It's Showtime!
Tonight, I'd like to see Matt Schaub seize the reins of the quarterback job and to show us why we put the 2014 season on his shoulders in the first place.
I'd like to see our receivers hang onto the ball. I'd like to see our defensive backs figure out a way to stop getting smoked. I'd like to see Mack take a firm step forward.
I've actually heard some people say that Matt McGloin is, at the moment, our best option at quarterback. You know the saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have any? How about three quarterbacks?
We don't need three quarterbacks. We need Schaub to be what he was brought here to be, not become Matt Flynn redux. We need Carr to get healthy quick and show us that he's ready to be the future, whenever that comes. And we need McGloin to be a capable backup, not our best option--because if McGloin ever becomes our best option this year, then something has gone terribly wrong.
There will be penalties. I don't buy into the conspiracy stuff. Everyone's talking about the proliferation of penalties right now. There were 32 flags thrown in a game the other day. The NFL is instituting new rules that leave receivers completely untouched after five yards. It's the new NFL, I don't like it, it's too video game-ish for me, but we have to adapt or die. The important thing is that we cut down on the stupid penalties. Those are things we can control, at least theoretically.
I've got a sinking feeling about this season, but tonight might make me feel better. I plan to be blogging away here during the game, hope you will join me. Let's go RAIDERS!
I'd like to see our receivers hang onto the ball. I'd like to see our defensive backs figure out a way to stop getting smoked. I'd like to see Mack take a firm step forward.
I've actually heard some people say that Matt McGloin is, at the moment, our best option at quarterback. You know the saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have any? How about three quarterbacks?
We don't need three quarterbacks. We need Schaub to be what he was brought here to be, not become Matt Flynn redux. We need Carr to get healthy quick and show us that he's ready to be the future, whenever that comes. And we need McGloin to be a capable backup, not our best option--because if McGloin ever becomes our best option this year, then something has gone terribly wrong.
There will be penalties. I don't buy into the conspiracy stuff. Everyone's talking about the proliferation of penalties right now. There were 32 flags thrown in a game the other day. The NFL is instituting new rules that leave receivers completely untouched after five yards. It's the new NFL, I don't like it, it's too video game-ish for me, but we have to adapt or die. The important thing is that we cut down on the stupid penalties. Those are things we can control, at least theoretically.
I've got a sinking feeling about this season, but tonight might make me feel better. I plan to be blogging away here during the game, hope you will join me. Let's go RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 9:09 AM
88 Comments:
Why so down on McGloin? Isn't it possible he could mature into being an NFL starter?
There were moments last year when he looked the part. Needless to say, he's not had much help!
Hi, NYRaider, I'm not down on McGloin, just what he represents if he proves to be our best option.
Think about it. Our execs and coaching staff got a real good look at McGloin last year. They saw first-hand what he could do, and surely measured his potential.
Then what did they do? They traded for Matt Schaub to be the starter, and they spent a second round pick on a young quarterback (McGloin, it's worth mentioning, is a young quarterback).
So if, after signing and cutting Matt Flynn, starting and then trading Pryor, trading for Matt Schaub and drafting Carr, McGloin still emerges as our best option, then, well, what does that say about our evaluative abilities at the most important position in the NFL?
Well "RT" seems we agree which is rather unusual (~_*)
"McG" has his talents and has his weaknesses as well with very little to nil on the upside...Problem is that Schaub also displays flaws in his game...Not going vertical being one...So their going to crowd the box until we prove they can be beat...If/When that happens we may have a quality/balanced "O"...The Rush looks on track...
That "D" though???
Shout out to "BR"...
"CutThroat" is a 47ft custom Cutter built 1990...Sat in Morro Bay going to shit until I started working on her last September...Still have projects yet unfinished but will be ready to make that Hawaii jump mid to late October...Gone Sailing!!!
"NYR"...Re: Your Question
If we win I'll be pleasantly surprised...I won't be surprised if were losers at the Bye and make a coaching change...I will be Pimping it!!!
PantyRaider....Show Me!!!!//_
Good points, RT. But, remember, McGloin last year went from being an undrafted free agent (which probably carries a built-in prejudice) to the unquestioned starter over Matt Flynn, Terrell Pryor and Tyler Wilson.
Also, Raiders have made it no mystery they will continue to be aggressive until a QB steps up. (There are limitations in the selection process.)
Same as with the WRs, Raiders continue to populate the roster at the QB position and expect somebody to step up and take the reins. That, in itself, is immensely better than waiting for miracles from guys like Russell.
I’m not saying McGloin should be the starter. I don’t know. But why would it be so bad if he was? It doesn’t have to be by default or imply failure. Kid works hard and you can see his intensity on the field..
I'm a bit concerned about Schaub and I agree, his failure -- should it pan out that way -- would be a bad reflection on the Raiders' process.
But I don't see Carr as currently a better option than McGloin for #2, should Schaub fail.
McGloin provides a spark and has proven at least worthy of stopgap, if not a chance to further prove himself.
He was a rookie last year.
I agree, if he beats everyone out and becomes a top-performing starter, then that's great (despite it meaning that we wasted millions on Flynn, whiffed on Wilson, diddled around with Pryor, missed on Schaub and have parked Carr for not being ready).
But they had McGloin buried on the depth chart last year, and he ultimately beat out Flynn, Wilson and Pryor.
So what do they do? They bury him again by getting Schaub and drafting Carr. Either they know something we don't about McGloin, or they don't know what they're doing when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks.
If they know something we don't, then McGloin probably has less upside than we think. If they don't know what they're doing, that would explain some things, wouldn't it?
Indeed.
From my cheaps seats (i.e., not knowing what the Raiders brass should clearly know), I would have put McGloin in the mix this preseason. IMO, it didn't make sense that they automatically bury him behind Carr on the depth chart.
To this point, the only QB on the Raiders roster who has proven anything is Schaub, and he's proven he can be equally as bad as he can be good.
Tonight should help reveal which version we are in store....
Should be interesting.
Wow, how 'bout that stout defense to start the game. Not.
Well, that offensive drive was impressive.
The defense suddenly getting it together, good!
Shame to waste such good field position with PFs. MJD looks better than McFadden, but that comes as no surprise.
Guys have not checked in recently. I see 9 comments on McGloin that really says how sad the team is
Reggie=Fraud
Schaub looks terrible and his WRs aren't helping him. Donald Penn isn't either.
Even against the Packers second team defense, Raiders offense looks bad.
I want to believe it's only because it's preseason but....
Schaub has like 40 yards for the entire half. IMO, Allen/Olsen should leave Schaub in the game until something clicks.
Otherwise, at the risk of belaboring the point, McGloin will come in and show him how it's done (against the second team!).
Schaub looks okay, that's about it. He doesn't have a ton of protection, and I'm sorry, but our WR and TE corps aren't world beaters.
The NFL is a passing league, and yet the Raiders haven't had a legit true #1 caliber receiver for at least eight years, have they? It's hard to fathom being that bad for so long at the position.
One more thing. I believe the Raiders might discover that Barnes is a better option at LT than Penn. It's Barnes natural position and he filled in decently when Veldheer was injured. Penn looked overwhelmed on several plays.
The Raiders replaced Veldheer with Penn that is going backwards
The names change but the play remains the same.
This isn't rocket science.
You bring in good players, and get good coaches to lead them.
I'm just not seeing it.
Looks like Sio Moore was carted off field with injury.
Anybody hear anything ?
