2021 Las Vegas Raiders - PLAYOFFS!!!! (3 Viewers)

[Hankmoody]

Lamb was the best WR available according to most people.  Lamb doesn’t literally kill women and dogs.  He kills defenses.  The Ruggs vs Lamb debate is not a debate.  The Raiders made another horrible decision .   

 Ruggs was a top 10/15 on every list out there - I found three with him at 12 in under 2 minutes.  To call him a reach over two other top-12 "ranked" players by "experts" is splitting hairs at best. 

The rest of your comment is just absurd.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Again, you say this as if Ruggs accident was somehow a foreseeable event.

That position is nonsense.

the raiders passing on CD and JJ was MORONIC.  compounded by taking 2 more wrs, with the next 2 picks.  ruggs current situation has no bearing on that.

 

[Chaka]

Lamb was the best WR available according to most people.  Lamb doesn’t literally kill women and dogs.  He kills defenses.  The Ruggs vs Lamb debate is not a debate.  The Raiders made another horrible decision .   

And Justin Jefferson was the best of the bunch, guess Dallas made a horrible decision too.

 

[ICON211]

Plenty of guy to point to to illustrate that Raiders have made bad first round picks, but I don't see how Ruggs is one of them.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Plenty of guy to point to to illustrate that Raiders have made bad first round picks, but I don't see how Ruggs is one of them.

he's certainly not the worst of them.

 

[Chaka]

Let me help you guys make your point.

Clelin Ferrell was a bad pick. It was a reach and it failed. In retrospect if they were targeting a DE they should have taken Brian Burns but I don't think that would have made people any happier at the time.

But Devin White, Ed Oliver, Devin Bush, Rashad Gary, Josh Allen etc all would have been better picks.

Ferrell is a demonstrably bad reach that backfired. Ruggs, not so much.

 

[raidersraidersraiders]

love watching carr get rocked  can't wait for this goofy to be off my team

 

[billmatic]

Don't really have a dog in the Carr fight but for those that want him out, what's your preferred plan to replace him?  A dart throw on a QB with a pick in the teens?  Go all in and try and trade for Russ or Rodgers?  Sign a reclamation project in free agency?

 

[raidersraidersraiders]

anybody that doesn't need 8+ seasons to get a playoff win 

 

[32 Counter Pass]

I did, and I don't understand how a consensus top 3 WR who was having a huge positive impact on his teams offense in his second season doesn't check all the boxes that people are talking about?

Consensus player - check

Performing on the field - check

The only box it doesn't check is being CeeDee Lamb.

If it's not off-field stuff, what is it?

That's like me calling them terrible drafters for taking Amari when I wanted them to take Leonard Williams.  Still wish they had but it's not like Amari was a bad choice.

Consensus? Um no. For example, here is Kiper’s WRs positional rankings from that year:

Wide receivers

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. Justin Jefferson, LSU
4. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
5. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
6. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
7. Tee Higgins, Clemson
8. Denzel Mims, Baylor
9. Jalen Reagor, TCU
10. Van Jefferson, Florida
11. Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

So not consensus and definitely considered a reach when the Raiders selected him. 

I recall you saying you had confidence in the front office to turn things around. Do you still feel that way?

 

[32 Counter Pass]

And before someone uses Gruden’s dismissal as an excuse, from Raidersbeat.com:

https://www.raidersbeat.com/jamarcus-russell-is-no-longer-the-raiders-worst-ever-organizational-decision/
 

For years, the Raiders’ decision to draft JaMarcus Russell was widely considered the worst football decision the organization has ever made. Not only was Russell a bust, but the Raiders also passed on an opportunity to draft one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. 

Pretty rough, right? 

Well, the way things are going, the Khalil Mack trade might soon take the honor of the Raiders’ new worst-ever football decision.
 

The Raiders didn’t get a draft pick from the Mack trade for nearly a year, so let’s start by looking back at the players they signed with the money saved by trading Mack. 

