Oakland Raiders: Chemistry shouldn’t be sacrificed for connections

The Oakland Raiders are looking to upgrade their offense, but shouldn’t sacrifice chemistry for the sake of connections.

The Oakland Raiders had a down year offensively speaking, in 2017. The unit that was so electric in 2016, failed to produce so much as a spark last season. They’re looking to retool the offense heading into 2018, but should not sacrifice chemistry and continuity, for the sake of connections.

Though not entirely surprising, given the free agent additions and the four-year $58 million dollar extension already given to Davante Adams, the Green Bay Packers cut ties with stalwart receiver Jordy Nelson on Tuesday.

It wasn’t long though, before Nelson had a free agent visit lined up with the Oakland Raiders.

The connections are obvious. GM Reggie McKenzie was a longtime fixture in Green Bay’s front office. His positions coach and offensive coordinator, Edgar Bennett, is the new positions coach with the Raiders. And a former teammate, Jared Cook, is also on the roster (for now).

Obviously, there’s a strong cheese flavor in the East Bay these days, which has naturally led many to assume it’s the most natural and softest landing spot for the soon-to-be 33-year old receiver.

There’s also a strong resume backing Nelson up. Over his nine-year career, he’s hauled in 7,848 yards on 550 receptions, and has a Rob Gronkowski-approved 69 touchdowns to his credit. He’s also got a career average of 14.3 yards per reception, which isn’t bad.

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There was a time when Nelson was one of the league’s better receivers, though he flew under the radar for the most part. But, in a three year span (2013-14 and 2016 – a torn ACL erased his 2015 season), Nelson racked up 280 catches for 4,090 yards, and had 35 touchowns.

For nine seasons, Nelson has been the steady, calming presence in Green Bay, serving as a top notch possession receiver and Aaron Rodgers‘ security blanket, who always came through in the clutch.

But, 2017 saw Rodgers limited to just seven games due to injury and Nelson’s production tapered off dramatically. Nelson posted just 53 catches for 482 yards, and just six touchdowns in 15 games on the year. More alarmingly, his yards per reception fell to a career low 9.1.

Now, some could attribute Nelson’s decline to Brett Hundley playing the majority of games for Green Bay and not having the same kind of chemistry and rapport he enjoyed with Rodgers. Or, as some believe, Nelson has simply lost a step (or two, or three), and age has caught up with him.

And both would be fair assessments.

Which brings us to the current situation. The belief from some, is that if McKenzie does opt to sign the veteran receiver, it will spell the end for Michael Crabtree’s time in Oakland.

"“The Green Bay Packers released the wide receiver on Tuesday, making the veteran available to visit other teams. The Raiders are his first such visit, a source said Tuesday, and they’ll hope it’s his last. Should he be signed, the arrival is expected to spell the end of wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s tenure with the Raiders.”"

Crabtree is due an almost $8 million dollar salary in 2018 – which, given some of the contracts being doled out to receivers around the league, is a downright bargain. Especially given his production in his time in Silver and Black.

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Yes, Crabtree had a down year in 2017, with just 58 receptions for 618 yards, and eight scores, but the entire offense had a down year. A big part of that down year was the ineptitude of Todd Downing as an offensive coordinator. He never put his guys in positions to make plays and have success – and it showed as the offense slipped from sixth overall in 2016, to seventeenth overall last season.

But, in his three years with the Raiders, Crabtree has amassed 232 yards for 2,543 yards, and 25 touchdowns. He’s been quarterback Derek Carr‘s security blanket and has made big play after big play for this Raiders team.

He’s not a speed demon who’s going to blow people off the ball, but he’s going to make the big catches, and come up with the big plays when the team needs them. Just as he’s done over his three years in Oakland.

Add to that, the fact that Crabtree already has the sort of trust and chemistry that Nelson enjoyed with Rodgers.

This is not to say that if the team opts to sign Nelson and drop Crabtree, that the chemistry between quarterback and receiver won’t develop. But, it’s going to have to be worked at over time. It’s not going to be instant, given their shared history of play together.

And as we saw with Nelson and Hundley last year, it’s not always going to be a smooth, or fast transition.

There’s also the question of compensation. Nelson was scheduled to earn a little more than $9 million dollars in 2018, and it’s been reported that the Packers asked him to take a pay cut and he refused – leading to his release.

Would Nelson be willing to accept less than his $9 million to play for the Raiders? Would he be willing to accept a deal in the Crabtree range, of a little less than $8 million? Based on his refusal to take less to stay with Rodgers in Green Bay, the answer very well may be no – which would necessitate the Raiders clearing out some cap room by releasing Crabtree.

And given that he has already lined up visits with other teams like Seattle and New Orleans, there’s a nice market for his services, making the chances of him taking a pay cut even slimmer.

In an ideal world, Nelson would be lining up alongside Crabtree and Amari Cooper, giving the Raiders a sure-handed threat in the slot, making Oakland’s attack more diverse and potent. And, if that’s what McKenzie is thinking, it’s a solid plan.

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But, based on the numbers, and the number of needs this team has, it’s a scenario that’s likely not going to come to pass.

It’s more than likely going to be one or the other. As they say, we can’t always have our cake and eat it too.

But, it makes absolutely no sense to cut a guy who’s been your most consistent and productive receiver for the last three years, for one who’s older, slower, and may wind up costing you more.

Yeah, Nelson absolutely fits that mold of the grinder HC Jon Gruden loves so much. He fits it to the proverbial T. But, there’s also something to be said about having an established chemistry between your quarterback and receiver.

And you shouldn’t ever trade in that chemistry – one that’s produced tremendous results – for connections.