Raiders Opinion: The Fetid, Nauseating Autumn Wind -

Last night’s loss for the Las Vegas Raiders served as a microcosm of everything that currently ails this once-proud franchise.

In front of a national audience, the Las Vegas Raiders could not win their home opener. In losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-18, this team, more importantly, the franchise’s issues laid bare. Now, with so much tumult surrounding the team, what truly needs to happen?

The Owner

Mark Davis’ business decisions placed the Raiders in a strong financial position. When the team left Oakland, the value sat in the middle of the NFL pack. As of this year, experts value the team at 6.2 million. Davis is an astute businessman. However, he possesses absolutely zero football acumen. First, he has an attachment to names. As a result, hirings like Jon Gruden’s second tenure rank as the worst hire in team history. Think about it. Davis needed an email scandal to fire Gruden. Equally important, the hiring of Mike Mayock who drafted poorly. Their combined reign set the team back years. Davis’ greatest failure remains his inability to surround himself by astute football people. Instead, the team suffers on the field on a yearly basis. Great with finance, awful at personnel. The team changes with improvement in the front office.

Josh McDaniels

When the Raiders trailed the Steelers by eight, and are driving, what’s the last thing should do? Kick the field goal. At the eight-yard-line, down by eight points. On fourth-and-four, McDaniels chose a field. Basically, without equivocation, McDaniels does not have faith in Jimmy Garoppolo. In a world where actions speak louder than words, the head coach decided to kick the field goal. Under no reasonable pattern of thought should the Raiders have kicked that field goal. Also, if the Raiders failed to convert that fourth down, Pittsburgh takes over deep in their own territory. Instead, McDaniels failed to be aggressive. Whatever happens for the Raiders during the rest of the season, the game will reside in the psyche of that team. Josh McDaniels continues to show that his hiring provides more problems than solutions.

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Dave Ziegler

When the team hired Ziegler, the thought that he would serve as an upgrade over Mike Mayock resonated. Unlike his predecessor, Ziegler worked in an NFL office. Initially, the Raiders looked very smart in this process. Yet, Ziegler’s inability to craft a defensive roster haunts this team. Maxx Crosby toils on the defensive line alone. Without any semblance of help, the All-Pro faces double and triple teams. By all measures, that should free up the other linemen. Yet, no one else provides push. Jalen Carter sat right there for the Raiders to draft and the team passed him over for a one-trick defensive end with zero flexibility. If Patrick Graham is McDaniels’ fault, then McDaniels is Ziegler’s.

Fixing The Team

With assets at wide receiver and running back the Raiders need to clean house. Trade Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs to a contender, grab draft picks and build from there. Next, keep Maxx Crosby. The defense needs a quality rusher to build around. Crosby also shows the heart and conviction to trudge through rough times. Next, buyout the last two years of McDaniels’ contract. Enough is completely enough. The team languishes in limbo. Despite sitting at 1-2, tied for second in the division, the Raiders look like a .500 team. Draft capital, coaching/scheme changes, these are the things that will get the team trending in the right direction.

Nothing To Lose

So, what happens now? The Raiders will retain McDaniels for the rest of the season. Under those circumstances, the team needs to try anything new to provide a spark. For example, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell must start a game. In all honesty, what could it hurt? Plus, who knows, an exuberant rookie could give the team a shot in the arm to at least look competent. On defense, without massive scheme overhaul. Why not compensate for the stunning lack of pass rush by blitzing regularly?