Rich Bissacia not being named the head coach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6GLxVCjT50
Rich Bisaccia deserves all the credit in the world for what he accomplished with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the head coaching job. Unfortunately for Bissacia, who brought the Raiders to a 7-5 record after Jon Gruden resigned due to his email scandal, the Raiders decided to go with Josh McDaniels, former head coach for the Denver Broncos.
During Bisaccia’s short reign, fans made it clear that he was their choice. Raider Nation was not happy when 2021 passed without Bisaccia getting the top job, and many grew even more upset when McDaniels clinched the position in January 2022.
Marcus Mariota s limited playing time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9bP5ZAkWY
Marcus Mariota was originally brought in by the Las Vegas Raiders to put pressure on Derek Carr. Mariota went from helping the Tennesse Titans to one of their best seasons ever to being relegated to an insurance policy for the main Quarterback. That’s a huge change for a prospect once pegged as a future game-changer. Many die-hard Raider fans still seem to have high hopes for his future, however.
The backup Quarterback is already being thrown around for potential trades with different teams, and it could serve as a sort of renaissance for his career. One rumor even has him going to the Denver Broncos, who have the kind of defense that could really benefit Marotta.
Mariota fans hated how he was used last year. Sure, he was put in the run game as a substitute for an injured Joshua Jacobs or Kenyan Drake occasionally, but he didn’t get a lot of passing opportunities. That’s a shame. This is a man who deserved so much better.
Constant low expectations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD3ntQf6aYo
Why does it seem like everyone counted the Las Vegas Raiders out from the beginning? Whether it was sports media personalities listing their myriad issues or picking apart their latest scandals, everyone in the sports world kind of saw the team as a dumpster fire.
Raider Nation didn’t feel the same way, though, and proved it throughout the season. Fan support never wavered. Diehard Raider Nation members even sent messages of care and support to the family after Henry Ruggs III killed a woman in a drunk driving incident. That’s a pretty cool thing for a fan base that is usually accused of being one of the rowdiest in the NFL.
The defense
https://www.facebook.com/Raiders/photos/5168408269856285
It s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders had one of the worst defenses in the entire league, and that really pissed off a lot of long-time Raiders fans. Not only was this due to just how easy it was to move the chains against the Raiders, but also the pressure it put on Derek Carr on the offense. It was just a bad situation all around and something that needs to be addressed during the offseason.
Now, that doesn t mean Las Vegas didn t make huge strides with the likes of Travis Moehring, Alex Leatherwood, and others joining the defense, but there are still holes to fill. Fans have valid criticism when it comes to the Raiders’ defense, but I would caution you to see how the team does in free agency and the draft before rendering a final verdict.
Frequent criticism of Derek Carr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep3So0y5P8A
While criticizing Derek Carr has been a favorite pastime among sports pundits, Las Vegas Raiders fans were largely behind the franchise Quarterback. Keep in mind that some were calling for his job last year after Marcus Mariota impressed during a game against the Chargers, but Carr proved himself to be the better choice during that next preseason. He was also one of the leading passers in the league all season, and this despite losing key receivers every week.
With that being said, he still faced staunch criticism throughout the 2021 season, and a lot of it wasn’t very fair. When you consider the defensive struggles, a wide receiver roster that grew thinner by the week, and an ineffective running game, you start to see why he didn’t deserve the slights.
From being one of the best passers in the league all season long to his late-game theatrics to securing key victories, there are valid reasons why Carr is a fan favorite. Look at that spark he showed this year. That sense that he knew what he was capable of. When you consider what he could do with the right running game and receiving weapons, this could be a team on the verge of a Super Bowl.
