Could The Oakland Raiders Return to Greatness in 2019?

Fresh off of a disappointing 4-12 campaign under first-year head coach, Jon Gruden in his return to Oakland, can he and Derek Carr return the Raiders to greatness in 2019?

On December 31, 2017, Raiders third-year head coach Jack Del Rio was terminated following a 30-10 loss to division rival Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders finished 6-10 on the season after a 2-0 start that was capped by a 45-20 home victory against the New York Jets.

Quickly after Del Rio’s termination, speculation and rumors swirled around the return of the infamous Jon Gruden, the man who was nicknamed “Chucky” due to his scowl and resemblance to the nefarious doll in the Child’s Play movies. On January 10, 2018, the rumors became reality, as on a day that Raiders owner Mark Davis called “The best day of his life”, Jon Gruden became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders sixteen years after Mark’s father, the Late Great Al Davis traded Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII later that season).

Fans across Raider Nation rejoiced finally, “we would return to our winning ways” many thought, but a preseason trade of 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, and a second half loss to the Los Angeles Rams during the Monday Night home opener quickly soured fans hopes.

The Raiders started the season 0-3 finally earning an overtime win vs the Cleveland Browns in which many fans, including myself, felt could’ve been a turning point. It wasn’t. The Raiders traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Cowboys on October 23 for a first round pick.

During this time period the Raiders were on a 5-game skid, including an embarrassing 34-3 loss to the Cross-bridge rival San Francisco 49ers, in which Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked 9 times and defensive captain Bruce Irvin gave up on the field and was cut shortly after.

In Week 11, it looked as if the offense was finally clicking, Carr hadn’t thrown an interception since Week 6, and went ten weeks until his next, as the Raiders were back to moving the chains. By the end of the season the Raiders were showing more confidence in themselves and their new head coach, going into a Christmas Eve game against bitter rival Denver Broncos.

Oakland beat them handily 27-14, capped by a 99-yard punt return by return man Dwayne “Gucci” Harris.

Towards the end of the season, the man who orchestrated the resurrection of the Raiders salary cap, Reggie McKenzie, was let go. Mark Davis and Jon Gruden went on an extensive search to find a strong football mind who is tapped into the scouting world, and is just as aggressive mentally as Gruden to be their next general manager.

They found that man in Mike Mayock.

Since Mayock’s arrival on 12/31/2018, he and Gruden have been very calculated in their moves to set the Raiders and franchise quarterback, Derek Carr up for success. On 3/13/2019, the first piece of the puzzle was added in star wide receiver Antonio Brown, who was acquired by the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third and fifth round pick.

Shortly after announcing Brown, the Raiders announced another Brown, right tackle Trent Brown. Then came safety Lamarcus Joyner and wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Turns out Gruden and Mayock were serious about adding more weapons for Carr and began building the defense up by adding defensive ends Josh Mauro and Benson Mayowa, as well as linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall.

During the 20189 NFL Draft, all eyes were on the Raiders, who went into the draft with three first round picks. In that first round, the Raiders addressed the need for strong players that love football and WANT to be Raiders, as the team drafted defensive end Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs and hard hitting safety Johnathan Abram.

Later on, the Raiders added solid depth players, bringing in “Madd” Maxx Crosby, Hunter “3rd and” Renfrow, and physical freak, Quinton Bell.

The Raiders are turning heads with the new team additions, and the excitement of Derek Carr in year two of the Gruden Offensive system. The last time Derek Carr had this consistency in a system, he led the Raiders to their first playoff berth since 2002 and was 3rd in votes for MVP.

Fans and analysts have great reason to be excited for the Raiders this year, in what will be the final season in Oakland. The team seems to be working as a well oiled machine in the offseason, players are excited to be wearing the Silver and Black, and Carr and Brown have formed a strong friendship that should translate to amazing things on the football field.

This season, the Raiders plan to return to greatness, and it all begins with a simple change in the alphabet, ABDC.