2014 Oakland Raiders Regular Season Thread (2 Viewers)

[az_prof]

Is the WR situation any clearer now? How do people rank James, Streater, Holmes and Moore? Who has played most with the #1s? Who has a good rapport with Schaub? How do you rank them this year for fantasy?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Jesus. What a wasted pick. Such a ridiculous reach with the the ####### heart issue. jokeland is becoming more and more appropriate

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Is the WR situation any clearer now? How do people rank James, Streater, Holmes and Moore? Who has played most with the #1s? Who has a good rapport with Schaub? How do you rank them this year for fantasy?

Don't draft them.

Hth

 

[LawFitz]

Guess who is the #1 rated QB at PFF through three preseason games, in the ENTIRE league?...

1. Matthew McGloin, OAK: +7.4

Breakdown: After Oakland acquired Matt Schaub and drafted Derek Carr, the writing was on the wall for McGloin right? Wrong. You figured he could be in line for a Max Hall (who?) type fall from favor but he’s likely ensured a job in this league for at least another year whatever happens with the Raiders.

Signature Plays: Q4, 50 seconds to go against the Packers. Back to back plays show firstly McGloin, with pressure coming loft a ball into a spot only his receiver can get to it. More impressive is the next effort as with pressure coming and a bracketed receiver he fits the ball in down the sideline for a big gain.

Guess who else are rated top-5 at their positions?...

5. Brice Butler, OAK: +3.4

Breakdown: Showing up big in the fourth quarter, Butler has nabbed three touchdowns this preseason while getting some attention in an Oakland receiving corps that has long been waiting for contributors to step forward.

Signature Stat: His preseason receiving line (11 catches on 12 targets, 178 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) produces a perfect 158.3 rating on passes his way.

4. Gabe Jackson, OAK: +5.0

Breakdown: Oakland’s third round pick has done his work against backups to this point, but Jackson is making a push for serious playing time. His +3.6 pass blocking grade leads all guards while he’s been stellar in the run game at +1.0.

Signature Stat: Jackson leads all guards with 75 pass block snaps without surrendering a pressure.

I know, I know. It's preseason. They're doing it against scrubs. Blah, blah, blah. All three of these guys should be starting for the Raiders. Hopefully the coaching staff is seeing this too.

 

[Toomuchnv]

Guess who is the #1 rated QB at PFF through three preseason games, in the ENTIRE league?...

1. Matthew McGloin, OAK: +7.4Breakdown: After Oakland acquired Matt Schaub and drafted Derek Carr, the writing was on the wall for McGloin right? Wrong. You figured he could be in line for a Max Hall (who?) type fall from favor but he’s likely ensured a job in this league for at least another year whatever happens with the Raiders.

Signature Plays: Q4, 50 seconds to go against the Packers. Back to back plays show firstly McGloin, with pressure coming loft a ball into a spot only his receiver can get to it. More impressive is the next effort as with pressure coming and a bracketed receiver he fits the ball in down the sideline for a big gain.

Guess who else are rated top-5 at their positions?...

5. Brice Butler, OAK: +3.4Breakdown: Showing up big in the fourth quarter, Butler has nabbed three touchdowns this preseason while getting some attention in an Oakland receiving corps that has long been waiting for contributors to step forward.

Signature Stat: His preseason receiving line (11 catches on 12 targets, 178 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) produces a perfect 158.3 rating on passes his way.

4. Gabe Jackson, OAK: +5.0Breakdown: Oakland’s third round pick has done his work against backups to this point, but Jackson is making a push for serious playing time. His +3.6 pass blocking grade leads all guards while he’s been stellar in the run game at +1.0.

Signature Stat: Jackson leads all guards with 75 pass block snaps without surrendering a pressure.

I know, I know. It's preseason. They're doing it against scrubs. Blah, blah, blah. All three of these guys should be starting for the Raiders. Hopefully the coaching staff is seeing this too.

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off. Just some food for thought....here are 2 big examples of how the preseason is completely different from the regular season:

The 0-16 Lions team went 4-0 in the preseason.

