raiders the ball on the Houston 31 yard line.

• (Q4 4:24) Raiders burn another timeout, before allowing the Texans to make the 1st down. Attention Raiders coaching staff...Ron Dayne is going to carry the ball. Oakland burns its final TO, resulting in 6 additional hot dog sales.

• (Q4 4:37) Raiders call timeout. Stop the clock with the intent of dragging this out a few minutes longer so they can sell some more concessions.

• (Q4 4:47) Ah, there's the INT by Ryan. This one counts. McCown's 3rd pick of the day into a three white jerseys. Raiders did one smart thing in cutting Mike Williams...let's hope they can follow that up by sendig mcCown packing.

• (Q4 5:17) McCown scrambles for the 1st down. The guy can't pass for his life, but he can run. Hmmmm, make him your starting tailback once Russell is ready to go.

• (Q4 5:30) Lamont Jordan had a 1st down, but he redirects it in the air directly in the hands of Dameco Ryans for the INT. No, the play is ruled incomplete. Raiders need to go for the 4th and 7.

• (Q4 7:05) Now they huddle up after earning a 1st down. Coem on guys, why is this so hard to understand?

• (Q4 7:42) Down by 14 points, and the first play Lane Kiffin calls is a running play. This isn't your USC offense Kif, gotta huck that ball.

• (Q4 7:58) Rosenfels to Andre Davis for the 42 yard bomb. Touchdown Texans. Raiders don't have the team to comeback from a 14 point defecit this late in the game. Drive home safely folks. HOU 24 - OAK 10

• (Q4 10:05) Ron Dayne continues to pound the ball, rumbling for 15 yards up the gut. Ball is now at midfield. Raiders can't allow anymore points, much less the clock to dribble down to nothing.

• (Q4 11:26) Fargas finally breaks through into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! The Rsiders first D in 2 games. HOU 17 - OAK 10

• (Q4 12:24) 3rd and 10 on the 12, Raiders pass short, then draw the another personal foul. Hope they realize you can't score a TD on a personal foul.

• (Q4 13:33) 3rd and 7 on the Texans 24 and the Raiders convert the old fashoined way...they let Houston commit a personal foul - facemask penalty.

• (End of Q3) HOU 17 - OAK 3 Raiders need two touchdowns just to tie.

• (Q3 1:28) Jerry porter breaks a tackle and runs 32 yards into Texans territory

• (Q3 6:51) Texans moving the ball again. If the Raiders can't stop the Houston Texans with a backup QB at the helm, who can they stop?

• (Q3 7:41) Namndi Asomugha on the sideline with an icepack strapped to his shoulder.

• (Q3 7:41) Janikowski hits the pooch shot for the Raiders first points of the game. They needed 7 and got 3. Story of the season. HOU 17 - OAK 3

• (Q3 7:47) 1st and goal at the 7 and the Raiders can't get the ball in the end zone. Why is Josh McCown still in the NFL, much less the game?

• (Q3 11:52) Jay Richardon blocks a kick by Brown to stop the bleeding.

• (Q3 11:59) One of the best runners in camp, Adimchinobe Echemandu who was waived by teh Raiders, gets in on the act and runs twice for 6 yards. Setting up another Texans field goal try.

• (Q3 13:40) Dane busts for another 39 yards around the end. The umpire is not able to make the tackle on that play.

• (Q3 14:41) The Riaders make a tackle, stopping Ron Dane who busts for 9 yards on first down. Check that, it was teh umpire that brought Dane down. Raiders still can't tackle.

• (HALFTIME) HOU 17 - OAK 0 The Texans are torching the Raiders porous defense with a castoff running back in Ahman Green and a 3rd string QB in Sage Rosenfels. That makes sense when you have a 4th string QB leading the Raiders and a back in Justin Fargas that has had one big game in his career.

• (Q2 :06) Brown hits the 40 yard field goal to take the 17 point lead. The Raiders defense is a joke. HOU 17 - OAK 0

• (Q2 :39) Houston now gets to drive downfield points of their own. Rosenfels hits Walter for 11 yards to the Raiders 30, then again for another 10 yards to the Raiders 20.

• (Q2 1:18) Janikowski doinks it off the right upright, missing the would be NFL record kick. The Raiders get NO breaks.

• (Q2 1:18) The interception is overturned. McCown is only really bad instead of extremely bad. 4th and 9 and the Raiders are going to go for teh field goal...a 64 yarder, which would be an NFL record.

• (Q2 1:18) McCown throws his 3rd pick of the half to Vaughn Hutchins. The play is under review.

• (Q2 1:53) 3rd and 4 on the Texans 37 with 1:53 to play and Barry Sims jumps again. His 8th false start infraction of the season.

• (Q2 2:00) 2 minute warning and Lamont Jordan has touched tehball once in the half. Is he hurt? No inury report on him..

• (Q2 4:09) Ron Dane busts a 14 yard run up the gut for the touchdown. Again, more Pop Warner tackling. Rediculous. HOU 14 - OAK 0

• (Q2 4:15) McCown tries a deep pass. only to have it picked for another turnover. Bennet makes another play and returns it to the Raiders 15.

• (Q2 10:15) Another stalled drive. Jamarcus Russell, calling Mr. Jamarcus Russell. Please report to the sidelines.

