Silver And Black Pride
The Las Vegas Raiders hired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly from Ohio State, hoping to revitalize the offense. It has not turned out how they expected, with them struggling to score points and support their defense.
Kelly’s offense is averaging 16.6 points per game, which is 30th in the NFL and 29th in offensive EPA. Geno Smith is struggling with nine interceptions in five games, and the run game has been scrutinized all season.
Head coach Pete Carroll hasn’t been fond of the play calling and made it known during his press conference on Wednesday. Thursday was Kelly’s chance to respond, and he gave his thoughts on the criticisms of the offense.
“I think besides the one throw in the second half, Geno [Smith] was really comfortable. The
pick in the first half, it’s a pick and it goes down in the books, but he made the proper read and the ball
was going to the right spot and it got hit by defensive lineman. So, I think sometimes not all interceptions
are the same. You’ve got to kind of look at where they are and how they did it. I thought in that game,
you look at that first drive, we had a 15-play drive that got us down there, but it was the sack that knocked
us out of it. It wasn’t the quarterback that knocked us out of it. And the next drive, we drive down there,
it was a tipped pass by defensive lineman, and we’ve got to get his hands down, and that’s not Geno’s
fault either. I think when you get into the second half, you had the one interception that I think we can
put him in a better position as a coaching staff in those situations. But besides that, I think Geno is playing
really well for us.”
Kelly feels like he can turn it around for the Raiders, but it has been done quickly. The Raiders are facing a beat-up Titans team, which is struggling at 4-1, but secured an emotional win in Week 5. Hopefully, the Raiders can bounce back and earn a victory, with the offense having a big day.
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