Raiders name NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock new general manager

Photo credit: @NBCSRaiders

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

ALAMEDA, Calif — The Raiders have found their new general manager in NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, the organization announced on Monday. Considered as a draft expert, Mayock will work hand-and-hand with head coach Jon Gruden in preparing for the upcoming draft in May.

News of Mayock’s hiring was first reported by NFL Network.

“Mike and I go back about 20 years to 1995 when I was with the Eagles,” Gruden said during a news conference Monday. “We’ve been friends and associates for a long time. … I don’t know anybody who knows and loves (football) like Mike.”

Mayock, 60, replaces former general manager Reggie McKenzie, who was fired by Oakland on Dec. 10, in what turned out to be disappointing season that saw the team trade away All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack (to Chicago) and former fourth-overall pick in wide receiver Amari Cooper (to Dallas).

Both Mack and Cooper were instrumental in their teams winning their respective divisions and qualify for the playoffs, were drafted by McKenzie.

In his six-plus seasons as general manager of the Raiders, McKenzie compiled a 39-70 record and one playoff appearance. Whispers around the organization about McKenzie’s control as the final decision-maker began to surface once the Raiders signed Gruden to a 10-year contract for $100 million last year.

Back in September, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Gruden had his own staff of people that would help him evaluate talent and make decisions, separate from McKenzie, who had his own team of scouts and evaluators.

“I’m really happy to be here,” Mayock said. “I’ve probably had over 300 text messages [since behind hired by the Raiders]. A couple of them are like Archie Manning going, ‘you guys are a great fit.’ And the more I was just kind of scrolling through, all these football guys were reaching out and saying ‘you and Gruden are a great fit.'”

Mayock began his tenure at the NFL Network in 2004, and should bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Silver and Black. Mayock is well-known for his sharp eye in evaluating draft prospects and analytics. His extensive scouting reports and mock drafts are well respected around the NFL.

Oakland finished the 2018 season 4-12, own three first-round picks in next year’s draft.

Information from the NFL Network was utilized in this report.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Can Raiders end this season with a win over the Chiefs in KC this Sunday?

Photo credit: chiefswire.usatoday.com

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

#1 Last Monday Night was the last game at the Oakland Coliseum for the Oakland Raiders. How bittersweet is that for the fans, the city of Oakland and the Raiders organization?

#2 The game was special for the players. Did it seem like with the knowledge that this is the last home game of the season and possibly the last game ever at the Coliseum for the Raiders, did they came out pushing hard to win this one?

#3 The Raiders are in a big legal battle with the city of Oakland, and although an offer is on the table for the Raiders to stay in Oakland is on the table, the Raiders are looking to shop elsewhere and one those places is AT&T Park. Can you see them playing in the city next season?

#4 Joe, it’s like you wrote in your game recap regarding Raiders quarterback Derek Carr: For the season, Carr has thrown 3,864 yards with 19 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. Carr needs just 136 yards in Oakland’s season finale against the Chiefs in Kansas City for his first 4,000-yard season.

#5 Sunday is the last game of the season for the Raiders in Kansas City to conclude a weird, strange trip that it has been. From the letting go of several key players, to their team GM Reggie McKenzie and how the team scratched and clawed out a win against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football for a 27-14 win. Joe sums up the season for us.

Joe covered the Raiders each week during the 2018 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Raiders’ Carr with some successes, but looking for that one win

Photo credit: mercurynews.com

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

#1 Joe, how much has the firing of Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, the City of Oakland’s lawsuit against the Raiders and the team looking for a site to play in for 2019 had on the focus of this team?

#2 Quarterback Derek Carr has not thrown an interception in nine straight games in spite of losing most of those games.

#3 Carr set a Raiders record for the most games without throwing an interception, breaking former Raider quarterback Rich Gannon’s record.

#4 The Broncos (6-8) no doubt come to Oakland (3-11) frustrated after losing a one-point contest to the Cleveland Browns 17-16. The loss eliminated the Broncos from postseason play.

