Spayer419
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A season of missed opportunities
After a 10-6 campaign in 2015, the Raiders fell short of the playoffs on a tiebreaker. The Silver and Black set their sites on the playoffs in 2016, with the thought that 11-5 should be enough to at least secure a wild card spot. The Raiders hit their mark with an 11-win season, but it was again not enough to reach the postseason as the Raiders fell short once again, this time in excruciating fashion.
After a strong offseason, highlighted by an exceptional draft and the signings of veterans Victor Cruz and Halogti Ngata, the future looked brighter than it had in decades for Oakland. But an early injury to Derek Carr clouded the forecast, and Ryan Fitzpatrick had to start for more than half of the season. The veteran performed admirably, but struggled to beat defenses over the top and as such the offense often stalled.
As such, Raider Nation pegged its hopes on a defense led by a tenacious front four. By season's end the defense ranked 2nd in points allowed in 1st in yards allowed per game. Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith further established themselves as the best rush-end unit in the game, and TJ Carrie had a breakout year at corner with 8 interceptions.
Aside from a 17-point loss debacle in Week 14 to the Chargers in which two Oakland quarterbacks combined to throw 7 interceptions, Oakland's other four losses came by a total of 17 points. Two losses of those close losses will haunt the Raiders fans, players and coaches forever.
The first near-miss came against Kansas City in Week 4, where the Fitzpatrick-led Raiders outplayed Kansas City for all but four second of the game, but could not contain the Chief's rookie return man on the last play of the game.
As painful as that special teams mishap was, it paled in comparison to the Raiders season finale. Again a rookie would demolish Oakland's dreams, as quarterback Aerion Hunter led the Chargers to midfield in the waning seconds by completing a 4-and-10, and then heaved a Hail Mary to the endzone to be deflected into the waiting arms of Jermaine Gresham.
Had the Raiders won just one of those games, they would have been in the playoffs. Win both in they win the division, and possibly earn the number one overall seed in the AFC. But the Raiders couldn't catch a break, and their final season in Oakland left the team in an all-to-familiar situation; watching the playoffs from home.
Rookie Report
Oakland''s front office was lauded for having one of the best drafts last spring, and the Raider's rookie class did not disappoint in their debut campaigns.
First-round tackle James Jeffrey and third-round guard Brenden Rucker fortified Oakland's right side of the line, and Rucker established himself as an absolute gem as Oakland's most consistent run blocker. WR Evonte Patrick showed why other front offices envied the Raider's for stealing him in the fourth round, demonstrating elite speed and elusiveness. The rookie from Auburn finished the season with 52 receptions for 559 yards and 5 TD, and was also one of the NFL's most feared return men. Second-round tight end Denolious Hatcher pitched in with 525 yards himself, and really came on toward the end of the season.
Looking Ahead
The Raiders will likely be an inactive player in free agency, with Mack and Cooper coming up for extension in the next couple of years. The front office will have to make a decision on Ngata, who was signed to a lucrative one-year deal a season ago.
In the draft look for Oakland to target the defensive side of the ball, with their first four picks coming on the offseason side last spring. While the Raiders have the best front-four in the league, they could use another corner and a free safety, and none of their linebackers jump off the screen. Oakland's front office has a "best talent available" and "asset collection" mentality, but they also know by adding some elite speed in the back 7 their defense will reach a whole new level.
With the Raiders moving to L.A. next season, the team will work to better appeal to their new market. Defenses ideally win championships, but offense sells tickets, and this is Hollywood after all. The Raiders will look to open up their playbook, and diversify their attack by spreading the ball around more next year. Two-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper will still be the focal point of the offense, but the Raiders' coaching staff knows they were too predictable at times. Carr will need to be better in his reads, and the staff will have to progress Hatcher and Patrick in the off season to create a more dynamic passing attack. While Latavius Murray was serviceable, Oakland might look to add a more dynamic running threat in free agency or the draft.
Consecutive 10-win seasons is progress for this organization, but 2017 will truly be playoffs or bust for this team. The roster is just too talented to be watching football in January, and as much as Los Angeles wanted a football team, the city will only embrace a winner.
