The Raiders figure to spend the majority of the upcoming offseason addressing their defense, but we also know Jon Gruden isn’t going to sit quietly and be satisfied with his offensive personnel.
Nine months ago, Gruden drafted versatile “slash” running Lynn Bowden Jr., but the coaches were quickly turned off by Bowden and he was traded to the Dolphins before the start of the regular season. Gruden may have lost interest in Bowden Jr., but it’s probably safe to assume that he would still like to add another versatile “slash” player that is equal parts running back and wide receiver.
If that is the case, Gruden is in luck because one of the best WR/RB combo players in the league is expected to hit free agency in a few months. Twenty-four year-old Curtis Samuel is listed as a wide receiver on the Panthers depth chart and he has watched his receiving numbers improve each year of his career. This year Samuel has put up 733 receiving yards on 70 receptions (in 14 games despite being the third receiving option behind Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore), while taking 38 handoffs for 5.2 yards per carry.
Samuel is a gamebreaker who ran an unofficial 4.31 forty-yard-dash out of college and did it in front of Raiders’ General Manager Mike Mayock. He checks every box that Bowden would have and comes with the experience as a slot receiver that is sure to catch Gruden’s eye.
The questions is… how much would the Raiders be willing to pay for Samuel?
Gruden already has a slot receiver in Hunter Renfrow and three capable running backs in Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, and Devontae Booker. Nevertheless, a player like Samuel would offer depth at two positions and offer Gruden a skill set that would make his offense much more difficult to defend – especially in the red zone.
There are plenty of more pressing needs on the Raiders’ roster than an offensive playmaker, but don’t be surprised if Samuel is near the top of Gruden’s offseason wish list.
twitter: @raidersbeat
I’d be careful. Good teams can afford these gimmicky players. Bad ones usually have other needs. Add a WR1 in FA…there are a few options even outside Nelly. Wr1 a bigger need. And maybe if this is kind of player we fancy, take Toney in the draft.
Samuel would be a nice addition to the Raiders, but only if they strike out on getting a quality defensive player or two in free agency. Let’s hope Gruden and Mayock don’t blow it again on defense in 2021.
They obviously need to improve the defense both in coaches and players, however I would rid of Carr as he is not too mobile, kinda sorta runs, and if it is NOT a practiced throw, he misses his throws over or under. Carr is a really good QB, but not blessed attributes such as Russel, Mahomes, Rodgers, Brees or Tannenhill
Mariota can do what Carr can + buy time for deeper routes, accurate on the run (has that hip flip) and can sprint around the edge if he has a chance or up the gut. He didn’t win the Heisman cause he was a slouch. Had Mariota played all season, we would have won 50% of the games we lost.
Your an idiot
Who knows what those fools will do during the off-season, and thus recommendation makes too much sense for Gruden and Mayock. They’re probably looking fir another high character washed up veteran, that they would only sign…camo! We need to cut every available contract of every player that didn’t produce at a high level in at least 10-12 games this year. We need a fresh start and unfortunately we can’t get rid of Gruden; so Raheem Morris should be given complete control of the D, and a new OC should be hired that could take that over as well. Gruden needs to finally become the head coach that watches both sides of the ball, offer input and veto when necessary. Gruden is a terrible play caller and adaptable field manager. However, he is a good promoter and marketeer, and that’s where he should focus most of his time to build the brand.
Finally, the Bation and I are sick and tired of all the broken promises and excuses, and it’s way past time to put up or shut up and get out! I am so weary if the competition taunting and laughter when you mention that you are a Raider fan…the pity and drag of defeat is taking a huge toll on the fan base. I’ve been with the Nation for over 59 years now…Mark Davis…enough is enough…let’s go and just win baby!
Happy New Year to all the Nation and the Raiders that play their hearts out every game day, and practice to win each and every week. Mark Davis…take your team back and make Jon Gruden and Mike Nayock warm they’re **** money! We need players and coaches as well as management; that know that winning isn’t just a thing…it’s every **** thing!
