One of the reasons to have a preseason is to determine where you are weak, and to shore up said weaknesses. Which is why, for the life of me, I cannot figure out why we have not tried to acquire a tight end.



No, not that kind of tight end. Mind out of gutter, please.



Did everyone suddenly forget great Raider teams had great tight ends? Do I have to say Rickey Dudley 5 times in a mirror to remind people of how awful it could be? Now with cap issues early on, I get why we didn't run out and snag a premiere TE. But seriously? If you think the dreck we have at TE isn't going to eventually cost us, you are sorely mistaken.



The great Steve Young once said he would rather have a Pro-Bowl tight end than a stud wide receiver anyday. Tight ends are more often than not the safety valve throw that can still get premium yardage. They are difficult to cover. Which is why Tyvon Branch shutting down Rob Gronkowski led to his franchising and eventual long-term deal.



Let's look at what we have. Brandon Myers, who requires Sominex to even think about. Is he great? No. He's a bland, fill-in, stopgap, boring freight train of epic douchery. In other words, there's 300 other guys just like him. He would be a backup on nearly every other team. But on this squad, he's starting. Which makes douche canoe number two seem all the worse. That would be David Ausberry. Apparently he's a find, a brilliant talent. Who can't beat out a guy like Brandon Myers. I've not heard his name since contact began, so I must assume he has done literally nothing. Sure, he was awesome when no pads were worn, and guys wouldn't hit you like they were getting paid to. But does he exist now, when the fan is being hit with the proverbial shit? Don't even get me started on Richard Gordon, who makes the roster because we can't apparently find anyone worse to take his place.



Right now, as it stands, this team will go 8-8. Not because we don't have a talented RB, an amazing group of WRs, and a righteous front 4 on the defense. Certainly not because we have a coach who might actually read above a 5th grade level. But because this Raider team has resurrected the ghost of Rickey Dudley, and decided tight ends don't matter, especially in a Greg Knapp offense. God help us all.