Free agent TE making instant offensive impact
Derek Carr knew almost instantly that the Raiders’ decision to sign tight end Jared Cook this offseason would immediately impact the team’s offense.
He just wasn’t sure the impact would be as significant as it has been through the first two months of the season.
With wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree still trying to find some consistency this season, Cook has been a steady and reliable downfield threat for Carr and went into the bye week leading the team with 39 catches for 499 yards.
It was Cook who came up big during the Raiders’ fourth-quarter comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 then followed it up with another huge performance in the Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins. That marked just the second time in his career that Cook has had a pair of 100-yard games in the same season and confirmed his status as Oakland’s top free agent acquisition this past offseason.
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‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Raiders’ good, bad, ugly
NEWS & NOTES
The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.
Looking back at 2020 season
The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.
Gruden feeling the heat?
“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.
Checklist for 2021
Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.
