One Postgame Take
If ever there was a game that was simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting, this was it. If ever there was a game that straddled the pivot point of the past and the future, this was it...
Seriously, in so many ways, this was a typical Raiders loss. Skill players on the other team just absolutely and historically torching us (first game ever in NFL history with one player gaining 300+ total yards and a teammate gaining 200+). Ill-timed turnovers. The big play that just guts us in the last minute and sets up the winning points. Another loss on the East Coast. The halting of momentum when it was really gaining. Sound familiar?
And yet there is much that remains happily unfamiliar about this loss, and this team. Starting with an offense that means business, and that is poised to become the class of the division. Continuing with the tenaciousness and the coming back late in the game instead of folding. Further continuing with the sense that this loss did nothing to dispel the notion that this team will put a scare into an opponent who has them on their schedule going forward.
The Raiders. Are. For Real. That seems to be what's going on here.
There's always the chance of the second-half implosion that exposes all of this as a mirage. Go have a look back at the 2011 season to remind yourself what that feels like.
But what's going on here feels much more convincing. Aside from the first game of the season (remember THAT!?), this team feels like a nucleus, not a patchwork. It has legitimate superstars in the making.
In other words, it feels like the future taking shape. And if that's the case, then the Raiders, after so many years, are truly back in business.
Seriously, in so many ways, this was a typical Raiders loss. Skill players on the other team just absolutely and historically torching us (first game ever in NFL history with one player gaining 300+ total yards and a teammate gaining 200+). Ill-timed turnovers. The big play that just guts us in the last minute and sets up the winning points. Another loss on the East Coast. The halting of momentum when it was really gaining. Sound familiar?
And yet there is much that remains happily unfamiliar about this loss, and this team. Starting with an offense that means business, and that is poised to become the class of the division. Continuing with the tenaciousness and the coming back late in the game instead of folding. Further continuing with the sense that this loss did nothing to dispel the notion that this team will put a scare into an opponent who has them on their schedule going forward.
The Raiders. Are. For Real. That seems to be what's going on here.
There's always the chance of the second-half implosion that exposes all of this as a mirage. Go have a look back at the 2011 season to remind yourself what that feels like.
But what's going on here feels much more convincing. Aside from the first game of the season (remember THAT!?), this team feels like a nucleus, not a patchwork. It has legitimate superstars in the making.
In other words, it feels like the future taking shape. And if that's the case, then the Raiders, after so many years, are truly back in business.
posted by Raider Take at 9:13 AM
28 Comments:
told ya
me
We have a tough game this Sunday, and we need to be ready. Adrian Peterson and company are coming. Teddy Bridgewater has been lights out this year for the Vikings, much like Derek Carr has been for us. In all honesty, the Raiders and Vikings are very similar this year.
The difference is the Vikings defense has been able to finish. I hope the Raiders can gain that winning momentum back. The key is going to be how long Murray will be out, and how serious of an injury did Rodney Hudson receive? I think Reece, Jones, and Olawale can get the job done. Olawale has explosive speed for a fullback, which is something I think Reece has lost. We will see. JUST WIN, BABY!
Carr is 95% of this team's improvement to viability, he is a top 5 QB in the league right now. I'm a fan.
Offense looks great, D is hit and miss. Frankly, the team is as good as it's secondary right now. Hayden is currently 81st in the league in CBs Quarterback rating when being thrown against. That is a big gap. LBs are not playing well (Lofton is pretty much a disappointment) and the pass rush isn't getting too much time to actually get after the QB. They are quick passing on the D and letting the receivers (who usually have separation) make plays downfield.
I agree with Take, the game was bitter sweet. It is awesome to have a team on the road that can compete with a viable franchise in the Steelers. That is fun. Hopefully they can make the adjustments on D to keep them under control with AP coming to town.
Bryan
Oh if Murray is out they should be on the phone with Ray Rice. Why not?
Bryan
Nobody told me anything.
Takes here are not something you wait for the facts to catch up to.
I observed that Reggie McKenze had better start making less missteps and raise his game if he intended to achieve a turnaround.
He did raise his game, and it is bearing fruit.
If he hadn't raised his game, we would not be where we are.
The truth is not that he was hitting it out of the park all along. The truth is that he got better and raised his game, and credit goes where credit is due.
Been saying it all along.
Man, your ego is way bigger than your brain. Reggie had nothing to work with when he started, so yes, you are wrong. It isn't "Reggie getting better", it's how it had to go down. There was a process and still is. It was to take some time, while you were crying why it's talking so long, remember?
