Tim Bryant, Author at The Blackhole Network

Why The Raiders Drafted Tyree Wilson In The First Round

Tim Bryant1 year ago1 year ago06 mins

A week ago, it didn’t seem likely that the Raiders would select a defensive end in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Analysts were convinced that the silver and black would take their chances with a quarterback or defensive back. Names like Will Levis and Christian Gonzalez came up, but general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels picked defensive end Tyree Wilson instead. The 6’6 edge rusher was taken at number 7 in the first round with hopes of competing alongside all-pro defensive end Maxx Crosby. Tyree Wilson, an outside linebacker at Texas Tech, was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the seventh overall pick on Thursday night’s opening of the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted defensive player in school history. It didn’t take long for Wilson to hear his name called. Wilson is the 10th Red Raider to ever be picked in the first round and the fourth player on the defensive side of the ball, capping a successful three-year career at Texas Tech. Tyree Wilson’s 2022 Stats School: Texas A&M/Texas Tech Height: 6-6 Weight: 271 pounds Position: Outside linebacker/Edge-rusher Years Active: 2018-2022 YEAR GAMES AST TKL SOLO TKL TFL SACKS TOT TKL FF PD 2018 (TA&M) Redshirt – – – – – – – 2019 (TA&M) 11 5 7 4 1.5 13 0 0 2020 (TTU) 9 3 7 1.5 1.5 10 0 0 2021 (TTU) 13 12 26 13.5 7 38 0 1 2022 (TTU) 10 25 36 14 7 61 1 0 Career 43 45 76 33 17 122 1 1 Transferring from Texas A & M (college) to Texas Tech Wilson only played for Texas A&M for one season following his Redshirt year. He spent his final three seasons with Texas Tech and broke out in 2021 and ’22. Wilson ended his college career with 121 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 76 solo tackles, 17 sacks, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble. Wilson explained why he opted to play for the Red Raiders after two years under Jimbo Fisher. “I went to Texas A&M first, you know, went there for two years … but just didn’t feel like that was home,” Wilson said on NFL Network to Peter Schrager. “Got in the portal and then (I built that relationship at) Texas Tech and was around great people, and they helped me get me to this journey.” Wilson Foot Injury in 2022 During his time at Texas Tech, Wilson suffered a foot injury. The injury raised serious concerns for some NFL Draught teams. The Raiders, however, seem confident in Wilson’s health. According to Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee, Wilson was ready to demonstrate that Las Vegas were right to believe in him. Wilson reportedly planted to push off on a pass rush during a non-contact play, resulting in an injury. His recovery trajectory has been concerning up to this point, but it’s certainly possible that his foot is completely healed and he’s ready for the season. Wilson’s NFL Combine Wilson, 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 271 pounds, possesses the size and physicality required to play in the NFL. He has excellent quarterback-finding instincts and is a strong pass rusher. It’s not evident if he can still dominate offensive linemen the way he did in college because he’s not the swiftest defensive end one will find. Wilson will need to either do that or learn more delicate pass-rush techniques to accompany his strong-arm strategy. Size (NFL Combine) Height: 6′ 6″ Weight: 271 lbs Arm Length: 35 5/8″ Hand Size: 9 5/8″ Athletic Testing (NFL Combine) 40-yard Dash: N/A Vertical Jump: N/A Broad Jump: N/A Short-Shuttle: N/A Three-Cone: N/A Bench Reps: 23 reps Ideal Role: 3-4 defensive end in odd front Scheme Fit: Multiple TDN Consensus Grade: 85/100 (First-Round Value) Sanchez Grade: 85/100 Note: Wilson only benched at the combine since he was still recovering from foot surgery. WATCH HALL OF FAME WIDE RECEIVER TIM BROWNS BEST PLAYS WATCH HALL OF FAME WIDE RECEIVER TIM BROWNS BEST PLAYS 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Linkedin 0 Pinterest 0 Email

