Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Well the schedule will most likely be released next week - going to be interesting to see if we get any crazy road trips like last year.

What’s even more interesting is if the new stadium will be ready at the start of the year with the delays in construction due to the lockdown. First few “home games” may not even be in Vegas.

Kev8360 wrote: »

Well the schedule will most likely be released next week - going to be interesting to see if we get any crazy road trips like last year.

What’s even more interesting is if the new stadium will be ready at the start of the year with the delays in construction due to the lockdown. First few “home games” may not even be in Vegas.

Maybe not be as big an issue if no fans are allowed at the games as long as the field is good to go the Raiders should be fine to play in Vegas.

Schedule for 2020:
@Panthers
Saints
@Patriots
Bills
@Chiefs
Bye
Buccaneers
@Browns
@Chargers
Broncos
Chiefs
@Falcons
@Jets
Colts
Chargers
Dolphins
@Broncos


IMO the schedule will be very tough - the first 6 weeks are all against top half defenses. The only plus point is 3 of last 4 at home so if any chance of a playoff run they will be in with a shout. Going to give a prediction of 8-8 as things currently stand and probably just missing a playoff spot but progression from last year and at least not having a losing season in first year in Vegas. Go Raiders!

Overall not too bad a schedule, but having to face the Chiefs coming off their bye week for the fourth time in five seasons certainly stings. Facing the Panthers in Carolina in week one isn't too bad as Teddy Bridgewater may not have developed chemistry with his receivers in his first regular season start for the Panthers. Playing the Saints in week 2, they may not be firing on all cylinders yet and they will be coming off a competitive divisional game against the Bucs. Despite the Pats strong D, if I'm going to New England I'd want to go early, when the weather is okay and when Stidham is still getting used to be their starting QB. Then a tough home game against the Bills, a visit to Arrowhead(not too late in the season) and then the bye with 2 weeks to prepare and heal up for the visit of Brady and the Bucs.

Only two cold weather games in New York and Denver which is favourable too. But if they are to be competitive they need the defence to gel quickly, as early on, the team is unlikely to be equipped to win any shootouts. I'd also go for 9-7 unless they manage to unearth a rookie ballhawk on the defence.

I don't know what's happened in the past few days, they spent the last few months signing veteran players to provide depth and possibly start if the younger players and rookies aren't ready, then they cut Prince Nakamura, then Demarious Randall, then after seemingly falling out of favour with 2 down linebackers such a Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee, who were a huge liability against the pass, they trade for Raquan McMillian from Miami, a linebacker, who when targeted last year against the pass gave up a passer rating of 100+ and who is going into the final year of his rookie contract and so will be a free agent after the 2020 season. McMillian is the prototypical 2 down linebacker, good against the run, but who given his weakness against the pass, will almost certainly be targeted by opposing QBs whenever he takes the field thereby possibly negating any improvement from
the signing of Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski.

Then there was the startling decision to trade 3rd round pick Lynn Bowden plus a 6th round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for the 4th round pick that they had earlier given the Dolphins in the McMillian trade. Trading a 3rd round player for less, when the player hasn't even played a single down in the NFL is shocking, and poses the question, why was it even necessary ?
If, as has been suggested, Bowden was struggling with the pass protection aspects of playing running back, then given he wasn't pencilled in as a starter, but a backup, could they not have given him more time to work on this in training and if, as is also true, Bowden can also play on special teams as a returner and has also played successfully as a wide receiver, could they not have tried him out at receiver before cutting ties(its not as
if Zay Jones or Nelson Agalor are such studs) ? Bowden has so much natural talent with the ball in his hands that I'm disappointed that they couldn't have found a role for him. I hope we don't see him blossom into a star in Miami, where apparently they do intend to use him as a wide receiver. I think the Bowden trade seems like a Gruden inspired move as the trade deal
wasn't that favourable and Gruden seems to lack patience. If you won't give Bowden the time to get used to a new position, then how is it that Tanner Muse, another 3rd round pick, who is transitioning from safety to linebacker and has similarly struggled with his new position, has made the roster ?

