Host Thoughts: How to fix the Las Vegas Raiders?

Josh Jacobs, the reigning NFL rushing champion, has 108 rushing yards through three games. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has more rushing yards than Jacobs and Ekeler has only played one game.

After the Raiders loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, receiver Davante Adams said he doesn’t have time “to wait around.” In that same loss, coach Josh McDaniels went for a field goal when down by eight points.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like the Las Vegas Raiders are gelling. Even their fans were quieted by traveling Steelers fans.

For the next Raiders home game we should invite some Raiders fans pic.twitter.com/s2JCHp8UTA

— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) September 26, 2023

We asked our hosts to put on their general manager hats this week. How would they fix the Raiders? Here’s what they had to say.

Chris Watkins

If I were running the show in Vegas, I would try and establish an identity of tough and gritty football, starting with building up the offensive line and defense. The worst thing you can do as a football team is not know who you are and where your bread is buttered.

The Las Vegas Raiders right now don’t seem to know what it is that they are really good at and just seem to throw the ball to Davante Adams when in doubt. While it is a good answer to have, you can’t rely on that to not be taken away in some games. A good offensive line and good defense will usually transfer to every game in every weather condition, it’s also a surefire way to be a “we don’t want to play them” team that is feared across the league.

For the sake of all of Raider Nation out there, I hope they can figure it out sooner rather than later.

Kevin “Whitey” Gleason

Fixing the Las Vegas Raiders will require patience, wisdom, and most of all, a time machine.

Firstly, the time machine must be set to return the franchise to the day before Mark Davis made the overly ambitious and short-sighted decision to move the team to Las Vegas. Given all the issues the city of Oakland is having now with a particular baseball team that shall not be mentioned, the Raiders would have great leverage and support to do whatever they wanted to do in terms of building a new stadium, had they stayed.

If that doesn’t work? You will still need a time machine, only this time you take it back to the day Mark Davis made the overly stubborn and short-sighted decision to turn down the chance to become co-tenants of Levi’s Stadium with the 49ers. Maybe they could eventually become the San Jose Raiders? Staying in the Bay would’ve given the franchise the kind of long-term stability it has lacked for decades.

Finally, if that doesn’t do the trick? Sorry, but you’ll still need the time machine. This time, you’ll need to go back to the day Mark Davis decided he needed to have any input whatsoever in any football decisions. Who makes the decisions instead? Anybody. Rich Gannon. Matt Millen. A goldfish (they’re smarter than you think).

Jason Ross

To me, the Raiders’ quickest fix is to really lock in on what is good with this team. This is not a team that is lacking talent, but they don’t know how to win as a team.

So how do you do that? I think you have to rely on your best players. Right now the Raiders have a few players that are near the top at their positions. Maxx Crosby is one of the top pass rushers in the league. Davante Adams is an exceptional receiver and Josh Jacobs is a very good running back.

Jacobs might be a perfect example of this. The team is blocking well enough for him. The scheme/play-calling isn’t as tight as it should be to let the talent of Jacbos get loose. He needs help to show off his abilities. Adams and Crosby can almost do it by themselves. They need to see some success and if they do, they will bring others along with them.

It is still very early in the season but you don’t want those three players to lose belief in what the team is trying to accomplish. If you lose them, then you are done.

The Raiders need to accentuate the positive, clean up the negative, and hold on to things in between.

Carmichael Dave

Fire Josh McDaniels immediately.

There are pieces (Adams, Crosby, Jacobs, and Hunter Renfrow), but McDaniels is inept, he’s always BEEN inept, and he’ll continue to be inept.

He may be a great guy, but this ain’t show friends. It’s a business.

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