5 reasons why the Raiders can make the playoffs

4. Change of culture

When Jack Del Rio took over as head coach in Oakland, he coined the term “return to greatness”. The Raiders were in a perpetual state of…well…sucking. However, Del Rio and his staff began the culture shift in Oakland that put the team back on the map. He, along with Reggie McKenzie added many talented players to the roster and created a competitive, winning atmosphere.

That began to lack last season, and one cause could have been a lack of leadership in the locker room. But, Del Rio’s departure opened the door for Jon Gruden to make his way back home to the Raiders. Without the work that Del Rio did, nobody would have wanted anything to do with the Raiders.

Now with Gruden in the fold (I’ll elaborate on him later), the final stage in the culture shift is occurring. A lot of media outlets have made a fuss about Gruden bringing in aging vets who’s best football is behind them. While I understand that point of view, I find is incredibly shallow and lazy. Think about it a little harder and it makes a lot of sense.

Gruden is bringing in good locker room guys to create competition in camp, and help him teach his playbook. A lot of the “old” players that signed have connections with the staff in some way and most all of them are “good guys” that help create a championship mentality in the locker room.

The shift is occurring and it is unfolding in front of our eyes. There is finally a balance of young, talented players that need some guidance, and older veteran players who are still striving for success. The Raiders have their stars, and they have their leaders, now they just need to put it all together.

Gone are the days of the players looking like a bunch of misfits on the field. Gone are the days where players are getting arrested and the media portrays the team as a bunch of convicts. The future is here, the winning culture in Oakland is finally restored.