Oakland Raiders: What Happened To Rod Streater?

With the Oakland Raiders latest success on the field offensively and in the winning column, it’s easy to forget that they have basically turned away from one of their few bright spots in the last several seasons, namely Rod Streater. Arguably the former number one receiver for the team before last seasons injury issues derailed him, Streater now finds himself a healthy scratch as an inactive week after week.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: Who are the greatest defensive players ever?

It’s easy to forget how well Streater was playing in 2013, his last full season in the NFL. With 60 catches and almost 900 yards receiving, it was a safe assumption that the Raiders would at least make him the number three guy after grabbing Amari Cooper in the draft and Michael Crabtree in free agency this past off-season. It was one of the reasons I though he stood a great chance at being the 2015 C.P.O.Y.; Cooper and Crabtree would conceivably take the pressure off of Streater.

More from Las Vegas Raiders

Instead, Oakland has decided to go with Seth Roberts and Andre Holmes, guys that by all accounts have played well. Roberts, after initially hoping to battle for just a roster spot, has been a nice surprise. He was more of a threat early in the season, and has cooled off considerably (1st 3 games: 80 yards receiving, 2 TD’s; last 4 games: 27 yards receiving, 0 TD’s). Holmes has also played well with 3 TD’s through the first 7 games.

But in all honesty they haven’t blown anyone away with their athleticism, making the Streater benching a real head scratcher. It isn’t a stretch to think Streater would have the same, if not better numbers if he had that third receiving spot.

Streater has only suited up for one game, a week one loss to the Bengals. He caught the one pass thrown his way in that game for eight yards.

There was some thought that the Raiders would trade Streater due to his dormant status week after week; You’d think that someone with a playoff ready team would like a fairly young receiver with Streater’s playing ability. That isn’t going to happen now, with the trade deadline having already passed. So the question remains: What is going on with Rod Streater and the Raiders?

Streater isn’t the type of player that would speak out against the coaches or management due to frustrations with his lack of playing time, so a dust-up with the staff doesn’t seem to be why he isn’t seeing the field. It’s possible the coaches just don’t like what they’re seeing in practice, or at least like what they’re seeing from Holmes and Roberts a lot more. But keeping him inactive week after week doesn’t allow Streater a chance to prove himself in games to change the narrative.

Streater’s inactive status might be the most surprising part of all of this. It would be understandable if he just wasn’t performing well in games while Holmes or Roberts were tearing it up. The Raiders, by making Streater inactive, don’t even think he’s worthy of playing if Holmes, Roberts or any other Raiders receiver gets hurt. He’s not even good enough to play special teams apparently.

When you consider Streaters contract, it’s even more of a head scratcher. The Raiders are paying Streater close to two and a half million dollars this year to hang out in a track suit on game day. Meanwhile Holmes and Roberts salaries combined are less than 2 million (Contract information courtesy of sportrac.com). If you are paying a guy that much money why keep him on the team if you aren’t going to play him or at least dress him?

Next: AC/DC, Raiders On Fire

Streater is a free agent in 2016, so his Oakland Raiders days appear numbered. But in a year Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and Head Coach Jack Del Rio have pushed a lot of the right buttons, the Rod Streater handling doesn’t make sense.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders