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2025 Las Vegas Raiders thread - ☠ 2nd round pick signed, Earth is now in harmony and balance again ☠ (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter Hankmoody
- Start date
LawFitz
Footballguy
You guys are getting way too hung up on the word excellence. I am not doing Pete justice with how I am describing his philosophy. Watch that lecture I posted through about the 45 min mark and you'll get a better idea of the man than I am able to convey. It's good stuff. Dude is a natural and inspirational leader. His successes at USC and Seattle were no accident. And based on what I've heard from Maxx, JPJ, and others, the team is buying in... Hopefully they have enough success early to create the momentum needed to actually turn this ship around.
LawFitz
Footballguy
Whoa, this article dropped this afternoon, not long after we started discussing this very thing in this thread!
www.silverandblackpride.com
Just read this quote within, after making my last post. Timely!!...
"You may think that the definition of competition has to do with striving against something. You probably think of it as us against the Broncos, or you against the other person. That's a pretty traditional thought of what competition is.
"A lot of people think competition is this overwhelming thing - like you're too competitive, you push too much, you push others. That's not our definition of competition.
"To us, it's striving for something, which is really the old Greek definition of the word compete, as I've been told. And the striving part makes all the difference in the world.
"We're competing to be the best we can be. We're competing to have as much fun as we can possibly have. It's for, not against, in our program. We champion competitive opportunities, moments, and illustrations.
"Sure, somebody does win and somebody does lose, but that's not what it's about. It's about working to become the best you can be."
- Pete Carroll
Can Raiders dunk Maxx Crosby’s NBA comparison?
Elite edge rusher knows there’s lots of work to do but Las Vegas has an experienced head coach in Pete Carroll to lead the way
www.silverandblackpride.com
Just read this quote within, after making my last post. Timely!!...
"You may think that the definition of competition has to do with striving against something. You probably think of it as us against the Broncos, or you against the other person. That's a pretty traditional thought of what competition is.
"A lot of people think competition is this overwhelming thing - like you're too competitive, you push too much, you push others. That's not our definition of competition.
"To us, it's striving for something, which is really the old Greek definition of the word compete, as I've been told. And the striving part makes all the difference in the world.
"We're competing to be the best we can be. We're competing to have as much fun as we can possibly have. It's for, not against, in our program. We champion competitive opportunities, moments, and illustrations.
"Sure, somebody does win and somebody does lose, but that's not what it's about. It's about working to become the best you can be."
- Pete Carroll
joey
Footballguy
Oh I buy this 100%. Hence my worry about getting optimistic.
What I don’t buy is a team with the 2nd worst win % in the NFL since 2002 uttering the phrase Commitment to Excellence. There’s no commitment or excellence is sight.
But yeah, I am hopeful (as always) that this new regime is the one that FINALLY rights this ship we’re all on together.
LawFitz
Footballguy
That's not what Pete said. Nor did I say that he said it. You're all triggered for no reason, my dude.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Just be better than the browns
joey
Footballguy
That’s not what I’m saying either.
I’m simply saying that the team should remove that saying from any wall or poster or bill board or sign in any location associated with the team. It’s embarrassing.
It has nothing to do with Carroll or the current roster. It’s the concept of that outdated slogan still being associated with a team that is literally the epitome of a crappy, losing franchise for 2 decades. Gotta EARN that phrase, like the teams of the 70s and 80s did.
Chaka
Footballguy
I don't care the least about the word. Especially when coming from Coach Pete. I am a big, big fan of his from the USC days. I don't know him personally but I know I would probably run through a wall for him if he asked.
I just see a, still depleted depth chart and three, seemingly playoff bound teams in front of the Raiders in the division and want to make sure to temper my personal expectations.
It's hard to do because I just love everything I have seen this off season. And that's even accounting for me wanting Ben Johnson as HC and for them to trade down from #6.
ETA: It's gotten so bad I can't even say #### Tom Brady with enthusiasm anymore.
