Raiders relieved as Brown moves on
The first game in the traditional Monday Night Football Week 1 doubleheader is a good matchup, between a pair of playoff teams from the Deep South.
But with all due respect to the Houston Texans and the host New Orleans Saints, all eyes will be on the Oakland Raiders in Game 2 against the visiting Denver Broncos, with both games airing on TSN via ESPN.
Thanks to AB. Antonio Brown. Hopefully we’ll never again see the likes of the destructive distractions that this off-his-rocker wide receiver caused the Raiders.
The frostbit feet. Epic helmet pouts and missing workouts.
Going after Raiders GM Mike Mayock, issuing an emotional apology to teammates, and sharing via social media his phone conversation with head coach Jon Gruden. Demanding a trade. And finally, being released by the club before signing with the New England Patriots.
The Raiders finally are done with Brown, and no doubt are thankful for it.
After the Raiders released Brown, Gruden sounded equal parts disappointed, drained and relieved.
“We just have exhausted everything,” he said. “We have tried every way possible to make it work.”
So how, now, can the Raiders
quickly focus on their first game of their last season in Oakland, before relocating to Las Vegas?
And what kind of a jolt has all this senseless melodrama been to Gruden’s team?
“I don’t think it’s a shock to anybody,” Gruden said defiantly. “You’ll have to go ask in the locker-room. It might be shocking to some, but I don’t know that our players are truly shocked by what has happened.”
So who are Oakland quarterback Derek Carr’s primary pass targets now?
There’s receiver Tyrell Williams, tight end Darren Waller.
“We like our receivers now. I’m just telling you,” Gruden said.
“We got a lot of weapons … they’ll be fine.”
He hopes, anyway.
For their part, the Broncos debut a new head coach in former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and new quarterback in Joe Flacco, acquired via trade from Baltimore in March.
The first game features Houston’s young hotshot quarterback now beginning his third NFL season, Deshaun Watson, and 40-yearold New Orleans icon Drew Brees.
If there’s a pass interference call that goes against the host Saints, heaven help the officiating crew. JoKryk@postmedia.com
@JohnKryk