When Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak was asked his opnions on his wide receiver room, he didn’t shy away from it.
Klint’s keeping it real
Kubiak addressed the question head-on and with candor, and for a man who doesn’t say much, that speaks volumes. He appears to be realizing he must find a guy who can distinguish themselves from the pack. As a whole, his entire receiving corps has taken a step backwards.
Has Klint lost faith in his wide receivers? Not by a long shot, but he is a realist and the receivers need to get a whole lot better in the remaining three weeks before the season opener. Two weeks into the preseason, the team’s leading receivers, Shedrick Jackson and Brandon Johnson, are tied at 55 receiving yards, and UDFA EJ Williams has 47.
Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech, all expected starters, have played about a series apiece with quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. If we are to take Kubiak at his word, none of them made an impact in the joint practice with the Texans before the preseason Week 2 game. Calling his guys out in the media usually goes one of two ways.
Will coaches challenge be accepted
Initially, hearing a coach call out his players for not achieving the standard is admirable and a desired quality. The first-year head coach is getting a crash course in just how good he had it with Jackson Smith-Njigba. Being able to scheme receivers open with an elite player who gets open on his own leads to triple crowns. Currently, every receiver on the Raiders depth chart has enjoyed success in a complementary role.
Joint practice against the Texans defense left something to be desired. Keep in mind the ferocious pass rush of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter cut down the time to get open to the break of the route. Technically, Kubiak didn’t single “anyone” out, say any names, or point any fingers.
By all accounts, tight end Brock Bowers is Batman, Michael Mayer is the original Robin and the wide receivers are the rest of the Bat-family. The wide receivers have one job: run the correct route, get open and catch the football. Kubiak is not satisfied with having coasters in his offense.