Phil Simms was full of praise for McGloin, who looked sharp again tonight.
Not sure what information the Raiders have about McGloin that we don't know. Maybe they believe he's too short to be an NFL starter.
He shows poise and accuracy and makes good decisions. And he knows how to run a two-min offense and score late in a game.
Schaub has a tendency to telegraph passes and doesn't release the ball as quickly as McGloin. Lots of dink and donk with Schaub, while McGloin throws down field.
For my money, I'd play McGloin over Schaub while we wait for Carr to mature into the position, if he can.
If Schaub is to be the starter, I'd play him next week with the entire first team for at least one or two series. Otherwise (or perhaps regardless), I'd wouldn't expect much against the Jets D in Week 1.
NYRaider,
You might have a point about Mcgloin. But will Dennis Allen ever figure it out ?
Consider that during the 2012/13 season, Allen refused to put Terrell Pryor on the field.
DA kept saying Pryor, "Wasn't ready", to get into games.
But by the beginning of the 2013/14 season, Pryor was suddenly the Raiders starting QB.
This happened, in part, because Matt Flynn couldn't play well for the Raiders. Although Flynn seemed to do ok for other teams.
Also, 4th round pick, Tyler Wilson couldn't even make the roster.
But, "Not ready for prime time", Pryor, was eventually replaced by undrafted Mcgloin.
Pryor, the starting QB just months earlier, was given away to the SB Champs for a lowly 7th round draft pick.
I'm sure Pryor will excel with the SHawks.
So, one minute, Pryor is not ready. The next minute, Pryor is the starter. Oh wait, he's not as good as the undrafted guy. Well, just give him away for nothing.
In the words of the great Lombardi, "What the hell is going on here?".
It sure looks to me like Dennis Allen, and Reggie for that matter, don't know what the hell they're doing.
And that is why the Raiders look to be headed for another 3 or 4 win season.
Allen is clueless and McKenzie is a fraud. QB is key to a team's success. Two years in a row McKenzie has shown he can not identify QBs. The money he wasted on Flynn and Schaub could have been used for a stud CB or to keep Veldheer. If McKenzie can not identify QB talent how can he be GM.
Schaub is shot he has no arm strength everything has to be timing passes. They should have not signed Schaub and gone with McGloin or Pryor as stop gap until Carr was ready.
Our CBs look worse than last year. How is this building for the future?
When McKenzie came in, I thought he was the best man for the job. Turns out I was wrong. I had doubts about Allen, but thought it best to give him a couple of years to show some progress. Of Allen, I hear that his only rival in dispensing inspiration and emotional energy is Norv Turner.
McKenzie is indeed a fraud. Removing every trace of Al Davis from the Oakland Raiders in not a winning strategy. The only Davis player that McKenzie can stand the sight of is McFadden, who is as big a bust as any of the Davis draft picks over his last 10 years. And, frankly, that's a mystery to me. If it were me, I'd have kept Veldeer and Houston and let McFadden go. But I guess we'd have actually had to pay Veldeer.
We got Allen because he was a defensive genius, and our biggest problems were on defense. Well, our biggest problems are still on defense. In fact our defense is worse than at any time during Davis' last ten years, which means that it's worse than at any time in Raider history.
What to do in 2015. I wouldn't go with Gruden because he's been out of coaching for too long now. He should stick with broadcasting. I'd promote Al Saunders to GM. He's been in the NFL long enough to be able to evaluate talent and to know how business is conducted. From there, I'd bring back Hue Jackson as head coach. He showed the ability before he got to the Raiders. He showed the ability while here. He showed the ability after he left. And he's got the charisma necessary to inspire a young team.
As for QB, we've got to go back to McGloin. I never liked Schaub because he's never been a winner. Carr will get there, but he needs about two years of development. McGloin has that Kenny Stabler thing going for him. He won't take no for answer.
MJD is our RB for this season, but we'll need a younger runner next season. And we need some WRs with speed. Right now, with all traces of Al removed, we're the slowest team in football.
Anon - Raiders had plenty of money to sign Veldheer. Money was not the issue.
BR, I don't ever remember you supporting McKenzie. Sorry if I'm wrong but your position seems to have remained negative since Hue Jackson was let go.
Regardless, it's a bit too soon to flush. Still more to come.
That's part of the reason I don't hang around too much any more NY. My opinion always gets incorrectly reported back to me.
Before McKenzie was hired I said that I hoped it would be McKenzie, because I thought that Al himself had been considering McKenzie. When McKenzie fired Jackson, I said that McKenzie had every right to hire his own man. I even said that I thought Allen might be a good choice because I felt that Denver's D had kept them in the playoff hunt during their Tebow year.
But after that, I grant you, there has been very little I have agreed with. I am very much looking forward to reading the book Amy Trask is apparently writing.
Blanda I could not agree with you more. Funny, as much as Reggie has tried to remove all vestages of Al he has had to keep a few half of the 6 players on the team that are NFL starting caliber are from Al. Moore, Wiz, Reece off the top of my head.
Reggie letting Veldheer go is a clossal blunder due to his own ego. Watching Penn out there barely able to get his fat ass out of a three point stance made me sick to my stomach
Dead on, Hue was the last man to make the Raiders half way exciting.
My equation for Raider success is simple:
Move the team to LA
Fire, Reggie and Dennis and bring in Gruden.
Those two things will literally double the value of the franchise. Put people in the seats, re-energize the franchise and make the Raiders relevant again.
And it's still preseason!
Did anyone really believe it would take less than three full seasons to turn around this franchise?
Put Barnes at LT
Jackson at LG
McGloin behind center
Start MJD
Stay with whoever is "hot" or at least consistent at WR (McGloin to Butler has been solid).
Play press coverage on passing downs and blitz often.
Occasionally take chances because that's what losing teams need to do (e.g., thrown in a few trick plays ala Hue Jackson).
Make a few tweaks here and there as the season progresses... even leave the QB competition open (replace McGloin with Carr when he's ready and if he deserves it).
Matt Flynn, Jared Veldheer, possibly Matt Schaub... every GM is gonna make their share of mistakes.
"his(Allen's) only rival in dispensing inspiration and emotional energy is Norv Turner."
*****************************************************************************************************
Ha, if they ever remake "Weekend at Bernies", Dennis Allen is a cinch for the part of Bernie.
Both Hue Jackson & Tom Cable were, and are, better HC's then DA.
I would actually favor bringing back Cable, because I like the idea of his being on the SB champs staff.
We've had this debate before. Reg, & DA, tore down an 8 win team, and replaced it with a team that wins 4 games every year.
How is this progress ? You can't expect the fans to keep buying this snake oil.
If the Raiders tank again this year, and it sure looks like they will.
Reggie and DA better be nowhere near the 2015 draft.
NY share of mistakes. Reggie made the two biggest mistakes a GM can make--bad coach---bad qb
More importantly what has he done right? Certainly not enough to restore the Raiders to mediocrity lol.
Please I can't believe anyone is willing to give Reggie and DA the benefit of the doubt any longer
Anon how many years did you watch Al Davis fail? And sometimes to spite his head coach.
RM and DA have spent time cutting their teeth. That happens when people start a new position in their field.
If you want to blame someone for global mistakes, then you should blame Mark Davis for hiring an inexperienced GM (and allowing him to hire an experienced HC).
It's still preseason. What will this lynch mob do if the Raiders actually win games?
Let it play out.
