Raiders' sore defense has tough Chargers challenge

happening, and his availability is a mystery.

"He was better (Thursday) night, but worse (Friday) morning, so it will be day-to-day and we'll probably have to wait until Sunday morning," Cable said.

Fifth-year player Ricky Brown would get the call if McClain can't go, and he has "played well," Cable said, when called upon this season.

While McClain has not been an impact player (37 tackles, 20 assists, a half-sack and an interception), the No. 8 pick has not lost his confidence. To his credit, he hasn't backed down from a challenge.

"He's a guy that if there is something that the coaches might be hesitant on calling or a certain play because it puts him in a tough spot, he always tells them, 'No, I can take care of it,' " Asomugha said.

Asomugha said his sprained ankle is feeling much better than it did a week ago. He struggled against the Dolphins, but is going to have to come up big against the No. 1 offense in the NFL. As will safety Tyvon Branch (shoulder) and defensive tackle Richard Seymour (knee).

Backup cornerback Chris Johnson, though, is out again with a groin injury. So Asomugha, Stanford Routt and rookie Walter McFadden are going to have to shake off their troubles against Miami and be aggressive against Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

"He's been throwing them up," Asomugha said. "And all their receivers and tight ends are like 6-2 and above, so they'll throw it up there and expect their guys to come down with it. So there's definitely going to be some opportunities and you know obviously, in the secondary, we're excited about that because we have to be able to attack the ball and make plays this week."

Marshall would love to see that. His defense has given up 68 points the last two games after giving up 54 the previous four, and he could be overheard yelling at players in the meeting room this week.

We're "not making plays, basically, and the rest of the comments will stay in house because it deals with players," Marshall said.

The Raiders (5-6) haven't gotten much pressure on quarterbacks lately, and consequently Marshall has no problem dialing up safety blitzes with Michael Huff. He had a sack Sunday, and nine tackles and a game-turning sack in the 35-27 win over San Diego on Oct. 10.

"When you play defense," Marshall said, "if you're too cautious, then you're not playing defense. So you play and you rely on the players making plays."

With or without rocks in their shoes.