Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

I'm seeing a lot of this sentiment for the Raiders today. I don't know where it's coming from.

They aren't as bad as they were a couple of years ago, but I don't see playoffs for them. And by no means does beating the Saints prove anything. We know how this team plays down to competition virtually every year. I could be wrong about Oakland, but honestly I think we just lost to an average team.

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Neaux, we aren't that lucky...

Where Brees was the greatest free agent signing in the history of the NFL, Byrd is among the worst...

When we signed Brees, he nor our front office had many options at quarterback..

In fact, Nick Saban and the Dolphins made the choice for us by trading for Daunte Culpepper, leaving us to take the leftover in Brees...

So the Mickster hasn't done a spec job of advising, tempering Payton on personnel moves which is why we're scrambling among UDRFAs to find players...

We've wasted picks, combining to move up and then released those players...

And it shows in the lack of results from our front seven which is improved, but obviously needs more coaching and probably more talent...

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

They have two good receivers, a great pass rusher, a good oline, a good DE yet they aren't better than average?

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Oakland O line was playing with 2nd, 3rd string guys due to injury today.

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Were they without Osmele?

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

They should average 24 to 27 ppg. Not 35. Their close to taking the next step if they haven't already. Could be this season? The team I believe will take the next step is Jacksonville. Carr and Bortles are pretty decent qb.'s and I believe will only get better in time.

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

I like Derek Carr's game. Solid future in front of him.

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Completely agree
Id be happy most years if most of the draft was made up of drafting for both the lines and LB/CB. I think you can fid the rest elsewhere. Drew doesnt need out of this world receivers,if you can run a route and get a touch of seperation he will find you. Its nice to have great WR and RB but not at the expense of the trenches and we are seriously lacking there

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Like I said in another thread we need to control the big plays. Cooper had catches of 34 and 35 yards and one run by Richards was 75 yards. Sprinkle in a few more and we did pretty good on defense. Never had to worry about the offense just the line and they came through with flying colors

Re: Game Day - Opening Day: Oakland Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
 

Come on JP. It's not a cave, it's an underground dwelling! The Raiders aren't that good. Del Rio got lucky and the Saints let down the last 18 minutes allowing 25 points by Oakland. On 3 plays alone the Raiders got 145 yards and without those defense did good for almost 3 full quarters.

Del Rio is NOT a good coach. 76-80 since 2003 and 7-9 last year. What pieces did they add since then? Nada

Del Rio just got lucky with nothing to lose. 2 2 point conversions? Never happen again!