Five Postgame Takes
1. The way we lost was so typical. With a potential win on the line, just yards away from shocking the NFL and ending that ridiculous East Coast losing streak, Denarius Moore clearly takes his eyes off the ball, and it bounces right off his chest into the arms of an awaiting defender.
2. Perhaps my favorite part of the game was Derek Carr appearing to bark loudly at Moore for taking his eyes off the ball. Good for Carr, that bodes well for his leadership abilities.
3. In the preseason, I noted that we don't have a #1 at running back or receiver. That chicken has come home to roost on Reggie's shoulder. Meanwhile, Rashard Jennings yesterday racked up 175 yards and a TD on a bad Giants offense against the team that slaughtered us last week. Now, I'm not saying he would produce similar numbers on the Raiders, but there is no doubt that he was our best back last year, and he would be this year as well. We have taken a step backward at running back, and it shows.
4. I'm already sick of the excuse of: "Well, they're playing a rookie quarterback, this comes with the territory." No. Matt Schaub was brought in to precisely avoid that type of scenario, and Matt McGloin has starting experience as well. We were told that Matt Schaub didn't lose the job, but rather that Carr earned it, and that Carr gave us the best chance to win.There was no injury that forced Carr into a starting role, like what happened yesterday with Bortles and Bridgewater. The "rookie quarterback" is not a viable excuse in Oakland.
5. All that said, this was a much better effort. The Clown Car was parked, and a tough assignment on the road was met with competitive performance. A decent offense would have won that game for us. Right now, we don't have a single playmaker. The stakes in London are racheting upward, and some jobs could be on the line.
2. Perhaps my favorite part of the game was Derek Carr appearing to bark loudly at Moore for taking his eyes off the ball. Good for Carr, that bodes well for his leadership abilities.
3. In the preseason, I noted that we don't have a #1 at running back or receiver. That chicken has come home to roost on Reggie's shoulder. Meanwhile, Rashard Jennings yesterday racked up 175 yards and a TD on a bad Giants offense against the team that slaughtered us last week. Now, I'm not saying he would produce similar numbers on the Raiders, but there is no doubt that he was our best back last year, and he would be this year as well. We have taken a step backward at running back, and it shows.
4. I'm already sick of the excuse of: "Well, they're playing a rookie quarterback, this comes with the territory." No. Matt Schaub was brought in to precisely avoid that type of scenario, and Matt McGloin has starting experience as well. We were told that Matt Schaub didn't lose the job, but rather that Carr earned it, and that Carr gave us the best chance to win.There was no injury that forced Carr into a starting role, like what happened yesterday with Bortles and Bridgewater. The "rookie quarterback" is not a viable excuse in Oakland.
5. All that said, this was a much better effort. The Clown Car was parked, and a tough assignment on the road was met with competitive performance. A decent offense would have won that game for us. Right now, we don't have a single playmaker. The stakes in London are racheting upward, and some jobs could be on the line.
posted by Raider Take at 7:55 AM
30 Comments:
A similar effort (win or lose) in London will probably allow Allen to retain his job for a while. Because while we'd prefer not to hear the excuses, those same excuses have gotten McKenzie and Allen this far.
The Raiders are still bad. No way to paint it differently. But, for me, watching Derek Carr possibly mature into a franchise QB is helping to mitigate the misery of watching the Raiders almost assuredly extend its streak of non-winning seasons.
Take, agree 100% on the play maker. I can't decide whether it is McFadden not running to his potential or if the line is just not making him holes. Either way, try a sweep or something as opposed to slamming the ball in the 1/2/3 hole for 2.5 yards a run for 12 quarters.
The playmaker is key. In my opinion this was the largest single fault of Reggie's in the offseason.
It was nice to actually notice Mack on the field.
My biggest observation was how much fun is it (still) to watch Woodson play? How is that guy still, at his age, the single most entertaining player on the field for the Raiders?
Bryan
Playcalling was still very conservative. Maybe that helped the Raiders stay in the game, as J-Mac suggested, but it's hard to watch when you know a little imagination can probably go a long way. (There has not been any discussion about Derek Carr limiting the playbook.)
For all the talk about getting Reece more involved, didn't he drop two passes, and one right in his hands?
NY, I'm not sure a competitive effort saves DA's job in London, I think he needs a win. If we go 0-4, then we're staring right down the barrel of a zero improvement (or worse) record. That's not gonna fly with Mark Davis.
In some ways, the New England game was damning in its own right. The team played pretty well, but was ultimately undone by a failure of fundamentals, which somewhat speaks to coaching.
Reece dropping balls, the ill-timed penalty to negate the TD, Moore not watching the ball into his hands.