Remember, these were Jon Gruden’s words in 2019: 

“If we came up with the money to make the (Khalil Mack) contract happen, we wouldn’t have Trent Brown, we wouldn’t have Antonio Brown, Lamarcus Joyner, and Vontaze Burfict, we wouldn’t have Tyrell Williams.”

Unfortunately, Williams couldn’t stay healthy for more than a few weeks at a time… usually not even that. The Raiders’ return on Williams deal was 2 years, 14 games, 651 receiving yards. 

Terrible. 

Trent Brown

Like JaMarcus, Brown was/is loaded with talent, but he didn’t show it off much with the Raiders. Brown was overweight, didn’t work hard, and wasn’t a good influence on the young players. His signing was a disaster and it led the Raiders to draft Alex Leatherwood earlier than they probably should have. 

Lamarcus Joyner

When the Raiders signed Joyner, they thought they had a player who could play two positions. Instead, they got a player who could play no positions. Unlike Williams and Brown, Joyner stayed healthy and was on the field a lot – which came with it’s own unique set of consequences. 

Antonio Brown

Where to start?

The presence of AB may have done more damage to the Raiders in three months than Russell did in three years. Now we find out that the Raiders probably would have drafted Terry McLaurin if they hadn’t traded for Brown.

The AB trade alone was nearly as damaging to the Raiders as the Russell pick.

Now for the draft picks… 

Josh Jacobs

He’s a good running back, but Jacobs hasn’t been dynamic. He looked like an All Pro runner until an injury ended his rookie year and hasn’t been quite the same since.

Jacobs has one more year left on his rookie contract after this season so his window of opportunity to prove himself is closing quickly.

Damon Arnette

A completely wasted pick in every sense of the term. If GM Mike Mayock isn’t retained at the end of the year, the Arnette pick will go down as the darkest stain on his time with the Raiders. 

Maybe he can just pin that one on Gruden? 

Bryan Edwards

The jury is still out on Edwards, but he isn’t trending in the direction of Terrell Owens 2.0. Albeit unexpectedly, Edwards was handed a huge opportunity to produce in 2021 and, so far, he hasn’t particularly taken advantage. 

Of the three players drafted from the Mack trade, Edwards probably has the most upside, but still has a whole lot to prove.

Was the Mack trade worse than the Russell pick? 

It has to be. 

Not only did the Raiders end up with an embarrassing return on Mack, they lost a leader in the locker room and arguably the best defensive player in the NFL at the time. 

None of the high draft picks from the Mack trade are on course to be re-signed and one barely stayed on the roster for a year.

And let’s not forget the Raiders sent a second-round pick to Chicago with Mack. Just for good measure.

The prosecution rests it’s case.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

As the saying goes, the fish rots from the head. How that relates to the Raiders is that the team owner is incompetent in making hires. Until he goes expect more of the same.

 

[Bruno2]

Bottom line, they missed on pretty much all their 1st round picks. Kolton Miller being the only one worthy. It's too early for Leatherwood, and Ruggs gets an asterisk. Jacob's is a very good RB but the case can be made in this era that RBs shouldn't be drafted in the 1st round. Abram is a starter, but barely and probably wouldn't start on most teams.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

this thread hasn't been that much fun to visit anymore as it used to be just a short time ago when it was like peacock spreading it feathers and they were doing victory laps in the Chiefs parking lot...visions of playoffs and super bowls dancing in their heads...

cant put anybody on blast cause you guys are doing that to yourselves ....kind of like the team itself seems to be....not really any fun to talk smack when you are already rubbing your own noses in it.....going to the KC logo is almost an ironic example of the season and what the Raiders want to be....but just aren't....and they can't even really see it....cant get out of their own way....excuses there are many, but at least this year it hasn't been a bunch about how the league hates the Raiders, how the refs hate the Raiders....or the color of their uniform costs them games.... now its Gruden and Ruggs and bad drafts being the fall guys....

from an outsiders point of view...this team has moments where they rise up and seem like contenders but then they turn around and poop the bed.....that is the narrative....you can't get past pooping the bed.....not sure what the answer is, but with Mahomes and Herbert in the division for the next 12-15 years it ain't gonna be easy.....

