Tag: Antonio Pierce

Raiders 2024 NFL Draft Preview

The Raiders are in a rare position entering the NFL Draft. Their Free Agency period was a borderline home run. This is the first time in awhile, that the Raiders addressed their most glaring needs in free agency. Vegas is positioned to take the best player available across all rounds of the NFL Draft.

New GM Tom Telesco knows this position well. His Chargers were great at finding value throughout the NFL Draft.

Ultimately, the Raiders offseason has been successful enough for them to be playing with the houses money in the NFL Draft. There’s really only one need the Raiders must address in free agency before they earn a solid A for their offseason.

It would be hard not to give the Raiders an A for the offseason if they land a quarterback and address some of their depth needs.

Free Agency Applause

The Raiders finally got a defensive tackle. Christian Wilkins, one of the best players at his position, is a Raider. We don’t have to dream it, hope it or pray for it.

Wilkins is the type of player that improves every layer of the defense. This sort of signing proves the new front office knows what it is doing. It also proves coaching staff can get players to buy-in. Moreover, it makes one less need for the Raiders to address in the NFL Draft.

Las Vegas made the position even stronger by re-signing defensive linemen John Jenkins and Adam Butler. They’re familiar with Wilkins from time in Miami and they had resurgent years with the Raiders last season. Both players cost lest than three million for this year, which is a steal given the importance of run-stuffers in the modern NFL. Butler and Jenkins give the Raiders a stout and versatile front.

Quarterback?

Now, imagine if the Raiders had a quarterback? Signing Gardner Mishnew wasn’t terrible but does any one think that’s the answer? Even if he is better than Jimmy G., do you want Mishnew starting?

Aiden O’Connell has his ups and downs last year. He too is competent but he doesnt have the upside you want in a division owned by Pat Mahomes and Justin Herbert. That’s why the Raiders must get their quarterback in this draft.

Regardless who the Raiders start at quarterback, they need more weapons all along the offense. They did not exactly address that in Free Agency, so that leaves things open in the NFL Draft.

Breaking down the Rest of Free Agency

Vegas signed veteran RB Alexander Mattison and TE Harrison Bryant. Mattison was poised for a breakout year taking over as starter in Minnesota. However, he was slowly phase out. He’s a solid red zone and depth option but we don’t want hom every down. That’s Zamir’s job to lose to a rookie at least.

Bryant brings experience as a blocking tight end but he also has some upside as a pass catcher. He did well filling in for Njoku over the years. This is probably my favorite signing.

Otherwise, Vegas added veteran Cody Whitehair to the offensive line. The veteran knows the Raiders’ offensive coordinator from their days in Chicago. Whitehair has battled injuries and got phased out of Chicago but he should be an upgrade over Greg Van Roten. I don’t care what PFF says.

Draft Strategy

Vegas also said goodbye to Jermaine Eleumunor. Eleumonor basically played all the positions on the OL during his two seasons with the Silver and Black. He struggled with speed but settled in as a swing tackle and above-average starting right tackle. That is why many mock drafts have the Raiders drafting a tackle high.

Tackle Thayer Munford has improved as a right tackle over the past two seasons. Still, Vegas can move him to guard or keep him as a depth player. Either way, tackle will get real consideration in the NFL Draft based on how the Raiders want to build through the trenches. They believe in the trenches so much they brought back Andre James on an extension.

The Raiders also said goodbye to DB Amik Robertson. Thus, all the rumors connecting Vegas to veteran corners like Xavien Howard and Adoree Jackson. Whether they add one or not, Vegas could very well consider a corner at No. 13 too.

Hunter Renfrow is gone now. Vegas already has his replacement with Tre Tucker on the roster. Yet, can you have too many receivers in the modern NFL? So yeah you can’t really take receiver out of play for the Silver and Black.

Either way, the Raiders adding Wilkins was a home run. The other offseason signings were solid but nothing close to Wilkins. It was such a success that it lifts the tides of the entire roster. That means the Raiders really don’t need to do much more to the roster in terms of free agency.