• (Q2 14:21) Schweigart makes the pick on the Texans 1 yard line. Returns it to the 6, so the Raiders have some work to do to get out of their own end zone

• (End of Q1) HOU 7 - OAK 0 A turnover and shoddy tackling leave the Raiders down to tend the 1st quarter.

• (Q1 1:03) McCown's pass is deflected and intercepted by former Raider Danny Clark.

• (Q1 1:27) Daunte Robinson is down, after getting his leg caught underneath himself. Looks like his right knee is torn up. Raiders bringing the cart out on the field to collect him.

• (Q1 1:27) Gah! Raiders convert the 1st down, but Zach Miller is whistled for holding.

• (Q1 4:14) Ronald Curry catches a ball for a 1st down, then get leveled by Fred Bennet along the sideline. Both players are down for the count. Vicious hit.

• (Q1 6:34) Oh no, Raiders turn to the run for the first two plays, setting up a long 3rd down conversion attempt. Only a scrambling McCown saves the drive.

• (Q1 6:51) more of the same thinning technique at the line and Green makes Schweigart look like a Pop Warner tackler at the line of scrimmage. HOU 7 - OAK 0

• (Q1 8:28) 4th and inches on the Raiders 4, and Sage Rosenfels sneaks for the 1st down. Raiders bite on the 3 receiver set and Green in motion, thinning out the line.

• (Q1 10:52) Ahman Green on the screen, and leaves Stuart Schweigart in the dust for 52 yards. Apparently the Raiders did not learn to tackle in the last week.

• (Q1 13:40) Michael Huff pops Owen Daniels, jarring the ball loose, but Houston pounces on it.

• (Q1 14:00) McCown starts under center. 3 pass plays to open the game...Good. Incomplete, Incomplete, QB run for nothing...Bad.

• (2:00 before kickoff) Raiders win the toss and elect to receive the opening kickoff

• (20:00 before kickoff) Houston Texans Inactives: T Jordan Black, DB Jamar Fletcher, OT Brandon Frye, WR Andre Johnson, LB Shantee Orr, TE Jeb Putzier, QB Matt Schaub, G Kasey Studdard.

• (20:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: C Jake Grove, T Mario Henderson, DB Chris Johnson, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

Live Blogging Game 7

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 7th game of the season vs the Tennessee Titans.

• (END OF REGULATION) TEN 13 - OAK 9 Warren Sapp yapping it up on at midfield. Apparently losing isn;t that big a deal. What does he care, he still gets paid. Can't tackle anyone, but he still gets paid.

• (Q4 1:17) Culpepper fires a bullet to Mike Williams who drops the ball. It hit him in the numbers, and he dropped the ball. Cut him before the team catches the bus back home. The guy is a bust.

• (Q4 1:21) 4th and 14. Magic 8 ball says "unlikely they pull this was out.

• (Q4 1:45) Culpepper sacked for the 5th time today.

• (Q4 2:00) Barry SIms with his 4th penalty of teh day to back up Oakland another 5.

• (Q4 2:00) Culpepper to Curry over the middle for 24 yards. 2-minute warning.

• (Q4 2:12) Raiders get one last chance to pull this one out. 55 yards to to the win. Can they do it. Odds say no. Let's see.

• (Q4 2:28) Young fumbles the snap on his own 10 yard line, but he recovers. Bad teams get no breaks.

• (Q4 2:35) Culpepper heaves up the ball into double coverage. Chris Hope gets the pick. Ballgame.

• (Q4 5:03) Finally the offense moves forward. Fargas bust the 15 yard run.

• (Q4 5:25) Culpepper is sacked by the facemask. Biggest offensive play of the half for Oakland.

• (Q4 5:31) Raiders defense holds. Raiders penalized again on the punt return. That's nine penalties on the day.

• (Q4 10:20) Another run, only this time for a loss. Forces another long 3rd down, which the Raiders fail to convert on.

• (Q4 10:54) Culpepper fumbles the ball again, but Lamont Jordan has the presence of mind to pick the ball up then vault forward for 4 yards.

• (Q4 11:40) Bironas kicks the ball off to the right side, destined for the side line, but Chris Carr grabs the ball before it has a chance to, then runs out of bounds on the Raiders 28. Do any of these guys understand the rules to the game? They just give up 12 yards, which is as bad a penalty. Brainless.

• (Q4 11:42) Raiders don't give up the TD, but they gift wrap another 3 points, which now requires a TD to comeback. TEN 13 - OAK 9

• (Q4 12:21) Culpepper fumbles on hus own 10, Titans recover. I'd say "unbelievable", but it's not really anymore. This is Raiders football.

• (Q4 12:53) Raiders run again on 2nd & 10...HOLDING. 2nd and 20. BEt they throw now.

• (Q4 13:54) Raiders had Tennessee on 3rd and 5 and they can't contain a gimpy Vince Young. Titans drive continues.

• (End of Q3) TEN 10 - OAK 9 Jeff Fisher finally figures out to run agaisnt the Raiders. Oakland better learn to tackle in the next two minutes or this game is over.

• (Q3 0:50) Raiders respond to Tenessee's touchdown with a rediculous disjointed display.

• (Q3 2:11) Note to Lane Kiffin: The right side of the line is not containing the pressure on that side. 86 the bootleg right. Culepper has been sacked three times today from that side.