Raiders 2023 Draft Preview

Tim Bryant1 year ago1 year ago013 mins

The 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner and the Las Vegas Raiders sit at pick number 7 behind the Panthers, Texans, Cardinals, Colts, Seahawks, and Lions. The Raiders have a total of 12 picks during the draft, so they have plenty of chances to land key players at positions of need. The top draft needs for Las Vegas since the start of free agency are quarterbacks, offensive linemen, linebackers, defensive line, and defensive backs. Here is a look at the top projected players in each of those positions and how they can potentially help the silver and black. Quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama) Bryce Young is projected to be the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft which means the Raiders would need a miracle to land him and a lot to trade for the talented Young. The Mater Dei High School alumni who later enrolled with Alabama, was named the Gatorade POY after passing for 4,528 yards and 58 touchdowns in 2022 and the Sugar Bowl MVP after the victory over Kansas State. Bryce Young possesses a wide range of intangibles that help distinguish him from some of the more physically gifted quarterbacks in this class. He scored the highest of the quarterbacks in the cognitive assessment that the combine administers, which separates him from the other very talented signal callers. Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) Hooker signed with Virginia Tech after winning two state championships and passing for over 6,000 yards and 55 touchdowns at Dudley High School in North Carolina. He later transferred to Tennessee where he thrived as an elite quarterback. The most crucial question to be answered is whether Hooker can thrive outside of the Tennessee offense. Hooker runs the ball a lot despite his age and an ACL tear which became a talking point in many draft conversations. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) Even before Stroud threw for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns as a senior at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California, he was a five-star recruit and a top 50 overall talent. In all areas of the field, he can make on-frame throws to targets while leading receivers with good placement, which made him the favorite to be the first overall draft pick. The Ohio State quarterbacks draft stock suddenly decreased during the combine after he scored an 18%, the lowest score on the cognitive assessments out of the quarterbacks. Now he is out to prove that he will still be a top tier NFL quarterback despite those who question him. Offensive line Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) The 6’4″offensive line specialist is from Northwestern University. Skoronski spent his college years covering the quarterback’s blindside at tackle, but his body type and skill set required him to switch to guard, where he can play at his best as a pro. He has short arms, but he is broad across the upper and lower body. Skoronski has the run-blocking talent to develop into an instant starter and a top-tier guard if he can figure out his protection anchor. The Raiders struggled early in the 2022 season at interior line and can use help to protect the injury prone Jimmy Gorroppolo. Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State) After being voted the Anthony Munoz Offensive Lineman of the Year out of Cincinnati’s Princeton High School, Ohio State fought against other schools to keep the top-10 overall recruit in his home state. During his freshman year, he played in five games as a reserve, including the national title match against Alabama. Johnson’s athleticism and versatility are advantageous, but he may need some fine tuning before he settles in as a pro. Broderick Jones (Georgia) In his first season with the Bulldogs, Jones participated in two games as a reserve. In 2022, he established himself as one of the best in the country, contributing as Georgia’s left tackle and helping the team win back-to-back titles. Jones has a lot of talent and can move well in space to land run blocks. Jones isn’t yet a polished product, but his physical and athletic gifts allow for the projection of a good, dependable starter. Linebacker Trenton Simpson (Clemson) Out of Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina, Simpson was a top-20 recruit overall. Some experts say that he lacks patience, which causes him to become entangled in traffic close to the line, but his aggression will make up for it with experience. He finds the ball carrier on blitzes and is a textbook tackler. Simpson will be a star when he improves at diagnosing plays because players cannot be taught what Trenton Simpson physically brings. Jack Campbell (Iowa) After assisting his Cedar Falls High School squad win Iowa state championships as a junior and senior, Campbell could have played Division I basketball. However, he decided to play for the Hawkeyes football team. As a true freshman, he participated in 11 games as a reserve. Campbell is a versatile player who can tackle well in space and in traffic. He had 125 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2022. Drew Sanders (Alabama) Sanders, a top-ranked high school athlete from Texas’ talent-rich state of Texas and a five-star prospect, was a significant signing for Alabama in 2020. The former five-star signee from Alabama transferred to Arkansas for the 2022 season and posted 103 tackles and 9 and a half sacks with the Razorbacks. Defensive line Jalen Carter (Georgia) After excelling on the football field at Florida’s Apopka High School, Carter became one of the top prospects in the nation. He also played basketball and was on the weightlifting team. His 395-pound bench press placed second in the heavyweight class of the state tournament. Based on his talent, traits, and projection, Carter seems prepared to enter the NFL and establish himself as an effective three-down player with Pro Bowl potential. He was anticipated to be an early first rounder until being involved in a fatal car accident. The Raiders have publicly stated that they will not take Carter at pick number 7, but stranger things have happened. Bryan…

