One Postgame Take
1. More like a one-word take: Meh. That's how I feel about the game. Not a Clown Car edition, but a weak, uninspired effort. This team has given us some exciting moments, but it's not a good team, and there's a lot of work to do in order to make it a good team, starting with a new coaching staff. Time to stop with the bargain basement coaching hires. If this team is truly on the right track, there should be no problem attracting elite coaching talent. Most confident, elite-level coaches love to walk into situations where things are on the right track and there's nowhere to go but up. If things aren't perceived to be on the right track, however, that could complicate things. Either way, Mark Davis needs to pony up and make it happen. The fans have done their part, packing the stadium during yet another lost year. Time to invest some of that goodwill revenue into an elite coach.
posted by Raider Take at 9:58 AM
29 Comments:
Grumblings that Mark Davis is going to "clean house" are coming from ESPN, including Reggie McKenzie. Of course, in typical ESPN fashion, there are no named sources, only "League sources." Does Gruden or Trask still count as a "League source"? This is being reported even after Mark Davis saying that Reggie is his guy. This reminds of the kind of reporting that Peter Gammons used to do for ESPN. He would report every year for 3 years, that the Yankees were going to trade for Sammy Sosa. He would even say, "The Yankees are vehemently denying the report, but they are going to, in fact, trade for Sammy Sosa."
I'm still not sold that Reggie needs to go. I think something drastic needs to happen, but I think that is more toward the coaching staff. Not sure if any top-tier coaches wouldn't want to work with Reggie, but it has to be better than working with Al.
I don't think Reggie has to go because of the culture change in the front office he has brought and cleaned up. He has done exactly what he needed to do, and that was focus on the organizational front, get the finances and contracts back to earth, and develop a competitive product on the field. He has accomplished 2 of the 3, and has begun working on the third. I truly believe the talent is there (with some holes to fill), but the coaching is not.
Mark Davis may want to spend $$, but I don't see that happening if he let's Reggie go, and does not hire a top-tier Head Coach; at this point he needs both. The only way I see him letting Reggie go is if a top-tier Head Coach comes in and wants to bring in his own GM. The only problem with that is Mark trusts Reggie, and that is what you need with a GM and owner. At the same time, the GM needs trust with the HC as well, and developes as they work together. I think Reggie has the personality that he is not going to power trip on his Head Coach like what is currently happening across the bay, or in NY. Right now the best case scenario for the Raiders is Jim Harbaugh, Rex Ryan, and Marc Trestman all lose their jobs. We bag Jim as HC, Rex as DC, and Marc as OC and give them both the extra title as Assistant HC. I can dream right?
JUST WIN, DAMNIT!
Oh man, weak sauce, no cred...nice article, Captain Obvious.
Isn't it typical of this site that the 'owner' of it posted a Piece written by a member here who outwardly brags about being a Patriots fan? He is given more respect than a TRUE Raider fan who has proven himself over the years here to have a good eye for what is going on? Just shows how ass backwards this place is.
Once again, the TANKING theory shows it's legs. Just watch the WINS vs the last 2 losses = night and day in preparation, intensity, play calling, execution etc.... if you can't see it by now....then I don't know what to tell ya. But, I stuck my neck out there and once again it is coming around to my words. Throwing 60 times vs a top Pass Defense? Yeah right.
This 'article' of Reggie BEING INVOLVED IN THE SHAKEUP could easily mean he is going to be hiring the new Head coach, DUHHHH. So Adam and ESPN in the Raider Hating Ways....set forth a RUMOR that Reggie is involved in a shakeup...COACHES are being replaced, duhhhh. Then it says Mark is ready to spend....it's so vague that it has no meaning, just another bone thrown out by the NFL minions who love to tease the Raider faithful. And of course, many of the BONEHEADS bite on it and give them a good laugh.
Hey....NO CRED? Look in the mirror
Once Again
IMO, if Harbaugh is the HC, no way could he and Ryan coexist. Marc Trestman as OC? Hell Yes.
Time for the Big Hire, the table is set....another BIG draft and the Raiders are ready to compete.
What will they cry of then?
RT, Raider Nate,
Reggie has done a terrible job. Until he is gone the Raiders are doomed. Any legit coach won't work with Reggie.
In regards to wondering if things are on the right track or Nate saying Reggie has done a decent job, I offer you this simple analysis.
Look at the Raiders roster today and ask yourself the following: In three years from now how many current players can you say with great confidence will be Pro Bowlers? I only count one which is Mack.
In other words after three years there is zero foundation in place. Don't give me any stuff about cap (an accountant could do that) culture (who cares). Talent is all that matters and the Raiders have virtual no elite level talent.
Regards
Sandy
Can’t get caught up in media speculation. Based on Davis' statements, I have to believe McKenzie will be retained. Another blowout loss probably won't change that.
However, the fact that there is any dialogue about Mckenzie losing his job suggests he hasn't done a good job.
Case and point; Raiders were bad enough to fire their HC after four games. That’s a reflection on the GM.
