Quick Take
Well, that was "hello NFL" moment for the Raiders today...
Think of all of those years when we tried to convince ourselves that this guy or that guy could be a legit star. Think of all of those receivers we've fielded over the past five or ten years, pinning our hopes on them.
Then in struts a truly elite talent like Amari Cooper, who was playing college ball 10 months ago, and it's like, "Oh, that's what a superstar looks like."
It's been so long since we've had one, it's almost alien to watch someone like that turning on the jets in the silver and black.
Give it up for Mack, too. And Carr. Like I said before the season started, the past two drafts were Reggie's lifeline, and he delivered.
There's no doubt who the players are that this team revolves around, and they are really young and from the past two drafts.
There's a lot of work to be done. And that game got stupidly close with all of the marshmallow defense in the fourth quarter.
But it looks like the laughingstock era is finally, mercifully, coming to an end. RAIDD-ERRZ!
Think of all of those years when we tried to convince ourselves that this guy or that guy could be a legit star. Think of all of those receivers we've fielded over the past five or ten years, pinning our hopes on them.
Then in struts a truly elite talent like Amari Cooper, who was playing college ball 10 months ago, and it's like, "Oh, that's what a superstar looks like."
It's been so long since we've had one, it's almost alien to watch someone like that turning on the jets in the silver and black.
Give it up for Mack, too. And Carr. Like I said before the season started, the past two drafts were Reggie's lifeline, and he delivered.
There's no doubt who the players are that this team revolves around, and they are really young and from the past two drafts.
There's a lot of work to be done. And that game got stupidly close with all of the marshmallow defense in the fourth quarter.
But it looks like the laughingstock era is finally, mercifully, coming to an end. RAIDD-ERRZ!
posted by Raider Take at 4:41 PM
33 Comments:
The first half belong to the Raiders, who put an ! on the game with their first possession of the second half. Things got a bit tense toward the end, but you have to expect that against Rivers (did the same thing last week against unbeaten Packers). Clearly, the Raiders could have applied a bit more pressure.
Suffice to say, we badly needed that game. Nice win!!
Anyone notice Lofton flatfooted while watching Woodhead streak to the end zone all by himself for a TD? Lofton is a huge liability in coverage. Comparatively, Malcolm Smith had a great day.
.500 is respectable. Love to see them follow that up with another one....
Nice to see the Raiders Crush the Chargers!
Next up, a Jet team that's no joke and a game ahead of us in the wild card hunt.
A win next week and we'll have to be actually in contention for a potential wild card spot.
We may in fact be more than just competative this year as the team is growing before our eyes.
Would be nice to close teams when in position like today but this win was still satisfying to say the least!
WHAT A HUGE WIN! The Chargers blew up the 4th because the Raiders sat Ball, and replaced him with Lofton. If Hayden plays like he did yesterday, for the rest of the season, he will blow off the "bust" title. He played tight coverage, and shadowed his WRs all day. I've never seen him play like that.
The rest of our season is pretty tough, and if we hold together, we can win these games. The Jets (4-2), Steelers (4-3), Vikings (4-2), Lions (1-6), Titans (1-5), Chiefs (2-4), Doncos (6-0), Packers (6-0), Chargers (2-4), and Chiefs (2-4). The games that worry me are against the Jets, Lions, Titans, and Packers. The Lions and Titans because the Raiders have a tendency to let their guard down against teams like this. The Titans have a tough defense, #4 in the League. This is going to be a tough game, and we better have a sharp running attack, and not be quick to cut it off because we are only gaining 2-3 yards per carry. Those are big yards in games like this.
The Lions could end up like the Chargers game, but the Raiders cannot let their guard down here. The Packers are good, but they are not the best and are very beatable. I think the Raiders can beat them, and we better beat the Doncos next time out. JUST WIN BABY!
I heard N. Ball injured his knee and that's why he left the game. I agree it was more than coincidence that the Chargers had more success after Lofton came in.
The tight coverage was unusual for the Raiders. Normally, Raiders DBs are told to keep everything in front of them, which is why Hayden usually allows such a huge cushion.
