Showtime!
There's no other way to put it: It's showtime in Oakland as the Raiders face three AFC West rivals to conclude the 2013 season.
There's been much debate here about the progress of the Raiders over the past two years under Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen.
Some feel it's been a failure, some (including myself) see progress but expected to see more at this point, and others are fully on board and feel confident that Reggie and DA have done as much as they could given the hand they were dealt. Let's call this the Raiders Progress Scale.
In recent comments, Mark Davis expressed that he is pleased with the progress and sounded bullish on Reggie McKenzie. At the same time, he didn't sound like a guy who's going to be too happy if the recent competitive fade continues down the home stretch against three AFC West rivals.
In other words, it's showtime. I think all of us can agree, wherever we currently land on the Raiders Progress Scale, that it won't be a good look if the Raiders fizzle away into a second-straight record of 4-12.
The road won't be easy. The Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos are all looking formidable right now.
That said, the Raiders were competitive against some strong teams earlier this year. In fact, the story of the first half of the season was how competitive the Raiders were, especially the defense. The story of the second half has become how bad our roster is, and how can we expect it to be competitive?
It doesn't add up.
Our defense can play strong, and our offense can score points. How do I know that? Because they've already shown us.
So here we are, firmly in the proving ground once again. The players need to look to leaders like Charles Woodson and take his message to heart. DA and the coaching staff need to find a way to keep the players motivated and recapture the competitiveness.
If they can do that, then it will be all systems go into year three of this regime, flush with cash and a full draft ahead. If they can't, then don't be surprised if the new year begins with a change at head coach.
It's going to be exciting and interesting. We're not playing for the playoffs right now, but we are playing for next year. It's time to make a statement, to start tackling properly again and for all three units to show up on the same day.
Starting tomorrow.
There's been much debate here about the progress of the Raiders over the past two years under Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen.
Some feel it's been a failure, some (including myself) see progress but expected to see more at this point, and others are fully on board and feel confident that Reggie and DA have done as much as they could given the hand they were dealt. Let's call this the Raiders Progress Scale.
In recent comments, Mark Davis expressed that he is pleased with the progress and sounded bullish on Reggie McKenzie. At the same time, he didn't sound like a guy who's going to be too happy if the recent competitive fade continues down the home stretch against three AFC West rivals.
In other words, it's showtime. I think all of us can agree, wherever we currently land on the Raiders Progress Scale, that it won't be a good look if the Raiders fizzle away into a second-straight record of 4-12.
The road won't be easy. The Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos are all looking formidable right now.
That said, the Raiders were competitive against some strong teams earlier this year. In fact, the story of the first half of the season was how competitive the Raiders were, especially the defense. The story of the second half has become how bad our roster is, and how can we expect it to be competitive?
It doesn't add up.
Our defense can play strong, and our offense can score points. How do I know that? Because they've already shown us.
So here we are, firmly in the proving ground once again. The players need to look to leaders like Charles Woodson and take his message to heart. DA and the coaching staff need to find a way to keep the players motivated and recapture the competitiveness.
If they can do that, then it will be all systems go into year three of this regime, flush with cash and a full draft ahead. If they can't, then don't be surprised if the new year begins with a change at head coach.
It's going to be exciting and interesting. We're not playing for the playoffs right now, but we are playing for next year. It's time to make a statement, to start tackling properly again and for all three units to show up on the same day.
Starting tomorrow.
posted by Raider Take at 10:34 AM
21 Comments:
"I trust that CWood has a good read and pulse of the team and management".
CJ said this after Woodson remarked that he believed Raiders are headed in right direction.
But CJ, these are only words.
And Raider fans, yourself included, have heard a lot of words since 2003.
What we need, as RT has said, is to see something positive over these last 3 games.
Something tangible, something real, something solid.
Charger fans should be very excited about next year.
They demolished 2 time SB champs, Giants, and went on the road to beat the Donks.
What if Chargers would have lost both games, and Rivers said, I think we're headed in right direction.
Wouldn't have the same meaning, would it ?
So I'll take CWoods comments with a grain of salt.
Let's see what happens in the last 3.
All I'm asking for is to see Raiders play some good football.
Maybe a win, or two.
Am I asking too much ??
No, you are not asking too much.
I want to see every player suited up to be fighting tooth and nail to earn a roster spot next year.
I want to see the coaching staff take calculated, aggressive, creative risks to play to win.
I want to see a team that puts together a solid performance by all 3 units, all 4 quarters.
Game planning, effort, focus, and execution.
Flush, indeed. Raiders will go from having the least resources to having the most (in terms of cash) in a single season.
I like the points made above by CJ. I would particularly like to see the Raiders follow #2 and open the floodgates of creativity. 4-9 is no time to play vanilla and conservative... and would take away from the respect I have for the coaches.
