Colts Gameday Thread
A must-win for the Raiders. Play for pride, play for Madden. GO RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 10:32 AM
A must-win for the Raiders. Play for pride, play for Madden. GO RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 10:32 AM
51 Comments:
Defense is solid so far, if it can keep up this type of play, fat lady hasn't sung yet.
One more win and they are in. Be quiet fat lady.
What a game and this team shows once again their heart and will to win. No sense bad mouthing this team, they deserve accolades.
Renfrow played like a legend today, Carr comes through again and the D was good enough to get it done, even after allowing a fluke TD.
So proud of the Raiders and I haven't been able to say that for a long time.
Beat those Bolts. Go Raiders
Clearly a gut check game, and they did it. Renfrow is practically a Raiders legend in just his third season.
To sum up, the Raiders not only managed to secure a winning season, but they've also taken us to the very last game of the season with everything on the line. Very exciting!
Cheers!
This was a very Madden-esque game by the Raiders. I'm soooo happy right now! DC has got to quit trying to force things, he is making interceptions when he does. Renfrow is a beast! Have to beat the Chargers to get in the playoffs. To be honest, I'm still upset about the loss of Madden. I re-watched the All Madden document yesterday and wept the entire time. I shared a birthday with him, and like I said before, only he and Al Davis share the title of "Raiders among all Raiders." The only one who has done more for the Raiders than John Madden was Al Davis. Nobody has done more for the NFL than John Madden. If we beat the Chargers and make the playoffs next week, I will be crying tears of joy for the Madden family. JUST, WIN (for Madden), BABY!
The Defense was tremendous. And yes for those who doubted it the Raiders have a good young nucleaus of talent, Gruden and Mayock have build a decent foundation. Hopefully Waller will be back next week, they could use him.
Nate no doubt after Al, Madden is right there on the Raiders Mt Rushmore. He is the singularly greates contriburtor to pro football and there is no one who comes close.
Sandy
Very proud right now of this Raiders team. Looked bleak after Chefs blow out and loss to weak WFT, but Raiders have bounced back.
Now, it's one game for playoff's. Beat the bolts, and Raiders are in. I don't think Raiders have beaten J. Herbert yet, now is a good time to do it! Raiders have also not played particularly well in Vegas either, so time to step it up there as well.
Raiders family loses another legend with passing of great John Madden. To me, all the old Raider players/coaches from back in the day are legends. They won, and just won, and every time you sat down to watch them play, you knew they would give it their all, and had a chance.
Gritty OL, Bruce Davis passed away last week as well. He was a Madden type of player. I miss them all.
Was very proud until Hobbs gets busted for drunk driving. How stupid can one be? His teammate just killed someone doing that, they have plenty of cash to pay for a ride home.
Hope this news doesn't sink the team, they have made it through major problems and now, here is another one.
Hopefully, this will turn into more fire for the boys to win again? Sooner or later that kind of emotion will turn against the team. What a year, what a year.
Hobbs arrested for DUI. Sounds like he was in a parked car... presumably after driving it over the legal limit. Not exactly sure.
How many times can this type thing happen to one team in one season? It's starting to not look like a coincidence and more like a lack of leadership throughout the Raiders organization. Nobody got the Ruggs memo.
Hobbs is a key player in the Raiders defense. Hopefully, this can get deferred until the off-season.
Some of these guys just don't get it. When they sign a contract, it means 100% commitment to team and teammates on and off the field.
Selfish Hobbs lets everyone down, right before biggest game Raiders have played in years. Did he want to spend the next 20+ years with Ruggs lll ? He's lucky it didn't happen.
Just one more thing for Raiders to overcome this season. Oh well, don't worry that the horse is blind, just get in the cart !!!
Maybe the guy realized he was drunk and decided to sleep it off rather than drive. He was in a parking garage. Are you guys aware the car was not running it was parked and he was sleeping.