Things haven’t changed much since.
We could probably place a clown car on this entire season. It’s been more of a waste than the last two, and that’s saying a lot.
Sandy,
I can see Sio Moore and Derek Carr should be on that list as well. I say that because I don't see Peyton Manning playing another 3 years. I'd be surprised if Brady plays another 3 years as well. Those two QB's have hawked the Pro-Bowl.
I see Andrew Luck starting, but in 3 years, I can see Derek Carr getting a nod to the Pro Bowl as well.
Same with Sio Moore. If he continues to show improvement in his game, and stays healthy, we could see he and Mack line up together in Pro-Bowl starts, and definitely over Clowney, which reports here in Tejas are he doesn't like to put in the work; ala Vince Young.
There are other potentials on this list, depending on how the Raiders use them from here on out. I would like to see Latavius Murray on this list, but that depends on how the Raiders let him develop, and will he be a solid starter? Same with TJ Carrie, Mychal Rivera, and Marcel Reece.
Aside from needing a new coaching staff, and GM. The Raiders must address the following in off season.
A deep threat WR. A power running back(to complment Murray). A pass rushing DE(or 2).
Easier said then done. But the Raiders can't keep going in circles forever. They have to make a commitment to get these things accomplished.
And it starts at the top, with owner Mark Davis.
OO, at a minimum, you forgot:
possession WR
RT
RG
C - Wiz is a FA
FS - Woodson is a FA
SS - can we really rely on Branch?
MLB - a huge ?
There are too many holes to even think of filling them all, and then there's depth at every position.
It's like the list keeps growing.
Jon Gruden signed with ESPN until 2021, so I guess that cuts him out as the Raiders' next GM or HC.
Let's just hope that Harbaugh is still in the mix, or someone of his caliber.
Wiz is a Free Agent, and so is Alex Mack (even though he is injured). MLB, A solid pass rusher (or 2), a solid NT, RB, #1 WR (Maclin anyone?), SS.
They don't really need a RT or a RG. I think they would be better if they would play Boothe or Bergstrom at RG, and move Howard to RT and move Watson to 2nd string. He really only continues to hurt himself.
This is why the Raiders need to get rid of dumb coaching. Boothe was awesome at RG with the Giants (after his first stint with the Raiders), and the Raiders bring him back, and pow! Backup to a new position. Really, is he that bad?
It's funny. We like pro football. "Our Team" cant manage to play professionally. So we watch other teams because we like (you guessed it) performance. Choose who you will, and keep your patience about OakTown. They'll be back in black. You already know when.
Kudos to Take. I cant IMAGINE even wanting to go to an actual game, with what goes on in the stands and NOT on the field. Spending time to manage a blog on such a team, for so long. Kudos to Take. So, a Haiku, for You, Take..
Each and every week
Playing Well or Playing Bleak
Take Shows Up In Black.
Thanks Take. I am THE consummate casual observer, but I really dig your prose bro.
RNate - You may have answered your own questin. Apparently, he is "that bad" because the moves you suggest... booth to RG and Howard to RT... seem incredibly obvious to us. Yet, those options have totally escaped the Raiders.
Do they actually believe playing Howard at RG has worked?
NY,
I think that is on coaching, not GM. The GM brings the players in, the coaches tell them where they will play. Again, look how far apart Reggie and Dennis were. Reggie publicly said in the last off-season that he was bringing in guys who were going to punch other people in the mouth, which he has done with Howard, Penn, the attempt with Saffold, Woodley (has been known to be a tough player), Tuck, Mack, Moore, Boothe, etc. But DA (and Greg Olsen) run a soft zone, pu$$ system. Again, I don't like the move of Howard at RG. I was hoping they moved Boothe/Watson there, and kept Howard at RT. But that was a coaching decision, not a GM decision. Interesting to note that Sparano was the O-Line coach that probably made the suggestion.
Changing subjects, I saw a report on PFT that the Fritz Pollard Alliance released a list of "minority candidates" that should become HC. I find this list interesting because there are only 3 that I would hire as a HC on this list. The list, according to PFT:
Teryl Austin (Lions DC), Todd Bowles (Cardinals DC), Perry Fewell (Giants DC), Leslie Frazier (Buccaneers DC), Ray Horton (Titans defensive coordinator), Pep Hamilton (Colts OC), Hue Jackson (Bengals OC), Winston Moss (Packers Asst HC), and former 49ers coach Mike Singletary.
Out of this list, I think only Todd Bowles, Hue Jackson, Pep Hamilton,and Winston Moss deserve a shot a HC. I think Hue may go to Carolina. Winston Moss may be the next Chicago Bears HC, and Todd Bowles or Pep Hamilton may end up in SF if the 9ers part ways with Harbaugh. If the 9ers don't part ways with Harbaugh, then I would like to see Bowles or Hamilton come to Oakland. Just my thoughts.
