"All Jokes Aside, We Playing Any Starters or Just 3rd and 2nd Stringers?" Raiders vs Jets Thread

Waterproof

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McKenzie has been named Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year for 2016

McKenzie's first big step in the right direction was the outstanding 2014 draft. He selected edge player Khalil Mack with the fifth overall pick, then found a gem in quarterback Derek Carr in the second round. The next critical move for McKenzie was the 2015 hiring of Jack Del Rio as head coach. Del Rio, with the aid of a strong group of assistants, helped the team progress to a 7-9 record in his first season.

McKenzie, his scouts (including twin brother Raleigh) and coaches also have done a tremendous job building one of the NFL's best offensive lines, which in 2016 contributed to the league's sixth best rushing attack and helped Carr operate a great passing offense.

As all top GMs do, McKenzie has utilized the draft and free agency in the OL quest. He selected right guard Gabe Jackson in the third round of the 2014 draft. He brought in three free agents — left tackle Donald Penn in 2014, center Rodney Hudson in 2015 and right guard Kelechi Osemele last year — and all three were selected to the Pro Bowl last season.

McKenzie’s free agency success rate is impressive, especially in the past two years. Along with Osemele, Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson joined in 2016. So did two more defensive starters in linebacker Bruce Irvin and cornerback Sean Smith. That was after a great haul in 2015, when wide receiver Michael Crabtree and last year's leading tackler Malcolm Smith joined with Hudson. As for the draft, additional successes for McKenzie beyond Mack, Carr and Jackson include players such as Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper, starting safety Karl Joseph and tight end Clive Walford
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:pacspit: at you Reggie Haters
 
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