Raiders Adjustments: Change Under Gruden

After a nightmarish 2017, the Raiders actually have an offensive clue. Jon Gruden will helm this offense and make the Raiders effective. Under Todd Downing adjustments lived with the Easter Bunny and Santa: fictional. As a result, Oakland sputters. FPC Raiders writers Terrance Biggs, Ray Aspuria, and Chris Simmons discuss how Gruden changes the offensive culture.

What offensive adjustments are you most looking forward to seeing Gruden make?

Aspuria

What offensive adjustments are you most looking forward to seeing Gruden make?

Giving Derek Carr the key to the Raiders offense. The freedom to make checks and balances at the line of scrimmage was something the prior coaching staff championed as a change. It never happened, for whatever reason. Gruden and Co., however, are actually making it happen. I have long believed the true greatness of a quarterback is not unveiled until the signal caller has full autonomy over the offense. If he is indeed unshackled at the LOS, I am eager to see if Carr is a legitimate franchise quarterback or just a highly paid one.

Simmons

I am excited to see some exotic formations and not being able to anticipate where the ball will go before the snap. There were many times during last season where it was clear whom the Raiders were targeting even before the snap. That is not always a bad thing but when you are constantly telegraphing with minimal play fakes or pre-snap motions then the game gets easy for the defense. Gruden will certainly bring more deception and subtlety, which should be awesome watch.

Biggs

If you look at the roster, the Raiders will exude a basic thought. They want to punch defenses in the mouth, figuratively. Marshawn Lynch’s style begs for a brutal approach. Through 12-17 touches, Lynch needs to batter defenses early and often. With this in mind, running with a fullback will give all of the backs, gaping lanes will develop. Jon Gruden loves the power running game, not just in name only, but in execution.

Now, the Raiders own an identity. In years past, the team fell short due to indecision. Without a doubt, Jon Gruden wants his team to mirror his approach.