Happy New Year Nation?
Gruden fire your coach friends that are inadequate, hire challenging competent coaches that will not only challenge and help the players but do the same to you Chucky.
Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote
December 26, 2020 – 10:18 pm
In just ONE SEASON, the Dolphins have gone from worst to first in points allowed. They also lead the league in takeaways and are third in opposing quarterback rating. But theirs were far better free-agent signings than the Raiders offered defensively. Miami now reaps those benefits.
After Three Seasons, Jon Gruden’s Return to NFL Has Been a Disaster
BRENT SOBLESKI
DECEMBER 28, 2020
Mark Davis beamed in delight not knowing what the future held.
The Raiders owner finally got his man after years of chasing then-Monday Night Football color analyst and former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden to take over the franchise he once led when Al Davis still cast a voluminous shadow over the entire organization.
“Once a Raider, always a Raider—never been more appropriate than today,” Mark Davis said in an opening statement on that fateful day during Gruden’s introductory press conference. “This is a big f’n deal.”
At the time, the hiring dominated headlines. Gruden received a contract somewhere in the vicinity of 10 years and $100 million, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. Gruden denied that his contract was worth $100 million, but he certainly didn’t come cheap.
Three years later, Davis’ investment in the man he admittedly called an infatuation looks like one of the worst in professional sports, because Gruden hasn’t done anything to make the Raiders a viable contender.
“Over these six years, everyone knows that I’ve been infatuated with him, or whatever, to get him here, but they really didn’t know how deep our conversations were going,” Davis said. “Somebody asked me what was harder: to get the 31 votes to move to Las Vegas, or to get Jon Gruden? And by far to get Jon Gruden was the toughest.”
Initial euphoria has devolved into severe disappointment with an 18-29 record since the start of the 2018 campaign.
A first-year rebuilding period is acceptable. Turnover always occurs as a new regime implements its vision. However, the idea of a coach stepping out of the booth after being out of the day-to-day grind for nine years and then coming back with expectations of having the same success was flawed from the start.
The game evolves. Yes, Gruden spent his time poring over tape, keeping similar routines and calling games as a broadcaster, but it’s not the same as leading on a daily basis, making in-game adjustments and knowing what it takes to win in today’s NFL.
Things started to go wrong when Gruden and Co. agreed to trade Khalil Mack and a second-round pick in the ’19 class to the Chicago Bears for a pair of first-round draft picks and an added third and sixth before the season even began. A few months later, the Raiders won the “Best Transaction” award at the ’19 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at MIT for the move.
Here’s the thing about a trade of this type and magnitude: Execution ultimately defines who the winner is. Essentially, the Raiders gave up one of the game’s best defenders for what turned out to be running back Josh Jacobs, cornerback Damon Arnette and wide receiver Bryan Edwards.
Mack has been named to the Pro Bowl every year he’s worn a Bears jersey. While Jacobs is an exciting young runner and plenty of potential can be found in the Raiders’ other picks, Las Vegas isn’t better without the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. Even worse, the team invested a top-four draft pick in another edge-rusher, Clelin Ferrell, and still can’t get to opposing quarterbacks on a consistent basis.
In fact, the Raiders defense has ranked bottom 10 in sacks each of the last three seasons.
Seven weeks later, the organization flipped two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys for a ’19 first-round draft pick. Cooper has gone back to the Pro Bowl twice since donning a star-emblazoned helmet.
Ultimately, previous general manager Reggie McKenzie was forced out before the end of the 2018 campaign—which created yet another conundrum.
Gruden handpicked Mike Mayock as McKenzie’s successor. Technically, Davis had to sign off on the move. But it was clear from the start that Gruden wanted to be involved in the process as the face and most powerful person within the organization. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the Raiders’ hire, who turned out to be Mayock, answered to Gruden.