#5 It’s the Broncos and the Raiders for Monday Night Football on primetime TV. What are some of the goals for Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr going into this one?

Joe does the Raiders podcasts each Friday and will have the game recap following Monday Night Football at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Coliseum says there will be no coming back for Raiders in 2019; Players have nothing but respect for former GM McKenzie

nbcsports.com file photo: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis (right) have a laugh. The Raiders will be leaving Oakland despite the city of Oakland’s lawsuit suing the Raiders

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

#1 With the lawsuit by the city of Oakland against the Oakland Raiders, could it mean that the Raiders will need to seek the team’s relocation site in either Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, UNLV in Vegas or Qualcomm in San Diego or will the Raiders and the city settle on the Coliseum?

#2 Oakland Coliseum Authority executive director Scott McKibben said there no will be proposal. “There’s no longer a lease extension in play, lawsuit or no lawsuit” McKibben said.

#3 Taking a look at some of the Raiders’ choices to play in the 2019 season: Oakland Coliseum, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Sam Boyd Stadium at UNLV, Stanford, Cal, SJSU or San Diego.

#4 Raider players have voiced their respect for former general manager Reggie McKenzie. The players agree that McKenzie had built a team that had the potential to go far in the postseason. This season, much of that team that McKenzie had built had been dismantled.

#5 Will the move of the Raiders in 2019 and the firing of McKenzie impact the team going into Cincinnati for this Sunday’s game?

Joe Hawkes Beamon does the Raiders podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: It’s a soap opera at the Raiders team leaving after this season and GM fired, can they win another game this Sunday?

Photo credit: @BR_NFL

On the Raiders podcast with Tony:

#1 Did anyone see the firing of Reggie McKenzie coming? Was Tony surprised about the firing?

#2 Who was more to blame for the Raiders 3-10 record this season, McKenzie or head coach Jon Gruden?

#3 Gruden said he doesn’t have any general managers in mind right at the moment.

#4 The city of Oakland is suing the Oakland Raiders for loses of revenue and upkeep at the Coliseum that’s been unpaid. The Raiders owner Mark Davis said if the city sues, then he would play the 2019 season elsewhere.

#5 With the firing of McKenzie and the possible move of the Raiders out of the Coliseum, how distracting is this for the Raiders going into their next game?

Tony does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Shakeup at Raiders team being sued, won’t be back in Oakland after this season; GM fired this week

yahoosports.com: Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis (left) and former general manger Reggie McKenzie in 2012 photo parted company Sunday and the City of Oakland is suing the Raiders for lost revenue caused by the Raiders moving to Vegas

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Former Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie was fired on Sunday and not even allowed to finish the season with just three games left. Which scenario would you call this firing an honorable discharge or dishonorable discharge?

#2 When head coach Jon Gruden got on the scene, was that pretty much writing on the wall for McKenzie?

#3 Gruden stated until the last Raiders game in a presser that he and McKenzie got along just fine and there was no problem.

#4 Former Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is this winter’s top prospect his agent. Scott Boras is still shopping for a team for Harper and apparently the Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi will be talking with Boras during this week’s Winter Meetings. Harper has been touted as a LeBron-like commodity in the free agency sweepstakes.

#5 The A’s second baseman Jed Lowrie is reportedly asking too much in free agency and the A’s might seek free agent DJ LeMahieu. Lowrie is asking for $10 million a year and a multi year deal. LeMahieu could join the A’s for one season at $10 million and the A’s won’t have to worry about a multi-year deal since the $10 million would be coming from his final year of his deal with the Colorado Rockies. Also, the A’s are looking at Troy Tulowitzki–he’s from Sunnyvale and likes that the A’s who are a post season contending team the Jays are paying his remaining $38 million salary and the A’s would pay the extra $600,000 to Tulowitski.

London does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Donald Penn, Raiders remain at odds over contract

AP File Photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook passes as tackle Donald Penn (72) blocks against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

NAPA, Calif — Donald Penn remains a holdout at Raiders training camp and he doesn’t appear to be budging anytime soon.

