As we wrote earlier this month, the time is now for a large contingent of Raiders players. The time for hiding behind the “potential” label soon will be over for some players and there’s only so much protection that they can expect from general manager Reggie McKenzie. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on Wednesday made
Jon Gruden wants more from Raiders young players, particularly those drafted in recent years
Wide receiver Amari Cooper singled out for harnessing his potential from outset
Gruden does not just want the production, he wants and needs it.
If he does not get it, most all of the players taken the past couple years (other than maybe Joseph) could all be busts.
That is absolutely terrible and an indictment on RM. I don’t care who he was getting players for.
Lets remember his first 17 draft picks never earned a second contract as Raiders.
This is one of the reasons that Gruden must have final say on players. Hopefully gets this started with a great draft this year.
Reggie McKenzie has blown draft after draft since the 2014 haul. Jury is out on Conley and Obi, but where are the impactful, game-changing plays from the other top-end draft picks since then? Do you realize that we don’t have even ONE single player from either the 2012 or 2013 drafts on the team?? Everyone think RM is so good because he occasionally finds a diamond in the rough in some UDFA or 7th rounder, but we’re not going to win many games starting 7th rounders and UDFA’s! Ok, so RM is smart about structuring contracts to be flexible. BIG DEAL! Any GM can do that. If he blows another one he should get bounced. He had enough time. Period!
McKenzie can’t live on Mack, Carr and Jackson forever. Cooper was a layup, everyone knew he was a stud. TJ Carrie turned out ok, nothing earth shattering. The most productive draft pick last year turned out to be Luani for cryin out loud, he was great on special teams.
If he’d taken Waldorf, Edwards, Ward and Calhoun in the late rounds, then ok. But to waste 2nd and 3rds on these clowns??
And we have McKenzie to thank for Dennis Allen too.
Unless Conley and Melifonwu turn out to be studs, and unless he crushes it in this year’s draft, he should be out after next season.
McKenzie’s ass is on the line this year. But you still have to give him credit for drafting Mack, Carr, Cooper and Jackson. I remember quite clearly a lot of analysts ripping the Raiders for drafting Cooper over White. Where is White now? And how many analysts said that Mack had talent but he played against 3rd tier talent when he played at that little school in Buffalo. How’s Mack working out for you now? And how many QB’s were selected before Carr? Gruden and many others preferred Manziel, Bortles and Lynch over Carr. Those guys are garbage compared to Carr. And Gabe Jackson came out of nowhere to stun everyone. Bottom line is that he could have gone in a different direction with all of these players but he didn’t. That being said, he must nail this draft because you can’t keep whiffing in early picks and expect to keep your job. Make us proud Reggie. A great 2018 draft will go a long way to leading the Raiders back to the promise land.