Silver And Black Pride
The more things change, the more they stay the same. At least for the Silver & Black.
Despite regime changes, that include a myriad of general managers, head coaches, play callers, and rosters, the red zone remains a dead zone for the Las Vegas Raiders. Current GM John Spytek, head coach Pete Carroll, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly are the latest trio to experience the Black Hole known as red zone woes.
“Allergic to the end zone” isn’t hyperbole when it comes to Las Vegas. Through five games so far, the Raiders have made 14 red zone trips and scored a touchdown only five of those such occasions. That’s a 35.7 percent conversion rate which gives the Silver & Black the 31st ranking out of 32 teams. Only the New York Giants are worse going 6 of 19 in terms of red zone touchdowns for a 31.6 percent conversion rate.
The Philadelphia Eagles are atop the league with 13 red zone trips and 12 touchdowns scored (92.3 percent) and the Miami Dolphins are second with 10 touchdowns scored on 13 trips (76.9 percent), in comparison.
Not the kind of return on investment the Raiders expect from Kelly who reportedly is earning an average of $6 million per season to be the offensive play caller.
Kelly, who is the architect of Las Vegas’ offense, is heralded for creativity and putting his players in the best possible position to succeed. The results so far haven’t been kind and contrast to the reputation Kelly had heading into this particular gig. Coaching and player execution are supposed to be in sync and that just hasn’t happened for the Raiders.
The offensive line struggled mightily in Week 2 and 3 before improving the last two games. And running back Ashton Jeanty became more productive as a result. But the key cog in the offensive equation — quarterback Geno Smith — is anything but productive as the 35-year-old leads the league in interceptions thrown (nine) to go along with six touchdowns, 1,176 yards passing, and a 65 percent completion rate (106 of 163). Smith is the fourth most sacked quarterback with 16, just three shy of NFL leader and Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward (19).
Looking closer at red zone performance, in the space between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone, Smith is 9 of 21 (42.86 completion percentage) for 55 with four touchdowns to one interception, according to Pro Football Reference.
That lone pick was a pass that was deflected by the Indianapolis’ Grover Stewart that was intercepted by Laiatu Latu at the Colts 12-yard line.
Two of Smith’s touchdown throws in the red zone went to Jeanty (both against the Chicago Bears in Week 4). Jeanty, meanwhile, has been a slow roller in the money zone, too. He’s carried the rock nine times inside the 20 for 12 yards and a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference.
And it’s not only involving Jeanty more in the passing attack, but Smith taking advantage...
