Las Vegas Raiders Thread

I cant help wondering if Jared Cook will not be resigned now due to the early splash in free agency. I would like to see him stay as he was the best part of our offense last year.

ELM327 wrote: »

He'll go back to mediocre OL now IMO, similar to the downgrade Solder suffered post NE.

It'll be a great start if he shows up to camp weighing less than 400lbs

Kev8360 wrote: »

I cant help wondering if Jared Cook will not be resigned now due to the early splash in free agency. I would like to see him stay as he was the best part of our offense last year.

And rumours now he is going to sign for the Saints - would be a good pickup for them. our TE depth looks very thin.

Prefab Sprouter wrote: »

Now....I know this is stupid...silly...juvenile.... and completely illogical.....but is it wrong to feel just a little bit optimistic about the coming draft and upcoming season?? I'm following this team since '83 so I know not to be in any way fooled by offseasons, but I feel I need to try and at least look on the bright side for a few weeks at least (I know......we'll draft the 5 fastest people on the draft boards and end up with 3 WR's, a safety and a punter with our first 5 picks) I'm not sure I can take much more depressing analysis and there's a limit to the amount of alcohol one can ingest to erase the taste of humble pie............ In a very longwinded way, I guess I'm trying to will myself to be optimistic at least until training camp, when it all falls horribly apart!!!! LOL

No I think it’s totally normal to feel optimistic - one of the reasons I love the nfl is that there is always a chance that things can turn around quickly.

3 first round picks gives us a great chance to turn things around plus a legitimate wr1 now on the roster.

I am not happy with some of the decisions made so far this off season with some of the players we’ve let go but sometimes you got to burn down the house and start fresh.

I'm very nervous about this years' draft, because I see it as the most crucial draft in the next nine years(the remaining length of Jon Grudens' contract). I think it will tell us whether Gruden can listen to his GM Mike Mayock and resist the temptation to take the players that give him some new offensive toys to play with, rather than those that most benefit the team the most overall.

It is generally agreed that this years' draft is top heavy with defensive talent, which just happens to be what the Raiders need most. With the main part of free agency now over, Joyner was the only major defensive signing(with Burfict and Marshall being risky one year signings on lower money), yet so far they have acquired Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, Tyrell Williams plus QBs Jones and Glennon and have other signings at every offensive position. So that according to Spotrac, they are spending $108.5m of their cap on offence, compared just $51.6m on their defence. This means they have the 5th highest offensive spend in the league and the lowest defensive spend.

The Raiders had no pass rush last season with just 13 sacks in 16 games(17 lower than the next worst team), yet I see mock drafts suggesting that they take a QB with their first pick(and even worse, trade up and give away their other first round picks to do so), I've also seen mock drafts where they pick a cornerback or middle linebacker, which although they are areas of need, are not the greatest need. I've also seen them linked with Rashaan Gary, who is a better athlete than his production shows(and I would hate as a first round pick).

I just hope that Mike Mayock can moderate Grudens' love of offensive players and stop him using a first round pick on a QB, running back, or one of the tight ends Hockenson or Fant. The 4th pick needs to be someone who upgrades the pass rush, ideally on the edge, but if Quinnen Williams is available at 4(as possibly the best player in the draft you'd have to take him to play alongside Maurice Hurst). I'd even consider another edge player with the second pick.

I don't think this is seen as an especially strong draft class for quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers, so they need to concentrate on those positions where the talent is greatest and if they decide that Carr isn't the QB to take the team forward, then they have the extra first rounder to trade up next year, when the QB class is expected to be stronger. Similarly, using a first round pick on the best running back in a weak running back class would be a head scratcher.

Mayock was brought in to be a savvy drafter, now the question is, will Gruden allow to do this job ? The bookies have set the Raiders over/under wins for next season at 6, the first round picks and the value they get in any trades, will help determine whether this lack of confidence is justified or not.

Schedule released:

Wk1 Broncos
Wk2 Chiefs
Wk3 @Vikings
Wk4 @Colts
Wk5 Bears (London)
Wk6 BYE
Wk7 @Packers
Wk8 @Texans
Wk9 Lions
Wk10 Chargers
Wk11 Bengals
Wk12 @Jets
WK13 @Chiefs
Wk14 Titans
Wk15 Jags
Wk16 @Chiefs
Wk17 @Broncos

On the whole not a bad schedule - good to start at home against Broncos/Chiefs - opportunity to get the fans behind the team with a couple of big rivals in town. Without knowing how the draft pans out I could definitely see us going 7-9 or 8-8 if we can get a few key additions on defense as the teams we play at home (outside of Bears and Chiefs) are all beatable.

Having 4 of the last 6 away from home is a pain - if we start badly I don't believe we will win (m)any of those games.

Kev8360 wrote: »

Schedule released:

Wk1 Broncos
Wk2 Chiefs
Wk3 @Vikings
Wk4 @Colts
Wk5 Bears (London)
Wk6 BYE
Wk7 @Packers
Wk8 @Texans
Wk9 Lions
Wk10 Chargers
Wk11 Bengals
Wk12 @Jets
WK13 @Chiefs
Wk14 Titans
Wk15 Jags
Wk16 @Chiefs
Wk17 @Broncos

On the whole not a bad schedule - good to start at home against Broncos/Chiefs - opportunity to get the fans behind the team with a couple of big rivals in town. Without knowing how the draft pans out I could definitely see us going 7-9 or 8-8 if we can get a few key additions on defense as the teams we play at home (outside of Bears and Chiefs) are all beatable.