• (Q3 2:24) There's the Raiders run defense we all know and despise. 24 yard TD run for Chris Henry. TEN 10 - OAK 9

• (Q3 3:34) Lendell White with another big run. Where are the linebackers?

• (Q3 5:04) Raiders convert on the long 3rd down, but Mike Williams gets called for the illegal shift. Ronald Curry's circus catch is wasted. Raiders run to give Lechler some room and drive stalls. Stupid penalty.

• (Q3 5:38) Barry Sims with his 3rd consecutive penalty. 8th of the day for the Raiders.

• (Q3 7:20) Derrick Burgess with the big sack on 3rd down. Young throws the ball away, so tack on the delay of game penalty. Raiders defense buckled, but didn't break.

• (Q3 9:45) Tommy Kelly injured on a running play. Clutchnig his knee.

• (Q3 11:02) Run, run, run right into 4th down. Bad throw by Culpepper on 3rd down eliminates Williams chance to run for the 1st down. No creativity in that series and the Raiders hand the ball over. I don't like it.

• (Q3 12:45) Three straight runs put the Raiders in a 3rd and 9 situation, but Culpepper runs for the 1st down. Gotta mix this play calling up. It's getting predictable.

• (Q3 14:48) Justin Fargas opens the 3rd qtr with a nice 15 yard scamper.

• (HALFTIME) Raiders defense has finally showed up. They've stuffed the Titans, including 4 three-and-outs.

• (Q2 0:00) Janikowski doing his Rob Bironas impersonation by booming his 3rd field goal of the day. A 54-yarder no less. SeaBass has been impressive today with his field goal AND kickoff play. OAK 9 - TEN 3

• (Q2 0:03) It wasn't pretty, but the Raiders move the ball into field goal position.

• (Q2 1:27) Another Mike WIlliams sighting. The big receiver converts a 14 yard pass play.

• (Q2 3:15) Another big stop for the defense! Raiders will get the ball back with 3 minutes to play in the half.

• (Q2 5:22) Raiders eat up 8 minutes on a sustained drive that fizzles, but Janikowski converts to give the aiders the lead. OAK 6 - TEN 3

• (Q2 6:10) Man, gotta question the play calling at the end of this drive. Run, run after driving the ball down the field.

• (Q2 7:43) Zach Miller with the big 10 yard reception.

• (Q1 1:18) Rob Bironas continues his hot footed ways with a 35 yard field goal. OAK 3 - TEN 3

• (Q1 2:00) Raiders dodge a bullet with Ben Troupe dropping a TD. Young then scrambles on 3rd down and fails to convert.

• (Q1 7:54) Raiders in reverse. Holding, holding, fumble. Ball started on the 35, now on the their own 6.

• (Q1 8:50) Raiders defense holds again, stalling out the Titans. Vince Young chose to run, but Kirk Morrison keeps him contained.

• (Q1 10:38) Of course the moment I comment on the drive, it stalls. What do I know. Sebastian Janikowski cashes in though with the big footed 50-yard field goal. OAK 3 - TEN 0

• (Q1 11:03) Raiders mixing things up on offense. Nice little drive being established as a result. Albert Hainsworth leaving the field with an injury.

• (Q1 14:02) Right Tackle Cordell Green with the false start. First penalty of the game. Jerry Porter answers with the big 22 yard reception.

• (Q1 14:18) First 3rd down situation of the day for TEN. Raiders hold. Vince Young tries to force the throw. Defensive line applies a little pressure. Good sign.

• (2:00 before kickoff) Titans win the toss. Electt to receive.

• (10:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), QB Andrew Walter, CB John Bowie, DB Chris Johnson, C Chris Morris, LB Sam Williams, DT Gerard Warren, T Mario Henderson

• (10:00 before kickoff) Tennessee Titans Inactives: WR Paul Williams, RB Chris Brown, DB Kelly Herndon, FB Ahmard Hall, C Leroy Harris, DE Sean Conover, WR Brandon Jones

Live Blogging Game 6

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 6th game of the season vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Raiders lose their 17th consecutive game to an AFC West opponent and the 9th in a row against the Chiefs. Raiders also fall to 2-4.

• (END of REGULATION) KC 12 - OAK 10 Raiders were absolute crap in every facet of the game today. Offense couldn't move the ball, defense couldn't tackle, special teams just awful.

• (Q4 0:35) Jarred Page picks off Culpepper! Ballgame.

• (Q4 1:55) Raiders hold with the sack of Huard. Time to convert

• (Q4 2:49) Chiefs just casually moving the ball down field, burning clock. This is where the run defense needs to step up.

• (Q4 5:49) Sebastian Janikowski kicks the field goal to cut the Chiefs leaf to 2 points. It's Janikowski's 162nd career field goal, tying him with Chris Barr. KC 12 - OAK 10

• (Q4 6:17) Close call - Dominic Rhodeslost the ball, but the call is down by contact. Herman Edwards chooses to calls his last timeout of the half.

• (Q4 7:13) Culpepper to Miller on another 3rd down conversion. 1st and 10 on the KC 19.

• (Q4 9:20) Huge run by Jordan on the check down in the flat. 24 yard play to tyhe Cheifs 33.

