Raiders Hire Dennis Allen!
UPDATE: Fox Sports is reporting that Dennis Allen is the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders: "Allen becomes the first Raiders head coach with a defensive background since the late Al Davis promoted John Madden from linebackers coach in 1969."
I don't know why, because I know very little about this guy, but I have good feeling about it. I like the fact that we are changing things up. Our defense has been way too soft for too many years. As this postseason showed us, a stout defense is still vital to building a winner. GO RAIDERS and WELCOME COACH ALLEN!
Reading The Raider Tea Leaves
Just when it sounded like Dennis Allen was going to become the Raiders' first defense-oriented head coach since John Madden, the rumor mill took a strange turn, with Pro Football Talk referencing a CSNBayArea report that there's still a "mystery candidate" in the mix.
I have to say, the suspense is killing me. But personally, I love all of the rumors, because I think there's been a grain of truth to most of them. For example, the whole Mike Tice thing started as a rumor, and he essentially confirmed there was something to it by declaring that he was going to stay put in Chicago.
There's a sense of due diligence being conducted. Of course, you could look at this cast of candidates from far and wide and say it looks more like the Raiders are flailing around, but I don't think that's the case. I've got a good feeling about this. How about you?
P.S. Was it just me, or could you suddenly not see all of the comments in the last take after the 200-comment mark?
I don't know why, because I know very little about this guy, but I have good feeling about it. I like the fact that we are changing things up. Our defense has been way too soft for too many years. As this postseason showed us, a stout defense is still vital to building a winner. GO RAIDERS and WELCOME COACH ALLEN!
Reading The Raider Tea Leaves
Just when it sounded like Dennis Allen was going to become the Raiders' first defense-oriented head coach since John Madden, the rumor mill took a strange turn, with Pro Football Talk referencing a CSNBayArea report that there's still a "mystery candidate" in the mix.
I have to say, the suspense is killing me. But personally, I love all of the rumors, because I think there's been a grain of truth to most of them. For example, the whole Mike Tice thing started as a rumor, and he essentially confirmed there was something to it by declaring that he was going to stay put in Chicago.
There's a sense of due diligence being conducted. Of course, you could look at this cast of candidates from far and wide and say it looks more like the Raiders are flailing around, but I don't think that's the case. I've got a good feeling about this. How about you?
P.S. Was it just me, or could you suddenly not see all of the comments in the last take after the 200-comment mark?
posted by Raider Take at 4:02 PM
204 Comments:
It wasn't just you after the 200 comments, I still can't see them.
I've had a feeling about Dennis Allen and Todd Bowles. The mystery candidate is intriguing as well. McKenzie is summoning Al Davis for the clout of mystery!! THE MYSTIQUE OF THE RAIDAH'S LIVES ON!!!!
Hey guys!
If you would allow me an off-topic post for a brief moment:
We've a new Raider fan on the way.
My wife and I found out a short while ago that we're expecting--baby is due sometime in September.
Shoppin' for Raider baby swag right now.
---Jeff
I tell ya, Giants OC, Kevin Gilbride, a guy Al Davis always had in the back of his mind, is looking pretty good right now.
I haven't heard his name in the mix. but he plays the power football, that has stood the test of time.
Whoever Reggie chooses, I'm ready to support.
So cool, Arkansan. You know he/she will be born on Raiders opening day in September! It's destiny. Congrats, babies rock!
I really like making Dennis Allen head coach. He is a young and upcoming defensive talent and the fact that we are taking him away from Denver is all the better. Winston Moss I am hearing is out of it.
Congrats Ark!
I'm very much getting pumped up about Allen...
From Cork:
Steve Corkran:
Bright coach, who has a well-earned reputation as a hard-ass and someone who is demanding of his players.
Steve Corkran:
Doing extensive research this morning revealed that he is bright, hard-working, well-liked by his players and averse at running multiple defensive schemes.
This seems like a perfect fit... I hope it happens!
If he retains Saunders as OC, and hires Boyles as DC, this could very quickly make me forget the ham-handed Hue firing.
Allen is the coach. Take has been updated.
Cool, I like defensive-minded coaches, like Madden. I'll like this one big-time if we win six of the first eight, in any way, shape, or form! JUST WIN BABY!
Ark, congratulations. Greatest miracle ever is LIFE. Cheers, you Just Won, (a)Baby! God bless your family, on behalf of the 'Faithful Nation...
I hope the first thing Allen does is announce the retaining of Saunders and addresses how important Carson is.