Having 4 of the last 6 away from home is a pain - if we start badly I don't believe we will win (m)any of those games.

If we lose to Denver I predict we’ll be 0-5 come the bye. That’s a really tough schedule

heyjude wrote: »

But the final insult to the Oakland fans is that, what will probably be the teams' last game in Oakland will be a non division week 15 game against the Jaguars, by which time their season could be over. Why couldn't they have switched the Broncos game from the start to the end of the season, to give a meaty division game as the final game in Oakland ?

Fair point ... we should have had a home division game as our last game this season.

Prefab Sprouter wrote: »

I like the fact that we addressed the Secondary. Its not that I'm optimistic, I think I'm more, relieved.

Agreed happy to see players added to defense hopefully they can contribute from the get go. Hopefully we can get some more quality through the next few days to set the team up for a few years.

Sebastian Janikowski retired over the weekend. Through the wilderness of the late 2000's the only bright spot in our team was our special teams. Him and Shane Lechler were right at the top of their game - had to be giving how much we were paying them but still they performed. I don't think he will make it to Hall of Fame (Vinatieri is the only chance a kicker has of getting in any time soon I think just down to his game winning kicks in multiple playoffs and Superbowls) but he deserves to be recognized as one of the best kickers of the last 20 years.

Popcorn sales will increase this off season.

Of all the things I expected us to make headlines for this offseason Antonio Browns helmet is the last thing I expected to see.

No way the nfl backs down.

Itssoeasy wrote: »

... but the guy seems a complete head melt.

yep agreed

With the third pre-season game being played tonight, Gruden and Co are looking at intense rivalries in a number of positions as players compete for a place in the final 53 man roster.

Unfortunately, its not a level playing field as several players look set to make the final roster without featuring in the pre-season games so far (being unlikely to feature tonight either) and despite a strong challenge for their position from other players.

So here's a look at some of the position battles

FB - Keith Smith faces a strong challenge from undrafted rookie Alec Ingold, for while Smith has been recovering from a knee injury, Ingold has impressed both as a blocker and pass receiver, while during his college days he proved very capable as a goal line short yardage runner. I'd go with Ingold, as I don't see him clearing waivers and making it to the practice squad, and Smith hasn't been that impressive, but Smith seems to be a Gruden favourite, so who knows ?

HB - First round Josh Jacobs and third down back Jalen Richard seem to be locks, which leaves Washington and Martin possibly competing for one spot. Washington has more upside, but Martin did a good job last year and could get Grudens' vote. If they opt to carry 4 running backs, then both could make it.

TE - Waller is the starter and draftee Moreau seems to be favoured to claim a spot too, which leaves Paul Butler, Luke Wilson and Derek Carrier competing for 1 or at most 2 spots. Wilson has most NFL experience and that may be decisive.

WR - Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams are certs to make the roster, I think rookie Hunter Renfro is also a cert and could start as their slot receiver(even though Gruden likes to move his receivers around). After that it depends on how many receivers they decide to carry, Ryan Grant should get in too and if they decide to keep a specialist kick/punt returner then Dwayne Harris could fill that role. I'm assuming they may carry 6 receivers so that leaves JJ Nelson, Keelan Doss, Marcus Ateman, Rico Gafford, Keon Hatcher and De'Mornay Pierson El competing for 1 spot. I think its between Nelson and Doss, with the 2 final pre-season games possibly providing the tiebreaker.

OL - Miller, Hudson, Jackson and Trent Brown are certs to make the 53. Incognito is suspended for the first 2 games and so doesn't count towards the final roster, while Jackson injured his MCL and may end up on injured reserve. Sharpe, Parker, Devey, Kirkland, Hunt, Cooper and Good are all vying for the other spots with nobody ruled out or ruled in at this stage. I wouldn't like to have to pick, but god help Carr if Brandon Parker sees prolonged game time.

DT - It seems as though Hankins and Hurst are certs for the 53, Justin Ellis looked that way too, but the situation has got more competitive, with PJ Hall, Ethan Westbrooks, Gabe Wright, Eddie Vanderdoes and rookie Anthony Rush all in the mix. It all depends on how many DTs they decide to keep, but I think Vanderdoes could be gone along with Gabe Wright, while they could try to stash Rush on the practice squad if he clears waivers. I think that leaves Hall, Westbrooks and Ellis competing for just 2 spots. I'd go with Hall and Westbrooks, as Hall is only going into his second year after injuries slowed him last year and so deserves another chance, while Westbrooks offers experience and more pass rush ability.

DB - Conley, Worley, Joyner(who is listed as slot corner/safety) and rookie Treyvon Mullen look to be locks, leaving Nick Nelson, Isaiah Johnson, Nevin Lawson and rookie Keasean Nixon as likely contenders for the remaining spots. Johnson is currently out through concussion and Lawson will miss the first four games through suspension, so Nick Nelson can secure his spot with a strong showing tonight and next week, though Nixon will press him and may end up on the practice squad.

The roster looks pretty set at QB, DE, LB, Safety and at the other special team positions

Was actually surprised Doss got released, just from all the screen time he got on HK. I was rooting for him, still have Josh Jacobs to look forward to seeing though, got him in my fantasy Draft as well.