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== OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2018 thread == (1 Viewer)

Stompin' Tom Connors said:
Great pedigree in college and in the NFL, but has been super hard for him with injuries over the last 2+ years, likely camp competition.

This continues to not bode well for our resigning of Bowman. I have no idea why this deal has been stalled for this long, given that I haven't heard any news since March or so about other teams' interest in him.

I get the business strategy on both sides as to why it might be taking this long, but while the Raiders shouldn't break bank for him, they should IMHO be more aggressive in making an attractive offer for a guy who came in with the 11th highest PFF grade at his position last year -- Bowman proved it (to me at least) in his one year deal. 

And given the relative silence over other teams' interest in Bowman over the last few months, I would think his own expectations might have come back to reality to the point where job security -- on a team with Gruden and on the upswing -- would also be more attractive.

TBH, we need him.
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I think each is waiting for the other to blink first and I can see both sides. The Raiders think, well, yeah, Bowman played well last year but nobody was beating the door down to get him when we came calling. We can wait. Bowman's camp is thinking, our guy played well last year so somebody WILL be calling this time around. We can wait.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
That said, Gruden & Co. were obviously valuating offense just as much (actually likely more) than D, and I don't blame them. We have a super solid left side, but Penn is old and we needed a succession plan both because of his age, his Lis Franc injury (let's not forget the team has much better info than we do on his health and rehab), and while we have him under contract through 2018, we needed to start building leverage and have other options in case he does get injured.

I like to think the right side of the line could develop, but nothing we've seen from Alexander or Ware has impressed, and beyond the core of our line (Penn, Osemele, Gabe Jackson, and Hudson) there is little there to provide relief or depth. Feliciano has been serviceable but not the caliber of player we need in rotation or succession, Giacomini is simply a plugger journeyman who seems to be brought in by Gruden and Cable to provide camp competition, and pretty much no one of use thereafter (Simmons, Kirkland, and Ware all need to show their worth despite the "promise" we hope they have).
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Good thoughts on the tackle picks and why they were needed due to lack of depth in the o-line. It really is pretty threadbare. If Miller and Parker work out, that's two decades of quality o-line production in one draft. Anybody in the business would take that.

And conversely, if Hall and Hurst work out, the interior of the d-line is also set for the foreseeable future.

 
PFF had Ateman as their #12 WR, over Chark and Pettis (behind St. Brown so.....meh).

From analytics standpoint, he was #2 in nation yards per route run.  His teammate, Washington was #3.  So OSU had the #2 and #3 WRs in terms of yards per route run, one of PFF's pet stats. 

He was 8th in nation using their deep passing metric.  Among the WRs drafted, he and Pettins had the best drop rate in the nation.  

WR depth chart is Coop/Jordy/Martavius.  Have to assume punt return for Switzer.  Two spots left.  Roberts/Holland/Ateman have to be favorites, and Whalen on the outside.  I feel like Holland did some ST work as a gunner, is that wrong?  He and Switz might make it on ST.  If we cannot trade Roberts, and it seems unlikely,  he may stick for another year.  

 
Vet leadership and competition at LB.  Whitehead, DJ, Lee, James, Morrow, Victor.

Probably signals end of Bowman, although not completely.  

My guess is Bowman asked for too much cash.  

 
Raiders agreed to terms with LB Derrick Johnson, formerly of the Chiefs.

Johnson visited Oakland Thursday and came away with a concrete offer. Despite coming back from his second Achilles tear since 2014, Johnson was reasonably effective for the Chiefs last season. In their apparent blueprint to corner the market in 'veteran' talent, the Raiders are likely aware the 13-year pro turns 36 in November.

YA THINK ?? lol....who writes this crap?? 

 
krsone21 said:
Adam Schefter
‏@AdamSchefter
Former Texans LB Brian Cushing is scheduled to visit the Raiders on Sunday, per source.
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Update: Raiders cancel meeting with Cushing

Updating an earlier report, the Raiders have cancelled their visit with free agent LB Brian Cushing.

