After looking competitive—even in defeat—the past two weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders seemed poised for a breakthrough. Instead, everything crashed back to earth Monday night. Time to react.
John Spytek might be a terrible GM…
We’ll get to the coaching staff later, but something far more glaring needs to be addressed first: the roster construction has been disastrous. It’s difficult to identify a single offseason move by GM Mike Spytek that has clearly worked.
Defensively, the first-year general manager essentially let everyone walk. The only returning pieces were Isaiah Pola-Mao, Malcolm Koonce and Adam Butler. Butler has been steady, but the other two have struggled. The rest of the secondary and all of the linebackers were rebuilt with bargain-bin free agents—nearly all of whom have been poor fits. The lone modest success is Eric Stokes, who has been serviceable at corner.
On offense, the only major swing was the trade for Geno Smith. Anyone watching can see that move has backfired. The lack of other additions, especially along the offensive line, was equally baffling.
The draft offered little relief. Most of the rookies can’t crack a starting lineup at three positions where the Raiders are thinnest: cornerback, offensive line and wide receiver. The only pick showing real promise is running back Ashton Jeanty, taken sixth overall—and even that looks questionable given positional value and the team’s many other needs.
There’s a chance the coaching staff influenced these decisions, but their usage of the roster suggests they aren’t high on these players either.
The coaching staff hates the roster…
It’s hard to fully explain, but it feels as if the coaching staff has little faith in most of the roster—including players they handpicked. Rookies continue to sit behind veterans who look overmatched, and the one rookie who does play is barely used. And remember the move for veteran quarterback Smith? Chip Kelly now has him running a college-style offense because he no longer trusts him.
The defensive decisions are just as baffling. Maxx Crosby’s role has been altered for no clear reason, making him less effective. Pola-Mao and edge rusher Eric Snowden have been miscast, with the staff apparently convinced Snowden is an off-ball linebacker. And it’s worth noting that Germaine Pratt, who received a major contract last offseason, was effectively run out of town within five weeks.
The message from the staff to the locker room is unmistakable: they don’t believe in their players. The players, in turn, are starting to respond in kind.
This Raiders team has checked out…
After two weeks of fighting, the Raiders’ edge vanished before the first quarter even ended Monday night. Tackling looked optional, blocking wasn’t far behind, and the low point came on a George Pickens touchdown where the entire secondary appeared content to watch him stroll into the end zone.
It only got worse after halftime. Las Vegas folded completely. Every offensive snap felt like a jailbreak, and the defense let the Cowboys march wherever they wanted. Even as Dallas bled the clock late, the Cowboys kept pushing forward while the Raiders simply let it happen.
The lone exception was Maxx Crosby, who played with his usual intensity. Beyond him, the roster looked ready for the offseason. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, nearly two months remain—and it’s shaping up to feel like an eternity.
Related: Even The Cowboys Felt Sorry For The Raiders
*Top Photo: Getty Images