Sandy
I hope it's that simple and Hobbs didn't drive the car. Sleeping in a car in a garage or public ROW isn't a good look for anyone who can afford uber.
Does this crap only happen to the Raiders? Arnette, Ruggs and Hobbs represent 25% of the Raiders drafts over the past two years.
If Waller comes back this week, I would line him up at WR and leave Moreau at TE #1. Edwards has been a complete waste. Even Jackson has grossly underperformed. Perhaps not entirely Jackson's fault because Carr has not played well. Carr badly underthrew Jackson on one of his two INTs on Sunday.
The team is playing better, except for Carr. He needs to step up to the level he was playing early in the season.
I want to say, too, that I thought the play-calling was better, though, not great. Raiders immediately mixed it up with a couple throws down the field. It resulted in an opening drive TD. But after that, things dried up again. The offense (coaches and players) need to do better against the Chargers, who will not be so forgiving as Wentz and the Colts. Herbert is a QB machine.
Anyone else notice more blitzing Sunday? That's what the Raiders needed... to be more aggressive on both sides of the ball.
NY, I think we were ovrely optimistic hoping for greatness from Edwards, after all he was a 3rd round pick. Saying he is a waste is a little harsh to say the least. Just for context you were upset about letting Aghlor go his stats this year are 36 for 450 and 3td and a 12 million salary this year and 10 million guranteed for next. Edwards stats are 30 for 508 and 3 tds his salary was 823,000 this year.
Raiders for sure need a true #1 wr next year and will have the cap to sign one if any are avaiable in FA
Sandy
Raiders have at least one scenario to enter playoffs without a win, which includes losses by the Colts and Steelers. Nobody here is holding their breath for that outcome, but I found this interesting about the Steelers. The Steelers are playing to secure their 15th straight winning season. Over that same span, the Raiders have one winning season.
Raiders probably have as many HCs since AL died as the Steelers have in the entire history.
Talk about two opposite franchises.
So go be a Steeler fan Raider Nation dont need no fools from NY
Sandy, I don't know what to make of Edwards. I was a fan, actually, still am. His college highlight reel was lights out. He makes contested catches, something the Raiders desperately needed.
I think WRs find out real fast that NFL DBs are far better than college. I guess some guys either take longer to crack the NFL code or they fade away. Jury is still out on Edwards.
Doss was also lights out in college. Dude had over 100 catches in a college season but he can't find the field in pro football. Ateman, Edwards, and many others are having the same problem.
Yet, Hunter Renfrow, a walk-on in college, is practically a freak in the NFL. What I mean is that he is cerebral about his routes and the connection he makes with DC. He's a rare talent, oddly retro and more in the mold of a Fred Biletnikoff type WR. What a find!
Renfrow looks like he could have an Edelman type career
Sandy
Headline: Jim Harbaugh Believed to be Interested in Raiders’ Head Coaching Job
I have said many times here that the Raiders have talent on their roster. With that said, the Raiders should be one of the most sought after HC jobs in the NFL this off-season.
This is a team which is a competent coaching staff and a few good players short of a real playoff contender. What HC wouldn't want that? Add in no state income tax and, bang!
For all the teams that need a HC this off-season, the Raiders should be in the driver's seat.
Right?!
Some people have a short memory.
I think it's still fresh in many minds that Gruden was expelled from the league because he was HC of the Raiders.
Once again, Raiders lead the league in penalties, prospective HC's see that and will probably take the job, that doesn't include all the Raider problems.
You have also said many times here that the Raiders have created a below avg roster.
NY I love your post but I am sorry bro you have consistently bashed the Raiders talent even as recently as last week
"Some of the "starters" you refer to are by default, e.g., injury, covid or other, or simply demonstrate weakness on the roster. You are merely counting numbers, not quality."
Now you thin the Raiders are set up for success, fantastic glad to see you have come over from the dark side.
