Chiefs Gameday Thread
A tall order today--and also a massive opportunity to stun the NFL world. The defense will need to be ultra attentive and aggressive, gotta avoid the big chunk plays. Carr and Co. need to bring their A+ game to keep pace. It's going to be fun. GO RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 9:40 AM
28 Comments:
Five straight completions of 30+ yards for the Chiefs. Insane, even for the Chiefs.
The Raiders sure could have used a saftey that can cover Kelce and a WR that can create separation besides Williams. Wait that had that--Abram is injured and the other was a goof ball.
Crosby looks better than Key already
Sunday night blues
Sandy
Sandy....Raiders have been trying to cover Kelce, and any other good TE for a long time.
I think Reid took it easy on his old friend Gruden. Chefs could have scored 50+ if they wanted.
Are the Raiders ever going to close the gap between themselves and the top teams in league ?
Fan of the Oakland Waiters....Still waiting!!
Raiders had opportunities and couldn't capitalize. Also, Chiefs took their foot off the gas toward the end. This game could have been worse.
Raiders did not look as prepared as last week. Chiefs have too much speed, which led to more zone coverage, and more broken coverage by the Raiders. Even when the Raiders played tight coverage, Mahomes managed to get it in there.
Next five games are on the road, i.e., unless you count the Bears game in London as a "home" game. Has to be the worst schedule in the history of the NFL.
Meanwhile, Bears loss helped the Raiders get one step closer to a better draft pick. They drop 14 more and we're golden.
DC's 2 interceptions in the 3rd Quarter seemed to take the wind out of the sails. Defense played stellar most of the game, but in the 2nd and 4th Quarter, couldn't seem to get off the field. D-Line brought massive pressure, safeties couldn't cover. At some point, Raiders have to consider using Joseph to cover TE, and not Riley. Riley was the one consistently getting burned deep and out of position. Maybe we should consider trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Of the 5 sacks the Raiders have, 2 came against the Chiefs yesterday in the 3rd Quarter, I believe. PJ Hall with half, and Benson Mayowa with 1.5.
Offensively, I would like to see Jacobs get the ball more, or utilize the running game more, and take control of the clock. Richard has not been used the first 2 games at all, and he's a major work horse. He had 2 carries for 3 yards. Jacobs had 12 carries for 99 yards, 1 shy of 100. Waller and Williams are DC's go to WRs, and he has to start spreading the ball more. Gant and Renfrow need to get separation from the DBs. Renfrow has 6 catches on 11 Targets, and Gant has 4 catches on 9 targets in the last 2 games. I hate to say it, but this Chiefs game is where AB would have made a difference for the Raiders on offense. I am glad he is not on the Raiders anymore, don't get me wrong; but we need that kind of WR to step up and make plays for us. This is where I wish we would have taken DK Metcalf, or Hollywood Brown in the draft instead of AB.
Raiders have 4 Touchdowns on the year, 2 by Tyrell Williams, and 2 by Jacobs. Other players on offense are going to have to step up, or otherwise, our offense will be anemic like it was last year. This is where Gruden has trouble, when other players can't get separation, or become inconsistent, he lacks imagination on how to make the offense thrive. He did this in our first go 'round with the Raiders, and did it with the Bucs. His time with the Raiders turned around when he went and grabbed Jerry Rice. But before Rice, he was having trouble getting Jerry Porter to step up his game, and the only WR he kept going to was the reliable Tim Brown. I think they should consider putting Carrier out as a WR, with him, TWilliams, and Waller; and Jacobs, Washington, and/or Richard coming out of the backfield, look out! You have some weapons.
Incognito will be back this week, and the Raiders travel to Minnesota to start a long 5 week road trip with a homer in London, if you can really count that as a home game. Cousins hasn't looked comfortable in his two games, even though they are 1-1. They let one get away yesterday against the Packers too. The Bears beat the Doncos, which makes my Sunday a wash, because anytime the Doncos lose, it counts as half a good day. The Colts are a good team, even with losing Luck, then we have Da'Bears, a bye week, Green Bay, and Houston; before they return to Oakland against the Lions. Hopefully, we will have figured some things out, and come away with a decent record. I expect the Raiders to win against the Vikings, Lions, Texans even though they will be competitive games. The way our defense has played, if our offense can figure themselves out, they will win. Bears, Packers, and Colts could all go either way. Packers and Bears have stout defenses, but the Bears peter out the second half; while the Packers defense seems underrated. Both their offenses are like the Raiders right now, very inconsistent, and very beatable. Colts have a pretty stout team, and that is going to be an interesting game. We will see how the season unfolds. Until then, JUST WIN, BABY!
