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| Raiders Shut Out in Oakland (Football) | |
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 Oakland, 12.17.06
The Oakland Raiders were shut out for the third time this season and tied a season-high with five turnovers, falling 20-0 to the St. Louis Rams and losing their seventh game in a row. These are definitely tough times for the Raiders and their fans, as things just continue to get uglier one week at a time.
Oakland turned the ball over on the opening drive for the third straight game. Coach Art Shell pulled starting quarterback Aaron Brooks out of the game after an interception and incomplete pass on fourth down. Andrew Walter took over in the fourth quarter, and his first series began with three false starts, a sack, and an interception for the icing on the cake. Walter added another interception to his resume later in the quarter.
Oakland had been shut out at home one time since 1963. They have been shut out on their home field twice this season alone, and their 12 losses is the highest in team history. “It’s just embarrassing, said Brooks. “It’s embarrassing because we’re better than that.”
Are they? Three interceptions, two lost fumbles, nine penalties, and zero points suggest otherwise. The Raiders are not even competitive anymore, and their trademark slogan of a “commitment to excellence” has become nothing more than comedic material for sports talk show hosts around the country.
Raider receiver Ronald Curry had another solid game catching the football, finishing with nice catches for 87 yards.
Right now it’s really a race between Oakland and the Detroit Lions, the league’s two 12 loss teams, for the first overall pick in the draft. With wide speculation that the Raiders may select star Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, NFL analyst Mike Golic noted that if he is selected by Oakland, he should invest in some body armor.
The Raiders will try to stop the bleeding next week against their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, for another home game in Oakland. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.
Title Pic: Aaron Brooks Scrambling to throw the ball
Photographs: Edwin Suarez
© CityAthletes.com
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| Written By |
| Jordan Whittenburg |
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