After that, his DC, followed by STs coach.
Del Rio is still looking for a job.
"Hard-ass and demanding of his players" should be my sig.
Sounds like Gruden.
Warning though... a coach like that might not be someone to build around like for a decade.
Coughlan gets away with it, but not very many others do... Gruden didn't. He was a short-fix coach.
Angelic Raider
Not sure if I feel good...but it feels different in a good way. We have never experienced a front office like this before, this is how fans of other teams must feel like when they hire a coach who can hire his own staff.
Any chance we can hire Hue as the OC... just kidding(kind of)
Go Raiders!!!
I can't help but wonder what Al's thinkin. You know he's lovin' that we snatched him from Denver, but MUST be weary because of the Shanarat experience.
-moshbucket
Before it disappears from the Broncos site, here's his bio pending one from the Raiders:
Dennis Allen is in his first year as defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos after being named to that position on Jan. 24, 2011.
A fresh and innovative defensive mind, Allen, 38, has nine years of NFL coaching experience despite being the NFL’s second-youngest defensive coordinator at the time of his hiring.
He spent five seasons with New Orleans, instructing the team’s secondary from 2008-10 and serving as assistant
defensive line coach from 2006-07.
Under his tutelage, the Saints’ secondary helped the team rank fourth in the NFL in 2010, allowing just 193.9 net passing yards per game while giving up a league-low 13 touchdown passes.
New Orleans’ defensive backfield was a strength of the 2009 team that captured the city’s first-ever Super Bowl Championship (XLIV). The secondary, which accounted for 22 interceptions on the season, including an NFL-high six picks returned for touchdowns, sealed the Saints’ 31-17 win over the Colts with a 74-yard interception returned for a score by cornerback Tracy Porter late in the fourth quarter. Safety Darren Sharper, who tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions during the 2009 regular-season, joined safety Roman Harper in becoming the first pair of defensive backs in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl in the same season.
In his first year coaching the secondary for the Saints, Allen helped the unit overcome season-ending injuries to both starting cornerbacks and contributed to a defense that held five opponents under 200 yards passing.
While coaching New Orleans’ defensive line from 2006-07, he helped direct a front that combined for 48.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries during that stretch. Defensive end Will Smith was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006 after registering 10.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles. Allen joined the Saints after four seasons with Atlanta as a defensive quality control assistant. His first two years with the Falcons were spent working primarily with the club’s secondary, helping the 2002 unit improve from a No. 30 ranking against the pass the previous season to 16th, while tying for third in the NFL with 24 interceptions.
He assisted with the defensive line in his last two seasons with Atlanta, tutoring Pro Bowl defensive linemen Patrick Kearney (2004) and Rod Coleman (2005). In 2004, the defensive front helped the Falcons total 48 sacks to lead the NFL.
His coaching career began in 1996 as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M University after his playing career as a safety and four-year letterman for the Aggies. He spent four seasons assisting his alma mater’s defensive backs before accepting a position to coach the secondary at the University of Tulsa from 2000-01.
After signing with Buffalo as an undrafted college free agent in 1996, he competed in the Bills’ training camp before being released. He is the son of former Atlanta linebacker, Grady Allen, who played with the Falcons from 1968-72.
Allen and his wife, Alisson, have a son, Garrison, and a daughter, Layla. He was born on Sept. 22, 1972, in Atlanta.
Over the course of more than seven hours one day in January, John Fox and Dennis Allen sat at a table in the den of Fox's home in Charlotte, N.C., and discovered they were kindred football spirits.
Both were college safeties who started their coaching careers as low-level defensive coaches in the college ranks. Fox was 39 years old when he got his first NFL defensive coordinator job, with the Oakland Raiders in 1994. Allen was 38 and the secondary coach for the New Orleans Saints when Fox asked permission to interview him for his first defensive coordinator job.
Fox's wife, Robin, turned the den in their home in North Carolina into a makeshift office — complete with whiteboards and a full supply of dry-erase markers — so Fox could interview Allen, a man who, until that day, he had known only afar and by reputation.
"I had heard good things about him, and then once you put him on the board and you listen to what his philosophies are and you hear similarities that fit me, I thought it was a perfect fit for us," Fox said Friday. "I think a lot of times, you're just looking for young, energetic, sharp guys that want to be the best."
Fox hired Allen on Jan. 24, making Allen the Broncos' sixth defensive coordinator in six seasons.
