Madden NFL 15 News Post

From Worst to First: Turning Around the Oakland Raiders in Madden

11:01 AM - December 8, 2014 by RaychelSnr

It is really hard to imagine an Oakland Raiders team this bad may not be that far from turning into a winner. With team's pulling off major turnarounds in the last few years (think the '13 Chiefs), it's easy to wonder what the Raiders would have to do for a similar reversal. That said, here are three quick moves outside of drafting the next Andrew Luck that the Raiders can make to turn their fortunes around in a Madden 15 Connected Franchise, provided you are playing on a realistically challenging level of course:

1. Find a Playmaker: Let's forget for a second that Derek Carr is their starting quarterback. When James Jones is your best option to throw the ball to and Darren McFadden is getting the bulk of the carries in the run game, something is wrong.

Every Raider's owner in Madden 15 would be wise to go out and find a playmaker at a cheap price.

2. Get Younger on Defense: With one of the oldest defenses in the NFL, it might be time to shed some of that in return for whatever draft picks you can get. Go defense heavy in the 2015 draft.

3. Find a Game Manager: This doesn't necessarily need to be a quarterback. DeMarco Murray has become a game manager for the Cowboys, and Matt Forte one for the Bears. Consistent QB's are hard to find, but consistent football players are a little less rare. Go out and find the guy you are comfortable enough to give 20-30 touches a game, and let that improved defense win some games for you.

Up Next: The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia 76ers

Game: Madden NFL 15Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 42 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 Teleo @ 12/08/14 11:14 AM

Love this idea!

# 2 juice2142 @ 12/08/14 12:30 PM

I think you meant Derek Carr...... he is a rookie so I wouldn't trade him necessarily if attempting this

# 3 Mgbleu1986 @ 12/08/14 12:43 PM

Is David Carr even in the league anymore???

# 4 minushuman @ 12/08/14 01:02 PM

Philadelphia 76'ers?

# 5 Greencollarbaseball @ 12/08/14 01:29 PM

Derek Carr can be a beast in this game. 95thp, fast development, 80 speed to scramble when needed (which is plenty behind that oline ).

# 6 ednaaard @ 12/08/14 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juice2142


	I think you meant Derek Carr...... he is a rookie so I wouldn't trade him necessarily if attempting this

I believe OP was removing Derek Carr from the discussion of the Raiders not enough playmakers.

# 7 tarek @ 12/09/14 02:40 AM

I love my Raiders, and I think they have a solid cornerstone in Carr and Mack on defense. Filling in the gaps is harder. MJD and McFadden are temporary, replace one with a 2nd string HB who take take 20-30 touches per game, right now it's running by committee.
Recievers need a massive upgrade. Same with the defensive line. Sheesh.

# 8 tru11 @ 12/09/14 12:53 PM

marcel reece is 1 of the best weapons in madden.
he can line up at RB/FB/TE and create mismatches all day in the passing game.

also latavius murray is already the RB you need to build around.
95 carry !!!!!

on defense you also have sio moore, hayden, mcgill and branch who you can also build around.

# 9 kcsam @ 12/09/14 06:31 PM

Go Raiders

# 10 btvs @ 12/13/14 08:49 AM

Raiders are actually a good team to start a CFM with. If look past all the old free agents they signed there is a ton of young talent on the team.

# 11 RogueHominid @ 12/13/14 02:45 PM

A switch to an attack 34 might be a good idea with OAK, too,

Mack thrives in that scheme (8 sacks in 5 games for me thus far), and Moore is a very competent player as an occasional rusher (70+ power move), as a zone defender, and in coverage in the nickel and dime scheme.

Long-term, playing Hayden, Carrie, and McGill could lead to two or even all three of those guys contributing as starters at CB. All have great press ability and adequate to above adequate speed.

For offense, finding a playbook with lots of opportunities for Reece is also important. SF has some good FB screens, flats plays, and downfield wheel and streak routes for the FB that are ideal for Reece's skill set.

# 12 WelshWizard @ 12/13/14 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trojan Man


	A switch to an attack 34 might be a good idea with OAK, too, Mack thrives in that scheme (8 sacks in 5 games for me thus far), and Moore is a very competent player as an occasional rusher (70+ power move), as a zone defender, and in coverage in the nickel and dime scheme. Long-term, playing Hayden, Carrie, and McGill could lead to two or even all three of those guys contributing as starters at CB. All have great press ability and adequate to above adequate speed. For offense, finding a playbook with lots of opportunities for Reece is also important. SF has some good FB screens, flats plays, and downfield wheel and streak routes for the FB that are ideal for Reece's skill set.

Great post.

3-4 would suit as Mack is a big pass rush threat and as you say Moore could help out the odd time.

Downside to making the switch is some of the DL is undersized but there are some 3-4 types lower down the depth chart such as NT Ellis and DE C.J Wilson. Woodley, Tuck and Smith are all close to Regression in Madden so the time to switch is perfect.

Adding more to the LBs group and change the DL to suit the 3-4 would be your main aims if your going down the 3-4 route.

Will have to check out the SF FB plays

# 13 WingedLion14 @ 12/13/14 09:18 PM

I'd also take a look at the WCO if I were you. I use it with the Giants and am constantly throwing to Hynoski. And depending on what you're looking for with the rest of your playbook, it might be a good fit.