10 NFL Players Who Played For Both The Raiders and 49ers

Tim Bryant2 years ago1 year ago012 mins

The rivalry between the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers is one of the most legendary in the history of professional sports. However, there are some players who played for both sides of the rivalry. This article will look at some of the players who played for both the Raiders and the 49ers. 1. Jerry Rice WR Jerry Rice is one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born in Mississippi in 1962 and played college football at Mississippi Valley State University. Rice was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1985 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. He is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. Jerry Rice was a three-time Super Bowl champion and was named the Super Bowl MVP in 1989. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Jerry Rice is one of the most accomplished football players in history and is considered one of the greatest of all time. 2. Jim Plunkett QB Jim Plunkett was the first overall pick in the 1971 NFL draft. He was the first overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft and went on to win two Super Bowls with the Raiders. Plunkett is considered one of the greatest comeback stories in NFL history, as he overcame blindness in one eye and a career-threatening injury to become a Super Bowl champion. 3. Ronnie Lott S Ronnie Lott played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft, and played for the 49ers for ten seasons before joining the Raiders for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Lott was known for his hard-hitting style of play, and he was often referred to as “the intimidator.”Lott helped the 49ers win four Super Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 4. Roger Craig RB Roger Craig played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1983 to 1990 before putting on the silver and black. Craig was the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and gain 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. 5. Rod Woodson S Rod Woodson played for the Steelers from 1987 to 1996, the San Francisco 49ers from 1997 to 1998, the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 to 2001, and the Oakland Raiders from 2002 to 2003. He was an NFL All-Pro six times, and was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His eleven career interceptions returned for touchdowns is an NFL record. He served as defensive backs coach for the Raiders and will be remembered as one of the best all-around safeties ever. 6. Charlie Garner RB Charlie Garner was one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Garner was a running back for the Oakland Raiders from 1999 to 2003. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2000 and helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl that year. Garner also had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2002. 7. Aldon Smith LB Aldon Smith played college football at the University of Missouri, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2012 and has been voted to the Pro Bowl four times. He has also been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month four times. 8. Randy Moss WR Regarded as the best deep threat ever, Randy Moss struck fear into opposing defenders. He holds the NFL record for the most touchdown receptions in a single season and is considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. After a successful college career at Marshall University, Moss was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. He had a breakout rookie season and went on to play for the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans. Throughout his career, Moss was selected for seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time First-Team All-Pro. He retired from the NFL in 2012. 9. Tom Rathman FB A fierce blocker and punishing ball-carrier, two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Rathman led the way, winning Super Bowl XXIII in 1988 and Super Bowl XXIV in 1989. In addition to playing for both the Raiders and 49ers, Rathman also served on both teams coaching staff as a running backs coach. 10. Bill Romanowski LB Bill Romanowski was one of the most dominant linebackers of his era. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Romanowski was known for his physicality and ferociousness on the field. He was a key member of the legendary “San Francisco 49ers” teams of the 1980s and early 1990s, and later played for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. Romanowski was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. He finished his career with 1,020 tackles, 79.5 sacks, and eight interceptions. 11. Nnamdi Asomougha CB Nnamdi Asomougha was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his career. He is known for his shutdown coverage and has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. Asomougha is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charities. In 2012, he founded the Asomougha Foundation which provides education and opportunities to underprivileged youth. 12. Reggie McKenzie LB Reggie McKenzie was drafted by the Raiders in the ninth round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for the team from 1985 to 1988. After sitting out three years, McKenzie came back in 1992 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. McKenzie became the Raiders’ GM in 2012, and helped the team rebuild its roster and make it a contender again. 13. NaVorro Bowman LB NaVorro Bowman played college football at Penn State, and was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Bowman has been selected to three Pro Bowls and is a two-time First-team All-Pro….