Combine that with all of the blown coverages last week against the Texans, Jones not securing the ball on the double fumble...
The dumb stuff leads to blowouts, but it can also deep-six the close ones, as happened yesterday.
This team is like a computer that's missing a crucial chip. Sometimes it won't even start, but when it does, something is still off. And so far, DA hasn't proven that he can fix or replace the chip.
If the Qb is the brain of an offense. Then the 0-line is it's heart.
Right now, the Raiders have a brain, that's getting smarter every week.
But, like the Tinman, they aint got no heart.
Let's call the WR's & RB's, the limbs of the offense.
They allow the offense to move, & be mobile.
Well, the Raiders offense is like a very old man sitting in a chair. Still has a sharp mind, but, his heart is weak, and he can't move to good.
Raiders need to become young again. But with only about 5 draft picks every year.
It's a slow, slow, slooooooooow, proccess.
Whatever positivity and optimism I had coming into the season is gone. I feel worse about the Raiders now than I have in a long time.
I more and more agree with Veldheer and Palmer, that the wheels fell off when Hue was dismissed. Overall, I think that was a Mark Davis call. Hue really embarrassed him, and I cannot say that I blame him for firing Hue. But now that he has RM in place to be not only a filter, but a leash; he should apologize and hire him back as HC. But let's be real, being a sports owner, player, GM, coach, etc.; it's all ego and nobody in that position wants to further damage their ego by admitting they did something wrong.
Finally, prayers and thoughts to Schaub and his wife who had to have an emergency C-section (according to SF Gate), and had a premature child, their fourth.
Indeed, RT. But didn’t McKenzie and Allen already plant the seed with Davis about delays caused by the “destruction process”? And I wonder if Mark Davis discussing publicly Allen’s upcoming evaluation wasn’t just sounding off to the media to light a fire. I’m sure he’s pissed off. We all are.
If Allen is fired next week, McKenzie shouldn’t be far behind. This is McKenzie’s team.
It’s a sad state of affairs. The thought of starting the whole process over again is sour grapes for everyone. It’s become an impossible dream for the Raiders to correct over a decade of losing.
This is such a weird season. Trying to balance the legitimate excitement I have about Derek Carr with the very real possibility that this team could go 0-16 this year.
Having said that, I'm convinced now more than ever that if Nick Roach was healthy we'd have at least 1 win by now. Miles Burris is singlehandedly MURDERING this team.
The comments from ex players about Hue was telling. He really knew how to call a game. He also loved the Raiders and Oakland. Remember when Andre Ward actually boxed Hue would be in his corner after fights and in the dressing room. That was awesome. I could never say a wuss like Allen doing that.
Reggie is a jerk and got rid of a good coach and solid foundation players such as Veldheer, Houston, Shaunessy, Bryant, etc.
Get rid of Reggie
Baby Huey made the fatal errors of (a) over-stepping his bounds with his reckless power grab (b) mortgaging the Raiders future and still failing to make the playoffs (c) throwing HIS players under the bus at the end of the season.
Bottom Line:
Baby showed his true cards and why he wasn't a leader to be trusted. A Head Coach has to be more than just a good play caller. He unnecessarily burned bridges within the franchise.
CJ
I take umbrage with your points.
a) over stepping his bounds big deal so he upset Mark a little big deal push him back into place and move on, since when did Mark become Jerry Jones/Jimmy Johnson b) yeah a 1st and 2nd for Palmer was way too much but for a team that had not made the playoffs in 10 years it was a gamble worth taking and compared to the mistakes McKenzie made its nothing, meanwhile Palmer is still a top 15 qb in the league and since then the Raiders have cycled thru crap at the position c) the only people who seems upset about calling out the players for a miserable season ending performance was you and the media. The players did not care and they love Hue.
Sorry dude Hue was a great coach and has shown that everywhere he has gone. Including Cinci where he has done great things with the offense. Man he made DHB into a player for a year if that is not true genius I don't know what is, lol.
Guess what the NFL is not a nice place in case you can not tell based on events of the past few months. You need an egomaniac tiger bad ass leading your team. How else do you control these animals we call players.
The team respected Hue and played hard for him they do not feel that way about Dennis or Greg Olson etc.
SO what if Hue loved the spotlight and is not genteel enough for you, he got things done and the team has looked awful since he has gone.
Look at the Raider list of coaches all has beens or never was been. Combine that with the crap talent Reggie has brought in and its easy to see why the Raiders are the worst team in the NFL, three years running.
That 8-8 season under Hue was nirvana compared to now
Anyone watch the Cards-Niners game. Veldheer was dominant in the run game, opened up huge holes for Ellington.