LawFitz
Footballguy
My expectation is anywhere from 2nd to 4th in the division. My hope is that if it's the latter, there will be steady and notable improvement over the course of the season, along with establishment of proper culture within not just the locker room, but the entire org. So far, so great on that part IMO.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
That seems lofty. This season, LV is finishing in last place in the AFC W. It is a strong division and LV is rebuilding. I expect the team to be more competitive this season and win about 7 games. It would be great just to see the team get on the right track after so many years of flailing about like a fish out of water.
Hankmoody
Footballguy
You can be committed to something and fail in the execution. MD is a clown but there's no doubting his effort. He's committed to it, he just hasn't had any success. There's a big difference between that and for example the Bengals are STILL trying to gouge their players (superstar pass rusher and first round rookie pick) out of every penny. You cannot tell me they are more about winning than everything else. Woody Johnson hasn't given a crap about the on-field product in about 10 years.
Chaka
Footballguy
I mostly agree. Personally, I don't think Davis is a clown in the least, he gets a really bad rap and I think most of it because people thinks he has a silly haircut. Sincerely, what a petty and stupid reason to discount someone.
Davis shown consistent willingness to turn over football operations to true football people. Clown owners don't do that, I'm looking at you Jerruh.
He has been willing to acknowledge and try to correct his mistakes, like McDaniels and AP, too.
He may be the "poorest" owner in the league but he doesn't low-ball players or coaches. They must have a top 5 paid coaching staff, if not #1.
He has made some bad decisions like McDaniels and AP but it seems like he is constantly trying to get it right.
Its incredibly difficult to put together a staff that can contend year-after-year. At least with Davis I know that he's not going to stop until he gets it right. It's also no secret that getting the right QB is a key component to that success. Not having one is no fault of Davis.
There aren't many owners I would prefer to Davis.
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joey
Footballguy
Agree with all if this.
What I’m saying is simple: put the phrase to bed until you show with results that you’re excellent again. It’s embarrassing at this point.
Chaka
Footballguy
Gotta be honest, I don't really agree with that.
You can commit to be excellent and still fail. It's not exclusive to success.
Chaka
Footballguy
Mark Davis became the owner in October of 2011.
In 2012 his first move was to wisely fire Hue Jackson who was hired by Al and hire Reggie McKenzie as GM, something the Raiders never truly had under Al.
That was a mature and insightful decision. Does anyone think Stephen Jones is going to hire a GM after Jerruh dies?
He gave Reggie seven years to get it done. I like that consistency. Obviously the Gruden era was cut short so we'll never truly know but Gruden got a 10 year deal, I think most agree that was too long, I suspect a lot of that deal was about marketing for the franchise getting ready to move to Vegas.
Still, it's very clear Mark wants continuity in the front office. At the same time he has the presence to admit being wrong and do something about it.
If not for the opportunity to bring in Tom Brady, another savvy marketing move, I think Telesco would still be GM.
Tom Brady>>>Tom Telesco
In 2012 his first move was to wisely fire Hue Jackson who was hired by Al and hire Reggie McKenzie as GM, something the Raiders never truly had under Al.
That was a mature and insightful decision. Does anyone think Stephen Jones is going to hire a GM after Jerruh dies?
He gave Reggie seven years to get it done. I like that consistency. Obviously the Gruden era was cut short so we'll never truly know but Gruden got a 10 year deal, I think most agree that was too long, I suspect a lot of that deal was about marketing for the franchise getting ready to move to Vegas.
Still, it's very clear Mark wants continuity in the front office. At the same time he has the presence to admit being wrong and do something about it.
If not for the opportunity to bring in Tom Brady, another savvy marketing move, I think Telesco would still be GM.
Tom Brady>>>Tom Telesco
joey
Footballguy
I don’t know why what I’m saying seems so controversial?
How can you dare to have the word “excellence” as one of your key catch phrases when you are the SECOND WORST WINNING PERCENTAGE team in the entire NFL, behind only the lowly Browns, for the past 20 years? If the Browns had a tagline of that included the term “excellence” we’d all be laughing up and down saying what a joke it is cuz they’ve sucked for so long. But because it’s OUR TEAM and the phrase obviously USED TO stand for something real, some folks are trying to find caveats and subtleties and excuses to still use that phrase.