Cushing had been scheduled to meet with the Raiders on Sunday, but it appears Oakland has already filled its linebacker quota after signing ex-Chief Derrick Johnson. Injury-prone and coming off a second PED suspension, Cushing hasn't garnered much interest this offseason. Despite his baggage, we'd expect the 31-year-old to resurface on a cheap one-year deal at some point.

 
Hurst is medically cleared and he wants to ball. It's his life's work. I am thrilled for him that he will get his chance and even more thrilled that the Raiders are the ones who gave it to him.

I may have to buy a jersey, and I never do that.

 
Raiders OT Kolton Miller is working exclusively at left tackle during rookie minicamp.

"We like [Miller] at left tackle," head coach John Gruden said. "He can bend, he's got the length that you're looking for and he's a sharp kid...that doesn't mean that's where they're going to end up, though." Miller is still projected to start at right tackle, but the Raiders could be wary that LT Donald Penn, who underwent Lisfranc surgery in December, won't be ready for camp. Miller earned second-team All-Pac 12 while blocking Josh Rosen's blind side in 2017, but Penn's availability remains of the utmost importance for Oakland's offensive line.

 
Raiders are gonna work Miller at LT, and Parker at RT.

Glad they aren't f**king around with Mller at RT for a year, and then flipping him around.  With two young guys that need technique work, just put them where you envision them, and leave them alone.

 
Paring continues with us cutting Darius Hillary, a journeyman practice squad depth addition from last year:

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2018/5/7/17327868/raiders-let-go-of-one-of-their-many-cornerbacks-as-they-officially-add-derrick-johnson

The team was at 90 players already so they needed to cut someone. And with 12 cornerbacks on the roster, that was where they looked to clear space, cutting Darius Hillary, who they had added to the practice squad just prior to the end of last season and held onto with a reserve/future contract a few days later.

Hillary went undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2015. He spent time in the offseason and on the practice squads for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, appearing in one games for the Browns last season.

 
Interesting recap of the 3rd and last day of rookie minicamp. It's WAY too early to be excited over anything, but apparently the D was bringing the heat to the O, especially in pass rush, which was nice to hear.

http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Observations-From-Day-Three-Of-Raiders-Rookie-Minicamp/3495d385-62d2-4cbf-8726-b1e4a41abdf8

Also interesting is the aura of camaraderie that exists -- wonder how much is carried over from last year, how much is instilled by Gruden, and how much by the coaching staff. To that last point, just started watching ALL OR NOTHING with the Cowboys on Amazon Prime, and while I'm only through Ep 2, the way Rich Bisaccia ended his ST meetings with a hug-fest seemed to really resonate with the players -- you can tell they were getting a kick out of it, and not just going through the motions.

This would help go a long way to squash any purported or real locker room issues we've supposedly had over the last few seasons.

 
LawFitz said:
Raiders sign a poor man's Derrick Henry; cut Elijah Hood Wood to make room:

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2018/5/8/17330592/udfa-scouting-report-rb-fb-chris-warren-iii-how-he-fits-with-raiders

Dude is a hammer. Gruden to bring heat in the the running game in year 1. He's looking to exploit the proliferation of smaller, faster defenses in the NFL during his absence. Hood ran soft for a big man. Not true at all of Warren III.
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This guy flashed some massive play making ability early in his career, with a 250+ yard game against Texas Tech near the end of his freshman year (2015 season), and he followed up with another 100+ yard performance (although it was relatively innefficient) to end the season. With UT's quagmire at the QB position (truly dreadful since Colt McCoy), the buzz around Austin was this kid was going to be the focal point of the offense by the end of the 2016 season, or at the very least find himself on the better side of a timeshare with Foreman. He just looked that explosive during those two games in 2015. 

Injuries, and the upsurge of D'Onta Foreman's consistency in 2016, really ruined this guy's career though. He opened 2016 on the lesser end of a timeshare with Foreman, but he did go over 100 yards twice in his four game junior season. A season ending knee injury knocked him out the rest of 2016 though, and he just didn't look the same in 2017. Only one 100+ yard game, and he didn't exhibit the same level of burst or power during any of the other games. A concussion, and lingering soft tissue injuries throughout the year, were the likely culprits, and a concern (at least the soft tissue injuries) going forward for his pro career.

