At least one person (looking at you, Josh McDaniels) in the Las Vegas Raiders locker room had Aidan O’Connell in mind following the Raiders’ loss—Davante Adams, of course.
Plenty of fingers could’ve been pointed following another loss on Sunday. All the same, one person who certainly didn’t need that was O’Connell. The rookie signal-caller, who had been inactive all season thus far, was thrown into an impossible situation. Let’s acknowledge that first. Coaching against O’Connell was one of the better defensive minds in the NFL in Brandon Staley. Then, you add in Khalil Mack, the former Raider, who unsurprisingly plays his best ball against his former squad. It really was a tough spot for a rookie.
Still, AOC4 held his own, truly. Despite some devastating turnovers and a porous offensive line display, the Purdue product hung in there. For McDaniels’ “genius” in this one, O’Connell’s costly interception to seal the game should’ve been a play to Josh Jacobs. Where’s the accountability from McDaniels? Well, if nothing else, Davante Adams knows that O’Connell’s performance was far from perfect. That being said, that didn’t stop him from acknowledging what most Raiders fans agree on—that he played the best game given the circumstances.
Davante Adams gave his seal of approval for Aidan O’Connell, all things considered…
Adams, who had an injury scare early in the second quarter, acknowledged that O’Connell’s preseason performance might’ve created unrealistic expectations (h/t Jesse Merrick). At the same time, No. 17 gave the rookie his due.
“You know for his first outing it was obviously not the way he would have drawn it up, but he did good in my eyes.”
If that wasn’t enough, when asked about shouldering the offensive load, Adams was blunt in his response.
“That’s my job. My job is to be the one that—that’s why I get paid the way that I do to go and score touchdowns. It’s about everybody doing their part.”
McDaniels should take notes; that’s what a leader of men sounds like.
*Top Photo: Ashley Landis/Associated Press
OK….Khalil got his pay back…finally. He also proved why we should of kept him. BIG WHOOP. Great game Khalil. And yes I still love him. Once a Raider always a Raider. Now lets move on.
Aidan did fantastic yesterday. Did I expect him to win? Certainly not. He still showed boat loads more promise and potential in one game than Jimmy “Perfect Hair” has shown in 3 games.
Aidan made acceptable rookie mistakes that he will learn and grow from.
What is Jimmy “Perfect Hairs” excuse ??
Another note here is Aidan can throw the deep ball. The best Jimmy perfect hair can do is 10-12 yards with a 75% chance the defense will intercept it.
VERDOCT: STAY WITH AIDAN. CUT JIMMY PERFECT HAIR…SAVE MONEY.
Bang on article, McDaniels has good plays for sure, but he is terrible running an offence. The reason for success in NE was because Brady called most of his own plays at the line, someone should ask him now that he’s a part owner !!!
For the life of raider nation why are we not protesting on the stadium turf for the removal of this loser coach( Bum) Llok around the league, teams with less talent and are outperforming the raiders! Coach Mc D is a oc and not hc material!!
Everything sucks about the Raiders including their rookie QB who has the nerve to wear Carr’s jersey number. What a circus.
It def should have been a handoff to Josh Jacobs. It was asking too much of O’Connell in his first game as an NFL QB. I think McDaniels was trying to show how smart he was by picking O’Connell in the 4th round by letting him throw the game tying touchdown, but instead he got picked. It was a coaching error for sure.
McMuffin has to go, bad play calling! Field goal on 4 and one? Shows he doesn’t even trust in his Offense or his own play calling.
The RAIDERS are my temas, but the coach is a bum. Mark Davis has no balas, fire that bum and save our season. WE SUCK!!!