The decision to replace Michael Crabtree with Jordy Nelson was probably the most significant move (so far) of Jon Gruden’s newest tenure with the Raiders.
Crabtree is younger (by two years and three months) and is arguably more talented, but Nelson brings the better resume. Nelson will also be a welcome addition to a locker room that turned belly up a year ago.
Former Packers and Raiders receiver James Jones is familiar Nelson, but still has ties to the Raiders. Jones believes the addition of Nelson will benefit the Raiders on the field, but also in the locker room.
“When you’re in the National Football League, the locker room is really everything,” Nelson told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Scott Bair last week.
“I think it’s huge that they brought Jordy Nelson over there. I think it’s huge for [Amari Cooper] as well because you’re getting a guy that comes to work every day putting hard hat on. He grinds, not only on the football field, but in the film room. And when you have young guys like that, just show them how to work, show them how to prepare, it goes a long way.”
Based on comments and reports around the Raiders last year, the Raiders wide receiver room was something of a circus a year ago.
Gruden loves veteran receivers and he isn’t one to embrace distractions. In Nelson, Gruden gets a proven veteran, but he also gets rid of a distraction.
The 32 year-old Nelson may not be the receiver he once was, but the same was true of Tim Brown and Jerry Rice when they teamed-up with Gruden 20 years ago.
If Gruden can find similar success with Nelson in his later years, Crabtree will be distant memory in about the time it takes to snatch a gold necklace.
twitter: @raidersbeat
John Diehl I agree but think Crabtree will perform well and not become the afterthought you predict. But given one or the other nohesitation give me Nelson, he will provide leadership, just hope Cooper has enough on the ball to follow
I still think letting Crabtree go will prove to be a costly mistake!
So i think Crabtree at this current time is a better WR then Jordy. Based on past experience yes Jordy was the better WR. I think Jordy’s influence on Amari will make the signing worth it. I still think that Crabtree is going to be very successful in Baltimore, and I wish him the best of luck. I hope that Jordy still has something left and can help turn Coop into the Pro we all believe he can be.
RN4L
Get me 3 receivers who can CATCH THE **** BALL on simple 5 yard slants on 3rd and short!!!
Crabtree only caught the ball a little over 50% of the time.
Crabtree had his moments. Mostly in 2016. Last year his me-first attitude hurt tgr team un many ways. I get it that he probably thought he was the top dog, but when Coop was out and noy drawing double teams he was never open. Some of it was the OC ineptness some if it was lack if seperation. Jordy was still drawing double teams for Green Bay. Nelson will flourish with a running gane and Amari drawing the safeties attention. He will improve thw culture and we wont have to worry about him getting suspended for fighting Talib in the Ram game.
Crabtree had his moments. Mostly in 2016. Last year his me-first attitude hurt the team in many ways. I get it that he probably thought he was the top dog, but when Coop was out and not drawing double teams he was never open. Some of it was the OC ineptness some if it was lack if seperation. Jordy was still drawing double teams for Green Bay. Nelson will flourish with a running gane and Amari drawing the safeties attention. He will improve thw culture and we wont have to worry about him getting suspended for fighting Talib in the Ram game.