Through four games, the Las Vegas Raiders are 2-2 and with a lot of room for improvement. One of the most significant areas that needs a boost is their run game. Zamir White came into the season as the lead back for the Raiders, with Alexander Mattison as the primary backup, but things have not been going well, and head coach Antonio Pierce may be ready to make a change.
White has struggled mightily in this first month, totaling just 152 rushing yards on 3.1 yards per carry through four weeks. Meanwhile, Mattison is averaging 5.1 yards on his 17 carries and has two rushing touchdowns, not to mention another 80 yards receiving and another touchdown through the air.
The Raiders have a huge divisional game against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, and Pierce made it clear that Mattison deserves and will receive more snaps in the Raiders backfield, via Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com:
After Sunday’s showing, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce implied Monday that Mattison should see more action in Las Vegas’ backfield going forward.
“He’s deserved more reps,” Pierce told reporters, “and he’ll get ’em.”
It makes sense that Pierce seriously considers making some changes in the backfield based on how poorly the run game has performed. Not only has Mattison been more effective than White, but Pierce even turned to speedy receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, with each scoring on rushes in the Raiders’ victory over the Cleveland Browns, something that the head coach made clear will continue going forward:
Asked whether he would continue to use his wideouts in the run, even when Adams returns from injury, Pierce was unequivocal.
“It has to be [part of our offense]. It worked,” Pierce said. “It has to be.”
With Davante Adams’ Raiders future a big question mark going forward, the run game is that much more important for the Raiders, especially if their top receiver is traded away. Pierce must do whatever he can to get the ground game going, and it sounds like he is willing to do just that.
Jets, Saints Atop Raiders WR Davante Adams’ Preferred Trade Destination List
Speaking of Davante Adams, it now seems very possible that his time with the Raiders could end. The star receiver has reportedly requested a trade and even has a couple of preferred destinations.
The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are reportedly at the top of Adams’ list, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Jets have former teammate Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, while the Saints, of course, have one of Adams’ best friends, former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, at the helm.
