The Mark Stoops Dynasty

[CakeWalker]

2021 Draft Pick	Player/Position	University
Round 2 #31	Derek Kendrick (FB)	Oklahoma
Round 3 #30	Roy Cleveland (MLB)	Notre Dame
Round 4 #30	Jaburi Brittingham (CB)	Buffalo
Round 5 #30	Joshua Palmer (LG)	Florida State
Round 6 #27	Cordeaveous Brewer (RT)	FAU
Round 7 #1	Trade for R5 Pick 2022 (Eagles)	N/A
Round 7 #30	Trade for R6 Pick 2022 (Vikings)	N/A

The 2021 Draft would be a less than spectacular affair for the Las Vegas Raiders who seemed to be filling holes and finding replacement and possible hidden gems for the future, but there seemed to be no rookies selected that looked as if they would be starting anytime soon. The Raiders would pick up two free agents however, that seemed more capable in filling holes that would cast an even greater shadow on the chances of some of the recently acquired rookies.
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Javier Sorano (RT) who had been a free agent for all of the previous season, but had been part of the Packers Practise Squad was brought in to the Raiders roster. This signing would have a knock on effect as it would for Brewer to be pushed into the Practise Squad, where he would be picked up by The Buccaneers before he would even really have a chance to prove himself. Jarno Stormberd would make it clear though that an Sorano was a player who had clearly been working really hard, and the Raiders didn't regret on Brewer leaving the organisation before the season had officially started.

Kyle Long (RG) who had been the 20th overall pick in the 2013 Draft had found himself released by the Bears and it had been believed that this could be the end of Long's career however Mark Stoop would personally declare interest in Long, which seemed to convince the son of Hall of Famer Howie Longer to not hang up his boots just yet. Stoop would also go on the record in stating that with a record after two season of 22-10 and two playoff appearances he was setting the bar of expectation slightly higher this season as he would be pleased with nothing less than a playoff appearance. Considering the Stoop had achieved this goal in both seasons previous, this didn't seem like an unrealistic target.

The 2021 season would also see one franchise not only relocating but completely changing their brand identity and it would be on the Raiders' AFC West Rivals. It would emerge that the Los Angeles Chargers had been unhappy with their number and fans support, and it seemed this because of two reason. Firstly the Rams having returned to LA instantly made the Rams the more popular team, but also the Chargers support base seemed to have been regionally based and the relocation to a new stadium had only resulted in a lot of empty seats and an inability to pay the bills. This had resulted in the Chargers franchise completely rebranding themselves and relocating to San Antonio, Texas where they would be known as The Express (San Antonio).


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[Chris]

SAN ANTONIO HAS A TEAM YES

Also those aren't real rookies right? Or do I just not know college players at all

 

[CakeWalker]

(I think after the 1st draft - they are just fake ones)

 

[CakeWalker]

Might explain why all of them seem to be dog shit.

 

[CakeWalker]

Week 1

The Raider fans would be treated to a truly great start of the season press conference as the Raiders were set to begin the 2021 Season with a road game at Denver. And that is because everyone in the league has become fully aware that Mark Stoop truly seemed to have feeling of contempt towards the Denver Broncos, although apart from the Broncos being divisional rival with the Raiders no one was actually aware of any reason why Stoop seemed so determined to 'shit all over the Broncos.' Stoop tirade would seem to delight the Raider Nation, but Stoop would surprise everyone when he seemed to offer some sympathy for Vic Fangio. Stoop would advise the Broncos Head Coach to request an early end to his contract, but as long as Stoop was a part of the Raiders franchise they would never lose to the Broncos. In reflection of that statement, the press and every Denver Broncos fan is going to have a field day when they do finally claim a victory over their AFC West rivals.

It just wasn't going to be this weekend.

80 - 3

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Las Vegas Raiders	28	17	14	21	80
Denver Broncos	0	0	3	0	3

The Raiders would open their account for the new season in Week 1 by completely obliterating the Broncos with Las Vegas seeming to dedicate a lot of their game plan to the floor with Jacobs (RB) scoring two running TDs for 237 yards and Richard (FB) scoring three TDs for 153 yards. With the Raiders looking as if their running unit was no more than capable of breaking through the gate, along with a strong starting QB in Rodgers who also threw two passing touchdowns to Hopkins it was fair in saying that the Raiders looked like their offence was now completely well rounded. So much so that in the fourth quarter Stoop would pull Rodgers from the field and send in Tyree Jackson who would also throw a passing touchdown to Hopkins who would make his third of the day.

The real highpoint of this game though was the manner in which the defence performed and Mark Stoop would be noticed smiling the entire team as the Defensive Line were on the field. They performed so well that Lamarcus Joyner intercepted the ball twice to score two defensive touchdowns and Mike Ford also picked up a touchdown of his own. The only negative of the game was that Antonio Brown left the field injured after a punt return and seemed to be holding his ribs, which would result in the news that they had been broken and he would be out of action for four weeks.

