Antonio Brown‘s time with the Raiders didn’t go as planned, to put it mildly. Oakland traded a couple of picks to acquire him from the Steelers, and he never ended up playing a game in the silver and black. Brown got into a very public spat with Raiders GM Mike Mayock, reportedly threatening to punch him and calling him a “cracker.” Although head coach Jon Gruden has final say on personnel matters, Mayock still caught a lot of flak for his handling of the situation. Now in an interview with Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Mayock reflected on the whole ordeal at length for the first time.
“I put that on me,” Mayock said. “My anticipation was that he was coming off a situation in Pittsburgh where he wants to prove everybody wrong and he wants to ride into the Hall of Fame. That he was going to come in with Jon Gruden and Derek Carr and our offense and lead the way. … I really thought we were going to get the best out of Antonio Brown and we didn’t.”
The Raiders ended up cutting Brown on September 7th, a couple of days after the blowup in the locker room. “We weren’t able to get anything out of him. So, at the end of the day, in hindsight, we lost a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick, and I can’t tell you how much pain that causes me,” Mayock continued. Gruden initially welcomed Brown back into the locker room the day after the altercation, which led to some speculation that the coach had taken the player’s side over his GM’s, and that Mayock wasn’t long for the franchise.
Mayock denied there were any issues between him and Gruden, and he didn’t seem concerned about his job security. “Jon and I are good,” Mayock said. “Jon and I talk everything through.” The Raiders are moving to Las Vegas this offseason, and rumors have swirled that they could be in the market for a new quarterback as they make the transition. Mayock spoke positively of Carr, saying “Derek stepped forward in Year 2 under Jon Gruden,” but he also hedged.
“As far as what the future holds, I’m gonna tell you the same thing I told you last year. About every position. And that is, my job is to evaluate every position and try and make us better. And if I can, I will, and if I can’t, I won’t. And that holds true at every position.” Spoken like a true GM. Carr was inconsistent once again this year, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the Raiders decide to make a splash at the position.
Mayock also talked about defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who the Raiders surprisingly drafted fourth overall last April. Ferrell got off to a slow start, and Mayock acknowledged as much. “I thought he was solid,” Mayock said. “Early in the year, we probably asked him to do too much. He had never played inside and he was splitting reps inside and outside. He lost weight, he was sick in London … those aren’t excuses, they’re facts.”
“After London, when he got his weight back up, I thought the season began to build for him. We asked him to play one position and I thought he got better and better each week, and we’re excited about him,” he continued. The former NFL Network analyst also revealed that he thinks the impending move will help attract free agents. “There is definitely a buzz about our move into Las Vegas,” he said. “Could be one of the big stories of free agency.” The Raiders will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in 2020.
Trade Carr to a team like the Bears and get maybe a few picks back and go sign Cam or Winston. They will sell jerseys and make for exciting football for Vegas first season. Behind the charade you draft a second or third round qb to groom or wait and see if you can get someone else’s garbage like Trubisky or Rosen and let Gruden work his magic on them.
I highly doubt Cam or Jameis will be available and I hate the strategy of drafting mid tier QBs and “developing” them, the days of finding Russell Wilson’s in the 3rd round are over there will probably be 4-5 QBs taken in the 1st round this year.
If someone like Herbert or Love intrigues Gruden enough I’m down to use either our or the Bears 1st round pick on them but the idea of replacing Carr with a vet like Rivers or Brady for the move to Vegas makes more sense to me. Although signing Rosen would be a great way to #TankForTrevor
There’s endless options if they don’t like Carr. Not a big raiders follower but he seems like Dak last year. Some big games. Some not so big games. This is one team I’m following to see if all these nice pieces fit.
I get trading Carr but could definitely lure Brady in free agency, he’s draw more of a crowd than Winston; literally anyone can do what Winston does (close eyes throw ball as far as you can).
I was thinking Cam could be a Raider as well. Has the arm Gruden wants and an older vet which is his preferred QB rather than a rookie.
If you think Gruden wants a QB like Cam you have no clue about Gruden
He doesn’t like strong armed vets? Before the end of the season he lamented that he’s getting old and wants to throw the ball down the field. That fits Cam.
I think younger Gruden would have loved the challenge of Winston or even Rosen/Trubisky. But I can see him trying for Brady/Cam. If he even considers bringing in Andy Dalton they might as well just keep Carr. AJ Green would fit.
I assume the answer is no, but no one is still claiming that Mr. Big Chest is playing 3-D chess any more, right?
Commenting as you do, I’m inclined to think you wear a silver and black skirt. Maybe a mini-skirt.
Hoping for a trade rumors site sans Brown this offseason. Jail or a Mental Institution seem like the most probable places hell be taking his talents.
Moving to Vegas is going to make the Raiders great again? Ludicrous! Al Davis created the brand, mystique and defining culture that made the Raiders something special but his son will never come close to being a legend.
Mayock is so in over his head it’s comical. Figured out real quick that TV opinions ar3 worthless when there is nobody on the other end of the phone with an opposing, and more accurate, evaluation.
I couldn’t agree with this more. I still can’t believe that he even got hired. Not unlike Matt Millen?
Him & Gruden were brought in to deal w/ the media rather than let Davis be in the spot light.
As for Gruden, 2 years and 2 losing seasons. Now he needs ‘his QB’. Meaning 2 more years of ‘developing the QB’. By year 5, they may be a 500 team.
That’s an odd take considering Mayock had a fantastic draft class, which is really what he has been brought in to do
I thought his draft haul was quite good. No reason they cant add a couple more starters this year and possibly a couple FA’s will wanna be in Vegas!! Any pro athletes have a weakness for gambling and women????
Mayock just had one of the best drafts ever.
He is a talent evaluator and his draft class showed his skill. No need for anyone to be on the other end of the phone when you are drafting not trading
I’m an Eagles fan, but Im excited about the Raiders in Vegas. I don’t know why, I just want them to be relavent again, finally. Get the raiders/cheifs/broncos rivalries back
Mike Mayock mock was the ONLY thing worth anything in all these mocks. He has proven his evaluation snd priorities also exceed most nfl gms as well with his first class.
Agree. Mayock put this team close to contention shy of a few more pieces. Tell me it wouldn’t be a different story if AB actually worked out? Mayock is getting a bad rap because he brought him in for a couple picks. That should have been a steal. He had a stellar draft that could have been even better if their picks stayed healthy.
Toledo
Moving on from Carr this offseason would be a mistake, unless Tua really slides in the draft. Any QB you put back there is going to need protection, and offensive weapons, and the Raiders don’t have enough.
If Tua slides, take him with the earlier first, then get a WR. If not, draft a wideout and a LB.
Bundling the picks to move up, or spending cap space on an expensive FA QB won’t fix the Raiders.
If you get Tua and a WR, then the defense is still weak. My move? Trade the two #1s $ a #3 for Detroits’s #1 and their #2. Take the Ohio St CB with Detroit’s pick and use the #2 on a WR in a deep class. See what Carr can do then.
If not, use one of the #3s to move up four slots in the draft and take Simmons.
The defense could be addressed through FA. I don’t think it’s that far off. They just need LB help. To me, Blake Martinez should be their guy. I think it’d be beneficial to get a veteran in there.
I don’t think Tua slides, so my ideal draft scenario is likely Jeudy or Ruggs with the early pick, and a young LB with the later 1st. As good as this WR class is, I might even double back in the 2nd rd and take another WR.