In 2002 when Ricky Williams was traded to the Miami Dolphins...his preseason stat line: 30 carries, 83 yards, 3 catches 17 yards, 1 Touchdown. Downgrade Ricky Williams was the common theme that preseason....what did he do in the regular season? 383 carries, 1853 yards, 47 rec 363 yards, 17 touchdowns and that year's rushing title.

There are other examples of why preseason stats shouldn't even be looked at.

 

[LawFitz]

There are other examples of why preseason stats shouldn't even be looked at.

Yes, and there are PLENTY of examples why preseason should be looked at. I'll give you four off the top of my head (not saying the above players are of this caliber)...

Arian Foster

Victor Cruz

Marcus Colston

Alfred Morris

Preseason isn't the end all or only indication, but it is often the first indication. Trust your eyes. All three Raiders above are significantly outperforming their starting counterparts.

 

[Toomuchnv]

There are other examples of why preseason stats shouldn't even be looked at.

Yes, and there are PLENTY of examples why preseason should be looked at. I'll give you four off the top of my head (not saying the above players are of this caliber)...

Arian Foster

Victor Cruz

Marcus Colston

Alfred Morris

Preseason isn't the end all or only indication, but it is often the first indication. Trust your eyes. All three Raiders above are significantly outperforming their starting counterparts.

Agree to disagree then......I am not going to overreact to some fake football games like others in this thread seem to be doing. At the end of the day, the reality is this team in its current form isn't winning the Superbowl this season. The QB of the future for this team in my opinion is Carr. Whoever is starting between Schaub/McGloin this season is irrelevant to me as long as they give Carr the year he needs off to learn.

I also believe that had the 3 players you mentioned been running with the 1's this preseason their stats would be significantly worse.

To simply say they are outperforming their starting counterparts while ignoring that the players they are going up against are significantly worse then the players Schaub and company are going against is an unfair comparison. It is comparing apples to oranges.

To use a FF example...if you are average in a FF league full of sharks and someone else wins every year in a league full of guppies does that make them a better FF player than you?

 

[LawFitz]

I also believe that had the 3 players you mentioned been running with the 1's this preseason their stats would be significantly worse.

To simply say they are outperforming their starting counterparts while ignoring that the players they are going up against are significantly worse then the players Schaub and company are going against is an unfair comparison. It is comparing apples to oranges.

I think the three players mentioned would not play as well as they have if they had played against (and with) the starters, but they each would have outperformed the starters that did play ahead of them. My eyeball test tells me this mainly. The PFF grades simply affirm.

 

[Hankmoody]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

 

[Toomuchnv]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

They are saying they should be starting based on how they are performing in a preseason game. I am kind of inclined to trust what the coaches are saying because they see these players every single day. If they make poor decisions based on that then they are usually shown the door as coaches. There is more to making the starters decisions then just a couple meaningless preseason games.....it is the big picture and the preseason games are only a portion of that. Us as fans don't get to see the rest of it...i.e. Practices, different views of the game tapes, etc....

 

[massraider]

Not sure if there has ever been a team with so many new starters. Massive, massive changes for the team this offseason, and I expect the team to be its least cohesive early in the season. Let's see, 4 new offensive line starters, and 3 new defensive line starters, 2 new LB starters, and 2 new DB starters. A new QB, RB, and #1 WR?

I am willing to give this brain trust at least one season with a clean salary cap.

 

[lod01]

While Schaub has definitely struggled....McGloin has shined against defensive players that mostly won't even be on an NFL team by the time the season starts. If you are going to give up on Schaub already you might as well put in the future and start Carr.

7 games into career.

2013 - Matt Mcgloin 118-211-1547, 8 TDs, 8 INTs.

2001 - Drew Brees 121-206-1383, 8 TDs, 6 INTs with L. Tomlinson helping him just a little.

There is nothing wrong with McGloin. Garbage like Terrell Pryor gets more shots because he can run 93 yards for a TD and pump up the crowd. It's a passing league.

So McGloin = Brees now? Geez....I bet there are tons of examples like this in the league. It doesn't mean they become perennial pro bowlers like Brees...news flash....the NFL is closer to the Arena League in 2013 then it was in 2001. Number of 4000+ yard passers in 2013: 9.....number in 2001: 2....He is no Brees

Never said he was. You seem to have a serious problem comprehending things.