Sad Reggie you fool
Perhaps it's worth noting that Jackson is three years removed from being HC of the Raiders and he's had no comparable offers.
Maybe he deserves another chance to be HC but probably not with the Raiders. It was a messy ending.
The thing that has made Hue successful, and still makes him successful in Cincy today as OC, is that he uses the strengths of the talent he has around him.
He did that with Oakland when he came in as OC under Cable (the year Cable went 8-8). Hue was the reason Cable was let go, and Hue was the reason Cable went 8-8 as a HC. With that said, his first year, he sat with the O-line and McFadden and asked what they did/thought was their strength; and then he utilized those plays for 2 years.
That is currently the problem I have with Dennis Allen, Jason Tarver, and Greg Olsen. They are not utilizing the strengths of their players, but are coaching from a philosophical stand point. The Raiders, as a team, will not improve until this change in coaching style is made. We don't need a scheme/philosophical coach, we need a coach that is going to pursue a game plan based on the strengths of the talent he has.
Hue did blow up his bridges, and not only did he throw his players under the bus, he threw Mark Davis under the bus. His problem was his ego became a little too big for his britches. At the same time, I wonder where the Raiders would be right now had Reggie McKenzie kept him, and tightened his leash?
CJ, agree with your take on Hue. He might have been good at calling plays, but having Silver call M. Davis Tommy Boy after he was fired? Bad stupid move and that's why no one's been knocking on his door for HC.
I lost heart after the 2nd game but this 3rd game gave me renewed hope. Things I liked: the OL giving D. Carr time, K. Mack, Woodson, Tuck, Jackson. Even Burris did a much better job. I know the Patriots aren't the Patriots of old but still, it felt good to see the defense come alive.
You all can despair. I'm going to enjoy the London game.
LGR
Take all the umbrage you need Anon.
Baby Huey showed a lack of character
by how he handled things with the players and M. Davis.
Yes, it is a big deal for him to be disrespectful to the owner and players who busted their butts for him.
At the end of the season, his press conference revealed he has no clue on leadership or accountability.
No problem with taking calculated risks or going "all in" to make the playoffs.
As it turns out, it was a triple edge sword (1) loss of valuable draft picks (2) failure to make the playoffs when 1 more win out of the final 6 would have been enough (3) Huey imploded which led to his exit.
When the Raiders didn't make the playoffs, the buck stopped at Huey's doorstep but he was too busy throwing the players under the bus.
He was supposed to be the leader of 53 men and the coaching staff but he was too delusional and temporarily drunk on power to realize that if he had handled himself in a more professional, dignified manner, he might have been given a chance to (a) continue to be HC or (b) become a HC at another organization.
You don't think the other 31 franchises watched the destructive wake he left as he torched all the bridges? Yeah right. His actions had consequences.
Hue is a good offensive coach but that doesn't make him cut out to be a good HC. BIG difference.
Whatever CJ he is way better than Dennis Allen and no one can dispute that
Evaluating why Baby Huey got bounced and the merits of Dennis Allen are 2 totally separate debates. Don't lose sight of that because the arguments are mutually exclusive.
All the knuckleheads wishing Baby Huey to be back, acting like he is the savior, are seriously misguided and misinformed.
He made his bed and now he has to lie in it. Less time getting pedicures, throwing his team and owner under the bus, and acting like a REAL Head Coach WOULD have served him better.
Do I want a top HC with strong leadership abilities to pull us out of the gutter? You bet.
Is that man Baby Huey who torched the bridges of Alameda? Hell NO. He took his shot and FAILED in Leadership 101.
Absolutely no point in revising history or pointing to 8-8 as the holy grail. You could do so much better. Deal with it you spineless, anonymous jellyfish.
Just want to point out that AZ Cardinals have allowed 8 sacks in three weeks; Raiders - 2. For those lamenting J. Veldheer's loss in regards to the run game, you're not looking at the larger picture. I'd rather my rookie QB get protected for future years.
LGR
The Raiders are also averaging about 64 yards per game on the ground.
Also, Cardinals have been forced to starting their backup QB due to a Carson Palmer shoulder injury.
And let's credit Carr for being able to read his progressions and release the ball timely.
In the end, Cardinals are 3-0 and the Raiders are 0-3.
So the sack comparison is weak as a justification for allowing Veldheer to leave... IMO, McKenzie single worst mistake. How long did we wait for a LT of Veldheer's caliber, signing FA after FA and even wasting a top draft on Robert Gallery!
In all likelihood, we will soon be looking for a replacement for Penn.
