Sideline to sideline range

Michael Huff's sideline to sideline range may have been ok, but how about how he does on the other side of the white chalk? I'm just curious because that's where Michael Huff will be starting the game out on Sunday. The five game run with him as the Raiders' free safety has come to an end, for the time being. Hiram Eugene will start in his place.

It's about time some new blood got injected into the secondary. The way DeAngelo Hall has been covering this year, it won't hurt to have someone lively back there. Someone not afraid to lay the wood to someone. Someone that can help over the top of DeAngelo and still help out in the run game and tackle well in the open field.

In all honesty, regardless of the position, what's it hurt to shake things up a bit? What do we have to lose? Another game? We're not exactly battling for the league's best record, so let's put some guys on the hot seat, let's make people put forth the effort and earn their spots.

It also sounds like things will get shaken up at the wide receiver spot. Chaz Schilens is going to see the field more. It sounds like Javon Walker and Ronald Curry will still get the start, but Schilens will see significantly more playing time. Hopefully, this will inject some life in the passing game. Now, if Russell is throwing balls 10 rows deep into The Black Hole, it won't matter. But, again, what's it going to hurt?

At least the staff is trying things. They can see that the best we can do is run the ball 50 times a game and just stop the run on defense. Something has to give in the passing game and in the secondary. Let's hope these moves can help things along.

A few notes for Sunday:

- The game is sold out, so it will be on local TV in Oakland (for all you Bay Area members of Raider Nation)
- Derrick Burgess did not practice again with the triceps injury. He's listed as questionable for Sunday.
- Darren McFadden's toe is healing and the pain is subsiding. Hopefully his cutting ability will return and this should translate into more carries this Sunday.
- Ben Troupe did not practice with a foot injury (Guess we'll be waiting another week to see how that acquisition will pay off.)