Get the Guy

Insert the NFL Draft. Many rumors have the Raiders trying to move into the top-5 for a quarterback. At this point, we all know Antonio Pierce has coached Jayden Daniels. There’s also been speculation the Raiders may hold out for JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix or Bo Nix later in the first round or early in the second.

There are varying scenarios where any of the two to six quarterbacks go in the top half of the draft. Vegas may have to move up to even get a chance at one of those guys. None of them might be there at No. 13. However, Penix, McCarthy and Nix might all be there too. No matter, Vegas must get one of those top four quarterbacks. Ideally, it’s Daniels or Penix.

Penix’s value has been every where from the top-five to the second round. There’s a narrative around his health but his medicals keep coming up clean. Penix hasn’t been hurt in two plus seasons. He’s been a gamer since his days with Indiana. Penix ran a crazy forty and he can throw with both arms. The Washington QB was a Heisman candidate and played for a National Championship too.

Vegas can’t pass on Penix at 13. Ideally, they trade back and get him in the twenties or at the top of Day 2. However, what’s the point? He would be the best player available and fill an immediate need at 13. I wouldn’t even be mad if Vegas moved up to get Penix in the top-10. Just get a QB!

Just Get a QB

Of course, Daniels would also be a great pick. However, I am not sold on him due to his size and risks. I know he won the Heisman and can do exceptional things but Penix is more refined right now.

Nix doesn’t do it for me. He had an exceptional year but he still lost to Penix. Nix is also “old” in prospect terms like Penix. Of course, Nix might make sense in the second.

Now, McCarthy did beat Penix in the title game. I’m just worried he is a product of his system and talent around him. It’s easy to see McCarthy just being average to solid as a starter. Yet, there’s buzz around him rising in many NFL Draft circles.

And the Raiders probably won’t get Drake Maye or Caleb Williams since they are both going in the top-three. Still, Williams needs some develop and Maye could be the next UNC quarterback bust. That’s why Penix makes the most sense as far as upside, value and need. Get your silver durags ready.

If Penix is not available at 13, Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell makes sense. He gets knocked for his level of competiton but he dominated all coverages at the Senior Bowl. He can tackle and take a side of the whole field away.

Other Options at 13

Otherwise, the tackles make the most sense. Oregon St. tackle Taliese Fuaga, Washington Tackle Troy Fautanu and Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu woull all slate as starters. Of course, Raiders fans have PTSD from all the tackles drafted over the years. Kolton Miller has been the only good one and some knock him for not being truly elite.

Therefore, all signs point to the Raiders doing anything they can to get their quarterback. If that means taking Penix higher than consensus, so be it. If that means moving up to get Penix or Daniels, let it be.

Vegas can find a veteran tackle like Mehki Becton or a veteran corner like Jackson or Howard. They can try to add trench talent in the middle rounds. There should also be some athletic corners with upside worth gambling on in the later rounds. At least on paper, the Raiders have solid depth at those positions.

The Secret Need

Otherwise, the Raiders biggest remaining need is at linebacker. Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo had break out years. Some might say they overachieved. Whatever the case, they did battle injuries. Vegas could use a great athlete like Payton Wilson at linebacker if he’s available in the second round. Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could slip into the second too. He brings value off the edge and as a backer.

Both could also be gone in the second. Vegas could move back or maybe go Best Player Available in the second. That could bring them back to drafting a tackle, corner or even running back. Texas RB Jonathan Brooks looked like a first rounder before injury. He’d add some explosiveness to a backfield that needs it. FSU DL Braden Fiske also looks like a beast the Raiders can’t pass on in the second.

Still, all things point to the Raiders getting a RB or LB in the later rounds. That’s pretty much been their strategy the last few years. Pierce likes what he has at those positions. He may also just feel more comfortable grooming a guy from the later rounds at those positions

The Verdict

Ultimately, the Raiders could use upgrades throughout their roster. However, they desperately need a QB. Vegas must do whatever they can to get their QB. After that, it’s about stacking up talent throughout the roster. If they hit those marks, there’s no reason why Raiders fans can’t walk out of the offseason feeling confident in the direction of the organization.

Ending the Season on a High Note

The Raiders had a lot to play for last week. Put it on the refs or whatever. Either way, the team lost and their playoffs hopes went down the drain too.

