According to head coach Dennis Allen, the Oakland Raiders need to improve and quickly. The team is 0-2 in a year they were hoping would kickoff a bit differently after the offseason moves that were made. However, nothing has gone to plan for the team. Derek Carr is now starting over Matt Schaub. Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew are continuing to struggling and the defense failed to record a sack last week. Currently searching for answers, the Raiders have signed another offensive weapon in hopes of getting things moving in Week 3.
The Raiders have opted to signed former San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown to a one-year contract in hopes of giving Carr more to work with. Brown was a third-round pick in the 2011 draft and has 60 career catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns. He fell out of favor with San Diego and went forgotten on the free agent market. Now, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports Oakland has given him a one-year deal.
The Raiders need offense. Right now, their run game is non-existent as McFadden and Jones-Drew continue to disappoint. Jones-Drew was out in Week 2 following a hand procedure, but does expect to play in Week 3. He and McFadden have yet to make an impact in the past two games causing Carr to throw more than he may like. However, the passing game is not working either. James Jones and Rod Streater are leading the receiving corps. Jones had a fumble last week. Streater is undergoing an MRI after injuring his hip flexor. Denarius Moore is inconsistent and has struggled through two games. Mychal Rivera has shown flashes of potential, but a lost fumble in Week 2 overshadowed it. Carr needs more.
Allen is hopeful the signing of Brown gets things moving. The coach is suddenly finding himself on the hot seat as Oakland has yet to look improved this year despite making offseason upgrades. After hearing Charles Woodson's tough comments regarding the Raiders' performance over the past two weeks, Allen agrees.
"We're two weeks into the season," Allen said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "At the same time, you don't want to bury your head in the sand. We've got to get better. We need to do it fast."
According to a report by CSNBayArea.com, Allen could be a mid-season fire if the Raiders continue down their current path. It is reported that the Raiders would promote offensive line coach Tony Sparano if Allen were to be fired. So the head coach means it when he says the Raiders need to improve, quickly.