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Oakland Raiders: The Time is Now

By Russell S. Baxter

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For a brief time at the turn of the century, the Oakland Raiders were very relevant.

In 2000, they finished 12-4, won a division title and reached the AFC Championship Game, losing at home to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

One year later, then-head coach Jon Gruden had the team back in the playoffs but their season would end in the divisional round via a 16-13 overtime loss in snowy New England to the eventual NFL champion Patriots.

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And one season after getting “tucked” in Massachusetts, the Raiders (now under the guidance of head coach Bill Callahan) would fall to the eventual Super Bowl champs for the third consecutive year. Only this time that setback would take place in the Super Bowl itself as Gruden would exact some revenge against his former team and employer in the Raiders and Al Davis.

Oakland fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21, in San Diego in Super Bowl XXXVII in a game in which 2002 NFL MVP and Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon was picked off five times and saw three of those thefts returned for touchdowns.

And it’s been all downhill ever since. Dating back to 2003, the Silver and Black has been anything but colorful when it comes to the win-loss record. There has been no winning season over the last 12 years and the franchise owns a dismal 56-136 record the last dozen seasons.

Including Callahan and a few interim names along the way, the Raiders have gone through eight head coaches since ’03.

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Hang on. Make that now nine head coaches with this year’s hiring of Jack Del Rio, who most recently spent time as the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. Yes, the Raiders already tried one of those with Dennis Allen, who lasted a tad over two years before being replaced by Tony Sparano early in the 2014 season.

Del Rio enjoyed moderate success as a head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and we shall see if he indeed the man to lead the Raiders out of the AFC West forest.

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But is their truly any reason for optimism in Oakland? There is in one respect because it does appear that Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers may have their own issues. One year ago, the Raiders opened the season 0-10 but managed a 3-3 record in their final six games. Does anyone really call that momentum?

Not really. But there are other reasons to be optimistic. Once again, general manager Reggie McKenzie has been busy during free agency spending the company’s money. Only this time around, instead of padding his defense with performer arguably past their prime, a little youth will be served to go along with some of the promising players McKenzie has added in the last two drafts.

September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) defends during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While ageless free safety Charles Woodson is back after leading the team in tackles, young linebackers such Miles Burris, Sio Moore and 2014 first-round pick Khalil Mack finished 2-3-4 on the team in stops, respectively.

The trio gets a little insurance with veterans Curtis Lofton and Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith as well. Up front, former Arizona Cardinals’ first-round pick Dan Williams comes off his best NFL season and will also be a good influence on 2014 rookie Justin Ellis. And former Eagles’ strong safety Nate Allen takes over for veteran Tyvon Branch, released by the club this offseason and picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The defense struggled last year to generate big plays, totaling just 22 sacks and a mere 14 takeaways during the club’s 3-13 season.

Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

But even more exciting could be the new supporting cast given to promising quarterback Derek Carr, who comes off a solid rookie showing. Running back Latavius Murray will be joined by versatile Roy Helu and mystifying Trent Richardson in the backfield, the latter on his third team in four years.

Oakland finished dead last in the NFL in both total offense and rushing in 2014 and many point to the struggles of the offensive line. That’s why the addition of underrated center Rodney Hudson and massive tight end Lee Smith should help with the interior run blocking. Left guard Gabe Jackson, a third-round pick from a year ago, shows promise as well. And veteran wideout James Jones leads a wide receiving corps that could use some more help and that could come in the form of a high pick next month.

More importantly, enough is enough. This once-proud franchise has been down on its luck for far too long. The Raiders need to seize the moment in a division that may not be as good as it has been in recent years.

A winning season would obviously be a step in the right direction. A playoff appearance would be a bit of a surprise and an AFC West title seems somewhat unimaginable at the moment.

However, this is a league where we have seen our share of reclamation projects. For McKenzie, it’s Year Four for him with the franchise. It will be interesting to see how much patience the Raiders’ management as well as its fans have for this front office and its latest moves.

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