Can you believe it’s been just over a week since the Raiders season ended? It seems like a lot longer than that considering how much discussion there has been about the direction of the team moving forward.
But, yes, this time last week we were detailing the Ballers & Busters from the season finale. And that means it’s officially time to round up the season’s Ballers and the season’s Busters for the final account.
As the name goes, we begin with the Ballers.
Top Baller: DE Maxx Crosby
Once again, Maxx was the best player on this team. Crosby was a Baller a whopping 15 times. That means he was only left off the list twice the entire season. That is a record. The best Crsoby had ever done before this was ten times, which he did each of the past two seasons.
Crosby was a Top Baller seven times. That too is a record. He was the best player on this team and the best defender in the league, let alone best edge rusher.
WR Davante Adams
All things considered, this was a down season for Adams. But it wasn’t all his fault. He was dealing with one of the worst quarterback situations in the league all season long. First it was a QB who couldn’t get the ball down field to him — which is kind of important considering that a big part of what he does — then it was a rookie who couldn’t extend plays and was often erratic and inconsistent.
Despite all this, Adams was a Baller seven times this season, and thrice a Top Baller. He finished with 103 catches for 1144 yards and eight touchdowns which is a great season for most receivers, but his worst full season in eight years.
WR Jakobi Meyers
Outstanding hands as a receiver and a stellar blocker as well. It led to Meyers being named a Baller eight times this season and a Top Baller once. He led the team in total touchdowns (10), while tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (8).
DE Malcolm Koonce
Here we were, ten games into this season and Malcolm Koonce had not even come up in the Ballers & Busters. Then he shot to Top Baller in Week 11 and never looked back. Koonce would be named a Baller in six out of the final seven games, including thrice a Top Baller. Talk about exploding onto the scene. It only took a coaching change midway through his third NFL season to do it.
IHC Antonio Pierce
Speaking of the coaching change…Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach in week nine and transformed this team. The defense in particular played their best football in probably decades. Pierce was a Top Baller in his debut and again in the season-ending win over the Broncos.
P AJ Cole
The Raiders’ only first team All Pro. Cole led the league in net punting average, which is the most important stat for a punter, and was at or near the top in several other categories including punts stopped inside the 20. He was named a Baller four times this season. Not that he didn’t deserve it more often, but, you know, he’s a punter.
Honorable Mention
DC Patrick Graham — Early season defensive issues disappeared in the second half when Graham was more allowed to run his scheme the way he wanted under Antonio Pierce. While Pierce was the inspirational leader, Graham’s ability to roll with it has earned him a great deal of respect.
CB Jack Jones — Enter the fold midseason after the Patriots cut him and fit the attitude of this team perfectly. He was a very solid tackler, a fierce competitor, and had two pick-sixes late in the season.
LB Robert Spillane — Spillane also fit the attitude of a Pierce led squad. He put up 148 tackles and was named a Baller four times.