Thus, all personnel decisions couldn’t be pawned off on anyone else.
Ferrell has improved this season, but the duo’s first draft pick has managed 6.5 sacks through 26 games. For comparison, fellow defensive ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young each heard their names called among the top four picks in the last two classes. Bosa posted nine sacks as a rookie, while Young already has 6.5 in his first campaign.
Sure, the Raiders can point to Jacobs as one of the league’s best ball-carriers, though one can argue the value of a first-round running back in a pass-first league. The team had a third first-round pick in Gruden and Mayock’s first class. Safety Johnathan Abram missed all but one game as a rookie with a torn rotator cuff. The physical downhill defensive back has been a subpar performer in his second season, particularly in coverage.
To be fair, some of the franchise’s later picks—cornerback Trayvon Mullen, defensive end Maxx Crosby, tight end Foster Moreau and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow—are solid contributors. Still, the Raiders needed more after trading Mack and Cooper.
Gruden and Mayock made the same mistake twice by reinvesting in the position with premium assets after trading away top performers in their primes. These types of moves signify poor roster management. But they weren’t even the worst part of the brain trust’s decision-making process.
After Cooper’s departure, the Raiders made a massive blunder the following offseason by trading third- and fifth-round draft picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Antonio Brown.
As a Raider, Brown barely practiced after suffering frostbitten feet due to a cryotherapy mishap. The receiver then got into a spat with the league over wearing his outdated helmet. Mayock fined the veteran for not practicing despite being cleared to do so. The two got into a verbal altercation. Brown apologized and said he was ready to be part of the team only to demand his release the very next day. The Raiders cut the receiver before the ’19 campaign began.
The ’20 draft didn’t redeem Gruden or Mayock, either. This year’s 12th overall pick, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, ranks fifth on the squad with 23 receptions. Arnette, who was generally viewed as a reach with the 19th overall pick, has been wildly inconsistent. The Raiders traded their third selection, Lynn Bowden Jr., to the Miami Dolphins before he ever played a down in silver and black.
Las Vegas can’t continue missing on high-profile selections. The organization has made eight first- or second-round draft picks since Gruden took over, with only two—Jacobs and left tackle Kolton Miller—being solid additions so far.
And the coach hasn’t redeemed himself with a quality on-field product.
It’s not just the overall record that’s a problem.
Over the last two seasons, the Raiders started 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. They had wins over quality opponents, thus placing them in the early playoff hunt, only to see everything fall apart both times. Last year, Gruden’s squad lost five of its last six games. The Raiders are enduring an identical skid right now with one game left to play.
To take these issues a step further, how the Raiders lost is even worse because they’re not playing to win. Las Vegas’ last two losses serve as a microcosm of what’s gone wrong with Chucky at the helm.
Last weekend, the Raiders lost 30-27 in overtime to the Los Angeles Chargers despite having the ball at the 5-yard line during the extra frame. Instead of going for the touchdown and an outright victory on fourth down, Gruden chose to kick a field goal. The Chargers scored the game-winning touchdown on the very next drive. Going for it would have won the game at that very moment or pinned the opponent against your own end zone. The Raiders didn’t achieve either by taking the field-goal attempt.
Saturday, the Raiders trailed by a point to the Dolphins late in the fourth quarter but had the ball near Miami’s goal line. Again, Gruden played for the field goal. In certain situations, an argument can be made in favor of a team kneeling before scoring a touchdown, as Jacobs did, to run out the clock. In this particular situation, two factors didn’t work in Las Vegas’ favor. First, the Raiders had to score to win. They weren’t guaranteed to convert the field goal and should have taken the touchdown to ensure a lead. Just because Daniel Carlson converted doesn’t mean it was the right decision. Second, the Raiders couldn’t run out the entire clock.