Indianapolis is a tough team with a good mix of youth and talent. They went through their own adversity this year but still found themselves in the playoff hunt until last night.

Vegas didn’t get the same production out of Zamir White in the run game. Give some credit to the Colts’ front seven. DeForesr Buckner was a problem versus the run and pass. The Silver and Black did get the ball to Davante Adams. They also spread it around to Jakobi Meyers and Zamir White. Both had five plus catches.

The Raiders won the time possession but didn’t force a turnover. They also got only one sack. None of the edges got home.

That has to change versus a familiar foe. Vegas began their season with a close win over the Broncos. Now, they play Denver at home with former Raiders QB Jared Stidham making the start. Denver benched Russell Wilson for financial reasons, which may also land them in court. That’s another story. Either way, Vegas needs to get pressure on the QB and force him into mistakes.

The Silver and Black will also be tested against the run. Javonte Williams hasn’t been great this year in terms of yards or touchdowns. However, he’s a big back who can break tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. Vegas can’t let him end the year with a breakout game, especially since they’ll be without starting receiver Courtland Sutton again.

Ultimately, the Broncos secondary offers household names with Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain. Adams is not going to have the same kind of game. They’re also banged up at tackle with Thayer Munford out as well as Kolton Miller and Jermaine Eluemunor battling injuries all season. Therefore, it’s going to be on Zamir White to make some plays as he is expected to start for Josh Jacobs again. This is White’s audition for the starting role next year. A big game here makes it tough to keep Jacobs or sign another starter in the backfield.

Speaking of auditions, Antonio Pierce is still trying to earn his keep. Reports say the Raiders let their assistants look for new jobs. That may or may not indicate Pierce returns. Either way, it feels like they will go through a bigger higher if process rather than just giving it to Pierce.

John Harbaugh and yes Jon Gruden are the other names. Harbaugh will be the hottest name on the market given his standing with Michigan. If he brings home a title in spite of an earlier suspension, an NFL team will definitely give him a king’s ransom. Gruden should be done and never coach again given his lack of success in his second stint and those emails. I get he is a friend of Mark Davis but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be on a sideline right now. If anything keep him as an advisor.

Win or lose, Pierce has proven he is a leader of men. Many Raiders legends have bought into him given how he has the defense inspired. The whole team is playing with swagger. It’s hard to bet against him given how he beat the Chargers and Chiefs. It’s also hard to just give him the keys given how they lost to Indianapolis and Minnesota in crucial spots.

Current players have also gone on record saying they want Pierce. Unfortunately, that only means so much since many players might not even be around next year. That’s like asking students if they want to keep their favorite substitute. Pierce deserves credit for steadying the ship when the Raiders needed it most. However, he has to sell the organization that he can hire the right offensive staff, develop a quarterback and build an identity over the next 3-10 years.

Pierce will definitely be coveted for defensive coordinator jobs and college football head coaching gigs even if the Raiders don’t hire him. However, he has to close this year out with a big win over the Donkeys to make him the favorite. It’s hard to not hire him if the key players like Adams and Crosby continue to play well, despite nothing but pride and their head coach’s future to play for.

In the end, the Raiders need to run the ball and stop the run. A high scoring out will be surprising given the strength of these defenses and the lack of elite quarterback play. Therefore, the team that can commit the most big plays and force the most turnovers should secure the win. Vegas needs their defense to get more than one sack and force a turnover. They can’t let the Broncos get their first win in Vegas, nor can they finish below them in the AFC West standings. Regardless, the Raiders need to Just Win Baby!

Plus, I’m in Vegas and going to Allegiant for the first time. I really want to see a win but I’m talking shit no matter what.

This ain’t really about the Lions or Giants

The Raiders finally made a move for all the dogs. Raiders owner Mark Davis fired his general manager and head coach. A lot of folks did not expect him to make that sort of move this early in their contract. It will cost Davis a lot of money. However, he showed RaiderNation he is willing to do whatever it takes to win.

It makes a ton of sense given how the Raiders played the last two weeks. They lacked an identity. They lacked cohesion. They lacked creativity. Raiders alumni took the social media to expressed their displeasure. Many fans applauded the move after the Raiders did not play like their tradition.

