Answering Your Las Vegas Raiders Questions, E-Mails

The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the world's most influential professional sports franchises, and we take time each week to answer the questions of a rabid fan base.

CHICAGO, Ill.--The Las Vegas Raiders are fewer than 24 hours from taking on the Los Angeles Chargers at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., and today, we answer some of the questions and e-mails from Raider Nation.

Hi Hondo, you've been critical on the podcast a few times about how the Raiders offense seems to lack a sense of urgency late in the game and down by one or more scores. I completely agree with you, and I wonder why no one in the press has asked the coaching staff about that. --Thanks again!  Jim 

I have, and I put the video up for you to see.

Hondo, I thought the way Coach Josh McDaniels handled the question about Chandler Jones on Friday was cold and showed a complete lack of leadership.  Do you agree?  --Kyle M.

No, but to me, someone not close to the situation seeing it that way doesn't surprise me, nor do I think seeing it that way is wrong if you are in that situation. This franchise has endured a lot more than the general public even knows. I believe Josh was trying to handle what has been a very trying time for the franchise as best he could without saying anything disparaging. I can tell you this: are there players frustrated with Josh McDaniels? I can say yes to that, but I don't know one frustrated with how he and General Manager Dave Ziegler have handled Chandler Jones.

Hondo, if Jimmy Garoppolo cannot play, who do you think Josh McDaniels would start at quarterback, Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell?  --Nate N.

Brian Hoyer is who I think he would start with so much of the season left.

Hondo, this might seem like a dumb question, but please indulge me. I work in the medical field, and my specialty is people. When I watch Josh McDaniels' press conferences, it appears to me that he hates his job, or at least seemingly doesn't enjoy the interactive parts of it. He almost seems detached. I like him and am rooting for him, but I find that fascinating. Do you think that I am hitting the right nail?  --(Name Not Published)

He does seem that way, and I can tell you I think he hates talking with the media in a press conference setting. I think it hurts him, makes him seem distant, and does not endear him to fans. I can tell you that he is a warm person off the record, and I think he greatly cares for people. He comes from the Bill Belichick school of paranoia, and I don't think it has done him any favors. Sadly, what many thought for years was the greatness of Belichick, they are learning was the greatness of Tom Brady.

Hondo, do you see any scenario in which Josh McDaniels gets fired during the season?  --Thomas V.

No.

Hondo, do you believe that Mark Davis trusts General Manager Dave Ziegler, and do you?  --Daniel A.

Yes, and yes.

Hi Hondo. I played Division I power-five football and am a lifelong Raiders fan. I played for a coach who lost the locker room and got fired. When I read your fascinating article about Josh McDaniels and the potential of losing more than to the Chargers, I didn't get the impression that he had, but it was more of a warning from you to him. Keep up the fantastic work, and was I right? -- S.C.

Yes, you were. I don't think he has lost the locker room, but I do think he could. Several players who were solidly in his corner had their confidence shaken, and he can't continue to make the mistakes he did. Some of the guys he brought in failed at such a high rate; they must do better. The NFL is different than college; these guys are businessmen. They will buy in until they are no longer sold on the direction, and then they are forced by the nature of the league to think about and protect themselves.

Hondo, I am curious if you have heard from any players about Chandler Jones and how they are taking it.  --Elizabeth G.

I have. Without saying who, here is one text I got on Friday evening: "This Chandler Jones stuff is crazy and sad. It is scary."

If you have a Las Vegas Raiders question you would like answered, please email us at SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and put Raiders Q/A in the subject line.

The Silver and Black return to the road this week in Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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