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5 reasons the Raiders exceed expectation in 2018

By Brad Weiss

OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and now ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden looks on during pre-game warm ups before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and now ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden looks on during pre-game warm ups before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Coaching staff changes

To say the coaching staff last season underachieved is an understatement, as Jack Del Rio, Todd Downing, and Ken Norton Jr. all looked overmatched at times. For Downing, he replaced Bill Musgrave, and the offense went from an explosive one that won 12 games in 2016, to one that saw the tight end lead the team in receiving.

For Norton Jr., this was a long time coming, as the team was looking to make a move at the defensive coordinator position. He was fired before Downing and Del Rio were after the season, as the team let him go in November, after the team was blown out by the New England Patriots by the score of 33-8.

When it comes to Del Rio, he has to be given some of the credit for turning the franchise around. He will be replaced by Jon Gruden, who will give this team a completely different look, and if this offseason is any indication, he certainly looks to have his team fired up to be a member of the Raiders organization in 2018.

Greg Olson takes over for Downing, and he is a quarterback guru, which means a step forward for star Derek Carr in 2018. Paul Guenther comes over from Cincinnati as the DC, and if there is one thing we know, he is going to have this defense flying all over the field this season, and they should be a much-improved unit this Fall.

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