Oakland Raiders PR Machine In Motion - AP Writes About Passing Game

Obviously stinging from the negative PR about Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh, The Oakland Raiders and the AP got together to do this article on the Raiders passing game and the role of the tight ends.

Tight Ends May Be Big in Raiders Offense

By JOSH DUBOW
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 22, 2006; 5:51 AM

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Aaron Brooks dropped back to pass on his second play from scrimmage and found tight end Courtney Anderson for an easy 9-yard completion.

The strategy continued all game long, as Oakland Raiders tight ends had 10 catches against San Francisco _ a big change from recent years.

Coach Art Shell has stressed all training camp that his offense is suited to those big guys in the middle of the field. Now it's beginning to show.

"I have always said since I first got here that our tight ends are going to be an integral part of what we do," Shell said. "It always has been in the history of the Raiders that tight ends have always been big for us. In our scheme, the tight end will be a factor for us."

From Raymond Chester to Dave Casper to Todd Christensen, tight ends have played a big part in the Raiders' success. But it was an aspect of the passing game that was often overlooked in Norv Turner's system the past two seasons.

Tight ends had 49 catches in 2004 and only 37 last season. Anderson caught two touchdown passes in last year's opener against New England and had five receptions for 100 yards in Week 3 against Philadelphia before disappearing for much of the rest of the season.

"If you watch the tape from last year, you'll see a number of times where not to say we forced the ball downfield, but there were times the ball could have been thrown underneath to a tight end," Randal Williams said. "Those 10- and 20-yard plays move the ball and move the chains. We're going to take advantage of that this year."

With Shell bringing back the traditional power running, deep strike passing offense, the tight ends figure to get plenty of chances again this season.

Brooks expects that with all the attention Randy Moss draws on the outside, his tight ends will have plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field.

"When you've got 18 on your side, someone else has to be open," Brooks said about Moss. "I thought the tight ends did a wonderful job catching the football. If teams continue to double team Randy Moss, we have to use our other guys and they have to step up. I thought they did a great job."

After the passing game struggled as a whole the first two preseason games, the offense began to click in Sunday night's 23-7 victory over the 49ers.

Four tight ends combined for 10 receptions for 158 yards. Williams led the way with three catches for 53 yards, O.J. Santiago caught three balls for 33 yards, rookie John Madsen had two catches for 52 yards and Anderson caught two balls for 20 yards.

The Raiders also had a touchdown pass to Anderson called back on a questionable pass interference penalty.

"I think this offense is geared to running the ball and getting the ball downfield to our receivers," Williams said. "The fact that we have receivers capable of making big plays means the defense has to worry about that. That creates opportunities for the tight ends. ... It's up to us to make the most of those opportunities."