Would you like the good news first? Or the bad news?
Good news, we aren’t the worst team in the NFL. Bad news, we lost the hold on the #1 pick to a team that doesn’t need a QB.
More bad news, the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears won again.
More bad news, Brandon LaFell, Carr’s best receiver in recent weeks, tore his Achilles.
The cooler talk surrounding the game will focus on the heated altercation between Jon Gruden and Derek Carr.
It was evident that Gruden was fed up with Carr’s decision making on a few throws and his inability to convert on 3rd down. However, with rookie left tackle Kolton again battling injuries and Carr being harrassed all game, 4 sacks and 7 QB hits, Carr was still able to lead the team on a 63 yard, game-winning drive.
Carr still doesn’t look the MVP level quarterback he was in 2016 regardless of what the stats say. He doesn’t seem comfortable in the pocket, his great touch on leading receivers open is inconsistent and his ability to read defenses and audible has regressed. I get it that the line and overall protection hasn’t been great this year but it doesn’t change the fact that he constantly checks down or throws the ball away. If it weren’t for a few receptions over 20 yards today, his average pass completion would have been around 6, way below the NFL average.
Onto some more good news and observations from the game.
Maurice Hurst was an absolute steal in the draft by Jon Gruden. He recorded his 4th sack of the season and has had one in back to back games. His motor and constant push gives us a young nucleus of talented, growing pass rushers. Arden Key won’t show up much in the stat sheet but if you watch the game film, his hustle and athleticism jump out. PJ Hill is gaining experience and showing signs of being a good passer on the interior.
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Karl Joseph’s wake up call is paying dividends. His interception was a key part of the victory and his help in the run defense is visible on film.
Gereon Conley has also improved drastically since his benching before the bye week.
I know, I know, it was the Arizona Cardinals and rookie Quarterback Josh Rosen. Yet that didn’t stop Nick Mullings and the 2 win San Francisco 49ers from handing us an ass whooping.
At this point of the season, considering the circumstance, we have to applaud any and all victories, including moral victories.
Jon Gruden finally removed Doug Martin from the starting line up in the second half and the offense was able to move the ball down the field with Richard and Washington. I’ve been screaming for this for weeks and finally, we saw what could be with 2 young, athletic backs when given the opportunity. Richard racked up 92 total yards on only 14 touches, that’s 6.5 yards a play.
Marcell Atemen made his season debut and I like what I see from the 6’4, Oklahoma State product. His 32-yard reception on the final drive was the pivotal play in securing a game-winning field goal opportunity. If Oakland could add some depth at WR in free agency and/or the draft, the offense as a whole will improve.
I understand losing guaranteed us the #1 overall pick in the draft. However, there isn’t a defensive player that is head and shoulders above the rest in the upcoming draft, Joey Bosa can be great but so can Ed Oliver and Clelin Ferrell. Greedy Williams and Devin White can upgrade our defense immediately. Plus this is a deep draft on the defensive side with guys like DeAndre Baker (CB) Josh Allen (LB) Montez Sweat (DE) and Mack Wilson (ILB) all possibly being available mid/late in the 1st round.
The season may be lost but the destruction of this team was much needed. Losing Mack and Cooper was heartbreaking and still is but we got value for them instead of losing them to free agency for nothing. And be joyous, we’re still better than the Cardinals and the Browns, all isn’t that bad in ‘Raider Nation”.
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