I don't understand the continued abandoning of the running game. It would take a lot of pressure of Carr throwing passes. Unbelievable play calling for our offense.
I'm still feeling minty fresh about the Raiders though. Yes, we won't make the playoffs. Yes, we won't finish with a 9-7 record. But there is a bright hope for this team, and they are only going to get better. David Amerson should be signed to a contract. Another CB, MLB, and RB are needed. Some more depth on the O-line as well. I love where this team is headed.
Let's face it, with ineffective blocking and so few RB options, they are a one-dimensional offense.
Run blocking has been awful, and when Murray runs toward openings on the edges he seems to regularly turn back inside... like he knows he doesn't have enough quickness and speed to get around the edge.
IMO, Raiders need off-season upgrades at OL and RB to have the kind of run game Carr needs to be successful, and for the team to get over the .500 hump. Even if Murray remains, at a minimum, he needs some kind of counter punch, which the Raiders presently do not have.
MLB, CB, These are the most desperate needs. Amerson is a find, and good thing because Hayden is garbage. Lofton is just too slow to be a starter.
Carr is still not there yet, and needs to progress in his third year, if he wants to sniff division titles and championships.
6-8 with two division games to go, including a who wants it more thursday night game at home against the Chargers. After some early season excitement, the Raiders have mostly settled into what people thought they were going to be. With nothing to play for lets see what the Raiders are made of.
Raiders haven't "settled" into anything yet. They are a young and learning team with a ton of potential waiting to mature. With more to come with a ton of cap space and a solid org behind it.....who said it couldn't happen?
Carr needs to settle down, for sure, he needs to mature that way. And he is still learning what it takes to pull off the big games. Cooper will be a much bigger force next year, Edwards Jr looks to be a dominant player when healthy. S, CB, MLB, RB, PR are the major concerns heading to the offseason. More depth will be added and another stellar draft and this team will win the West next year, no doubt, they will dominate.
Mark, Reggie, JDR and all the rest of the Oakland Raiders are going to shut up all the whiners once and for all. You are either in or you are out, no more fence sitting. The Raiders are back and there is no questioning it, enjoy it.
Sandy/SCAR, I hope we see Heeney step up into the MLB spot more permanently. Dude has a high motor and nose for the ball, and he actually shows decent discipline for a rookie.
And LBs in coverage could be upgraded again when Ball returns to the fray next season.
Suffice to say, the Lofton experiment should be over.
One final note; I think it would say a lot about this team if they win out these last two division games. To that point, this young team should never take its foot off the pedal. That wreaks of the culture we are trying to escape.
I think Ball has more upside than Heeney. I say that based on having watched him during his time at FL prior to his injury. I think he is the type of lb that can play 3 downs not because he can rush the passer on 3rd but he can cover.
I went to University of Miami many years ago and still watch all the Canes games. Was never impressed with Feleciano but Watford yes he has upside.
Murray is good, not good enough at this point to be that dominant RB. He also has some ball issues. Murray sharing the backfield with another high quality RB that brings a different taste to the O would be a good Backfield. I believe Watson, if he can stay healthy, showed he can be a good RT. RG will be fixed. Left side and C is fixed for next year. A good FA or rookie WR that can make plays could really be a plus for the O.
Heeney makes for good depth, but more so from what I have seen, Ball has the quality to be a starter. Competition is good, and possibly both Heeney and Ball can step up and help fulfill Jack Del Rio's vision of a dominant defense.
When I say settle I'm not referring to the overall potential of this team. I think that the foundation and fundamentals, with what is already in place, and with what will "hopefully" be added means that sky is the limit for the Raiders. When I say "settle," I am referring to being 6-8 and out of the playoffs, when seven games ago the Raiders were 4-3 and I was telling everyone I know that we were going to punk the Steelers and make the playoffs this year. There are 2 more games to play. I want the Raiders to give all they have. I want the dropped passes to end. I want the easy mistakes by Carr to stop. I want the o-line to reassert itself. I want the Raiders to finish 8-8. Go Raiders!
SCAR
P.S. Woodson is a first time hall of famer and even with a dislocated shoulder he is still playing at a high level at 39. He's got to be considered as one the greatest of all time for CB and Safety combined
Bright future ahead for the Raider Nation! Young talented core (Carr, Cooper, Mack) -- new stadium in Carson -- added talent from draft -- huge cap space for free agent acquisitions & dept -- the right Head Coach. Onwards and upwards!
