Raiders try to put uneven offseason behind them
The Oakland Raiders are one of the favorites to reach and win Super Bowl LII come February. After years of being a cellar-dweller, the Raiders went 12-4 last season with a string of wild wins, culminating in the team’s first winning season and playoff berth since 2002.
This time around, the Raiders are hoping to go further than the Wild Card round, but things have gotten off to a bumpy start. For openers, Oakland spent most of the offseason wondering what to make of left tackle Donald Penn, who held out throughout training camp and into the preseason. Penn, who allowed just one sack last year, is entering the final year of his deal and wanted security, although general manager Reggie McKenzie has been unwilling to negotiate.
In addition, Oakland selected cornerback Gareon Conley out of Ohio State University in the first round, but the youngster has barely practiced due to a shin injury. Without Conley out on the field throughout the summer, it’s unlikely that he will be able to play a significant role for Oakland in the early going. Considering how bad the secondary looked Botha. year ago and in the preseason, that is a major cause for concern.
Then, on Monday, word broke that the Raiders and longtime kicker Sebastian Janikowski were having trouble coming to terms on a reworked contract. Janikowski has reportedly declined to budge on his $4 million contract this season before being scheduled to become a free agent. At 39 years old, Janikowski is no longer one of the elite kickers in the league, but certainly has one of the strongest legs.
While all of this has been swirling around the Raiders, the ample talent that makes them a Super Bowl contender still remains. Quarterback Derek Carr is entering his fourth season at the helm and could be primed for an MVP-level season. The offensive line is one of the best in the game, with guards Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele leading the way. in the backfield, Oakland added Marshawn Lynch, coaxing the 31-year-old out of retirement. On the perimeter, few teams can do better than the combination of Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
Defensively, the team is somewhat of a black hole outside of All-Pro linebacker and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Khalil Mack. Mack is otherworldly, but he’s surrounded by a bunch of middling talents … at best.
Oakland is trying to win its first championship since 1983, and will have a tough AFCÂ to compete with including its division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Still, there is hope on the East Bay for the first time in a long time, despite all of the uncertainty that’s circled this team for months.
