The Running Man

The Fullback has always been an integral part of the old-school Raider offense. From Marv Hubbard smashing through plate glass windows after games...

to Pete Banaszak plowing for 16 TDs in '75 despite habitually believing he was expendable and would be cut during training camp...


to Mark VanEeghen repeatedly pounding the "D" like it was a tube of Colgate toothpaste someone forgot to put the cap back on...

to Marcus Allen lead blocking for Bo Jackson on one play and diving over the goaline the next...

to Zack Crockett running all knees and elbows like the Tasmanian Devil as the best short yardage back in the NFL. Crockett was once a guaranteed fourth and short conversion waiting to happen. But he is no lead blocker and never will be.

Now the Raiders have no blocking Fullback to speak of. John Paul Foschi is gone. Yet the front page story on the official website is The Running Game Breaks Out.

What have they broken out into? Hives? Hysterics? Hope?

We have seen Gallery and Sims lead a couple of great power sweeps. LaMont Jordan was sprung for a 60-yard, take-it-to-the-house run on such a play vs. the Cleveland Clowns. This is progress.

Yes, the O-line did show improvement vs. the Clowns in opening holes for big gains. Can it be consistent? The line failed miserably on a fourth down run after the refs mis-spotted Curry and his obvious first down grab...

However, Jordan confessed this offseason that he hadn't studied the blocking schemes AT ALL last season after coming to Oakland. Jordan didn't put in the time to learn the schemes, and he's supposed to be the leader of the offense? Don't think so, ya big dummy!

My guess is this is one reason LaMont looks hesitant in hitting the holes is he doesn't understand the scheme. Another reason is the holes just aren't there because the blockers don't make 'em appear regularly.

Still, methinks something is missing in Oakland, namely backs who can block. Where is our Lorenzo Neal, Mack Strong, or Tony Richardson as a lead blocker to get this running game on the ground? The fierce lead blocker to stack the LB sure works for LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and Shawn Alexander. Not coincidentally, these RB typically lead the league in rushing.

Where is our Edgerrin James to pass protect on all the seven-step drops? Peyton Manning's success hinged upon James' skill to pick up the rushers. Get pressure on Manning and the results are much different for the Colts. So the Colts drafted Joseph Addai, who's best attribute may be picking up the pass rusher.

And the Raiders? Crockett and Jordan simply do not pass protect well at all.

Where is the lead blocker to pave the way? Where is the RB to pick up the blitzers the unorganized Oakland Offensive Line lets in to the backfield like illegal immigrants jumping across the California border?

Tom Walsh was once touted for his ability to have backs and TEs pass protect during his first run with Shell a decade ago. Pass protection was supposed to be one of his specialties in the '90s. Where is it now?

The '69ers know: Missing In Action. They are going to send rookie LB Manny Lawson to look for the FB. When they find the blocking back is M.I.A., they are going to find Walter... unless something changes. Look for my fellow NC State alumnus, Lawson, to have a big game. I saw him play many times in college and he is the real deal.

At 1-3, San Francisco doesn't bring much to the table. But they can do one thing right. The '69ers are tied for fifth most sacks in the NFL with twelve.