 

[Chaka]

Consensus? Um no. For example, here is Kiper’s WRs positional rankings from that year:

Wide receivers

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. Justin Jefferson, LSU
4. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
5. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
6. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
7. Tee Higgins, Clemson
8. Denzel Mims, Baylor
9. Jalen Reagor, TCU
10. Van Jefferson, Florida
11. Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

So not consensus and definitely considered a reach when the Raiders selected him. 

I recall you saying you had confidence in the front office to turn things around. Do you still feel that way?

I said I would like to see what Mayock would do with the keys to the front office.

Yes, I still do.

 

[DocHolliday]

I said I would like to see what Mayock would do with the keys to the front office.

Yes, I still do.

Mayock is gone.  This team is worse than last year.  Will they win another game this season?   It’s time to clean house.  

 

[Bruno2]

Mayock is gone.  This team is worse than last year.  Will they win another game this season?   It’s time to clean house.  

I for one am glad they have a tough remaining schedule because if they they played Detroit or Jacksonville right about now, they'd lose...

And I agree, because Gruden is gone, someone needs to be held accountable for this latest dumpster fire, that's Mayock. I like Mayock and believe he knows college talent, but he found out the hard way there's more to being an NFL GM than talent evaluation. Let him go do what he's good at on TV and hire a real GM.

 

[Chaka]

Mayock is gone.  This team is worse than last year.  Will they win another game this season?   It’s time to clean house.  

You're probably right about Mayock being gone. But did you expect them to be better after losing Gruden & Ruggs?

Is that Mayock's fault?

 

[Bruno2]

You're probably right about Mayock being gone. But did you expect them to be better after losing Gruden & Ruggs?

Is that Mayock's fault?

No. BUT... Like I mentioned before, someone needs to be held accountable for the collapse. Davis won't hold himself accountable. And it was evident today this team is devoid of any depth and still lacks talent 3 years later. If they don't lack talent, then they quit on the season. Neither scenario is good.

Mayock's track record: I know Gruden had final say, but this is Mayock's scouting department and I don't believe made the final decision on every pick.

2019

1a. Cle Ferrell- Drafting players #4 overall because you like their personality and where they went to school doesn't work. Top 5 picks need to be elite, if no one is there try to trade out. 

1b. Josh Jacobs- Didn't hate the pick at the time but there's a reason why 1st round picks don't need to be spent on RBs in this day and age. They can't stay healthy and there's plenty of RBs to be had later in every draft. This failure is not so much about the player as it is about the position.

1c. Jon Abram- Hated this pick from the beginning. Why waste a 1st round pick on a hard-hitting safety in an era when hard hits are being phased out? You need ball hawks back there. As we found out, Abram can't cover anyone and had to change his reckless style of play and change positions. Epic failure of a pick in my opinion. He's now all bark and no bite and rendered ineffective. 

2. Trayvon Mullen- I actually like Mullen, I think when healthy he's a solid starting CB. Worthy of a 2nd rounder for sure.

4. Maxx Crosby- Probably the best draft pick of the Gruden/Mayock era. Enough said.

4. Isiah Johnson- Had a brief moment last season, but could never stay healthy and wasn't one of Bradley's guys- cut before the season.

4. Foster Moreau- He's fine here. Solid backup with some receiving skills. 

5. Hunter Renfrow- The 2nd best draft pick behind Crosby. Carr's safety valve, has worked very hard to become a great possession WR.

7. Quinten Bell- Never made the team.

2020

1. Ruggs- Was emerging as one of the better deep threats in the league and was only going to get better in aspects of his game. Lamb was the better WR at the time but I understood the pick. Can't blame Mayock for what happened, but nonetheless, he is no longer on the team contributing. 

1. Arnette- Complete waste of a pick, should have paid attention to all the red flags here. 

3. Bowden- Never understood what happened here. Another wasted pick. Checks and balances? Lack of communication between Mayock and Gruden? Who knows...

3. Edwards- By all means not ready to write him off yet. Definitely not #1WR material though.

3. Muse- They liked him a lot, then he got injured. Then they liked him again, then all of the sudden they weren't aMUSEd anymore. Cut...

