By the true definition of the award, the Raiders’ Darren Waller should have been a shoo-in to win Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year honors. No player bounced back and played better than Waller, who overcame drug and alcohol addictions to become one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Instead, the award went to Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill had a phenomenal season after replacing starter Marcus Mariota and led the NFL in passer rating while guiding the Titans to the AFC Championship game. A noteworthy achievement, for sure, and nothing to sneeze at. But Tannehill didn’t come back from anything other than a sullied reputation that had him labeled as a bust for most of his career.
San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who finished second in the voting, seemed a better fit for the award than Tannehill. Garoppolo tore his ACL in the 2018 season then came back in 2019 and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
Waller’s success after battling his personal demons helped him receive eight votes compared to 16 for Tannehill and 15 for Garoppolo. In one sense, that’s not all too surprising considering Tannehill and Garoppolo were on playoff teams while Waller was the breakout star on an otherwise average team.
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Denne historien er fra March/April 2020-utgaven av Silver & Black Illustrated.
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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.
