Week 2: Raiders Block out Chiefs

In what turned out to be Oakland's inaugural Home game of what will hopefully be the first of many between the Head Coaches of this famed Canarsie Football League, the outcome showed the diverse and intense play calling by KC's Paul Blocher and myself. Me and Paul both agreed that the game was decided by a blocked punt recovered for a TD by my Oakland Defense late in the 3 rd quarter that turned a 12-7 lead into 19-7, that's how close this game was. The defenses ruled this game. Penalties as we all know are something that cannot be coached. My Oakland team had another blocked punt returned for a TD reversed due to "Defensive Holding" and KC had to settle for a Field Goal when a TD was called back. HOPEFULLY no game is decided at the end due to one of these PENALTIES. Being the home team, winning the game but having the visitors Otis Taylor WR win the MVP leaves my special teams feeling quite disrespected. The first QTR ended 3-0 Raider's on the first of 4 field goals by George Blanda (24 yards) after the Offense netted 18 yards on 6 plays after a Defensive takeaway. This shows KC's defense was a force that I couldn't get through, as beginning field position played it's importance on both sides. Oakland took a 6-0 lead with 1:51 left in the half on another field goal after a takeaway (13 yarder) that was after gaining 5 yards on 3 plays, WOW !!. Famed QB Len Dawson finished a (6-71) drive with a 4 yard throw to Stroud spitting out the Oakland Defensive scheme like chewing tobacco and a Stenerud kick to make it 7-6. Oakland then took the ensuing kickoff far into KC's territory and the half ended with Blanda kicking his 3 rd field goal after Oakland's inept offense netted 15 yards on 3 plays. The first half ended Oakland 9 Kansas City 7. If it weren't for my Defensive takeaways KC would have blown my team out by now since I couldn't move the ball on Mr. Blocher's defense. The 3 rd quarter went scoreless until with 3:02 left my Raiders marched 57 yards 8 plays THEN stifled by KC's DEF that forced MR. Blanda (respect earned since I would be scoreless to this point) to kick the last of his 4 field goals for 17 yards making it 12-7 Raiders. Here is where I wish I could have taken credit for a play call but after pinning back KC's next offensive possession my insulted special teams blocked there second (even though the first one was overturned due to a PENALTY) for a TD with 1:24 left making it 19-7. KC had enough and Hall Of Fame QB Len Dawson took the first offensive snap after the ensuing kickoff and connected with MVP Otis Taylor on a 77 yard TD pass, extra point good ended the 3 rd QTR scoring making it a five point lead that would hold 19-14 Raiders. Raiders Hall Of Fame? QB Ken "The Snake" Stabler was furious with my offensive play calling and had an earful for me on the sidelines to have the offensive coordinator open up the play calling since we now had the wind behind us and he saw his rival torch our defense on OUR TURF !!. I gave him the right to audible 1 play if he deemed the defensive set up favorable, BUT I would bench him if he didn't connect. On 3 rd and short he saw a heavy run 8 man box, I had called a running play, only to have him audible and call a play action long pass to Hall Of Famer Cliff Branch for a 65 yard TD making it 26-14 with 14:52 remaining. He refused to shake my hand on the sideline "I TOLD YOU SO" mentality. Both defenses became stingy until Len Dawson capped a 9 play 76 1:58 14 yard TD pass to MVP Otis Taylor making it the final score 26-21 with 1:01 left. KC tried the onside kick that my Raiders recovered and ran out the clock. WHEW !!!!!!. Remember gents I am not much of a play by play writer. Until week 3 I saw so long.
-contributed by Jay "Buzz" Schneider-