4. Simpson- Starting at guard and getting beat up and down the field  every week. Need an upgrade here.

4. Amik- Fringe player, hasn't had much of an impact yet.

2021

I'm not going to critique this class yet, obviously it's too soon but Hobbs looks like a player and Meohrig might be a decent free safety once he learns how to catch. And Leatherwood should be a starting OG/RT for years to come. The debate where he was drafted has been discussed adnausium, and might be a contributing factor to the latest dumpster fire. Drafting guys in the 1st round you can draft later, but that's another discussion. 

 

[drummer]

I am just wondering if they are in rebuild mode with Carr next season. Which would be his ninth with the Raiders.

Wholesale changes starts with the quarterback. While you can't put it all on Carr, the franchise has only posted one double digit season win with he only missing two starts in his career there to date. Either you're holding back a quarterback, or you're holding on too long with a quarterback. It's not like "they just need a few key pieces to put it all together with Carr entering his prime" because if this is his prime, in today's passing offense, in that division with Mahomes and Herbert, to be the third best quarterback in the division after eight seasons with the same team with only Teddy Bridgewater looking up at you says someone in the front office really likes you, despite not winning a playoff game with you. After seven seasons, and most likely an eighth, if they even get there.

Businesses have to face certain realities, although the NFL doesn't have to face certain realities of a true free market enterprise. Because of brand loyalty despite not having  a post season win for almost an entire generation. Posting only one double digit win season since 2003? While getting a brand spanking new start of the art stadium in Las Vegas?

Brand loyalty doesn't guarantee you a Super Bowl, but at least it should give one a reason to dedicate themselves to a product, and fans reward more failure in their chosen sports teams than reward success. But for heaven's sake, know when to give up on a quarterback, or at least demand better. Or at least know when to let go of one. Especially with one who is third best in the division. 

 

[kaso]

Wow... lots to unpack here, as I was off the forum for a while and the thread blew up a bit (deservingly so) with another embarrassing loss by the Raiders. 

In no particular order, my own thoughts:

• I hated the dancing on the KC logo from the moment it happened.  So dumb.  
  
• No chance the Raiders win yesterdays game, but let's not ignore that 21 pts came from unlikely turnovers.  The two interceptions/fumbles on back to back plays involving Moreau and Renfrow only occur 1 in 1000 times.    Carr deserves about 0.0000345% of the blame for the loss yesterday.  He had NO time and really no help.   The team, and Carr, desperately need a #1 WR again.    Is he the long term answer? Likely not.  The team has too many holes and no direction with this offensive coaching staff.   But who replaces him?  
  
• The idea that Mayock should be let go this offseason is a terrible one IMO.   He has added far more talent to this team compared to the misses he has had.  Ignore draft position for a second, he is bring in guys from the draft and FA signings that are competing.    It is up to the coaches that to ensure that the players full contributions can be untapped.  Unrealistic and misguided to blame Mayock for Guenther's inability to unlock defensive talent.   It's like blaming the guy who buys a Corvette for a driver who doesn't know who to drive a sports car.    Really though, what is the expected hit or success rate for a GM?  And how far off is Mayock from that? 
  
• The Mack trade and comparison to what was added to the team vs. keeping him is such a garbage story with the full benefit of hindsight applied, and it also ignores the fact that the team was so far away from having a healthy starting line up in the moment. Sorry, but if we kept Mack who was going to fill the holes all those players they brought in were placed in?  Seem to recall that the majority of fans were happy with those signings at the time because each an everyone represented an upgrade over the player previously filling that spot. Unfortunately, for us, the fact of that matter is neither side of that coin would have lead to a winning team. 
  
• The Raiders have had a terribly hard schedule this year,  the adjusted (removing the Raiders wins/losses) culminative current record shows they have faced an opponent with a record of 82-73-1 (0.529).  In comparison the Bills have faced opponents with a record of 75-80-1 (0.484). 
  