Still, after looking at his stats, I was surprised by his lack of production in the passing game, as it seemed like he was allllllways on the field in third and go situations. Despite the lack of receptions, he has pretty good hands and was always a reliable safety valve in those third down situations. As the article states though, he's a tremendous pass blocker, and I think if he makes it to the 53 man roster he should prove to be a pretty viable FB option for us.

 
With regard to the Penn domestic violence case:

"The office rejected this case because of lack of corroboration and on the ground that there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction on the domestic violence matter," a spokesperson says. 
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http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/09/donald-penn-off-the-hook-in-domestic-violence-case/

So, no legs to stand on for this case to be upheld in a court of law. No telling if that has any correlation to how this issue will be handled in the "Court of Goodell," but this has got to be a good sign.

 
Wow...

"Here is Gruden’s signature stat from his first time with the Raiders: After a 44-21 loss in Buffalo Dec. 13, 1998, the Gruden Raiders played 50 consecutive regular-season games in which they did not lose a game by double figures. Fifty straight times they went into a game in the fourth quarter with a chance to win."

Just for kicks I thought I'd check Belichick, figuring he's done better than that. Nope, not recently anyway. Pats lost by 15 in Week 1 in 2017, lost by 16 in Week 4 in 2016, lost by 10 in Week 17 of 2015, smoked twice in 2014.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/05/11/raiders-mailbag-has-gruden-evolved-in-terms-of-building-a-competitive-team-lets-hope-not/

 
Great article on the person the Raiders drafted in the first round, a man of dedication and true character.   I'll be rooting for him to become a success for more reasons than his opportunity to wear the Silver and Black.  I'm a sucker when it comes to off the field stories, and this one hits close to home for me.  

Kolton Miller - Las Vegas Review Journal

 
I don't want to post subscriber content, but let's just say that Dodds doesn't really seem enamored with our offense's chances of racking up meaningful fantasy points. The below is based on standard FBG scoring.

They think Carr is a bottom half QB2. I don't necessarily disagree that Carr is a risk to use anywhere near a QB1, but I think he has way more upside than the guys ranked around/ahead of him (Mahomes, Mariota, Prescott). Not hugely surprising, but given upgrades to the line and receiving corps, I think Carr has the potential to crack Top 15 if things fall into place.

Lynch is ranked outside the Top 25. Again, not surprising that many won't share the feeling that a 32 year old back with considerable wear doesn't have the upside that some of the younger less established guys might have. But given his performance last year, this seems like a huge regression -- he is in a similar tier as an uproven Royce Freeman and Rashaad Penny, and backs like Hyde and Jamaal Williams. The latter two are defensible comparisons, but I think given what we've heard from Gruden about Lynch's use this coming year, what he was able to do last year, and a potentially better (or at least deeper) O-line, I think Lynch can easily crack the Top 20 -- he ended last year as the 18th back overall in standard scoring, so not sure what warrants the comparative deep discount this year when the team seems a little more solidified.

While Cooper gets his due within the Top 20 WRs, the next WR doesn't show up past Top 40 (Nelson), with Bryant barely eking out a Top 60 rank. I think our WR2 and WR3 fare better than the company they are ranked around, but we'll see.

Cook is just outside of the Top 15 TEs, which seems right, with Tavecchio cracking Top 15. While I have a feeling Pineiro might be our guy, both rankings absolutely fine

Our D is ranked just above the dead last Colts. Hey, we have TONS to prove, and a lot of holes still with unproven guys and guys yet to step up as expected. But surely we'll have a stronger D than the Browns, Jets, or Dolphins, right? Right?!?

As always, time will tell.

 
Everything I've heard so far is almost all pooping on the Raiders this season. 

I must say that I feel more comfortable with this type of talk compared to the Super Bowl contender & lock for the division/playoff talk of last year 

 
In terms of fantasy analysts, and draft analysts, and they are pretty much the same, you have to look around and realize they are all pretty much cut from the same cloth:  White, slightly chubby fanatic sports fans in their 20's and 30's.  They are smarter and more well-informed than the average fan, and they tend towards the smart-@$$ end of the spectrum.  They tend to be know-it-alls in terms of sport among their friends.  We all know this guy.  Maybe we ARE this guy, or used to be.  Guys like that can stray into obnoxious pretty quick.  

