As the Las Vegas Raiders gear up to face the Cincinnati Bengals this week, we’re bringing you up to date on all the latest news and rumors. We cover everything from head coach Antonio Pierce’s alarming remarks to a Nate Hobbs forecast.
Let’s face it, things are going from bad to worse for the Silver and Black. A scarier prospect is that there’s still much football to be played this season. It’s alarming because the likelihood of a Raiders team winning diminishes with each passing week. To be fair, Pierce had his team ready to play against the Kansas City Chiefs—more so the defense if we’re being technical. Naturally, you want to give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham the credit there, but we digress.
Pierce’s remarks this week after yet another defeat were concerning. Not too long ago, people anointed his squad as the guardians of “ill-intent, physicality, the Raider Way.” That was back in January; fast forward to October, and Pierce is singing a different tune with a 2-6 record.
“We’re still trying to find our identity, right? We want to run the football, we want to be physical up front and win the line of scrimmage. That didn’t happen last night. We got knocked back in critical moments, not all the time, but in critical moments, especially when we were down there at the goal line. And then just really execution, just overall, from the team, from the coaching staff, everybody.”
According to Pierce, the Raiders have yet to establish a clear “identity” at the halfway point of the season. Who is responsible for this? Pierce criticized the team, even going so far as to blame his own coaching staff for their lack of execution. Fans are now questioning whether anything will change if the team finishes 2-7 heading into the bye week.
Speaking of which…
Should the Raiders make a change with their offensive playcaller?
Local Raiders media personality J.T. the Brick was the one leading the charge with regard to Luke Getsy’s position. While it’s easy to dump everything on Getsy’s lap, have we forgotten Gardner Minshew is the one making the ill-timed (and boneheaded) mistakes on the field? Nevertheless, the “Brick” maintains that a change must occur promptly.
“I think the play caller needs to be changed as of now, whoever they want to do it. I think there’s going to be some changes being made that could make some of the games more competitive.”
The thing is, what could really change with someone calling the plays if what you’re dealing with is a turnover-prone Minshew? Even against the Chiefs, Minshew was indeed having a solid outing, but you knew, sooner or later, he would get in his own way. A change at offensive coordinator isn’t going to magically get the run game going at this juncture either.
Speaking of changes…
Is Nate Hobbs gone after this season?
One of the Raiders’ most popular players on defense is Nate Hobbs—the defensive back has largely blossomed under Graham. Though it hasn’t been without some struggles, for example, Hobbs is allowing a completion percentage of 65.7 while defending the pass. On top of that, opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 100.2 when they target him.
Still, he’s been mostly reliable throughout his young career with the Raiders. Naturally, you’d think that general manager Tom Telesco will want to retain his services, right? According to Bleacher Report, Hobbs is expected to leave the Silver and Black this offseason. To whom you may ask? Indeed, it’s the team they’re playing against this week.
With an aging Mike Hilton likely on his last legs for the Bengals due to his age, Hobbs would be a commendable replacement. That’s largely due to Hobbs’ ability to play both inside at nickel and outside, defending the boundary.
Will Telesco show Hobbs the money?
*Top Photo: The Raider Ramble
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