Why would anyone want to hire Frazier, Horton, or Mike Singletary? Horton's defense in Tennessee is horrible. Same with Fewell, and it seems that the players have quit on he and Tom Coughlin. Frazier didn't do a great job in Minnesota, and Singletary? Seriously? The dude built a solid defense in SF, but he could not connect with his locker room. There's a reason he is not in the NFL today.
I did read Kawakami's report that Harbaugh may end up in Oakland and Tom Gamble may replace RM as GM. That would be interesting, but again, the GM has to have a good relationship with the owner and HC. Not sure how that would play out with MD.
Nate please bro, do not cut Reggie slack he needs to go. Almost every move he makes is insane. How about resigning Barnes. what was the urgency to do that? Now I read Wiz is mostly likely gone.
Seriously Reggie is perhaps the worst GM in the league
Regards
Sandy
RNate - My understanding is that Sparano has ties with Howard and that - with McKenzie's blessing - is what brought him to Oakland. It probably was a coaching decision to play him at guard but, geez, how can Booth not be given an opportunity to shore up what is clearly a failed project with Howard at RG?
With all the problems the O-line has had this year, it seems inconceivable that there’s been no shakeup, other than what was necessitated by injuries.
IMO, that means there is no depth, and that falls to the GM.
Barnes must really suck if he can't supplant Howard.
Oops! I meant to say Booth!
NY
Can I take your last line a step further in a game of connect the dots. For example Watson must really suck if he can's supplant Barnes.
LOL
Happy Holidays
Sandy
Sandy, it's no reach to suggest Watson has been a disappointment.
He was not a smart pick in the early second round, which only dilutes the compensation received for trading our #1 that year.
NY...I realize the list is long of Raiders off season needs.
I was just trying to be realistic as to what the Raiders can accomplish in one off season.
I think deep threat WR, power RB, and pass rush DE, are the most pressing needs.
If the Raiders want to hire Harbaugh, Mark Davis needs to back up the brinks truck. Reports out today indicate Michigan has offered Harbaugh a 6 year, $48M deal.
Further, the Raiders need to get out quicksand and put together a smart, creative plan (not just money) to compete for Harbaugh while navigating the NFL's rules for tampering AND working within a tight timeline.
Don't know all the mechanics and rules governing the league but would be interested to know if it even possible for Davis to work out a deal with the Niners management and Harbaugh while the season is still going on.
If we wait until January without at least letting Harbaugh know we are serious about bringing on board, we could be up the creek.
Urgency + committment + putting your money where your mouth is!
00 - your priorities make sense.
But the Raiders desperately need to do something with their O-line. McKenzie has secured Kalif Barnes, giving us more reason to be concerned. Will we be told that re-signing Wiz is a top priority this off-season? And will it matter? We could use an upgrade at C.
At WR, I would go after Maclin. Unfortunately, his price tag will go up from +/- $5.0mm one-year deal the Eagles gave him last year.
IMO, RBs are a dime a dozen and it won't take special circumstances to find a serviceable RB in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft, or a journeyman FA. That seems to be the trend around the league.
Drafting is always "best available" player.
CJ - I think you said before you thought Harbaugh would command $10mm. Looks like you hit the mark... pun intended.
5 years @ $50M - make it happen MD
Apparently, as indicated by the following video, the Jags missed the memo that instead of learning to win and trying to ride high into the offseason, they should be tanking for a higher draft slot:
http://tinyurl.com/kbp8npm
Lol! Nice find, RT. That's pretty revealing.
I guess there are about 50k fans going to a sellout game at the o.co stadium this Sunday that missed the "tank" memo too.
A bit ironic isn't it? Fans promoting losing as a means to winning?
When will the losing culture end?
So now the Jags are an Org that should be looked upon as knowing what they are doing?
Tanking is a rare occurrence, I see the signs, you don't, I get it.
It's not about wanting it or promoting it...it's about that it is happening. It is a strategy when a team has no chance for playoffs and the season is done early. It is done when a team wants to have the 1st or high picks in the draft. The last 2 efforts at the O were great, don't know about this one though.
This site is dead, RIP.
Fuck You
So now the Raiders are teaching their players to lose. Brilliant!
The whole tanking notion got blown up the first game the Raiders had a chance to secure the #1 pick. They immediately fell to #5 in the draft. That should have been enough to dispel the notion. Yet here we are....
Answer this: what player in the draft is worthy of perpetuating a losing culture?
Forgot this foolish tanking talk. I can believe you guys are getting draged into and indulged Jones in this ass conversation.
The real issue we need to be concerned about is how the Jags have considerably more talent than the Raiders. NY, Take that is what is scary
Regards
Sandy
Sandy, less talent, indeed. It's also worth noting that Carr has essentially outplayed Bortles, while surrounded by less talented players.
Despite the lack of talent, Raiders are one of the top teams in 2-min offense. That's all Derek Carr.
So perhaps there's a silver lining here.
NY
I sure hope your right. Solving the QB issue is the linchpin of return to success. If Carr is a legitimate long term starter bring in a new GM and 8-8 could be 24 months away.
A Happy Holidays to you and your family
Sandy
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