Through two games in the regular season, the Oakland Raiders have done very little to impress. General manager Reggie McKenzie was hopeful that 2014 would be a different year for the team. They traded for Matt Schaub in the offseason. They acquired several veteran defensive players in free agency while signing a few more offensive players to hopefully get some points on the board. However, things have gone the exact opposite of what McKenzie was hoping as Charles Woodson puts things into perspective, "We suck."
The Raiders are 0-2 to start the year following their 30-14 loss at home to the Houston Texans. The team looked as though they would get shut out by the opponents, not scoring their first points until the fourth quarter. The game featured quarterback Derek Carr tossing two interceptions, Darren McFadden managing a disappointing 37 yards rushing and James Jones and Mychal Rivera losing two fumbles. Woodson did not have kind words on the overall effort of the Raiders.
"We suck," Woodson said, according to Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area. "Everybody's optimistic. You know, it's our first home game. They're excited to see their Raiders, and what was that we put out there on the field. That's embarrassing. And I'm embarrassed for this team, I'm embarrassed for the fans, and the thing about is, I'm part of it. I don't know what we need to do as a team going forward, but something's going to have to be done. I don't know what that is, but we've got to do better than we did today."
The Raiders need to improve. They have committed to Carr for the near future at least while Schaub continues to sit out with elbow tendinitis. Head coach Dennis Allen is in a make-or-break season as is McKenzie. Who is to blame for the dismal showing by the Raiders? Blame could be placed on the veteran running back tandem that is not improving or the rookie mistakes by Carr, but Woodson says it is a team issue and everyone must start doing their part.
"It's disappointing. I don't know what else to say about it," Woodson said. "Like I said, coming into the season, felt a lot better about where we were at that point. For whatever reason, we haven't put it together on the field. Everything (negative) that other people say about you, we're proving them right."
The Raiders schedule does not do them any favors. The team faces the New England Patriots in Week 3 before flying to London for a matchup with the Miami Dolphins and then hitting a bye in Week 5. They do not have much time to make adjusts and get their level of play back up to expectations.
