Remember the days when the Raiders were famous for their vertical passing game, for beating teams with the long ball?
Today, more than ever, those days seem lost forever. These days, the Raiders’ tight end, Zach Miller, leads the team with 29 catches and 430 yards.
That brings us to the Raiders’ starting wideouts for Sunday’s game at Invesco Field at Mile High. One, rookie Chaz Schilens, is a seventh-rounder out of San Diego State. He has eight catches in 10 games.
The other, Ashley Lelie, was signed as a free agent after being cut by the 49ers. In case you’re wondering if he’s the same Ashley Lelie who once started for the Broncos, don’t. He has seven catches.
I only mention this stuff because if the Raiders are going to beat the Broncos, they don’t figure to do it with the passing game. Tailbacks Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden figure to be the focal point of the offense.
That will keep the pressure on the Broncos’ rebuilt linebacking corps, which features a grand total of no starters from Denver’s season-opening win at Oakland.
Rookies Wesley Woodyard and Spencer Larsen are starting along with journeyman Jamie Winborn. Those are the three players who could be the keys to Sunday’s game.
They played well at Atlanta, holding the Falcons to 3.3 yards per carry. If they can duplicate that performance Sunday, Mike Shanahan figures to get his latest in a long line of season sweeps against his old team.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