Here's what you would have said about Drew Brees in 2001:. This guy is no good. He's playing in pre-season vs 2nd and 3rd string guys.

Kurt Warner was a bum until he was paired with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

 

[Chaka]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

They are saying they should be starting based on how they are performing in a preseason game. I am kind of inclined to trust what the coaches are saying because they see these players every single day. If they make poor decisions based on that then they are usually shown the door as coaches. There is more to making the starters decisions then just a couple meaningless preseason games.....it is the big picture and the preseason games are only a portion of that. Us as fans don't get to see the rest of it...i.e. Practices, different views of the game tapes, etc....

I don't always trust the coaches and this regime has done little to inspire confidence that they will make good decisions for the future of the team (Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor come to mind).

Outperforming guys who will likely not be on rosters after today is not the best measure but when you are also handicapped by the fact that you are playing with guys who will not be on the roster after today it balances out a bit.

I think we have seen everything Schaub has to offer in the NFL, why not let McGloin take the job of holding down the starting QB position until Carr is ready to go? Worst case scenario is he completely flops (or gets hurt) and you have to go back to Schaub, or Carr, but the best case scenario is that you create a trade market for McGloin and start recouping lost picks on bad QB acquisitions. I don't think anyone is trying to say he will be the QB of the future but I think we all can see that neither is Schaub.

 

[Toomuchnv]

While Schaub has definitely struggled....McGloin has shined against defensive players that mostly won't even be on an NFL team by the time the season starts. If you are going to give up on Schaub already you might as well put in the future and start Carr.

7 games into career.

2013 - Matt Mcgloin 118-211-1547, 8 TDs, 8 INTs.

2001 - Drew Brees 121-206-1383, 8 TDs, 6 INTs with L. Tomlinson helping him just a little.

There is nothing wrong with McGloin. Garbage like Terrell Pryor gets more shots because he can run 93 yards for a TD and pump up the crowd. It's a passing league.

So McGloin = Brees now? Geez....I bet there are tons of examples like this in the league. It doesn't mean they become perennial pro bowlers like Brees...news flash....the NFL is closer to the Arena League in 2013 then it was in 2001. Number of 4000+ yard passers in 2013: 9.....number in 2001: 2....He is no Brees

Never said he was. You seem to have a serious problem comprehending things.

Here's what you would have said about Drew Brees in 2001:. This guy is no good. He's playing in pre-season vs 2nd and 3rd string guys.

Kurt Warner was a bum until he was paired with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

I comprehend things just fine....you were the one that listed Brees' first 7 games of his career and compared them to McGloin's first 7 games of his career not me. I am just of the opinion that whether it's McGloin or Schaub it doesn't matter to me as long as they get Carr the year off to learn the NFL game. Either one is going to lead to a long season as neither are good enough to get this team to the superbowl this season.

But I am inclined to trust the coaches for now until they prove they are not capable of making good decisions. Knowing how McGloin did the 7 starts that you pointed out they still went and traded for a veteran QB and drafted a future QB. That tells me that there maybe more about McGloin that we aren't seeing through the first 3 preseason games.

 

[Raider Nation]

I literally have nightmares about our QB being Matt ####ing Schaub. Then it gets even worse when I wake up and it's reality.

 

[Toomuchnv]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

They are saying they should be starting based on how they are performing in a preseason game. I am kind of inclined to trust what the coaches are saying because they see these players every single day. If they make poor decisions based on that then they are usually shown the door as coaches. There is more to making the starters decisions then just a couple meaningless preseason games.....it is the big picture and the preseason games are only a portion of that. Us as fans don't get to see the rest of it...i.e. Practices, different views of the game tapes, etc....

I don't always trust the coaches and this regime has done little to inspire confidence that they will make good decisions for the future of the team (Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor come to mind).

Outperforming guys who will likely not be on rosters after today is not the best measure but when you are also handicapped by the fact that you are playing with guys who will not be on the roster after today it balances out a bit.

I think we have seen everything Schaub has to offer in the NFL, why not let McGloin take the job of holding down the starting QB position until Carr is ready to go? Worst case scenario is he completely flops (or gets hurt) and you have to go back to Schaub, or Carr, but the best case scenario is that you create a trade market for McGloin and start recouping lost picks on bad QB acquisitions. I don't think anyone is trying to say he will be the QB of the future but I think we all can see that neither is Schaub.

