ROOKIE REVIEW
Silver & Black Illustrated|December 2020
Given the success the Raiders had with their 2019 draft class, expectations coming into 2020 were that general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden would be able to come at least reasonably close with their new batch of draftees.
ROOKIE REVIEW

So far, that hasn’t been the case. Not even close.

First-round picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette have been slowed by injuries, as has third-rounder Bryan Edwards. Tanner Muse, another third-rounder, had season-ending toe surgery. John Simpson and Amik Robertson have both played sparingly, getting their reps in primarily due to the injuries ahead of them.

That doesn’t even count Lynn Bowden Jr., who was traded to Miami less than two weeks before the season opener.

Granted, the schedule has only reached the midpoint and there’s plenty of time for the rookie class to improve.

Gruden says there are a number of factors that have contributed, specifically the truncated offseason which is a time when most rookies get their growing pains out of the way.

“We had a virtual draft, virtual offseason. Virtual is for the birds,” Gruden said. “I think it doesn’t help get these young guys ready as it did in years past. We like our young guys. It’s just the beginning for them. I think there’s reason why maybe they’re still waiting to explode onto the scene. But I’m very confident in them.”

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SILVER & BLACK ILLUSTRATEDView All
‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Silver & Black Illustrated

‘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.

time-read
7 mins  |
February - March 2021
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Silver & Black Illustrated

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

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

time-read
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.

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

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Raiders’ good, bad, ugly

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
NEWS & NOTES
Silver & Black Illustrated

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.

time-read
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.

time-read
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.”

time-read
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.

time-read
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.

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

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021