Oakland got off to a terrible start in 2014 … again. The Raiders fired their coach … in-depthagain. And the season ended like all the other ones have since 2002 – with this team’s players watching the playoffs from their living rooms.

But 2014 may have brought a couple hints of hope. Derek Carr was far from flawless as the team’s rookie second round pick from Fresno State, but he showed enough promise to indicate he could be a step up over what Oakland has been running out there for more than a decade. And Kahlil Mack, the first round linebacker, took the defense by storm.

There’s a long road ahead. But could the Raiders be righting the ship? Levi Damien, editor of Silver & Black Pride, shared his thoughts on what’s ahead in Oakland.

Zoneblitz: The Raiders started 0-10, went through two coaches and again finished well out of the playoffs, but also finished 3-3 and fought in many games. How would you assess the 2014 season?

Damien: I said prior to the season that any hopes the Raiders had for success in 2014 was dependent upon Matt Schaub. That proved to very much be the case because he ended up being done before the season even started and the Raiders were forced to start Derek Carr earlier than they had hoped. That 0-10 start can’t simply be forgotten because of the .500 finish. The wins the Raiders had were all at home and the three losses late in the season were bad ones, including a 52-0 loss in St Louis. They got those wins at the end by pure inspiration. The only promise they showed came from a handful of young players, led by Khalil Mack.

Zoneblitz: Did you agree with the decision to fire Dennis Allen after four games?

Damien: Yes and no. Yes, I agree with firing him. No, they shouldn’t have waited until four games into the season. He should have been fire after last season to give his replacement the entire offseason to acclimate to the team.

Zoneblitz: Interim coach Tony Sparano at least kept the team fighting late into the season. Jack Del Rio was selected as head coach over Sparano. What are your thoughts on the decision?

Damien: I agree with it. I like Sparano. The team wanted to play for him. But he made some odd mistakes like sticking with Darren McFadden way too long before turning to Latavius Murray and there were some game management issues as well. Not to mention he is an offensive line specialist and that was one of the worst areas on the team. Jack Del Rio is a proven head coach who is respected by his former coaches and players. This is his dream job as he grew up a Raiders fan so you know he relishes the opportunity and understands what it means to be a Raider. That may sound inconsequential but it’s important to Mark Davis as well as the fans. That goes a long way.

Zoneblitz: Reggie McKenzie has taken some criticism, particularly for some of the free agent signing of 2014. But he also had what appears after one season to be a very good 2014 draft that produced at least four starters. What are your thoughts on the work he has done to this point?

Damien: First of all I think he gets far too much credit for the 2014 draft. It was a great draft and kudos to him for pulling the trigger on those picks, but the draft is only a small fraction of the job. Contracts and dealing with free agents is arguably more important and that, as you said, is where he does not have good reviews. As for the draft, Khalil Mack is a dynamite pick but there wasn’t a GM in the NFL who wouldn’t have picked him in the same situation. Derek Carr was a similar situation. Without breaking down every single pick in 2014 and why they started as rookies, I would say his best pick was pulling Sio Moore in the third round of the 2013 draft.

Zoneblitz: Derek Carr had some ups and downs as all rookie QBs do, but overall what was your assessment of his 2014 season and of his future as Raiders QB?

Damien: His performance left a lot to be desired. His pocket presence and decision making were both very suspect. There were really only two games last season where he put the team on his back – his four TD game against the Chargers in week six (the defense gave the game away) and the week 16 win over the Bills. That being said, he showed enough in flashes to intrigue me as to what he could accomplish with a consistent running game and a couple of weapons in the receiving game. The Raiders will undoubtedly try to give him those weapons this offseason so we’ll have our answer next season.

Zoneblitz: The team was last in the league in offense, though the performances of Carr and Latavius Murray would seem to indicate at least some promise. What other parts are in place and what is needed to take the unit up a notch?

Damien: Um… maybe Rod Streater and Marcel Reece. And that’s not really saying a whole lot. Though Reece is a Pro Bowler, he is still just a fullback and Rod Streater is a decent number two receiver on a good team. Gabe Jackson showed some promise at left guard so he’s in place, but it’s still uncertain how good he will ultimately be. Donald Penn is in place but he has only a couple seasons left in his career. I would have said Stefen Wisniewski but Reggie McKenzie may just let him walk as a free agent. See the aforementioned criticism of his track record with free agents.

Zoneblitz: Same question on the defense – Kahlil Mack and Justin Ellis are certainly pieces, but what else needs to happen to lift the 32nd ranked unit up a notch?

Damien: Just about everything else. I would add Sio Moore and the two young corners DJ Hayden and TJ Carrie. After that the best defenders are Charles Woodson, Justin Tuck, and Antonio Smith who are all in the twilight of their careers. Middle linebacker is in desperate need and they need more pass rush from the defensive end position.

Zoneblitz: What Raiders have a chance to break out in 2015?

Damien: Well, pretty much anyone has a chance to break out. Those most likely are any of the young players we’ve mentioned here. With the exception of Khalil Mack because he broke out as a rookie. That list would be Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson, Latavius Murray, Justin Ellis, DJ Hayden, and TJ Carrie. I would add wide receiver Brice Butler and safety Brandian Ross.

Zoneblitz: What would you like to see the team do in free agency and the draft?

Damien: They need to go big in free agency with at least two major signings. Ultimately the team wants to build through the draft which is great, but they need to get better right now and filling the lineup with rookies and second tier free agents as they did last season isn’t how you do that. As for the draft, an elite quality receiver and defensive end have to take precedence. Those two positions have not been made a priority in the draft the past three years despite the constant need at both positions. Then a safety to be the heir apparent to Charles Woodson, a potential future starting middle linebacker, and another running back to team up with Latavius Murray. That is, of course, unless some of those positions are filled with a long term free agent.

Zoneblitz: How far is this team from contending for a playoff spot?

Damien: Well, it probably won’t be this year, which means there’s really no way of knowing at this point. We still have to see who they add in free agency and whether they can put together another strong draft.

Follow Levi Damien on Twitter at: @LeviDamien
Follow Silver & Black Pride on Twitter at: @SilverBlakPride
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