Sandy
Sandy, it's a 53-man roster and partly patchwork coming into Week 18. At best, you've taken my post out of context. It was in response to you including Raiders rookies as starters in a comment you posted, like Deablo and Koonce who are merely filling in for others. These guys have played well but proven nothing.
Let me put a little more context on my point.
Raiders clearly have some building blocks. That doesn't mean they have a roster ready for bear. Under the most dire circumstances, a subpar coaching staff has been able to elevate this team to a winning season. That's largely on the back of talented players with high character, like Renfrow, Crosby, Carr, Waller, and others. This team has not quit, like in past seasons when they have folded like a cheap suit.
Now compare the Raiders to the Jags, for example. If you're a top coaching talent, which team would you gravitate to? It seems pretty obvious to me.
Does the roster have holes? Does a bear shit in the woods?
In 2022, the Raiders have pressing needs at WR, RT, G, LB, and DT, and possibly CB. They will need to address their own free agents, including Mariota... and Carr will be in the final year of his undervalued contract. These are just some issues that come to mind.
Nowhere did I say the Raiders were turn-key.
Brace yourselves Gruden lovers.
Jim Harbaugh's career coaching record.
Stanford: 29-21
San Fransisco 49ers: 44-19-1
Michigan: 61-24
Overall: 134-64-1
His combined college/NFL career win percentage is .673. That's elite status and a huge upgrade over Gruden, who, even with a super bowl under his belt, barley has .500 career mark.
Expanding on my point above, Raiders may have enough juice right now to lure a HC of Harbaugh's caliber.
The absolute worst thing that could happen, IMO, is if Bisaccio gets the Raiders HC job and keeps Olsen and Bradley. Unless the Raiders pull a miracle SB win this year, that would be downright depressing. If Harbaugh is hired as HC and keeps Bradley, I could live with that... not ideal.
Hobbs won't be charged with due
Sandy
NY,
Your critscim of the coaching staff is ridiculous.
You have been down on this coaching staff for no good reason. Gruden built a resiliant and talented team in many respects but the o-line needs seasoning and they lost their best WR and best offensive player for the last 5 games.
All those who are down on Olson and asking him to let Carr throw the ball 45 times a game are fools. By stickking with the run these past three games Olson has played into the Raiders strengths. Had he not done that two things would have happened Carr would have turned the ball over more than he already has and the shaky o-line wouldn't have had a chance to deliver pain with run blocking instead of endlessly recieving blows in the pass pro. Jacobs has helped sustain druves, been physical and between him and Olson's play calling led to three wins in a row more importantly they let Carr do what he does bestdeliver in the 4th quarter while leaning on excellent special teams. This is called playing to the strengths of the personell.
After the Chiefs loss at 6-7 everyone here left the Raiders for dead. In the end win or lose Sunday the Raiders have had a good and succesful season.
Thanks Coach Rich B, Olson, Bradley, Smith and to the great Jon Gruden for putting it all together. I have enjoyed the ride in 2021
Sandy
Sandy said: "[NY} Your critscim of the coaching staff is ridiculous."
Is it?
Unfortunately, evidence is on my side. Raiders have had (with and without Gruden in the fold) probably the most unimaginative offense in the NFL. Their vanilla style is stunning. They seldom use play-action and they have epic failure scripting plays to start games, which pretty much runs through Gruden's tenure. They rarely throw to the 1st down marker on 3rd downs, especially, early in games (last week being the exception).
Game planning and scripting plays are among the most important things any coaching staff can do. The Raiders have utterly failed at this aspect of their game preparation. The TD they scored last week on their first possession was the exception, not the rule. Look it up. Scripted drives failure goes back prior to this year. Yet, at the end of games, they come to life. Five walk-off wins this year!
Raiders are among the worst teams in the NFL scoring TDs in the red zone. That's play calling.
We could go on and on. There are no moral victories. You either win or you lose. The NFL does not pass out "that a boy" awards.
