Not much is going right at the moment for the Las Vegas Raiders, and some players believe it may have to do with continuity.
After an excellent 2-0 start to the 2020 NFL season, the Silver and Black appear to be spiraling. Two consecutive losses have exposed some of the glaring weaknesses that this Raiders team has. Right now their defensive backfield is susceptible to the pass and their defensive line is not generating pressure. Their offense is doing just enough but without the defense, they are falling short of expectations. Also, injuries are definitely taking a toll on head coach Jon Gruden’s squad but this cannot be an excuse. All teams deal with injuries and it is their coaching that separates those that can adjust despite those losses.
Along with injuries and the aforementioned shortcomings, some Raiders players think there is more at play in regards to their struggles.
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A Lack Of Continuity is Hurting The Raiders
The COVID-19 pandemic came and threw the sports world upside down, the NFL was no exception. Everything from the NFL Draft to offseason workouts and even the preseason was affected. The Raiders missed out on key offseason programs which were substituted by Zoom calls and virtual learning. Clearly, this did not make up for it, and not having the preseason altered the team’s ability to gel earlier. Tight end Darren Waller made this a point recently though he also clarified it is not an excuse.
#Raiders TE Darren Waller says it’s tough to get continuity without OTAs, the time to build the foundation. He later adds that it’s the same for all NFL teams and they aren’t going to make up excuses.
— Carlos Sánchez (@HaeruHariken) October 5, 2020
While not having all those crucial events that come in the offseason have hampered the Raiders, the team has to adjust. This team is not the only one that missed out but yet you see other squads thriving. The players are doing their part by putting in the work as running back Josh Jacobs pointed out. Even so, Jacobs believes they can do more to “take the next step.” If the 2020 Raiders want to get back on track, they will have to heed the words of their leader on offense.
#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs says the team needs to get better ‘Monday through Saturday’. He feels everyone is working hard but it’s not enough. They need to find out how to take the next step, how to become better, how to do the little things better.
— Carlos Sánchez (@HaeruHariken) October 5, 2020
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*Top Photo: Steven Senne/Associated Press