Nate, the secondary got torched pretty much all day. I think Mahomes set an NFL passing record in the second quarter. And when Mahomes missed, guys were usually still open.
There were moments that the Raiders secondary looked suspect last week but it was hidden by an all around decent performance by the D. This week exposed the Raiders secondary in a big way. I hate soft zones, and they seemed to play a lot of it yesterday. I'm sure it has to do with the Chiefs speed but if you can't cover, you're gonna lose those battles anyway. IMO, better to press the coverage and blitz more.
Maybe Guenther made some good adjustments at the half, because the Chiefs didn't score again. But it also became a waiting game once they went up by 3 scores after 28 unanswered points.
It was ugly!
I think Jacobs went out with some kind of injury. That's why Richard/Washington were in the game. Honestly, I'm glad Jacobs was off the field once the loss was unavoidable.
This is a good game to put in the rear view mirror.
I think the Raiders' offense started to teeter when the refs didn't give DC the first down when he dove for it. Replay made it clear he made it, but the refs said the ball was coming out, which it wasn't. Either way, DC has to hang on to the ball until he hits the ground, this isn't the first time he's done this.
In zone coverage, the safeties are suppose to cover deep. Which Guenther and Gruden seem to be running a Tampa 2 defense. Riley was constantly exposed. When they went to man-zone, Conley did well, but Worley, Mullen, and Riley couldn't cover it. Definitely need work there, I'd love to see Nixon come in over Mullen at this point, or use Nixon just to cover the TE.
Whitehead is doing better in coverage on the outside, but has yet to deflect a pass. Morrow has been quiet, but isn't getting a lot of looks his way because of his coverage. I'd like to see him and Whitehead blitz the Q more too. Burfict is a BEAST up the middle, but we need to mix it up and create pressure too. Who would have thought that PJ Hall was putting up stronger numbers than Mo Hurst coming into the season? Arden Key is still over-pusuing, which is a lack of discipline he learned at LSU, and probably before. Old habits die hard.
Initial Media Injury Report:
Jacobs groin injury
Williams hip pointer
Trent Brown knee
Dwayne Harris ankle
These are the most productive guys on offense (and returns).
They don't mention Hurst and Burfict, who both left the game at some point due to injuries.
A few things to watch in the next couple days to weeks. First, the Cowboys' Robert Quinn (DE) is coming back to the team, and already unhappy with his workload, Taco Charlton has been asked to be traded or released. Taco could be a starting DE on any team right now, but the Cowboys use him as depth.
When Quinn rejoins the team, word here in TX is that Taco will be released. If that is the case, the Raiders should jump on and sign him immediately. This guy was a first round pick a year ago, and was lights out for the Cowboys last season; only to have his playing time slashed this season. This would give the Raiders a true EDGE rusher to compliment Ferrell on the other side. Charlton is light years better than Arden Key.
The second drama to watch is Jalen Ramsey, who has already said his #1 place he's going to in free agency is the Vegas Raiders (if they sign him). He has demanded a trade after his spat with Marrone on the sidelines. The problem is we don't know what led to the spat, but 2 players quickly got up and was telling the coach to go away and pushing him back. This guy has no control over his players or locker room. To think, this was a playoff team a few years ago. But it seems that Jalen has quit on the Jags, in a similar fashion to how AB quit on the Steelers. Not sure if the Raiders should sign him. Outstanding talent at CB, but Raiders don't need the drama. However, if they do trade for him, the Raiders would have to give up a pretty high draft pick, and then cut a player (Worley). Not sure the Raiders part with draft picks right now.
What do you guys think? Could the Raiders significantly upgrade 2 spots this week?
A third scenario to watch is the NY Jets, who benched CB Trumaine Johnson in yesterday's game vs the Browns. Will the Jets try and trade him, or be forced to cut their loss. Trying to trade him is not going to be easy because his contract is currently a 5 year, $72.5 million deal that was signed this last offseason. Per Over The Cap, Johnson has an $11 million injury guarantee next year that becomes a full guarantee if on the roster on the third day of the new league year. He'd count $12 million in dead money on the Jets' cap if cut or traded and $15 million on the cap to keep him next year. If a team trades for him, there will definitely be some re-working of his contract. I doubt that there is any team that will spend that kind of money to trade for him (maybe the Dolphins), but crazier things have happened. I think the Jets may be forced to cut him.
