The Oakland Raiders are talented, but off-field drama could tank the season

The Oakland Raiders have been in the headlines for the entirety of the summer, but not necessarily for their performance on the field.

Antonio Brown is in a world of trouble right now and his NFL future may be at stake. There is so much going on with this Oakland Raiders organization and Brown that I really don’t know where to start.

First, we had Brown suffer frostbite on his feet from mismanaging an ice bath — all in an effort to alleviate foot pains he was having. Then, we had the helmet controversy and Brown’s two grievances filed against the league in an effort to keep his old helmet, both of which he lost.

Then, Brown came back to training camp and everything looked hunky-dory for Week 1. Monday night at the Coliseum, Denver coming into town, probably to be smashed by an emotional Raiders team in the Black Hole.

We all know the Raiders can put up points with this offense.

Then out of nowhere, Brown posts on social media his letter from general manager Mike Mayock, and expresses his disgust at a fine from the team due to missed practice time that occurred during the helmet controversy.

Then came Thursday and Brown was expected to be suspended for Week 1 and perhaps even find himself without a team in a short while due to his actions in his online rant against Mayock and the team.

Finally, news broke on Friday that Brown may actually have a chance to play in Week 1 and the team won’t suspend him.

There’s too much going on right now that’s not football-related and it’s exhausting.

Here’s what I think and Raiders fans might not like to hear it. This team is a show. We haven’t even kicked off yet and this team has created more headlines because of Brown’s antics than headlines about actual football.

This team had 12 rookies make the roster out of training camp, but you wouldn’t know because of all the noise circulating about, not just Brown, but with everything from the general manager to the head coach to the crazy roster management and movement this team has endured dating back to last season.

Jon Gruden comes in. Great coach. But let’s be honest, he’s been out of the game for a long time. He gets rid of Khalil Mack before Week 1 and then trades Amari Cooper at the trade deadline. Both of those guys are now thriving in Chicago and Dallas.

More from Las Vegas Raiders News

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• Raiders: Bryan Edwards out, Henry Ruggs doubtful for Sunday
• Raiders: Damon Arnette re-injures thumb, could be headed to IR
• Raiders fall short in letdown Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots
• Raiders: Game breakdown and prediction for Week 3 at New England Patriots

Fast-forward through a brutal 2018-19 season where Gruden and Derek Carr aren’t getting along. Gruden wants Carr out, the defense can’t stop a nosebleed and the team finishes at 4-12 after a 12-4 season just two years prior.

Now, Kelechi Osemele is gone. Vontaze Burfict, Brandon Marshall, Richie Incognito, and Lamarcus Joyner come in (all guys who have a lot of issues on and off the field).

Trent Brown is signed to the largest offensive lineman contract in NFL history and is promptly moved from left tackle (where he had his most success in New England last year) to right tackle (where he struggled at in San Francisco).

We still have a pairing of Gruden and Carr at coach/quarterback that is not gelling with Gruden ready to pull the trigger and bring in a completely new quarterback.

And finally, we see Antonio Brown come over with all of his baggage from Pittsburgh, only to be the diva that he is and create havoc from the word “go” and force this team to take action with him.

This Raiders team is one of the youngest in football. Its coach and quarterback don’t mix. It’s always (and probably will STILL be) one of the most penalized teams in the league. Their star receiver overstepped the general manager with his social media rant.

Their general manager and management brought in the noise in the first place by going for an Antonio Brown who they should’ve known had helmet issues before he touched down in Oakland (not to mention the plethora of other drama he brought to the table).

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

I don’t really know how to say it other than I don’t think this organization is being run smoothly and I’d be very surprised if they won more than six games this year.

They have a young defense with a bunch of nice players (Johnathan Abram, Clelin Ferrell, etc.) If the relationship between Gruden and Carr can be improved, the offense has a chance to gel nicely.

The additions of Tyrell Williams and rookie Hunter Renfrow in the passing game, as well as Darren Waller at tight end, who the Raiders like a lot, could give the team a potent passing attack.

The team still has a very good offensive line, though they’ll miss Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele. And they have an exciting young running back in Josh Jacobs in the ground game.

This team has some players. And Jon Gruden can coach.

But all of this noise is just damaging the team. Develop a core of young players. Make smarter choices in the front office with the guys you bring in through free agency and trades.

Iron out the quarterback position and see if Derek Carr is the guy you want to move forward with. Then this team can start winning again.

But there’s still a ton of mess to clean up.