Bring back the play-action pass
The biggest departure from Bill Musgrave‘s offense to Todd Downing’s has been the lack of play-action passing concepts. Sure, going from a power blocking scheme to a zone blocking scheme in the running game hasn’t helped, but the Raiders are supposed to be infinitely better in the passing game.
Carr has been anything but an MVP level player this year. Outside of No. 2 wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the Raiders’ passing game has been a massive disappointment in the first third of the season. Amari Cooper isn’t himself in this new offense. Jared Cook hasn’t been used as much as many thought he would be at tight end.
The play-action is important to the Raiders offense for so many reasons. One, it allows this renegade, never say die team to stay in games late with a quick aerial strike. Two, Carr is not the most accurate passer in the league and needs to play-action to create better throwing lanes. And three, the Raiders might have a running back corps that can rush for over 100 yards a game, but few teams truly fear it.
In essence, the play-action pass, if run properly, could give the Raiders the balance it has been longing for on offense this season. Having fullback Jamize Olawale back as a lead blocker could help in the running game, but this has to be a pass-first team in Oakland to even think about winning on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.