After a so-so rookie season, though, Janikowski has been money,
making 96 of 114 for an 84 percent number.
"He's been outstanding ... he's one of our weapons," coach Norv Turner said.
However, this year Janikowski is now 3-for-7 on field goals. He has
missed as many as he missed all of last year and is under 50 percent
after making 89 percent of his field goals the previous two years.
His misses aren't necessarily the reason the Raiders are 0-3, even
though he took the blame for one loss and his two misses in Philadelphia
were the difference between a three-point loss and a three point win.
Turner is dumbfounded.
"There's not a lot you can say," Turner said. "It's a batter in a
slump. It's a great pitcher who starts throwing balls for a stretch.
"I've watched every kick in pre-game (warmups) and he didn't miss a
kick (in Philadelphia). He made a 57-yarder. The one that hit the
upright he hit it so high, I mean, it's a 50-yarder. It would've cleared
from 60.
"I think he will come out of it. He's kicked so well in pre-game,
particularly this game. He just needs to get in his rhythm completely.
He's a confident guy and he knows he's got the ability.
"He will get on a roll and he'll make a bunch in a row."
NOTES, QUOTES
-- WR Randy Moss has only agreed to take questions once since his
arrival at camp in early August, so his take on the Eagles' means of
defending him and their accusations that he can be encouraged to dog it
and take plays off went unanswered following the Philadelphia game.
Explaining why the Eagles changed coverages on Moss repeatedly,
safety Brian Dawkins said the intent was to frustrate Moss.
"When you're facing that kind of coverage, maybe he doesn't go out
and run like he usually would run," Dawkins said. "In his mind, he's
thinking, well I can't get past the safety and it takes a weapon away
from that offense."
"I don't think Randy takes many plays off," coach Norv Turner said.
"I think there are times when he runs some routes at a change of pace
speed and I think that is one of his strengths. And he's lulled some
guys to sleep and got big plays, coming off easy and then taking off."
-- The Raiders' 0-3 start marks the sixth time in the club's 46-year
history they have failed to win before the season was a month old.
They have never wound up winning more than eight games and only twice
have they won more than five.
"Everyone gets caught up on this 0-3 thing," coach Norv Turner said.
"There have been teams that have lost three straight games and had
outstanding seasons."
Actually, the Raiders lost four straight in 2002 but finished 11-5
and reached the Super Bowl.
PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES
-- WR Randy Moss came out late in Sunday's game. Coach Norv Turner
said it was a decision from the sidelines.
-- Rookie CB Fabian Washington replaced rookie CB Stanford Routt in
the nickel against Philadelphia.
-- CB Charles Woodson suffered no after effects of the blow to the
head that caused him to leave Sunday's game in Philadelphia. However, he
practiced carefully Monday after reporting the day after the game with a
sore knee.
-- TE Courtney Anderson (knee) was held out of Monday's walkthrough
complaining of soreness.
-- FB John Paul Foschi was inactive for the Philadelphia game.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
REPORT CARD vs. EAGLES
PASSING OFFENSE: B-plus -- The numbers for Kerry Collins were very
respectable (24-for-42 for 345 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions)
and he has now thrown 116 passes without a pick. When the Eagles rolled
coverage to WR Randy Moss, Collins made use of TE Courtney Anderson
(5-100) and hit Doug Gabriel for a touchdown. Protection was excellent
against a tough Eagles' defense.
RUSHING OFFENSE: F -- Awful. The ground game netted 21 yards in 22
carries against a team that kept a safety deep. The Raiders did not
handle Philly's run blitzes well and LaMont Jordan had nowhere to run.
It didn't help matters that he seemed to run directly into the flow on
delays.
PASS DEFENSE: D -- Donovan McNabb passed for 266 yards in the second
half, a 532-yard pace. Unforgivable. The pass rush only netted one sack
but was generally OK offering pressure. Warren Sapp had one interception
and nearly another. To be kind, coverage was spotty. No way RB Brian Westbrook should catch six passes for 140 yards. The penalty list
included two illegal contacts, one interference, one holding and one
roughing the passer. Damage: five first downs.
RUSH DEFENSE: C -- After two solid games, the Raiders were just OK.
The Eagles only gained 83 yards but their game plan didn't involve much
running (18 attempts). It was largely a non-issue.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D-plus -- Sebastian Janikowski is now 3-for-7 on field
goals after clanging one off the left upright from 49 and going wide
left from 37. Make one and it's overtime, make both and Raiders win.
Kick coverage was adequate, returns were pedestrian at best. Shane
Lechler's fine punting is a given.
COACHING: B -- The game plan was good enough to win against a
difficult opponent in a difficult venue. The players continue to play
hard for Norv Turner. They just keep beating themselves. Penalties
continue unabated at a record pace.
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