In the post-game conference Mark Stoop would almost be over the top in his celebration with a record of a 5-0 of the Denver Broncos. Stoop would seem to really throw some Shade though and congratulate Teddy Bridgewater for being the Raiders best QB having thrown three touchdown for the Raiders on the day. This comment send the Twittersphere into a complete meltdown with a number of memes being created mocking Bridgewater. Stoop's best quote from the conference would come when he would make hand movements as if he was digging a whole before proceeding to shout out "I HAVE BURIED THE BRONCOS!"

It would be no surprise to anyone when the Raiders made a clean sweep in the Week 1 AFC Player of the Week Awards. Josh Jacobs would be recognised for his 31 carries for 237 yards with a 7.6 rush average with 2 touchdown to shot for it. It would be Mike Ford who had been signed at the end of last season season as a free agent cover though that would win the defensive player of the week with 6 Tackles, 2 Interceptions and 1 touchdown.

Stoop's assistant Stormberd would make the point that Mike Ford was just another example of young talent that had been under utilised because other teams in the league didn't have the means to assess younger talent and that the Las Vegas Raiders from this point on wouldn't really be relying on rooking to bolster their team but instead picking up the hidden gems and hot prospects in the league that other franchise simply didn't know how to develop. This would lead to an announcement that the Raiders had traded their 2019 Fourth Round Pick Maxx Crosby as well as their First Round Pick in the 2022 draft in exchange for Saints Defensive Tackle David Onyemata.

Stormberd would make it clear that Onyemata in many ways was one of the most inexperienced players in the entire league, based on the fact that he had only starting playing the sport in college. It would be made clear that the Raiders very much needing to secure another competent Defensive Tackle was critical to the franchise success with the playoffs their ultimate goal. Stormberd would make it clear that him and his fellows coaches would be scouting the free agents and potential trade boards for a right outside linebacker in the next few weeks, as they felt that this was the only position currently that was made them vulnerable if starters were to suffer injury.



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[Chris]

Bro 80-3

 

[CakeWalker]

@Chris Teddy Bridgewater was the worst AI QB i've ever seen

 

[CakeWalker]

Week 2-Week 4

The Raiders would find them on the road for the second game in a row (Week 2) and were now very much being recognised as a credible threat after their performance in Denver. The Raiders offence were going from strength to strength and showing that established attacking set they had put together last season were once again paying off as Rodger would throw twice to Jeudy and Hopkins respectively with the 2020 1st round pick continuing to show their worth. Josh Jacobs would add another two running touchdowns to his tally, with Rodgers also scoring a rushing TD of his own. However, for the second time in as many weeks it was the Raiders defence that really shone with Mike Ford for the second week in a row being highlighted as one of the key men. The performance of the D-Line was so impressive the Steelers would find themselves being shutout at home, with Big Ben's Steelers finding them being embarrassed in Pittsburgh and falling to 0-2 for the season.

41 - 0

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Las Vegas Raiders	7	14	10	10	41
Pittsburgh Steelers	0	0	0	0	0

Week 3 would see the Raiders play their first game on the season in Vegas and they would do so in a match against the the Franchise now known as the San Antonio Express - with the Express finding themselves in the same position as the Raiders with a 2-0 start to the season. This contest would prove to be a little bit of a closer affair with the Raiders only managing to score three touchdown (two passing for Williams and Jeudy with Rodgers with a rush of his own) as well as Jonathan Song converting a Field Goal. The Express would score two touchdowns of their own as well as pushing Rodgers into the end zone forcing a safety. The outcome would result in another win for the Raiders taking them to 3-0 with a perfect start to the season so far.

16 - 30

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San Antonio Express	9	0	0	3	16
Las Vegas Raiders	7	10	10	3	30

The Raiders would go on the road for the third time in four weeks and do so by visiting the Washington Redskins (Week 4). In a game that would prove to be the toughest of the season so far for the Raiders. The score line of the game would be constantly the switching back and forth. Q1 would see both team scoring two touchdowns apiece (with Williams and Crowell both making passing touchdown) with the score at 14-14. Q2 would see the Redskins score a third to take a 21-14 lead at the end of the first half.

The third quarter would see the Raiders mount a comeback though scoring two touchdown with Williams scoring a second alongside Jeudy before the Express would score their fourth taking the score to 28-28 with one quarter left to play. However, Washington would score early in the 4th quarter and be looking on course to bring an end to the Raiders run at 35-28. And it looked like things were going from bad to worse as Tyrell Williams would fumble after making a catch on the 1 yard line, but as the ball spilled into the touchdown area Brycen Hopkins would defy the odds and push past Washington players to be the first man to get his hand on the ball tying up the game. In the last seconds of the game Song however would miss a FG to take the game, which would cause play being sent to over-time for the second time in Stoop's regular season season. Fortunately, Song would make up for his previously missed kick by converting in Over-Time to take the game for the Raiders.