To that point, I agree these last three games should be geared toward coaching evaluations as well as players...
If I was coaching a 4-9 team, I'd reach deep into whatever bag of tricks I had...
Fake Punt or FG.
On side kick to open the game.
Go for a 4th down.
Blitz the entire defense once.
But that’s just me. IMO, it shows you will do anything it takes to win; it helps hold the players interest in finishing a lost season with a bang; and makes it more exciting for the fans.
Right now, under these circumstances, playing not to lose is for losers.
CJ, & NYR,
I read both your takes, and there was a lot of, "I want to see...", stated.
But isn't that the point ?
If Raiders really are on the turn around, we shouldn't have to ask to see.
We should just be seeing it, without asking.
None of us "want" to see another game like last week.
Taking an aggressive approach another step, I'd also like to see the Raiders cherry pick other teams practice squads for the final three weeks of team tryouts.
They just (finally!) placed Branch on IR and promoted their own PS player. But that's not enough, IMO. For example, I see no plausible reason to bring back McFadden next year. Therefore, I'd place him on IR too and bring in someone else.
Plenty of things can still be done this year!
This is the first time in the history of the salary cap that the Raiders have been in such a flush with cash position.
It is imperative that McKenzie leverages this position to add significant talent. However, he still needs to focus on the players who love the game and have character as opposed to just a big paycheck.
Yep, McFadden should be put on IR and won't be coming back next year.
A 30 second clown show to start the game. Bummer.
Showtime...as in the circus.
What is up with the tackling? The Raiders started the season strong with hard hits, aggressive play; and ever since the Eagles game, it's like the Raiders forgot how to tackle.
The Raiders are being aggressive here against the Chiefs; but are Andy Reid is taking advantage of it; and the Chiefs are taking advantage of the poor tackling.
They cannot afford anymore offensive mistakes; as we are down 28-10. 14 points off turnovers. Horrible! Another example of poor play by the team all around. The snap before the cadence was done was all Wiz II's fault; which is another reason why we need a vet Center, and move Wiz II to Guard.
Let's see how they respond, playing from behind again!
We need to identify and draft a QB in the first round of the draft.
I think we trade for a vet QB. I don't see a first round QB worthy to draft that will fare better than what we have. BTW, Flynn is looking like a genius right now in GB.
According to Shanahan, we could trade our first rounder for Kirk Cousins.....hahahahahaha!
Seriously, if Shanahan stays in Washington, do you think we can make a trade for RG3? We could also possibly trade for any of the following QBs, depending on what the direction their current teams want to go: Romo, Schaub/Case Keenum, we could also get Jason Campbell back, Sam Bradford, Matt Hasselback, Jake Locker/Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Orton,
I think there are a few options, and I don't think we have to sacrifice a trade pick to find a veteran QB. Vince Young is a viable free agent. David Carr is also a current free agent (I always thought he got a bad rap in Houston).
There are not a lot of options at the QB position. Cutler could be an option in Free Agency; but not likely.
This is why I think we should stick with McGloin. Again, why draft a QB if the coaches are not going to spend time developing the young QBs they have now?
Horrible game today, way to gift wrap the playoffs for the Chiefs instead of raining on the AFC's parade.
This Raiders turn around, is starting to turn my stomach.
I won't restate the obvious. Instead, kudos to nyraider on a thought I had while watching a far better game... More unpredictable plays, and commit to NO PUNTS for rest of season. Why not??? 25% more chances to WIN, thats why.
Somebody send Jason Tarver a schematic of a screen pass. I don't think he's ever seen one before.
The Chiefs run a dink and dunk offense, and we have CBs playing deep. It makes no sense.
Most points ever given up by a Raiders team. That won't (and shouldn't) go unnoticed. Are they guys trying to play themselves out of a job?
Maybe we should bring back Josh McCown.
Raider Nate you want to go with McGloin next year, lol. Did you write your comment before the 3rd or 4th pick?
BTW Teddy Bridgewater is the real thing
It seems the team has quit on Allen, Not surprised he is a geek with a visor
Serious question. is there anyone on this blog who still thinks the Raiders have improved from last year?
I told you guys last year and the year before that the Raiders were not going to taste winning until 2014.
For the most part ReggieMac has done all the right things. He got the Al Davis out of the team.
Unfortunately, He did a piss poor job of picking a coaching staff. The Raiders are bad but they should be playing better than this.
Unless I'm wrong about Reggie, Dennis Allen will not be coaching the Raiders next year. He is not the man to lead a rebuilding project.
Grim Reality
Just Tarp Baby. So so sad
There's a pretty prominent defensive coordinator who may get the shaft after this season. Should that happen, the Raiders should take advantage of that. That D-Coordinator's name...Dick LeBeau.
Hire him as a HC or a DC.
Postgame take is up.
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