Is Jimmy G The Right Guy For Las Vegas?

Tim Bryant2 years ago1 year ago03 mins

The Las Vegas Raiders just signed Derek Carrs’ replacement. It’s former New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The two have agreed to terms on a 3-year, 67.5 million dollar contract with 34 million of that money being guaranteed. Jimmy G’s Reunion With HC Josh McDaniels The 31-year-old quarterback was drafted by New England Patriots in 2014, where he worked with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. Garoppolo will be returning to a system that he is familiar with, and this could be a huge reason why McDaniels would rather work with his former Patriots quarterback than Derek Carr. We saw the relationship between Carr and McDaniels deteriorate around week 8 after losing to the Jaguars and blowing another double-digit lead. Goroppolo didn’t see much playing time with the Patriots being that he was the backup to Tom Brady, so it will be interesting to see how Josh McDaniels calls plays with Jimmy G starting under center. The Obvious Issues With Garoppolo After Garoppolo’s departure to San Francisco, the 49ers have made two playoff appearances, but injuries have continued to have an impact on his career, having 3 season-ending injuries in the past 5 seasons. The Raiders are still likely to pick a quarterback in the draft to be the future of the franchise. The former backup, Jared Stitham, just signed with the Denver Broncos, so the team will need a serviceable backup if they are to have such an injury-prone starter. Jimmy Garoppolo is a good quarterback and can win games, but he will need to stay healthy to do that. The Raiders will still look to get a young quarterback in the draft and Jimmy G will be the right guy to mentor whoever that may be. 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Linkedin 0 Pinterest 0 Email

Raiders Josh McDaniels Still Confident in Darren Waller, Draft Prospects

Tim Bryant2 years ago2 years ago04 mins

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels answered questions at the 2023 NFL combine and had some interesting things to say regarding the state of the Raiders since becoming the head coach just last year and how they plan to move forward. At the press conference, McDaniels spoke about Derek Carr, Darren Waller, and what the team is looking for at the combine. He did compliment Derek Carr on his quarterback play this year, but referred to the team having to get better at every position, most notably, quarterback. Visit The Black Hole Network Youtube for more videos Where Do The Raiders Stand At The Combine? McDaniels claims they don’t know who their guy is just yet, so fans are going to have to wait to find out who the Raiders will end up with in the first round. The former Patriots’ offensive coordinator rarely speaks of his plans, but heavy analysis is obviously being directed at quarterback. Anthony Richardson has been said to be an early favorite for the Las Vegas coaching staff, especially since showing up to scout at a Florida Gators game during the 2022 season. If the Raiders can land Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, that would be ideal for the Raiders, but if the Raiders do not trade up to get him, it’s tough to say if he’d still be around at the 7th overall pick. Stroud seems to be the more NFL-ready option at quarterback since Anthony Richardson only started one season for the Gators, with most of his highlights coming by way of scrambles. If The Raiders do not get a quarterback in the first round, you can bet that they will choose to add to their defensive roster after a 2022 season where the Las Vegas defense ranked 26th in points per game and 31st in red zone scoring. Darren Wallers’ Future In Las Vegas One position that Josh McDaniels seems optimistic about was the tight end position, currently filled by Darren Waller. ” He’ll be a big part of what we’re going to do going forward”, McDaniels said of Waller. The 30 year old tight end has had an injury plagued 2022 season but the Raiders staff seem to be all in on Darren Waller. Las Vegas signed an extension that will keep Waller in silver and black through the 2026 season. This past weekend, Waller married Las Vegas Aces guard, Kelsey Plum, so it seems that the local Vegas couple can settle, in Sin City. Visit Raidersbhn.com for more news! All Raiders All The Time 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Linkedin 0 Pinterest 0 Email