38 - 35

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Las Vegas Raiders	14	0	14	7	3 (OT)	38
Washington Redskins	14	7	7	7	0 (OT)	35

Following the game it would emerge that Nevin Lawson (CB) had broken his thumb and would be out for three weeks. It would also be announce that Rodgers have been awarded the Week 4 AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award with 27/41 for 444 yards which had seen him claim 4 passing touchdowns. After four weeks the Raiders would discover they had one of the top ten defences in the leagues (9th) and this massive improvement since last season seemed to show just how much the Las Vegas had improved from last season. This was perhaps part of the reason why Mike Ford was awarded the MVP award for the first quarter of the season.

[Mike Ford - Voted As The Las Vegas Raiders' MVP for the first 1/4 of the season] ​

It seemed that Jarno Stormberd's confirmation of favouring current players over talent from college was shown once again as the Raiders would confirm that they had traded another first round pick, this time for 2023 with the Cincinnati Bengals and in exchange had signed Malik Jefferson (ROLB) to bolster their defensive line. The trade would confirm that unless the Raiders found themselves in another trade situation they would be absent from the the first round of the draft for the next two weeks. Although with a record of 4-0 (three of which had come from road games) it could be argued that the Raiders focus was primarily on the here and now, and not worrying about gambling on the ability of future players who were still get an education in college.

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[Bobby Barrows]

Up your difficulty to All-Madden please.

 

[CakeWalker]

Up your difficulty to All-Madden please.

Have made the jump to All-Madden yet?

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Have made the jump to All-Madden yet?

I'm not the one winning by nearly 80 points.

 

[CakeWalker]

If it was every game - maybe. Some teams are just much weaker than others. Like the Vikings...

...although if I start womping the team that I normally am sweating like a pig whilst playing obviously then I am pushing up to All-Madden. Where I will no doubt drown lol.

 

[CakeWalker]

Week 5-Week 9

20 - 27

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Seattle Seahawks	0	10	0	10	20
Las Vegas Raiders	6	7	0	14	27

The Raiders would continue their solid run of form as they played host to the Seahawks (Week 5). Richard would continue to raise his stock with another rushing touchdown, and would be joined by Jeudy and Hopkins who would secure a receiving touchdown each. The turning point on the game would come after the Two-Minute Warning in Q4 with the Seattle looking to be on the verge of scoring to win the game. Jonathan Abram would pick a ball out of the air securing a vital interception to run 87 yards down the field and snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat thus maintaining Las Vegas' 100% winning record.

As we entered Week 6 the Raider would go on the road once again this time travelling to Buffalo in what would prove to be another close game between both outfits. Rodgers would throw three passing touchdown to Renfrow, Hopkins and Williams with Josh Jacobs also representing the Raiders with a rushing touchdown in a game that Las Vegas always looked in control in, despite a late surge of points from the Bills.

31 - 24

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Las Vegas Raiders	7	14	3	7	31
Buffalo Bills	0	3	7	14	24

The Raiders would travel to Cleveland (Week 7) to play in what would be a replay of last season's divisional round match for the Raiders. In the last encounter the encounter was a tale of the Raiders opening up the Browns like a can of worms with a powerful offence, but this time round the volume game from the Raider's D-Line who would prove how far they would come as they would prevent the Browns from scoring any points in Q1, Q3 & Q4 with the only points being conceded by way of field goal. Jeudy and Hopkins would continue their good habit of scoring receiving touchdowns, whilst Rodgers and Jacobs would make rushing scores. The Raiders would now sit with a record of 7-0, set to play the team that had seemingly become one of their hardest tests in the AFC West - the Kansas City Chiefs.

28 - 6

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Las Vegas Raiders	0	14	7	7	28
Cleveland Browns	0	6	0	0	6

As the Las Vegas Raiders travelled to Kansas City (Week 8) considering their current form, fans from the Black Hole had considered the possibility that they might get a clean sweep over their AFC West Rivals, although this was all talk amongst the fans and nothing was said official by the franchise. However, Andy Reid would make sure that the Chiefs were not going to lose to the Raiders after they were pummelled during the last week of the previous regular season. Despite Hopkins and Williams securing receiving TDs and Antonio Brown scoring on the run after completing a trick play, the Chiefs were just head and shoulders better on all phases of the game with the Raiders suffering their first defeat of the season and their seven win streak coming to an abrupt end.

22 - 40

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Las Vegas Raiders	0	7	0	15	22
Kansas City Chiefs	10	7	14	6	40

Week 9 would be a Bye Week for the Raiders, but unlike the previous season under Stoop's leadership the player wouldn't be offered time off as had become the custom and an inside leak would suggest this was largely due to the fact that Stoop loathed the fact that he had been awarded the Coach of the Year award without actually reaching the Super Bowl itself. It was evidently clear the the Raiders franchise seemed to have one intent this season and that was to reach the Super Bowl. The Raiders defence had continue to shine during Stoops' third season so much so that three year man Clelin Ferrel (DE) was recognised as the 2nd quarter MVP for a total of 6 sacks and 37 tackles in the season so far.

[Clelin Ferrel - Voted As The Las Vegas Raiders' MVP for the second 1/4 of the season]


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[Chris]

All-madden now? Looks like All-Madden

 

[CakeWalker]

All-madden now? Looks like All-Madden

Still haven't changed the difficulty setting.