Time to climb atop our division

[Viper]

Maybe it’s just because it’s our division but, I literally despise Reid, Harbaugh and especially Payton. Tired of all the talk about how great of coaches they are. Our ineptitude to hire competent coaches who make good football decisions is Mark’s fault and has only helped solidify our basement dwelling.

Time for some real hope and change. We aren’t the only team in our division anymore without, although early and still unproven, a Qb that can actually lead this team to wins. To the playoffs. Hopefully soon, a Super Bowl. The others have had success because of having that Qb, especially KC. If Bo hadn’t gotten injured, who knows, they may have had their Cinderella moment. Mendoza should be better than at least him. Sure, Nix has the mobility to extend plays with his legs and is a threat to run on any given play. Personally, I’d rather a Qb that doesn’t rely so much on scrambling to be successful because those guys don’t tend to hold up well over the long haul. I’d rather a higher IQ guy which we have in our rookie.

Gonna take a couple more years to put the pieces in place, including depth but, it really looks like we’re finally headed in the right direction. Time to start climbing to the top of at least our division, get to the playoffs by any means possible and be done with being last.

[RunOverByHubbard]

Yeah, and after two or three more threads about expectations and wishes run their course with views and posts, we can merge them into the original late April post about everyone’s realistic expectations. Then after training camp has been going for a few weeks and a couple of preseason games, we can start a new thread on expectations and hopes based on new information.

[Goodtimes333]

It will be difficult for the Raiders to turn the ball over as much as they did last year. True success vs middling or suck depends on how well the running game comes together. A lot of talent has been added to the defense. When Leonard was offered the DC job he didn't just jump on the chance for promotion. In the interview he said that if he's going to be successful he needs x, y, z. That to me is pretty important. He knows what was lacking and has a vision.

Kubiak/Dennison grinding on fundamentals of the offense all off-season to install the running game & all the passing concepts that blend into it. If the ground game goes? Anything can happen.

The Broncos won something like 7 one score games. They damn near lost a lot of them. They had injury luck the last two years also. I'm not impressed with Waddle. He's always limpy gimpy. The Chargers always have crazy things happen. Losing their D coordinator won't be easy as defense was their strength. McDaniel was a good get for them but I'm not sold on their backs or their oline outside of Alt. The Chiefs have almost an entire new secondary coming in. They missed the playoffs last year with a healthy Mahomes. They weren't making it even before he got injured. Their roster is not stacked

[Viper]

It will be difficult for the Raiders to turn the ball over as much as they did last year. True success vs middling or suck depends on how well the running game comes together. A lot of talent has been added to the defense. When Leonard was offered the DC job he didn't just jump on the chance for promotion. In the interview he said that if he's going to be successful he needs x, y, z. That to me is pretty important. He knows what was lacking and has a vision.

Kubiak/Dennison grinding on fundamentals of the offense all off-season to install the running game & all the passing concepts that blend into it. If the ground game goes? Anything can happen.

The Broncos won something like 7 one score games. They damn near lost a lot of them. They had injury luck the last two years also. I'm not impressed with Waddle. He's always limpy gimpy. The Chargers always have crazy things happen. Losing their D coordinator won't be easy as defense was their strength. McDaniel was a good get for them but I'm not sold on their backs or their oline outside of Alt. The Chiefs have almost an entire new secondary coming in. They missed the playoffs last year with a healthy Mahomes. They weren't making it even before he got injured. Their roster is not stacked

Ya, if our D can keep the offense on the field it’ll make a huge difference. Always on the field is both exhausting and a morale killer. Added pieces from FA and the draft should improve the unit but, depth is needed. Good teams have it and for years we didn’t even field a starting caliber defense, let alone backups.

I just wanna see us not last in our division and that would be a decent start. We don’t need the best record in the league to make the playoffs, just becoming respectable in our little corner of the world with the 4 teams gives us a realistic shot at getting there.

[mstrbass2000]

Ya, if our D can keep the offense on the field it’ll make a huge difference. Always on the field is both exhausting and a morale killer. Added pieces from FA and the draft should improve the unit but, depth is needed. Good teams have it and for years we didn’t even field a starting caliber defense, let alone backups.

I just wanna see us not last in our division and that would be a decent start. We don’t need the best record in the league to make the playoffs, just becoming respectable in our little corner of the world with the 4 teams gives us a realistic shot at getting there.

i think 7-8 wins is very doable...upgrade at hc/qbs is huge in terms of w's for us ...last yr our coaching stunk everywhere

[mstrbass2000]

I don't know about the top of our division, but it would be nice just to climb out of the Toilet!!

we just need to show progress, this ship aint turning around in 1 yr and we still have many holes to fill still

[raidersince63]

Ya, if our D can keep the offense on the field it’ll make a huge difference. Always on the field is both exhausting and a morale killer. Added pieces from FA and the draft should improve the unit but, depth is needed. Good teams have it and for years we didn’t even field a starting caliber defense, let alone backups.

I just wanna see us not last in our division and that would be a decent start. We don’t need the best record in the league to make the playoffs, just becoming respectable in our little corner of the world with the 4 teams gives us a realistic shot at getting there.

For me, it's a 2 way street because it calls for accountability from both sides of the ball...if the offense can be more consistent and sustain longer drives instead of so many 3 and outs, it will help to keep the defense fresher instead of being winded by half time.

As far as our division, I don't think it will be as strong as it has been in recent years and we will be better. KC is certainly not the same, and SD is erratic, and Denver should be about the same...considering all of this, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that we could go 3-3 in the AFC West this year.