With Woodson retiring, there's nobody in the Raiders backfield whose job should be safe, save perhaps David Amerson, who was a late Sept waiver wire acquisition but now leads the league in passes defensed.
Watching the WR muggings by Raiders DBs on Sunday, it's hard to believe these guys are mentored by the Woodsons (Rod and Charles) and coached by Marcus Robertson, whom Charles Woodson insisted the Raiders bring back or he wouldn't play.
C-Wood Haiku: Another ten years? How time has flown this season The Nation salutes...
With C-Wood retiring, now MLB, CB, S, and RB become top priorities. Our backfield just took a huge hit. I can see Ball competing for the starter at MLB, but he needs to improve his run defense. Heeney should move to the outside if the Raiders keep a 4-3 defense, but if the Raiders convert to a 3-4 defense, then he would be an excellent Clay Matthews type player. I know it is way too early for the draft, but I really like Jaylon Smith (ILB, Notre Dame). We may have to trade up for him though. Then pick up Pat Eflein (G, Ohio State) in the 2nd or 3rd Round, and pick up Devontae Booker (RB, Utah) in one of those rounds as well.
I'm not sold on Ezekiel Elliott or Derrick Henry, though I like Henry better than Elliott. But 'Bama RBs haven't faired well in the NFL lately, and Elliott is displaying some character issues even though OSU RBs have faired better in the NFL. Booker is a tough, physical back that could be overlooked.
Another option is if we want to use Murray and go with a bigger back (ie-Garner/Wheatley) and draft Tra Carson (RB, A&M). He is 6', 230 lbs, physical, downhill runner that could be picked up in the 4-5th round (according to WalterFootball.com)
IMO, Murray's not a good 1-2 punch RB. He's not overly quick/fast, and he doesn't use his size well to gain additional yardage. Plus, he's not a very good receiver and he's had ball security issues. I think it would be a leap of faith to bring him back as starter and hope he gets better.
Unless the Raiders finally decide to hand Reece the ball, I see RB as a glaring need, along with the entire D backfield and right side of the O-line. Watson might have the chops to be a decent RT but he's proven to be high injury risk.
I would place LB and DE as needed but less urgent. IMO, Heeney is a guy that should be on the field. Check his college highlights and watch him on Sundays. He's a baller.
Years ago, like in 2012, I said 2016 is going to be the first "winning year"... It's nice to think that I may have been right! And, likely, as the LA Raiders, but I never saw THAT coming.
We shall see about the LA Stadium vote next year, Jones. Of all the 3 cities involved in trying to keep their team in their respective city, St. Louis has done the most. If the Rams stay in St. Louis, the league will look to fill the LA vacuum with the Raiders & Chargers playing in Carson.
I don't think Oakland/Alameda will ever step up. A new stadium looks to be dependent on private funding, which probably means Mark Davis selling part of the team.
Question is, has MD established enough good will with the NFL owners to get them to sign off on the Raiders second move to LA, one of the largest markets in the country. My guess is there's still some sour grapes from the last LA move (and lawsuit), then back to Oakland.
I predicted before that, short of a move to LA, the Raiders stadium situation will continue to stagnate, leaving them at O.co for at least another year or two.
For the team's sake, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway it turns out, the stadium process has been like watching paint dry.
Jones, a new stadium is an absolute must for the team in many ways beyond financial. Oak-Town Sentimentality aside if that means Carson it is the best thing. BTW I too hold out hope for Menelik Watson as he looks to be a plus athlete but last year his performance was complete ass. So I am not sure of your line of thinkg that he has shown he can hold down the job.
NY/Nate what is with the rb obsession it is just not that important in the nfl anymore. Murray is not a star but he is slightly above avg. Furthermore the real problem is DB, think about it, even if you pencil in Amerson there will still be 3 new starters next year for like the 4th year in a row. This is the weakest part of the team.
Sandy - Derek Carr is all by himself without a decent running game. I don't agree Murray is above avg, even slightly. IMO, his stats are inflated by virtue of being the only ball carrier the Raiders use. Most teams today have 2-3 RBs and spread the ball around.