• The offensive line revamp this year failed, no doubt about it.  Pass blocking has been suspect, and run blocking has been a huge problem.  I'm not making a proclamation on LW, he's part of the problem - but as a rookie, he needs to feel confident in the guys around him to help him grow in the NFL.  I think James has started to settle in and Kolton for the most part has been solid (although as of late, he has had some gaps in blocking that have had big game impacts).  
  

 

[DocHolliday]

You're probably right about Mayock being gone. But did you expect them to be better after losing Gruden & Ruggs?

Is that Mayock's fault?

Losing Gruden was going to hurt.   He had the O working well at one point.  I hated the Ruggs pick but he was an important part of the O and was developing into a good deep threat and solid WR2.   Ruggs was a big loss.   

I don’t know that Mayock should go but if this season unravels like I think it will, Davis is going to start completely over.  

 

[DocHolliday]

Great copy and paste. You are an awesome parrot. 

You ok today?   It was an embarrassing loss and made worse by the stupid logo “meeting” at the beginning of the game.  This team is clueless and really needs a strong leader.   

Hang in there.  The season will be over soon enough and we can start the future.  

 

[Chadstroma]

You ok today?   It was an embarrassing loss and made worse by the stupid logo “meeting” at the beginning of the game.  This team is clueless and really needs a strong leader.   

Hang in there.  The season will be over soon enough and we can start the future.  

I was angry yesterday... like a kick the dog kind of angry. Had to check myself and consciously make sure I didn't yell at the kids for no reason. I am better today. 

 

[Chaka]

I was angry yesterday... like a kick the dog kind of angry. Had to check myself and consciously make sure I didn't yell at the kids for no reason. I am better today. 

IDK sometimes ya gotta keep 'em guessing.

 

[Chaka]

Couple or five years ago (maybe more) I had a moment where I was incredibly upset about my favorite college team losing. I was hurt, I was despondent, I was in a rage.

And then I had my Zimsky moment

Ever since then I just don't let it get to me anymore. I love the Raiders, I root for them, I wear my colors regardless of their record and that's it. No sadness, no anger, I just decided to let that stuff go. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Losing Gruden was going to hurt.   He had the O working well at one point.  I hated the Ruggs pick but he was an important part of the O and was developing into a good deep threat and solid WR2.   Ruggs was a big loss.   

I don’t know that Mayock should go but if this season unravels like I think it will, Davis is going to start completely over.  

Ruggs added more to the offense than his own production. Anyone with any amount of football IQ could see that. He had special speed and he wasn't just a track star, he was showing this season he could play ball. 

Like him or not with Gruden, he was the offense. I think Olsen has shown that he is not very imaginative when it comes to game planning and play calling. I do remember seeing that he 'simplified' the offense a bit and it seemed to work well that first game but I think the loss of Ruggs added to him being an average, at best, OC that really was more of an assistant OC than anything else. I did expect that Jackson would have helped more but I think there is a trade off from his age degrading his speed a little versus his vet know how- in the end, it just isn't the same as Ruggs. Zay has shown, without doubt, that he is nothing more than a depth wide out. Edwards clearly needs someone like Ruggs to grab attention and is not a #1 (I know a few people actually hoped he would grow into that role). Renfrow is a stud slot guy but he can't carry a team. Losing Waller a bit hurts. A struggling Oline doesnt help. But when it is said and done. Olsen isn't helping. 

This is a rough season... there was a lot of promise there. I still believe it. I do think Gruden/Ruggs are things that hurt more than just losing the HC and the WR in as much as how we lost them. On top of that, Olsen just isn't capable of filling that OC role to a new level. 

You can't keep Bisaccia at 3-5. It is a bum rap on him to take over a team like this. I think he might be a good HC if he has a strong OC and DC to do their jobs but to carry Olsen along with al the drama going on is a lot to ask. 

I am betting we keep Mayock and I am good with us doing so. I have commented on what I believe has happened by reading between the lines and picking up pieces of info here and there. I really would like to see what he does with a draft that he is 'in charge' of. I still think he approaches it with 'getting the coaches the players they want' but I think he takes more final say. From what I know of what Mayock likes in DB's, I don't think Arnette was his pick, for example. 