NYR-
I don't recall you counseling patience in Al's final years. RM came from a winning organization in Green Bay. ID'ing talent was part of his job. His first full draft he took DJ Hayden who didn't just have a career threatening injury, he almost died. Not only did he take him with the 1st round pick, he would have taken him at the 3rd pick(his own words). Hayden will likely swtart the season on the PUP list:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000379911/article/dj-hayden-appears-headed-to-raiders-pup-list
http://espn.go.com/blog/oakland-raiders/post/_/id/5499/decision-looms-on-dj-hayden
We know how the Matt Flynn experiment went. Remember Tyler Wilson? So after the year Schaub had in 2013, multiple pick six games, his confidence shot to hell RM says "That's my quarterback." You wouldn't even take Schaub for your fantasy team, yet RM & DA are "cutting their teeth." Something is rotten in Oakland when your anointed starting QB can't outshine the undrafted 3rd stringer. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying into the Raider shaded glasses you're selling. As someone stated they took an 8-8 team that missed the playoffs by one game and turned into back to back 4-12 finishes. That's progress? I'm not saying RM is all bad, Mack looks good so far, but on the whole on the guys he's brought in, the people he chose starting with DA(who is starting to look more and more like Kiffen, literally and figuratively) the scales are not in RM's favor. This is the sink or swim season. With the likelihood of the team moving do you really think they'll want to show up with the baggage of a losing HC and the GM who could only spot talent once in a blue moon?
2014
Bad QB, Bad Coach
Really Bad Combination
NY, I gave Al Davis until he died to right the ship. I did that because he had given me 35 years of the best record in football. Al Davis earned every penny of the ten years I gave him.
Reggie hasn't earned anything from the Raiders or Raider fans beyond a "reasonable amount of time." Anybody can tear a team apart. The hard part is putting one back together. I'd argue that you have no business tearing down unless you have a very specific plan for rebuilding.
We've been given the two worst years in Raider history. If Al Davis had given you these two years, you'd be writing letters to the league demanding they forcibly remove Al from the premises.
There's nothing left to do this season but hope it turns around. But I have seen no sign of it.
The worst year of Raider history was the year 2006, the Art Shell clueless year of 2-14. Nothing will ever top that year for misery.
"NY, I don't recall you counseling patience in Al's final years."
Anon - Clearly, the circumstances were different. Has everyone forgotten the mess the Raiders organization was in? Dysfunctional only touches the surfaces.
I don't disagree with some of your observations in terms of draft and player personnel... although, this year’s draft may be above average (Mack, Carr, Jackson....).
And, yeah, the QB marry-go-round is puzzling.
BR - I respect your loyalty to Davis. It was his team. But I disagree the last two years were the worst. The past couple years brought much needed change, even if you think the decisions weren’t always on target. If nothing else, McKenzie has mitigated much of the functional obsolescence.
In the end, there has to be accountability (something Davis regularly deflected to his HCs whom he replaced on an annual basis). If McKenzie and Allen deserve to be fired, so be it, but let the season play out. They might surprise you!
SCAR
1st thing, but not the most important thing. The officiating bias against the Raiders leads to a competitive advantage for every team that gets to play the Raiders...
DA, DA, DA... Get your headspace and timing checked. DA is whiffing so bad on the QB decisions. 5 games. DA wants to hang his hat on Shaub, doesn't even want to give every QB a legit shot to win games. Does he not realize his employment is on the line?? Honestly, can someone remind me of the good things he has done? I'm having a hard time remembering the good things, but its real easy to remember the crappy coaching decisions! 5 games, if there isn't execution, fire him. Promote the Offensive line coach to interim hc,and let him earn it. DA, you have had the misfortune of having to rebuild, but its time to put up or get put out. Your job isn't to baby Shaub and annoint him the starting QB. Its to spur competition, making everyone earn theirs, to win games, and feed your family. So was there a legit competition for starting QB? If not, then if Shaub sucks, you get fired for your decision making. 5 games,,
Barnes as a starting LT? You are joking. He was getting eaten alive by 2nd and 3rd stringers. Penn is no Veld, but he is good enough.
Jackson is a step in the wrong direction. Don't want my head coach gettin his nails done during the week, that screams discipline to you doesn't it??
One week to get it right.. Oh lord I hope the Raiders are holding back and have something up their sleeves
SCAR
Perhaps telling, perhaps meaningless, but JMac reports today: "Starting quarterback Matt Schaub was a spectator at practice Sunday, with Derek Carr, Matt McGloin and Trent Edwards getting work. When going over injured players during a Saturday conference call, coach Dennis Allen made no mention of Schaub. Allen will speak to the media following practice."
I still don't understand giving Terrell Pryor away for nothing.
Pryor was maybe, the best athlete on the Raiders roster.
Pryor was still a young QB with upside.
Pryor could run 90 yards for a TD.
Why not keep Pryor and put some wildcat plays in the offense for him.
Wouldn't he be more valuable to the Raiders in the wildcat, rather than a 7th rounder ?
And his spot on the roster was given to Trent Edwards.
I'd bet you couldn't trade Edwards, & a 7th rounder to Seattle for Pryor now.
It's just total mismanagement.
There is no thought put into these stupid moves.
Remember last year when Matt Flynn sat down with sore elbow(and then was sat down in favor of Pryor)? Well now Schaub has a case of it:
http://www.ibabuzz.com/oaklandraiders/2014/08/24/raiders-qb-matt-schaub-sits-out-with-sore-elbow-in-scene-eerily-similar-to-last-years-demise-of-matt-flynn/#more-23663
Talk about deja vu. Could it be that McGloin will move up as starter?
First, let me say that this is Preseason! A glorified scrimmage. I wish the NFL would cut preseason games to 2, maybe 3. I hate preseason because you don't really get a solid look at the team. They run base offenses and defenses, much like the Pro Bowl.
With that said, it disturbs me that the Raiders cannot seem to generate anything exciting with base offense/defense plays. McFadden still seems to be tripped by the Line of Scrimmage, our starting QB has a staring problem, our defense cannot seem to stop the pass or touch the QB, and our WRs are afraid of hurting their hands.
My biggest disappointment with the team this offseason was the chance to get a #1 WR, and we did not. I felt like this was the one area of weakness, and so far it has been painful to watch the passing game. I don't think it is so much Schaub being bad because he's hitting his targets; but the WRs cannot hang on to the ball.
The other disappointment is with the CB play. Carlos Rogers looks lost, and a rookie Thorpe is playing better than he is, and may even beat him out of his position (which is exciting to me). DJ Hayden hasn't stepped out onto the field, and with DA and CWood calling him out with statements like, "You have to be on the field to learn" makes me question his desire to play.
These were the 2 areas we had a chance to significantly upgrade, and failed miserably. I know that Free Agency is a 2-way communicating street, and we had the $$ to go after some solid players. I'm not saying that Reggie didn't reach out, but a lot of players did not want to talk with Oakland because of the reputation our team has developed for the last 11 years.
I also don't think DA has what it takes to be a great coach at this level. I think he would be a better NCAA HC. Tarver is not an NFL D-Coordinator either, and should go back to the college ranks where he came from. I think these two are the problem.
Our O-line has improved under Sparano, but our offense still struggles under Olson. I think coaching is key, and we're just not there on the coaching level to turn this team around.