In the end, Gruden did some admirable things and brought in some good players but it took four years to scratch out a winning season. Harshly, that's a failure by NFL standards, particularly, when you consider player contracts are typically less, including rookie deals, after which free agency can be brutal. Also, the average NFL career is less than three years. These windows tend to be short in the NFL. You draft a guy like Joss Jacobs and hope your team can make a run before he retires, gets injured or his renewal contract value becomes untenable.
Assuming Jon Gruden's Raiders would need at least one maybe two more years to reach whatever plateau was being targeted, I don't see how 5-6 years is tenable in the NFL climate.
We are going to have to disagree on this matter. IMO, Jon Gruden is no more than an average HC (his career .500 record tells us that much). I would rather take my chances with Jim Harbaugh leading the Raiders to the next level.
But the party is not over. We still need to see the depth of grit this team has. I have no reservation that these guys (players and coaches) are professionals, and they are looking to game plan and play at highest level they can, with whatever emotion and intensity they can bring. Of that, I have no doubt.
Whether or not that's good enough, we will know on Sunday.
NY,
The evidence is not on your side. They are ranked 11 in total yards. They have a winning record. Until they lost Ruggs, Ingold, and Gruden they were averaging 30 points a game. That is with essentially 3 rookies playing on the o-line as are two starting guards were lost before the year started. Sorry you don't find it imaginative enough. It is the coaches adjusting to difficult situations and making the best out of a short deck with the personnel available.
Sandy
It is being heavily reported in Atlanta that Calvin Ridley's time there is over after this season. I think that would be a good move, depending on Ridley's situation. He hasn't played well this season, and seems to have quit on the Falcons this year. I don't wanna sign another AB. Devante Adams still should be the #1 target, and if we can't get him, and Ridley's head seems to be straight, he might be a good option for us.
I'd also like to keep DeSean Jackson, but I am not sure he is happy here.
Here's the case for Harbaugh, well presented.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952154-jim-harbaugh-is-the-coach-who-can-fix-the-las-vegas-raiders
Sandy, as unfortunate as his departure clearly was, the Raiders were only 3-2 under Gruden this year and only scored 22.6 points per game while he was calling plays. Their draught in the first quarter is real and has carried over more than one full season. That's on the play caller.
Gruden's last two games included a blowout loss to KC and a shameful defeat at home to the Bears. He wasn't exactly lighting things up.
The Raiders have really scrapped out the past three games to potentially save their season, but two of those games were against badly depleted teams. Last week against a previously red hot Colts team was the most impressive win.
Win or lose this week, nothing changes the simple fact the Raiders will need a new HC. Harbaugh would be my choice. If we are trading stats, Harbaugh's stats are far better than Gruden's.
NY,
You need to do better reasearch or perhaps just stick to plain I don't like the Raiders. Gruden was gone way before they lost to KC, he left after the Chicago game. They averaged 28 points a game during Gruden's 5 games.
I am cool with Harbaugh but if you think his offense is going to be "imgainitve" you have not followed his coaching much. He is by far and away a power running coach.
Sandy
Excuse me, I meant Chargers!
Raiders got bashed last time they played the Chargers, under Gruden before any emails surfaced.
Raiders scored 33 against Baltimore; 26 against Pittsburgh; 31 against Miamai; 14 against the Chargers; and 9 against the Bears. So let's see:
33
26
31
14
9
Total = 113
divided by 5 = 22.6
No, my math is correct.
As for Harbaugh being a power run minded HC, what a relief. I never liked ZBS. I was against bringing Tom Cable back to the Raiders, though I have praised him for keeping the O-line above water these last couple years.
Ironic, isn't it? Harbaugh is a former QB who started his NFL coaching career as the Raiders QB coach. But my interest in Harbaugh is his prowess to improve teams and win. He's the next level HC that Gruden was not.
Good coaches rise to the top. The great John Madden coached the Raiders for eight years and never had a losing season.