However, the Chargers were depleted on their O-Line even before injuries they sustained Sunday. I believe the Raiders made an effort to take advantage of that by playing tighter coverage and forcing Rivers into his 2nd and 3rd reads... and giving the pass rush more time. IMO, that's how they should approach every game... but they don't, as evidenced by the 4th quarter when the DBs backed off into soft coverage. Raiders could have easily maintained the 3-quarter blowout but "decided" to make it close. It's their nature.
I'll never forget the game I went to in Buffalo which Rob Ryan let an easy win get away by playing prevent D. Of course, Ryan did that many times but that time I happened to drive across the state to watch the game....
Definitely exciting times in Raiderland. Take your correct the Cooper Mac and Carr draft picks have saved Reggies job. To quote Harvey Keitel from pulp fiction let's not start sucking each others dicks quite yet. I'm still waiting for them to beat a team with a winning record. That being said if they can somehow beat the Jets and then Pittsburgh the next two weeks they will be in the first position wild card at the midway point. Regards Sandy
I'm excited because you can see the confidence in this team grow stronger with each win. The next 3 games are against winning teams (Jets, Steelers, Vikings). Those are going to be huge games, and the Raiders need to continue to have confidence, and like Derek Carr said in his presser yesterday, "Do what the coaches tell us to do."
I hope Ball wasn't hurt, we will need him, especially since it looks like the Steelers will have Rothlesberger back.
In the end, I've said that the Raiders need to prove it this year. It goes to show what I've been saying the past few years, they need above average coaching. With Del Rio, they have it. JUST WIN, BABY!
Take...You hit the nail right on. I always look at it as, would I buy the players jersey.
Needless to say, I havn't bought a Raiders jersey in a long time. But yeah, I would buy a Mack jersey. I would buy a Carr or a Cooper.
Maybe I can finally retire my Plunkett jersey. It's starting to wear out. Things are looking up.
Huge win. Next big step is to establish consistency on a week to week basis.
I loved how CWood got the Raiders fired up in the Pre-Game Speech, "Raaaaaiiiiders! Raaaaaiiiiiiiders!"
The League is noticing, and Del Rio and Norton Jr have this team going in the right direction again. The next 3 weeks are going to define this Raiders team this season. Let's see how they respond. JUST WIN, BABY!
We have been a skill position wasteland for so long it's almost hard to believe.
Crabtree was another good get.
Imagine if we had an elite running back.
A long ways to go still, but the arrow is pointing north.
RT,
I agree Crabtree is great value for his salary. But I don't think he is the ideal pairing with Cooper. I would rather a speedster on the other side who can stretch the field similar to John Brown on Arizona which opens the middle and underneath for Fitzgerald.
Regards
Sandy
Still think Ray Rice could have supercharged the Raiders backfield.
NY,
Ray RIce has not played football in a year and a half. He is done and he was nto exactly Adrien Peterson prior to his suspension. In fact there are probably only 3 or so true difference makers at RB in today's NFL and Rice is certainly not one.
In relation to Take's comment about an elite back it's not necessary. RB position is severely devalued in this day and age. Teams just don't devote significant cap to RB anymore and ones that do such as Buffalo usually don't get a good return on investment. Look at NE they have had two different RBs every year or Arizona who are paying Johnson something like 800k this year and I would be surprised if he is on the team next year.
You have to throw the ball down the field from the pocket to win in today's NFL. Any money the Raiders would spend on a high caliber back is better spent on more O lineman, CB, LB etc.
Regards
Sandy
Sure Rice's stats might have fallen a bit in 2013 but he has a career avg of 4.3 and he's a solid receiver out of the backfield. He would have been extremely low risk to bring in at the vet minimum, and carries far more clout than the career bust RM signed instead.
However, I've always said good young RBs are a dime a dozen. Teams like the Broncos and Pats know this all too well.
This is why signing guys like Trent Richardson and Helu made no sense.
On the flip side, T Jones is finally getting the opportunity he deserved years ago but Allen and company wouldn't allow. Lots of excuses were flying around this board why that didn't happen.