In at least two games this year, Murray had a case of the dropsies. (I guess the same could be said for Carr, who has himself imploded during at least two games this year.)
Perhaps Murray is serviceable and he can improve during a second full season as starter. I don't doubt he'll be back next year. Upgrades on the right side of the OL could help him.
Oakland is the best thing for the OAKLAND RAIDERS, always has, always will.
Watson was looking very solid this year until he was hurt. He had beaten out Howard at RT.
Murray is an alternate in the Pro Bowl, he is a solid RB who needs a complimentary RB to spell him. Having the option of another good RB will make this O more diverse.
Of course DB is the major concern. And of course the Raiders need a new stadium, duhhhh.
Jones the fact that you are ready to anoint a guy a starter and say he looks good after 15 minutes of preseason playing time says a lot about your credibility or lack thereof. I will go with the fact that the last regular season work Menelik saw he ended up being benched for Barnes.
No new stadium will be built in Oakland any time soon hence Carson
Watson just needed a little time, he is raw but what he showed before he was injured was impressive and he won the spot from Howard who played well there in his absence. You can't see, I can, that is well proven, this is why your 'credibility' is a joke. Remember you calling for Reggie's head? Saying the new regime was a joke?
Carson hasn't proposed anything and hasn't broken ground, either has Oakland, let it play out before you ACT like you know.....duhhhhh.
Why haven't you got a new post up RT? You sure are slow when the team is looking better, but when they looked like shit, you were all over it.....it's easy to see...who you are.
29 Comments:
Mack! Carr! Cooper!?
GO RAIDERS!!
No running game in second half
Tough game to watch, from the early INTs to the muggings and missed assignments by Raiders' DBs.
I don't understand the continued abandoning of the running game. It would take a lot of pressure of Carr throwing passes. Unbelievable play calling for our offense.
I'm still feeling minty fresh about the Raiders though. Yes, we won't make the playoffs. Yes, we won't finish with a 9-7 record. But there is a bright hope for this team, and they are only going to get better. David Amerson should be signed to a contract. Another CB, MLB, and RB are needed. Some more depth on the O-line as well. I love where this team is headed.
Let's face it, with ineffective blocking and so few RB options, they are a one-dimensional offense.
Run blocking has been awful, and when Murray runs toward openings on the edges he seems to regularly turn back inside... like he knows he doesn't have enough quickness and speed to get around the edge.
IMO, Raiders need off-season upgrades at OL and RB to have the kind of run game Carr needs to be successful, and for the team to get over the .500 hump. Even if Murray remains, at a minimum, he needs some kind of counter punch, which the Raiders presently do not have.
SCAR
MLB, CB, These are the most desperate needs. Amerson is a find, and good thing because Hayden is garbage. Lofton is just too slow to be a starter.
Carr is still not there yet, and needs to progress in his third year, if he wants to sniff division titles and championships.
6-8 with two division games to go, including a who wants it more thursday night game at home against the Chargers. After some early season excitement, the Raiders have mostly settled into what people thought they were going to be.
With nothing to play for lets see what the Raiders are made of.
SCAR
SCAR
Scar
I agree the Raiders are woefully lacking at CB. TJ Carrie looked awful yesterday and I think we all can agree Hayden does not belong in the NFL.
After CB linebacker is the next weak spot then an upgrade on the oline
Regards
Sandy
Raiders haven't "settled" into anything yet. They are a young and learning team with a ton of potential waiting to mature. With more to come with a ton of cap space and a solid org behind it.....who said it couldn't happen?
Carr needs to settle down, for sure, he needs to mature that way. And he is still learning what it takes to pull off the big games. Cooper will be a much bigger force next year, Edwards Jr looks to be a dominant player when healthy. S, CB, MLB, RB, PR are the major concerns heading to the offseason. More depth will be added and another stellar draft and this team will win the West next year, no doubt, they will dominate.
Mark, Reggie, JDR and all the rest of the Oakland Raiders are going to shut up all the whiners once and for all. You are either in or you are out, no more fence sitting. The Raiders are back and there is no questioning it, enjoy it.
I am a Raider
Sandy/SCAR, I hope we see Heeney step up into the MLB spot more permanently. Dude has a high motor and nose for the ball, and he actually shows decent discipline for a rookie.
