NFL Primetime's take on our troubles
 

According to ESPN a lot of our problem is LJ. He looks complacent and "he's not stroking it in there like used to." They mentioned his new contract, too. Recommended benching him if that's the effort he gives.

Obviously it's not ALL him, but if you watch the plays he looks timid. He's not always HITTING holes. How responsible is LJ for our rushing game?

He is getting no blocking at all. I had endzone seats Sunday and the one thing I could see real well was there was no holes for LJ to hit. RBs with no blocking look like this.

I watch alot of Raider's games because a friend of mine is a fan. The past 2 years Lamont Jordan danced, ran into the back of lineman, etc just like LJ is doing now. This season Jordan has some blocking, is hitting his holes and as a result he was leading the NFL in rushing before his injury.

LJ isn't the problem IMO

but once in the open field, lately it's been the first contact that brings him down...

I think there's some truth to that. Nobody could have run well with the way our O-Line played yesterday, the few touches he got, and Jacksonville's excellent defense, but he does look different this season.

No holes = no yards unless your name is Barry Sanders.

So last year LJ is praised for learning to be so patient from Priest. Waiting for the hole to open up, and hitting hard when it does. Now he's trying the same thing, but the holes are not there, and it's his fault.

Remind me again why I should care what ESPN says?

Who gives a rat's ass what Merrill Hoge has to say about our squad?

Yesterday was a perfect example of LJ's lack of effort when compared to the Jacksonville backs. They'd fall forward for 2 yards, and LJ would fall down for 0.

He isn't running hard, and he isn't bouncing outside when there's no hole for him to hit. He's stuttering up to the pile half-assed and laying down.

He just got a PHAT new contract. What did you guys expect? Another 400 carry and possible 2000 yard season?

What bothers me most is that he will blame the line and create problems in the locker room.

I say activate Holmes and let LJ ride the pine for a few games and piss him off good and maybe we will see some of the OLD LJ back after some pouting time on the bench?

I agree. Maybe it was the hold out, I don't know but his timing seems like it is really off. Some of the failed rushing attempts you can put on the O-line but LJ is not running the same.

Except when he is hit 3 yds. deep in the backfield.

He use to charge the hole so fast he busted thru a small opening, now he go thru the motions. He wants a bigger hole to drill thru. He should treat that OL like like sex, see a small hole and drill it.

That is what I have been seeing exactly.

Never happen. The old Larry was pissed because he wasn't getting a chance to show he needed a new contract. The only thing he's missing by not playing now is street cred.

If Larry was half-assing it, why would he care so much after the game? I don't think he's half-assing it.