Top 10 Toughest Raiders in History

Tim Bryant2 years ago9 months ago012 mins

Raiders Rule The 70’s The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the most feared franchises in all of football. Having the best winning percentage of any team throughout the 70s, the Raiders defense was arguably the most devastating group in the NFL at the time. In a decade where teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Dolphins were so heavily dominant amongst any defense of any time period in professional football, the Raiders had standout players on both offense and defense who earned a reputation as some of the leagues toughest players. Here is a look at the Top 10 toughest Raiders players in history 10. Ted Hendrix- Linebacker (1975-1983) Known as “The Mad Stork”, Ted Hendrix was a nightmare for any offense across the league. The 6’7 linebacker was known to wreak havoc in the backfield, using his unique combination of size and speed. Hendrix has 61 career sacks and a combined 4 Super Bowl victories under his belt, being on all 3 Raiders Super Bowl winning teams and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Colts. The hard hitting “Mad Stork” was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. 9. Matt Millen- Linebacker (1980-1988) Penn State was notoriously known as “Linebacker U”, producing some of the best that the position has to offer in the football world. Greats of the past like Jack Ham paved the way for the college powerhouse to groom some of footballs best linebackers. One of the Nittany Lions that contributed heavily to the Raiders organization was Matt Millen. Millen made an immediate impact on the Raiders defense, helping the Silver and black to two Super Bowls and winning one each with the 49ers and the Redskins. 8. John Matuzak- Defensive End (1976-1981) If you were around in the 1980’s then you might know that John Matuzak was not only one of the meanest Raiders to ever play the game, but he became somewhat of a social icon. Some may know that John Matuzak played the role of Sloth in 1985 hit movie The Goonies and appeared on TV shows like M*A*S*H* and A-Team. Before landing Hollywood roles, the 6’8 defensive end dominated on the defensive line, winning two Super Bowls in the process. Matuzak always made an impact with his helmet on first contact. In an interview, he described himself and the Raiders as “controversial”. 7. Gene Upshaw- Guard (1967-1981) The Raiders selected “Highway 63” in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft out of Texas A&I (now Texas A&M – Kingsville). Upshaw, one of the greatest players in NFL history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 after playing in 217 regular season games with 207 starts, 24 playoff games and three Super Bowls (II, XI, XV). He was named to seven All-Star Games/Pro Bowls and 1st Team All-Pro five times. After his playing career, he went on to become the executive director of the NFL Players Association, a post he held until his death in 2008. 6. Art Shell– Guard (1968-1982) Art Shell played in 207 games with 169 starts. He was selected for eight Pro Bowls, named 1st Team All-Pro twice, and was a key member of two Raiders Super Bowl championship teams for the Raiders in 1976 and 1980. Shell also served two stints as head coach of the Silver and Black and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He was the first black head coach of the NFL modern era. 5. Jim Otto– Center (1960-1974) Jim Otto exemplified toughness and set the tone for the Raider image for years to come. He was the last of the original Raiders. During his 15 years with the Oakland Raiders the team won seven division championships and the 1967 AFL Championship. Nine-time AFL All-Star and three-time AFC-NFC Pro Bowler, winner of the Gorman Award twice as “Player Who Best Exemplifies the Pride and Spirit of the Oakland Raiders”. Jim Otto was also selected to the AFL-NFL 25-year All-Star Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. 4. Howie Long- Defensive End (1981-1993) Today you see Howie Long sitting along side Terry Bradshaw and Kirt Menefee to call NFL games on FOX.But in 1981 Long was selected by the Raiders and became a key member of the Raiders 1983 Super Bowl championship team. Long played in 179 games with 151 starts. He recorded 84 sacks, two interceptions for 84 yards and 10 fumble recoveries. Long was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls and named 1st Team All-Pro twice. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 3. Ronnie Lott- Free Safety (1991-1992) Yes, Ronnie Lott cut off the tip of his pinky to resume a football game, so he earned a spot on this list. Lott is actually best known as a long time 49er. Lott played for the silver and black for two years after ten years in San Francisco. In his 32 games with the Raiders, he started all 32 and recorded 9 interceptions for 52 yards. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles. After his time with the Raiders, he finished his last two years with the Jets. Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and will always be remembered as one of the league’s hardest hitters ever. 2. ” The Assassin” Jack Tatum- Free Safety (1971-1979) The name says it all. Jack Tatum would stand back at free safety waiting for an unlucky wide receiver to cross his path. The assassins hits on the field are some of the most memorable ever, with one famous hit coming on the games biggest stage in Super Bowl XI against the Vikings when wide receiver Sammy White fell victim to the Assassin. Tatum was a force to be reckoned with on the Raiders from 1971-1979, starting in all 120 games and racking up 30 interceptions and 8…