I personally think this team is 1 year away from being a playoff contender. I imagine this year will be moderately similar to last year...maybe with an improved defense....so we get another good draft pick next season to add another dynamic rookie and get a few more veteran free agents. Hopefully Carr turns into the rock at QB that this team desperately needs and we are set for years to come.

 

[Chaka]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

They are saying they should be starting based on how they are performing in a preseason game. I am kind of inclined to trust what the coaches are saying because they see these players every single day. If they make poor decisions based on that then they are usually shown the door as coaches. There is more to making the starters decisions then just a couple meaningless preseason games.....it is the big picture and the preseason games are only a portion of that. Us as fans don't get to see the rest of it...i.e. Practices, different views of the game tapes, etc....

I don't always trust the coaches and this regime has done little to inspire confidence that they will make good decisions for the future of the team (Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor come to mind).

Outperforming guys who will likely not be on rosters after today is not the best measure but when you are also handicapped by the fact that you are playing with guys who will not be on the roster after today it balances out a bit.

I think we have seen everything Schaub has to offer in the NFL, why not let McGloin take the job of holding down the starting QB position until Carr is ready to go? Worst case scenario is he completely flops (or gets hurt) and you have to go back to Schaub, or Carr, but the best case scenario is that you create a trade market for McGloin and start recouping lost picks on bad QB acquisitions. I don't think anyone is trying to say he will be the QB of the future but I think we all can see that neither is Schaub.

I personally think this team is 1 year away from being a playoff contender. I imagine this year will be moderately similar to last year...maybe with an improved defense....so we get another good draft pick next season to add another dynamic rookie and get a few more veteran free agents. Hopefully Carr turns into the rock at QB that this team desperately needs and we are set for years to come.

Another?

 

[Toomuchnv]

More of this? Why are people so hung on preseason as the real thing? There are plenty of examples where what you see in preseason doesn't come close to what happens in the regular season. Mainly because no team is going to show their true schemes in the preseason games. Also, because backups are playing against.....backups. All those players you listed up above just proves that our backups are playing better then other teams backups. That doesn't mean they will be great starters when the regular season kicks off.

No one is saying they will be great. They are saying they should be starting. That's what the pre-season is all about, seeing who you have. You can't penalize a guy for whooping up on backups if that's all he's put in front of. If he's whooping backups, that means he's ready to get a shot at the next level.

They are saying they should be starting based on how they are performing in a preseason game. I am kind of inclined to trust what the coaches are saying because they see these players every single day. If they make poor decisions based on that then they are usually shown the door as coaches. There is more to making the starters decisions then just a couple meaningless preseason games.....it is the big picture and the preseason games are only a portion of that. Us as fans don't get to see the rest of it...i.e. Practices, different views of the game tapes, etc....

I don't always trust the coaches and this regime has done little to inspire confidence that they will make good decisions for the future of the team (Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor come to mind). Outperforming guys who will likely not be on rosters after today is not the best measure but when you are also handicapped by the fact that you are playing with guys who will not be on the roster after today it balances out a bit.

I think we have seen everything Schaub has to offer in the NFL, why not let McGloin take the job of holding down the starting QB position until Carr is ready to go? Worst case scenario is he completely flops (or gets hurt) and you have to go back to Schaub, or Carr, but the best case scenario is that you create a trade market for McGloin and start recouping lost picks on bad QB acquisitions. I don't think anyone is trying to say he will be the QB of the future but I think we all can see that neither is Schaub.

I personally think this team is 1 year away from being a playoff contender. I imagine this year will be moderately similar to last year...maybe with an improved defense....so we get another good draft pick next season to add another dynamic rookie and get a few more veteran free agents. Hopefully Carr turns into the rock at QB that this team desperately needs and we are set for years to come.

Another?

From what I have seen from Mack against other 1's I think the Raiders got a dynamic defensive talent for years to come.