Appearing on Inside Training Camp Live, NFL Network’s Michael Silver said he spoke with the 34-year-old Penn and noted that the left tackle is adamant on his intent to remain away from training camp until the Raiders reward him with a new contract that will pay him in the top-10 among left tackles in the league.

“He is holding firm,” said Silver. “He said we are in a holding pattern, basically. This is not something that should be a surprise to the Raiders it’s something that was broached at the combine and they’ve been aware that Donald Penn, and I happen to agree with them, is underpaid based on productivity.”

Penn started all 16 games last season, and has started 48 straight games for Oakland the last three seasons.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Penn allowed just 28 quarterback pressures in 676 pass-blocking snaps in 2016 and surrendering just one sack. But that one sack led to quarterback Derek Carr’s season-ending leg injury.

Silver also spoke with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, who compared Penn’s holdout as a family squabble, per Inside Training Camp Live.

“He said, listen, I love Donald Penn, he is a Raider, this is a family dispute. Sometimes in a family you have dispute. McKenzie believes they can work something out,” Silver said. “Reggie McKenzie very confident that something will get done.”

Oakland does have depth at left tackle with veteran Marshall Newhouse and rookie David Sharpe, but are they adequate enough to protect Carr’s blindside in a potential Super Bowl run this season after finishing 12-4 with an AFC Wild Card berth a season ago?

Penn is set to make $5.8 million in the final year of his contract.

Information from the NFL Network was used in this report.

Carr and Raiders agree on 5-year, $125M extension

AP File Photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — The Oakland Raiders knew they had something special at quarterback with Derek Carr.

Now, he is paid like one.

Carr and the Raiders have agreed to a five-year, $125 million extension, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, noting a source close to the negotiations. Carr’s new contact makes him the highest paid player in terms of average money per year ($25 million per), moving past Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Before breaking his leg on Christmas Eve in a home loss to the Colts, the 26-year-old Carr was having an MVP-type of season, throwing for 3,937 yards with 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions. In three seasons, Carr has thrown for 11,191 yards, 81 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

Carr was finishing up his rookie deal, and was scheduled to make less than $1 million in base salary this season before agreeing to the new deal. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, Carr’s deal includes $70 million in guarantees with $40 million guaranteed at signing.

With Carr’s deal now completed, the Raiders should turn their attention in locking up defensive linchpin Khalil Mack long-term.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after an 11-sack season in 2016 that included a pick-6 interception, has a team option through 2018, but you’d think that general manager Reggie McKenzie would want to keep the nucleus of the team intact and Mack is a big part of the Raiders’ future.

Information from this report provided from the NFL Network and USA Today.

 

 

 

Oakland Raiders Report: McKenzie named NFL’s top executive for 2016

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie looks up from the sideline prior to a NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, December 4, 2016 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 38-24. (Paul Jasienski via AP)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — In a season where the Raiders made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the league recognized the man that helped lead the turn around when Oakland General Manager Reggie McKenzie was named the NFL’s Executive of the Year for 2016 Thursday morning.

The news was first reported by Associated Press.

The award is presented by the Pro Football Writers of America, who vote among themselves to determine the league’s top executive.

McKenzie oversaw a Raiders team that finished 12-4 and clinch a wild card berth. The Raiders lost to the Houston Texans 27-14 on Wild Card Weekend.

McKenzie’s fingerprints are all over this team, adding key free agents in Pro Bowlers safety Reggie Nelson and left guard Kelechi Osemele, to go along with edge rusher Bruce Irvin that spearheaded a 9-2 start for the Silver and Black this season.

Sprinkle in wide receiver Michael Crabtree, left tackle Donald Penn, and right guard Gabe Jackson, McKenzie has brought stability to a franchise that were in an abyss since their last Super Bowl appearance, also in 2002.

But where McKenzie has really flourished for the Raiders has been in the draft room, building Oakland’s strong foundation starting in 2014 and 2015 where McKenzie drafted defensive linchpin Khalil Mack, franchise quarterback Derek Carr, game-breaking wide receiver Amari Cooper, and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.

