Raiders Choke On Florida Humidity - Week 3

Again, we Raiders fans are forced to suffer a football game loss that looked full of promise early. Again, the Raiders were dominant through three quarters but couldn't close out an opponent. And again we are left to wonder "What If" Khalil Mack were around to pressure the opposing quarterback when it counted most, the fourth quarter.

So many questions, so few answers. The Raiders are a team that with a bit more discipline and a few more playmakers could be playoff contenders. Right now they are what their record says they are; a wobbly 0-3. After this most recent loss different players said that they're close to being a good team, just a play away from winning. Marshawn Lynch himself spoke to the media about how together this team is and how close they are to winning. But in the end you're still left struggling to understand how the team can go from contenders to pretenders in the same game.  You question whether the game ending collapses could be an indication of a conservative game plan approach after halftime by coach Jon Gruden. Coaching staff seem like deer caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic in all aspects of fourth quarter play.

Are opponents figuring out the Raiders schemes by halftime or do we blame the past two losses in the Rocky Mountains and Florida Swamps on weather conditions? Sure it was hot and humid during yesterday's game, but the opponent found ways to plow through it. I'm not sure where the blame lies in this loss. Maybe the solution is to score early and often when you're hot. The Raiders squandered a few opportunities to score touchdowns early, having to settle for field goals or worse; coming up short on fourth and goal from the 1-yd line. Score on that drive and you're up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.



The Good News is that WR Jordy Nelson was featured in the offense big time with an early 66 yard play and a touchdown. But the woeful fourth quarter is so unkind to our quarterback. Another endzone interception thrown by Derek Carr during a crucial time in a game is of big concern.  Is it Carr that the defenses are figuring out late in games? 

It pains me to say this, but What Would Brady & Belichick do?

Another Sunday, Another Blown Save, Ongoing Disappointment. When will it end?

Final Score
Raiders Lose


Weekend Sports News - Tiger Wins as Crowd Cheers Him On

Raiders Run Out of Gas....Again!

Two games into the 2018 NFL season and our Oakland Raiders are looking offensively and defensively sound in the first and second quarters.  Fast forward to the third and fourth quarters and you see exactly why the team is winless; empty tanks. It's not only the players who look like their running on fumes, but also the coaching staff calling the plays.

Sure this week featured some of the hottest weather ever for a football game in Denver, but I find it difficult to attribute some of the miscues and questionable calls to heat and altitude exhaustion. The good news is that QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper were in pro bowl form as they showed the high power production we expect to see from them. Marshawn did his thing on the ground and the defense all but shutdown Denver in that first half. Conley and Melvin are looking like the best starting cornerback duo the Raiders have had in ages. 

The problem with all the good today is that it withered away in the second half just as it did in week 1 at home on Monday Night against the Rams. The Raiders had their chances to put away the Broncos and simply ran out of gas. So their homework this week is to figure out how to keep enough fuel in the tank to put away an opponent in the second half of play. That or ramp up the points in the first half so that opponents are seen from your rearview mirror miles behind choking on your dust.

The question I have is can the coaching staff figure out a fix for the team before the season is past the midway point. The Raiders can't begin to move past the questionable decision to trade Khalil Mack until they begin winning games. The sting of seeing a defense struggle without Khalil is almost as hurtful as seeing the meltdowns of these past two games. Is it possible conditioning, or lack thereof, plays a part in their second half problems?  Time will tell. Problem is the team is leaving Oakland soon and time is of the essence to Raider Nation. We want more than what we've been getting from our team. Don't tell us you're a good team, show us!

And learn how to execute a measly Point After Attempt please.....


Score
Raiders Lose

The Raiders Don't Deserve Mack.....

Bears reach agreement to trade for Khalil Mack

Sure, it's just Bizness in the NFL. But us Raiders fans know from past bombs being dropped on us that this latest explosion was launched by the Raiders organization. I don't call it salary cap issues, I call it incompetence. You gotta get a deal like this done. Other teams coulda done it, why not you McKenzie & company.

Then to make matters worse you blame the victim. Come'on Man!

You can't treat a franchise type player like Khalil Mack as if he's just another helmet. And if you can't pay him like the superstar that he is then talk to him and tell him your pockets are short. Better yet, tell us fans. But don't go letting a newly hired coach take pot shots at him publicly, trying to degrade his importance to the team. Mack is our guy, our fearless leader. Don't hate on him because you can't afford or won't pay him his due. 

As a fan of the Oakland Raiders I'd much rather see our boy Mack get paid bigtime elsewhere than to see the team stiff arm him like they've done us fans with the future move to the desert. And as I've heard all week on radio talk, what big name superstar will want to come to the Raiders knowing that the price of superstar performance in Oakland buys you a one-way ticket to perhaps Chicago. 

Honor, Gratitude, Loyalty for services rendered to a team?????
That kind of owner/player relationship went out of style decades ago. Don't be hard on Mack Raider Nation. You ain't letting nobody stop you from getting paid, don't stop Khalil. 

Thanks for your Commitment to Excellence Khalil!

GONE

September 1, 2018

NFL News Headlines Feature Raiders Transactions

1. Mack agrees to a six-year, $141M deal with Bears
2. McKinnon suffers torn ACL during 49ers practice
3. Cuts tracker: NFL teams finalize 53-player rosters
4. Martavis Bryant cut by Raiders, faces suspension
5. Eagles planing to start QB Foles in season opener
6. Griffin survives cuts, make Ravens' 53-man roster
7. End of an era: Cowboys release kicker Dan Bailey
8. Newman is retiring, joining Vikings coaching staff
9. Trade! Raiders acquire QB McCarron from Buffalo