Those wacky Raiders!
Raiders notes
Team celebrates TDs ... in practice
By Jason Jones
jejones@sacbee.comPublished: Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | Page 7C
ALAMEDA – The Raiders have been celebrating touchdowns more lately.
Don't be puzzled if you haven't seen the revelry.
The Raiders are emphasizing getting into the end zone and practicing doing something they haven't done a lot of – celebrating the score – during practice.
The Raiders have scored the fewest touchdowns in the NFL – nine.
It's the latest ploy by interim coach Tom Cable to coax some good vibes out of an offense that has been field-goal happy most of the season as the Raiders prepare to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
"Now we do a thing in practice, where guys run to the end zone," quarterback JaMarcus Russell said. "Or we make it in the end zone, as far as the offense, (we) congratulate those guys, get used to doing it. The more you get used to it, the more you'll be better with it on the field, as a team."
Cable is especially concerned that the Raiders have one touchdown in the first half this season. He said he has examined each first-half possession, looking for ways to spark the offense early.
After Sunday's loss in Baltimore, Cable said scoring a touchdown in the first half would help the morale of the team that hasn't been able to jump on opponents despite good field position.
"I think it's more planning how you want to do it early in the game," Cable said. "Hopefully we'll have a little more success with it this week."
The Raiders might look to be more aggressive early, throwing the ball more instead of relying heavily on the run.
The lone first-half touchdown was a rare big play – a 63-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Miller. But mainly, it has been field goals for the Raiders.
"You want to go down and score," wide receiver Javon Walker said. "Set the tone, to help our defense play what they need to play and do the things that they need to do with the lead. … We haven't been scoring a lot of touchdowns lately but, when it comes, it's just going to keep on rolling."