They are all fighting for views, and retweets.  If you tweet out, "Doug Martin was an odd signing, he's gonna have an uphill battle to make the roster", it's not gonna receive as much of a reaction as "WHEN DOES GANNON GET TO TOWN?!?"

We all grew up with Mike Florio, Colin Cowherd, and screaming sports radio.  That's how you get paid.  

I think it would be surprising to find out how much influence Raider fans have on their inherent bias.  If these guys are active on Twitter, they are sick as hell of Raider fans.  Raider Twitter is LOUD, and it is definitely not the sanest Raider fans making the most noise.   :lmao:

If they get berated by one fan base more than others, when they get a chance to take a shot, I don't blame them.  

It's more profitable to make age jokes than say, "Well, Carr played the season with a broken back, Lynch gets a full training camp, they added Martavius Bryant and Jordy Nelson, cut some immaturity off their team, the defense adds Rashaan Melvin, Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley, Obi Melifonwu, Mauice Hurst Tair Whitehead and Arden Key which sounds like a lot to me, and they added a Super Bowl winning coach."

Consider this, which team added more interesting pieces to their defense this spring than Oakland?  The Rams, probably.  No one else is close.   

 
Sarlakticacid said:
Everything I've heard so far is almost all pooping on the Raiders this season. 

I must say that I feel more comfortable with this type of talk compared to the Super Bowl contender & lock for the division/playoff talk of last year 
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The Raiders looked bad last season and a lot of teams took some obvious steps forward this offseason.  The Raiders did add old WR, a troubled WR, and are supposedly relying on an old RB that didn't seem to interested in playing football for the first half of last season.  Lets not forget that the new coach has not coached in the NFL for 10 years and did not even leave on top 10 years ago.  The D, which has struggled for years did add parts but most of those parts are unknowns. 

The Raiders should be improved in 2018 but they do not have the potential of many other AFC teams.   Looks like an 8-8 team to me. 

 
I have full confidence the Raiders will be a good NFL team in 2018. Maybe not good for fantasy as Gruden clearly intends to pound the rock old school, but I'm looking for 10-6 or better. I don't give a #### what pro prognosticators are saying, even esteemed Dodds. 

 
Seems like another rebuild to me. The only difference this time is they have three key players to build around. Where 6 years ago it was a complete tear down to the foundation. The bright side: We have a QB, stud on defense and a young athletic WR who has potential to be a WR1. A revamped WR crew, with questionmarks for sure. All reports from off season workouts are saying Nelson is a teacher in the WR room and already taking a leadership role. Something Crabtree didn't bring. And if Bryant keeps his nose clean, they haven't had a downfield threat like him since Jerry Porter. I see what Gruden is doing at RB hes hoping Martin and Lynch will be a reincarnated version of the old Garner/Wheatley combo. 

When it comes to the defense, they have nowhere to go but up. Right? At times over the past few years, they were historically bad. Remember the first 3 games of the 12-4 season? Didn't they give up the most yards to start a season in history? Or some God-awful stat like that. And the no INTs until week 10 last year are all things I'd like to forget. Due to the personnel turnover and scheme changes, I am cautiously optimistic that Gruden and Guenther can make the defense better, it can't possibly get any worse...

 
Bruno2 said:
Seems like another rebuild to me. The only difference this time is they have three key players to build around. Where 6 years ago it was a complete tear down to the foundation. The bright side: We have a QB, stud on defense and a young athletic WR who has potential to be a WR1. A revamped WR crew, with questionmarks for sure. All reports from off season workouts are saying Nelson is a teacher in the WR room and already taking a leadership role. Something Crabtree didn't bring. And if Bryant keeps his nose clean, they haven't had a downfield threat like him since Jerry Porter. I see what Gruden is doing at RB hes hoping Martin and Lynch will be a reincarnated version of the old Garner/Wheatley combo. 