When Gruden was here the first time, his style was new and brash, but he faded quickly in Tampa and didn't bring much to the Raiders this second time. Turns out, he was better at dismantling than he was rebuilding. As I stated before, time is not so forgiving in the NFL. Windows of success are usually short, unless you have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
So here we are, on the cusp of the playoffs and with some underpinning hope that an elite HC might be in the wings.
Let's kick as much ass as possible this year. Then it's time for the other Harbaugh to win a SB.
I think there are better coaches out there than Harbaugh. I know it is different with the NCAA, but this was his first "winning" season in College, and he never won against Ohio St. His brother is the better coach in Baltimore.
There are rumblings that if Saints do not make the playoffs, Sean Payton will be axed in the Big Easy. I would much rather have him or Eric Bienemy coaching Carr over Harbaugh. Give Payton/Bienemy Wade Phillips as DC, and BOOM! Super Bowl contenders.
I think Todd Bowles would be a good HC for us as well. If they decide to go to the college ranks Matt Campbell (Iowa St) and Luke Fickell (Cincinnati) would not be bad candidates as well.
I'm of the opinion though, that the Raiders need to go big here. They need to get a super-star coach that can turn this team around this year. Not sure Harbaugh is that guy, and if he is, then give him the right to bring in super star coordinators. If Sean Payton or Mike Zimmer are fired from their teams, Mark Davis cannot overlook those guys. JUST WIN, BABY! starts at the HC spot. Time to put up or shut up.
Mark Davis has a connection with Jim Harhaugh. As we know, personal relationships play a significant role in this process. Philips is an outstanding DC but the Raiders have no relationship with him (if they do, I missed it). Todd Bowles went 24-40 in four seasons with the Jets, so I'm not sure how that record elevates him above Harbaugh. Clearly, he has some DC chops in Tampa but he's not a proven HC. Plenty of outstanding coordinators and college HCs out there that have failed as NFL HC.
Maybe Lane Kiffin is available.
Sean Payton is not getting axed. He's one of the best HCs in the NFL.
Biggest game for the Raiders and the fans, for a very long time.
If the Raiders win, the party will be on, if they lose, it will hurt for a while.
No matter what happens, I am going to be proud of this team.
We can worry about coaches when the season is over, right now, it's all about this game. This is as close to a playoff game as it can come. Raiders have proven a resiliency and desire this year and I believe that will be on display this Sunday night.
This team has been through so much, it will have them mentally ready, imo.
IMO, this is, by definition, a playoff game. The winner moves on and the loser goes home.
As a pure passer, I think Herbert is the better of the two QBs, but Carr has experience on his side, albeit, not in a playoff but certainly under the pressure of a game on the line (with 29 last drive wins under his belt - including five this year).
It's time for the Raiders to dig deep down into their history and channel the spirits of Al Davis and John Madden to victory.
This is the biggest game the Raiders have played since Gannon was QB. We've all waited so long for game of this magnitude. The excitement is definitely growing... I'm probably gonna need to be sedated just to watch it.
The HC search that Davis said he wouldn't commence until after the season is now gaining more traction. Remember Davis pursued Gruden long before it was public and that was already a done deal while Gruden was still announcing games on TV.
This kind of sums up what I was saying before.
"Harbaugh has strong ties to the Davis family and the Raiders are considered by most to be the best head-coaching job potentially available."
Also, I am just learning that Michigan forced a pay cut on Harbaugh last year. That probably didn't age well.
NY seems you will get your wish Harbaugh will be the next coach for the Raiders. I'm interested to see how long until you start complaining because I'm telling you offensively he's more conservative then Jon Gruden three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust I don't know if that works in today's NFL.
Anyway I find Harbaugh a little bit acerbic and crazy but I personally am glad they're hiring someone high-profile who has the gravitis to lead the team. Way better than hiring someone like Leftwich or another NFL assistant or a college coach who has not coached in the pros
Sandy
The Raider staff is looking for potential HC's, I am sure the process is in process. There is no sense in creating rumors at this time for the team. It will create a distraction the team doesn't need. Not only that, it would undermine the HC at this point.
