Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer puts the team's situation in perspective: "There's definitely a sense of urgency because we take a great amount of pride in what we do and how we help this team. And when we're not doing what we're supposed to do and I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do, it definitely hurts. (US Presswire) |
After struggling last week against Jacksonville, the Oakland Raiders' offensive line can't wait to make amends Sunday at Kansas City.
"I think there was obviously a sense of urgency with the offensive line," Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Friday after his team's final full practice of the week. "I thought they worked hard, as I believe they have all year long.
"I think they felt a sense of, 'Hey, we’re all proud men out here and we all want to do our job and do our job to the best of our ability. And when we don’t play as well as we want to, we look forward to the opportunity of getting back out there and proving ourselves again.' That group as a whole is looking forward to the opportunity to get back out there."
Jacksonville's front seven often overpowered the Raiders' O-line. The Raiders ran for only 54 yards on 26 carries, an average of 2.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Carson Palmer was sacked only twice but got hit numerous other times and took a beating.
"There's definitely a sense of urgency because we take a great amount of pride in what we do and how we help this team," Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer said. "And when we're not doing what we're supposed to do and I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do, it definitely hurts. We do take it to heart and won't sit around and accept it. With that attitude, I think we've taken a step this week in saying that's not going to be who we are, it's not our standard, we're better than this and no more of that."
Added center Stefen Wisniewski: "We didn't play our best last week. We got a real big game here, division opponent, on the road. It's a tough front seven. All factors kind of adding to the fact that the O-line has really got to have a big day. We're ready to go, we're feeling ready and excited for a physical ball game."
Veldheer will have one of the O-line's toughest matchups of the game Sunday, lining up against Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who had 12 sacks last year and four so far this season.
"He's a relentless guy," Veldheer said. "He's got great hand usage, great at flipping his hips and working towards the quarterback, not getting lost in his rush, always working towards that quarterback. (He's) a relentless guy. From a tackle's standpoint, this is one of those games where you really have to be on your technique. You can't get loose with your technique because he will make you pay if you start slipping up on technique stuff. He's a very good rusher. We're ready for the challenge. I'm excited."
Spencer update: Starting CB Shawntae Spencer was ruled out for Sunday and will miss his fifth straight game with a sprained right foot. He got off crutches and out of a walking boot last week but said he doesn't have a timetable for when he'll return to practice. "I'm not in control of the timetable," Spencer said. "Whatever they say is whatever they say. So I come to work, do whatever I got to do, do what they ask. Whenever doc clears me, he clears me."
Spencer hasn't been cleared to run or work out on the field. So far he's been limited to some light work on a treadmill.
"Nothing too exotic," Spencer said.
Is the pain gone?
"It depends," he said. "It's here and there, but you deal with it."
Injury report: The Raiders listed 20 players on their injury report, but only two as out for Sunday's game: OT Khalif Barnes (groin) and CB Spencer (foot).
Seven players were listed as questionable, including reserve LB Travis Goethel, who had back spasms after practice Thursday and was added to the injury report Friday. RB Taiwan Jones (knee), TE Richard Gordon (hamstring), LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder), DT Desmond Bryant (elbow), DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder) and DE Dave Tollefson (shoulder) are also questionable.
Bryant, who was injured last week against Jacksonville, returned to practice Friday on a limited basis after sitting out Thursday. He had a brace on his injured elbow.
“I would expect him to be able to go," Allen said. "He practiced today. I’ll get in there, visit with him and see how he’s feeling. But he looked like he was going to be fine to go for the game."
Gordon, the team's best blocker at tight end, has missed the last three games, but he practiced all week.
"He did OK," Allen said. "Again, we’ll wait and make a game-time decision on him as to whether we activate him for the game or not. I was encouraged by the way he looked this week.
"When he’s back to health and he’s fine and good to go he definitely gives us something as far as (blocking's) concerned."
Goethel will be a game-time decision.
"We'll see how he's doing Sunday, but he's better today than he was yesterday," Allen said.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.