Category: Raiders buzz

Chargers officially part with Philip Rivers after career of dominance over Raiders

Chargers officially part with Philip Rivers after career of dominance over Raiders

Everyone saw it coming when Philip Rivers packed up his family and left his San Diego home to move out East. That being said, neither side had to make anything official until the start of free agency in March. The two decided it best to make it official now that come free agency, Rivers will no longer be with the Chargers.

There are probably a few Raiders fans who will look at Philip Rivers’s two losses to the Raiders last season and think he was no great threat and laugh at the idea that he dominated the Raiders. To think that way would be to have an incredibly bad memory.

Even with the Raiders sweeping Rivers last season, he still enjoyed a nearly 2-to-1 win/loss ratio (18-10) over his division rivals. In case you were wondering why you may have hated him so very much.

His 18 wins over the Raiders over his career are the most against any team. For comparison, he actually has losing career records vs the other two AFC West teams. He is 13-16 over his career against the Broncos and 14-15 against the Chiefs.

Rivers became the full-time starter for the Chargers in 2006. And it wasn’t until his fifth NFL season that the Raiders managed to actually beat him. That’s right, he didn’t lose a game to the Raiders his first FOUR SEASONS or 8 straight wins right out the gates.

By the end of 2014, Rivers had been in the NFL for nine seasons and the Raiders had just four wins against him while losing 14.

There were a couple of seasons in 2015 and 2016 where the Raiders got the better of Rivers, sweeping the Chargers in those two seasons. But come 2017, at the age of 35, he returned the favor, sweeping the Raiders in consecutive seasons to bring his career win-loss record back to 18-8.

Some will argue that wins are not a QB stat. And technically, they’re right. So, let’s look at Rivers’ career stats vs the Silver & Black.

Completions: 584 of 906 (64.46)
Passing yards: 7104
TD/Int: 47/22
Passer rating: 95.6

That’s a per-game average of 253.7 passing yards and a more than 2-to-1 TD/Int ratio.

That being said, if you figure he is 38 years of age and last season didn’t look like the Philip Rivers of previous years, you could, at this point, say he is washed up. There have been a few quarterbacks to play into their 40s, but other than Tom Brady, most of those QBs are backups. Even Peyton Manning’s last good season was at the age of 38. He retired at age 39.

Rivers is a tremendous competitor. Personally, I have grown to respect his passion for the game and his competitive spirit. He leaves it all on the field every play, wears his emotions on this sleeve (and on his face) and is honest almost to a fault when addressing the media while not coming off as a jerk.

Love him or hate him, he is a great player who was a worthy rival to the Raiders for 16 years.

[vertical-gallery id=60514]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Raiders listed at No. 22 in latest Touchdown Wire 2020 Power Rankings

Raiders listed at No. 22 in latest Touchdown Wire 2020 Power Rankings

After taking a big step forward as a franchise in 2019, the Raiders appear to be a team on the rise in the AFC. They have a young defense and one of the best offensive lines in all of the NFL. Add on the fact they’ve found two studs in Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller on offense and things are looking pretty bright for the team in Las Vegas.

However, not everyone is convinced that the Raiders are ready to make another leap in 2020.

In a recent article by Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, the Raiders were listed as the No. 22 ranked team heading into the 2020 offseason. Take a look at why Farrar is less than optimistic about the Raiders’ chances next season:

Quarterback Derek Carr finished the 2019 season with career bests in completion percentage (70.4%), passing yards (4,054), yards per attempt (7.9) and passer rating (100.8). Carr also finished sixth in Football Outsiders’ cumulative opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics for quarterbacks last season. But there doesn’t seem to be a sure-thing status regarding Gruden’s feelings about Carr, and that’s not the only issue here. The Raiders’ secondary combined for 18 touchdowns allowed, but just six interceptions in 2019. The Raiders finished 24th in the league in both points scored and points allowed, and although Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock came through with an absolutely fantastic rookie class in 2019, there’s still work to be done. Committing to a quarterback would help.

If the Raiders can find a way to become a more consistent offense, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to win one or two more games next season. If Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden can find some more stability at wide receiver, that should help as well.

However, if the Raiders do move on from Derek Carr in favor of a younger quarterback, it wouldn’t be that surprising if the team did take a step back. That is something Mayock and Gruden will have to weigh when making the tough decision about Carr’s future over the next few months.

[vertical-gallery id=61895]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons falls to Raiders in latest Draft Network mock

Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons falls to Raiders in latest Draft Network mock

Anyone following the Raiders knows they have two big holes on their roster heading into the 2020 offseason; wide receiver and linebacker. While the team could address both needs in free agency, it’s expected that the Raiders will use the draft to fill these two spots.