Reggie was the guy from the start and Mark knew it. Your claims of Reggie being on the bubble was bullshit. Your claims of Reggie not being able to get any good players was bullshit. Your claims of the Raiders being in a worse place than the previous regime was bullshit.
Face it, your ego makes it so you cannot admit you were wrong. That makes you even less of a person than I thought you were and it can't get much lower.
You claimed the Raiders were still a clown show and now you want to jump BACK ON the wagon while claim you had it right all along, SMH. You are a lost cause, just a fuck up with a big ego = there are plenty of you around, nothing special, that is for sure.
I am a Raider
SCAR
The first thing I'll say after sleeping on the result is,,,it was real nice to be a part of a big game. This game meant something to both teams and it showed in the intensity of the game. Big hits, Boom! (Pittsburg had the better of those) Big plays! A back and forth game. Lots of heart and effort all around. In the end it was a letdown to lose but hopefully the Raiders keep playing themselves into these kinds of games with wins, and then learn from this loss to pull the next big, close game out.
The Raiders Offense is humming and it's legit. Crabtree's footwork could improve, but his hands are worth every penny. He is a stud. The O-line held up again versus a very aggressive defense who blitzed often from all over. Hopefully Hudson isn't injured and is back next week, because he is a key cog on the line. Cooper,,Am I the only one concerned about the dropped passes by this young man? What game has this kid not dropped very makeable catches? Cooper has all the upside in the world, but to before he can take the next step, the dropped passes(especially on your generic pitch and catch passes) has to end. Speaking on dropped passes, they stalled 2 maybe 3 drives. As far as Carr goes? This Kid has the "it" factor right now. He made all the right reads. He throws one interception at a key moment, but but then bounces right back to lead the Raiders to a tying touchdown score.Take the dropped passes and fumbles away and Carr leads the Raiders to 49 points. Is he a ten year starter? Time will tell, but right now, from what I am seeing, the sky is the limit for Carr.
The defense??? Thats for another post...
SCAR
When Reggie started doing better, things got better.
Cause, effect.
When he drafted better (2014 and 2015 vs. 2013)
When he did better in free agency (2015 vs. 2014)
When he stopped paying millions to QBs who couldn't make the team or were second stringers.
When he hired a better coach.
Stuff like that. Cause, effect.
Cause and effect...like not having any talent and no draft picks? Like having a team that no one wanted to coach? Like having a destination that no top FA's wanted to sign with? Like having 40 million less than the other teams to field a team? Ya, those are some causes, hey buddy? But you refuse to acknowledge them, just like in the past. You act as if they had no influence on what was happening in the process.
Your opinion is bunk because you refuse to take this into consideration when making your swipes at the GM. You are a joke and you have been all along while you mocked me for telling you about the process. Well the process worked out just like I told you HAHAHA, yes the facts did catch up to my 'theories' didn't they? I told it was going to shape into this and you mocked me, flat out treated me like I was an idiot.....well who's the idiot? The more you refuse the TRUTH, the more you bury yourself....keep going, I don't mind at all.
Me
Bryan what you said about opposing QBs getting off quick passes against the Raiders is the result of the CBs playing more than 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. As a QB in High School, every time I saw a CB line up that far off, I was going to that WR without fail.
Our coach never had our CBs more than 5 yards of the LoS. We got burned on deep throws a few times, but that is par for the course, and if you look at the stats; that is the risk. The completion and accuracy % drops the deeper you throw. I would rather have their QB prove it, than play soft.
Again, I can somewhat understand that mentality when it is Rothlesberger at the helm for Pittsburgh, but the Raiders should have played more aggressive on the WRs off the LoS with Landry at Q. Take the risk on the deep passes, more than likely Landry is not going to be as accurate down field like Big Ben. Instead, our CBs get caught in a WR screen for 59 yards and lost the play. Whereas, if the Raiders play tight coverage and force Landry to make a deep pass it does several things:
1. Gives the D Line time to create pressure.
2. Landry under/over throws the pass to be incomplete/intercepted.
3. A combination of 1 & 2, that causes Landry to make a throw before he or his WR is ready (40-45% of the time this happens on a deep route pass).
4. Hits the WR deep (which this percentage of this happening is low).
Not every WR is going deep either, only 1, maybe 2 (depending on the offensive formation). The safeties can easily provide help to double team the deep coverage. Playing tight coverage on the LoS takes away the short/quick throws. The Raiders did not help themselves defensively in the last minute of the game by how they lined up. I told my 8 year old boy when they lined up that the Steelers were going to throw the WR screen and needed to step up to the LoS, and boom; 59 yards later we are lamenting a Raiders loss. I saw it coming based on the same play being ran the drive before where the Steelers were flagged for offensive pass interference for blocking Hayden before the ball was caught, and the Steelers lost big yards for that penalty too. It was the same play, and it was preventable had the Raiders D played aggressive.