 

[joey]

Jesus. What a wasted pick. Such a ridiculous reach with the the ####### heart issue. jokeland is becoming more and more appropriate

Couldn't agree more. As a long time Raider fan, I felt that FAMILIAR knot in my stomach when it was announced that the Raiders had selected a CB who almost ###ing died on the practice field. It just felt like such a typical, odd, stupid Raider move and I don't know what Raider fans have done to deserve this kind of ineptness. Jeez.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Jesus. What a wasted pick. Such a ridiculous reach with the the ####### heart issue. jokeland is becoming more and more appropriate

Couldn't agree more. As a long time Raider fan, I felt that FAMILIAR knot in my stomach when it was announced that the Raiders had selected a CB who almost ###ing died on the practice field. It just felt like such a typical, odd, stupid Raider move and I don't know what Raider fans have done to deserve this kind of ineptness. Jeez.

Unfortunately, I agree. And to think, they could of had Sheldon Richardson or Star Lotulelei, the two players that went right after the Hayden.

deep sigh

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Nice drive by Carr and the Raiders vs the 1st team D of Seattle

 

[ICON211]

Nice drive by Carr and the Raiders vs the 1st team D of Seattle

God please let him show enough to let them start him week 1. Schaub is shot and I do not want to have to watch him suck week 1.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Nice drive by Carr and the Raiders vs the 1st team D of Seattle

God please let him show enough to let them start him week 1. Schaub is shot and I do not want to have to watch him suck week 1.

just scored another TD

 

[Raider Nation]

Carr is blowing up on Twitter.

"We still think Matt Schaub is our savior."

-D. Allen

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Carr is blowing up on Twitter.

"We still think Matt Schaub is our savior."

-D. Allen

Carr to Moore vs Sherman....and Moore is dominating

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Nice drive by Carr and the Raiders vs the 1st team D of Seattle

God please let him show enough to let them start him week 1. Schaub is shot and I do not want to have to watch him suck week 1.

just scored another TD

3 td`s by the raiders ...2 passing and 1 rushing...looking awesome

 

[The General]

Who is that number 28 guy in the backfield? He is huge and runs well.

 

[Raider Nation]

Who is that number 28 guy in the backfield? He is huge and runs well.

LAT!

 

[EastonBlues22]

Carr is making a strong case for an early season look.

 

[Demian]

Carr is making a strong case for an early season look.

His arm looks good and he's making good decisions, that's for sure.

 

[The General]

Who is that number 28 guy in the backfield? He is huge and runs well.

LAT!

The guy looked really good. Just looked his stats up and he looks way bigger than his listed size.

Raider's O pushed around the Hawks 1's. Nice game.

 

[RaiderBones]

I don't see how Carr is not the week 1 starter. He can make throws that Schaub can not make.

 

[Raider Nation]

I don't see how Carr is not the week 1 starter. He can make throws that Schaub can not make.

Similar situation with the Jags. I've been screaming for Bortles to start. What will Henne and Schaub possibly do for a club at this stage? Just as a football fan, I want to see an infusion of young talent. If you get a few games in and it's obvious that the OL just can't protect them, well you can always make another decision then.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

@SportsCenter: What a preseason finish for Derek Carr! The Raiders rookie leads 4-touchdown drives, finishes 11-14, 143 Yds, 3 TD. http://t.co/eZzNtLMyB1

 

[Raider Nation]

Matt Schaub opened the door to lose the starting quarterback job in Oakland after his rough preseason and a sore elbow that kept him out of practice this week. Rookie Derek Carr did the rest on Thursday night.The Raiders rookie quarterback finished 11 of 13 for 143 yards and three touchdowns in an electric performance against the Seattle Seahawks. Carr led the Raiders on a long touchdown march against Seattle's defensive starters, and then threw a beautiful touchdown when the Raiders got the ball back seconds later.

A brilliant quarter and a half in the fourth preseason game doesn't mean Derek Carr is ready to be a quality NFL starting quarterback. But we've seen enough this preseason to know he's a better option than Schaub, who simply doesn't have arm strength or confidence.

NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that Schaub did a little light tossing with trainers on Thursday. The team will have him throw on Monday to see how his arm looks. For all we know, Schaub won't even be ready to play next week. Or anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Breer reported before Thursday's game that the Raiders believe Carr can start. He validated that belief against Seattle. We'd be surprised if Schaub, the Raiders' $8 million offseason pickup, is starting in Week 1. It's a carbon copy of the Matt Flynn fiasco in Oakland a year ago.