Carr was named the AFC West Offensive Player of the Year, as voted by four reporters who cover the AFC West for ESPN.com on Friday.

Mack and Osemele were named to the All-NFL team (voted by the AP), while safety Karl Joseph was named to the All-Rookie team.

McKenzie will have his work cut out for him as Mack and Carr will be in line for big extensions once their rookie deals expire. The team has the club option on Mack in 2018, but Carr’s deal ends after the 2017.

And with Oakland having filed for relocation to Las Vegas on Thursday, McKenzie’s will need to work hard to keep the nucleus of the franchise in tact.

But when you have $46.6M in salary cap space, the time to get both Carr and Mack locked up long term should be this offseason.

For now, McKenzie can take a second to enjoy being named executive of the year but there is more work to be done for the Silver and Black.

 

Sporano takes over sinking Raiders ship

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

ALAMEDA — There’s no sugar-coating needed. The Oakland Raiders are a sinking ship with no relief in sight.

The 2014 season was touted as a step in the right direction for the Silver and Black. With an influx of  established veterans that have playoff and championship experience, Oakland was expected to compete for the playoffs.

Now, the team is closer to competing for the No. 1 draft pick in next year’s NFL daft rather than a team trying to get into the “tournament.”

After Sunday’s 38-14 drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins that left Oakland rudderless at 0-4, Oakland made the change that everyone saw coming when the organization fired embattled head coach, Dennis Allen late Monday night via telephone by Raiders general manager, Reggie McKenzie.

Allen’s firing was first reported by Fox Sports’ NFL Insider, Jay Glazer.

In 36 games as the head coach (Oakland’s 18th overall, seventh in their last 12 seasons), Allen sported an 8-28 record.

Sure there have been questions of the lack of talent the team had, but it was Allen’s lack of progress in the win column that eventually led to his downfall. Bottom line in the NFL, you have to win games any way you can and Allen never was able to win more games than he lost.

Per NFL sources, Allen’s was already on the hot seat after Oakland’s embarrassing 30-14 home loss to the Houston Texans in Week 2. Allen was certainly set to be fired should Oakland lost to Miami in London.

“After thorough evaluation, we have determined to move in another direction,” said McKenzie during Tuesday’s press conference. “We appreciate Dennis Allen’s dedication to the organization and wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

Offensive line coach Tony Sporano will take over the team as the interim head coach.

“Tony Sparano has a strong presence in this organization,” McKenzie said in a statement. “His experience and leadership qualities will serve the team well in helping reach the goal of everyone here, which is to win football games.”

As head coach, Sporano, 52, was 29-32 from 2008-11.

In his first year in Miami, the Dolphins went 11-5 and won the AFC East title, but never had more than seven victories in any season thereafter.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Sporano lamented how much he respects Allen, but Oakland will have a different philosophy under his watch.

“Again, I respect Dennis Allen tremendously, but I’m not Dennis, Dennis is not me,” Sporano said. “Things can change with philosophies and that will be the case. We will have a different philosophy.”

Sporano will have his work cut out for him on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, Oakland ranks last in points per game (12.8), total yards per game (270), and rushing yards (61.5).

Defensively, the Raiders need to find a way to stop the opposing team’s running game. Oakland is surrendering 158.2 yards per game on the ground, which is 31st in the League. The signings of LaMarr Houston, Justin Tuck, and Antonio Smith have shown nothing to believe that Oakland can stop teams from hammering the ball down their throats.

With the bye week coming at the right time for Oakland this week, it will give the the players (who along with McKenzie should accept equal blame in the team’s poor performance) time before the schedule gets really crazy for the Raiders.

After the bye, Oakland will host San Diego and Arizona, before hitting the road against Cleveland and Seattle. San Diego, Arizona, and Seattle are a combined 8-2 on the season, while the Browns are 1-2, but have played tough despite their record.

Even with the changing of the guard at head coach, things could get worse in Oakland before they get better for the Silver and Black