Last Week in Las Vegas Sports (Nov 6 - 12)

Last Week in Las Vegas Sports (Nov 6 - 12)

Noah Gragson might get a high-profile Cup Series ride, new details emerge on the Josh McDaniels situation, the Aces toy with a roster shakeup, and the Raiders book a win. Let's talk last week in Las Vegas sports (Nov 6 -12). #6 Jimmy Garoppolo might be on the chopping block in Las Vegas [caption id="attachment_40249" align="alignnone" > Source. YouTube[/caption]

Jimmy Garoppolo is sitting on the bench after putting up subpar numbers. Now, some claim a plan is in motion to get Garoppolo off the Las Vegas Raiders' roster.

"Benching Garoppolo as part of the reset that saw coach Josh McDaniels, general manager Dave Ziegler, and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi all get fired does not bode well for the QB's future in Las Vegas," ESPN's Paul Gutierrez wrote Thursday. "He threw nine interceptions over six games but seven touchdown passes. Then again, it all depends upon how well rookie Aidan O'Connell and the Raiders play in Garoppolo's absence. Interim coach Antonio Pierce also said we probably haven't seen the last of Garoppolo this season."

The fact that Garoppolo might return is a little worrying, but he's on borrowed time. He has a massive $72.5 million contract on the books, and that's not money you pay a bench player. The Raiders have an out due to a clause that says the organization can cut him for any reason related to his ankle injury.  #5 Speculation growing on Noah Gragson going to Stewart Haas Racing in 2024 [caption id="attachment_40649" align="alignnone" > Source. YouTube[/caption]

The 2023 NASCAR season is over, and attention is already shifting towards the upcoming off-season changes. Several drivers are set to step away from rides that will need to be filled before Daytona in February. One of these is Aric Almirola, who has decided to retire from racing and vacate the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford.

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports says Gragson is among a few candidates being considered for the ride next year. This is excellent news for the Las Vegas native and could do a lot to revive his Cup Series career. In fact, after being suspended for liking a racially incentive tweet on X, it feels like a best-case scenario for him.

Pockrass also claims that Gragson has been in talks with several teams.  #4 A's fans make a last-ditch effort to keep the team in Oakland [caption id="attachment_40919" align="alignnone" > Source. YoutTube.[/caption]

The Athletics are still trying to relocate to Las Vegas but face multiple hurdles to get there. The first is an upcoming vote by MLB owners to determine if the move goes forward. The owners are set to vote on the measure next week during a three-day meeting in Arlington, Texas.

Despite the vote being days away, Athletics fans and others are begging owners to reject the move. Sheng Thao, the current mayor of Oakland, sent letters to several MLB owners in hopes of changing their minds. 

"The proposed funding assistance for a new stadium development," Thao wrote, "is thus nearly triple the $380M the A's have reportedly secured in Las Vegas, for a much smaller stadium project. ... There is a clear path to build a state-of-the-art new ballpark here in Oakland, and to do so just as expeditiously (if not more so) than in Las Vegas."

The letters were sent in a box containing a green Athletics cap and a baseball card.  #3 Candace Parker comments on her future with the Las Vegas Aces [caption id="attachment_40920" align="alignnone" > Source. YouTube.[/caption]

The Las Vegas Aces signed Candace Parker during the 2023 season hoping to add another piece to their championship formula. This worked out great for a while, and Parker gelled with the team exceptionally well. She also averaged nine points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks early in the season.

Unfortunately, a foot fracture forced her to have surgery and end her year. Parker recently did an interview with  Good Morning America and spoke about a possible return in 2024. She claims it all depends on if she is 100% healthy.

"If I'm healthy, I'm gonna play," Parker, 37, said. "But I'm not gonna play in pain anymore. It's too important — the trick-or-treating, the crossing over my kids, it's too important. If I'm healthy, I'm gonna play."

Related: 5 bold predictions for The Las Vegas Aces in 2024 #2 New Details on why Josh McDaniels is no longer coaching the Raiders  [caption id="attachment_40583" align="alignnone" > Source. Facebook[/caption]

New details are emerging on why Josh McDaniels got the ax midseason, and they are somewhat interesting. These details paint a picture of Mark Davis trying to give McDaniels time to grow and fully implement his vision for the team. It kind of shows that Davis has been looking at the former head coach with rose-tinted glasses for quite a while. He only snapped out of it after the team finally convinced him to make the change.

"After asking around, I get the sense that people skills and culture were primary issues — and ones that essentially plagued McDaniels in two coaching stops," Jeremy  Fowler of ESPN.com claims. "Players aired their grievances in a team-meeting setting, and owner Mark Davis was well aware of some of the frustrations."

What's so striking about this is it paints the picture of Mark Davis wanting to keep McDaniels. 

Next: Most underappreciated Las Vegas sports figures right now #1 Las Vegas Raiders top the New York Jets 16-12 [caption id="attachment_40925" align="alignnone" > Source.Facebook[/caption]

The Las Vegas Raiders are now 5-5 after beating the Jets in what is being called an ugly primetime matchup. The Raiders struggled early with rookie Aidan O'Connell, who finished the game going 16-27 for 153 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. O'Connell's lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter, where he connected with Michael Mayer for a seven-yard score.

Davantae Adams brought down six of O'Connell's 16 throws and was crucial in moving the chains. Mayer, however, finished with two catches for 12 yards and the aforementioned touchdown in the fourth quarter. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson arguably put in the most work for the Raiders, knocking three field goals for nine points and one PAT attempt. Joshua Jacobs didn't have much of an impact for the Raiders, taking 27 carries for 116

The Raiders' defense struggled during this game and got sliced up for a total of 365 yards. This includes 257 in the air and 105 on the ground. Despite these numbers, the Raiders held the Jets to a 7/17 third-down conversion rate. They also only allowed 15 first downs throughout the entire game while keeping the Jets mostly out of the endzone.

Another win is a good thing for the Raiders right now. It puts them in a great position for a wild card spot and really allows them to hit the reset button on their schedule. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce is also now 2-0 as coach, which has to be a good feeling given the situation he has been thrust into. As for the Raiders, they are going on a bye week and will return on November 19th to face the Miami Dolphins.