Al Davis was fond of finding one or more things to complain about when the Raiders schedule was released each year. In doing so, Davis unwittingly provided his players with a built-in excuse for when things didn’t go well. What Davis should have been doing was, for example, to play up the fact that his
Raiders schedule loaded with easily winnable games, spread out evenly
Obviously I want our Raiders to win every game.
You also have to consider it might be a good thing if we struggle the first several games. Win them, but tough and contested victories.
If we turn into the juggernaut right out of the gate, the players might take their foot off the gas. I know it is unlikely under Gruden as he will keep everyone focused and still find fault even when winning. But players can do silly things when the team is winning.
It is a completely different team, but some of these players were there for the 12-4 to 6-10 failure. The possibility of some who did not work as hard in the 6-10 season. Something the players even talked about after the season.
Winnable games, yes. Easily, we shall see.
I think it will take time for Raiders to find their footing, given the roster turnover and new coaching staff
They will progressively get better as season matures