There are a few notable WR's still unsigned. Dez Bryant being one of them, but I am unsure if he is completely healed from his injury last season. A few other names that are free agents that would be good #2's for cheap $$ are:
DeAngelo Yancey
Mike Wallace
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Sammie Coates
Kelvin Benjamin
Pierre Garcon
Nate,
I would trade the Bears #1 for Ramsey. The chances of finding a DB in the draft that good outside the top 8 is impossible. That being said Ramsey seems like a problem child even if he could cover TEs. The Raiders still lack a saftey that can cover TEs and even Abram if he was healthy operates in the box.
Taco not sure what you mean when say lights out, he had one sack? I see D line as a need as they still dont get consistent pressure (Key has done nothing) but Taco is not the answer. Mayowa for now and Crosby as back up until next years draft/off season might be the best route because there are other areas of the team that are in need of more help (WR and DB). Should have kept Denico
What seemed like the biggest weakness is WR. Grant was horrendous he had more penalties than catches and Renfrow is not ready for prime time even as a 3WR. Screw AB but you can see how badly he is missed. Williams is a great #2 but not a solid #1. Which means we have a #2 as our 1 and a 4th or 5th type as our 2 and 3rd. Waller can only do so much and Carrier was way over used for the limited player he is. Carr is good but not good enough that he will do well without weapons at WR.
Hopefully Trent Brown is okay because when he went out Parker who came in was awful as usual.
On a more positive note Jacobs is a stud.
Regards,
Sandy
Sandy,
"Should have kept Denico?" Wow! You're starting to sound like me. Autry was the best edge player the Raiders had next to Mack, and they're both gone.
When Trent Brown left the game, the right side of the line gave up two sacks. Presumably, Parker was involved in both. He sucks!
Carrier wasn't just over used, he was running pass routes while Waller was blocking. Who was Gruden trying to fool with that move? Carrier had a ball go right through his hands. Raiders took a big risk with Waller as their #1 TE but they also left no depth behind him.
Key has been a disappointment. He looked bigger and smarter coming into this season, and has shown nothing. There's still time.
Grant -2 yards Sunday. That says it all. He should be benched.
Re: the secondary, there's plenty of blame to go around. Nobody really stepped up, and scheme almost certainly played a role in the breakdowns. They were not prepared for what the Chiefs threw at them (pun intended).
Lots of breakdowns on both sides of the ball. Return of the 2017 Raiders. Hopefully, it's just one game.
Of course, the refs sucked too, again!
NY,
Yes you were beating the drums for Autry to be resigned. He plays inside now for the Colts and has been close to pro bowl level. At an avg salary of 6 mill he would have been well worth keeping. If Jihad Ward starts playing well for the Colts I may puke.
The fact that Carrier was so involved in the passing game speaks to a talent problem more than Gruden.
The secondary played poorly but the lack of pressure on the QB is the worst and a bigger problem. Yes we were always going to lose to KC last Sunday I mean good lord Mahomes looks like a young Marino and will be terrorizing us for at least 10 years. However, he dropped back 44 times and had all day, even the sacks were mostly coverage sacks.
No comment on trading for Ramsey? If you cant fix the pressure maybe get an elite corner. A secondary of Abram, Conley, Ramsey and Joyner sounds pretty awesome.
Sandy
It does sound awesome but Jags want two first round picks for Ramsey. That's not realistic. Raiders didn't even get two first round picks for Mack when you factor in the Raiders gave up a second round pick in 2020. The net in 2020 was a swap: a first for a second.
The difference between Autry and Ward is, Autry was progressing each year and left the Raiders on a steep upward trajectory, while Ward was never good. Ward was a project player who the Raiders had no business drafting in the 2nd round. I just looked it up to remind myself, but he only played two years of college football... a total of 24 games.
Again, looking at his entire career, Ward had 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended. Only the Raiders would take this guy in the second round!
Sandy,
With Taco, it is more than sacks, it is QB pressures, speed, and agility. He reads his assignments and stays in his lane. I'd take Taco over Key any day. But I am also unsure why the Raiders are not looking Shane Ray or Noah Spence to come in and help, like the Bears are doing. Why are they not bringing in Eric Berry or George Iloka to help with Safety?