"It was one of those things where it was a whirlwind deal," Allen said. "If you do a good job, eventually people recognize you. I believe that, and I think that's what probably happened. I was surprised because I had no idea any of that was happening, but once it did happen, I was excited about the opportunity."
A huge challenge right away
Allen arrived with perhaps the biggest challenge of any of the Broncos' new coaches. He would have to design and install a new defensive scheme — Fox and Allen wanted a 4-3 instead of the 3-4 that former head coach Josh McDaniels ran — and he would have to do it without the benefit of spring workouts because of the NFL lockout.
Though he had never been a coordinator before, Allen commanded respect from his players almost immediately.
Defensive players said they trusted that their new head coach, with Fox's own background as a defensive coordinator, had selected the right guy to put in charge of turning around a unit that finished last in the NFL in total defense last year.
"He must have a military background, that's the first thing I thought of. Must have been in the military or had that in his family background, some way or another. That's the way he carries himself," cornerback Andre Goodman said. "His thing is discipline, discipline, discipline. Do everything right, all the time, and never let up."
While polling players for words to describe Allen's personality and coaching style, three came up every time: intense, discipline and teacher.
Players said they respected Allen's attention to detail when it came to installing the new defense and his ability to make each player understand his new role.
"You know how you get a teacher that's real stern but not over the top? That's how he is," veteran cornerback Champ Bailey said.
Intense, militaristic coaching style
Anyone who came to watch Broncos training camp could see Allen's intensity during practice. He stalks from position group to position group, arms folded, overseeing drills. He claps his hands enthusiastically at good plays, shouts louder after poor ones. Allen's focus is on effort and on eliminating mistakes. Players had better run during full-speed practices and jog during walkthroughs. If a guy makes an error, he can expect to see it on the big screen later in meetings.
"Listen, I don't believe in berating guys. Don't believe in talking down to them. We work together. They don't work for me or us as coaches. But at the end of the day, we're going to point out problems and we're going to get them corrected, because if you don't get them corrected, they're going to fester, and eventually they're going to get you beat," Allen said. "We point out of there is an issue with effort. If there is an issue with an assignment, we make sure we bring it to their attention, and make sure we get it corrected."
Freedom to run the defense
Allen already has an arsenal of sayings that have already become ingrained in players' heads. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil laughed when asked to rattle off the Allen-isms after practice this week.
" 'See the ball.' 'Turn your head.' 'Strike fear in them.' 'Attack, attack,' " Dumervil said. "I can't say all the other ones."
Fox is involved in defensive game-planning, but he lets Allen run the defensive practices during the week and call the plays on game days. The four preseason games were Allen's first time calling an entire game. He said he will consult with Fox on the sideline from time to time, but that he appreciates that Fox has "given me the latitude to run the defense the way I want to run it."
"The fact that he's a defensive coach, a defensive mind, that's always a comforting thing, especially when you're a young coordinator doing it for the first time," Allen said. "Having him there to bounce ideas off, he'll come in and throw some ideas off, he'll come in and throw some ideas at me, and we were able to sort some things out. At the end of the day, it's our defense. And it's going to be combination of the things he likes and believes in, and mine."
Allen's first test as defensive coordinator will be a big one. The Raiders, more so than any other team last year, exposed the weaknesses in the Broncos' 2010 defense, racking up 98 points and nearly 600 rushing yards in two games.
Players believe that their new coordinator is just one of the reasons why things will be different.
"We needed a makeover, all the way around. I can't say there is one aspect of the defense that we can hang our hat on from last year," Goodman said. "He's definitely a fresh feel and exactly what we needed."
I coined it on the last thread and a few others before the hire took place saying I'm hoping he lives up to it in a positive way...It's already catching on...
"Dennis The Menace" Allen..
And I hope he Menaces that "Donkey" to DEATH!!!
PantyRaider...Welcome To The Raider Nation!!!/_
From the enemy encampment: As That "Donkey" Cries...Hee!! Ha!!
Donkey fan here.
You can be pleased to know that most bronco fans are pissed about losing Allen. In his first ever stint as a DC he did a great job. The turnaround on the D side was great and he played a big part in that. Drafting Von MIller, getting a good DT in Bunkley, and a healthy Dumervil helped as well but Allen got great reviews from the players.
My only concern about Allen from your point of view would be his lack of experience. He’s never been a head coach in his career (college or pros) and this was his first stint as a coordinator in either college or pros. He is another in a long line of hot shot young coordinator who has limited/no experience being a head coach like a Josh McDnaiels, Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, etc. And we all know how those ended. It will be interesting to see and now that he is an enemy I hope he really sucks. No doubt that he was a great coordinator though and I unfortunately think you guys made a good hire but I am praying his inexperience kills you guys. Fingers crossed. GO BRONCOS!
