Realistic 2018 Raiders Expectations

With many new coaches, regardless of team, hope springs eternal. For the Oakland Raiders, the specter of Jon Gruden also looms large. By nature, Gruden is an all-or-nothing coach. The endgame remains a championship. Yet, for the first year, no accurate gauge exists. This is not a typical team with a new leader. As a result, the answers can vary in depth. To answer this, FPC Raiders writers Ray Aspuria, Chris Simmons and Terrance Biggs sit and discuss the burden of first-year expectation. In 2017, after a thrilling 12-4 year, some thought Jack Del Rio would lead Oakland back to the promised land. However, a comedy of errors ensued and the team fell to 6-10.

Simmons

I am optimistic at this point, I would guess most fans would be if only because everyone is healthy. Jon Gruden seems to have been a catalyzing agent and enthusiasm remains high. I do have concerns though: Conley’s health, Obi’s fit, the right tackle turnstile just to name a few. In all, I expect the good to stack much higher than the bad this season.

Aspuria

A year ago, fans and media owned high hopes for a team that finished 6-10. To this point, what level of optimism and concern do you have for the season and why?

The level of optimism is tempered. Sure, Jon Gruden’s return is a great storyline. Moreover, bringing in a sound defensive mind to run a historically impotent defense is impressive. The Raiders have a lot of proving to do and Gruden knows it. He admits it during almost every press conference. My main concern is can the Raiders defense finally rise to a level of competence not seen in Oakland since the days of Howie Long and the Soul Patrol? Paul Guenther is an excellent coach, but I do wonder if he has the horses to run the type of race he wants in Year 1.

Biggs

In the first year, armed with a winnable schedule, the Raiders should finish 10-6 and vie for the division. If the defense can gel quickly, that would add another win, bring the Raiders an 11-5 mark. Now, the question turns to the playoffs. Under Gruden and a hopefully resurgent defense, the Raiders win at least one playoff. In the NFL, nothing appears too far-fetched.