Black Hole: Good, Bad, and the Ugly with Las Vegas Raiders
The Black Hole: Go Inside Las Vegas Raiders Football
I get a lot of nuggets and information that alone are not big enough for a story. When I have a few that I can assemble, I will, and when I only have one or two, I will post them on our community page. So, welcome to The Black Hole.
I spoke with Jon Gruden this week about what he was happy with. He went right to only three penalties. With no spring or preseason, he should have gone there; it was terrific
- Even after losing a big lead, that stat is a crucial reason the Raiders came back to win.
- Gruden also stressed in response to my question that the Raiders had no turnovers, and he referenced the balance of 30 passing plays and 30 rushing plays. Add to it the nine different receivers, and it was a stunning performance.
- You never apologize in the NFL for a win, let alone a road win, and even more significant a road win in the Eastern time zone when you are from the Pacific.
- Safety Johnathan Abram is a superstar. He makes players better. Lost in his fantastic performance last week was how he coached and directed the defense.
- He was truly amazing.
- We wrote before the Carolina Panthers game in Week 1 that the expectation was that tackle Trent Brown would play. He did.
- While not ruled out for Monday, I was told today by the same person who gave me an update last week: “If the game was today, (Sunday) he would not play this week. We shall see.”
- There is a full expectation, or should I say optimism, that Henry Ruggs and John Simpson will play against the Saints.
- Nick Kwiatkoski is very doubtful at this point, but I was told: “I really doubt it, but still over 24 hours left to see. He is working his (butt) off so don’t rule him out.”
- One guy who didn’t get a lot of love last week was guard Denzelle Good. He came in as a backup tackle and looked terrific. Hats off to him.
- He is a backup guard, and after two tackles went down, he slid over to the tackle.
- It is a position that he hadn’t taken a rep at in over 12 months, and he looked terrific.
- Derek Carr’s critics will never do themselves a favor and be silent, but let me tell you this. He was getting the ball away in just over two seconds and down two starting offensive linemen; it didn’t matter.
- Carr nullified the loss of two bodyguards with a quarterbacking clinic for the ages. No interceptions, not dumb risks, just masterful football. Carr was smart and played his position like an offensive savant.
- Call Carr whatever you want, but he is a multi-million dollar elite quarterback who wins—not winning on PlayStation like his critics or in the flag beer league with the boys from the bar, but at the highest level. Carr is a winner. Derek Carr’s patience and talent led the Raiders to a win. Hats off to the Silver and Black’s leader.
- We wrote before the season that not having fans in the stands would be a brutal blow to the Las Vegas Raiders. In a week one win over the Carolina Panthers, it benefited them.
- Coaches were able to call out adjustments that were heard.
- Ironically, early in the game, the Carolina Panthers had lined up the same way and ran that play.
- Once it was recognized, the key was called from the sidelines. That was great coaching.
- Jon Gruden was smart during training camp. Twice he brought the Raiders over to Allegiant Stadium to practice. He didn’t want Monday night to be the first time they had been in and played in the building.
- A significant key to Monday Night versus the New Orleans Saints is going to be turnovers.
- The Raiders need to force some.
- If they are plus-two in that category, the Raiders will win.
- Part of the Raiders' struggles last week on defense were because they didn’t know what to plan for. It was a new offense with a coordinator and coach that were both new and from different systems.
- The Raiders are pleased with how quickly Raekwon McMillan is progressing in learning the system.
- I was told, “He pounded the film this week.” If Nick Kwiatkoski can’t go or is limited, I can tell you that they have a lot of confidence in him to contribute.
- Damon Arnette had two bad snaps last week. For a rookie, starting in his first NFL game, that was a good performance. Not great, but not as bad as some thought. In my opinion, he played significantly better than some are saying.
- OC Greg Olson takes an unfair amount of criticism. That is normal for a coordinator with a head coach who is a specialist on their side of the ball. But he had a massive impact on the game plan versus the Panthers, and it would be unfair not to credit him.
- Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow gets a lot of credit, and rightfully so, for being a super player. He doesn’t get enough as a leader and a coach on the field. His teammates love him.
- The Saints defense is going to remain disciplined. The tape doesn’t lie. They stick to their scheme and attack with multiple looks.
- As far as scheme disciplined, the Saints may be the most in the National Football League.
- The Raiders have weapons all over the field and Derek Carr spreading the ball around as he does is not good for the gentlemen from the Bayou.
- People looking for Henry Ruggs to have impressive stats all year are going to be disappointed.
- That isn’t a slam on him. It is the same thing that you saw at Alabama.
- He is so disciplined in running his routes and is so fast that he opens the field for other people.
- If Ruggs doesn’t get the stats you want in fantasy, that is fine. But never forget he does so much that doesn’t show on the stat sheet.
- Around the various NFL fan bases, Josh Jacobs is finally getting the recognition that he has earned. He is a unique and rare player. Raider Nation needs to enjoy him while you have him.
- The Raiders have a potent offense. That said, they don’t need a quick-strike offense on Monday.
- The Raiders have the perfect quarterback in Derek Carr for what they want to do. Control the ball, be balanced and force the Saints defense to get winded. Limit your mistakes is the mantra of the Raiders, and Derek Carr is a genius at it.
- A big stat on Monday night that isn’t getting a lot of attention outside of the Raiders, but should, is the time of possession. The Raiders would like that to be 35-25.
Ok, I need to stop. That is five pages already, people, and I still have more.
I have so many more notes, and I promise that I will get them all in. Our “Black Hole” articles will happen once a week.
I can tell you this: Raider Nation has a ton to be excited about. This article is already long, or I could give you many more reasons and players to be excited about. Keep your eyes out for the next “Black Hole,” and please tell your friends about it.
As Monday night is rapidly approaching, here is some critical information:
How to watch or listen to the big game?
Radio: Raider Nation Radio
Odds: Saints -5.5
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