I've like some of the things Reggie has done at GM, but there are some other things that he has "cautiously" overlooked that I'm disappointed with. I think his biggest problem is that he is gun shy at going after big $$ players. I agreed with his philosophy that we have many holes and didn't want to blow all his $$ on a few players; but needed the money to fill depth and solid starters on the lines. Well, we've done that, but we still have the money to spend on a few big name players in regard to WR and CB; and he has failed to do so. I think this is costing the team.
All in all, if Reggie has to go as GM, then I would bring Jon Gruden in as a GM, and try to hire Jack Del Rio as our HC, stealing another away from the Doncos, but he'd be better than the first one we stole. I think Reggie should've kept Hue, but I think Hue embarrassed Mark Davis, and that is why he is no longer there, and why I doubt that he will be back. Del Rio would have come to Oakland, he loves the Raiders organization, and he was ready to make the transition. When they overlooked him, he went to Denver.
Is it time to rethink things? I don't know, but it seems that the Raiders are getting ready to make excuses again for a dismal season. We have some good pieces in play, but we are lacking a spark from coaches, who seem to be trying to run some schemes that do not fit the talent; and are overthinking and second guessing decisions (which happens with lack of experience).
I'm hopeful that things can turn around for us, but the more preseason games that are played, the more concerned I get. JUST PROVE IT, BABY!
Hard to ignore the fact that McGloin is the best QB on the roster right now... like it or not.
@ SCAR
"Barnes as a starting LT? You are joking. He was getting eaten alive by 2nd and 3rd stringers"
SCAR, Barnes is the starting LG. I didn't see him playing LT (his natural position).
Penn is the joke. He whiffed several times on the edge. IMO, based on what I've seen from both players, Barnes is a far better option than Penn. And Gabe Jackson will be better than Barnes at LG.
Penn's inability to protect the edge might help get McGloin a start Week One. Jets know how to blitz. Sadly, all they need to do is watch the tape.
It's beginning to look like Carr will start the season as #1. But the best one right now is McGloin. I'd start McGloin and make Carr take the job from him. That's a win/win with two players who are so competitive. But, frankly, I think McGloin is our best bet over the long haul. However that could change when we move to a new offense next season.
It's looking more and more like Allen is in WAY over his head. Still, I wouldn't go with a mid season change because there isn't anyone on the staff that I think could do a better job.
There's nothing to do this season but wish for the best, and see what falls into place later on.
Hi "BR"
Just for the record both "BR" and I pimped Reggie well before he was even hired as soon as it was reported that he could be a candidate...Reggie was thought to be "Old School Raiders"...
But I think this rests more on Mark then it does Reggie who was hired to do the job that Mark wanted done and has done just that..."Clean House/Run This Team In The Black -n- Slowly Build A "GB" Quality Franchise"...
No one can fault Reggie in that but he has made a few mistakes along the way..."DA" and giving the rookie head coach full control over his staff...Signing players off the "IR" and hoping they stay healthy...The whole Palmer/Flynn/Schaub fascicle when we had already given up so much for Palmer...Would have been better off just to play him threw this season...Drafting a player off the "IR"...Hayden...And no doubt a few more mistakes too...
But he has done the job he was hired to do and it's not yet done...We will have another $50+mil this coming off season to help complete the job...Now that's what most of you were complaining about so what up with all the "HateTrip" now???
Ya know it was suppose to be so great to have a normal franchise/shiny new "GM" with football control/hands off ownership/"HC" with power to hire his staff...Just what you all hoped for and Pimped!!!...So what up with the "Trail-o-Tears" when it don't turn out just they way you dreamed??...Gotta know I'm laughing!!!
PantyRaider...Be Careful What You Wish For!!!!//_
PS...How I miss Al's "M-M Press Single Deep S" coverage scheme!!!
RaiderNate75...Spot On Bro!!!
Raider00...Pryor hasn't looked very good yet under a very good coaching staff in Seattle but perhaps he will Thursday -vs- our "D" (~_*)...But I do miss him and his legs...Still pimp him as "Slash"...
PantyRaider...All Is Not Lost....Yet!!!//_
PS..."DA" In Exile @ The Bye!!!
Panty,
Pryor is 25 yrs old, and has played a hand full of NFL games.
Pryor has upside, not to mention unique skill set for a QB.
Point is, you just don't give young, QB's away for nothing.
Look at how QB's are dropping this off season.
Maybe Raiders could have got a 3rd, or 4th round pick for Pryor had they used their heads.
Do you think the Rams would take Schaub off our hands ?
They'd have to be as dumb as Reg, & DA. Doubtful.
Blanda,
You got it right. Mcgloin should start. Carr waiting in the wings.
Carr has played about 10 minutes of pre season games. He is not ready yet.
It's crazy to throw him in, game one, with a weak left tackle watching his back.
I've said all along, I want Carr to play this year. But I was thinking more like week 6, or 8.
Think back to the first season with DA. No way was Allen going to be fired by the man who hired him in year one. When the Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs why didn't DA start the benchwarmers, including Pryor, to evaluate them in preparation for the upcoming draft? The team could have had a much better idea of what was needed, who should stay, and who should go. If you will recall Pryor did not get the start until Palmer was hurt...that was lost game time experience for Pryor and everyone else that had not seen the field. But to keep trotting Palmer out there when we were out of the playoff picture smacked of looking for cheap victories to keep the heat off his back...which was not going to be there in his first season.
Then you have the Flynn fiasco. Now if I as a fan could figure that out to evaluate what I have versus what I need to win more games then WTF are DA & RM doing?!!!! When they brought back Knapp, even the peanut vendor could have told you BAD IDEA. After Al's last years I think everyone was in agreement that it was time to hire a GM. A PROFESSIONAL. You think the Nation is being hard on RM? I think the Nation would like for RM to at least give the impression that he knows what he is doing more often than once in a blue moon. Remember, was he not lauded for his talent evaluation skills in GB? This is Year 3, can anyone honestly say that they have seen improvement after back to back 4-12 seasons? After three preseason games where if you wanted to see some offense, tune in to the last 5min of the 4th quarter to see McGloin's last minute heroics? No one expected a return to Greatness yet, but folks we are not even mediocre at this time. So if after two years and going into year three I think you might understand where the frustration is coming from.
Anonymous,
Sio Moore and Khalil Mack over Rolando McStupid any day.
I will take our current defensive line over Tommy Kelly, Richard Seymourbenchtime, Lamar Houston (who has struggled in Chicago), and whomever else was on the other side. Houston has struggled in Chicago so far, in so much he may even fall out of the starting spot to Austen Lane.
I also like the O-Line than what he had when he came in. There are improvements. Could it be better? Maybe, not so sure how; since the Raiders were voted by players as the team they would like least to play for.
JUST PROVE IT, BABY!
Raider Nate 75-
Those aforementioned players went 8-8. The new era has matched that...over two seasons. If 8-8 is mediocre(and it is) what do you call 4-12? What's worse than 4-12? Going 4-12 two years in a row...with PROFESSIONAL management. The player vote you mention would go towards free agents. You build championships with your own players through the draft. It speaks volumes when you finally have a 1st round pick you take a guy with serious health issues. I would like nothing better than to see the Raiders post a winning record again, but I'm not going to sit here going into Year 3 of the New Era and not hold the leadership accountable and call them out on bad moves. I can't give them a pass just because I like them, or like some of the moves they've made. I've got to look at the bottom line and the bottom line is 8-8 in two years after going 8-8 the year before that. That is not progress, that is regression.
