For a league that had more time to prepare than any of its other contemporaries in the world of professional sports, the NFL has discovered how quickly things can get out of hand when dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Positive tests shut down the Tennessee Titans practice facility and forced the NFL to reshuffle the schedule, necessitating a Tuesday game for only the second time since 1946. Less than three weeks after that, the Atlanta Falcons had to shut down their facility after a positive test.
In many ways, it’s Roger Goodell’s nightmare come true. There’s a very real possibility, too, that things will get worse, much worse, before they get better.
During a virtual meeting with the NFL’s 32 owners, the decision was made to scrap the 2021 Pro Bowl that was scheduled to be played at the Raiders new home at Allegiant Stadium in January. The owners did agree to hold the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas to make up for the cancellation.
The Raiders themselves have been in the center of the storm, so to speak.
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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.