Most mock drafts have the Raiders using the No. 12 pick to select a receiver. Usually, that player is either CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma or Jerry Jeudy from Alabama. However, there is one player that could make the Raiders ignore these two stud wideouts: Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

In a recent mock draft at The Draft Network, Jordan Reid gave the Raiders Simmons at pick No. 12. Take a look at his reasoning behind the selection and how he would fit in Las Vegas:

Last year, Mike Mayock showed a love fest for Clemson players when he drafted Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen and Hunter Renfrow. He once again elects to dip his toes in the Tigers water and selects the top-rated prospect from the program this season. Relying on Vontaze Burfict on the second level was completely misguided and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther gains access to a new chess piece to deploy in Isaiah Simmons.

If Simmons were to fall to pick No. 12, it would be the dream pick for the Raiders as he could fill a hole that has caused problems for the team for years. Simmons is everything the Raiders want and need from a linebacker prospect and they should and likely would run to the podium if he were available.

[vertical-gallery id=60514]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Raiders have second-most trade ammunition entering 2020 offseason

Raiders have second-most trade ammunition entering 2020 offseason

If there is one thing we know about Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden, they are going to be aggressive in their attempt to rebuild the Raiders. Over the last two offseasons, we’ve seen the team make several bold trades in order to acquire premier talent.

While those moves haven’t exactly panned out for the Raiders, it’s clear that Mayock and Gruden will continue to explore that avenue when trying to acquire elite players.

In a recent article by Bleacher Report, Gary Davenport named the Raiders as having the second-most trade ammunition in 2020 with two first-round picks, both inside the top-20.

The biggest chip the Raiders hold is a pair of first-round picks inside the top 20. With Las Vegas in possession of picks No. 12 and No. 19, the Raiders have the capital to move up in Round 1 if the team sets its sights on an elite prospect. Las Vegas also has a pair of picks in Round 3, although it doesn’t own a second-rounder and isn’t expected to pick up any compensatory selections.

While it would be surprising for the Raiders to trade one of their two first-round picks for a single player, the idea of them trading down to acquire more selections is certainly realistic. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them trade another mid-round pick to add a proven veteran at a position of need.

The Raiders may not make a splashy trade this offseason for a player like Martavis Bryant or Antonio Brown, but you can bet they will be engaged in some sort of trade talks during the offseason. It’s just part of Mayock’s DNA.

[vertical-gallery id=60514]

[lawrence-newsletter]

10 movie actors who once suited up for the Raiders

It’s Oscar night! Yes, Sunday night is the 2020 Academy Awards. It’s where Hollywood’s brightest stars shine to celebrate the greatest achievements in film over the past year. The Raiders know a thing or two about movie stars. Quite a few of their …

It’s Oscar night! Yes, Sunday night is the 2020 Academy Awards. It’s where Hollywood’s brightest stars shine to celebrate the greatest achievements in film over the past year. The Raiders know a thing or two about movie stars. Quite a few of their former players went on to raise their star from the small screen to the big screen.

We count down the top ten film and TV stars to have ever donned the Silver & Black.

10. Bob Golic (1989-92)

11 TV and film credits. Best known for his role of coach Michael Rogers on Saved By the Bell: The College Years which led to a role in the movie Saved By the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas. Other film credits include The Taking of Beverly Hills and Da Vinci’s War. He was also on an episode of the show Coach.

9. Bill Romanowski (2002-03)

8 TV and film credits, The Longest Yard, The Benchwarmers, Weiners, Get Smart, Bedtime Stories

8. Nnamdi Asomugha (2003-10)

Mr Kerry Washington has 11 credits to his name so far. His film acting roles include Fire with Fire, Hello, My Name is Doris, Crown Heights, and Sylvia’s Love. He’s also been a Producer on critically acclaimed films Beasts of No Nation and Harriet as well as the upcoming film The Banker starring Samuel L Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, and Anthony Mackie.

7. Bubba Smith (1973-74)

52 TV and film credits. Best known as Sergeant Hightower in all six Police Academy films, Escape from DS-3, Black Moon Rising, Gremlins 2

6. Ben Davidson (1964-71)

29 TV and film credits, Behind the Green Door, The Black 6, Conan the Barbarian, Necessary Roughness

5. Lyle Alzado (1982-85)

27 TV and film credits, Earnest Goes to Camp, Tapeheads, Destroyer, Who’s Harry Crumb?, Shocktroop, Club Fed

4. Howie Long (1981-93)

14 TV and film credits. Starred in blockbuster films Broken Arrow, Firestorm, and 3000 Miles to Graceland

3. John Matuszak (1976-81)

Prior to his death in 1989, he was a full blown 80s movie star. He has 34 TV and film credits including starring roles in classics North Dallas Forty, Caveman, The Ice Pirates, and The Goonies

