Raiders Fire GM: Guess we know who traded Mack & Cooper

[TheCount]

"I'm not going to sit up here today and talk about any disconnect,'' Gruden said. "We were connected. We were very good friends and very connected. I'll leave it at that.''

Gruden said he went home after beating the Steelers 24-21 on Sunday night and was not part of the meeting in which McKenzie was relieved of his duties.

"Obviously, there was a meeting last night, and changes had been made," he said. "I respect everything that this organization is about. I can't exactly answer why the change was made last night, but changes were made, and we've got to continue to fight and continue to build this team back, and that's what we're going to do."

MORE: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25500888/raiders-fire-general-manager-reggie-mckenzie

I imagine seeing the Bears hold the Rams to 6 points and seeing Cooper go for 200 was enough for them to fire him, even after the Raiders beat Pittsburgh.

Whoopsies!

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

 

[Bullflop]

Those move are the radical kinds of moves that desperate employees make to validate their positions. Oakland has suffered in it's personnel decisions for some time now. Of course, the timing is routinely criticized when some decisions are made.

I'm sure we're all aware of what a difference Amari Cooper made for us. The acquisition of Khalil Mack for the Bears was most likely another trade that didn't suit the Raider FO's "druthers." They evidently preferred that their long-tenured GM, Reggie McKenzie, hadn't boldly dared to trade such highly talented personnel for 1st round draft picks.

 

[conner01]

You don’t trade an elite pass rusher
But they have 3 first rnd picks
If Gruden makes them they are nuts

 

[Fmart322]

Those trades were all Gruden. McKenzie took the fall.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Those trades were all Gruden. McKenzie took the fall.

Exactly. Funny that people think it was McKenzie.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Gruden doing his Chip Kelly impersonation.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Those trades were all Gruden. McKenzie took the fall.

I don't think it is as much about him taking the fall for the trades as it is about him not being on board.

 

[Keithfansince5]

Gruden might look like a genius after this draft class? So, just have to wait and see what he gets with all of his first round picks, then decide if he is nuts or not.

 

[Bohuntr97]

Gruden doing his Chip Kelly impersonation.

Yep, that ridiculous contract he got effectively made him GM as well.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You don’t trade an elite pass rusher
But they have 3 first rnd picks
If Gruden makes them they are nuts

I mean this is the dilemma when you trade those type of players for picks......they have the chance to make such a impact that it will hurt your draft status.

I think Raiders are getting a tough break. The compensation they got for Cooper and Mack isn't terrible. Its just dumb to even want to trade them to begin with.

 

[Bleedblue1111]

I don't think it is as much about him taking the fall for the trades as it is about him not being on board.

True. He's probably coming in with an "I told you so" attitude. He was the one that originally drafted them, after all.

 

[Bullflop]

You don’t trade an elite pass rusher
But they have 3 first rnd picks
If Gruden makes them they are nuts

Ian Rappaport stated on NFLN that it was GM, Reggie McKenzie who had been responsible for those trades and not Jon Gruden. He added that Gruden was totally unaware of those trades until such time as they had already been made. Once the owner saw the results of those trades, it was obvious that a mistake had been made. The Bears and Dallas profited greatly, as was shown for all to see once those trades were signed, sealed and delivered.

The Cowboys did extensive research before Amari was ever traded and concluded that he was a much better choice than any of the WRs destined to be included in the 2019 draft. We're witnessing evidence of that now.

 

[conner01]

I mean this is the dilemma when you trade those type of players for picks......they have the chance to make such a impact that it will hurt your draft status.

I think Raiders are getting a tough break. The compensation they got for Cooper and Mack isn't terrible. Its just dumb to even want to trade them to begin with.

The odds of hitting on a Mack type player are very slim
And a WR is really tough to hit on
They can out on a show in draft day but finding those two talents is gonna take a miracle

 

[gmoney112]

Gruden might look like a genius after this draft class? So, just have to wait and see what he gets with all of his first round picks, then decide if he is nuts or not.

Doesn't look great so far.

If he was smart, he'd take the best QB they can get in the 1st this year and unload Carr for more picks.

 

[conner01]

Ian Rappaport stated on NFLN that it was GM, Reggie McKenzie that had been responsible for those trades and not Jon Gruden. He added that Gruden was unaware of that trade until such time as it had already been made.

When you pay Gruden what they did I don’t buy that he had no input in trading your two best players

 

[Keithfansince5]

Doesn't look great so far.

If he was smart, he'd take the best QB they can get in the 1st this year and unload Carr for more picks.

He already has 3 1st in this next year draft and 2 the following year. Why does he need more picks? He will have an abundance of riches after that first round. Look for his team to rise quickly. Shades of the Herschel Walker trade?

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Ian Rappaport stated on NFLN that it was GM, Reggie McKenzie that had been responsible for those trades and not Jon Gruden. He added that Gruden was unaware of that trade until such time as it had already been made.

No way Gruden wasn't 100% on board with it.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The odds of hitting on a Mack type player are very slim
And a WR is really tough to hit on
They can out on a show in draft day but finding those two talents is gonna take a miracle

It is. I get why they got rid of Cooper and everyone agreed with them at the time especially for the compensation. But trading both Cooper and Mack.....it just makes no sense. That's two essentially game changers when in a league its hard to find those guys. Raiders screwed up with Mack since he was dominant but the defense sucked.

 

[T-RO]

I don't think it is as much about him taking the fall for the trades as it is about him not being on board.

That's how I see it as well. Gruden can't really be fired with his mega-contract...so if GM didn't like it and was oppositional...not much choice.