Harbaugh would be a name HC, not sure he is the right guy. He had a couple good years in San Fran and that is pretty much all he has done. The guy is not stable enough, imo. Last thing the Raiders need is another HC who could turn very quickly. Raiders just had that.
It's more than a rumor is a done deal
Sandy
Playoff atmosphere for sure NY. This Sunday night is the first Playoff game of the 2021-22 season. Dunderdolts v. Raiders. Carr has been practicing in a Stabler jersey this week, summoning the Snake. This is going to be a great game, and the Raiders cannot afford to come out flat.
Jacobs, Hankins, and Heyward are all Questionable coming into the game. We need all 3, but especially Jacobs and Heyward. The way Darius Philon has played, Hankins can rest.
Olsen and Bisaccia need to put the game calls into DC's hands and let him run it. Defense needs to pressure Herbert, and force mistakes. He's a young QB, pressure = mistakes and turnovers. The more aggressive is going to win this game, and it needs to be the Raiders. JUST WIN, BABY!
Do you have any info you can share stating it's a done deal?
I have been looking, but can't find anything.
Yes, Harbaugh told two Michigan recruits, he is probably going to NFL. Word out of Ann Arbor insiders is its real. Check Twitter, Tafur has a few links. Nothing official but I would be shocked if it does not happen.
Sandy
Yes, he has said he is going back to the NFL and that he has several teams interested. That doesn't sound like a done deal to me.
Lots of teams looking for a new HC this off-season.
If the Raiders miss on Harbaugh, say, to Miami, then who do we get? I'm afraid of guys like Todd Bowles, who has already failed as a head coach but looks good as an assistant.
The sad truth is, the Raiders have had more HCs over a span of 20 years than any team. All have failed. Del Rio came the closest to success but dismantled his staff and lost the respect of his players the next season.
Is Harbaugh the answer? I have no idea.
I feel strongly that Bisaccia is not the answer. He's a special teams guy who at times looks lost on the sideline (think Art Shell). Plus, how experienced is Bisaccia scouting talent for all phases of the game? What about drafting?
That's something that Harbaugh immediately brings to the Raiders, i.e., his recruiting, scouting and overall knowledge of college players. He and Mayock could make a good pair in this regard.
My guess is Davis has told Harbaugh the job is his regardless of when and where the Raiders end their season. I would further guess that Harbaugh's decision will hinge on whether or not he believes in Derek Carr... the Raiders QB until they find someone better (which is unlikely).
Even with this huge game approaching today, it's tough to just set all this aside.
It's all over the news even nfl.com. it's a done deal. Harbaugh might be my second choice is coach but I'd be very happy with him coming on board My only wish is that it's not announced for at least a couple weeks because the Raiders keep winning.
Sandy
Who's your first choice?
Wonder what insane contract Mark Davis might have offered.
Florio actually put Internet ink to the notion that the Raiders could trade for Tomlin or Payton.
Inasmuch as I don't see that happening, trading a couple first round draft picks might not be terrible as it sounds for a team that has failed so badly in drafting in the first round. Either one of those HCs is a huge step up for the Raiders.
My first choice is David Shaw head coach at Stanford and former Raider assistant.
Sandy
Yes. His name has been floated before. Interesting.
In the end, I hope the Raiders find a HC that takes what other teams give him on the field, as opposed to fitting a square peg in a round hole, which so many coaches try to do. A HC who schemes and calls plays to the strength of his roster. Hopefully, a HC who doesn't bring the arrogance to completely dismantled the roster and start over, again.
Hopefully, these are concerns for Mark Davis as well, and he doesn't just have his eye on a prize.
Raiders need to win or tie for playoffs tonight. I prefer the win, knock the dunderdolts out, and the Squeelers in. Gonna be interesting. JUST WIN, BABY!
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