If we don't make progress to the tune of seven or so wins, then I think DA and likely Reggie will be shown the door for job not well done.
We heard about how bad our players were when the new regime arrived, but they were slow to blow the roster up. We heard about how the draft cupboard was bare, but now they've had two full drafts. We heard about how money was tight, but they were flush with it this offseason. The excuses are rapidly dwindling.
In their third year after a historic 0-16 season, the Detroit Lions won 10 games.
In their third year after two consecutive 8-8 seasons followed by two 4-12 seasons, the new Raiders regime needs to show that their way is really working, even at this snail's pace.
The excuses end this year.
If RM and DA want to win games, as many us believe they need to in order to keep their jobs, they better select the right QB to start.
Setting aside the obvious difficulties McKenzie has had finding a QB, McKenzie's biggest mistake was allowing Veldheer to walk. He had plenty of money and he had the franchise tag at his disposal. Now, in all likelihood, we will be looking for another LT next year.
Penn has been very underwhelming so far.
All Mark Davis has to do is hire a real GM.
And bring in a real HC, like Gruden, or Cowher.
And you will see many players all over the NFL, will love to play for the Raiders.
But right now, our GM looks like the, "Cowardly Lion", on acid.
And Dennis Allen seems like he wants to coach the games while sitting in a rocking chair.
Yeah, it's hard to attract top players with dumb & dumber running the show.
SCAR
NYR, we are just going to have to disagree on Penn and Barnes. We have got to see Barnes underwhelm for the Raiders since 2009. So Yes, I think he shouldn't be starting at any position on the offensive line. Not right tackle, not left guard, not left tackle. Donald on the other hand, I have only seen him play in the preseason. Really not a big enough sample to throw to the wolves just yet imo. We are in agreement that the best option at LT is no longer on the team...
BR, Tony Sparano has 4 years Head coaching experience in the NFL. I'm not looking for DA to get fired after 5 games, because that means the Raiders are off to a horrible start, But if DA is not up to the job of being the Head coach of the Oakland Raiders, then to me Sparano is fully capable of taking over for the rest of the season.
SCAR
Anon,
"Those aforementioned players went 8-8. The new era has matched that...over two seasons."
It was because of those aforementioned that we were 8-8 and not playoff caliber. They would hold off the run game for a quarter, then the other teams ran all over them. They were highly ranked in the pass because they couldn't stop the run.
The defense was ranked 29th overall in 2011 (the last 8-8 season), and 22nd in the 2010 season.
In 2012, the first year under Allen, the defense finished 15th. Last year, they finished 11th overall. So you tell me that you would rather have those fools? Yeah right.
Reg didn't blow up the roster right away because he wanted to see what he had. If they were truly as bad as advertised, and they were. He was trying to find something in the team to build on, especially on defense, and couldn't find anything.
The problem has been with the offensive production (or lack thereof). Under Hue as our OC and HC, the team averaged 25.6 points in 2010, and 22.4 points in 2011. Under DA, the offense has averaged 18.1 points in 2012, and 20.1 in 2013. This drop moved the Raiders from #10 in offense in 2010 and #9 in 2011; to #18 in 2012 and #23 in 2013 in total ranking.
I think it is because of the inconsistent play of our WRs, the O-line, and McFadden being injured by the LoS. You can blame losing Palmer all you want, and Flynn not working out, but McGloin hit his targets last year, and the WRs couldn't hang on, and that was without a running game!
Sparano tweaked the O-line, which is what they needed to do. I think they got meaner and stronger. But we are missing a solid WR group that is inconsistent. They show flashes of brilliance, but they cannot seem to pull it together. This is where a solid #1 vet WR would be helpful, but we didn't get one. I think it will hurt our offense this year.
The CBs will hurt our defense this year. It seems DJ Hayden doesn't want to play football, and Reggie and DA were relying on him in the secondary this year.
I think Reggie has done his job, I don't think DA has done his. When it comes to the offense, he continues to second guess and over think. We need a proven HC, but I don't think Gruden or Cowher want another HC job, they are looking for a GM spot.
Raider Nate 75-
Last time I checked 8>4. What part of 4-12 do you not understand? You're citing defensive rankings for a team that has "Just Win Baby" as its motto. Those "fools" got to within ONE game of the playoffs after losing their starting QB midseason and getting his replacement off the couch. Have these new era players been within ONE game of the playoffs? Do you remember that 2011 season? Do you remember those games? Are you actually going to tell me that you enjoyed the games from the past 2 years than from 2011? In 2011 we were RELEVANT. Have we been relevant since or have when been the butt of jokes, in the running for the "worst team in the NFL" list?
As for DA's lack of coaching acumen, no argument here. But who hired him? As for not blowing up the team immediately,
"When the Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs why didn't DA start the benchwarmers, including Pryor, to evaluate them in preparation for the upcoming draft? The team could have had a much better idea of what was needed, who should stay, and who should go."
The Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Browns in Week 13 of the 2012 season. They had 4 more regular season games to play. Would not those four remaining games been an excellent time to clear the benches and see what we had and to give us an idea of what areas needed to be addressed in the draft? I think 4 regular season games would be a much better gauge of talent than 4 preseason games. A GM trying to turn a team around would have a sit down with his coach and make sure they were on the same page, IMHO. They would accept that the season was lost, but they had an opportunity to evaluate what they had on the roster in terms of who should be kept, who should go, and what areas should be addressed in the upcoming draft, even without a first round pick. Sadly, that did not happen. I say it did not happen because if it did we would not have seen Carson Palmer take the field again in 2012. It took him getting injured for Pryor to start the final game of the season against San Diego. Its not just about the QB, it should have been next man up at every position, not just those who were injured. Opportunity lost. Has RM done some good things, yes. I never said he didn't. But at least in my eyes the good decisions he's made are far outweighed by the bad, to which he must be held accountable. Accountability is something that many of us claim was lacking in the last years of Al. Well, Al is gone and we started a new era where both players and coaches were to be held accountable. This is the start of Year 3. As Reagan used to say, "Are you better off now than you were then?" In your case the answer seems to be yes...in mine, an emphatic no.
"Reg didn't blow up the roster right away because he wanted to see what he had. If they were truly as bad as advertised, and they were. He was trying to find something in the team to build on, especially on defense, and couldn't find anything."
Really? The one "keeper" that Reggie could find was McFadden?
Reg is a bit of a mystery. His most highly touted asset coming in here was his ability to recognize NFL talent. That's the area where he seems to have done the worst.
I think the issue might be the organization that Reggie set up coming in here. With the exception of Mark Davis, he got rid of everyone in the organization who might challenge him. When he was in Green Bay he had to go head to head with Wolf's people. I suspect he might need to have a chunk taken out of his ego and be challenged from time to time. It never did anyone any harm to have to prove their case to someone. It makes the brain fire on all cylinders.
SCAR, we don't know if we are in for a single or a double firing. I don't think there's any way Reg loses his job before the season's end. If Allen is to be fired in mid season, it will be done by Reggie. If I'm Mark Davis, I'd wait for the season to develop and see if I could have a plan figured out by - say - week 12. Let Reggie decide on his own if he wants to fire Allen.
If Reggie does fire Allen, then see if things improve. If not, give Reggie his pink slip. If nothing happens (Allen doesn't get fired), and it looks like we're in for another 4-12, then fire both Reggie and Allen at season's end.
Frankly, I think the biggest problem is that Reggie was allowed to surround himself with "yes" men.