2. Fred Williamson (1961-64)

The 3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All All-Pro defensive black has an astounding 131 TV and film credits to his name including 7 currently filming or in the works. Best known as star of countless ‘Blaxploitation’ films of the 70s and 80s. Also starred in MASH, Dusk Till Dawn, and Starsky & Hutch. His extensive TV work includes series regular roles on Julia, Half Nelson with Joe Pesci, Fast Track, and Hello Paradise

1. Carl Weathers (1970-71)

Weather had a far more successful acting career than football career. He appearing in 8 games over two seasons in Oakland and has since been credited with 78 TV and film appearances. He broke out for his role of Apollo Creed in the 1979 Best Picture Rocky and continued in the role through the first four Rocky films. He went on to star in Predator, Action Jackson, Hurricane Smith, Happy Gilmore and most recently was the voice of Combat Carl in Toy Story 4. Currently in Disney+ series The Mandalorian.

Raiders have sixth-most draft capital heading into 2020 NFL Draft

Raiders have sixth-most draft capital heading into 2020 NFL Draft

Teams with lesser records get higher picks because the NFL wants them to have a better chance of getting value from the draft. It’s how they try to even things out a little bit. And if trades weren’t a thing in the draft, which teams had the most to work with would always just be the draft order. But they are, so that changes things a bit.

The Raiders, for instance, make their first pick at 12 overall. But their overall draft value is much higher. Currently, they are ranked as the sixth highest draft value as compiled by Tankathon.com.

In other words, they should be able to come out with a better draft class than 26 other NFL teams as well as have more ammunition to move around in the draft.

This valuation is made by using the classic Jimmy Johnson draft pick value chart which assigns a point value to each draft position. This is most often a rough way of figuring out what a team would have to offer in order to acquire a given pick in the draft.

With two picks in the first round (12, 19), none in the second, three in the third (80, 81, 91), one in the 4th and 7th rounds, the Raiders point value according to the JJ draft value chart is currently put at 2667.8. This value will change slightly once the compensatory picks are released, but not much. Only the last two picks will change. They will be lower, but so will everyone else’s.

Top five are:

  1. Dolphins (4502.9)
  2. Bengals (4041.2)
  3. Lions (3205.6)
  4. Jaguars (3038)
  5. Washington (3032.4)

Bottom five are:

32. Texans (512)
31. Steelers (550.2)
30. Rams (667)
29. 49ers (695)
28. Bears (984.6)

Keep in mind, this is just where each team’s value should be. A baseline. Which is to say, if the Raiders’ class ends up ranked 7th or lower, then they didn’t reach the draft class value. If it’s in the top five, then they outperformed the class’s projected value.

[vertical-gallery id=61895]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Former Raiders QB Matt McGloin scores first touchdown in XFL New York Guardians history

When history is written, it probably won’t have much about the XFL in it. When football history is written, the XFL may get a mention somewhere in the footnotes. And when XFL history is written, there may be a place in there for Matt McGloin. The …

When history is written, it probably won’t have much about the XFL in it. When football history is written, the XFL may get a mention somewhere in the footnotes. And when XFL history is written, there may be a place in there for Matt McGloin.

The former Raiders undrafted tryout player turned starter pushed across the goal line on a QB sneak to score the first touchdown in New York Guardians history.

McGloin was with the Raiders for four seasons from 2013-16. He took over as a rookie starter for the injured Terrelle Pryor and never gave the job back, even after Pryor was healthy again.

The following season the Raiders drafted Derek Carr and inserted him as the starter. Meanwhile McGloin went about winning the backup job the next three seasons despite many attempts by the team. to bring in competition to beat him out.

He would appear in 13 games with 7 starts in four seasons compiling 11 TDs and 11 interceptions.

After resurgent 2019 season could DE Robert Quinn follow Rod Marinelli to Raiders?

After resurgent 2019 season could DE Robert Quinn follow Rod Marinelli to Raiders?

There was a time when Robert Quinn was one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL. The former 14th overall pick was an All-Pro in 2013, his third season in the NFL, after finishing second in the league with 19.0 sacks. Last season he came as close to that total as he had in any other season of his career.

Quinn joined the Dallas Cowboys under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli last season and hit 11.5 sacks; his most in five seasons. In fact, Quinn hadn’t even hit double digits for four previous seasons with the Rams and Dolphins. Two of those seasons were cut short by injuries.

After last season, Marinelli and Quinn are both free agents. Marinelli was hired by the Raiders as defensive line coach, re-joining Jon Gruden under whom he had coached the defensive line in Tampa for several years in the early 2000s.

While coaches can latch on anywhere as soon as they are let go, NFL players set to become free agents must wait until the start of the new league year in March. Quinn will have some suitors around the league looking to add some pass rush to their defense. You’d have to figure the team that employs the defensive coordinator under whom Quinn had his best season in five years would have a decided advantage if all things were equal.

