While the Raiders pulled out a few hard-fought wins this season, they also got embarrassed a few times. In some of those games, as well as a few they have to dig themselves out of a hole, there were players who had to raise their hand and say ‘my bad, guys.” These are their stories (bong, bong).
DB Lamarcus Joyner
Buster nods: 7
Worst game: Week 4 vs. Colts
Joyner was the one big, highly touted free-agent addition Gruden had this offseason. He was going to fix the issues at the nickel corner spot. Early on, it was apparent that it was not happening.
After Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins lit up the Raiders secondary in weeks 2 and 3, the rest of the secondary stepped up against the Colts. But Jacoby Brissett was stilling making plays, and it was Joyner he picked on all day. The entire secondary has been an issue all season, but even when the opposing QB is struggling, they seem to find yards via Joyner.
He was not named a Baller once this season and just twice didn’t land among the Busters. Now, he has a hamstring injury, so we’ll see what the Raiders can do without him.
CB Gareon Conley
Buster nods: 5
Worst game: Week 7 vs. Packers
This was a tough call for Conley’s worst game. I mean, it was Aaron Rodgers, and Conley had been lit up by the likes of Joe Flacco and Chase Daniel before that. But even against Rodgers, someone has to step up. Conley didn’t step up.
Conley was beaten in several different ways by the Packers. This included a 74-yard touchdown catch, a 59-yard catch that later led to him being out of position to allow Rodgers to jog in for a touchdown.
Conley was traded to the Texans the next day. In part because of the game he had, and in part because someone had to go and he carried the most value. The Raiders got a third-round pick in the deal.
DC Paul Guenther
Buster nods: 3
Worst game: Week 2 or 7 or 8
I couldn’t decide between these games. Each were complete collapses by the defense. Yeah, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson are great QBs. But they had extraordinary success facing the Raiders defense. Against the Chiefs in week two, they rattled off four touchdowns in the second quarter alone.
Against the Packers in Week 8, Rodgers finished with six total touchdowns (five passing) and a perfect passer rating (158.3). And the following week, Watson was taking whatever he wanted, mostly because Guenther played almost exclusively in zone, so Watson simply threw to his All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins when a linebacker was covering him. It was just too easy.
Oh, and Guenther was the one who vouched for Vontaze Burfict as the middle linebacker for this team despite Burfict being one personal foul away from a season-long suspension. That happened in the second quarter of week four to the surprise of no one but Guenther, apparently.
DE Clelin Ferrell
Buster nods: 4
Worst game: Week 3 vs. Vikings
The past two games, Ferrell has turned things around for himself, first with a great game against the run and then a great game as a pass rusher. But before that, he was the invisible man. From Week 4 through Week 8, he had a combined total of two tackles (1 solo) and was getting no pressures either.
I give him credit for what he has done the past two games, but he’ll need to keep it going before we can say he’s figured things out. If he can, perhaps he will go from Midseason Buster to season Baller. That would be quite a turnaround.
LB Nicholas Morrow
Buster nods: 3
Worst game: Week 8 vs. Texans
With Burfict gone, Morrow got the start at linebacker. He’s been a Buster in three of his five starts. Desean Watson and the Texans destroyed him. He gave up the Texans’ first touchdown, several key plays on their second touchdown drive, a big penalty to set up their third TD, and a first down run on their final possession to allow them to run the clock out for the win.
Morrow has been known for his coverage abilities, and the Raiders need him to step up and start showing it.
DE Arden Key
Buster nods: 3
Worst game: Week 4 vs. Colts
Once again, Key teased us with his potential in training camp and preseason. He was bigger and stronger, and it showed up in his run support, which had been a significant issue for him as a rookie. We all thought he was finally going to earn more snaps because he wasn’t going to be a liability, and that was going to help him as a pass rusher as well.
Through the first five weeks of the season, he had a combined total of one assisted tackle with two QB hits. In week four, he saw his most playing time of the season, playing 41 snaps (53%). He didn’t record a single stat in the game. Not a tackle, not a QB hit. Nothing. He had consecutive games in weeks 8 and 9 with a sack when he was lost for the season with a broken foot.
