One of the ways head coach Jon Gruden transformed the Raiders from a league laughingstock into a legitimate Super Bowl contender in short fashion during his first tenure was to make them a desired destination. Now in his third offseason with the Raiders in his second tenure, Gruden still hasn’t been able to recapture that
Jon Gruden slow to make Raiders a desired destination, unlike first tenure
Winning matters.
Gruden said he expected to “win now” when hired.
He traded the best player on the team. I know its been debated to death, but its true. And yes I know who we got in return and we will get another player in this draft.
Other players see that.
It does not help that at times the O could not score last season and our D has been an absolute sieve.
Not to mention a game like the one against the Jets this past season when it appeared the team never really showed up.
10-6 is still my expectation for this season, minimum.
I think that Apple is not a bad get. I actually wanted the Raiders to go after him when he left the Giants. I am liking this free agency thus far. With so many holes on the D, it’s nice that the team appears to be stocking up on several quality players rather than getting that one game changer. Now, it’s on Guenther and the rest of the coaching staff (as many of you have already said here) to put these pieces together. I do worry that having so many new players may make it rougher for the team to hit its stride out of the gate. Nabbing these young FAs will help this team improve for years.
It’s a long time since Gruden’s first time around (and we were much more recently relevant then) and a long time since we made any noise on the field. Very distant memories of renegade players lifting the Lombardi just don’t cut it any more. Despite the shiny new stadium we are an also ran in the same division as the reigning champs.
We have to change that narrative before star names will clamour to pull on the black jersey. Mayock is doing a really solid job of building a foundation, which is the only way forward. If you were an up and coming star, why would you want to play for a coach who was good 15 years ago and a team that last won it all after the 1983 season? History counts but it’s becoming very ancient history… we need to make a new splash to get attention. As always, just win baby!!
For one thing, the lack of face to face recruiting and visits this year hurt the Raiders. Gruden is a legendary salesman and deal closer in person but he doesn’t have that advantage this year.
Secondly, none of the signings you list from year three of his first tenure were highly coveted players at that point. Even Rison was thought to be over the hill. The haul has been impressive this year so far. Was William Thomas as highly coveted in 2000 as Littleton was this year?!?
Two great, really valid points.
Rison, Thomas, Dorsett, Pope and others had options despite being at the tail end of their careers or non-stars. They had the ability to make the Raiders better, on and off the field. Chris Harris is past his prime, too. In reality, missing out on him is a blessing. He would have cost too much and not played at the level expected. There’s a reason the Broncos made no attempt to keep him this time.
Plus 1 Ditto
To MadStork that is
Jones got a significantly better offer from Miami, where there is also no state tax and Chris Harris said it perfectly; he’s going to a team with a fierce pass rush with Ingram & Bosa, as well as the opportunity to play with Derwin James, Casey Hayward & Desmond King in the secondary.
I think they’ve done well, I’m not dissatisfied at all. We got two linebackers that’ll be better then what we’ve had in a long time. A couple other key pieces to rotate in the d line and didn’t get Brady so I’m pretty happy with the haul. Even getting Mariota to push carr is a good signing, and for all these pundits out here hating on carr obviously the raiders brass likes him. So if carr face plants this year that’ll be it for him but if he does well hopefully I’ll finally have to stop reading about how everyone despises carr. It’s getting tiring reading about that one subject!!!! Just my two cents!!! RN4L
No need to be dissatisfied, either. Gruden and Mayock have addressed the linebacking situation, bolstered the defensive line, added a proven backup quarterback and created competition in the secondary, at the least. The linebacking moves are the cherry on top, of course.
The LBers we signed are a huge upgrade, Mariota is defintely a better #2 than anything we have had and could potentially take Carr’s job if he doesn’t take the next step in Gruden’s offense. Maliek Collins could turn out to be a really solid signing; guy gets a great push up the middle which will only help Ferrell & Crosby. The rest of the signings are younger guys that have an opportunity to improve. Guys like Mayowa are what they are at this point. They are finished products, hopefully, Nassib & Apple can continue to improve. Both guys are young. We need to crush the draft again. This team is still lacking when compared to most of the AFC playoff teams.
