HC Dennis Allen said the Raiders made a few tweaks to the running game during the bye week, but did not get rid of the zone-blocking scheme, which is new this season and has been partially to blame for the struggles.
"You can't throw everything out and just start over in the middle of the year," Allen said. "There have been a few tweaks, a few emphasis points but nothing like a drastic change other than we've got to execute better."
The Raiders' offensive linemen say they are getting more comfortable moving together in this scheme, blocking off an area as opposed to individual defenders. The running back is supposed to make one cut and run for daylight.
"[Darren McFadden] is doing a great job with the reads," RB coach Kelly Skipper said. "We just need to keep grinding. And all of a sudden, it will start popping. Big runs everywhere."
The Raiders are last in the league in rushing yards per game (60.8) after finishing 7th in that category in 2011 and 2nd in 2010. McFadden has the best remaning SOS, so it's not a bad time to try to buy low.
