The Oakland Raiders made a much needed quarterback adjustment at half-time. Trailing the St. Louis Rams 7-3 the Raiders came out to start the third quarter with Bruce 'Almighty' Gradkowski at the helm. The offense responded as Gradkowski led them down the field with his passing. The Raiders would settle for a Janikowski field goal, but Bruuuce had clearly changed the flavor of the game for Oaktown.
Chants of Bruuuce were heard throughout the Oakland Coliseum as the Raiders seemed to get a jolt of life in all three phases of the game. The Special Teams kicked off to the Rams and the poor kick returner was leveled by a Raiders missile that drew oohs from the fans. It was the best hit on a kick returner I've seen from a Raider in quite some time. Highlight reel smackdown is what it was. I hope to find it and post it here. The hit was so jarring that the big screen replayed it about half a dozen times. It literally jarred the fans awake and got them more into the game. Here's a description from Silver & Black Report:
On the ensuing kick off, Oakland’s special teams would introduce themselves to the Ram’s returner Mardy Gilyard when Raider LB Quentin Groves absolutely BLASTED Gilyard after an 18 yard gain. To Gilyard’s credit, he held onto the ball, but stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes to recover from the “snot bubbler” just freshly dished out by Groves. The Raider home crowd got extremely loud after the hit heard around the world.
Chants of Bruuuce must've inspired the Defense as well, as they began playing with a killer passion and controlling the elusive Rams running back Stephen Jackson. When Bruccce did finally throw a four-yard touchdown to wide-receiver Louis Murphy, capping an 83-yard drive, the Coliseum went buZZerk. Here in only the first home game and second overall game of the season Bruuuce was being crowned a Raider Legend by both fans and players alike.
Chants of Bruuuce were heard throughout the Oakland Coliseum as the Raiders seemed to get a jolt of life in all three phases of the game. The Special Teams kicked off to the Rams and the poor kick returner was leveled by a Raiders missile that drew oohs from the fans. It was the best hit on a kick returner I've seen from a Raider in quite some time. Highlight reel smackdown is what it was. I hope to find it and post it here. The hit was so jarring that the big screen replayed it about half a dozen times. It literally jarred the fans awake and got them more into the game. Here's a description from Silver & Black Report:
On the ensuing kick off, Oakland’s special teams would introduce themselves to the Ram’s returner Mardy Gilyard when Raider LB Quentin Groves absolutely BLASTED Gilyard after an 18 yard gain. To Gilyard’s credit, he held onto the ball, but stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes to recover from the “snot bubbler” just freshly dished out by Groves. The Raider home crowd got extremely loud after the hit heard around the world.
Chants of Bruuuce must've inspired the Defense as well, as they began playing with a killer passion and controlling the elusive Rams running back Stephen Jackson. When Bruccce did finally throw a four-yard touchdown to wide-receiver Louis Murphy, capping an 83-yard drive, the Coliseum went buZZerk. Here in only the first home game and second overall game of the season Bruuuce was being crowned a Raider Legend by both fans and players alike.
Questions of quarterback controversy sprung up immediately. Do you start Bruuuce next game or do you bring back Jason Campbell? Most are sold on Bruuuce being the Raiders starting quarterback. I myself have always felt that Bruuuce earned starting status with his incredible play and leadership last season.
Coach Cable has a few days to think about how he'll handle the question of starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Raider Nation is rollicking in the first Raiders win of the 2010 season and feel with Bruuuce at the helm, this season will be much different than seasons past.
Coach Cable has a few days to think about how he'll handle the question of starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Raider Nation is rollicking in the first Raiders win of the 2010 season and feel with Bruuuce at the helm, this season will be much different than seasons past.
Game Ball goes to RB Darren McFadden who showed speed, power and most of all durability running around and through Rams defenders.
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D-Mac ties for top rusher in NFL week 2:
McFadden, Oak. ------30 carries for 145 yards
Peterson, Minn. ------28 carries for 145 yards
Snelling, Atl. ---------24 carries for 129 yards
McCoy, Phi. -----------16 carries for 120 yards
Hightower, Ari. ------11 carries for 115 yards
Final Score
Rams 14
Raiders 16