I keep hammering this, the Raiders had good pressure on Mahomes all day, and were getting good hits on him (Mo Hurst, Crosby, PJ Hall, etc); but having the CB's play Zone is what hurt us. Zone coverage does not work against an offense like this (which is similar to the Rams, Patriots, and Saints). You have to play tight man coverage against teams like this. This is where Al Davis had it right. Gruden and Guenther need to get away from zone defense with the DB's and play Man-Zone. Let the LB's and Safeties play zone, and the CBs play man. The sacks we did have, came into play on coverage; but the big plays they got (which were plenty), there was good pressure from the D-Line, but soft zone coverage in the DB's.
This leads to my thoughts on Jalen Ramsey. This is why we should NOT go after Ramsey. He is a man-to-man CB playing in a zone with Marrone and has not done well in a zone system for now 2 years. If the Raiders do in fact pick him up, then they need to switch to man and get back to the glory days of Lester Hayes, Charles Woodson, and Nnamdi Asomagha.
Which again, leads me to what I mentioned in my last post about Trumaine Johnson of the Jets. If the Raiders want to stay in a zone coverage on the Corners, then they should pursue Trumaine, and can probably get him for a lower round pick. The problem, again, would be his contract, and getting him to renegotiate his outrageous contract (5 year, $72 million). But it is going to be the same with Ramsey, who this is his last year under contract, and he will demand a new contract with a trade.
IMO, Raiders played zone coverage out of paranoia. They wanted to keep the ball (and Mahomes) in front view. Safeties were playing deep and CBs were back peddling before the snap. Worley gave up 3rd and long first downs at least 2-3 times, just because he was playing so deep. It was like shooting fish in a barrel for Mahomes.
Arguably, the Raiders regrouped in the second half, but I believe the Chiefs took their foot off the gas a little bit due to the 3-score lead, particularly in the 4th qtr. Had they needed to score, it was probably there for the taking.
This game demonstrated the Raiders still have quite a ways to go. Unless they figure out Mahomes - who is only like 23-24 years old - he is probably going to own the Raiders for a long time... just like Brady owns the NFL. It's a harsh possibility.
Taco Charlton released by the Cowboys. Raiders released Jonathan Cooper. Hmmm.....
Nate,
I am not sure what game you were watching but outside of the sacks the Raiders got very little pressure on Mahomes. Check the stats.
You can not just play one type of coverage in the nfl today in the same game. You have to change it up or you will get picked apart especially against a talent such as Mahomes. Playing man to man only is really hard with the new rules and the limited number of cb who can truly play on an island.
Trumaine Johnson sucks, if we are going to pick up a cb it should be a top 5 guy only like Ramsey. The Raiders drafted two corners and if you are going to delay their development it is for Ramsey
Sandy
Agreed. Definitely have to mix it up, but CBs were playing scared and back peddling before the snap. They look confused in coverage and had way too many breakdowns that Mahomes had no trouble exploiting. Maybe that's on coaching but it was painful to watch.
Meanwhile, Vikings D is probably better than Chiefs D. Raiders will need to score to win.
Gruden seeing the offense as being more critical... trading with Packers to acquire WR Trevor Davis. Apparently, Davis is a speed guy for vertical game. Given Grant had -2 yards on like 5 targets, he's probably a big reason Gruden is making this move.
Losing AB was a real game changer.
Florio said this about Jalen Ramsey but it really applies across the league (wink, Mack!)
"Team use those lottery tickets known as draft picks in the hopes of finding great players. When the lottery ticket hits, it’s important to keep the great player and not trade him in for more lottery tickets. That would be the best move for the Jaguars."
Knowing that draft picks miss way more than they hit, a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush.
On the other hand, two first round draft picks and $15M annual salary is a steep price which I don't believe the Raiders should pay.
PS... it didn't take AB long to really screw up. He might be done in the NFL if Pats cut him. He thought he was too important to make it to a couple of the Raiders practices and a walk-thru. Even though I thought the Raiders were petty in fining him, they gave him every opportunity. So here we are, Raiders desperately need a downfield WR threat and Brown is probably headed out of the league. EVERYBODY loses!
