Oakland Raiders: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Vs. Ravens

The Good: King Crab Strikes Again

Given the leadership and productivity he’s infused this Raiders receiving corps with, it’s now hard to imagine that there was a time when many of us questioned GM Reggie McKenzie‘s decision to sign Michael Crabtree to begin with.

But a year after posting some terrific numbers – 922 receiving yards on 85 receptions and nine touchdowns – and emerging as a rock solid number two option to Amari Cooper, McKenzie rewarded Crabtree with a lucrative deal to stay in the East Bay.

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And mind-bogglingly enough, it was a move that despite such a solid year, many continued to question.

So far in 2016 though, Crabtree is making McKenzie’s decision to extend him not just a solid value, but incredibly prudent as well. Through four games, Crabtree has 26 receptions (on just 37 targets) for 308 yards and four scores.

And his day in Baltmore was his best day in a Raiders uniform. Though he didn’t go Julio Jones and pile up receiving yards by the bushel, Crabtree did snag some big catches at very important moments. On the day, he tallied 88 yards on seven receptions. He hauled in three scores, the last of his hat trick the game winner. And it was a thing of beauty. Perhaps, one of the prettiest catches thus far this season. Of course, it helped that it was such a perfect, pretty throw.

Crabtree has emerged as a 1A to Cooper’s number one receiver status. With a bullet. And he has emerged as Carr’s most reliable – perhaps even his favorite – target. He currently leads the team with his 26 receptions and we’ve seen Carr look Crabtree’s way in critical moments more and more often.

This isn’t to say that Carr doesn’t have faith in Cooper. Quite the contrary. The second year man is still a reliable playmaker and a solid component of this passing attack. But with the game on the line, Carr has been looking Crabtree’s way more often that not. It’s likely because his savvy as a longtime veteran makes him a valuable asset in crunch time – savvy Cooper will learn with a little more seasoning and experience.

Cooper still represents the future, but against the Ravens, it was most definitely Crabtree’s day to shine.