Tafur says he believes that Davis will make a decision on Carr this off season and then fill the coach in accordingly after. My view on Carr is well known here. 

I think Bradley has earned the job at DC and I think D can continue to get better. If he goes, which is more likely than not, then some of the impact players we brought in at LB and DB would most likely need to go too. Hayward, Perryman and Wright... as well as Hayward and Perryman have played would need to walk if the scheme changed. I think the Dline could say. 

The line changing from Cable will be interesting to see what happens. Losing Good was an underappreciated huge loss for us. I think he solidified that right side and would have helped both James mature and Leatherwood from being stuck on an island at RT with horrible play at RG while going through a learning curve. Is he a RT? I don't know. But the buzz is that the coaching staff still believes he is. James has improved much from the start of the year but Miller is the only guy that is really set. We will need to bring in new players there. 

Yes, we will need a real bona fide WR to be that #1 guy. Wet dreams say Davante Adams but can we swing that... extend Carr and keep guys like Maxx on new deals? 

The team is young and there are promising parts. I don't want to blow the whole thing up. The coaching decision will obviously make a huge impact on what we do roster wise. 

Gawd... I really do think if not for a very bad decision that one night in Vegas, this season would still be different right now. But it happened and this is where we are at. It sucks. I am sick of it sucking. 

 

[DocHolliday]

I was angry yesterday... like a kick the dog kind of angry. Had to check myself and consciously make sure I didn't yell at the kids for no reason. I am better today. 

Glad you are better.  We can all learn from Chaka.  When you think about it, if you aren’t gambling, it doesn’t really matter if the Raiders win or lose.  

 

[Chadstroma]

Glad you are better.  We can all learn from Chaka.  When you think about it, if you aren’t gambling, it doesn’t really matter if the Raiders win or lose.  

I tried to tell myself yesterday... it is football... but I just don't roll that way. But thanks- love my Raider Nation brothers and sisters... even when we fight like brothers and sisters. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Couple or five years ago (maybe more) I had a moment where I was incredibly upset about my favorite college team losing. I was hurt, I was despondent, I was in a rage.

And then I had my Zimsky moment

Ever since then I just don't let it get to me anymore. I love the Raiders, I root for them, I wear my colors regardless of their record and that's it. No sadness, no anger, I just decided to let that stuff go. 

Well....

I do have to say that I am super pumped for my college team. I feel like Marcus Freeman will be a much more effective recruiter than Kelly. For example, here are a couple of qoutes from some 4 and 5 star commits:

Quote on commitment to Notre Dame: "Over the last few days. Coach Rees and coach Freeman came to the house. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last head coach, but when I met coach Freeman, he was different. He is a great guy and someone I can see myself working for and putting int the work for. He approached our conversations totally different than what I was used to. It totally switched how I felt about Notre Dame."

Quote on commitment to Notre Dame: “One of the best coaching staffs in college football. The architecture of Notre Dame. The overall atmosphere of how it is. Talking to Coach Freeman, talking to a couple players just really changed the way I felt. Just being able to be part of a team that has a possibility and a really good chance to play in the National Championship gets me excited because I want to bring one of those home.”

Quote on Commitment to Marcus Freeman: "He's just like my father. They have a lot of similarities. All I know is that he's a real big father figure for myself,” said Tuihalamaka of Freeman. “Just knowing that he's a family-oriented person as well for himself because he has six kids, so he knows how it is to take care of a kid that is going to come from another state as far as California. I'll come there and he'll take care of me knowing that one of my dreams is to make it to the league and graduate from Notre Dame."

When they introduced Freeman to the kids as the new HC, you could see how they really respond to Coach Freeman. After hearing his short speech to them, I was ready to go run through a wall. The fact that almost all the coaches are staying even after being offered ridiculous amounts of more money to go to LSU speaks volumes as well. 

I hope this off season I can feel the same about our Raiders with whomever we bring in to lead. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Olsen has always sucked. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Gruden’s  track record at the draft is not good. The Mack trade will always be a mistake. The gruden hire will always be a mistake. This team will be the laughing stock of the league for the next 10 years. After the first few Vegas games, the stands will look like the current charger games. A home game for the road team.   