And LBs in coverage could be upgraded again when Ball returns to the fray next season.
Suffice to say, the Lofton experiment should be over.
One final note; I think it would say a lot about this team if they win out these last two division games. To that point, this young team should never take its foot off the pedal. That wreaks of the culture we are trying to escape.
NY
I think Ball has more upside than Heeney. I say that based on having watched him during his time at FL prior to his injury. I think he is the type of lb that can play 3 downs not because he can rush the passer on 3rd but he can cover.
I went to University of Miami many years ago and still watch all the Canes games. Was never impressed with Feleciano but Watford yes he has upside.
I want to wish everyone here Happy Holidays
Sandy
I agree with statements about lack of running game. It is what is missing, and hurting Carr/offense the most in 2nd half/4th quarter.
Give Carr a power running game like Seattle had with Lynch, and Carr will be every bit a good as Russel Wilson.
What Raiders need is a Tyron Wheatley. Marv Hubbard. Mark Van Eeghan.
A tough running back not afraid to plow between the tackles in 4th quarter with game on the line.
Sir Charles.....I salute you
Me
Murray is good, not good enough at this point to be that dominant RB. He also has some ball issues. Murray sharing the backfield with another high quality RB that brings a different taste to the O would be a good Backfield. I believe Watson, if he can stay healthy, showed he can be a good RT. RG will be fixed. Left side and C is fixed for next year. A good FA or rookie WR that can make plays could really be a plus for the O.
Me
SCAR
Heeney makes for good depth, but more so from what I have seen, Ball has the quality to be a starter. Competition is good, and possibly both Heeney and Ball can step up and help fulfill Jack Del Rio's vision of a dominant defense.
When I say settle I'm not referring to the overall potential of this team. I think that the foundation and fundamentals, with what is already in place, and with what will "hopefully" be added means that sky is the limit for the Raiders.
When I say "settle," I am referring to being 6-8 and out of the playoffs, when seven games ago the Raiders were 4-3 and I was telling everyone I know that we were going to punk the Steelers and make the playoffs this year.
There are 2 more games to play. I want the Raiders to give all they have. I want the dropped passes to end. I want the easy mistakes by Carr to stop. I want the o-line to reassert itself. I want the Raiders to finish 8-8. Go Raiders!
SCAR
P.S. Woodson is a first time hall of famer and even with a dislocated shoulder he is still playing at a high level at 39. He's got to be considered as one the greatest of all time for CB and Safety combined
Bright future ahead for the Raider Nation! Young talented core (Carr, Cooper, Mack) -- new stadium in Carson -- added talent from draft -- huge cap space for free agent acquisitions & dept -- the right Head Coach. Onwards and upwards!
With Woodson retiring, there's nobody in the Raiders backfield whose job should be safe, save perhaps David Amerson, who was a late Sept waiver wire acquisition but now leads the league in passes defensed.
Watching the WR muggings by Raiders DBs on Sunday, it's hard to believe these guys are mentored by the Woodsons (Rod and Charles) and coached by Marcus Robertson, whom Charles Woodson insisted the Raiders bring back or he wouldn't play.
C-Wood Haiku:
Another ten years?
How time has flown this season
The Nation salutes...
With C-Wood retiring, now MLB, CB, S, and RB become top priorities. Our backfield just took a huge hit. I can see Ball competing for the starter at MLB, but he needs to improve his run defense. Heeney should move to the outside if the Raiders keep a 4-3 defense, but if the Raiders convert to a 3-4 defense, then he would be an excellent Clay Matthews type player. I know it is way too early for the draft, but I really like Jaylon Smith (ILB, Notre Dame). We may have to trade up for him though. Then pick up Pat Eflein (G, Ohio State) in the 2nd or 3rd Round, and pick up Devontae Booker (RB, Utah) in one of those rounds as well.
I'm not sold on Ezekiel Elliott or Derrick Henry, though I like Henry better than Elliott. But 'Bama RBs haven't faired well in the NFL lately, and Elliott is displaying some character issues even though OSU RBs have faired better in the NFL. Booker is a tough, physical back that could be overlooked.
