Watch the Raiders play games for long enough and you’re bound to see some creative ways to lose. Still, there always seem to be yet another worthy addition to the top-10 list. On Saturday night, the Raiders squandered two leads late in the game against the Miami Dolphins and watched in disbelief as a field-goal
Raiders find new, creative way to lose a game; playoff aspirations dashed
With defense like this, you just SHOULD NOT continue to leave points on the field consistently throughout the season, as Gruden’s play-calling and Carr’s execution have managed to do in goal-to-go situations.
The game was not lost on that 34-yard pass play + penalty at 19 seconds left.
It was lost when they only managed to score FGs on 3 early drives to the red zone (not counting the last drive where it was done deliberately to waste time).
Not counting that last drive, Raiders added two more stalled drives within the 5 yards of the goal line to their already impressive futility total:
18 drives stalled within 12 yards of the goal line! Most in the league by far!
Let that sink!
Wow, what a mess from the Raiders in key areas throughout the game.
Total failure on third down throughout the game and some horrible play calling on goal to go plays.
The final defensive series was horrific to watch – Arnette is a first round pick? Seriously?
But: why not score the TD after the big PI call? Run it in on third down and go for 2 meaning the Dolphins would need 7 to tie – we were always going to leave time on the clock…
Terrible game called by Gruden. As above, cannot believe how often we come away with three when at or inside the five.
Season over…. just another part of the overall shit-fest that has been 2020.
Jon Gruden’s record for the last six games of the season starting in 2003 is not very good:
2003: 2-4
2004: 1-5
2005: 3-3
2006: 1-5
2007: 2-4
2008: 2-4
2018: 2-4
2019: 1-5
2020: 1-5 (5 games).
That certainly is not a very good trend. Especially when Gruden’s draft record in Tampa was 61 picks and only three Pro Bowlers (one of which was a Pro Bowler with Tampa).
And this post is a knockout onto the canvas to anyone who believes in Gruden. If you can’t make hay late in the season you aren’t cut out to be an NFL head coach. The Raiders need to get rid of him if they ever want to win.
That analysis of draft picks from Michelle is truly scary…. looks like the struggles to find the right players go way back!
Don’t suppose anybody has any reliable details on what it would cost to get rid of Gruden – it will all come down to finances in the end.
It was supposed Gruden’s contract has guaranteed money or guaranteed contract length when he returned. Those specific terms are quite unknown. They say every contract has its out clauses, but whether Mark Davis inserted that kind of language, again that is unknown. It could be the longer it takes, the hotter Gruden’s seat becomes. If I do have an issue with the Raiders, it is how poorly they have developed DC, or at least utilize his skill set, from his rookie year. You can count on one hand how many times the Raiders have taken advantage of his skill set and placed him in a position to succeed. Prior to the 2016 season, Coach Musgrave sat down with DC and asked him which plays he liked to run. They came up with that list, and that’s why he had that good year. You can argue all you want, but that’s what they did. Since Gruden returned, it has been transforming DC into a game manager. For someone to be gimpy on Saturday night, you’re not supposed to throw for 337 yards. Gruden is notorious for being a conservative play caller, especially in the red zone, despite the idea he’s an innovative offensive coach.
Thanks David re the contract – I take it the transparency that applies to players doesn’t work the same way with the coaching staff.
I must admit I still scratch my head over the decision by the previous regime to axe Musgrave – Carr played like a star under him and as you rightly say has never been the same since. It all feeds into the frustration so many of us feel with the team, I think: we see signs of what could be but they never seem to fully develop.
Having watched a lot of games the last few seasons I still think a lot of what the Raiders try to do is overly conservative and backward looking. Other teams having real success seem to play far more off the cuff, rather than playing in a complex straight-jacket. We don’t seem to react overly well to adjustments made in game by opponents nor to fully grasp each situation that needs to be dealt with. Feels like we are treading water in the mediocre part of the league to me – another mid round selection coming up in the draft….Happy New Year!!
Well in my opinion the game was not lost due to The decision to kneel and take the field goal. The reality is that even with a touchdown, that sad sack defence would have had no chance to stop the Dolphins from scoring a touchdown anyway. As soon as Fitz came in the game I felt my stomach sink.