Good point NY it is great to see Taiwan get a chance. The more speed on the field the better.
I read Ball is out four weeks, the problem with that is more playing time for Ray Ray who in my opinion makes Lofton look like Kuechly
Regards
Sandy
Agreed.
IMO, Ray Ray and Lofton were downgrades from Sio Moore and Miles Buris. Armstrong played better in spot duty late last year, but he's been overmatched a lot this year. He and Lofton both miss way too many assignments.
Brandon Spikes is still an available FA. I wonder why? Definitely an upgrade on the inside until Ball is healthy. Looks like Ball may play on Sunday. I hope so.
Drop by recap:
You said Reggie should be fired and is ruining the team.
You said he didn't sign or pick any top players.
You complained that he didn't sign big name players when he was cap strapped.
You said his drafts were bad except for the players that "fell in his lap".
You said that he should have hired a big time HC for his 1st hire.
You said there was no process.
You said Hue Jackson would have been a better choice.
You said the team had the talent but the GM was screwing it up.
You said the team was being run worse than when Al Davis was alive.
You said that Just about anyone was making the decisions except for Reggie.
You mocked Mark and Reggie through this whole "process".
And now that the team is looking in a better place than it has been since 2002 and it's all quiet here. Nothing to bitch about except DJ? Or Ray Ray?
I'll tell you what you should do, you should own up to the fact that you were wrong. That the Front Office now in place is the one the Raiders need. The Owner has proven to be stable and with a solid head on his shoulders. The Gm proving all his critics wrong and has full support and always has had full support from Mark. The team is in a very good place.....just admit it, you were wrong.
I am a Raider
Agree Jones. The Raiders are in a good place -- solid stable front office & head coach, good core of young players, plenty of cap room, and potentially a new shiny stadium in the next few years. The key will be to build each year on the existing foundation by adding additional quality rookies and free agents.
Disagree with Sandy in regards to the Crabtree & Cooper pairing. It my mind and many of the football talking heads, it is an ideal pairing because each individual strengths compliments the other. I look at it as Crabtree is the guy we can rely on to move the chains while Cooper provides the explosive plays.
Crabtree has been an awesome signing, but don't forget, he fell into Reggie's lap.
Crab's gets along with everyone, he is a good influence on the O. He is playing balls out....maybe 'Sandy' would rather have Louis Murphy? D.Moore?......
Anyways, the dinosaur (those who still spew the above post nonsense) is going extinct. They have no more fumes to run on their BS points.
Just wanted to come by and make sure they know that they aren't really Raiders. But they will try to cling to the side of the wagon....will knock them off with a good boot to the face...have a good day, Jack.
Me
Jones, you don't deserve a response, since your M.O. is strictly about putting people down for having an opinion that you don't share.
You can crow all you want about McKenzie’s greatness but I credit Mark Davis with identifying and hiring JDR, and JDR is the one who has elevated the Raiders since his arrival.
It was JDR that identified the extreme obsolescence in the training facility, three years after McKenzie’s arrival. JDR and his coaches identified much of the talent the Raiders currently have on their roster and have, for the most part, coached them up to a competitive level.
McKenzie is the architect of the Dennis Allen era.
That says a lot, but let's not ignore McKenzie’s league-worst draft retention. Raiders are still waiting for some of his top draft choices to get a clue. The solid picks he did make were chiseled in granite. Suffice to say, it’s tough to sit at the very top of the draft every year and not get good players. That’s how the league is designed.
Yet McKenzie started his tenure by drafting the kind of high-risk players that historically have failed the Raiders.
McKenzie also brought in bad QB after bad QB, and paid handsomely for little to no production. How many snaps you think Tyler Wilson, Matt Flynn and Matt Schaub had combined? 10 snaps? 20 snaps? Maybe 30? These three guys cost the Raiders draft picks and 10s of millions.
That's just scratching the surface.
Jones, your problem is, as RT explained to you before, you take the lazy approach. Your opinions never evolve. It’s easy to come here and berate people like an Internet troll. It shows how ridiculous and bad intentioned you are. You just clamor that the Raiders will be good again, with extreme prejudice and without explanation.