Did Harris take less from the Chargers? If so you have a point but until we find that out I have to disagree. Trading Mack (so far) is not looking terrible although I wish we didn’t. Littleton is being lauded as a great signing and from what I’m reading at a great price, Byron Jones was well over paid so I think was a good miss. So far we have been one of those most active players so guys do want to come here is not accurate, a little early to be writing this
We really don’t know why FA’s didn’t pick the Raiders. If Raiders offered more than the competition, then yes, it’s reluctance to come to a team that hasn’t won. However, if Raiders didn’t offer more, then it’s the money. We really don’t know.
The Raiders, as much as I love them, have more or less been a laughing stock since the early 2000’s. Most players in the league have never seen the Raiders be anything but a doormat. And one lucky season in 2016 doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Raiders aren’t an attractive destination for players and won’t care about the teams tradition or good ole days because the reality is the Raiders have been junk for 17 years or whatever.
Believe you me, Marcus Mariota is going to do more than push Derek Carr. I expect him to claim the starting QB position very soon.
Wow, from off the top rope, Rae. Love it. Anything behind that bold statement? Mariota at his best certainly is more the kind of all-around quarterback that Jon Gruden prefers. It’s a matter of his consistency. Feel free to add more.
Management has done a good job last draft and in the FA. I wish they could of picked up Slay to really solidify the defense. Then they seriously could of just nabbed Lamb, Ruggs, or Jeudy, maybe two out of the three. It wouldn’t of mattered because they vwould of crushed it with that pick up and not needed another CB for at least 3 yrs. They have to be able to cover hill Kelce hardman Robinson and company and henry Allen sutton fant and whoever the Broncos pick up this year twice a yr.
It was a different NFL his first time around. I also think the money being given to some of these free agents is crazy. Mayock I think is being responsible for not wanting to over spend and get into the situation the Bears or Cowboys are in. I think they have made some great pick ups and we still have the draft.
I agree, it was a different time in Gruden’s first go around. Also, in his first time around (as many have already stated) the team was more relevant than now. Can’t blame FAs for not wanting to come to a team that has been terrible for almost two decades with multiple coaches and multiple tear downs/rebuilds.
I also wonder if how the team treated Mack and Cooper has an impact on the FAs decision not to join the Raiders? I mean they yanked Cooper off of the practice field in the middle of practice and abruptly traded a generational player in what appeared to be a fit of pique. Not sure these other vets would want to be treated that way.
I read that Slay took less time and years from the Chargers because the Chargers defense was better. If true, that makes sense. It becomes a chicken and egg thing: need a good D to recruit good defensive talent, but can’t get that talent because you don’t have a good D.
I think you meant Harris for the chargers. I saw he was offered a 3 year deal from Mayock.
Players always see how other players are treated. We have had so much roster turnover since Gruden took over. He has shipped out players not considered “his guys”. Players see all of that.
Like it or not, players EXPECT to be treated better/differently now as compared to years ago. Look at the new CBA, taking away even more practices and time in pads.
Should have tried to hang on to Joseph
Mayock and Gruden have done a great job this far you have to look at the roster they took over there were a few stand out players on the whole team and Gruden got great value picks for mack and cooper and last year would have went completely different if AB (FAB BY THE WAY) hadn’t flaked Gruden brought in the best available and Carr is still garbage even after a 4000 yard season with no WR’s I’m so glad Gruden and mayock run this and not you fans who see only with blinders on.
Mayock and Gruden have done a great job this far you have to look at the roster they took over there were a few stand out players on the whole team and Gruden got great value picks for mack and cooper and last year would have went completely different if AB (FAB BY THE WAY) hadn’t flaked Gruden brought in the best available and Carr is still garbage even after a 4000 yard season with no WR’s I’m so glad Gruden and mayock run this and not fans who see only with blinders on.