Wild guess: Schaub has a "setback" in the middle of next week?

 

[massraider]

Caught a lot of the 1st Q on Red Zone, they were due to televise it on NFLN at 11:00, and they bizarrely just jumped in. Replaying at end of the weekend on NFLN.

First, it's the final preseason game vs. the defending champs. If someone wants to tell me they are mailing it in, I am ready to believe.

So I will concentrate on individual players.

Carr: Great stuff. Was aggressive, went downfield confidently, sidestepped pressure, went to 2nd read, threw the back shoulder throw like a vet. Pretty sexy. Yeah, I hope he starts. If Shaub gets a game or two as a starter, whatever. The differences between Carr and McGloin seem obvious to me.

Latavius: Stays low, shows wiggle. I like him as the favorite for #1 duties next year.

Denarius: I know he dropped some balls two years ago, but geez, can a guy get some love?? If Andre Holmes had this preaseason, people would be drafting him in the 10th round of their fantasy drafts. Clear #3 in my mind, and I think he could move up.

Rivera: He'll never be a Pro Bowler, probably. Never be a dominant blocker. But he'll be a Raider for a long time. Looks really smooth in the passing game, and has enough speed to get downfield. Kind of forgot about Ausberry, but it'll be interesting when he gets back.

Menelik Watson: Might be time to get a little excited, and think we have a player. He's a dancing bear, good balance, and looks legit.

Gabe Jackson: Might not be a full-time starter right away, but he looks like he could be a monster of a run blocker.

Shelby Harris: This is down the road, he's not beating out Tuck and Woodley. But I like. He's played both sides of the line, and has produced every time I watched.

Khalil Mack: If Khalil Mack improves his play in the regular season the way he has in the preseason, by week 5 he's gonna be tearing goalposts out of the ground, and beating running backs with them.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I know a lot of Raider Nation was all on McGloins nuts, but I never wavered from the stance Carr was going to be the answer. At least not until I saw with my own eyes that Scahub's arm is shot. Time to start the Carr, and don't look back!

 

[massraider]

I also think both young CBs looked good, but if the Raiders sign anyone after cuts, I bet it'll be a CB.

 

[Raider Nation]

This is the look of a man who just changed his mind.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

This is the look of a man who just changed his mind.

An epiphany!

 

[Raider Nation]

This is the look of a man who just changed his mind.

An epiphany!

30 "Insiders" just deemed him the worst coach in the league. Starting Schaub won't change that.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

If he makes the switch to Carr, overnight he'll jump at least a couple of coaches to 28th, say?

 

[Raider Nation]

Hope you guys don't mind me posting interesting stuff I find on Twitter. We haven't exactly had anything to be excited about in the last decade.

First up: Tim Kawakami

Matt Schaub is 33 and coming off a horrible season, a wobbly preseason and now has a sore elbow.

Derek Carr is 23, just starting his career and just turned in a fantastic performance in the Raiders’ exhibition finale against Seattle, some of which came against Seattle’s ferocious No. 1 defense.

So… Which guy could jump in for Week 1 of the regular season against the Jets and give this franchise some badly needed new life and energy–the sagging veteran or the rookie with the big arm?

I don’t think that’s a particularly tricky question. It sure shouldn’t be and I’m sure that 99.9% of Raider Nation and maybe 99% of the Raiders locker room would probably agree that it’s a simple issue.

Carr is better. Right now. Already. How could anybody not see that?

Obviously Schaub is making $8M and came to the Raiders with the understanding that he was their starting QB, end of story, no second-guessing or backsliding allowed.

But the NFL isn’t about promises–wisely made or not. It’s about competition, it’s about putting the guy out there who gives the team it’s best chance to win, and it’s about building things around players who can lead a team into a period of success.

And… that’s not Schaub, not from anything he has shown in a Raiders uniform.

The Raiders can just say that Schaub’s elbow still hurts and say this is all temporary–the way the Raiders and Matt Flynn said it was his elbow that sidelined him just in time for Terrelle Pryor to start last season.

