The Raiders return from an extended bye week hiatus on Monday, sneaking in an extra practice before facing the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders haven’t played in the East Bay since Week 4, and much has changed since that overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The Chargers and Seahawks shellacked them in consecutive weeks, leaving many to believe a fire sale’s coming both before the Oct. 30 trading deadline and during this coming offseason.
Head coach Jon Gruden seems set on tearing the Raiders roster down only to build it back up, making it hard to believe the Silver and Black are set for a midseason renaissance following a 1-5 start. That’s especially true with Marshawn Lynch out a while with a groin injury.
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Success will be relative as we trudge through the next 10 games, but the Raiders can play better and win games against weaker opposition if a few players step up. They aren’t making a realistic run at the postseason with the Chiefs and Chargers stacking up wins, but improved play and results are possible. Here are five Raiders (other than Derek Carr; that’s too obvious) essential to improved results.
RB Doug Martin
This one’s obvious. Lynch is out a month at least with a groin injury that might cost far more time, meaning backup Doug Martin will step into a full-time role after being relegated to spot carries early this year. Lynch’s ferocious, never-say-die rushing style demanded regular carries, with Jalen Richard as the primary passing-down option.
Head coach Jon Gruden has great faith in the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer with two 1,400-yard seasons to his credit. Detractors would point to consecutive 2.9 yards per carry seasons as a troubling sign, but Martin hasn’t had enough carries this season to show which way the wind blows. Can Martin generate a rushing attack at this stage and age, behind a recently struggling offensive line? He’ll have to for the Raiders ground game to run strong without Lynch.
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LT Kolton Miller
The first-round UCLA product has a bum knee. He gutted out the last two games despite clear hindrance, and that should be commended. But, bottom line: Miller allowed six sacks in two games. There could’ve been more trouble.
There are no A's for effort in the NFL. This is a production business. Miller must do better if he’s in the lineup, and coaches must give him help in pass protection if he isn’t 100 percent after the bye week. The Raiders need stability at left tackle, and haven’t had it the past two games.
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TE Jared Cook
The Raiders versatile tight end has become a true go-to guy in an offense also featuring Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson. He has been targeted a team-high 42 times in six games, 11 more times than the closest receiver (Nelson; 31). Cook has been dominant in stretches, but it’s hard to call him (or the Raiders passing game) consistent. Cook has 30 yards in the last two losses, and must be more productive for the passing game to run well.
Cook attracts attention typically afforded players on the outside, but must fight through it and make big plays (and tough yards after the catch) to lead in the passing game.
DE Arden Key
Coaches are entrusting Arden Key to play more and more, even against the run. He has struggled there and getting home rushing the passer. Key has been close several times this season, but finally earned a sack against Seattle. He has all the tools to be awesome sacking the quarterback with little to show for it, something common to rookies at his position.
Efficiency is key (no pun intended) to the LSU product, who can be a game wrecker in time. The Raiders would take a few more big plays on the quarterback and a lessened burden on Bruce Irvin on situational pass-rushing downs.
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P Johnny Townsend
Townsend was the third of four punters taken in this NFL draft. He’s fifth among rookie punters with a 39.0 net punt average, and 23rd overall in that category. The Florida product was never known for booming punts, but his directional ability was attractive to those looking to pin opponents deep. One problem: Townsend has only dropped seven punts inside the opposing 20-yard line, and no one has so few with as many attempts.
All that’s a problem because the Raiders are handily losing the battle for field position. Townsend has to get it right and flip the field and soon, because the Raiders offense (nor any other) can be expected to complete long scoring drives regularly and win games.