Just Blog Baby
FanSided

2018 Oakland Raiders: Where do we go from here?

By Jose Sanchez III

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Maurice Hurst of Oakland Raiders looks on ahead of the NFL International series match between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Maurice Hurst of Oakland Raiders looks on ahead of the NFL International series match between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

Development of the rookies

This is the typical no brainer. When a team is in full on tank and rebuild mode the number one thing to key in on is the rookies. Their development is crucial for the rebuild to be successful and so that it doesn’t extend for another season. First round pick Kolton Miller had been performing well up until he suffered an injury to his knee.

Now that he’s had a little time to lay off, it’ll be interesting to see if he can regain some of his early season form this Sunday. Miller’s development is obviously the most crucial, which is why the Raiders haven’t sat him out a game to rest his season.

Having no real backup options plays a part into not sitting him as well. A rookie that might start to see the bench really soon is Brandon Parker. Parker was a punching bag all game long against the Seattle Seahawks. He was already a mechanical work in progress as it is, but what about his mental state? Getting beat so many times can hurt a rookie’s morale, especially considering the current flux the locker room is in right now.

A rookie that no one is worried about is Maurice Hurst Jr. Hurst has been the lone bright spot of this defense. He’s been consistent every game and has continued to improve. The same can be said about Arden Key when it comes to improvement.

Key has looked better and better every game, especially with his discipline. Jet sweeps to Keys side was a weak point, but the last few games when offenses have tried it he played it well.

The thing is with rookies is that there needs to be patience and tolerance. These young players are going to have bad moments and bad games. It’s going to happen, which is fine. That’s where the coaches come in. Use that film session to help correct their mistakes, then work on it in practice so that the product on Sundays show.

Speaking of showing up, how about giving cornerback Nick Nelson some looks? Rather than playing washed up players like Leon Hall or Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, how about putting Nelson in? It makes zero sense for this team to continue to give the bulk of the reps to these veterans that have no stake in the team’s future.

This is why watching the development of the rookies is crucial. Can this coaching staff get these players to the next level? Gruden’s track record of developing players isn’t really a highlighted one. Can he do it with this group of rookies? This season will reveal to us a lot. These rookies should be getting better as the season progresses and if they don’t the coaches have themselves to blame, especially since they’re the ones that drafted this class.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News