No offense (pun intended), but that's the "bigger picture."
"Raiders are also averaging about 64 yards per game on the ground."
****************************************************************************************************************************
OK, but you can throw out the Houston game. Raiders offense only had ball for 20 minutes, because the D couldn't stop the run.
Remember, with losing teams, it's never only one, or two, things to fix.
It's always something else, week to week, that breaks down.
And that's the Raiders.
CJ, wow whats all the anger issues dude? Spineless lol.
Anyway, I dont believe I was advocating Hue coming back or more importantly I could not really give a rats ass why he was fired.
I am merely stating that he is 10x the coach Allen. If Reggie or Mark deemed it necessary to ax him they sure did an ass job of replacing him.
In other words the team would be better if Hue was coaching them, you would seem to be very much in the minority on this blog if you don't think Hue was a much better coach
And you know what, as pathetic as it sounds based on the last 2 years going on 3 8-8 is the holy grail.
BTW do you have a blog I see your avatar but could not find anything
OO - My reference was specific to Veldheer and the point made that we've given up only two sacks so we shouldn't miss him. Not sure you followed that chain in your comments.
As for the Hue Jackson and Dennis Allen discussion, I actually believe Allen is one of, if not the most knowledgeable HCs the Raiders have had since Gruden. But that doesn't automatically make him the best HC for the Raiders. He still has to win games.
Jackson's strength was calling the offense, mostly as OC. That didn’t carry over as well when he became HC.
That's my biggest disappointment with Allen. He is a defensive minded HC with at best a marginal defense.
And neither coordinator has done anything to “wow” us. All the conservative playcalling, then complaining about execution is B.S.
Give the players something in the game plan that they can get excited about. That was another strength Jackson brought to this team.
It’s time for Allen and company to throw conservative out the window. Time to pull the stops. Jobs hang in the balance... or at least they should.
Maybe Dennis Allen will bump his head in London, and wake up believing he is Shelock Holmes.
On the sidelines, he will wear a deerstalker hat, smoke a pipe, and be 2 steps ahead of every opponent, from here on out.
Well, maybe.
Debating and comparing Baby Huey vs. Dennis Allen ... not once did I imply Dennis Allen is/was a better HC than Baby Huey. To date, Allen's team has won 8 games out of 35 which is atrocious.
I'm just sick and tired of all the posts talking about Baby Huey /wishing he was back.
The big decisions that I'm concerned about involve the current leadership:
M. Davis - the least qualified owner in the NFL bar none.
McKenzie - Has largely whiffed on free agents, the draft, and selection of HC.
D. Allen - Has not inspired in spite of the lack of talent; no identity to the team.
It is clear to me that we got 3 strikes in the 3 key leadership positions.
Nothing we can do about Davis if he wants to continue as owner.
The big question is if Davis wants to bring in a new GM who will hire a new HC, does Davis have the capacity to do it?
there are raider fans who wish Veldheer, Houston were still here? They wanted 5 year contracts at 7 mill a year. Reggie told them to pack their bags and get lost. He can draft his own at much cheaper price.
The replacements he got for those 2 players are doing as good if not better than them. Houston has done nothing in Chicago, that will go down as one of the worst signings this off season. Veldheer is playing decent, but not worth a 5 year deal, that is for sure.
Reggie has done well, Allen has had very tough circumstances and after last week, he may be making some headway. Allen's time is not done yet, if the team continues to progress at a good pace from last week, Allen could very well be the HC next year. 13 new starters take more than a couple of games to gel.
IF this team can keep moving forward like they did last week, the wins will come and Allen will keep his job. No HC can throw together 3 totally different rosters in 3 years and have them in championship form in just a couple of months. It takes time and you can see by last week the team is starting to come together. Just have to give it time to play out. Crying doesn't make it come any faster.
The Raiders did much less than "not gel" in their first two games. They did a total face plant. The Jets did everything they could to lose, and the Raiders couldn't oblige them. Texans just had their way.
I badly want McKenzie and Allen to succeed, but time is running out. I'm ok with Davis giving them the rest of this season to show they can turn it around. Regardless of the record, it will be fun watching Derek Carr mature into the franchise QB he looks poised to become.
Three years is a long time, and 13 years is an eternity. Something has to change. Otherwise, to borrow a phrase, it’s time for the “next man up.”
P.S. I can think of worse management decisions than paying market value to retain a franchise LT... like letting one go and creating a need to replace him.
Anon
Veldheer is a force in the run game and is not far from getting into the top ten in the league, at what is the second or no less than third most important position in football.
7 a year sounds like a sound investment especially 2-3 years from now
Sandy
Gameday take is up.
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