Raiders Mailbag: Latavius Murray as a starter, Derek Carr stats and much more
The Oakland Raiders have finished their third preseason game of the year with only the perfunctory fourth preseason game remaining. But despite being almost done with the preseason, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the team. Here are some of the questions Raider Nation offered up along with my opinions on them:
@RaidersReporter Do you think Johnny Holton will make the 53 man roster? If not, why not? Go Raiders!
— Freddie Musgrove (@freddiegrove13) August 30, 2016
I do think he will, mostly because no one else has stepped up to give him much competition. The first four receivers for the Raiders are set with only the number five spot up for grabs. It’s not that he’s had a great preseason per se, but other than Holton, there really hasn’t been anyone in competition for the number five spot who’s shown much. Plus, Holton has the added value of being an option for the team in kick and punt return scenarios.
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@RaidersReporter will the o-line improve in the run game?
— Alex Bocanegra (@Homewiththekidz) August 30, 2016
You have to imagine they will. Right now there are three new pieces on a five piece line. Gabe Jackson may have been a starter last year but he’s playing a new position this year. In addition, Menelik Watson looks like the probable right tackle starter and he was out all last year with an injury. And of course, there’s the newcomer Kelechi Osemele. The offensive line works in tandem with each other and if they are not all on the same page, the quality of play goes down. This is a group that still needs more time to gel but given the talent on the line, it’d be shocking if they didn’t figure things out.
@RaidersReporter what’s wrong with the defense?
— Robert Corralejo (@robcorralejo_) August 30, 2016
Talk about a good segue. Speaking of gelling and new parts, this is a defense with at least six new starters (depending on who lines up with the front seven). That’s more than half of the defense and as I have said over and over this offseason, it could take until a few weeks into the regular season before this defense starts to live up to its billing. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just part of rebuilding a team. In my opinion, the idea that they would be great right away was always an unfair expectation.
@RaidersReporter do you think Carr breaks 4500 and 35 this season?
— Ken Longman (@thekenlongman) August 30, 2016
Last season, Carr finished just under 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns so it’s really not crazy to think he could make that kind of jump. The thing is, if the offense is improved like we are hoping, his numbers actually might be worse or at least not much better. Why? Because if the Raiders have an improved run game that will mean that Carr won’t have to do quite so much.
@RaidersReporter taking Joseph out n sub packages and bringing dj in…should we worry long term or just teething while kj builds strength ?
— tony wood (@penman74) August 30, 2016
I really don’t understand that myself. It doesn’t seem like it has to do with Karl Joseph’s health so much as scheming. The Raiders used D.J. Hayden quite a bit and that formation in particular, where the team has one safety, three corners and a complete front seven, was used quite a bit and I just don’t really know the motivation. Hopefully it will make more sense in the regular season.
@RaidersReporter Who would u consider a breakout player?
— Juan Gutierrez (@MrQif4) August 30, 2016
I think Clive Walford is the most popular pick for this. After a slow start in his rookie season, Walford really came on strong later in the year. This season, the expectation is that Carr and Walford will continue to build on their chemistry and he will become a big part of the offense.
@RaidersReporter do you expect #Raiders to blitz more or less this season?
— Nick E (@niceasey) August 30, 2016
Given how many different linebackers the team has with pass rushing abilities, I would think there will be a lot of blitzes and a lot of creative ways to bring pressure. Guys like Corey James, Ben Heeney, Neiron Ball and Malcolm Smith are all linebackers who are good in the blitz. And of course, there is Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, both of whom will be coming at the quarterback both from a blitz and as just a front four rusher.
@RaidersReporter Will Latavious Murray be the Starting RB in the 9th game?
— Matthew Lucas (@mattnjas_RN4L) August 30, 2016
This is a great question because of the fact that you are asking about the second half of the season. I think that’s right about the time that Murray will lose the starting job to DeAndre Washington. Personally, I think he should lose it earlier than that, but I Think the coaches will be patient with Murray and hesitant to lean on a rookie. But eventually, they won’t be able to ignore the clear reality.
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