Or Allen can be bold and just say that Carr has won the job fair and square, which has the benefit of being true and I think would send a few charges of kinetic energy through Raiders HQ.

By the way, Carr is much, much better than Pryor was last year. The Raiders kind of stumbled into Pryor for Week 1 and beyond just because Flynn was so, so bad.

This year, they have a bad veteran but ALSO an excellent option to go–a rookie they cannily drafted and coached and prepared for this.

I would’ve said that before tonight’s fireworks. But after all those laser passes and his poise in the pocket, I’m going to underline it all: Carr is the Raiders’ most promising QB since Rich Gannon’s prime years.

At this point, he has more promise as a Raider long-term answer than Kerry Collins did, than Andrew Walter did, than JaMarcus Russell did once we saw him play, than Jason Campbell did, than middle-aged Carson Palmer did and than Pryor did.

And more than Schaub right now.

More than Matt McGloin, too, though McGloin continues to prove that he’s a solid veteran back-up.

I can see Allen and McKenzie coming up with reasons to stick with Schaub: Maybe they don’t want to expose Carr too early to big blitzes; maybe Carr isn’t quite reading defenses perfectly; maybe they fear the big mistake in the early mistakes.

But what QB has made more critical mistakes recently than Schaub?

Just think how different this Raiders season would feel if Carr starts and wins Week 1 at the Jets. Or just plays well, even in a loss, and the Raiders can play their home-opener against Houston with a sense of offensive momentum.

(Compared to the possibility of Schaub playing poorly and losing to the Jets or even playing well and losing. Who cares? It’s Matt Schaub. Who is 33 and NOT the guy who will be leading this team into 2015 or even mid-season 2014.)

Also, there should be more imperative on this Week 1 than most because it’s a potentially winnable road game and the Raiders can’t throw those away–not in Allen and McKenzie’s third season together, not for a fan base that has been through so much defeat and sorrow, and not in any NFL season, really.

You play your best guys to win as many games as you can, and if they’re also the guys you’re building with, even better.

You can’t play provably worse guys, especially at quarterback. Not if you want to remain credible.

Carr is instant credibility. He is a new beginning. And he’s the best QB the Raiders have, with a chance to be their best QB in more than a decade, period.

 

[Raider Nation]

I'd be 100% behind starting Carr in week 1 and getting the future underway. Where is Schaub going to lead this team.... 6-10 at best?

Why feed him to the wolves and risk turning him into his brother? Let the OLine figure things out with Schaub as the sacrificial QB then give Carr the last 6 or so starts of the season.

How about now?

 

[Raiderfan32904]

@NWProSports: Pete's halftime speech, "I'm cutting 22 players after this game. Are you going to be one of them?"

Furious 4th quarter comeback by the Seahawks. Nice speech by Pete Carroll. I wish DA had some of Carroll's moxie.

 

[massraider]

Burris having a decent game.

Usama Young has embarrassed himself. Hopefully just rust.

Jelly Ellis, can we just put him in #90, so I think we have Grady Jackson back? Had a great two play sequence in the 2nd quarter, clogged the middle, blowing up a running play, and on the next play was held by the right guard, negating a big run by Seattle.

Carrie, McGill, and Dowling all out there now, good chance to watch the kids.

Atkinson just had a real nice patient run. Enjoy the practice squad paycheck, buddy!

 

[Chaka]

I'd be 100% behind starting Carr in week 1 and getting the future underway. Where is Schaub going to lead this team.... 6-10 at best?

Why feed him to the wolves and risk turning him into his brother? Let the OLine figure things out with Schaub as the sacrificial QB then give Carr the last 6 or so starts of the season.

How about now?

How about settle down.

 

[Raider Nation]

We need to see this presser. <_<

 

[Raider Nation]

Steve Corkran ‏@CorkOnTheNFLDennis Allen on Matt Schaub starting against the New York Jets in opener: "That's been the plan all along."

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

My reaction to the game was to run not walk to my waiver wire and put in an immediate claim on Murray in my redraft league. With two older, injury prone vets ahead of him, I'm thinking Murray will be seeing significant action this year and will be fantasy relevant in 2014.