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Oakland Raiders not named Carr or Mack crucial to team’s 2018 success

By Kevin Saito

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oakland Raiders during the national anthem prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oakland Raiders during the national anthem prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 28: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Jordy Nelson

When you come in and replace somebody as productive as Michael Crabtree has been for the Raiders, you had better start producing on day one. But, the minute Nelson signed on the dotted line with Oakland, the questions about whether or not he would be able to produce sprung up like weeds.

And those questions haven’t stopped coming yet.

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There is reason for skepticism, of course. At 33-years old, Nelson is no spring chicken. There’s also the fact that he’s coming off a down year – though, in fairness, Crabtree had a pretty forgettable 2017 season as well.

And just as it was with Crabtree, the reason for Nelson’s decline in production last season had much to do with the quality of Green Bay’s quarterback play once Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury.

Over the course of the early part of the offseason work, Nelson has impressed. Carr has raved about him, as has Gruden himself. In a short period of time, he’s earned the respect of his new teammates as well as his coaching staff.

Which is good, since the Raiders desperately need him to look like the vintage Jordy Nelson who posted three straight seasons of more than 1,200 receiving yards (2013-16 – though he missed the 2015 season with an injury) – a three year span in which, he also hauled in a whopping 35 touchdowns.

Nelson was brought in because he has a passion for the game. He was brought in for his disciplined, precise route running – a necessity in Gruden’s offense.

Nelson was brought in to be a mentor to Oakland’s young receivers. To provide leadership in the locker room in addition being productive on the field. So far, he’s checked off the first two boxes, and hopefully, he’ll tick off that third well when the lights come up and the season gets underway.

If he looks like the Jordy Nelson of old, Oakland’s passing game is going to be in very good shape.

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