Whatever cool, or uncool, name you are calling Sunday’s New York Giants-Las Vegas Raiders game we know this is one of those occasions where the losing team’s fanbase might be happier than the winner’s.
Let’s turn to ‘Silver and Black Pride’ to check in on the Raiders. Matt Holder answers our ‘5 questions’.
Ed: Seeing as the only thing on the line in this game is the No. 1 pick of the draft, are the Raiders in tank mode? Is it clear at this point that hiring Pete Carroll was a mistake and that Las Vegas will have another one-and-done head coach? What’s the fanbase’s mindset heading into the game?
Matt: The majority of Raider Nation wants to see the team lose out and get the No. 1 overall pick to land a long-term answer at quarterback, or at least have the ability to trade the pick for a haul similar to what the Bears got a few years ago from the Panthers. But the team and Carroll are still trying to win games, evidenced by last week’s two-point loss to a very good Houston Texans team. That being said, the Raiders did place a couple of starters, Brock Bowers and Jeremy Chinn, on IR this week. Bowers is basically the offense’s entire passing game, so maybe they are shifting focus and tanking for these last two games.
As for Carroll’s future in Las Vegas, if I have to put money on it, I’d bet he gets fired or retires at the end of the season. He’s said that he’s willing to stick around for a rebuild, but this team is at least two years away from being competitive and it doesn’t make much sense to keep a head coach who will turn 75 years old in September for that. Plus, this year has been a total disaster.
Ed: If the Giants end up with the No. 1 pick, do you think the Raiders would play ball and give up a number of draft assets to move up and get that pick from the Giants?
Matt: It would depend on two factors: how they feel about Fernando Mendoza and if Dante Moore declares for the draft.
If Moore declares, I can see the Raiders just staying where they’re at, or at least not making move to get to No. 1 overall, and selecting the Oregon quarterback. But if he goes back to school, that should push Las Vegas’ urgency to be aggressive and get Mendoza. The only thing that gives me hesitation is that the Indiana product doesn’t seem to be the consensus QB1 right now, so maybe the front office isn’t as sold on him and decides to wait a year to get a quarterback. Especially since the offensive line needs work and it’s likely going to take a couple of seasons to turn it around in Las Vegas, anyway.
Ed: If you could take one player off the Giants’ roster and put him into Las Vegas’s lineup, who would it be? Why?
Matt: Dexter Lawrence. The Raiders’ defense is weak up the middle against the run and is missing a true nose tackle. They also need an interior pass-rusher to help take some of the pressure and attention off Maxx Crosby, so Lawrence would solve a couple of problems. Also, I’ll admit some personal bias here. I’ve been a fan of Sexy Dexy’s game for a while, so I’d love to have him in Las Vegas, and this was an easy choice for me.
Matt: I think the ability to develop a young quarterback would be the primary focus. The problem is that there doesn’t seem to be many quality offensive-minded candidates in this year’s hiring cycle, complicating matters.
In the past, Mark Davis has preferred candidates with previous head coaching experience, hiring Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels and Carroll since taking over for Al. However, that hasn’t worked, and many fans are hoping Davis pivots toward hiring a young, up-and-comer like Sean McVay once was.
The three popular names that have been rumored to be candidates Carroll gets let go are: Robert Saleh, Chris Shula and Klint Kubiak. Saleh fits the retread profile that Davis has leaned on in the past and was reportedly offered the Raiders’ defensive coordinator job last offseason before opting to go back to San Francisco. The latter two would be the younger options, and Kubiak might be the better fit since he’s an offensive mind and has more experience working with quarterbacks.
Ed: Let’s say the Giants, Titans and Raiders all end up competing for the same coaching candidate. Why, in your mind, should that person choose Las Vegas over New York or Tennessee?
Matt: While the Giants and Titans both have young guys behind center, the opportunity to hand-pick and develop a quarterback from the jump should entice a coaching candidate. Plus, the Raiders have 10 draft picks and the second-most cap space this offseason to help turn the team around quickly. Ultimately, the ability for a coach to build the roster in their vision is Las Vegas’ biggest competitive advantage in the coaching market.