As such, a strange confluence of factors including a busted coverage and ill-timed facemask penalty worked in the Dolphins’ favor when they got the ball back. Miami completed the improbable comeback with a game-winning 44-yard Jason Sanders field goal with one second remaining.
Adding insult to everything else, the NFL fined the Raiders $500,000 and Gruden $150,000 and stripped the team of a sixth-round draft pick last month because the team and coach didn’t adhere to NFL COVID-19 guidelines, per Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson.
The Raiders have reached the point where the coach needs to honor his word from two years ago.
“If I can’t get it done, I’m not going to take their money,” Gruden told USA Today’s Jarrett Bell.
Well, the coach hasn’t gotten it done, and Davis should reconsider his options despite his earlier elation.
Amen…. fire all the slouches… bring in Wade Phillips make him dc and asst head coach… bring Karl Joseph back he is only on 1 year deal in Cleveland… move Joyner back to safety… you font sign an all pro then put him in a different position… sit Abrams until he learns how to play safety.. he consistently guesses instead of reading plays… that why we always get burnt deep.. you have to do more tban act tough and miss tackles to play safety in the nfl… Abrams has cost us atleast 2 games with bad guesses.. Collins has to go… move Ferrell inside permanently start beastly and bring in or draft an elite linebacker. Phillips will get the best out of Littleton and ther other linebackers… talent is not the problem its scheme and putting playmaker In position to do work … if we can’t get an elite linebacker in 1st round then draft surtan Jr and that would our lickfown corners Arnette would be our Nickle back.. defense would hugely upgraded.. hire me as assistant gm and raider Nation would be back on top…
Samuel would be a great addition. You can never have too much speed on offence. However, signing an experienced corner has to be a priority. Drafting them has not worked out (Haden, Conley, Arnett). Just can’t have guys running around wide open again next year. Draft pass rush, sign DB’s, then you can add Samuel. A tad more offence will not hurt. Yes, the D was terrible but I count at least three games the offence could have sealed the deal with a win.
The article below is 100% correct BUT Foster Moreau CAN’T put himself in the game. He is at the mercy of Jon Gruden’s and the Offensive Coordinator’s play calling SO what is Foster Moreau to do?
Las Vegas Raiders: Foster Moreau needs to be more involved in 2021
by Brad Weiss of Just Blog Baby
The Las Vegas Raiders have a young, talented tight end in Foster Moreau, who should be the No. 2 player for the Silver and Black at his position in 2021.
With a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the then-Oakland Raiders selected Foster Moreau, a tremendous tight end out of LSU. Moreau did not have gaudy numbers during his time with the Tigers but was a captain, and really showed a ton of talent playing in the Senior Bowl, a game where Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was the coach opposite his South squad.
Moreau appeared in 13 games as a rookie, making seven starts, and while an injury ended his season early, he still showed he can compete at the NFL level. In fact, he hauled in 21 receptions, one less than he did his entire time at LSU, and also found the end zone five times.
In 2020, he saw his playing time diminished, as he sat behind both Darren Waller and Jason Witten, making only two starts, but appearing in 16 games. Once again, Moreau showed his knack for getting into the end zone, and while he had only seven receptions, two of them went for scores.
Excellent complement to Darren Waller
Raiders tight end Darren Waller is an elite talent who has taken the NFL by storm since putting on the Silver and Black. During the 2020 NFL season, Waller set the Raiders’ single-season reception record, hauling in 107 passes, and breaking the mark set by Tim Brown by two catches.
While Waller has shined, Moreau has been a less-than-complimentary piece, something that has to change moving forward. He has shown in his small flashes that he has a nose for the end zone and is also a solid blocker, so having more two-tight end sets with both Waller and Moreau makes sense in 2021 and beyond.
Waller is as good as it gets at the position, so there is no way that Moreau starts over him unless an injury happens. However, Moreau can have a major impact on the success of this offense next season, and with Jason Witten likely retiring, he should have the opportunity to slide in as the No. 2 option at tight end.