When it comes to the defense, they have nowhere to go but up. Right? At times over the past few years, they were historically bad. Remember the first 3 games of the 12-4 season? Didn't they give up the most yards to start a season in history? Or some God-awful stat like that. And the no INTs until week 10 last year are all things I'd like to forget. Due to the personnel turnover and scheme changes, I am cautiously optimistic that Gruden and Guenther can make the defense better, it can't possibly get any worse...
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I thought Washington could thrive in the Garner role and I'm still optimistic he will get a shot at a meaningful role.

 
ICON211 said:
I thought Washington could thrive in the Garner role and I'm still optimistic he will get a shot at a meaningful role.
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I was under the impression that Washington and Richard were similar runners (could obviously be wrong) — is there a reason you have for giving the edge to Deandre in a Garner-type role? 

 
higgins said:
I was under the impression that Washington and Richard were similar runners (could obviously be wrong) — is there a reason you have for giving the edge to Deandre in a Garner-type role? 
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They are similar and one of them will probably not be a Raider by the start of the season.  The backfield seems crowded.  I have no idea which one will be gone though. 

 
DocHolliday said:
They are similar and one of them will probably not be a Raider by the start of the season.  The backfield seems crowded.  I have no idea which one will be gone though. 
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I don't disagree but Lynch is 32 and Martin is 29 -- if either one (or both) show promise it night be wise to invest in either (or both) cheaply in a dynasty, which is why I'm asking.

 
higgins said:
I don't disagree but Lynch is 32 and Martin is 29 -- if either one (or both) show promise it night be wise to invest in either (or both) cheaply in a dynasty, which is why I'm asking.
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I think when given the chance Washington seemed to find more running room than Richard ever did. Richard kinda burst on the scene as a UDFA a couple years ago then regressed quite a bit last year. IMO, Washington looks like the better all-round RB than Richard, even if Richard is a tad faster. 

 
No idea on which is better, I still haven't seen anything that separates them. One guy fumbled a couple times, so he's the favorite among fans to go. Too bad he didn't retire when he was an all time Raider, after his first carry.

Not sure I am so sure one has to go. Nothing in Martin's deal says he's a lock. At this point, he's not too far off the Josh Johnson signing, and JJ was already cut.

If I had to place money on it, I'd wager that our 2019 #1 RB isn't on the team. Chris Warren has the same chance as Hood last year, not much. 

I'd actually like to watch a game where the two midgets share the load. Don't think we've ever seen that.

 
DocHolliday said:
They are similar and one of them will probably not be a Raider by the start of the season.  The backfield seems crowded.  I have no idea which one will be gone though. 
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I thought the trade for Switzer was a pretty ominous sign for Richard. Man, he was great his first year. Then, as someone mentioned, he regressed...really regressed as in I see why he wasn't drafted regressed. Then he put the ball on the ground a bunch too.

I'd say Richard has A LOT to prove to make the club.

 
Ed Wood said:
I thought the trade for Switzer was a pretty ominous sign for Richard. Man, he was great his first year. Then, as someone mentioned, he regressed...really regressed as in I see why he wasn't drafted regressed. Then he put the ball on the ground a bunch too.

I'd say Richard has A LOT to prove to make the club.
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Gun to my head, that's my take as well. Both Richard and Washington had moments early on where they looked good, but Richard was a notable liability on ST given fumbles. Given that the skillset is so similar (with Richard looking much speedier outside and Washington a better between-the-tackles runner, though the differences in their games even here is nominal), I think Richard is more expendable.

But per @massraider's comment, I think anyone behind Lynch is at risk of not making the team, and agree that our long term back for 2019 and beyond is likely not on the team right now.

 
higgins said:
I was under the impression that Washington and Richard were similar runners (could obviously be wrong) — is there a reason you have for giving the edge to Deandre in a Garner-type role? 
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Washington is a more powerful runner and I like his receiving skills.  As others have pointed out he's no lock to do anything, I would just like to see what he could do with a role in Gruden's offense.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gotta say ...looking at the photos on instagram of the Raiders training camps everyone looks so happy...Gruden getting right in the workouts ...running plays with the team ...hands on...laughing ...smiling...what a great vibe ...i know myself that if my boss gets in the hole with us and gets his hands dirty we have so much more respect for him and will move mountains for him...this should be an interesting year

 
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