Quote (Benny21 @ Aug 2 2014 08:37pm)
I can't believe I'm seeing so many of you guys saying we'll have the worst record in the league next year. I usually consider myself one of the more level headed of the Raiders fans (some of you fuckers predicted double digit wins last year?) but I think this team will truly be the one to turn it around. I see us winning 7-9 games.
Go ahead and cite our strongest SOS. That means absolute shit in the following year. The 9 teams with the toughest SOS last year? all finished .500 or better, and half of them made the playoffs even.
Very different circumstances surrounding those finishes
We're a struggling team right now.
In all honesty I'd expect there to be pretty stiff competition between us and a few other teams for last place. But we'll be in the mix. 2 against Denver, 2 against KC, 2 against SD...then Pats, NFC West...most teams that make the playoffs this season would struggle to hit .500 against that lineup, assuming similar performance from those clubs (I expect KC, SD, and SF to be weaker but still strong, point stands). This is almost literally the shittiest schedule possible.
Quote (OmegaRed07 @ Aug 2 2014 09:25pm)
Lol I'm not just saying that based on the sched. Honestly have no confidence in schaub and our receivers. And mjd/dmc CAN'T carry the team lol. Idk doubt we lose all 6 but I won't be surprised if we get swept by the division plus what Seattle new England that's 8 right there. I believe we got the niners too. 9. Idk I know there's like 2 others I doubt we have a shot in.
Hope next year's draft class is strong too. We should have a top 3 pick.
Draft class is deep at QB...we already have one though. Not sure if we're looking to double up over Carr considering how much the front office has liked him. Possible we ship away a pick...esp if the Texans get a mid tier pick in their weak division. Since, you know, QB needs and all.
I think Schaub can still put together a few productive seasons. I share your lack of faith in our WR and RB spots though. Not enough sizzle out of our WRs even with Jones, and the only exciting thing to see is whether MJD or McFadden gets hurt first.
But our OL looks better (except for the loss of Veldheer) and our defense should have toughened up. Rotated out some players on the DL, got Mack, and with Branch back plus at least 1 new starting CB we're looking really solid. Old, yes. But solid for now, and hopefully in a year or two when we start losing the older players we'll have Hayden, Mack, etc ready to step in and make something happen. I'd like to see a DE pick out of this draft for Tuck and Smith to teach.
Quote (Benny21 @ Aug 2 2014 09:45pm)
Damn smh man.
Schaub had 5 straight seasons of 90+ passer rating before last year. That's something Brett Favre and Tom Brady have never done.
MJD rushed for over 1300 yards 3 straight seasons before losing the last 2 to foot injuries. He won't be the same back, but I can see him eclipsing 1,000 yards again.
DMC will benefit from only touching the ball 10-13 times per game in a change of pace setting.
James Jones is a possession receiver who high points the ball and fights for it when it's in the air. Haven't had a receiver like that since Tim Brown.
Streater was really impressive last year with Pryor and Flynn throwing the ball, come on... he'll be even better this year.
And honestly, I'm more concerned about our offense than defense. I think our defense will be very much improved, and I'd like to say they'll be near the top-10 by the year's end.
And you're crazy if you think KC and SD are repeating the success they had last year. Neither will make the playoffs.
Our defense could be top 10 if our offense can stay on the field. We have good possession WRs but we don't have anyone who can stretch the field or make big explosive plays to give us a spark. KC will still be a playoff team. I doubt SD will be, given how godlike Rivers played and how they still barely made the playoffs, but SD will still be a strong team. And after making the playoffs last season, they'll have confidence. A winning attitude isn't something you can quantify and it's definitely something we don't have right now.
Quote (OmegaRed07 @ Aug 3 2014 12:51am)
Chargers might get in but I doubt kc will.
SD won on River's back. He won't repeat the performance. KC has a strong defense and a safe offense rushing with Smith keeping drives alive. That's a winning recipe, and while they lost some OL they've retained most of the key pieces that made the team tick last season. They aren't goign to be 12-4 or whatever they were, but they'll still wild card their way into the playoffs. Who else will make it? It'll be DEN, NE, Indy, 1 from the north...then probably KC and one 8-8 team. Excellent opportunity for a less-respected club to slip in. The Bills are my sleeper pick. Showed flashes of a hot offense last season, and with Watkins they'll only improve.