Mark Davis sticks by Josh Mcdaniels even as Raiders struggle
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Raiders were booed off their home field Sunday after their 25-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas first-year coach Josh Mcdaniels has come under strong media and fan criticism for the 2-7 start.
But the voice that truly counts, the one belonging to owner Mark Davis, said Monday he believes in Mcdaniels’ plan for turning the Raiders into a winner.
“We did an exhaustive search, and that’s who we decided to hire,” Davis said. “We’re building an organization. We’re building a team. We’re building it for the future. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
With Davis’ backing that Mcdaniels’ job is safe, that doesn’t mean major changes aren’t coming.
Quarterback Derek Carr, playing on a team-friendly contract with what appears to be a strong quarterback draft class next year, could be one of those changes. Carr sounded as if he knew he was looking at the end when he teared up during the post-game news conference.
“I think the emotion of just nine years of stuff hit me today, for how much I really love this place,” Carr said Sunday.
Mcdaniels also could make changes to his coaching staff, be it during this season or afterward. He also could take a much closer look at the younger players to better evaluate the overall roster.
As expected, Mcdaniels didn’t get specific when asked what steps he might take, but has weekly discussions with Davis about the state of the franchise.
“He has the same urgency that that we all do, if not more,” Mcdaniels said. “He’s been here a long time. He’s seen this when it’s been good, and he wants to win as bad or worse than anybody else does. And he feels the frustration at the same time. He’s been incredibly supportive, and that’s important, obviously, as you go forward.”
Mcdaniels is dealing with some potential unrest in the Raiders’ locker room. Carr and wide receiver Davante Adams said Sunday not everyone shared their level of commitment. Mcdaniels didn’t dispute that, saying no NFL team has 100% upper-level commitment like those players.
Perhaps along those lines, defensive linemen Matthew Butler, Neil Farrell and Clelin Ferrell were placed on the inactive list against the Colts. On Monday, the Raiders claimed 2019 Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Jerry Tillery, a defensive lineman, off waivers.