2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Raiders on pace right now for first ever season of 1000 yard rusher, two 1000 yard receivers.

 

That would be quite an accomplishment...not to mention a burgeoning franchise quarterback Oakland hasn't had since Gannon.

Additional takes:

- the Amerson signing has so far been a very good decision. Laid out Smith...somewhere The Assassin is smiling.
- S Nate Allen due back in two weeks.
- with Jones close to being the second back, Helu and sadly to some extent Reece isn't being utilized.
- defense catching up to the offense?
- agree that protecting a large lead is new territory.
- liked the young players not using their age as an excuse not to shoot for bigger goals.
- Steelers are probably will still be out of sync with Roethlisberger playing in his second game and now have to shoulder a bigger load.

The "looking ahead" takes:

- the Green Bay receivers don't look like they can separate from defenders. Pack defense overrated? Paper tigers?
- Detroit is in shambles.
- Minnesota has a solid defense but so did the Jets. They have Peterson but the Raider run defense has been stout too.
- Rivers has been erratic.
- have healthy confidence against Kansas City at home. Not so much at Arrowhead.
- Denver could be jockeying for home field when we play there.
- Tennessee without Marriota if he is still out by then is winnable as long as they don't pull that same nonsense in Chicago.

Bold prediction including Sunday: 6-3 tops [crosses fingers, knocks on wood, pats rabbit foot, nods to Our Patron Saint of The Holy Roller...]

 

The Fine Fifteen per Peter King who sez:

9. Oakland (4-3). Stop the presses. Raiders ninth in the Fine Fifteen. Love their offensive weaponry. Next two weeks should tell the tale with this team: at Pittsburgh Sunday, Vikes at home the following Sunday.

- Weddle being shopped by The Bolts? Raider site poses question...should we or should we not? Meh.

 

I don't know, man. What would we have to give up? I don't really want to mess with this team too much. Definitely don't want to sacrifice long term for the short term.

 

Skimmed the article... Take on his salary plus a middle round draft choice.

 

More from SI's Peter King:

1) I think when you look at the Raiders’ success, it’s obligatory to praise general manager Reggie McKenzie, who has demonstrated nothing short of wizardry in reshaping a roster filled with hideous contracts through prudent decisions and smart drafting. Equal credit, however, should go to owner Mark Davis, who not only promised patience with McKenzie, but followed through. At this time last year, there was a growing chorus calling for McKenzie to be axed.

 

I had a suspicion that it was going to be on the tube. Still some skepticism. Read a few write-ups stating that the Raider secondary will not be able to keep up with the Steelers receivers thus predicting an Oakland loss. Let's see...

Raider love and intrigue...

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/11/04/nfl-oakland-raiders-derek-carr-amari-cooper

http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/11/04/oakland-raiders-super-bowl-XVIII-john-otten

 

Quick Hits
Mack #1 at his position.

Mack's issue was a hammy, and he was supposed to be full-go today in practice.

Raiders have signed WR/KR Marcus Thigpen, previously from Washington.

Did you guys see this hit?

[youtube]

 

^Yep... Smith gets up and acts like it's nothing. You see later in the clip that his teammate is asking him if he's OK as he walks unsteadily.

 

He got ROCKED.

 

Good to hear Mack is OK.

- Steelers have D'Angelo Williams who still has some gas in his tank.
- Let's keep the party rolling at least at the outset... Jump Pittsburgh early then keep them at bay.
- Pep Hamilton was axed by Indy. I remember when that guy wouldn't even look our way. Not that I blame him then of course.
- Thigpen is another signee in the returns carousel. I hope he pans out. Carrie doing that work makes me uneasy.
- On the KeepCrabtreeInOakland bandwagon...
- Looking for the start of many, many Walford highlights.
- Glad that Mario Edwards Jr. is contributing.

 

Smith tried to play off that hit, but you can see him favoring his shoulder and wincing even. His teammate had to tell "you can't take hits like that man, get out of bounds".

 

So far all the predictions are picking Pittsburgh to beat us. I like it. The crew should like being the underdogs all the time.

Scenarios should be:

- split if not take the next two games... [Pittsburgh and Minnesota]
- run the table for the next three [Detroit, Tennessee and KC at home]
- survive the tough stretch [road games at Denver and KC, Packers at home]
- win the San Diego game

10-6 [good chance to make the postseason]
9-7 [help wanted...]

 

This won't be an easy game. Going to be incredibly physical, the kind of game that we don't see so frequently these days in the NFL.

 

Play 1: Murray 44 yard run.
Play 2: TD pass to Crabtree.