Head coach Jack Del Rio has lost the Raiders locker room

Though the Oakland Raiders won on Sunday, it was the brawl that showed us everything we need to know about this team. Jack Del Rio has lost the locker room.

ChainGate, part two! It didn’t take very long into yesterday’s matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos for things to get heated. The highly anticipated rematch between Oakland wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib was all that was needed to get the furnace going.

The two were ejected for fighting and instigating a brawl. This fight is most likely going to bring about suspensions and fines. Not only did the Raiders lose Crabtree, but right guard Gabe Jackson was ejected for making contact with an official. His contact, however, appeared more inadvertent than intentional. Even with those ejections and the loss of receiver Amari Cooper due to injury, the Raiders still managed to win the game, 21-14.

However, despite the win, Crabtree’s decision to fight Talib gives more credence that Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio has lost the locker room. Looking over how the brawl got started, it’s clear that Crabtree initiates it. The fact that it occurred so early into the game shows that he had it all premeditated.

He showed no fear of what is to come from Del Rio or the league. Last season, when Talib first pulled Crabtree’s chain he didn’t retaliate. He said that he made a “business decision” to not engage him because he knew he would get ejected. So of course he knows he would still be ejected this time around. What’s the difference this time? His team stinks!

The losing has gotten to Crabtree, as it should, but not in this manner of selfishness. He should have destroyed Talib on the field with his play instead. It just shows how very little he cares about the leadership. Crabtree isn’t the only one showing lack of faith in Del Rio.

The defense had the greatest outing of the season yesterday recording five sacks and their first interception under newly appointed defensive coordinator John Pagano. However, linebacker Bruce Irvin doesn’t think the change is the reason for the great performance stating “We just let it rip”. If what he says is true, then he and others have been slouching. Del Rio’s words have fallen on deaf ears and the players are tired of it.

https://twitter.com/89SteveSmith/status/933410569478180864

When the announcement to the team of the firing of former defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., Irvin and defensive end Khalil Mack weren’t too pleased with Del Rio. They were so unhappy about the move that they took a day off of practice. They have since declined every interview regarding the situation.

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Many people saw this as a scapegoat move. One of the reasons is because Del Rio is also responsible for the defense.

So perhaps the reactions out of Mack and Irvin are due to the fact that they can see through Del Rio’s attempt of throwing Norton under the bus when he is not free of blame.

Del Rio’s only trait as a coach is a motivator/leader. Now that it’s clear it doesn’t work on the players anymore, he has nothing. Nothing but the happy trigger finger of firing coaches on his staff.

Next: Raiders outlast Broncos to get fifth win, 21-14: Highlights

So it should come as no surprise that there are reports that offensive coordinator Todd Downing will likely be fired at the end of the season. The Raiders still have a shot at the division, but it looks like it’s going to have to be on the players the rest of the way.

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