Last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders continued a new wrinkle in their offense. Trailing late in the game, Oakland went to a no huddle offense to push the pace of the game and keep the defense from making substitutions. Because this is only his first year in the new Greg Knapp offense, Carson Palmer is just becoming comfortable in the no huddle, but expects it to get easier as the offense gels.
“A big thing you get in a no huddle is bluff coverage and bluff pressures,” Palmer said. “It is not completely a veteran thing; it’s more years in the offense. The more and more comfortable I get within this offense the more of a package we will put in I am sure. Just because this is year one, I am still learning in it and growing in it so as the season goes on and I get more and more comfortable within the offense I am sure the package will expand a little bit.”
The Raiders did not start using the no huddle attack until their second drive of the fourth quarter when they trailed by three points. On the nine play, 50 yard drive, Oakland used five no huddle plays, four of which were runs to Darren McFadden. They came away with a game tying field goal.
On their final drive of the afternoon, the Raiders again mixed in some no huddle offense and came away with a game winning Sebastian Janikowski 44 yard field goal. There is tremendous responsibility put on Palmer and center Stefen Wisniewski when the team goes without a huddle. Both players must identify the protection schemes and Palmer must make sure the skill position players know the call and where to line up. Because of its effectiveness, the Raiders may work it into the offense more this week and especially after the bye week.
“There’s a lot communication that’s really difficult on the road and it really limits you in what you can do,” Palmer said. “Especially at the center spot. There are so many things that can happen to the center. Then you get to gun and he’s got to worry about making sure that you’re ready for the snap and getting the ball back to you. It definitely limits you and puts a lot of stress on those guys. But Wiz being a second-year guy, acts and plays like an eighth, ninth, tenth year guy. That’s been a bonus for us.”
Now the Raiders will travel to play the Denver Broncos this Sunday. With the hostile atmosphere in an AFC rivalry game, Oakland will have to be meticulous in its preparation to run the no huddle and execute the offense.
“Our fans get it,” Palmer said. “They understand football; they know what we’re trying to do. They do a good job of staying quiet. As soon as you get on the road it really changes everything, makes it a lot more difficult.”
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