Raiders Fate Took a Sharp Turn Since Jon Grudens Departure

Tim Bryant2 years ago1 year ago08 mins

Since moving to Las Vegas In 2020, the Raiders organization and its fans have already had what can be considered one of the strangest eras in the franchise’s history. It was a fresh new start for the team with a storied history, but it has already gotten bumpy for the organization. The Las Vegas Raiders had their head coach Jon Gruden resign after having emails leaked to the press which resulted in him suing the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, an HR scandal involving working conditions for employees, a young promising star wide receiver going to jail for a car crash that resulted in the death of a young woman and her dog, and a uniquely bad season in 2022 where the Raiders blew a record-breaking amount of double-digit leads. How did the Raiders end up here after being in such a great position before moving to Sin City? Raiders Were On The Right Track After hiring Jon Gruden for his second stint as head coach of the Raiders in 2018, his 10-year, 100 million-dollar deal seemed to give Raiders fans the idea that they finally had stability in the head coaching position, allowing for the team to rebuild around his philosophy. It looked good for the silver and black. With Derek Carr under center, the Raiders seemed to be improving each season under Jon Gruden. Along with general manager Mike Mayock, Gruden was building a team with players like Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, Hunter Renfro, Darren Waller, and Henry Ruggs III that could execute his west coast style offense. In 2021, a year after a strange inaugural season in Las Vegas when fans were not allowed to attend NFL games due to covid-19, the Raiders started with a 3-0 record after beating the Ravens, Steelers, and Dolphins. Experts were predicting that the Raiders were contenders to go deep into the playoffs and possibly compete for a Super Bowl. Sadly, that’s not what happened in 2021, even though the Raiders were miraculously able to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and only the second playoff appearance since 2002. Derek Carr Was The Leader That Overcame On October 11th, 2021, 5 weeks into the season, Jon Gruden was forced to resign. On November 2nd, 2021 Henry Ruggs III was arrested for a fatal car accident after week 8 of the season. The organization was suddenly on a downward spiral with no clear answer as to how the team will recover from such sudden and unfortunate events. The Raiders would promote special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to interim head coach. Bisaccia, along with veteran leader Derek Carr would help lead the Raiders to a miraculous playoff appearance, ending a roller-coaster season that started with high expectations. Where Did It Fall Apart? Today, neither Rich Bisaccia nor Derek Carr is part of the Las Vegas Raiders organization. Fans who hoped that 2022 would show signs of improvement under Josh McDaniels were given a brutal reality check after losing games with leads as large as 20 points by halftime. Many fans of Raider Nation seem to think that Josh McDaniels used Derek Carr as a scapegoat after another horrible coaching performance by the former Patriot’s offensive coordinator. Some take the claims even further, saying that Josh McDaniels purposely put Derek Carr in a bad position by calling irrational plays on purpose. These are very serious claims, but when you run a draw on 3rd and 5 and you have Derek Carr pass for a career low in passing attempts against a bad Pittsburgh Steelers passing defense, there is bound to be speculation. Where Do The Raiders Go From Here? 2023 will be a telling year for the Raider’s future. Who will be the next quarterback? Will the Raiders go for a free agent or a young draft pick to compete against Jared Stitham? What will they do about Josh Jacobs contract? What Raider Nation wants to know is, will the team be back to rebuilding mode like 2002 through 2014 before Derek Carr was drafted or will they regain the momentum that Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock had? Only time will tell. Expect Raider fans to pay close attention to what Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Zeigler do this off-season. 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Linkedin 0 Pinterest 0 Email

Tim Bryant