Bills vs. Raiders Key Matchups: Oakland's Secondary Passing Game

by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2011 4:30 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Yesterday, we discussed the fact that the Oakland Raiders are entering their Week 2 matchup with the Buffalo Bills very thin at wide receiver. Two of the team's top three receivers, Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy, have already been declared out of the game due to injury. A third, Darrius Heyward-Bey, is listed as questionable with a knee injury - so even if he plays, his effectiveness may be limited.

Yes, the Raiders do have some depth. Derek Hagan is a veteran player, and rookie Denarius Moore has a ton of talent. On a run-first team, however, the Bills may end up being more concerned with two secondary receiving targets that are flying under the radar: tight end Kevin Boss and fullback Marcel Reece.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell has been heavily reliant on tight ends throughout his career, and Boss - a free agent signing from New York - was missed while out due to injury in Week 1. He has a chance to quickly become one of Campbell's favorite targets. Reece, meanwhile, has developed into a dangerous weapon as a fullback, where he already has a receiving touchdown this year, and where he caught 25 passes for 333 yards and three scores in 2010.

The Bills have bigger fish to fry against Oakland - namely stopping the run - but if they're not cognizant of these two threats, the likes of Nick Barnett, Chris Kelsay, George Wilson and others could be giving up scores on Sunday.

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I would like to see a heavy set in on Sunday

Edwards-Williams-Darius
Carrington(kelsay)-Barnett-Morrison-Marriman

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Sep 17, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

It would be so beautiful if the 7 are able to stop the run without having to stack the box with an eighth defender, allowing 4 DBs to stop the passing attack.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Sep 18, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes right on

We will need to use our large ones to stop the Raiders

And use Morrison and Barnett in Nickel with Carrington, Dareus, Meatball and Johnson as 4 down lineman

Hold dMac <100 yards and Bush to < 40 yards and we win

by freddyjj on Sep 17, 2011 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

The bad thing about all the Raiders Injured Players.

The 1st bad thing about them having so many injured players. Is that we are going to have to hear all the Negative people, saying we beat them because they weren’t full strength.
The 2nd bad thing is it would be nice for our team to go into week 3 fully tested and ready to compete with proven teams that we are going to play in the weeks to come.
Go Bills!!!

by Firedan on Sep 17, 2011 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

Eh, we have injuries too. McGee, arguably our best CB, is out, so their WR corps having a couple of players out means little to me. If we have better DB depth than they have WR depth, so be it.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Sep 18, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Iain420

With a name like that I know you are high. Your probably mad still about that 41-3 whoppon we put on you yrs ago. But then again you probably have long term memory loss and don’t remember:-) Go Bills!

by Firedan on Sep 17, 2011 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

I will have to correct you on that score

it was 51-3.

Re-sign Josh Willingham now!

by sf drift king on Sep 17, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair, I think it was 41-3 at halftime. It finished 51-3 :)

by Munchausen on Sep 18, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

right!

they took their foot off the gas in the 2nd half.

Re-sign Josh Willingham now!

by sf drift king on Sep 18, 2011 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Beware a wounded adversary

They are always dangerous. I worry more about unknown rookies making their NFL debut in a skilled position than a known veteran. Nothing i hate more, than when a star is born at our expense!

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Sep 17, 2011 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I guess oakland’s best came out to comment.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Sep 17, 2011 8:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

really???

I thought it was just some kid prankster….

Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!

by Cinga on Sep 17, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess oakland’s best came out to comment.

really???

I thought it was just some kid prankster….

They’re mutually exclusive now?

by NordicBillsfan on Sep 17, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I said earlier in the week that Scott should get matched up with Reese. He’s the type of threat that will give the Bills fits. He’s big, quick and can catch. They ran an end around to their fullback! The Bills need to watch him.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Sep 17, 2011 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

Reece not Reese…..oh well, it’s been that kind of week for me

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Sep 17, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Brian, nice write-up

but you forgot to mention Chaz Schillens. I was shocked that he was in the game last week because he’s forever injured. Imo, he’s a probowler if not for his injuries. He’s a possession receiver who you will have to pay attention to. Don’t be surprised if he has a big game. Hoping for a great game tomorrow!

Re-sign Josh Willingham now!

by sf drift king on Sep 17, 2011 11:25 PM EDT reply actions