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HOUSTON — One glaring problem with the Raiders' doomsday offense is its lack of leadership.

Why else would defensive end Greg Ellis be the one huddling up the offense on the sideline during the first half of Sunday's 29-6, Texas-sized whipping by the Houston Texans?

Because quarterback JaMarcus Russell hasn't shown the willingness to do so in between his erratic passes.

Because running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are too young (and combined for just 7 yards rushing Sunday).

Because the young wide receivers are too busy dropping passes (nine, by the head coach's count).

Because the offensive line is a jumbled mess without veteran guard Robert Gallery (broken leg).

And because the head coach, Tom Cable, is losing an all-too-familiar fight (no pun intended) as this franchise keeps finding ways to hurt itself.

So there was Ellis, a 12-year NFL veteran, standing in front of the Raiders' bench and telling the offense how it is. This came 10 minutes before halftime, with the Raiders down only 13-3.

For the fourth time in five series, the offense had just taken three snaps and summoned punter Shane Lechler. This time, however, the Raiders' three-and-out series consisted of three passes going in and out of rookie receiver Louis Murphy's hands.

It was the perfect time for someone to take charge before this began resembling all those blowouts we have seen since 2003. That Ellis was the one to speak up is both encouraging (for his sake) and disturbing (for the offense's).

"He's been on good teams, so he knows what it takes," tight end Zach Miller said.

Therein rests a key fault with so many young Raiders on offense: This is the only team they know, and they don't have anyone credible enough to rally them in dire times.

"(Ellis) was just telling the offense to play with heart and make it matter to you, that each guy has to do his own job and don't try to do too much," Miller said. "He's a good leader for the team.

"When things start going like that, a defensive guy can say what he wants, but our offense has to go out there and be the ones to get a drive going and score points. We didn't do that. How much is a leadership thing? I don't know. If we play like that, we're not going to win any games."

They certainly won't be favored to win any before their Nov. 8 bye. They're sitting ducks for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers.

Ellis came to Oakland — after 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys — with hopes of rebuilding the Raiders. He has credibility, and he had the offense's attention during his sideline speech (although Russell didn't look too interested while standing behind him).

Said Ellis: "It's just team talk. It's just, 'Guys, let's hang in there. Keep playing together. A higher concentration level. Catch the ball. Little things like that.' I'm not the one that's going to finger-point to anybody, but it's just what I see. And that's concentrate a little bit more. We can do it."

How did Russell cope Sunday?

"He seemed calm," rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said. "He seemed like JaMarcus always (is): poise in the huddle, calling plays and running this offense the way it needs to be run."

Actually, that offense couldn't have been run much worse than Sunday's showing. Russell (12 of 33, 128 yards, one fumble) wasn't the worst offender, and that should tell you how bad his supporting cast was.

McFadden had six carries for minus-3 yards, while Bush had three carries for 10 yards and a fumble. Justin Fargas had 10 carries for 24 yards but also got dropped in the end zone for a safety.

That wasn't Fargas' fault. The Raiders' horrible line — Cable's baby — allowed the Texans to push their way 5 yards deep into the end zone to wall off Fargas.

The Raiders have gained the fewest yards in the league, and their 42 points all season are six fewer than Chicago scored Sunday against Detroit.

"Look at all that potential. They just haven't jelled yet," Texans linebacker Brian Cushing said of the Raiders. "They have an explosive offense, especially with the three backs they've got, the good receivers, a good tight end and a quarterback with an arm like that."

If all that is true, if the talent really is there, then a leader eventually will emerge, but only after he plays his way into that role. Any takers?

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they lack a quarterback also!

Hey, I got a headline for you:

"Raiders offense lacks anything resembling competence!!"

Run with that one come press time.

I'm sorry, JaFatass should be pissed off after that performance. I have a problem with a QB that is calm and laid back after losing horribly like that. I want a QB that is a competitor, demands perfection, in total of his team, etc. Yes, I'm describing Rich Gannon and that is a QB we need.

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PEACE RAIDER NATION!