• (Q4 11:30) Johnson powers into the end zone for the Chiefs touchdown. Kansas City goes for 2 points, but the Raiders only have 10 players on the field. Now they challenge the play. Johnson did get into the end zone, so the TD counts. 2-pt conversion fails. KC 12 - OAK 7

• (Q4 12:54) More mistakes. Burgess gives them a free 5, then Huard converts the 3rd down.

• (Q4 14:04) Noooooooo, Huard slips the sack, then heaves a 58-yard pass to Duane Bowe. Asomugha gets burned. How does Bowe get that far past Nnamdi???

• (Q4 14:27) Morrison just misses his 4th pick of the season.

• (Q4 14:57) Gah! Jeremy Newberry snaps the ball as if Culpepper was under center (he was in the shotgun). The gaff kills the 3rd down conversion attempt.

• (End of Q3) OAK 7 - KC 6

• (Q3 2:30) Stuart Schweigart levels Tony Gonzolez, knocking the ball loose on a would be 15 yard plass play. Defense coming alive?

• (Q3 2:41) Ronald Curry wide open off play action for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Wow, what a turnaround off the missed field goal. Curry slips past former Raider linebacker Napolean Harris. OAK 7 - KC 6

• (Q3 3:07) Culpepper bootlegs than heaves it down field to Jerry Porter for the big gainer. 60 yards from scrimmage, Holy Cow!

• (Q3 3:28) Rayner hooks a pooch attempt, which is a HUGE break for the Raiders. Thsi game is still within one score, even though the Raiders can't move the ball.

• (Q3 6:40) And there is is, the defensive lapse that busts the big one. Larry Johnson rubmbles 54 yards because the Raiders don't know how to tackle.

• (Q3 7:17) Curry drops another pass, stalling yet another drive. He had nothing but daylight in front of him had he caught that ball. Raiders need to punt on 1st down from here on out. Their defense has a better chance of scoring than the offense.

• (Q3 8:36) Nice interrception by Stanford Routt. Ball is on the Raiders 6 yard line, but it's not Chief points.

• (Q3 9:59) The Chiefs run into Shane Lechler on 4th and 1, but that penalty is offset by Hiram Eugene who is called for running out of bounds. THIS is pathetic. Great teams don't make stupid mistakes like this.

• (Q3 13:00) Warren Sapp bags his 1st sack of the season.

• (Q3 13:30) Another stalled drive. Mike Williams stayed back to pass protect (why?) and let Jarred Allen right by on the way to Culpepper. Why is a wide receiver providing pass protection?

• (HALFTIME) KC 6 - OAK 0 Good god what a stinker offensively. The Cheifs have 71 yards passing, but the Raiders only have 46 through 2 quarters. KC leads in rushing 33 to 19. That's 52 yards comibined between the two teams!

• (Q2 0:19) The battle of futility continues. Both teams stall drives inside of 2 minutes. So neither team can scrap out a field goal. This game could end 6-0.

• (Q2 5:55) Raiders offenive line gets bulldozed and the 4th down attempt fails. Give Kiffin credit for going for it, but man that offensive line should be man handling the Chiefs.

• (Q2 6:14) Ugh, would have preferred a little more creativity on that 3rd and 2 call. Raiders will go for it on 4th down though.

• (Q2 7:45) Two big 3rd down catches for Zach Miller on the drive.

• (Q2 9:50) HOLDING on Robert Gallery on a FREE PLAY! The Raiders convert the 3rd down with a long play and Gallery pisses it all away.

• (Q2 13:01) Shane Lechler's punt is either muffed or the wind does something with it, because it only goes 39 yards, dying on the KC 33 yard line.

• (Q2 13:15) Dominic Rhodes makes his debut in Silver & Black with a short carry. Lousy play calling kills the drive with a draw play that goes nowhere.

• (Q2 14:01) Rayner adds another field goal after the Raiders defense holds. Oakland should be grateful they only gave up 3 on that blundered punt play. KC 6 - OAK 0

• (End of Q1) KC 3 - OAK 0 Chiefs outgain the Raiders 76 to 12 yards in the quarter.

• (Q1 1:14) Chris Carr muffs the punt on the fair catch after getting hit by Nnamdi Asomugha. Chiefs recover onthe Raiders 29. Unbelievable. Special teams has been a joke this season.

• (Q1 1:57) Priest Holmes makes his first appearance in 721 days. Huard feeds the screen to Holmes, who then gets nailed by the Raides.

• (Q1 3:35) 3 and out for the Raiders. Not sure what Culpepper thinks is going to happen with a dump off throw on 3rd and 17???

• (Q1 4:59) Raiders hold on the Chiefs second drive. Michael Huff just missed the pick. Had the ball in his mitts. Gotta hold on to that.

• (Q1 9:06) Heck of a catch by Ron Curry after getting popped. The ball was dilodged by the hit, but he stayed with the play and hauled in the rebound. Curry is hurt the play.

• (Q1 9:40) Raiders trying to establish the run early. First two plays from scrimmage to Jordan.

• (Q1 11:15) The Raiders front 4 force the Chiefs to stall out their opening drive, but Dave Rayner punches the 41-yard field goal right down the middle of the goal posts for the 3 points. KC 3 - OAK 0

• (Q1 12:10) Dwayne Bowe kills the Raiders with the YAC, earning a 1st down on 3rd down and long. Raiders defense looks porous on this drive. Where is the pass defense?