After a 10-6 campaign in 2015, the Raiders fell short of the playoffs on a tiebreaker. The Silver and Black set their sites on the playoffs in 2016, with the thought that 11-5 should be enough to at least secure a wild card spot. The Raiders hit their mark with an 11-win season, but it was again not enough to reach the postseason as the Raiders fell short once again, this time in excruciating fashion.
After a strong offseason, highlighted by an exceptional draft and the signings of veterans Victor Cruz and Halogti Ngata, the future looked brighter than it had in decades for Oakland. But an early injury to Derek Carr clouded the forecast, and Ryan Fitzpatrick had to start for more than half of the season. The veteran performed admirably, but struggled to beat defenses over the top and as such the offense often stalled.
As such, Raider Nation pegged its hopes on a defense led by a tenacious front four. By season's end the defense ranked 2nd in points allowed in 1st in yards allowed per game. Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith further established themselves as the best rush-end unit in the game, and TJ Carrie had a breakout year at corner with 8 interceptions.
Aside from a 17-point loss debacle in Week 14 to the Chargers in which two Oakland quarterbacks combined to throw 7 interceptions, Oakland's other four losses came by a total of 17 points. Two losses of those close losses will haunt the Raiders fans, players and coaches forever.
The first near-miss came against Kansas City in Week 4, where the Fitzpatrick-led Raiders outplayed Kansas City for all but four second of the game, but could not contain the Chief's rookie return man on the last play of the game.
As painful as that special teams mishap was, it paled in comparison to the Raiders season finale. Again a rookie would demolish Oakland's dreams, as quarterback Aerion Hunter led the Chargers to midfield in the waning seconds by completing a 4-and-10, and then heaved a Hail Mary to the endzone to be deflected into the waiting arms of Jermaine Gresham.
Had the Raiders won just one of those games, they would have been in the playoffs. Win both in they win the division, and possibly earn the number one overall seed in the AFC. But the Raiders couldn't catch a break, and their final season in Oakland left the team in an all-to-familiar situation; watching the playoffs from home.
Rookie Report
Oakland''s front office was lauded for having one of the best drafts last spring, and the Raider's rookie class did not disappoint in their debut campaigns.
First-round tackle James Jeffrey and third-round guard Brenden Rucker fortified Oakland's right side of the line, and Rucker established himself as an absolute gem as Oakland's most consistent run blocker. WR Evonte Patrick showed why other front offices envied the Raider's for stealing him in the fourth round, demonstrating elite speed and elusiveness. The rookie from Auburn finished the season with 52 receptions for 559 yards and 5 TD, and was also one of the NFL's most feared return men. Second-round tight end Denolious Hatcher pitched in with 525 yards himself, and really came on toward the end of the season.
Looking Ahead
The Raiders will likely be an inactive player in free agency, with Mack and Cooper coming up for extension in the next couple of years. The front office will have to make a decision on Ngata, who was signed to a lucrative one-year deal a season ago.
In the draft look for Oakland to target the defensive side of the ball, with their first four picks coming on the offseason side last spring. While the Raiders have the best front-four in the league, they could use another corner and a free safety, and none of their linebackers jump off the screen. Oakland's front office has a "best talent available" and "asset collection" mentality, but they also know by adding some elite speed in the back 7 their defense will reach a whole new level.
With the Raiders moving to L.A. next season, the team will work to better appeal to their new market. Defenses ideally win championships, but offense sells tickets, and this is Hollywood after all. The Raiders will look to open up their playbook, and diversify their attack by spreading the ball around more next year. Two-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper will still be the focal point of the offense, but the Raiders' coaching staff knows they were too predictable at times. Carr will need to be better in his reads, and the staff will have to progress Hatcher and Patrick in the off season to create a more dynamic passing attack. While Latavius Murray was serviceable, Oakland might look to add a more dynamic running threat in free agency or the draft.
Consecutive 10-win seasons is progress for this organization, but 2017 will truly be playoffs or bust for this team. The roster is just too talented to be watching football in January, and as much as Los Angeles wanted a football team, the city will only embrace a winner.
