Raiderstation

Or is this still a rebuilding year?

A building year. Rebuilding indicates there was something in recent history you are building back to.

Changed my outlook on the management for the better, that's for sure.

id say YES
front office and hc are on the same page and making smart moves to improve our team...getting max back thanks to ravens stupidty is a cherry on top for us

drafting franchise qb in fernando gives us massive hope too

It's still a rebuilding year. I'll be happy if we win 6-8 games and show continued improvement through the season.

My outlook on actual wins has increased significantly in the past 7 days. But that's not a significant enough change for this to be considered a truly competitive year. It's a development year that hopefully sets us up to compete for a playoff berth in 2027.

Thus, while I would love for us to find a monster NT and a ball-hawking FS, I'm also not that worried about it. What you can't compromise on this year is the development and protection of Mendoza.

Hope you don't mind, I added a poll for predicted wins to your original post.

Voted 7 wins (that could change depending on if they let Mendoza start etc) Rebuilding but finally headed in the right direction. Liked everything so far from Kubiak to the FAs. The only thing I didn't like was not getting the two first rounders and having another 30 plus million to spend on FAs...

And the kicker they signed. I hope they plan on drafting someone...

My perspective has shifted on wins absolutely, but like Chucker said not a big enough shift to think we'll be a playoff team. I voted for 7 wins. Any time you have a big roster turnover along with a coaching change, you are effectively "playing from behind" against organizations that hit the off-season full speed.

So I fully expect some growing pains, especially on defense when we're installing a new scheme. As long as we see progress and start stringing together a few meaningful wins by November I don't think 7 wins is unreasonable

Better coaching and better QB play should get us 4-5 more wins alone. I've been at a record of 8-9 and sticking with it.

Sure, I feel good about the last week except for I’d rather have two first round picks for Maxx but that was not to be. I am fine with him being back on her defensive line, I was just looking forward to a larger infusion of good young players. I’m particularly encouraged by the signing of the front seven players on defense. There’s still a lot of work to do on offense, but getting a new very competent center was critical and they accomplished it.

Had to delete my original answer as I was talking the future rather than this season.

We’re obviously better talent wise than we were so yes, my outlook has changed for the better. It’s still all about developing Mendoza so nothing will bother me much as long as that is going well.

The Raiders were a nuthair away from beating the Jags and Bears. Really should have beat Denver in Denver. To me it all depends on a couple things.

How quickly the oline connects and learns the system? Rick Dennison is a tried and true oline coach. Linderbaum at center making the calls and setting the tone makes a huge difference.

How does Mendoza transition to the NFL? If the line can run block and keep a defense honest connects to his rookie success. It would allow the play action to thrive and he doesn't have too much on his plate too quickly.

Is Rob Leonard a legit DC? If he can impliment his vision and teach it in a way that players understand front to back. Is he stubborn or is he willing to adapt on the fly? There's enough talent to generate QB pressure in a number of ways. There's enough proven run stopping talent in the front 7 (need a NT) but I have questions about the secondary talent and what coverage schemes are going to be utilized.

If these three boxes get checked off there's no reason the Raiders aren't vastly improved in the standings. If Mendoza is real deal plus these boxes are checked? The Raiders are going to compete for the playoffs

Believe it or not, I don't think this "rebuild/build" is gonna take a long as some are thinking. Teams go from pathetic to playoff contention quickly when the right pieces come together. And i think the stars have aligned with us as of late. I wanted the compensation for Maxx to accelerate everything coming together but it is what it is at this point. We had a DC that didnt make anyone better the last few years. I think/hope that changes this year with Leonard. We also need to address the other 40% of our O line but I think that happens between now and after the draft.

Raised the floor for sure. But as much talent as we were without it'll make us more competitive but not serious contenders yet. This year is about building and developing the young talent. I'm leaning 6-8 wins which would be a big step forward for us