CONFIDENCE BOOST
Silver & Black Illustrated|January 2021
Ruggs back on right track after reeling in game-winner
Michael Wagaman
CONFIDENCE BOOST

The improbable, desperation 46-yard touchdown catch by Henry Ruggs III in the final seconds against the winless New York Jets did much more than prevent the Raiders from being a punch-line across the NFL.

By streaking past undrafted Jets cornerback Lamar Jackson and hauling in the Hail Mary throw from quarterback Derek Carr, Ruggs erased what would have otherwise been an awful afternoon after the rookie receiver let a pass slip through his fingers for an interception, then later stalled another drive against New York when he fumbled away a key possession.

In doing so, Ruggs gave himself a much-needed boost of confidence that, quite frankly, had taken a big hit over the previous two months.

Drafted with the 12th overall pick because of his blazing speed, Ruggs was expected to breathe new life into the Raiders deep passing game. Instead, while there had been flashes of that for small stretches, Ruggs has been mostly noticeable by his absence both on the field and on the stat sheets.

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‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
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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.

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7 mins  |
February - March 2021
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
Silver & Black Illustrated

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.

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6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Silver & Black Illustrated

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Raiders’ good, bad, ugly

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021
NEWS & NOTES
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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.

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Looking back at 2020 season
Silver & Black Illustrated

Looking back at 2020 season

The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.

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6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Gruden feeling the heat?
Silver & Black Illustrated

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.”

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
Silver & Black Illustrated

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.

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6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Checklist for 2021
Silver & Black Illustrated

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.

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
Silver & Black Illustrated

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.

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3 mins  |
February - March 2021