Oakland Raiders: Starting To Seem Like Deja Vu All Over Again With Conley

The Oakland Raiders made what was, at the time, a controversial selection in taking Gareon Conley last year and now must hope that history is not repeating itself.

Last year, Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie rolled the dice and took Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley, despite an ongoing police investigation. Conley was ultimately cleared, vindicating both he and McKenzie, and allowing the cornerback to focus on preparing for the season.

Well, Conley’s rookie year was not what anybody had hoped, as a lingering shin injury limited him to appearances in just two games. For the season, the first-rounder played just 92 total snaps, accounting for seven total tackles (five solo) and one pass defensed.

He obviously, has some growing and adjusting, as well as a lot of learning to do, now that he’s on the pro level. But, there is no doubt that he has plenty of raw talent. In those 92 snaps he played, he flashed some big league skill.

However, there is – or, at least, there should be – some concern about whether or not his maturity and mental approach to the game is on par with his physical gifts.

In Oakland’s miserably lost 2017 campaign, stories are now coming out left and right about the dysfunction in the locker room and among the team in general. Raiders radio man Greg Papa even mentioned, on air, that the team has some “not great guys” in the locker room adding to the dysfunction.

It’s not clear exactly who Papa was referring to, as he didn’t name names, but there is plenty of speculation and a wide variety of players who could fit that bill.

And one of them very well could be rookie Gareon Conley.

In the wake of the dumpster fire that was this season, there was a story that made the rounds but didn’t get a whole lot of traction. It was a story by The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, about the impression Conley made on his coaches and teammates this year.

Per Tafur, Conley made a very poor impression on both.

"“Worse than the Raiders losing their top two drafts picks to injuries was the impression that cornerback Gareon Conley and Obi Melifonwu made on teammates. Though not publicly, the Raiders coaching staff privately questioned Conley’s drive since he arrived in Oakland and Tafur added on Tuesday that at least one player was concerned that Melifonwu and Conley might not ‘really want it’.”"

Now, some will undoubtedly argue that Conley’s young. They’ll say, he was frustrated by his injury. They’ll say, he’s still learning what it takes to be a pro. They’ll say, he’ll be fine. Just give him some time.

More from Golden Gate Sports

Maybe. But, maybe not.

What should have fans and the organization concerned is that this is already starting to sound like a case of history repeating itself. And not too distant history, at that.

What is that supposed to mean? Well, let’s take a quick trip in the Way Back Machine though, and see what that’s supposed to mean.

The year was 2013 and the Raiders, in need of some help in the defensive backfield (seems to be a constant thing, doesn’t it?) and new GM Reggie McKenzie – a little controversially – used the twelfth overall pick on Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden.

Obviously, the controversy surrounding Hayden’s selection was vastly different from Conley’s. In Hayden’s case, it was because many didn’t consider him a first round talent, but more than that, he had some serious health concerns – a heart injury sustained in his senior season at Houston.

But Hayden’s injuries, like Conley’s, limited his time on the field in his rookie season – eight appearances with just two starts. Over Hayden’s four-year career with the Raiders, he appeared in just 45 games with 25 starts.

Next: Six Who Should Become Ex-Raiders This Offseason

We can only hope that Conley’s time with Oakland doesn’t take a similar injury-plagued arc.

Where the similarities between Hayden and Conley lay though, are in the impression they made on their teammates and coaches. Many of the things we’re hearing about Conley are the same things. Hayden’s drive and motivation were questioned.

His work ethic and preparation were, in the eyes of his teammates and coaches, were lacking. Some didn’t think he wanted it bad enough.

Sound familiar yet?

Given his attitude and taking shots at McKenzie via Twitter, Conley’s maturity has been a question for some of us all season long. The reports about the impression he made on his teammates and coaches – and their view of him – should only serve to keep raising the red flags.

If Conley really doesn’t have the desire and/or the motivation, isn’t willing to put in the work, and doesn’t grow up quickly, this league will eat him up.

The landscape of the NFL is littered with the charred hulks of careers that flamed out quickly. Of players who were absolute beasts in college and thought they could skate by on that talent and reputation they built on the lower levels.

Conley has got a world of talent. That much can’t be denied. But, in the world of the NFL, he’s not going to be able to get by on talent alone. He’s got to be willing to put in the work if he wants to go from good to great. He’s got to have the desire and motivation. He’s got to want it.

And, he’s got to be mature enough to handle life in the spotlight, take constructive criticism from his coaches, and not undermine the organization. .

Or, he can do what he did this year and make others question his desire to be a great player. To be a great teammate. To be a champion.

With Hayden now in Detroit, his status as a first round bust is solidified. And questions still linger about his work ethic and commitment.

Conley still has some time to grow up, mature, and turn it around. But right now, at this moment in time, it sure seems like we’re seeing the early stages of history repeating itself. Which should be raising a lot of red flags all over the place.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News