Yes!! Antonio Clown has been cut by the Pats!! As you say NYR, everybody loses, but at least Mr. Clown loses the most.
Remember Clowns plan. Go to Pats and let Brady & Belichick hold his hand and win him a championship. Clown chose the easy way, and still couldn't handle it.
You might say Robert Kraft gave us all a "Happy Ending"!!
PATRIOTS RELEASED AB!!!! HE IS DONE IN THIS LEAGUE!!! The Raiders/Mayock look pretty smart with a clause to negate his guaranteed monies, unlike the Patriots who are on the hook for $9 million that they just threw down the drain. I'm so happy right now.
Yes, that contract clause looks very smart in hindsight. But it also might have been that clause and the Raiders willingness to use it that started this mess. You can't eliminate all money guarantees ($30M) and expect someone like Brown to just acquiesce and play on a weekly paycheck. That's absurd.
Meanwhile, the Raiders lost 3rd and 5th round draft picks and looked inept in the process... but not completely inept because they didn't pay Brown a dime.
I'm pissed too, but Brown being kicked out of football doesn't make me happy. I wish none of this BS happened and he was catching passes for the Raiders. Raiders may never see another elite WR like Brown.
NY,
Your first paragraph saying somehow the Raiders cutting his guarantee started this mess? You lost me. With the context of today and some time to reflect I don't blame the Raiders at all for Brown not working out. Bitch at them for the waste of draft pick and not allocating that cap space elsewhere in free agency.
The Raiders cut bait in the nick of time, let's be happy for small victories. Brown was piece of crap, irredeemable and a serial abuser of women, hence why he went through 3 teams in 6 months and two in 14 days. Its his karma.
Sure the Raiders having a receiver of that caliber would have been the missing link on offense. Carr is brilliant throwing to open guys on his first read but he still lacks the greatness to deal with pressure and WRs who cant separate. Brown would have mitigated that weakness. However, Brown was doomed and that had nothing to do with the Steelers, Raiders or even the Pats for that matter none of those teams are at fault for "not making it work".
Let's move on to positives. I know its only two games but Jacobs looks like he has Pro Bowl potential. More importantly, Trent Brown practiced Friday. That means Parker nor Sharpe will start which really means the Raiders don't need to forfeit the game lol.
Have a good weekend
Sandy
I mostly agree. Unfortunately, the Raiders should have known what they were getting. Brown didn't turn into a jackass at the moment the Raiders traded for him. His footprint was all over the Steelers org. and on social media. It seemed the Raiders were on board with Brown's eccentricity, and they bent over backwards to accommodate Brown's ridiculous behavior (feet, helmet, etc.). Then they poked the bear and, honestly, got what they should have expected.
Sure, it's a small victory that we didn't burn $9M in guarantees and the Pats did. Wonderful!
But you're right, my biggest complaint, since no money was spent, is that the Raiders lost important 3rd and 5th round picks during a critical time in their rebuilding. I said from the start, Brown should have been a "luxury" pickup for a good team ready to make a run. Raiders had no business bringing him into a rebuild in the first place. He's a diva who expects to win... ala Randy Moss! The Steelers couldn't accommodate Brown and that's why they let him go so cheap!
So while you and I would be okay with measured progress from the Raiders in 2019, it's safe to say Antonio Brown would not be satisfied. At least that much should have been obvious.
The Raiders got way out in front of their skis on the this one. Sandy, as you said in an earlier post; the Raiders mishandled this situation, at best, or they were totally inept.
Admit it, it's gotta sting a little bit that Brown's money was always available to pay Mack. Frankly, in the short time Gruden has been back in Oakland he's had two rather significant failures in Mack and Brown. Stuff happens, but damn!
Buckle up! It could be another long season.
GO RAIDERS!!
Interestingly, the Patriots haven't paid brown any part of his $9M guaranty yet, and they will almost certainly be reluctant to do so. Assuming they get away with that...
That would make Brown a loser on every level.
Hope he has some money saved up... for attorney's fees, settlement payments, etc.
Idiot doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. Stupid 101. If he could have stayed off his twitter account he'd be playing this week and collecting $5M (about 1/2) of his guaranty.
Ryan Grant is a healthy scratch today. It's encouraging that he's being held accountable for his lack of performance last week. No scholarship players in this version of the Raiders.
Nelson is back and Doss is active instead of Grant.
Enjoy the game!
and...
GO RAIDERS!!
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