I appluad your wait and see attitude @Stompin' Tom Connors  But,  I’m completely over it.  40 years of die hard fandom.     

i think this team is and has been a joke for years..  I CAN NOT STAND gruden. And to answer @Chadstroma I think the only way the raiders regain their way, is new ownership. Full cleanse. Top to bottom. 

That said,  I still support them. I’m flying to the game tomorrow.  FML. RFL. 

just looking back in time.  not much has changed.

 

[Chaka]

Glad you are better.  We can all learn from Chaka.  When you think about it, if you aren’t gambling, it doesn’t really matter if the Raiders win or lose.  

I am still waiting for a Harry & David basket from the Raiders letting me know they care that I locked in the #1 seed in my fantasy league.

Until that happens, whatever.

 

[Chaka]

Well....

I do have to say that I am super pumped for my college team. I feel like Marcus Freeman will be a much more effective recruiter than Kelly. For example, here are a couple of qoutes from some 4 and 5 star commits:

Quote on commitment to Notre Dame: "Over the last few days. Coach Rees and coach Freeman came to the house. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last head coach, but when I met coach Freeman, he was different. He is a great guy and someone I can see myself working for and putting int the work for. He approached our conversations totally different than what I was used to. It totally switched how I felt about Notre Dame."

Quote on commitment to Notre Dame: “One of the best coaching staffs in college football. The architecture of Notre Dame. The overall atmosphere of how it is. Talking to Coach Freeman, talking to a couple players just really changed the way I felt. Just being able to be part of a team that has a possibility and a really good chance to play in the National Championship gets me excited because I want to bring one of those home.”

Quote on Commitment to Marcus Freeman: "He's just like my father. They have a lot of similarities. All I know is that he's a real big father figure for myself,” said Tuihalamaka of Freeman. “Just knowing that he's a family-oriented person as well for himself because he has six kids, so he knows how it is to take care of a kid that is going to come from another state as far as California. I'll come there and he'll take care of me knowing that one of my dreams is to make it to the league and graduate from Notre Dame."

When they introduced Freeman to the kids as the new HC, you could see how they really respond to Coach Freeman. After hearing his short speech to them, I was ready to go run through a wall. The fact that almost all the coaches are staying even after being offered ridiculous amounts of more money to go to LSU speaks volumes as well. 

I hope this off season I can feel the same about our Raiders with whomever we bring in to lead. 

The only time you should run through a wall for anyone is if you get a job as the new Kool Aid Man.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I am still waiting for a Harry & David basket from the Raiders letting me know they care that I locked in the #1 seed in my fantasy league.

Until that happens, whatever.

for realz.  it's looking like i am the #1 seed as well.  obviously i should be a gm.  as should you.  maybe we should apply?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Couple or five years ago (maybe more) I had a moment where I was incredibly upset about my favorite college team losing. I was hurt, I was despondent, I was in a rage.

And then I had my Zimsky moment

Ever since then I just don't let it get to me anymore. I love the Raiders, I root for them, I wear my colors regardless of their record and that's it. No sadness, no anger, I just decided to let that stuff go. 

i've been trending this way for a long time.  i care, but not so much.  i'm a die hard fan, but i don't let the foolishness get to me in real life.  i had a charger fan bugging me about the game this week.  i just shrugged.  team sucks, what can i do?

i do love talking about the team and am always up for some spirited banter.  especially with my fellow raider fans.

 

[Chaka]

I need to point out that The Core is the most underrated sci-fi apocalypse adventure movie ever.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Going out and dancing on the Chiefs logo prior to the game is one of the dumber, more typical Raiders things I've seen in awhile.  Only to get absolutely annihilated, from start to finish.

There's got to be some good memes coming out of this one. 

No offense, but curious to know who led that "charge"?  What player? 

I actually felt bad for David Carr trying to defend it in the post-game.

 

[DocHolliday]

Going out and dancing on the Chiefs logo prior to the game is one of the dumber, more typical Raiders things I've seen in awhile.  Only to get absolutely annihilated, from start to finish.

