Whenever Jon Gruden’s hiring becomes official, an arduous task stands before him. While talented, the receiving corps of the Oakland Raiders needs a mental and physical overhaul. With the draft looming, whether the current group takes the field together in 2018 remains a mystery. With that said, the new head coach must quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses.
Now, this gets sticky rather early. Granted, Crabtree’s numbers paint him as a standout. Yet, two problems cloud these otherwise good stats. First, he drops more passes that he should. Usually these ones halt drives and see him flash wide open. Can Gruden fix that? Possibly. By hiring a string receivers coach to drill technique and concentration drills, Crabtree can make quick amends. To this day, no one is sure how or why Rob Moore kept his job that long.
More importantly, Crabtree’s penchant for drama and perceived selfishness will not endear him to Gruden. If you count the two Talib dustups, and exiting Sunday’s season finale, a problem with emotions exists. When Keyshawn Johnson clashed with Gruden, he deactivated him, ending his run in Tampa. Johnson helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl. Therefore, you can imagine how quickly Crabtree’s attitude would not be tolerated. In his defense, Crabtree excels on the field. A smarter play could see the raiders deal Crabtree for picks.
Amari Cooper
In contrast to Crabtree, Cooper’s best days sit in front of him. When the season kicks off, Cooper will be 24. Nowhere near is his prime, loaded with lead receiver skills, Cooper the future. Yet, his penchant for disappearing and drops make him an enigma. Some postulated that Carr’s occasional inaccuracy lead to Cooper’s decline. Instead, some of the responsibility must fall his way. No quarterback will throw consistently perfect passes. If Cooper wants that high-dollar extension, 2018 must serve as his wakeup call.
If you look at no other 2017 film, rewind the first Chiefs game and the touchdowns versus the Chargers and Eagles. Amari Cooper can be an 85-catch, 1100-yard, 10n touchdown receiver for the next eight seasons. His problems appear mental in nature. Drops and frustration render him useless in the offense. If the Raiders show Crabtree the door, Cooper needs to fill the lead role.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Within RaiderNation, no player exemplifies the teeth-gnashing anger of the fanbase than Roberts. For every stellar catch, flurries of misplays counter it. Immediately, drops bubble to the surface. How many times can the Raiders begin a drive, Roberts beats his man, only to see the ball rattle off his hands? Although his catch percentage rose in 2017, that lone touchdown indicates that he should not serve as the third receiver.
Equally important to the drops, Roberts commits penalties at an alarming rate for a wide. Since 2015, Roberts accrued fourteen flags. Within those are penalties for false starts (six) and illegal blocks (four). Nothing kills momentum than seeing a big play nullified by careless and unnecessary penalties. Gruden, like most coaches appreciate aggressive but smart receivers. Roberts’ job may not be safe.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Eventually, a coach will consistently use Patterson. No current Raiders receiver possesses the diverse skill set. From jet sweeps to draws to vertical patterns, Patterson presents matchup issues for defenses. Under Gruden, he could blossom into a multi-faceted threat. Patterson’s only problems in Oakland were a lack of snaps and Seth Roberts slotted ahead of him.
In reality, Jon Gruden will put his handprint on the wide receiver corps. What that looks like is anyone’s guess. However, given that talent already exists, with tinkering and actual coaching, the Raiders could field a potent group.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines heading into Super Bowl 57 […]
-
2/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Suns at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
-
Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm