Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Not all the blame falls on Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 11/16/22

Condemning Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is a daily occurrence in Las Vegas, like a Bellagio fountain eruption. But some wonder if all the blame should fall on the beleaguered Raiders' head coach.

"I'll defend the Raiders again... I don't think it's a bad team," said brash Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd. "Look at all the chaos McDaniels had to overcome."

"I'll defend the Raiders again... I don't think it's a terrible team."

— @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/6VlykjeeEw
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) November 15, 2022

The Raiders (2-7) made the playoffs twice in the past 19 seasons, so McDaniels inherited the keys to a clunker, not a well-run organization.
Also, the franchise regularly whiffed in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Raiders have cut four of their first-round picks from the past three drafts. As a result, their depth has diminished. They declined to pick up the fifth-year options on two other first-round picks.

#Raiders first-round picks from 2019-2021:

2021: Alex Leatherwood: Cut
2020: Henry Ruggs III: Cut
2020: Damon Arnette: Cut
2019: Johnathan Abram: Cut
2019: Josh Jacobs: 5th year declined.
2019: Clelin Ferrell: 5th year declined.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 8, 2022

Several key players are missing, including Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

McDaniels walked into an unstable situation, but he has struggled to eliminate issues from his previous head coaching tenure in Denver. McDaniels' Bronco defenses were atrocious from 2009-10. In 2010, Denver ranked last in the league, and the team fired McDaniels after a 3-9 start.

The problem has carried over to Las Vegas, where the defense ranks 28th in yards allowed through nine games.

McDaniels' inability to cultivate a consistent defense without his mentor, Bill Belichick, creates doubt about his capability to become a proven head coach.

But driving can be difficult when a coach is handed a car without wheels.

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