Of course they'll be good again.
Thank you for your tireless ridiculousness!
McKenzie got off to a rough start, one that reasonably could have gotten him canned. Thankfully for him and all of us, he saved his day with an excellent 2014 draft.
Since then, he seems to have caught more of a groove, and with another pitch-perfect first round pick in the 2015 draft, along with a new coaching regime, he has the Raiders finally poised to ascend to the top of the division in the next year or so if further roster improvement is accomplished.
All of this was chronicled right here, in real time. Instead of pretending that the 2013 draft made sense or that the 2014 free agent behavior was excellent, we called it for what it was, just as ample credit has been given for the recent drafts and other things that have gone right.
Read this for an honest take that sums up all sides of the coin:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25355709/agents-take-the-next-step-for-the-now-respectable-raiders
"McKenzie's success in the deconstruction phase of the rebuilding process and putting together a stellar 2014 draft were likely his saving grace despite some blunders during his tenure that created doubts about his ability to resurrect the franchise."
Oh, so now SEE BS sports knows all?
The problem is, you hang on the media as if they were 'experts' and you use that as your 'expert' opinion. Problem is, you don't have a clue and you never did. Problem is, you aren't a Raider, period.
Carry on with your pathetic analysis, as you can see, it can't even draw flies = must be really stinky, PEEEE YOUUUU.
Fuck you
NY, I don't deserve a response? Looks like you gave me one, not that it is worth a shit though.
Same old stupid talking points, you say I don't evolve....you are spewing the same bullshit as 3 years ago even though it has been proven wrong....who's the dummy?
fuck you too
Crabtree is not fast enough to draw safety help. Hence leaving cooper double teamed. A guy who can blow the top of a defense and clear the muddle like a John brown would compliment Cooper better than Crab who avgs 10 yards a catch. Got it pirate. That was my point. Cooper is best suited to run short and mid routes and then use his yac abilities
Sandy
What have you proven you dumb ass. That after four years of crap the Raiders have gotten to the point where they can be dog shit teams like Cleveland and ravens. If that is your criteria for accomplishment you are making the Raiders as pathetic as you are
Obviously you are as dumb as rocks. The point is, now follow along dumbass, the team is at it's best point since 2002. From top to bottom the team is ready to do some very good things.
What is pathetic, is your fake fandom and your stinky takes.
Raiders are ready to show that they are back and you hate it....always knew you were a fake = donkey fan = you = fuck off.
Me
Cooper is good at any route, short medium or deep. He has not been used enough on the deep ball, told my friend they should just throw it to Coop every play, he will make the play. And with Coop drawing all the attention, that leaves others open.
Let them take away Coop, he'll still get his 100 yds and the others will benefit as well. A burner in the slot would really set defenses on their ears. Holmes is a big guy and Roberts is more of a possession Rec. Crabs is fine with Coop, one of the best duo's in the League.....but once again, the bitchfest is never happy.
I am a Raider
Cooper is elite. If McKenzie's career started out like Coop's, nobody would be doubting his skills.
However, history is steeped in facts. And the fact is, McKenzie made his share of mistakes. The Raiders turning the corner didn't start to materialize until someone else with a different vision came to the organization.
Sure, you can say McKenzie's deconstruction phase set the table for JDR, but it doesn't take a skilled craftsman to do demo work. Anybody with a sledge hammer can do that.
If the Raiders beat the Jets today, that would be a major statement as to their truly turning the corner.
So back to the business at hand...
GO RAIDERS!
You are a child, nothing more. There was nothing for Reggie to work with when he started out, Coop has much to work with, thanks to Reggie.
Of course you still can't realize that it had to be worked out 1st (from top to bottom)before the team could move forward. It is so beyond you, so beyond you that you can't make sense of it. Even when someone, like myself, gives you a 'color by numbers' description of the process. How fuckin pathetic is that?
Me
Clearly, we have a difference of opinion. Why can't you live with that?
Enjoy the game!
Postgame take is up.
Same reason you can't....you are full of shit, I have proven what I have written....you just can't accept that.
I am a Raider
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