Oakland Raiders: 5 Rumors We’d Love To See Disappear
By Kevin Saito
Sep 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie on the sidelines before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Reggie McKenzie Is Going To Be Fired
One of the longest running narratives surrounding the Raiders over the last four years is the job performance of Reggie McKenzie. Well, his job performance as well as his job status.
It seems like every single year, the rumors spread like wildfire that McKenzie has fallen out of favor with Davis, and is on his way out. Even worse, are the people who say that he deserves it, that he hasn’t done anything, and that he hasn’t improved the team one iota.
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McKenzie has made his share of mistakes — and spoiler alert, he’s going to make more — but he never seems to get the praise and credit he deserves for making some amazing moves that have benefited the team in big ways now and in the future.
When McKenzie was hired, he walked into a mess. It took him the first two years of his tenure to dig the team out of the salary cap Hell the late Al Davis left it in. With no money and no picks, McKenzie had to play the hand he was dealt, and he did the best he could.
In 2014, armed with a bunch of cash as well as a full slate of draft picks, Mckenzie went to work and added some real talent to the roster. From free agents like Justin Tuck and Donald Penn to mid and late round draft choices like Justin Ellis and Travis Carrie, McKenzie has been shaping this roster to be competitive now as well as lay a foundation for success down the line.
McKenzie has done a far better job than he’s been given credit for, and he’s likely not on the hot seat people think he’s on. Not yet, anyway.
Next: Carr Done Already?