Time to climb atop our division

[Viper]

Maybe it’s just because it’s our division but, I literally despise Reid, Harbaugh and especially Payton. Tired of all the talk about how great of coaches they are. Our ineptitude to hire competent coaches who make good football decisions is Mark’s fault and has only helped solidify our basement dwelling.

Time for some real hope and change. We aren’t the only team in our division anymore without, although early and still unproven, a Qb that can actually lead this team to wins. To the playoffs. Hopefully soon, a Super Bowl. The others have had success because of having that Qb, especially KC. If Bo hadn’t gotten injured, who knows, they may have had their Cinderella moment. Mendoza should be better than at least him. Sure, Nix has the mobility to extend plays with his legs and is a threat to run on any given play. Personally, I’d rather a Qb that doesn’t rely so much on scrambling to be successful because those guys don’t tend to hold up well over the long haul. I’d rather a higher IQ guy which we have in our rookie.

Gonna take a couple more years to put the pieces in place, including depth but, it really looks like we’re finally headed in the right direction. Time to start climbing to the top of at least our division, get to the playoffs by any means possible and be done with being last.

[Viper]

Hope? Sure, but does it play into my expectations? Not in the least. I expect us to be 4th in the division again. I am not secure in that changing next year. We all know the bust rate for first round QBs and we all know the bust rate for first time HCs. We beat the odds, good for us. But the odds are not great for us. But that does not mean hope does not apply. It merely means I am a Show Me state fan at this point.

Ya…nope.
I’m seeing definite direction change and decision making in the positive sense that I haven’t seen in a couple of decades. I don’t believe, hope or expect us to win less than 3 games this season. We are fans, we have our own reasoning, each of us, for what the season might bring.
The change, which in how this new era has begun, albeit without a snap played yet, is on a scale some fans have never witnessed. I’m a pretty positive person and will choose to remain that way. At this stage, that’s all I see. What are we supposed to do, shit on what we’ve done so far that has been generally regarded around the league as a very successful start to the new regime?
Because the odds say rookie QBs and head coaches rarely succeed does not mean that’s a given. My hope is Davis is smart enough to realize this will take time because it’s not happening overnight.
Kubiak and Mendoza give us the best chance to finally get out of the basement of our division that was available, period. The best chance to get into the dance.
In my mind, this is exactly what we’ve been hoping and waiting for.

[Reno Hightower]

I'll drink the Kool-Aid. While I do not think this team will make the playoffs I do think there is a chance they can be in the conversation in November. A lot of unknowns but I saw Jon Gruden turn a 4-12 team into one that kept things interesting with Donald Hollas taking the snaps.

I can understand why some are more cautious even realistic with their expectations. I guess I'll always be that nine year old that used to devour Street & Smith's NFL Season Preview as soon as it hit the supermarkets magazine section in July.

[raiderboyron]

Hope? Sure, but does it play into my expectations? Not in the least. I expect us to be 4th in the division again. I am not secure in that changing next year. We all know the bust rate for first round QBs and we all know the bust rate for first time HCs. We beat the odds, good for us. But the odds are not great for us. But that does not mean hope does not apply. It merely means I am a Show Me state fan at this point.

Apropos. The Show me state of MISERY as to where we've been. Mark must be a descendant of Moses as we've wandered in the wilderness for years.
I too am holding back on expectations but do see possibilities leaning in an upward trajectory. I feel a sense of positive change tho. And on opening day I'll be just as jazzed as always.
Happens when you've been a fan for over 60 years.

[rich72]

"Put it awl on may"

[SuperRaider]

Isn't this the exact same thread theme as the one we have had here since April 29th titled "Realistic Expectations for this Season" which was started after the new coaching staff was named, free agency, and the draft?

Now we need to start a new thread; “what do you really think the Raiders are going to do in 2026”

[KillerRaider30]

Apropos. The Show me state of MISERY as to where we've been. Mark must be a descendant of Moses as we've wandered in the wilderness for years.
I too am holding back on expectations but do see possibilities leaning in an upward trajectory. I feel a sense of positive change tho. And on opening day I'll be just as jazzed as always.
Happens when you've been a fan for over 60 years.

Gm
The Promised Land was only about 250 miles from Egypt; a 2 week walk.
But like Mark, Moses didn't know where the hell he was going so they cluelessly wandered around for 40 f[raiders_icon]cking years.

Like Brady taking over owner football operations it was Joshua who lead them across the Jordan river.

[RunOverByHubbard]

Now we need to start a new thread; “what do you really think the Raiders are going to do in 2026”

Yes and followed by “Best case scenario for the Raiders in 2026 if they have no significant injuries”

[Viper]

Yes and followed by “Best case scenario for the Raiders in 2026 if they have no significant injuries”

Followed by “I apologize in advance for not being able to distinguish the difference between the two”

[RunOverByHubbard]

Followed by “I apologize in advance for not being able to distinguish the difference between the two”

Good idea. And followed by “Given that Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and PCL on December 14, 2025, how do you think that will affect the Raiders final record in 2026 given the supposed timeframe with him coming back sooner than most people can do from such an injury.“

[Viper]

Good idea. And followed by “Given that Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and PCL on December 14, 2025, how do you think that will affect the Raiders final record in 2026 given the supposed timeframe with him coming back sooner than most people can do from such an injury.“

That one might actually have some legs.
Get it?!? Haha

[mstrbass2000]

i think mahomes misses at least the first month

i have mahomes and fernando pretty close to each other on stats cause i think the kid start game 1

fernando 3850 yds and 27 tds

mahomes 3900 yds and 29 tds

[DeathStar24]

Pete Carroll said something similar last year. This is just coach speak.

I expect improvements but this team isn't close......yet.

[mstrbass2000]

Pete Carroll said something similar last year. This is just coach speak.

I expect improvements but this team isn't close......yet.

missing some pieces still but moving in the right direction for sure, jus tthe football operation alone show that we are a professional organisation again ...last yr was bs, we had pete with too much power over spytek

[pfish57]

I don't know about the top of our division, but it would be nice just to climb out of the Toilet!!

[Goodtimes333]

Good idea. And followed by “Given that Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and PCL on December 14, 2025, how do you think that will affect the Raiders final record in 2026 given the supposed timeframe with him coming back sooner than most people can do from such an injury.“

IMO the Chiefs are morons if they hustle him back or allow himself to do so for the start of the season. I don't care how fast he heals. That's insanity. His whole game is predicated on pocket movement and his brain is going to have a complex with that knee. f[raiders_icon]ck the Chiefs though, let them make the bad decision