You hit the nail on the head Blanda. Reggie most definitely practiced some nepotism bringing in his people. Especially after he hired his brother.
Here's what I think we're in for this season. I think, baring injury, Schaub will start the season because Reg and Allen would be too embarrassed to have the QB situation blow up in their face for the 2nd straight year. He will be replaced by either Carr or McGloin (if McGloin is not traded to the Rams) after about three games.
Allen was banking on this team learning to play together in the preseason. But it's not working out that way. Unfortunately our first four games this season are our best chance to win, but we are still in disarray. Our win total could very well wind up worse than last year.
Inevitably that will lead to the perception of Allen as a lame duck coach, and the players will slowly start to lose faith and protect their own careers (i.e., avoid injury and not play hard).
What will Reg do? Will he fire Allen, or will he double down and claim that the Al Davis mess could not possibly be cleaned up in only three years.
If he doesn't fire Allen, Reggie will certainly be fired by Davis at season's end.
In short, we're headed for one terrific mess.
However, if they could somehow turn all of this magically around, I'd be all for it. I just see no flicker of light down that dark tunnel.
SCAR
Sure, we can disagree. I'd add or reiterate that Barnes played LT all last year for the Raiders? So he's proven to be serviceable at the position.
Penn's recent body of work consists of giving up 13 sacks last year; and he looks bad this preseason.
Remember, Barnes is a career LT. He’s only played RT and guard positions for the Raiders.
For that matter, I don't understand why the Raiders sign a guy like Howard to play RG. Isn't he a RT? What's with all the switching line positions?
I always thought the prototypes were different for these positions.
If the O-line can't mesh, this could well be part of the reason. You have two career tackles starting at the guard positions.
Wasn’t nepotism a staple of the old regime?
Is it possible that McKenzie was drawing on a talent pool that he was familiar with? Some of the "familiar" players and coaches that were brought in are already gone... that clearly separates the old from the new.
NYR-
So because the old regime did it that makes it good for the new? You know what else separates the two regimes? Four wins & 12 losses two years running. Isn't the W-L column the final arbiter on how good or bad they're doing? What happened to "Commitment to Excellence?" Doesn't that matter anymore or did they change that to "Commitment to Well, we Tried" ?!!!
If that's the case let me get with the program and help the organization out on the excuses for this year(if its more of the same as the last 2 years):
1. The Raiders have trouble competing because they are a small market team.
2. The Raiders have trouble winning because they play in the dilapidated Coliseum which has sewage flooding into the locker room.
3. The Raiders have trouble winning because the refs have it in for them.
4. The Raiders have trouble winning because according to an NFL.com poll players don't want to play for the organization in Oakland.
"You cannot change what you are willing to accept." If you're willing to keep accepting 4-12 then you will not see a winning record in Oakland any time soon. Its already been 10 years since we had a winning record. Are you really willing to wait for another 10 years because "it will take at least as long to clean up the mess from the old regime." If that's the case take down the old slogans and put up "Commitment to Mediocrity" and "Just Compete, Baby!"
Anon - are you blaming the Raiders troubles on Reggie hiring his brother, Raleigh? Or that Reggie didn’t keep enough of Al’s players? Were there really players on Al’s roster that we should have kept?
Listen, I'm as frustrated and disappointed as the next guy, but I never thought the Raiders bevy of problems would be solved with the flick of a switch. It’s too easy to say we went from 8-8 to 4-12. The real issues are much deeper. And it’s been a process during which I’ve had my own set of criticisms.
But we all knew Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen were hired for jobs which they had no past experience. Didn’t they come to the Raiders with that caveat?
As I said before, your concerns are more global and perhaps you (and some others here) should be pointing your finger at Mark Davis... I guess for listening to John Madden and other trusted advisors.
I expect the Raiders to improve in 2014. Short of that, I expect heads to roll.
Those are good points NY Raider, and Mark Davis (and his advisors) must shoulder some of the blame if this doesn't work out. It all starts at the top.
The divisions here seem to hinge on just how big of a hole was dug, and what are realistic expectations for getting out of it? Another way to put it: how many excuses do they get, and for how long?
No matter how big the hole, no team would knowingly sign on for any plan that consisted of two 4-12 seasons and something similar in the third. That would be deemed unacceptable out of the gates. It it will be deemed unacceptable if, at the end of this season, that's what we're looking at.
NYR-
You're right. We went from 8-8 to 8-8...only we got to the second 8-8 over two years. Mark Davis hired RM to handle football operations. Ultimately, Davis is where the buck stops. But why is it that other teams in the NFL can suck and yet turn it around in a much shorter time frame(Take gave you Detroit, KC in our own division went from 2-14 to 11-5 in ONE YEAR. Why is it that when it comes to the Raiders its "Well, when you've been bad as long as we have it takes time to turn it around." So while the rest of the NFL is on the 3 year plan the Raiders are on the 10 years of futility plan.
No past experience? Hold up, wait a minute:
"McKenzie was employed by the Green Bay Packers from 1994 to 2012. He began as a scout, and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Packers' director of player personnel and eventually the team's director of football operations, while reporting to general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson."
Yet with that EXPERIENCE of scouting and directing player personnel in his first full draft with a first round draft pick he took DJ Hayden at the number 12 spot. RM is on record stating that he would have taken him with the 3rd overall pick in the draft if he had not gotten the trade offer. In case you haven't heard, Hayden will start the season on the PUP list. Hayden has seen more time on the PUP list and IR than he has on the playing field. As bad as McFadden has been when it comes to injuries he at least gave you 2011. Hayden will be here 3 years at the end of this season and we still won't know what we have with him. Yet the man in charge of football operations gets a pass. So now we have the Felony Bad Football rule: if you hire a GM to run the team and he does a bad job you are held equally accountable to the fanbase. You got Mark Davis today, when are you going to get RM?
NY yes REggie should have kept some of Al's players like: Veldheer, Shaunessy and Bryant. All starters elsewhere. Or how about Barksdale?
After three years the best players on the Raiders remain guys Al brought in not Reggie like Reece and Moore.
Drafting Hayden was huge whiff, they could have had Star or Sheldon Richardson
Anyway I think we can all agree Reggie has done a poor job to what degree there will be some who still want to give him the benefit of the doubt
My problem with Reggie is after 3 years he has not put in place any young studs to use as building blocks (maybe Mack).
I love the Raiders but they need radical surgery. I hope they loose every game so Mark gets rid of these two clowns. If the Raiders somehow go 6-10 that owuld be terrible as it would but them another year and doom the Riaders to mroe mediocrity at best.
Mark is a dumb ass who should have not hired rookies like RM and DA.
Anon - Reggie has no past experience as a GM. In Green Bay his job responsibilities were much more limited. In Oakland, he does it all, including personnel, contracts and handling soup to nuts football operations. That's a big leap from his job in GB, which only partly prepared him for this job.
I think, like it or not, Davis is stuck with some growing pains by his GM/HC. Just got to let this season play out.
I agree there's no more time for baby steps. My next hurdle: I'll be disappointed if Schaub starts in NJ and performs badly. McGloin is my clear choice for QB while we groom Carr.
NYR-
I still think RM could should not have taken the chance on DJ Hayden with the 1st round pick with his injury history, but I agree with you on starting McGloin. I don't think Carr is quite ready yet and I still don't trust the OL. I'd hate to see him start too soon and wind up like Andrew Walter.
I think Carr thinks he's ready, which I like to see. And the man really knows how to fake. But I'd like to see him want the job and be willing to take it.
