The Raiders lost a disappointing season opener to the Chargers on Sunday and the biggest talking point, other than Antonio Pierce’s decision to punt on 4th-and-1, has been the ineptitude of the Raider offense.
It feels like a perfect storm might be brewing in Las Vegas where a new offensive coordinator is trying to blend a new quarterback with a new offensive scheme, and this could be a process that takes some time for the offense.
Additionally, there was another factor in play on Sunday that former Raiders cornerback Eric Allen mentioned on the team’s flagship radio station.
“The offense needs some consistency. It needs a vibe,” Allen said on Raider Nation Radio’s Morning Tailgate. “It needs to have some cohesion, and you’re talking about a quarterback who, this is his first year being the starter [and] in the last two weeks being named the starter, so you’re getting all those first team reps and you really never had an opportunity through Devontae Adams being absent because of the beautiful birth of his child. He missed quality time. Of course, Brock not seeing a lot of time because of his situation, [the] offensive line…”
“At every level in offense, we had a major piece not practicing with the quarterback,” Allen continued. “So you get into the first game and you expect to have that non-verbal communication, particularly, let’s go back to the fumble interception. It was a hot route, but the timing was all off. Gardner tried to pull the ball back, it slipped out of his hands, and I’m pretty sure if those two players had really worked together and had that communication, it would have been a better outcome… those are the certain things on offense, that was troubling, and that needs to be fixed in a hurry.”
Once the Raiders start to form better cohesion on offense, there is still the added elements of Luke Getsy and Gardner Minshew.
The jury is still out on Getsy as an offensive coordinator and Minshew has been a journeyman quarterback in the league for a reason. The hope is that Minshew can resurrect his career the way Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon did with the Raiders, but that seems a little optimistic at the moment.
If the offense doesn’t turn things around in the next week or two, there probably won’t be a long leash on Minshew. Antonio Pierce is still very high on Aidan O’Connell and there was a strong expectation after the second preseason game that O’Connell was going to be named the starter.
Prior to the Raiders decision to start Minshew, this was ‘JT the Brick’ on why he thought the team should put Minshew on the field for the first two games.
“You’ve got these first two games on the road,” JT said on his Raider Nation Radio program. “They are really tough [and] we’re going up against two of the better defenses or individual defensive players out there. Maybe Gardner [Minshew] can get out there, step out of the pocket, run away from Khalil Mack and Bosa a little better than Aidan. Let’s give him the shot to play the first two games.”
Obviously, the plan isn’t to roll with Minshew for just two games, but if the offense doesn’t trend in a better direction this week, it might be time to see if O’Connell can catch lightning in a bottle the way he did last year.
Storylines in the NFL tend to change overnight, so let’s see what happens in Baltimore. A week from now Minshew might be the biggest celebrity in Las Vegas.
x: @raidersbeat
Shut up with all these ex raiders who should be diagnosed with CTE, fans are tired of publications like these who literally do not know what they’re talking.
Please stop with crappy opinions..Start blaming the owner more on every raiders publication..
Owner, owner, owner
Eric Allen is spot on and so is J.T. the Brick. You can’t quit on Minshew nor Getzey and the offense that fast. They need time to all Gel. It’s like taking good stew off the stove too early. If they keep working hard together, and they don’t point fingers or turn on one another, they’ll be just fine…..just keep working hard….together.
It’s one game …who freaks on one game…duds
I guarantee the next Head Coach of the Raiders is Jon Gruden. Davis loves him and wanted to bring him back, I hope not, Davis needs to sell the team or bring a big name GM. to get this team on the right path and just sign the checks!
Everyone needs to relax. The Chiefs lost both their starting games in 2022 and 2023 and won Super bowls that year. When the Raiders gel, watch out. AP needs to let loose and take chances.
I never thought that was I good idea to bring Minshew in. Low key attitude in mini camp, low key attitude when given the starting job and low key attitude when he lost. Doesn’t take any responsibility just like the dude he took pictures with a few weeks ago.
So far both are losers.
Luke Getsy is a terrible offensive coordinator, just look at his record. Hiring someone from Chicago Bears offense coaching staff is a terrible mistake. Bears haven’t had a QB throw for more than 4000 yards in a season for decades . You need an innovative play designer and game caller not a run of the mill retread offensive coordinator specially when head coach knows nothing about offense.
The funny thing about our loss to the boltheads is that had we converted 4th and 1 Coach Pierce would’ve been the greatest thing since air, also the rare miss by Carlson was awkward. It’s always the negative or I would’ve done this or that too many captains and not enough pirates….phucking media
Why don’t we just call this season in and give up…..dumb azz
That crap OC Bears play calling was the biggest problem in the game! Kliff Kingsbury would have been a far better option! Raiders went cheap & got what they paid for.
I can dig what Allen is saying… If miller can’t get it together move Munford to LT and Glazier to RT…time to slide JPJ to his spot and let’s rock!!!! I have enough rope to give Minshew one more game but I am not impressed one bit… That lateral start a dominoes effect…. You don’t have the luxury of making mistakes you barely won the QB job… Now my other problem has been with Diablo and it’s been for a few seasons so it’s not a knee jerk decision, he misses too many tackles and is constantly in the wrong hole to plug!!! Put Gainer in, give the kid a shot!!! I believe he will seize the moment and become a diamond in the rough and our defense will soar!!! I believe in the kid… He will become a raider legend … All he needs is a shot and the time is now!!!
I’m not a fan of Minshew starting. However it’s the coaching staff call on who is best. My preference would be AOC base on his ability to throw with accuracy and have the stronger arm. He has shown what he can do given the opportunity during last season (started 9 games) under interim coach AP.
I’ll reserve my analysis on Minshew for the time being. It’s still early in the season. Raiders, we let one (game) get away. We’ll see them again.
If these Qb’s would run for a first down sometime to keep drive alive that’s what there missing I still say they need a mobile Qb