Another option is if we want to use Murray and go with a bigger back (ie-Garner/Wheatley) and draft Tra Carson (RB, A&M). He is 6', 230 lbs, physical, downhill runner that could be picked up in the 4-5th round (according to WalterFootball.com)
IMO, Murray's not a good 1-2 punch RB. He's not overly quick/fast, and he doesn't use his size well to gain additional yardage. Plus, he's not a very good receiver and he's had ball security issues. I think it would be a leap of faith to bring him back as starter and hope he gets better.
Unless the Raiders finally decide to hand Reece the ball, I see RB as a glaring need, along with the entire D backfield and right side of the O-line. Watson might have the chops to be a decent RT but he's proven to be high injury risk.
I would place LB and DE as needed but less urgent. IMO, Heeney is a guy that should be on the field. Check his college highlights and watch him on Sundays. He's a baller.
Years ago, like in 2012, I said 2016 is going to be the first "winning year"... It's nice to think that I may have been right! And, likely, as the LA Raiders, but I never saw THAT coming.
"new stadium in Carson" = WRONG
OAKLAND RAIDERS is what it will be. Carson has sunk.
Me
We shall see about the LA Stadium vote next year, Jones. Of all the 3 cities involved in trying to keep their team in their respective city, St. Louis has done the most. If the Rams stay in St. Louis, the league will look to fill the LA vacuum with the Raiders & Chargers playing in Carson.
I don't think Oakland/Alameda will ever step up. A new stadium looks to be dependent on private funding, which probably means Mark Davis selling part of the team.
Question is, has MD established enough good will with the NFL owners to get them to sign off on the Raiders second move to LA, one of the largest markets in the country. My guess is there's still some sour grapes from the last LA move (and lawsuit), then back to Oakland.
I predicted before that, short of a move to LA, the Raiders stadium situation will continue to stagnate, leaving them at O.co for at least another year or two.
For the team's sake, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway it turns out, the stadium process has been like watching paint dry.
Jones, a new stadium is an absolute must for the team in many ways beyond financial. Oak-Town Sentimentality aside if that means Carson it is the best thing. BTW I too hold out hope for Menelik Watson as he looks to be a plus athlete but last year his performance was complete ass. So I am not sure of your line of thinkg that he has shown he can hold down the job.
NY/Nate what is with the rb obsession it is just not that important in the nfl anymore. Murray is not a star but he is slightly above avg. Furthermore the real problem is DB, think about it, even if you pencil in Amerson there will still be 3 new starters next year for like the 4th year in a row. This is the weakest part of the team.
Happy Holidays
Sandy
Sandy - Derek Carr is all by himself without a decent running game. I don't agree Murray is above avg, even slightly. IMO, his stats are inflated by virtue of being the only ball carrier the Raiders use. Most teams today have 2-3 RBs and spread the ball around.
In at least two games this year, Murray had a case of the dropsies. (I guess the same could be said for Carr, who has himself imploded during at least two games this year.)
Perhaps Murray is serviceable and he can improve during a second full season as starter. I don't doubt he'll be back next year. Upgrades on the right side of the OL could help him.
Happy Holidays!
Oakland is the best thing for the OAKLAND RAIDERS, always has, always will.
Watson was looking very solid this year until he was hurt. He had beaten out Howard at RT.
Murray is an alternate in the Pro Bowl, he is a solid RB who needs a complimentary RB to spell him. Having the option of another good RB will make this O more diverse.
Of course DB is the major concern. And of course the Raiders need a new stadium, duhhhh.
Me
Jones the fact that you are ready to anoint a guy a starter and say he looks good after 15 minutes of preseason playing time says a lot about your credibility or lack thereof. I will go with the fact that the last regular season work Menelik saw he ended up being benched for Barnes.
No new stadium will be built in Oakland any time soon hence Carson
Duhhhh
Watson just needed a little time, he is raw but what he showed before he was injured was impressive and he won the spot from Howard who played well there in his absence. You can't see, I can, that is well proven, this is why your 'credibility' is a joke. Remember you calling for Reggie's head? Saying the new regime was a joke?
Carson hasn't proposed anything and hasn't broken ground, either has Oakland, let it play out before you ACT like you know.....duhhhhh.
I am a Raider, you aren't
Why haven't you got a new post up RT? You sure are slow when the team is looking better, but when they looked like shit, you were all over it.....it's easy to see...who you are.
Me
Gamenight thread is up.
I'm here every week, ME. You aren't.
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