If Reggie's performance in the recent drafts was commensurate with his performance in the 2013 draft....
If his performance in free agency this year was commensurate with his performance in 2014...
If he continued to make costly signings that totally flopped (Flynn, Schaub)...
If he whiffed again on a head coach hire...
The Raiders would not be where they are right now.
He raised his game, he gets full credit for that, and he is the architect of this team. I am excited for him and the Raiders.
I am not going to kowtow to someone who wants to keep everyone here looking into the rear-view mirror to prove some sort of point.
It's windshield time. It's now, not then.
Raider Take has always been about chronicling the Raiders in real time. Always will be.
Jones,
If you think Take is such a joke, why do you continue to come back here? I come because I respect his overall opinion with the team. I don't agree with everything he types or says, and I am pretty sure he feels the same with what I type and say; but he has provided me a way to connect with other Raiders' fans that love this team and football the way I do. Give it a rest! Your personal attacks on people are tired. Bottom line, you are a Raiders' fan; I am a Raiders' fan; everyone on here is a Raiders' fan. We are bonded by that, and we respect each other for it.
We can have disagreements, but let's argue out those disagreements based on the issue of our views; instead of demeaning each other. If you can't do that, create your own blog and get off this one.
Nate, great case for looking through the windshield at what looks like a bright future for these Raiders!
You don't want to look back because you can't stand to look at it, LMAO.
2013 draft there was no 2nd rd pick and the trade down was to get a 2nd rd pick. The draft as whole was a bust, so blaming Reggie for a poor draft is a shallow opinion at best. Name me 1 team that blew it up in the 2013 draft, it was a poor draft as a whole because the talent just wasn't there.
We have been over this stuff too many times and you still refuse to acknowledge the points made. So this leads me to one conclusion = you aren't interested in the truth, you are only interested in your ego and trying to fulfill it. When a person is trying to fill their ego instead of trying to find the truth = they aren't worth the time of day = you.
What a WASTE of time
Hey 'nate', fuck you. This blog is here for discussion, I really don't give a shit if you like what I write or not. You and your 'buddy' have set the template, I write on here because I still have something to say. I will make my points and I will argue them, if you can't handle that, maybe it's you who should fuck off?
I am here for the truth and this site has always had a problem with the truth. That is why this site has a problem with me = I tell the truth
Me
One more thing 'nate'.....when I have repeated my points over and over and you refuse to acknowledge them, even when they have proven out to have merit = can't have a sincere discussion. So what is happening isn't discussion, it turns into 'picture painting' which is a form of lying. Facts are facts, Reggie walked into a shit show never seen in pro sports before. He had a 40 million dollar cap hit his 1st 2 years, he had a team no one wanted to coach or play for and now look....and you want me to believe that this team is looking like it is because Reggie pulled it together in a year or 2? That statement alone is loaded with ignorance on your part.
And to make out as if I am the only one on here who calls names and the like.....again, dishonest by nature is what you are. So while you play the victim, you also create the hostility. If you want a straight up and honest discussion without omitting facts, I'm all for it, but that will never happen here = the battle continues. The battle between truth and liars. It's the same battle as the beginning of time, so it ain't goin away.
Me
Jones won't be happy until we all pat him on the back. Truth is, just this past off-season, RM was teetering on job security, with Mark Davis taking a bigger management role, and then Del Rio stepping in. Today, it’s clear that Del Rio, Carr and others have provided the boost RM and the Raiders needed.
That's a fair perspective that Jones just can't handle.
It's not about patting me on the back, it's about you being a MAN and admitting you were wrong. By acknowledging the hurdles that had to be over come before this team could move forward....like I have been writing, it's all about the truth. AND admitting you were wrong about Reggie and Mark, admitting the Raiders are way passed your bullshit outline at the beginning of the year.
BUT, I know, your ego will never allow you to admit it...so I'll just keep peckin at ya, bleed ya slowly....until it eats your lies from the inside out.....truth always wins, when will you ever learn?
Me
SCAR
As for the defense...
I'm going to start with a positive. Nate Allen, TJ Carrie, and Neiron Ball. Three players that can impact this defense in a good way this year can all be on the playing field in the next 3 weeks.