McGloin has proven to be a man who won't take no for an answer. He's the only walk-on QB to start for Penn State in 60 years. He wasn't drafted but managed to start six games for a storied franchise in his rookie year.
Make it McGloin's job to lose, and make Carr take it from him.
It sort of saddens me to hear McGloin's name so much. We're talking about a THIRD STRINGER (at least in our organization's mind).
If the guy was remotely deemed a starter or even a strong #2 by executives around the NFL, don't you think they would have moved hard to trade for him?
Geesh, the Niners have Gabbert as their backup and the Rams are talking about starting Shaun Hill. The NFL is STARVED for QB talent. Do you think the Raiders are turning away decent offers for a #3 quarterback? No, because no one is offering.
This is what we've been resigned to, hallucinating Matt McGloin as some sort of savior (and for a second straight year, for goodness sakes). It's pathetic.
SCAR
when you compare Shaub to McGloin there is one thing you cannot dispute. Shaun has a known ceiling, and you aren't even sure he can reach that. On the other hand McGloin does not yet have a known ceiling. Hr is a second year QB that has ALREADY shown flashes of a good QB as a starting QB in the NFL. What's pathetic so far is the coaching decisions for our qb while DA has been head coach.
SCAR
Don't let 3rd team status get in the way with what you're seeing on the field. Exceeding expectations is McGloin's MO.
Embrace it.
Meanwhile, this year's QB decision is a bigger test for the Raiders than last year. Will they play their best QB? Schaub has shown nothing so far, and now he has Matt Flynn Elbow.
Raider Take
Love the blog and your balanced opinion. Its great to be able to participate without the insults from some unmentionable former posters, I am so glad you cleaned that up.
I don't think anyone believes McGloin is the long term answer and certainly not the next Dan Marino.
I think everyone in the league and on this blog know what Reggie and DA seem to not want to believe. That is Schaub is finished both physically and psychologically. What worries me most, is that DBs league wide are jumping his routes, his arm is dead and no one fears getting burnt.
I think McGloin is a stop gap who will compete and keep the team in select games against other low end NFL teams.
Yes the situation is awful, 3 years in and Reggie has miserably failed at getting a competent real NFL starting QB. Its a QB league and to not have one is to doom the team to being awful. They should have kept Palmer and don't get me started on this neophyte of a coach. How in the world do you bring in a rookie coach when you know the team is going to go through growing pains and desperately could use a steady hand.
I have loved the Raiders since I was 8 in the 76 super bowl but this seems the lowest point in their history. The team is in terrible shape financially, they play in the worst stadium in the NFL and can't draw more than 50k for a game. The talent is a terrible mix of veterans whose best days are behind them and a bunch of unproven young guys. The coach is uninspiring etc. I just don't see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes Al was off his game the last ten years of his life but at least there were crazily inspired attempts at getting better. Someone wrote they miss the 8-8 of Hue. Its not so crazy a feeling, at least Hue brought back some passion and they were competitive. That 2011 season seems like a miracle compared to where they are now.
I just have to think about the loss to the Eagles last year to know there is not progress. While I am ranting but let's not forget Mark he is not half the man his father was. He needs to take some decisive action on a stadium and man up and realize not enough progress has been made by Reggie and ax him and DA once this season finishes.
My prediction is 4-5 wins and that is McFadden stays healthy and McGloin gets in there sooner or later. Winnable games are potentially Texans, Browns, Rams and Bills. Then maybe one of Cards or Fins. What are your thoughts?
All the best
Phil
NY Raider, I want to embrace it, I really do...But I'm having a hard time.
During Reggie's tenure, here's our record at the most important position in the NFL: Started and lost Palmer, signed and cut Flynn, drafted and cut Wilson, started and traded Pryor, signed and started McGloin, traded for Matt Schaub, drafted Carr in the second round...and now there's all this talk about McGloin being our best option right now.
Sigh.
Thanks, Phil, and please keep the takes coming!
This has definitely been a model thread--spirited debate without vitriol and personal attacks. Hope it lasts.
I'm hopeful for 7-8 wins, but I don't think it's realistic based on what I've seen so far. I'd love to be wrong.
As far as winnable games looking at the schedule, it's hard to say. Remember when the Raiders thumped the mighty Steelers during our 2-14 season? Any given Sunday...
Take. No doubt the brief QB history under Reggie's watch is a sad and even puzzling progression, worsened by the loss of Veldheer. In fairness, Pryor was AL's pick and, let's be honest, he's not an NFL starter now or in the future... but probably good enough behind the Seahawks 2nd and 3rd teamers to beat the Raiders tomorrow night. Ugh!
I think NY is on to something, Schaub is done and all he is a desparate attempt by Reggie to salvage his job. Let's start McGloin see where the season goes and at some point get Carr in there to see if he is the future. Because if he is not they better get Winston, Hundley or Mariota.
Regards
Florida Raider
I think the QB measuring stick is Carr. McGloin should be better than Carr right now because McGloin has had this offense for a year - just as Pryor had had the offense for a year longer than anyone else last season. All the way up to the draft, when Carr had no idea who he'd play for, McGloin would have been going over film of last season to identify his own mistakes in that offense.
From that standpoint, Schaub and Carr would be on equal footing, except that Schaub has 11 more years of experience playing football in the NFL. That should be a HUGE advantage over Carr.
Schaub should go to the bench. He's lost his arm strength and his nerve. McGloin is far more familiar with the offense than Carr, and as a mobile, accurate passer with a quick release, he should be the starter over Carr, at least until Carr becomes more sure of the offense.
Mark's word is that he's patient but wants to see progress...Well Reggie has shown a great deal of progress so Mark should be happy with that...
Reggie cleaned house/Put the franchise in the black/brought in several quality starters at moderate $$$$'s while not overspending for the big names/brought "DMac" back for peanuts/has #10 mil still on the books with an additional $50+ mil for the 2015 season...
Roster: He has improved it and also made some mistakes...I feel that this year's draft class will be very good and a few from last season as well...But huge mistakes have been made at "QB" as well as players off the "IR"...But if Carr develops into a quality #1 the end result will be good...
Coaching: This is the area where Reggie has failed the most by bringing in "DA" and then giving the rookie "HC" total power over his staff...This has set us back for sure...Now he has to pull the trigger if this plan fails...That falls upon him...
But all is not lost...There are names on this staff who could take over to finish the season and names out their out of work...The big names are Cowher and Gruden but Tony Dungy will be 59 in Oct and may yet be an option...Only 2 years older then bill...Harbaugh if reports of him leaving SF are true/Winston Moss or from the college ranks Marc Trestman (58) or the next hot commodity...But Reggie must lure one of them into the ranks...
Until were a productive football team we won't get the top tier "FA"s unless we overpay for their services...No one is going to come here with hopes of getting their ring...So Reggie must continue to build an affordable roster that can/will win until we are able to lure that top quality personnel...He's doing his job!!!
PantyRaider...Reggie Is Mark's Man!!!!!//_
Panty,
You can say the salary cap is in order.
You can say the roster is better.
You can say Carr has a bright future.
But the bottom line is, where are the wins ?
I do agree with you about our head coach situation.
I loved Al Davis. But with Al, we knew he would never hire a big name HC.
Al didn't want to pay, and the two big ego's could never mesh.
Al always had to find the diamond in the rough, when it came to HC's.
And over the years, Al did it very well.