It is also a real shame that the team feel to need to cover their asses by dropping unattributed stories into the media about Bowden not having the right attitude. If they have something to say about him, let Gruden or Mayock have the guts to go in front of the media and say it straight out, rather than trying to discredit the player to justify their decision. Maybe somebody is worried that Bowden will turn into a star in Miami and they'll be left with egg of their faces. It will be interesting to see whether the Dolphins with Bowden and a 6th round pick, will do better from the trade than the Raiders with their 4th round pick(in a draft that falls in a season where there may be little or no college football)

Talking of headscratching decisions though, the team have had problems with their swing tackle positions for several seasons, with former Brandon Parker, another former 3rd round pick, a virtual turnstile, every time he takes to the field. Yet they opted to keep Parker for another season, traded the other backup David Sharpe to Washington and waived veteran Sam Young, who they had been talking highly of, for a couple of weeks. The decision to trade Bowden also looks odd as they decided to keep Devontae Booker who has had problems with fumbles in the past, maybe they'll re-sign D. Washington whose been waived by the Chiefs.
,
Lets hope that its all part of a bigger plan to bring other players in, over the next week, though with the season just days away and with complex schemes on offence and defence, its hard to see how new signings unfamiliar with the schemes will be 100% able to play a major role in week one.

Its very disappointing that an off-season that started so promisingly has descended into farce, with so many questionable decisions.

Stop McCaffrey and you stop the Panthers. A big improvement needed in our rush defense, here’s hoping.
Not holding out too much hope for the season but would like to see progress and possibility that Gruden knows what he’s doing and there is a future as contenders in a few years time.

Marcus Mariota and Tanner Muse have both been placed on IR, so Nathan Peterman is Carrs' backup for the first few weeks, while Deshone Kizer has been added to the practice squad again.

I dunno about the Panthers being a one trick pony lads. Even if they are, it is an exceptional pony that they have. I wouldnt be overly confident of shutting him down. Even if we kept him to 80/90 rushing and 50/60 receiving (which I would classify a success) we would still have Moore, Samuel and Anderson to worry about. Bridgewater is no mug either.

It will need to be a complete performance on that side of the ball I think.

On offence it really is anyone's guess. Gruden has his toys now and at the very least it will be interesting (and hopefully exciting) to watch. I wouldnt be surprised if we just decided to pound it with Jacobs for the first couple of weeks considering the young WRs havent had any preseason reps. Looking forward to it regardless

Hoping Ruggs injury isn' too serious. A great opener, typical Raiders keep you interested til the very end.
Welcome to Vegas Josh Jacobs, the O line were excellent all game for him.

What a nice result in the end. Great to see the Offense working and coming away with scores after most of the drives. Carr seemed to be on form too. I'm still not sure about how well the Defense will hold up against a pass happy team (here come the Saints next Monday!!) but we'll know more next Tuesday about how this team is shaping up. Coming away from an Eastern Time zone with a win is always a positive thing and the Panthers arent the worst team in the NFL. So yeah, for a week at least, feeling good about our lads!

heyjude wrote: »

It was a bit concerning that in the build up to the game, the Panthers O-line wasn't being rated as one of the stronger units in the league and the Raiders felt that they had upgraded their pass rush, yet they barely pressured Bridgewater and had just one sack, this will be a real problem against the likes of Brees, Brady and Mahomes, which they face in the next few weeks. The Panthers also aren't prolific scorers, so allowing them to score 30pts was a bit alarming.

On the bright side, the offence moved the ball pretty well, especially when you consider that they lost RT Trent Brown in the first quarter, lost his replacement Sam Young shortly afterwards and that Denzelle Good had to play RT for most of the game, with little or no practice at the position. I would have liked to see more wide receiver targets in the second half, but they got the job done, with a valuable win.

The kick and punt coverage teams need some work, as they looked capable of allowing a long return, but hopefully they will improve with more reps.

I agree, it was a win and thats the bottom line. There are reasons for optimism but there are issues and the lack of a Pass Rush is going to kill us if it has regressed. The Schedule looks really scary at the moment!!!

Well, that was a very satisfying victory and no mistake. Carr played well and Waller was on fire. People could make the argument that Carolina are a weak team but the Saints are supposed to be one of the NFC heavyweights and its nice to see us 2-0!! I'm still not convinced about our defense but fortune has smiled on us so far. Now off to New England and Cam Newton.

Carr is a class act and you are seriously underrating him there. Early doors it was run first and then throwing on 3rd and long when the opposition know you are throwing.
When they went more pass than run he was immense.

Incognito has been placed on IR, which is unfortunate. The line was really starting to Gel . Does anyone know what the story is with Trent Brown? I heard reports he was unwilling to play, as opposed to being unable to.

Can’t defend the run at all is the take from last night. We must be close to the worst team in league for yards per play on defense.
Also still maintain Carr is not all that, he holds onto the ball far too long for someone without the footwork of an elite qb. The last NE td was inevitable but lucky it happened last night in garbage time when game was over.
We were right in this however but the missed fg to tie it at 13 killed all our momentum. We let Michel run all over us next series and game was lost.