That phrase is currently ridiculous and a mockery at this point. I’m just saying that it should be set aside til it’s proven that we are a good, competitive team for a couple of years in a row, then pull it back out of the closet.
I know I’m belaboring my point. Sorry.
joey
Footballguy
Never heard Maxx say Commitment to Excellence. He’s not dumb enough to step in that pile of poop.
darksideofoz
Footballguy
Excellence is a process, not a result.
Chaka
Footballguy
No, he just lives it.
ZADO
Footballguy
I think he tries too hard to impress people while trying to carry on his fathers very legendary status ...those are big shoes to fill.
Chaka
Footballguy
Can you give me a "For example"? I can't think of an example where he has tried to emulate the renegade nature of his dad.
ZADO
Footballguy
Im not saying hes trying to act like dad ...just not screwup something dad built , trying not to embarrass such a legendary franchise
joey
Footballguy
As negative as I’ve been about the use of the term “excellence” relating to this team….i have ZERO problems with Mark Davis. From the beginning he’s said he doesn’t have the football knowledge his dad had, so he’d bring in football minds to handle that side, and he’d handle the business/stadium/etc side. He’s had a long run of incredibly bad luck by picking the wrong guys but, bar one or two head scratching choices, I think he’s trying his best to find the combo of folks who will finally bring success to this long suffering franchise.
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Sarlakticacid
Footballguy
No matter what you say of him, he is credited with inventing the muff hand warmer.
He also cops unfair resentment from most of the league for the things his old man did. Even from owners who weren’t even in the league at that time
He also cops unfair resentment from most of the league for the things his old man did. Even from owners who weren’t even in the league at that time
Chadstroma
Footballguy
Insider: Some Scouts Believe the Raiders Got the No. 1 Prospect in the 2024 Draft - Raiders Beat
The Raiders took some criticism for drafting a tight end in the first round...
www.raidersbeat.com
SDJohnny
Footballguy
Our Long Raider National nightmare is over.
Tashan Reed
@tashanreed
·
11m
The #Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jack Bech on a four-year rookie contract, per source. There had been an NFL-wide log jam on second-round picks getting their deals done until recently. Now, Las Vegas has all 11 picks from their 2025 draft class locked in.
Tashan Reed
@tashanreed
·
11m
The #Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jack Bech on a four-year rookie contract, per source. There had been an NFL-wide log jam on second-round picks getting their deals done until recently. Now, Las Vegas has all 11 picks from their 2025 draft class locked in.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Is it fully guaranteed? That was the issue since the browns and Texans gave fully guaranteed contracts to their 2nd round picks
SDJohnny
Footballguy
No details yet, but I would guess no. Pick 43 got 80% guaranteed and Bech is pick 58.
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Chadstroma
Footballguy
Expectations are not fully guaranteed but kind of prorated as the selections go. That is why everyone was waiting to kind of see how much. Judging probably screwed it all up for everyone else as they ought to be very light on guaranteed money for him now.
ZADO
Footballguy
Is there any way out of this grossly over paid contract???
$110 million
The Raiders signed Wilkins to a massive four-year, $110 million free-agent contract last offseason, but it has aged poorly thus far. He played just five games last season, and now his status for the 2025 season is up in the air.
$110 million
The Raiders signed Wilkins to a massive four-year, $110 million free-agent contract last offseason, but it has aged poorly thus far. He played just five games last season, and now his status for the 2025 season is up in the air.
Chaka
Footballguy
I think that is 20:20 hindsight. In five games he had two sacks, two TFL and six QB pressures. In the four games they played together Maxx had 5 sacks, 7 TFL and 7 QB hits (not sure how many pressures). In his other eight games he had 2.5 sacks, 10 TFL and 13 QB hits. Wilkins was producing the way the Raiders hoped and hopefully he can get back and continue to produce.
I don't like calling it grossly overpaid because of an unfortunate injury. But, yes it would be nice if they got him to restructure.
SDJohnny
Footballguy
Not this year or next year without taking a huge cap hit. The restructure they did gave him more guarnteed money making it impossible to drop him after this season.
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