• (Q1 15:00) Sebastian Janikowski booms the opening kickoff into the endzone for a touchback

• (2:00 before kickoff) KC wins the coin toss and elects to receive.

• (22:00 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: CB John Bowie, T Mario Henderson, DB Chris Johnson, QB Josh McCown, C Chris Morris, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

• (23:00 before kickoff) Kansas City Chiefs Inactives: LB Keyaron Fox, WR Eddie Kennison, DB Dimitri Patterson, DT James Reed, WR Bobby Sippio, T Herbert Taylor, QB Tyler Thigpen (3rd QB), T Kyle Turley.

• (25:00 before kickoff) Checking in for Game #6 against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs

Live Blogging Game 5

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 5th game of the season vs the San Diego Chargers.

(END OF REGULATION) SD 28 - OAK 14 That's 16 straight division losses. Network couldn't wait to switch over to the Patriots - Cowboys game.

• (Q4 0:02) Illegal procedure to mercifully end this game.

• (Q4 0:20) 6th Culpepper sack.

• (Q4 0:54) YAHP - Yet Another Holding Penalty. Barry Sims.

• (Q4 1:26) Raiders need two TDs, so they attacke with 10 yard dump offs that stay in bounds to keep the clock running. Who is calling these plays?

• (Q4 2:20) Jordan scampers for 12 on the screen, no facemask call at the end of the play...not that it matters now.

• (Q4 2:43) Put a form in em. Tomlinson rambles for 42 yards for a touchdown. 198 yards total rushing for LT.

• (Q4 3:42) Tomlinson is just running rampant. Can the Raiders tackle anyone?

• (Q4 5:00) Five minutes to play. Raiders need a big defensive stop.

• (Q4 5:20) Phew, Raiders convert on 4th down with the 1 yard pass to Zach Miller for the TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! That failed conversion to end the first half looms large now. Game should be tied. SD 21 - OAK 14

• (Q4 8:20) Raiders convert on the pass play to Ronald Curry.

• (Q4 8:46) 4th and 12 and Barry Sims jumps the gun. The sloppiness is inexcusible.

• (Q4 9:35) Raiders burn on time out because they couldn't get to the line of scrimmage in time. More poor mistakes.

• (Q4 10:12) Nice conversion by Culpepper to Fargas with the 10 yard pass.

• (Q4 11:28) Culpepper goes down for the 5th time in the game on that bootleg rollout that has been stopped by the Chargers left end every time today.

• (Q4 13:22) Kaeding misses the 50 yard field goal.

• (Q4 13:32) Fabian Washington is celebrating like he actually intercepted that underthrown pass into the end zone.

• (End of Q4) SD 21 - OAK 7

• (Q3 1:10) Awful punt coverage onteh Sprowles return. BAd kick, turns into a lengthy return, assisted by shoddy tackling.

• (Q3 2:42) Questionable call on Cromartie on that interfering with the kicker call there. Raiders finally get a call in their favor, albeit a bad one.

• (Q3 6:24) First NFL INT for Cromartie. Horrible throw by Culpepper.

• (Q3 8:16) Yet another holding penalty.

• (Q3 9:42) Raider opening drive stalls, Tomlinson makes them pay with his 3rd TD of the day. Raiders still can't tackle. SD 21 - OAK 7

• (HALFTIME) SD 14 - OAK 7 Raiders should be tied, but stupid mistakes cost them dearly. Hopefully they can carry the momentum through the 2nd half.

• (Q2 0:03) Culpepper takes ANOTHER sack and fumbles the ball. Unbelievable. Raiders get nothing out of a fantastic drive down to the Chargers 1 yard line.

• (Q2 0:10) THROW THE BALL AWAY Daute!!!! Come on. Ball goes from teh 1 yard line to the 6 on that boneheaded play.

• (Q2 0:20) Oh mama what a play by culpepper to Ronald Curry. Jammer saves teh TD by knocking the Raiders receiver out at the 1.

• (Q2 0:27) Offense coming to life on this 2-minute drill. Can the Raiders convert?

• (Q2 6:54) Thomas Howard with ANOTHER huge pick and a touchdown! 65 yards. Man, where would the Raiders be without Howard and Morrison this season? Those guys are single handedly making the dfensive plays for this team. SD 14 - OAK 7

• (Q2 7:50) Um, if you're going to call a fake punt with a shovel pass, shouldn't the guy that's supposed to be the shovelee KNOW he's supposed to look for the ball? It's 2006 all over again.

• (Q2 8:40) Culpepper has been playing loing enough to know that if you're standing in the pocket, you have to get rid of the ball. Merriman gets the sack and goes into his steroid induced seizure after the play.

• (Q2 10:40) Mike Williams catches a ball and doesn't fumble. Stop the presses.

• (End of Q1) SD 14 - OAK 0 Running game isn't there. Culpepper needs to starts airing it out or this is going to be a laugher.

• (Q1 4:28) The Raiders drive starts on their own 40 yard line and they move teh ball 20 yards...BACKWARDS.

• (Q1 4:28) Three white shirts stand and watch Castillo sack Culpepper on a designed rollout. The 2006 Raiders are back in the house.

• (Q1 5:09) Clipping on an offensive guard???? Guess what folks, the Raiders make some noise in the West and the yellow starts flying. Unreal.