Prior to last season, Quinn was traded by the Dolphins. At that time, he was given a choice between heading to the Saints or the Cowboys. He chose the Cowboys in part to play under Marinelli.

“Specifically, it was the way they allowed the D-line to play high-flying,” Quinn said. “We get to attack and get in the backfield more than in other places. I think it was kind of one of those where we could have fun and disrupt the backfield which they want us to do.”

Marinelli was glad to team Quinn up with Cowboys All-Pro DeMarcus Lawrence.

“I’m telling you, what’s he’s really going to be is a good run defender just like D-Law,” Marinelli said. “Lizards over there – racing lizards who can play the run.”

Reptile comparisons continued for Quinn as later Marinelli referred to the pass rusher as ‘The snake” after Cowboys player Tyrone Crawford gave Quinn the nickname “Black Cobra” from his bend around the edge.

With Quinn approaching 30 years of age, and having just one double-digit sack season in five years, he may not receive a blockbuster long term deal. His 2-game suspension last season for substance abuse will also probably scare some teams away from a long term investment. Though you’d figure he will get a raise from the $8 million he made with the Cowboys last year. Perhaps a substantial raise with some nice incentives built in.

With the Raiders having spent last year’s fourth overall pick on defensive end Clelin Ferrell and getting Defensive Rookie of the Year caliber numbers from 4th round pick Maxx Crosby, they have no need to break the bank adding a pass rusher.

But that also means they have the money to spend on the position with two young players who won’t be looking at a second contract for another three years at least. Now imagine Ferrell, Crosby and Quinn in a rotation on the edges. It’s a fun thought.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[vertical-gallery id=61895]

Jason Tarver back in the NFL with Browns joining two other former Raiders coaches

Jason Tarver back in the NFL with Browns joining two other former Raiders coaches

Remember Jason Tarver? He was the Raiders’ first defensive coordinator of the post-Al Davis/Reggie McKenzie era in Oakland. He was on the staff led by head coach Dennis Allen when the Raiders’ job was not very enticing because everyone and their brother knew McKenzie was blowing up the team.

Tarver spent three seasons on staff with the Raiders, in-between stints as a defensive assistant/LB coach with the 49ers and one season at Stanford.

The past couple years he’s been the Defensive Coordinator at Vanderbilt. And now, according to a report by Cleveland.com Tarver is back in the NFL as the linebackers coach for the Browns under new Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods.

Woods may also be a familiar name for Raiders fans. He and Tarver were on the same staff in Oakland in 2014 when Woods was the team’s Defensive Backs coach and Tarver was DC. Now, Woods is the DC and Tarver is the position coach.

Woods was just announced as the Defensive Coordinator under new head coach Kevin Stefanski so he has just begun putting together his defensive staff. Also on staff will be Chris Kiffin, brother of former Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin. Chris Kiffin spent last season with Woods on the 49ers staff.

While the defensive staff is coming together, the offensive staff is nearly complete. Among them is offensive line coach Bill Callahan who was the offensive coordinator under Jon Gruden from 1998-2001 and then took over as head coach in 2002, leading the Raiders to the Super Bowl where he would face Gruden, then with the Buccaneers and lose.

Callahan most recently took over as interim head coach in Washington after Jon’s brother Jay Gruden was fired. The NFL is a weird, nepotistic fraternity isn’t it?

[vertical-gallery id=60514]

[lawrence-newsletter]

NFL announces 337 prospects invited to 2020 Scouting Combine

We are a week into February which means the NFL Scouting Combine is coming up soon. This year there were 337 NFL prospects who were invited to the annual event which will be held in Indianapolis from February 24 thru March 1. They list the players …

We are a week into February which means the NFL Scouting Combine is coming up soon. This year there were 337 NFL prospects who were invited to the annual event which will be held in Indianapolis from February 24 thru March 1.

They list the players in sortable order on the NFL.com site right here.

The combine page has tabs to sort invites by name, position, and college.  And on each f those pages, you can sort by name, position, college, or conference.

At the Combine, prospects are first given physicals, weighed, measured, and interviewed. Then they hit the field for events. Standard athletic events at the combine include the 40-yard-dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle. In addition each position group will have events specifically for them.

Not being invited to the combine doesn’t necessarily mean a prospect will not get draft. Every year there is the equivalent of an entire round worth of prospects who get drafted that weren’t invited to the combine. Those prospects still have their school’s pro day in order to impress NFL scouts.

By the same token, there will be over a third of the players who will be on the field for he combine who will not be drafted. After all, there are 256 players taken in the draft and there will be as many as 337 on the field in Indianapolis.

Many players are invited to the combine, but either choose not to participate, or only participate in one or two drills. This is either due to injury or simply preferring to show the rest of their skills and athleticism in a more familiar and prospect friendly environment at their college pro day. For instance, a QB may want to throw only at their pro day when they have wide receivers with whom they have developed some timing and chemistry with.