Raiders lead NFL in big plays

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ALAMEDA -- No doubt the Raiders are a team in transition.But have they maintained their offensive identity throughout so much roster upheaval in the wake of Al Davis' passing on Oct. 8?The stats supplied by STATS LLC bear this out. Consider: Oakland's 54 plays of at least 20 yards leads the NFL. Carolina is second, with 49 such plays. Dallas (48), Philadelphia and San Diego (47 each) and New Orleans (46) round out the top six.The league average, meanwhile, is 36.Hue Jackson's "build a bully" mantra begins in the trenches and, accordingly, the Raiders have a league-leading 17 runs of at least 20 yards this season. The league average? Seven.
And the addition of Carson Palmer has not hindered the vertical game so loved by the late Davis, and embodied by former QB Daryle The Mad Bomber Lamonica. In fact, it's only been enhanced.In 76 attempts, Palmer has 17 completions of at least 20 yards; Jason Campbell had 17 such completions in 165 attempts.And Palmer is seven-for 16 for 237 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for a 104.2 passer rating on passes of at least 21 yards through the air.Mad Bomber Redux, indeed.

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