How many times did DeAngelo Williams take a handoff with the line sliding to the left, and he cut back on the inside of all four linemen?(at least that is how it looked to me) Take just that cutback away which DeAngelo used effectively at least a 1/2 dozen times,and the Raiders would have put the Steelers in much less favorable down/distance situations. Would it have mattered? Probably not. The DB's and to a lesser extent LB's just couldn't make the plays against The Steelers Wide Receivers. and the numbers don't lie. Career day For Brown, most yards ever given up by a Raiders defense? Is that right? Credit to The Steelers for doing what they did, and especially for silencing Khalil Mack. Did he have one impact play yesterday? I noticed he was double teamed often, Still a quiet day for khalil.
When I think about how the Raiders can improve this year, should I be asking if Ken Norton can improve? I really can't say. At this point, that's better left for someone with a better understanding of formations and defensive designs, and coaching up players then myself.
SCAR
"when I have repeated my points over and over and you refuse to acknowledge them, even when they have proven out to have merit = can't have a sincere discussion."
Jones, when have I seriously refused to acknowledge any points/opinion you have made on here? I don't think I've ever degraded anything you have said, ever! I've been pretty cordial to everyone here on this page since I've started posting on here.
That's not to say I haven't disagreed with you, and usually the area I most disagree with you are your statements of calling others idiots, b!tches, F#ck off, etc; or belittling others to build yourself up. The name calling and all of this is sophmoric and really shouldn't belong here. You are a cyber-bully who rants and call other people names and belittle them when they disagree.
It's not just you, there have been others too, but you are the most prominent poster on here who consistently does this. I'm just asking that you stop, and stick to the opinions and insight you offer.
Norton's been a DC candidate for several years, and was the coaching choice by Del Rio that excited me the most this past offseason. I think he's done well with what he's been given, which includes a very inexperienced secondary, as well as Lofton in the middle.
Norton is almost certainly the one (from Seattle) who identified Malcolm Smith. Smith has been solid, and he now wears the headset and calls the D... which was initially Lofton's role.
Sunday's game was a tough pill to swallow but definitely give props to the Steelers. Roethlisberger was insanely accurate on long passes.
It boils down to turnovers; Raiders-4, Steelers-2. That's the game.
And even if Murray didn't get hit in the head, I think maybe he gets pulled for ball security issues (second time this year).
I'm lobbying to create a backfield of Reece and Olawale. That's almost 500 lbs and both can run, catch and block with the best of them.
well 'nate', if you are going to be fair about it, you will tell the 'others' to stop baiting, to stop being ingenuous and to acknowledge points made that are factual.
When 'they' are doing their baiting and discredit routine, do you ever step in and tell 'them to stop? Of course you don't and why is that?
If you are going to point me out, hold the 'others' to the same standard, can you do that? Or is your persona one of just pointing out my faults? This is why this site is a joke, it's so one-sided to a baiting bullshit side. Those who take the bullshit to task are scolded for being rude.....too funny.
Tell 'them' to acknowledge 'they' were wrong, it's all 'they' have to do...it's really simple.
Me
Hey Take,
A lot of times it's pure luck that you get some of the intangible qualities of a HOF QB or receiver... as did the patsies with brady... often times when you pick the great prospect in the draft they turn out to be busts... such as jamarcass and countless others...
But Reggie was called for "reaching" in his picks of Carr and Cooper and just look at how they are turning out!!!
So I agree with you that Reggie certainly stepped up his game and maybe there is some luck to all of this but damn, those two were some smart choices!!!
RAAAAAIIIDERRRRRSSSSSS
-raiderhip
The defense definitely needs to tighten things up from execution to scheme to individual performance. My positive feeling about this year's team is that there is a clear foundation of young guns and the team has good chemistry. We are seeing the fight, espirit de corps, and will to win which stems from JDR and the leaders in the locker room. Will be interesting to watch this team continue to blossom and play games that count in the 2nd half of the season where the 2 wild card spots are up for grabs. Just guessing but I speculate we will need to go 5-3 (or better) to earn a ticket to the playoff dance.
The past few years on game day I'd have no expectations. I'd be happy with a win, but ok with a loss as long as they played competitive FB. That changes today. I expect a win, and will be happy with nothing less. Let's go Raiders. Time to take it to the next level.
Hudson is inactive, and Bergstrom replaces him. That's a significant downgrade to one of the most important positions on the team.
Doesn't bode well for the Raiders, who need all hands on deck.
GO RAIDERS!
What a BS no helmet to helmet call!
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