• (Q1 6:51) Bam, just like that it's 14-0. Love the pats on the back to Tomlinson by the Raider defender. They may as well carry him into the end zone. SD 14 - OAK 0

• (Q1 8:19) Here we go. First turnover of the game. Not sure who Culpepper was throwing that ball to???

• (Q1 9:24) Chargers drive the ball right down the Raiders throats for the 80 yard drive. Defense is supposedly the strong suit of this team? SD 7 - OAK 0

• (2:00 before kickoff) Raiders lose coin toss. Will kickoff from east to west. Dressed in white.

• (5:00 before kickoff) National Anthem

• (0:45 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: CB John Bowie, SS Jarrod Cooper, T Mario Henderson, QB Josh McCown, C Chris Morris, QB JaMarcus Russell (3rd QB), DT Gerard Warren, LB Sam Williams.

• (0:47 before kickoff)San Diego Chargers Inactives: TE Scott Chandler, WR Legedu Naanee, T Roman Oben, CB Paul Oliver, WR Eric Parker, FB Andrew Pinnock, LB Anthony Waters, QB Charlie Whitehurst (3rd QB).

Game Grades: @ Miami Dolphins

Huge win for the Raiders, although I’ll try to temper my glee with the fact that the win did come against an 0-4 team. Great all around win, although tackling is still an issue. The defense has yet to put together a dominating game, but a win is a win. And with that, here are my grades for week 4:

Passing Game: B+
Do you credit a passing game with running touchdowns by the quarterback? If you do, then the Raiders get an A+ in the passing game, considering that QB Daunte Culpepper ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more. From a passing efficiency perspective, Culpepper didn’t exactly tear it up in the passing department. He only completed 5 of 12 passes for 75 yards, but since 2 of those 5 completions ended up in the end zone, it’s hard to argue with Culpepper’s impact on this game.

Running Game: A
Culpepper’s 3 TD’s aside, the Raiders torched the Dolphins defense with 299 rushing yards. Justin Fargas had a career high 179 yards on 22 carries, and that was after the Raiders feature back, Lamont Jordan, injured his back. Jordan had racked up 74 yards before having to leave, so there’s no telling what he would have done against the banged up Dolphins. Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin made it no secret that he was going to run the ball, and Miami still couldn’t stop Oakland’s ground game.

Pass Defense: B-
Oakland’s defense is still in need of a huge game, but this game was a start. Trent Green was only able to pass for 158 yards and touchdown, and the Raiders picked off two passes to stop two big Dolphin drives. Thomas Howard continued his hot streak by setting up the Raiders first touchdown with a pick on Miami’s opening drive deep in Dolphin territory. Stanford Routt kept the Dolphins from seizing control of the game’s momentum with a pick on the Raiders 2 yard line after Miami marched almost 90 yards for what would have been the tying score.

Run Defense: C-
The one area Oakland is most in need of help is the run defense. Ronnie Brown continued to expose Oakland by running for 134 yards. Brown capped a 51 yard drive with a 9 yard scamper through the Raiders defense. On the next Dolphins drive, Brown kicked things off with a 60 yard run, setup by shoddy tackling. The Raiders have two weeks to solve their run defense ills, before squaring off against Ladanian Tomlinson.

Special Teams: A-
For starters, Sebastian Janikowski did not miss a field goal. That accomplishment was made easier by the fact that the Raiders had no field goal attempts, but we’ll take any positive we can when it comes to Janikowski. The maligned Raiders kicker did have two touchbacks on kickoffs. The Raiders special teams unit also kept speedster Ted Ginn Jr. in check. Ginn had a 33 yard kickoff return, but that was it.

Coaching: A-
Was Lane Kiffin’s game plan setup to run the ball because he didn’t want to throw Culpepper to the wolves in his first start as a Raider, or because he knew the Dolphins run defense was comprised of moldy Swiss cheese? Regardless of the reason, the plan worked. Kiffin now gets to make the fun decision of deciding who his starting quarterback is. Culpepper’s enthusiasm alone gets our vote for a second start.

Intangibles: B+
This wasn’t a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, but it was a huge step forward for the Raiders. A road win in the NFL isn’t something that comes easy, but the Raiders got the job done. If anything, this was almost a redemption game for several Raiders. Jerry Porter played a role in he offense and the much maligned offensive line looked like people movers out there. The real test comes in two weeks. The Chargers will have something to prove and Norv Turner will want some payback.

Officiating: C-
There were only two glaring calls that come to mind. The offensive pass interference call against Mike Williams in the 1st quarter was ridiculous. If a defender falls down, it’s not offensive pass interference. Williams was mauled midway through the 3rd quarter by Michael Lehan, but no Williams drew no flag.

Live Blogging Game 4

Welcome to The Eye Patch's live in-game blogging of the Raiders 4th game of the season vs the Miami Dolphins.

• GAME BALLS: Daunte Culpepper (5 of 9 for 75 yds, 2 TDs, 28 yds rushing for 3 TDs), Justin Fargas (179 yds on 22 carries), Jerry Porter (3 catches for 52 yards and 2 TDs), Raiders Offensive Line (299 yds rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 2 passing TDs, 1 sack allowed)

• (END OF REGULATION) OAK 35 - MIA 17 Oakland snaps a road losing streak that extends back to October of 2005.