But I was hopeful, after Al passed, that the Raiders would finally get one of those top, already established, HC's.
Instead, Reg hired Dennis Allen. Ok, I told myself. Another diamond in the rough.
This is now Allen's 3rd year. He is facing the toughest schedule in the league.
I suppose he can shock the entire world of football. Lead the Raiders to a playoff spot, and make everyone,(including myself), eat their words.
But how Allen plans to do this with his drowsy, laid back, style of coaching, is beyond me.
Reggie is doing is job for sure...But is he doing it well?
This will piss some folks off, but here goes...
Let's forget about year one and just look at year two. Year two consisted of slashing payroll, conducting an obviously mediocre (or worse) draft, having a comedy of errors at QB, and turning in a 4-12 season.
Now I ask, and I ask seriously: couldn't you or I have done the same, particularly if we were paid handsomely for the job and had a scouting department at our fingertips? There's nothing special about what Reggie did last year. What would have been special is nailing the draft or nailing the QB position or winning eight games or something like that.
Now it's year three. Will it be more of the same, or will real progress be made?
There has been no progress made EXCEPT putting our salary cap in order.
This season, the Raiders will need to surprise many critic but more importantly the fans.
Hate to say it in year 3 but drastic changes will need to be made if this is another "lost" season of poor football performance.
Everything and anything is up for discussion and in play for changes to include moving from Oakland, new ownership, new GM, new HC, etc.
Is Mark Davis cut out to be an owner of a $1B franchise?
Does the organization need a serious infusion of cash, a new stadium?
If Reggie continues to whiff on QBs, why keep beyond year 3?
With the current situation in Raiderville, is DA the dynamic, experience leader to overcome the significant challenges?
The fact that a recent poll put the Raiders as the least desirable franchise for players to join has to be a concern.
Lastly, as football fans, we know when their is tangible progress as the season unfolds. Competitive, spirited football -- game plan adjustments, creative "play to win" ideas being executed, etc. and the real barometer, wins and losses record.
Panty.
Yes Reggie has put the salary cap in order and acted financially responsible. However, an accountant could accomplish that.
Reggie has badly failed on his four biggest responsibilities. QB, Coach, 1st round draft picks----Hayden, retaining and developing young cornerstone talent.
The Raiders were awful last year besides loosing 12 games. 7 losses were by 10 points or more which was more or less identical to 2012.
The Raiders were better the two years preceding Reggie 8-8 and 8-8, that is fact.
Sandy
It's sad to be having this conversation before the first snap of the season.
I agree with the assessment that there are options on staff for interim coaching if Allen doesn't make something happen. If I'm Mark Davis, I wouldn't watch a repeat of last year before pulling the trigger. Sure, I'd love to have Cowher or Gruden but, really, what are the chances?
And if the Raiders do fall flat yet again, that will just make it more difficult to lure high quality coaches and free agents.
CJ, maybe the franchise does need a new owner with cash. Oakland/Alameda aren't going to pay for a new stadium, and the Raiders badly need one.
Is it something in the water out there? How can an NFL franchise be so bad for 12 years and still be in this mess?
From Tim Kawakamei's latest Raider post in talking points:
Schaub + Hayden + Flynn’s dead money + Mike Brisiel’s dead money = about $16.9M on the Raiders’ salary cap this season.
By the way, in addition to Jennings, the Raiders also lost Jared Veldheer and LaMarr Houston last off-season–those were the team’s three most valuable free agents going into the period, and they all left.
Despite the Raiders having enormous cap room.
Where are the improvements? That’s all I ask. Tell me where the improvements to this team have been made.
I dispute whether Reggie has done a good job in regard to the salary cap. Since the creation of the cap, the media has delighted in saying that the Raiders are in deep cap trouble. That's because the NFL wants the media to say that. They want the media to say that because Davis gave athletes top dollar because he believed the public was paying to see them. The owners, by and large, have wanted that money reserved for themselves.
So every year the tale that Davis would never get out of cap trouble would begin. And every year Davis would sign every one of his draftees, make several expensive free agent acquisitions, and renegotiate with the players who didn't live up to their paycheck. Surely you folks remember that along with me.
I admit that the acquisition of Palmer (not done by Davis) created some special problems. But I believe that if Davis had lived, he'd have figured it out.
Anyone can clean up a salary cap problem with a meat clever. Fire everyone, suffer through the dead money period, then hire a bunch of new players on the cheap. Then you get what we've gotten. Two back to back 4-12 seasons, while preparing for the third. Surely there were components of back to back 8-8 teams that were worth attempting to save.
Reggie also said that Allen would keep his job through his contract even if he didn't win because the team lacked continuity. Huh? He seems to think there is no continuity problem when you change out the whole central core of the team every season.
Perhaps the reason most players say they don't want to play for the Raiders is that they see no job security, respectively small pay, and little appreciation from the front office.
And, yes, I do think that the NFL is powerful enough to cynically control the press just like they own a few senators. They do it by providing leaks to their favorite reporters, advancing careers, and then encouraging them to parrot NFL opinions.
Carmen Policy used to control the local press by drinking with them at Palo Alto bars, leaking a bit of inside information that advanced the 49ers, and pushing a few Stanford coeds their way. He also got them to write a few nasty stories about the Raiders because Carmen Policy had a visceral hatred toward Al Davis.
Many Worthy Points Very Difficult To Argue Against...But!!!
I will try anyway (~_*)
It's way more then just "Salary Cap" progress...The front office has been modernized just as most of you pimped was needed...Upgraded the scouting dept...Everyone don't answer to Marc..."HC" in control of his staff...And on and on it goes EXACTLY as many of you pimped it had to be...
I was NOT one of you...Like "BR" I loved Al's way and supported it but that can't continue under anyone else's leadership so this was the inevitable change that needed to take place...Now I get that...
The other issue is the "V"s...That's NOT Reggie coaching this team...He's NOT sending down plays via his "XBox One Game Controller" nor changing "D" mid week...That's on these coaches and Marc/Reggie are on record as pimping change if this don't get turned around...How much else can you hope for???
Well I was pimping EXILE at the end of last season but that wasn't posted here...I was discouraged to see that we would even enter this "LamedDuck" season...But it is what it is so I'm forced to live with that just as you are and I basically understand why...Because had that trigger been pulled by Marc/Reggie it would have told every other coach that we were the same-same as under Al...Thus "DA" needed to be given enough rope to hang himself at the expense of our season...Now that sucks but again the options were rather slim...
But all is not lost!!!...Reggie has an option here at the Bye if "DA" can't get it together and it very strongly appears that he can't...Then we all go forward from there...If "DA" somehow pulls this off then we can all shut up and enjoy the season...
PantyRaider...If It Were So Easy Everyone Would Be Successful!!!!//_
I've got no issue with McKenzie's reorganization of Football Operations. It had to be done. The only person who could work with the organization that Al built was Al.
Anon - the loss of Jennings and Houston is what it is but losing Veldheer is on McKenzie. He had the ability to circumvent that loss. I believe that set the Raiders back.
Right on NYC.
Letting a young above average player at the second most important position on the field leave is a real bad setback. I thought Veldheer and Wiz would have been around together for awhile. Veldheer and Wizs on either side of that young beast Gabe Jackson that is potentially strong line for at least 5 years.
That was an easy, safe and obvious move for Reggie and he messed up bad.
Let's hope Carr gives us some future hope tonight
Phil
New gamenight take is up, bang it there!
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