This year hasn’t gone as planned for coach Jon Gruden and the Raiders. Multiple factors have led to yet another late-season collapse, and the team is still looking to gain its eighth win and avoid a losing campaign.
The issues range from the immediate, most notably, quarterback Derek Carr’s groin injury, all the way back to the remote past, such as trading stud defensive end Khalil Mack to start Gruden’s tenure. (Sure, that trade is debatable, but the Raiders’ lack of strength in its front-7 is holding the team back mightily.)
But hold on, let’s not go that far backward. Let’s go to the start of the 2020 campaign: the draft. The Raiders selected the versatile Lynn Bowden Jr. in the third round, only to trade him to the Dolphins before the season started, sending a sixth-round pick along with Bowden and receiving a fourth-round choice in return.
Bowden played wide receiver and quarterback in college at Kentucky, but in a curious move, the Raiders tried him at running back. They apparently decided he wasn’t very good (there were also reported character issues, denied by general manager Mike Mayock) and shipped him out of town, talent and all.
Now, Bowden is on a hot streak with his new club, contributing to a surprisingly solid campaign for the Dolphins, who the Raiders just happen to face this Saturday.
Gruden was asked about Bowden by reporters on Tuesday, and his answer was short, and a tad disparaging.
“Well, he’s got to play because they’ve had some injuries, and obviously they’re using him in the slot,” Gruden said. “They’re using some gadget plays, and we’ll see if we see Lynn. I’m happy for him. I’m glad he found a role. But when [Jakeem] Grant got hurt, when DeVante Parker got hurt, they adjust much like we have to adjust.”
Okay, so Bowden was a bit buried on the depth chart. But he’s been unearthed in a big way, and his recent success makes the Raiders’ brass look somewhat incompetent. Especially considering what Las Vegas has gotten from the draft picks it decided to keep.
Check out this stat from the Raiders Wire’s own Levi Damian.
#Raiders third round pick (80) Lynn Bowden Jr now has 17 catches for 160 yards the past three games for the #Dolphins. Raiders top pick (12) Henry Ruggs III and third round pick (81) Bryan Edwards combined for 9 catches for 158 yards over their past three games (all by Ruggs).
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) December 20, 2020
Due to the above ridiculousness, the Raiders look incredibly short-sighted, to say the least. This season is heading down the drain yet again, and Las Vegas will likely get an up-close look at one of their failed moves this weekend. There’s still time to salvage what’s left of the campaign and earn win No. 8, and Gruden had better make that happen so failures like this are lost in the shuffle as opposed to staring him in the face on game day.
[vertical-gallery id=77159]
[lawrence-newsletter]