Further, it came out that the players only meeting held last week was actually led by now interim head coach in Antonio Pierce. Pierce is saying all the right things in his few days as head coach. He grew up in Southern California and understands the Raider way of playing football. Have fun, swagger, and physicality. Impose yourself on both sides of the ball.

The guys already seem to be responding as their morale has lifted. We will see what happens today when Pierce takes on the Giants franchise he won a championship with in 2007.

Vegas’ coaching move also makes sense given how popular the Aces and Golden Knights are in Las Vegas. The Raiders play in the most popular sport and came over as an established brand. They also built the biggest arena. Yet, they have fallen in popularity to the Aces and Knights. The Aces and Knights have also won and both brought hardware to Sin City. The Raiders have not even won a playoff game in Vegas. Davis looked at that and realized he needed to make a change to establish himself in the growing sports market.

Hopefully, Davis sticks to the head coach and GM if they make a notable difference with the second half of the season. Technically, the Raiders are not out of it.

Nobody should expect a Super Bowl, given the talent on the roster. Nonetheless, they have enough to compete. The Chiefs look more beatable than years passed since they just lost to the Broncos. The AFC is wide open.

Now, Vegas takes on a New York Giant team that has been disappointing on their own. New York just traded away one of their best defensive lineman in Leonard Williams. The Giants still have some speed on the outside. Saquon Barkley is still one of the most explosive runners in the game. Vegas is going to need to tackle better in the last few weeks.

Against the Lions, the defense created three turnovers for the second time this season. They gave up a lot of yards, but they made enough plays to keep the team from getting blown out. If the Raiders offense shows up, there’s no reason they shouldn’t win this game.

The Raiders had three close wins, three blow out losses and two close loses. This is an opportunity for the Raiders to show who they are and who they want to be for the rest of the season. Already, the Raiders signed several linebackers after Pierce took over. That includes former Cowboys and Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith. Smith doesn’t have same coverage abilities as his Pro Bowl days but he should help the team with tackling and stopping the run.

Speaking of, it’s important they run the ball with Josh Jacobs, specially with the Giants down one of their better run defenders without Williams. Vegas also needs to get Devantae Adams the ball early and often. The Raiders are starting rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell i hopes he can stretch the field better. O’Connell started earlier this year so the Giants will have a film on him. He’s not going to get away with forcing bars into a lot of tight windows. However, he needs to find Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Jakobi Myers when open.

I knew McDaniels was done being the head coach, when QB Jimmy Garoppolo looked lost and helpless on the final two drives against Detroit. Those last two series ended in consecutive sacks after Garoppolo already visibly missed Adams several times. A couple of those converted shots keep the Raiders in the game. Still, Jimmy G. came over to be a McDaniels guy and the head coach left his quarterback out there looking punch drunk. It was unacceptable.

Moving forward, the Raiders really need to rely on the run game. The offensive line has not been great outside of Kolton Miller’s consistency. They will get a challenge with Dexter Lawrence eating up blocks and pushing the pocket. However, Jacobs can provide a security blanket for his rookie quarterback.

Lastly, the defense needs to keep up the momentum. If they can continue to create turnovers, they give this team a chance. As a former linebacker coach, I do not expect Pierce to take great field position for granted. I’d also expect him to take a little bit more chances in scoring and fourth down opportunities, but I also do not think he will just make a gamble for the sake of a gamble. He is going to rely on his defense to pressure the quarterback, and come away with takeaways. That will create opportunities for the young QB.

Again, I’ve been saying it for years and weeks. The Raiders just need to play their brand of football and they should come away with a win in Vegas. The Silver and Black can get ahead of the chains with the run game and setup to take big shots deep. They can put the Giants offense on their heels. That will keep Saquan from merely moving the chains with the run. It will also force Giants QB Daniel Jones to take chance which the Raiders can convert to turnovers.

It’s time to get back to playing football the Raiders way. Run the ball, push the ball down field, get home to the QB and take the ball away. Vegas can win this game if they do that. And they will help Pierce make the case to keep his job.