Oakland Raiders

By Paul Gutierrez
pgutierrez@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1C
Last Modified: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009 - 10:36 am

OAKLAND – They played as if they were hung over. And really, after being subjected to 3 hours and 17 minutes of what could only be described as "morning after" play by the Raiders' defense in a 45-7 loss to New Orleans, I had a headache, too.

Not even popping a few Advil and washing them down with a bowl of menudo could help the defense on this day. (Surely I was hallucinating when 300-plus-pound tackle Tommy Kelly dropped into pass coverage.) But maybe Greg Ellis' not-so-subliminal message to his young teammates could serve as some hair o' the dog.

"Guys, you can't stay out all night," the 12th-year defensive end said to reporters, though surely aiming at his charges. "Can't expect to come in here and just turn it on. This isn't high school or college football. This is the best of the best in the NFL. So you've got to do those small things that you maybe didn't have to do in college."

Sure, it's just the exhibition season. But when you are trying to overcome six seasons of tragic comedy, attempting to change an oft-toxic culture, showing up for work not ready to play because you might have been imbibing a bit too much the night before is not cool. In fact, it's downright shameful, and embarrassing.

Funny, that's how the Raiders themselves described their play.

"Obviously," sighed coach Tom Cable, "I'm embarrassed by that effort."

Added cornerback Chris Johnson: "Once we look at this film and see how we got embarrassed, a lot of guys are going to come to the front."

And this from linebacker Jon Alston, when asked what happened on the Coliseum floor: "Embarrassment."

The numbers don't lie; they only add to the mortification.

The Raiders' first-team defense played through the third quarter and was responsible for most of the 536 total yards surrendered, including a galling 232 yards on the ground.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees played three series and led them to touchdowns on drives of 80, 67 and 78 yards.

"I felt like a lot of times we were getting up to the ball, getting set and they were still trying to get lined up," Brees said.

On top of everything else is this: It was the all-important third exhibition game. The one coaches treat most like a regular-season affair. Meaning, they game-planned specifically for the opponent. So, there were no surprises.

And still, you get such humiliation.

At least none of the players were shrugging it off.

It hurt, and it should if they want to break through the recent wall of mediocrity.

"You've got to have a short memory," said linebacker Ricky Brown. "But you've got to learn from your mistakes."

Amen to that.

New defensive coordinator John Marshall essentially inherited the scheme the Raiders have used for years, so it's hard to put this all at his feet.

Besides, as Cable said, the defense was in position to make tackles. The players just failed to wrap.

"Effort is one thing, but we just didn't put it together," Ellis said. "We as players got to be critical of ourselves.

"We've got to make sure that we are committed to it ourselves, and I'm saying that meaning that we've got to make sure that, hey, I'm getting the proper rest."

Otherwise, prepare for more hangover games.