There's got to be some good memes coming out of this one. 

No offense, but curious to know who led that "charge"?  What player? 

I actually felt bad for David Carr trying to defend it in the post-game.

Indicates the lack of leadership and the poor thinking of the team in general.  The Raiders were becoming a respectable team.  This year is erasing that progress between Gruden, Ruggs, the losses to inferior teams, and the pre game celebrating before getting blown out.  The Raiders need a strong coach that can run the team with an iron fist.   

 

[Chaka]

Indicates the lack of leadership and the poor thinking of the team in general.  The Raiders were becoming a respectable team.  This year is erasing that progress between Gruden, Ruggs, the losses to inferior teams, and the pre game celebrating before getting blown out.  The Raiders need a strong coach that can run the team with an iron fist.   

Harbaugh fits that bill.

 

[ZADO]

Mayock is gone.  This team is worse than last year.  Will they win another game this season?   It’s time to clean house.  

Its my belief that Gruden had all the influence on the draft and instructed Mayock to target high character blue chip football players . I think Gruden was trying to use Bill Bilichicks  winning formula in New England. Id love to see how Mayocks approach would change without Grudens influence 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Its my belief that Gruden had all the influence on the draft and instructed Mayock to target high character blue chip football players . I think Gruden was trying to use Bill Bilichicks  winning formula in New England. Id love to see how Mayocks approach would change without Grudens influence 

the high character thing was a charade.

 

[ZADO]

the high character thing was a charade.

Based on which players?

 

[Chaka]

Based on which players?

Arnette for sure.

 

[ZADO]

Arnette for sure.

right,but other than him who else?

Lets not forget recruiting was all messed up from Covid,they couldnt really get tyo know these kids .

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Based on which players?

arnette, bowden, ruggs(this is my personal opinion), burfict, incognito(reformed?), both browns.  and that's just off the top of my head.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

and if josh jacobs has 8 kids, by 8 different people, his good guy image takes a hit as well.

 

[Bruno2]

Its my belief that Gruden had all the influence on the draft and instructed Mayock to target high character blue chip football players . I think Gruden was trying to use Bill Bilichicks  winning formula in New England. Id love to see how Mayocks approach would change without Grudens influence 

I think you hit the nail on the head. Problem was Gruden missed on alot of players. Cle for example, they clearly drafted him so high based on character and leadership qualities hoping he would develop pass rushing skills and just overall elite Dline traits. That hasn't happened yet and probably won't. Abram the same. They wanted an attitude change in the secondary. 15-20 years ago Abram would have been a solid pick but his style of play doesn't fit in today's NFL. Not a very forward-thinking draft pick and obviously an out of touch old school pick by Gruden. I get what they were trying to do. Culture change was needed, but the talent level is missing. 

Belichick always finds players to fit his scheme with the right attitude and just enough talent to be difference makers on his defenses. Kyle Dugger is a perfect example. 

 

[Chaka]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Problem was Gruden missed on alot of players. Cle for example, they clearly drafted him so high based on character and leadership qualities hoping he would develop pass rushing skills and just overall elite Dline traits. That hasn't happened yet and probably won't. Abram the same. They wanted an attitude change in the secondary. 15-20 years ago Abram would have been a solid pick but his style of play doesn't fit in today's NFL. Not a very forward-thinking draft pick and obviously an out of touch old school pick by Gruden. I get what they were trying to do. Culture change was needed, but the talent level is missing. 

Belichick always finds players to fit his scheme with the right attitude and just enough talent to be difference makers on his defenses. Kyle Dugger is a perfect example. 

I would say he always finds the scheme to fit his players.

Reminds me of a quote from the great Bum Phillips had about Don Shula. It went something to the effect of "He can take his'n and beat your'n, and he can take your'n and beat his'n."

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I would say he always finds the scheme to fit his players.

Reminds me of a quote from the great Bum Phillips had about Don Shula. It went something to the effect of "He can take his'n and beat your'n, and he can take your'n and beat his'n."

agreed.  patriots aren't the best drafters either.  but they are well coached and prepared.