• (Q4 0:23) Raiders opt to go for it on 4th down rather than kick the field goal. Culpepper bootlegs right for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game. Again, he can't run. Why is he running? TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! OAK 35 - MIA 17

• (Q4 1:52) Raiders look content to just pound the ball and run out the clock.

• (Q4 3:02) Fargas takes the inside handoff on a fake bootleg, then rumbles 28 yards to the Dolphins 7. Clock is ticking.

• (Q4 3:12) Cameron does challenge...and loses. Dolphins burn their last timeout.

• (Q4 3:12) Gah! Fargas coughs up the ball, but the officials call him down. Replay shows that it could go either way. 3rd and 8, and Kiffin calls a timeout because the game clock is winding down. Will Cameron challenge the call on the field?

• (Q4 5:29) Tack on another 13 yards for Fargas. Monster game.

• (Q4 6:08) Fargas busts for 32 yards, pushing him to 132 yards on 15 carries. This is a redemption game for the O-line.

• (Q4 6:17) Raiders takeover after the Brandon Fields punt. Johnnie Lee Higgins watches from the sideline as Chris Carr takes over on punt returns now as well.

• (Q4 7:02) Down by 11 the Dolphins run twice to start their drive. Cam Cameron is an offensive genius? Not without Ladanian Tomlinson he's not.

• (Q4 7:58) Forget the 1st down. How about a touchdown. Beautiful pass to Porter down the right sideline, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Wow! Every time the Dolphins get close, the Raiders have answered. OAK 28 - MIA 17

• (Q4 8:04) Nine straight running plays have burned 7 minutes off the clock. Raiders face a big 3rd and 8 from the Dolphins 28. This could be the ball game. Culpepper calls timeout to talk it over with Kiffin. Do you have any fingernails left?

• (End of Q3) OAK 21 - MIA 17 Raiders start on their own 20 after another special teams mistake. Adimchinobe Echemandu catches the kickoff rather than letting Chris Carr grab it.

• (Q3 0:08) Justin Peele must be wearing an invisible uniform, because the Raiders defense doesn't seem to see him when he's on the field. Wide open for the 4 yard TD pass from Green. The Dolphins make the Raiders pay for Higgins fumble. OAK 21 - MIA 17

• (Q3 2:45) Johnnie Lee Higgins coughs up the ball on a punt return to negate all the fine work by the defense on the last series.

• (Q3 2:58) Thomas Howard with a nice tip on a Green pass to snuff out another Miami 3rd down conversion. The Howard - Morrison combo have been just awesome.

• (Q3 4:00) The immobile Daunte Culpepper rolls left for the 9 yard run and dive for the pylon, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Man, that guy can't run. What does he think he's doing? Someone needs to tell him he can't run anymore. OAK 21 - MIA 10

• (Q3 5:10) Fargas busts a 34 yard run. Tack on an additional 15 for the horse-collar tackle for the 1st anf goal from the 9.

• (Q3 6:10) The defense has done a great job of containing the Dolphins. Miami has only converted on 3 of 9 3rd down chances. Time for the Raiders offense to earn their pay. I'd like to see Kiffin open up the offense a bit more.

• (Q3 6:10) Thomas Howard makes a nice tackle to prevent David Martin from converting the 3rd down. Jay Feeley converts the 29 yard FG to cut the Raiders lead to 4. OAK 14 - MIA 10

• (Q3 8:00) Dolphins putting together a sustained drive. In the red zone. Raiders need to hold or lose all their 1st half momentum.

• (Q3 11:15) Michael Lehan all over Mike Williams on a failed 3rd down conversion try. No flag. Not sure how that's not pass interference and Williams gets called for the tickey tack call in the 1st quarter?

• (Q3 11:54) Jordan did indeed injure his back and is out for eh 2nd half of the game. Justin Fargas will get the majority of carries now.

• (Q3 12:42) WR Derek Hagan does the Raiders a big favor by dropping a sure 3rd down conversion on the Dolphins opening drive.

• (HALTFIME) OAK 14 - MIA 0 Some great coaching moves on both sides of the field have made this a fun onw thus far.

• (Q2 0:23) Gutsy call with the play action fake, but Currey can't hold onto the ball. Dolphions take over on downs on their own 33 yard line.

• (Q2 0:29) Kiffin elects to go for it on 4th down, pulling Sebastian Janikowski off the field. The quick personnel change forces the Dolphins to burn a timeout.

• (Q2 0:29) Raiders medical staff is walking Jordan gingerly off the field. He had a back issue this week in practice, and the way he's moving would suggest that this is the problem. He is being carted off from teh sideline.

• (Q2 0:29) Jordan makes a grab right at the sticks, but he's injured. Not sure what the problem is, but he is face down on the turf. Raiders did not convert the 3rd down. Ball is roughly on the Dolphins 33 yard line. Would be a 52 yard field goal attempt.

• (Q2 1:55) Now Ronald Curry gets in on the act with a nice grab, stealing teh ball away from Will Allen for another 3rd down convesion.

• (Q2 5:26) Porter makes a big grab, going up high to convert on 3rd down. Nice to see JP being included in the offense. The guy has skills, so use them.

