2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Possibly with Gannon as QB coach.

 

Raiders have sputtered a few times here, but Lynch is running well and that was a beautiful bomb to Coop.

 

These guys...quitters. Terrible preparation. You name it.

 

Humiliating loss. Again.

 

Glad I'm not invested in the Lakers this season. With my Phillies' struggles, I couldn't handle three pathetic franchises.

 

Two blown coverages (with Joseph out) led to two long TDs...add that fumble by Gordon that turned into a score (bad luck). Carr forced that attempt to Holton that led to the interception. Late on his read.

Defense has had a revival under Pagano who simplified the system and used the strengths of his players such as STOP putting Smith on faster, quicker wide outs or let Irvin just rush the passer instead of dropping back into coverage. No cute stuff.

Really good insight by Gannon today. Attention to detail is what made him a great signal caller. It's what made Gruden a good coach. Both made their teammates and assistants accountable. This season, everything has been a loose ship. I feel Mark Davis' pain as they showed him grousing in the press box.

Black Monday is nearly upon us...

Oh and I just called a family member who is a die hard Bolts fan. I said "We ain't goin'...you ain't goin'!" Laughed and hung up. All in good fun of course...kinda.

 

Del Rio already fired...

 

...can't say I was surprised. So Oakland eats his salary for the next three years. Del Rio instilled a winning culture but there was slippage this year. Big time too. The handling of Musgrave and leaving Norton in way too long did him in. The latter move had his own players questioning leadership.

Davis would not have made this move if Gruden is on board. Koetter is staying in Tampa. That was the first clue I suppose.

Anyway, thanks JDR for bringing Oakland to some sort of relevance during your tenure.

 

I respect what Del Rio did, and I'd have been okay with keeping him and changing OCs. But if it's for Gruden, I'm in.

 

Ditto. No way Davis would have made this change IF Gruden wasn't on board. This remains to be seen however.

 

Agree on Musgrave. I hated it the second I heard it.

I have to disagree with your comparison. Fisher wasn't a good coach with the Rams...was average with the Titans. Gruden was a stupid rule away from possibly going to the Super Bowl. Al Davis was a meddler who couldn't stand not being the focus of the team's success plus he hated the West Coast offense that Gruden instilled.

Who is out there that we can do better with? A load of unproven "hot" candidates as it is every year. For every McVay, there's a McAdoo or three of them. No way to John Fox. No way to Chuck Pagano. No way to Jim Caldwell.

 

Check this out:

All QBs to start for Gruden
QB / Record without Gruden as HC (games above .500) / Record with Gruden as HC
Jeff George 43-74 without (-29), 3-4 with (-1); difference +28 with
Jeff Garcia 36-43 without (-7), 14-10 with (+4); difference +11 with
Rob Johnson 10-17 without (-7), 2-0 with (+2); difference +9 with
Tim Rattay 4-12 without (-9), 1-1 with (0); difference +9 with
Rich Gannon 46-38 without (+8), 30-18 with (+12); difference +6 with
Chris Simms 0-1 without (-1), 12-8 with (+4); difference +5 with
Donald Hollis 0-2 without (-2), 4-2 with (+2); difference +4 with
Luke McCown 1-6 without (-5), 1-2 with (-1); difference +4 with
Brian Griese 33-29 without (+4), 12-9 with (+3); difference -1 with
Bruce Gradkowski 3-6 without (-3), 3-8 with (-5); difference -2 with
Shaun King 14-9 without (+5), 0-1 with (-1); difference -6 with
Brad Johnson 55-47 without (+8), 17-16 with (1); difference -7 with

Cumulative Stats:
Without Gruden: 288 wins, 310 losses (-22 games)
With Gruden: 95 wins, 81 losses (+14 games)
Net difference: +36

 

Raiders sign the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts:
Fadol Brown*
Keon Hatcher
Darius Hilary
Elijah Hood*
Tevin Mitchel*
Bradley Northnagel
Joby Saint Fleur
Jordan Simmons
Shakir Soto

Those three names with *s stand out to me - Hood was an interesting prospect. I think the Raiders had Brown on their roster for some time earlier this season. Mitchel has been on the practice squad for most of this season.

 

Hood is a hard running player at the position but is not shifty or possesses break away speed. Good character however and would be a good teammate.

Draft needs...in my order.

1. Offensive Line - don't think Penn will be up to his usual high standards plus another tackle.
2. Defensive back (corner).
3. Running back...potential bell cow back as an heir apparent to Lynch.
4. Middle linebacker...bring back Bowman but have an understudy.

Note: can't say this enough but glad you're back T-Rod at least on this thread.

 

I’m with you on those needs, but I’ll rank them differently and add one.

DB. Who knows what’s up with Conley and Melifonwu. Other guys getting old.

OL. Penn’s On the decline. Need more depth at least.

DL. Need some help up front.

WR. Crabtree is gone. Oakland needs someone who can take the pressure off Cooper like Crabtree did last year.

LB. we could use some help.

RB. Neither Washington nor Richard has convinced me. Richard seems clueless.

 

Thanks, man. I’m enjoying this thread. I can’t say I’m interested in basketball right now, but I’ve loved being able to chat with familiar heads about the Raiders.

 

-Conley should be back healthy. I was impressed by his play against the Jets. He is rangy, moves well...reminds me of Mike Haynes and Albert Lewis. Melifonwu I haven't seen enough of. He and Joseph should be set at the safeties. Luani is a good one too. Instinctive and is a ball-hawk. We do need another corner at least in the slot if we can't retain Carrie.

-I agree on the O-Line. Sharpe did well against Philadelphia with help but was bulldozed one on one by Bosa against the Chargers. There's always some gems to find in the draft in this position.

-Defensive line. Vanderdoes injured again and we need to retain Autry. Same with Ellis.

-Wide-outs? I too read that Crabtree could be out but not all of it is on him. Line hasn't protected Carr much and the latter was skittish in the pocket. Then there's Downing's play-calling. No excuse with the caliber of talent with have. Crabtree is our best clutch receiver. With the exception of that undisciplined act against Denver, he's been lost in the disorganization of our offense.

-Linebackers... Sign back Bowman, hope Morrow and Lee learn fast grow on the outside. Need depth, yes.

Running backs? Both our scatbacks Washington and Richard can take it to the house. However the former is a turnover per game waiting to happen and the other is clueless I agree.

In McKenzie I trust...

Additional Q's?:

-Pagano has revitalized the D. Guenther (rumored Gruden choice) is intriguing. Lewis is re-upped in Cincy so he'd probably stay. I'd give the former a full season.

-for OC post, talks of bringing back Greg Olsen even if Gruden is calling the plays? Meh...

-keep Mike Tice?

-what is up with Aldon Smith?

 

Tuesday 1/9/18...

 

Tuned in to the Tennessee - Kansas City game... McDonough had some gems for Gruden:

McDonough: "So you will miss The Dodgeball contest?" (Pro Bowl 2018)
Gruden: "well not yet (laughing)"

McDonough: "Aren't you looking forward to being back on those sidelines when stuff like this is happening?"
Gruden: "Not really..."

McDonough: "What a great way to send you off, appropriately so. Good luck with the Oakland Raiders!"
Gruden: "Thank you. It’s been a great run"

I wanted to hear what Gruden's last telecast would be like. He saw how Kansas City can be beaten. Chiefs did get beat so that is the cherry on top of the sundae.

Just Win, Chucky!