Saying goodbye to Michael Crabtree
One of the first moves Gruden and company did this offseason was say goodbye to Michael Crabtree. One of Derek Carr’s favorite weapons during his time with the team, Crabtree was deemed expendable by the coaching staff, and was replaced by Jordy Nelson from the Green Bay Packers.
Crabtree came to the Raiders from San Francisco after the 2014 NFL season. A tenth overall pick of the 49ers back in 2009, Crabtree never really reached his full potential in San Francisco, going over 1,000 yards only once in his six seasons with the team.
In Oakland, Crabtree would finally hit his stride, combining for nearly 2,000 yards in his first two seasons with the team. Last season, like the rest of the offense, Crabtree had a down year, and the current staff of the Raiders felt it was time to move in a new direction.
Crabtree was not out of work long, as he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders will actually battle Crabtree and the Ravens this season, as they travel to Crab Cake Country on November 25 for a 1pm ET game inside M&T Bank Stadium.