But what mostly grinded my gears about this game was Gruden and his stupid and ineffective play calls in the red zone. It’s been an issue all year and he is actually getting worse if that’s possible. Then there was late in the first half when Gruden inexplicably decides to run the ball, forcing them to use their timeout effectively ending any chance for an offensive touchdown. Why???? This is what they are wasting, yes wasting $100 million dollars on.
What they could have done at the goalline was put Mariota in the game. With Carr lightly jogging around like field like a geriatric in tube socks all game, he was no threat to take off and run it in. Mariota would have put way more pressure on the Dolphins inside the 10 yard line.
Anyway, once again Gruden proves his incompetence. And once again, the defence proves it is the worst group in franchise history. Great work on a rebuild Gruden!!
Hello Steve, Michelle, Ghost and everyone else. I hope all of you are happy, healthy and find yourselves surrounded with good spirits during the holiday season, even if you cannot find yourselves actually surrounded by extended family and friends this year.
I just want to say that it was my sincerest hope to have the Raiders win it all this year and make it even more difficult to stay away from football. I have not watched a game, nor do I intend to. Not to say that its been an easy transition. It has been anything but. I have kept up with reading the articles on the site and looking at all the comments.
I am happy for all of you that Gruden finally pulled the trigger on the DC. I don’t know if he will continue to clean house though, something I think he should do. No way he says it, but I think he would love to have Buckner back.
Until otherwise proven wrong, I also have to think that Gruden will not allow himself, and his ego, to ask for or take help on the O side of the ball when it comes to play calling or diagraming. Having an OC/QB coach is only in name under Gruden.
I have to admit, I thought things would start to turn around this year, like many I guess. From the outside looking in, it seems as if that may never be the case under Gruden. I dont see any way Mark makes a change there either. He wanted Gru and has him.
I hope for all of you that Gruden sees the light and brings in coaches who he is willing to listen to, especially those who would challenge him and push Gruden to become a better and well rounded coach.
I am not going to delve into the X’s and O’s much because you guys are way more in tune to that stuff now. But, again, from the outside it looks like Witten has been pretty much of a disaster. I think keeping Lee Smith would have been all the leadership Gruden wanted or needed. Moreau and Waller should be out there as much as possible along with Ingold. For as much as Gruden always wants to “be smarter” than the opposing coaches, the scoreboard says it all. These the “core” guys moving forward, or should be. Letting Witten “get his reps” is not putting big points up each week. Experience is what makes you better.
Just my .02 after all. I am not going to get started on the D. There is sooooooo much room for improvement there too. Cle still appears to be a HUGE bust thus far. And I did think that Nassib would help the d line a lot when he was signed. Another player I was hopeful would do good things for you this season. So much for that.
I miss everyone. Same goes for the conversations, insight and the “I had not thought of that” stuff.
I wish you all the best, happiness and wins going forward. I hope you win the SB next season and Gruden can say I told you so to all the doubters and angry fans.
Happy Holidays and good luck to the greatest fans on earth. Just win baby!
@Thankavet –
I was wondering what had happened. I hope you are in good health. It has been an unusual season to say the least. A disappointing one too. Kinda hard extracting yourself from football, especially from Raider Football. I won’t get into specifics since you recapped the issues very well.
I had my doubts of seeing a full season, playoffs and the SB. The conspiratorial side (LOL) of me is wondering what the NFL is hiding since they are notorious for bungling about everything.
Anyways, there are more important things today than ever before, and needs our attention more than the game.
My best to you. Stay as well as you can, stay extra safe.
Best regards,
David
Happy Holidays, ThankAVet. We certainly miss you!! Please stay safe and I hope you and yours are/remain healthy!!
Have a Wonderful New Year!!
Michelle
So good to hear from you and I hope all is well with you and your family. Your keen insight, which helped make this site so informative and objective, has been missed but not as much as the pleasure of your virtual company.
Staying away from Raider games has no doubt helped your sanity but it’s kind of you to think of those of us still doomed to suffer as we are still addicted!
A very Happy New Year to you.
Cheers