The Oakland Raiders head into the regular season having lost their most prolific pass rusher. But does that spell certain doom in the black hole?
The Oakland Raiders must now embrace one of the most well-known and over used platitudes in the NFL: Next man up. The Raiders will be relying on the next man up all season. The loss of mister everything Khalil Mack has left this team in need of not only an upgrade at pass rusher but also a major morale boost.
Then there is the issue of a possible impending lawsuit to be filed by the Oakland City Council against the Raiders and the NFL. The suit seems may be a means to get a quick money grab as the Raiders leave town. But the speculation is that if the lawsuit is filed, the Raiders may leave after this season for Las Vegas.
One only need to remember the horrifying experience Cleveland Browns fans endured during the 1995 season to know that such an announcement would be the like dropping a nuclear bomb on the hearts of Oakland Raiders fan everywhere.
Knowing that this season may be the last in Oakland may result in apathy and anger. If it plays out like this, this season will be extremely difficult for fans, players and coaches. The only bright spot being that the team will still exist. They will simply the Raiders of another city.
The above could all be posturing by the City of Oakland, but if this possibly is the last season for the Raiders in Oakland, it is looking like one to forget. Last year the Raiders finished 6-10. This record occurred with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Mack on the field. This season will not have Mack putting fear in the hearts of opposing quarterbacks.
Worse, the Raiders look to be in rebuilding mode. The team had several holes to fill on defense before Khalil Mack was traded. The loss of Mack does little to upgrade the defense now but may open the financial resources necessary to rebuild the defense through free agency in future years. The offense is still looking to shore up the offensive line heading into the season.
Head coach Jon Gruden may look at the NFL as child’s play. But many fans may experience Gruden’s first season as the curse of Chucky. Season 1 of Gruden’s tenure may be a horror show for Raiders fans.