• (Q2 6:51) Stanford Routt makes the pick on an under thrown pass from Green. Routt helps stop a huge momentumf shift by the Dolphins. Routt got the start over Fabian Washington this week and it pays dividends. That's Green's 6th INT of the season. How did the Dolphins think this guy was a better option than Culpepper?

• (Q2 7:43) 4th and 7 and Tommy Kelly jumps offsides. Inexcusable! Brown runs it again through another 5 tackles for the 1st down. Raiders still have lots of work to do.

• (Q2 9:50) Brown busts a huge 60 yard run after shoddy tackling. Raiders had the Dolphins pinned deep and they let them tilt the field.

• (Q2 12:45) Ronnie Brown bull rushes threw two tacklers for the Dolphins TD. Again, the Raiders need to put away the opposition now by shutting down the opposing offense. OAK 14 - MIA 7

• (Q2 13:15) Gah! Justin Peelle with the 35 yard 4th down conversion. The TE was all alone on the right flat.

• (END OF Q1) OAK 14 - MIA 0

• (Q1 0:15) Ronnie Brown runs for the first Dolphins 1st down of the game. The Raiders have made all of their games nail biters this season because they've not finished the opposition off. They have a chance to do that early in the game, by grounding the Dolphins offense. No letup boys!

• (Q1 2:01) Culpepper with the sneak off the left guard. TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Robert Gallery and Barry Sims create the hole. Cooper Carlisle snuffs Jason Taylor to prevent the backside. What is this concept...offensive line play. Props to Coach Kiffin for going for the TD on 4th down. OAK 14 - MIA 0

• (Q1 2:18) Horrible spot on Justi Fargas' run. Raiders are short by the nose of the ball. Raiders going to go for it on 4th down.

• (Q1 4:32) Jordan with another big run. Is this guy redeaming himself from a miserable 2006 or what? Justin Griffith helps to pile on the yards.

• (Q1 6:24) Culpepper runs for a 1st down. First McCown, now Culpepper with the ability to move out of the pocket is something we're not used to seeing. Having that option is a nice change. Offense if moving forward...another nice novelty.

• (Q1 7:46) Veteran DT Vonnie Holiday is down. Dolphins medical crew are looking at his left knee. This could be huge if Holiday misses any snaps. Would mean two starters from the Dolphins front 7 are out. Rookie Paul Soliai replaces Holiday.

• (Q1 9:08) Gerard Warren with a big sack to stal lthe Dolphins 2nd drive. Warren has 3 sacks in his first 4 games as a Raider. Nice pickup from the Broncos would be an understatement given the Derrick Burgess health issue.

• (Q1 10:36) Culpepper to Jerry Porter on a slant at the goalline, TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS! Oakland makes the Dolphins pay for the Green INT. Porter beats all 12 defenders on the field (one in stripes). OAK 7 - MIA 0

• (Q1 11:41) Mike Williams first TD as a Raider is negated for offensive pass interference. HORRIBLE CALL. No push, barely any contact. Absolutely horrible call.

• (Q1 12:26) Thomas Howard is an ANIMAL! Picks off Green for this 3rd INT of the season. Howard returns the ball 30 yards to the Dolphins 11 yard line. Is this guy unreal or what?

• (Q1 14:45) Raiders want to run, especially with Zach Thomas out of the lineup. Dolphins are waiting. Lamont Jordan up the middle for a short gain on the first play from scrimmage.

• (GAME DELAY 0:31) We are ready to go. The field has been re-striped. Raiders did win the coin-toss 30 minutes ago and will receive the ball. Chris Carr awaits the kickoff.

• (GAME DELAY 0:19) Grounds crew is smoothing out the infield, which should ensure true ground balls from Trent Green.

• (GAME DELAY 0:11) The tarp is being removed from the field. Rain is still falling. Joey Porter guarantees the field will dry out before halftime.

• (GAME DELAY) The field is being covered with a tarp. Culpepper gets to plot his triumphant return to Miami for a few more minutes. Forecast indicates that the storm front could be a while to clear out.

• (0:01 before kickoff) Game has been delayed for weather for the second time this season. Lightning near the stadium. Dolphin fans have already given up on their 0-3 team, or they're smarter then they look, getting out of the weather as well.

• (0:01 before kickoff) Raiders win the toss in a downpour. Oakland elects to receive. In weather like this, I would have deferred the ball and kicked the ball.

• (0:04 before kickoff) The absence of Thomas of defense for the Dolphins will be interesting. The veteran linebacker avgs almost 10 tackles per game
Channing Crowder becomes the focus point at LB. Edmond Miles replaces Thomas.

• (0:09 before kickoff) The Raiders take the field, led by your QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER. Dolphins fans pickup where they left off the last time they saw Culpepper on Miami soil with a round of boos.

• (0:09 before kickoff) Oakland Raiders Inactives: QB Josh McCown, CB John Bowie, FB Oren O'Neal, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB Robert Thomas, DE Derrick Burgess, T Mario Henderson.

• (0:10 before kickoff) Miami Dolphins Inactives: QB John Beck (3rd QB), RB Lorenzo Booker, DB Courtney Bryan, LB Abraham Wright, LB Zach Thomas, DT Steve Fifita, DE Rob Ninkovich.

• (0:17 before kickoff) Tailgaiters, first call for kickoff, first call for kickoff