Monday’s 22-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers didn’t go as planned for the Oakland Raiders, who failed to score a touchdown until the final minute of the game and committed multiple blunders on special teams -- mainly, from its long snapping position.
Chargers Vs. Raiders, Week 1: Long Snapping Woes Lead To Raiders’ Season-Opening Loss
The special teams troubles were nothing new for the Raiders, who had experienced terrible play from the unit since the preseason, says the SB Nation blog Sliver and Black Pride.
In the preseason, the special teams were horrendous. But even through it all, it was thought that once the regular season began and the roster was trimmed to its final 53, those issues would leave with them. Well, those issues are still here and worse than ever.
The biggest issue was dealing with the loss of Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo, who suffered a head injury during a Charger's punt return early in the second quarter. From there, the punting unit that features Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler was a nightmare for the silver and black.
Taking Condo's place at long snapper was reserve middle linebacker, Travis Goethel. That turned out to be a choice that would doom the Raiders and turn this game into an absolute debacle.
Goethel had three snaps and only of them was successful punt.. barely. The first punt was low causing Lechler to not be able to field it cleanly and he didn't get the punt away. The second was a flat out block thanks to a snap that was slow and wobbly. The third, he barely got away without it being blocked again. And the final punt was skipped across the ground resulting in Lechler not getting ahold of it and him falling on the ball.
According to Goethel, he earned the backup job because he was the only one in training camp that stood out.
“Trust me, I wish it never happened,” said Goethel after the game.
For all things Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride. For the latest on all things Chargers, check out Bolts from the Blue.
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