A recurring theme with these Las Vegas Raiders and their coaching staff is players leaving and finding success elsewhere. Sooner or later, we have to beg the question if this is an indication that Jon Gruden and the coaching staff can’t develop talent?
As the Silver and Black prepare for their matchup against the Miami Dolphins, they’ll be facing a familiar face in rookie Lynn Bowden Jr. In a case of embarrassing miscalculation, the Raiders’ brass traded away their rookie without giving him a chance to see what he could do on the field. General manager Mike Mayock maintained it was a football decision at the time. If that’s true, does this mean the Raiders coaching staff doesn’t know how to utilize talent? They seem to maximize some players but there’s a recurring theme with casting out certain players. Unfortunately, when the Raiders don’t know how to use a player, they ship them out or don’t bring them back. In most cases, said players find success elsewhere.
Recently, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press pointed this out, citing former second-round pick Mario Edwards.
Former #Raiders 2nd round pick Mario Edwards had 2 sacks today for the Bears. Maxx Crosby (6 sacks) is the only Raiders player to have more than 2 sacks this entire season.
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 14, 2020
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What’s The Issue With The Raiders?
Keep in mind Edwards is just one example, since leaving the Raiders, he has accumulated 11 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. Context is important though, those stats were amassed in three seasons since 2017, however, would this production not be enough in Las Vegas?
Safety Karl Joseph’s another example of questionable decision making by the Raiders. In 2020, Joseph’s thrived with the Cleveland Browns. In pass coverage, he has allowed 18 completions with a 60 percent completion rate. His sole interception and four passes defensed would’ve boosted a meager Raiders pass defense. His run defense was also missed this year, he currently has a 64.0 Pro Football Focus grade.
The message we can gather from the Raiders is that if you don’t fit the mold of what they’re trying to do, whether it’s the scheme, culture, or ‘character,’ they move on. This would be flawed if it’s true, a successful coaching staff maximizes the talent it has, regardless of flaws.
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images