# 14 RogueHominid @ 12/14/14 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshWizard


	Great post. 3-4 would suit as Mack is a big pass rush threat and as you say Moore could help out the odd time. Downside to making the switch is some of the DL is undersized but there are some 3-4 types lower down the depth chart such as NT Ellis and DE C.J Wilson. Woodley, Tuck and Smith are all close to Regression in Madden so the time to switch is perfect. Adding more to the LBs group and change the DL to suit the 3-4 would be your main aims if your going down the 3-4 route. Will have to check out the SF FB plays

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshWizard


	Great post. 3-4 would suit as Mack is a big pass rush threat and as you say Moore could help out the odd time. Downside to making the switch is some of the DL is undersized but there are some 3-4 types lower down the depth chart such as NT Ellis and DE C.J Wilson. Woodley, Tuck and Smith are all close to Regression in Madden so the time to switch is perfect. Adding more to the LBs group and change the DL to suit the 3-4 would be your main aims if your going down the 3-4 route. Will have to check out the SF FB plays

I moved Smith to RDE, where he performs well, and kept CJ Wilson at DE, as he's more of a natural size/speed/strength fit for 34 DE than 43 DE. I moved Woodley and Mayowa to backup OLB spots and put Sims at NT, where his skill set and size make enough sense.

Thus, the only player I'm playing totally out of position for year one is Tuck, and he's got 85 STR or so, so he's not terrible in that role, esp. given that he's only there for one year.

The ILB position will have to be addressed, but Roach is holding his own there for me.

Re: the FB, SF has good stuff in their I-form sets working off of motion. There's motion to wheel and motion to flats.

I'd also highly suggest putting Reece at 3rd down back. He has 90 speed and excellent catching and route running ability that rivals even that of receiving specialist halfbacks. Plus he has tremendous size. Finding a way to get him the ball often is crucial for taking advantage of OAK's roster.

# 15 RyanXGrindle @ 12/15/14 02:07 PM

In my second year with that Raiders. Had a pretty good first year. The first thing I did was move Mack to left DE. Not a huge reach, hes big enough, and is a pass rusher anyway. Brought Bruce Campbell back to play RT. Other then that kept the team pretty much intact on offense. Anyone who is starting MJD, or DMC is messing up, Latavious Murry is a beast, and progresses crazy quick. Got Malcolm Smith to play OLB, and Mo Claiborne to help with corner depth.

# 16 therizing02 @ 12/18/14 03:22 PM

This is great! I got fired from Dallas and took over the Raiders in the free agency period. The CPU landed Cobb, Amukamara, McKelvin, Robert Ayers, Sidney Rice and Hussain Abdullah! Throw in Sio Moore, Branch, Mack, and Posluszny (1 year deal) and the defensive foundation was set. I signed Devin Hester to a 1 year deal after Rice broke his arm in a pre-season game.

The draft was great. In seven rounds I took 5 offensive lineman and 4 of them are starting. They're rated from 77-81.

The problems are going to be the confidence ratings. Mack-5, Branch-0, Moore-5

First game of the year is at Green Bay

# 17 canes21 @ 12/18/14 03:32 PM

In my 5 seasons as the Raiders I went 6-10, 5-11, 12-4, 11-5, and am now 3-4.

My posts can be seen in the franchise thread, but I did switch to 3-4, brought in Amukamara and drafted stud CB's to have a 4 deep of 83-92 starters at the position. The LB corp is already solid for Oakland. My DL has been inconsistent, but good enough with LB help in rushing the passer.

On offense I got rid of car. I got a falling RGIII and turned him form a 70 to an 88. I had guys like Hester, Royal, Spiller, CJ2k ony my offense to bring in speed and focused on my linemen one whole season go get their ratings all where they needed to be. That led to my year 3 and 4 records where it all came together. In year 5 that age on the defense is catching up to me and that is why I am back to being 3-4.

But from my experience they have a solid foundation defensively to build from.

# 18 CBAT @ 12/30/14 04:42 PM

Carr is great in this game. Latavius Murray is a great RB to build around. Use the versatile Marcel Reece and then try and get a top flight WR and you will be in good shape.

# 19 therizing02 @ 12/31/14 12:58 PM

1-4 in my Raider CFM. Got drilled by Baltimore and Denver and lost a tight one to Minnesota because of two 2nd half turnovers. Knocked Rodgers out of the GB game in the first quarter and hung around until late in the game and then finally lose. The only win came at home against the Texans.

Randall Cobb went down in the Baltimore game and I'll get him back after the bye week. Also had to sign Tavaris Jackson after Carr went down with a 5 week injury.

Next up at KC and then a bye week.

# 20 JBH3 @ 01/05/15 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btvs


	Raiders are actually a good team to start a CFM with. If look past all the old free agents they signed there is a ton of young talent on the team.

I agree. Khalil Mack has ascended to super stardom for me in only his 2nd year and is already a 99 OVR!!! I simmed season 1, went 3-13, and have played every game of season 2 thus far and am 3-4 with a lot of close games.

Latavius Murray is a good back to build around if you get his consistency rating up so he starts earning more XP, and I was able to re-sign C Stefen Wisniewski long-term.

I found a stud WR (Daryn Shipley) early in the 2nd Rd and traded down from the 4th pick to the Browns and got an impact TE in the late 1st round.

Its imperative that when taking on the Raiders you cut Tuck, Woodley, and don't re-sign a lot of players in year 1. You can then build through the draft and sign some stop-gap guys in the pre-season on 1 yr deals that don't eat up your owner/bonus funds.

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