The Raiders are all about the future, now. They may not win a game this year and, at this point, any wins they get are fine but won’t help anything.
It’s not that winning isn’t important to the team – it is very important to the organizational figures whose job depends on success- McKenzie and his staff and, to an extent, interim head coach Tony Sparano. But to fans? Sure, the fans would like a win but the team will not make the post season this year and most fans understand the rest of this season is about one big thing: developing their young players.
When the team disclosed that Carlos Rogers had been downgraded to “out” for Sunday’s game it seemed like a mostly positive development. I’m never for a player to be hurt, so I wish that were not the case but injuries open the door to more playing time for those further down on the depth chart and, in this case, the players further down the depth chart are all younger players that look to have more of a future in Oakland than does Rogers.
On Sunday, expect to see a healthy amount of last year’s first-round pick, DJ Hayden, and also rookie TJ Carrie (if he’s healthy enough to play) in coverage. Both are promising young players at cornerback. Carrie has probably already outplayed his 7th round draft status.
As for Hayden, he is coming off his best game as a pro and needs to show that he was worthy of the high first round selection that the Raiders used on him. Last year, he did not look physical enough in coverage and had some issues with getting his head around in coverage and was therefore flagged too many times for pass interference.
This year, Hayden looks stronger and more fundamentally sound (although we only have one games’ worth of video to watch) and he needs to build off of that to be ready to face off against the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning on Sunday.
Finally, rookie fourth round selection Keith McGill is recovering from a groin injury and is “probable” to play on Sunday. The team could be very low on cornerback help- especially if Carrie cannot go – with Rogers and Chekwa already designated as “out”. It looks like a good time for McGill to get some developmental playing time.
The youth movement applies to more than the quarterback position, of course. The Raiders are already starting young linebackers Khalil Mack and Sio Moore, defensive tackle Justin Ellis, quarterback Derek Carr, tackle Menelik Watson, defensive end Benson Mayowa, and guard Gabe Jackson (although Jackson is out this week with a knee injury).
Additionally, it seems likely there could be some increased playing time with other players that will be back with the team next year. This includes receivers Brice Butler and Kenbrell Thompkins, running back Latavius Murray, and rookie safety Jonathan Dowling.
At this point, the Raiders are looking to build up some momentum this year, have another solid draft, and go into next year with some real playmakers and primed to make a splash in the league. The best way for young players to be able to learn the nuances of their position is to play. The Raiders need to embrace the youth movement to help their future prospects.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