[Goodtimes333]

I was watching Elway on Netflix yesterday. Its no coincidence that he finally won super bowls when Shanahan became HC. That wide zone scheme is fantastic. Particularly when a Shanahan or a Kubiak is running it. Gary Kubiak was there the whole time and is the original Shanahan disciple. Going from Brennan Carroll to Rick Dennison at Oline brain is such a massive upgrade it's almost hard to even put it into words. A whole oline group already setup with wide zone talent is a low key blessing also. Miller, JPJ, Grant, Rogers, Meredith are perfect fits. You add Linderbaum & Burford & there's a solid chance the oline comes together. Glaze is a question mark on scheme fit but the others are ideal.

IMO having a really good center does a lot for you. Game changer. The two most important positions on the line are in good shape with Miller and Linderbaum. If you want some hope, go watch Charles Grant in the wide zone at William and Mary. Fuckin stud

[raidersince63]

IMO having a really good center does a lot for you. Game changer. The two most important positions on the line are in good shape with Miller and Linderbaum. If you want some hope, go watch Charles Grant in the wide zone at William and Mary. Fuckin stud

Yeah, grant appears to be the real deal...he's kinda geeky like Mendoza and articulates himself well.

[Xramfan]

Isn't this the exact same thread theme as the one we have had here since April 29th titled "Realistic Expectations for this Season" which was started after the new coaching staff was named, free agency, and the draft?

Settle down Chip

[RunOverByHubbard]

Settle down Chip

OK, I'll join in. First priority is the offensive line. My expectations are not very high unless the line is really, really improved. Who should start at QB? I am fine with Cousins as FM needs to get acclimated. I am glad we drafted a lot of defensive players. To get to the top of our division, the defense needs a lot of work. Curious about not bringing back Carlson as kicker. Isn't he above average? To win the division, our WRs are going to have to exceed their production of last year by a lot. So glad we drafted a good-looking running back to spell and compliment Jeanty. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I am mildly optimistic about the upcoming season.

[Viper]

OK, I'll join in. First priority is the offensive line. My expectations are not very high unless the line is really, really improved. Who should start at QB? I am fine with Cousins as FM needs to get acclimated. I am glad we drafted a lot of defensive players. To get to the top of our division, the defense needs a lot of work. Curious about not bringing back Carlson as kicker. Isn't he above average? To win the division, our WRs are going to have to exceed their production of last year by a lot. So glad we drafted a good-looking running back to spell and compliment Jeanty. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I am mildly optimistic about the upcoming season.

I’m actually less worried about our D compared with our receivers. Maybe I’ll be surprised but with them but I do feel like the defense has been quite improved.
Trenches and defense. I agree on your other points.

[RickRyb]

Don't know if The Raiders will make the playoffs in 2026, but I think they'll finish 2nd in the AFC West behind Denver.

[Reno Hightower]

I was watching Elway on Netflix yesterday. Its no coincidence that he finally won super bowls when Shanahan became HC. That wide zone scheme is fantastic. Particularly when a Shanahan or a Kubiak is running it. Gary Kubiak was there the whole time and is the original Shanahan disciple. Going from Brennan Carroll to Rick Dennison at Oline brain is such a massive upgrade it's almost hard to even put it into words. A whole oline group already setup with wide zone talent is a low key blessing also. Miller, JPJ, Grant, Rogers, Meredith are perfect fits. You add Linderbaum & Burford & there's a solid chance the oline comes together. Glaze is a question mark on scheme fit but the others are ideal.

IMO having a really good center does a lot for you. Game changer. The two most important positions on the line are in good shape with Miller and Linderbaum. If you want some hope, go watch Charles Grant in the wide zone at William and Mary. Fuckin stud

You raise a very good point regarding Clint Kubiak being a part of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree by extension of his father. Shanny Sr. used to manufacture 1,000 yard tailbacks in Denver. He doesn't get much love around here because he went back to the Bronco's but I would rate him up there with some of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history. Jeanty should thrive.

[mranquales]

I don't fear the AFC West like everyone else does. Herbert is overrated and Bo is no threat either. If Mendoza is the real deal, we should easily rise to the second-best team in the AFC.

[Goodtimes333]

The strength of the Chiefs last year was their secondary. As a unit I think were ranked 2nd best in the league. They lost three guys from the secondary. Cook was their highest ranked defender at safety and is now with the Bengals. McDuffie is one of the best corners in the league and plays both inside outside. They saved cap and got picks trading him, yeah, but theres no guarantee Delane is even as good as McDuffie is. They lost Watson to the Rams also & he's been very good. Keep in mind the Chiefs defense has had hardly any injury issues the last few years. Its highly doubtful their defense improves this year, but likely takes a step back.

The Broncos looked like shit in many games last year and came back late. They also had great injury luck until Bo went down in the playoffs. Speaking of, Bo likes to run around. IMO won't be the last injury he has. They lost John Franklin-Meyers on the Dline & depth at LB & safety. They can't hardly run the ball & the defense was so good last year they really don't have anywhere to go but down with all factors considered.

The Chargers are getting close to the Harbaugh implode timeframe on the gauge. He's a mediocre meatheaded coach who has a high floor early, then flops out after time. They have a solid roster but they won't do anything with it. If Herbert has any success with McDaniel it will be a one and done year with a new OC as he'll be a HC again. Too many variables here for the Chargers. New OC and DC. They always f[raiders_icon]ck up, have gnarly injuries etc. But they have undeniable talent. Harbaugh & Chargers = choke fest regardless