5 Ways To Fix The Oakland Raiders
Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers are playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday for the first time since 1994. They’ve come a very long way since the days of Steve Young and Jerry Rice. On the other side of the Bay, Raider Nation hasn’t seen their team play in the Super Bowl in over 10 years. Seems like a century ago. The 2002 Raiders, who lost Super Bowl XXXVII were set up to make it to several more Bowls after that season. But they didn’t, in fact, reality check, they’ve been a joke of a franchise since then. “Just win, baby!” isn’t the motto anymore. It’s more like “Let’s hope we win.” “Commitment to excellence” isn’t the team slogan anymore. It’s more like “Commitment to mediocre”.
Why can’t the Oakland Raiders, one of the teams with a highly notable NFL history, get back to prominence? Well I’m here to help! I’ve got five ideas that can help the Raiders get back to respectability. Some ideas might be silly, some are legit, and I think you might agree.
Fire Tony Sparano:
Coach Dennis Allen said that one of the main reasons he hired Sparano was because his teams always showed toughness. Did the Jets offense show toughness last year? All I remember was Mark Sanchez’s butt-fumble and Tebow crying about not playing. And I don’t remember any of his Dolphins teams showing toughness either. So he doesn’t bring any toughness to the traditionally tough Raiders. Fire him and find a new Assistant Head Coach.
New “Pistol” Offense:
In this new era of multi-threat quarterbacks, I think its time for the Raiders to let Terrelle Pryor loose. Aaron Rodgers feels that the “Pistol” offense quarterback is just a fad. Maybe. But while it’s hot the Raiders have to turn to it. The Seahawks and 49ers used it; and both made the playoffs. Having two Pro Bowl running backs has to help Pryor in the Pistol and open up a passing game the Raiders haven’t had since Rich Gannon won the MVP.
Darren McFadden And Marcel Reece:
How often do you see a team with two Pro Bowl players in the backfield? Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece are studs. Feed them the ball! That’s where the new Pistol offense comes into play. Darren McFadden has to rush for over 1300 yards with 10 touch downs and Reece has to pick up something close to 900 with 5 TD’s in order for them to have a successful year on the offensive side of the ball.
Defense:
The Oakland defense is, let’s face it… terrible. Every draft pick in the 2013 draft should be spent on defensive players. The Raiders defense back in the day was the identity of the franchise. They have to get back to being the bully of the AFC.
The Coliseum:
Home field should be an advantage, for the Raiders, this is not true. The Coliseum needs to bring those rabid Raiders fans closer to the field similar to what the newer baseball stadiums are doing. Sure 95% of the opposing players don’t pay attention to the fans during the game, but just the thought of knowing that those guys with the spiked shoulder pads just 7-feet from the playing field might be enough to make Michael Crabtree think twice about running through the end zone towards “The Black Hole”.
Another issue is the fact that they share a playing field with the Oakland A’s. Seeing those patches of dirt where the pitchers mound is… is, just dumb. You’re the Oakland Raiders. You wear the silver and black. You’re supposed to be the bullies of the AFC West, tell the A’s to get their own stadium to play in. Or better yet, tell the A’s to build YOU a new stadium!
So there you have it, five pretty good ideas that I think will help the Raiders get back to being the OAKLAND RAIDERS!
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David Figueroa
Contributor at ReposDelight.com
Follow me @Turd_Furguson