Raiders Opinion: Commitment To Incompetence

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Last night, the Las Vegas Raiders lost a heartbreaking game to the Rams. Why is anyone surprised about this game, realistically?”

When Baker Mayfield led the Los Angeles Rams on a ninety-eight-yard drive to win the game, people seemed shocked. Since the Raiders last appeared in the Super Bowl, this team continues to disappoint and frustrate fans. In all honesty, it takes a special type of oblivious, borderline delusional to think this team, as constituted will make waves in the NFL. People actually thought this team would make a late-season dash for the postseason. Smoking the football hopium should be illegal. Last night, in a microcosm, embodies what the Raiders franchise is about now.

The Owner

On balance, Mark Davis helped facilitate a move to a palatial stadium near the Strip. That move increased the overall worth of the franchise. The State of Nevada bent over backward to bring the Raiders to the desert. Davis deserves credit for looking at the landscape in Oakland and choosing to take the check. On the other hand, Davis’ moves post-move have absolutely hurt the franchise to the point where they thought that he needs to sell the team. For the simple fact that Davis’ fandom and woeful behind-the-scenes dealings impede the team’s growth. Davis fawned over Jon Gruden, how did that work? He extended Derek Carr twice, how did that go? He hired a general manager off the television and neutered him off the bat. One colossal mistake after another. Mark is not his father. Also, to be honest, the last decade of Al Davis remained a searing dumpster fire.

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The Quarterback

Off the field, Derek Carr seems like a nice person. On the field, he plays a jittery brand of football that lacks nuance, aggression, and the ability to finish. From a physical standpoint, Carr checks the boxes. Meanwhile, between the ears, passivity rules his approach. Also, can we stop with the pity party press conferences? No other quarterback in NFL history stayed with one team for nine years without a playoff victory. Derek Carr needs perfection to succeed. Other quarterbacks thrive with less. Why? They seem to put more effort into improving than looking good for the media and their sycophantic followers. A brutal truth: The Raiders need to move on from Carr. Physically, he will not improve. Apparently, mentally, his approach won’t waver. The Ned Flanders act wore thin years ago. Cut your losses, grab a few drafts picks and keep it moving.

The Coach

Josh McDaniels may own an offensive mind, but he does not act like a head coach. The playcalling. Why rush Josh Jacobs seven times in the first quarter? That feels like the Gruden method. Chronologically, Jacobs is 24. After so many rushing attempts, the tread starts leaving the tire. Hunter Renfrow is out there, running for fun. The offensive line group receives praise for being anywhere close to average. That roster sits right in McDaniels lap. To his credit, the team will not fire him. The Raiders do not want to pay three head coaches: Gruden, McDaniels, and the replacement. The way to fix McDaniels is to hire a playcalling offensive coordinator, rendering him more of a delegator than a hands-on micromanager. For 2022, McDaniels gets a mulligan. Just don’t extend him past the current deal, mandating progress.

The Media

With the explosion of paywalls and paid content, the number of outlets that cover the Raiders expanded. In contrast, the number of quality coverage diminishes. By all accounts, Vic Tafur is the standard-bearer for excellence. Yet, others from print, blog and podcast continue to jockey for positions. Many trade journalistic integrity for clicks and access. People who should know better are selling themselves out to cater to the delusional parts of the fanbase. They wouldn’t know objectivity if it jumped up and bit them. Now, that doesn’t obscure the fact that there are many outlets really publishing quality work.

Overview

The Las Vegas Raiders are neither a good team nor a franchise. At this point, they sit third in a division that, if not for the Broncos’ ineptitude would remain dead last. The owner approaches the management of this team like a fan and not a coldhearted businessman. Feelings do not belong in management. The quarterback received a decade-long pass for subpar play. The head coach lucked into a spot where he could receive a grace period. Most of the media shills for fan/player/organization approval.