Bailey: Allen's departure just means more change for Broncos
"It will be another coordinator," Bailey said when told of the news at the Pro Bowl. "... I might sound a little selfish. I'm happy for him, don't get me wrong. At the same time, I'm thinking about our team. That's another change for us."
An exciting new day in Raiders football!
A young, bright, highly touted new man in charge of our team's destiny working in partnership with our new GM.
It felt like a new shiny era when we hired McKenzie ... with the hiring of a defensive minded coach, it is crystal clear that we are embarking on a wonderful journey as Raider fans.
I firmly believe if we can get our defense to improve under Allen's leadership and staff significantly and incrementally to a respectable level in 2012 (15-20 ranking) and our offense performs as it should (at or near 10 top level), the sky is the limit.
A 39 year old head coach working in partnership with a 48 year old GM. Yes! It feels minty, new, and fresh!
I would project that there's little doubt that our "D" will be vastly improved this upcoming season with both the Reggie and “Dennis The Menace” additions...
It's the continuity of the "O" that concerns me at this point...But if a move is made to retain Al Saunders as has been speculated along with part of his staff than those concerns vaporize!!!...."OL"-n-"RB"s Coaches as well as our "STC" would be really nice...
Retain a few key players like Bush -n- Branch while adding a few more and that Raider KoolAid will be running pure!!!
PantyRaider....Not Excited Just Waiting!!!/_
DBs seem to like him
@sharper42 Darren Sharper
Congrats to my former position coach Dennis Allen being hired as new head coach of Oakland raiders. Raider nation,u got a good one. #success
"I like this hire from Reggie McKenzie because it addresses the two major problems that cost us a shot at the playoffs this past year under Hue Jackson: Penalties and Defense. We needed this type of military discipline head coach to come in and make the players accountable. Each and every one of those players needs to know that bone head penalties are what cost us games."
"these things can not happen anymore"
For This Reason New Blood Is Prolley A Damn Good Thing???
If we just brought in a man who had played our game before it would likely be a case of tolerance for our continued stupidity and lets face it most of us “Old Time” Raider fans rather love those extra aggressive hits after the whistle!!!…But not so when we bring in an outsider who isn’t tolerant of this stupidity in the least….Things may really change???…And that my friends may just be the difference between being an “Also Ran” and a legitimate “PO” Contender…
Keeping that top 10 “O” is imperative…Thus we only have one half our team that needs to be addressed with a total makeover this next season instead of the entire roster…The “O” can most certainly be tweaked to perform at a higher level and with a full off season of prep it certainly should…
My one and only real fear at this point is commitment?….Is this just a “Stepping Stone” opportunity for a very young and very aggressive up and coming “HC” or will he actually have sticking power and an attachment to OakTown or wherever the Raiders end up playing?…Please NO MORE Grudens who’s ambitions are greater than thier loyalties!!!…..Please NO More "Rat"s who took a job despite their ingrained hatred for our Raider Nation!!!
PantyRaider....Will This Event Prove To Be The Long Waited Long Lasting Event Of Our Future....Or Just Another In A Long List Of Frustrations....Time Will tell!!!!/_
NO Official Word Yet???
Raiders | Dennis Allen named head coach
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:07:58 -0800
Updating a previous report, the Oakland Raiders named Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach Tuesday, Jan. 24. Allen informed the Broncos he was taking the head coaching position Tuesday. He becomes the first Raiders head coach with a defensive background since the late Al Davis promoted John Madden from linebackers coach in 1969.
Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has found a new head coach, FOXSports.com has learned.
Former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has reached an agreement to lead the Silver and Black in the 2012 season, but contract details still must be hammered out.
Allen informed the Broncos on Tuesday he was taking the Raiders' head-coaching position. The Broncos hired Allen as defensive coordinator exactly a year ago to the day.
I don't know anything about Allen, other than he is young and inexperienced, and that the Broncos defense appeared to improve under his watch.
That said, hiring a defense-minded HC is just what the Raiders needed after failing for years and years hiring one offense-minded HC after another.
Our defense has been without a unified direction for too long.
In that regard alone, McKenzie hiring Dennis Allen is like a shot of vitamin B12 for the Raiders.
However, we definitely will need talent coaching the other side of the ball. As far as I know, Allen has never been a HC at any level. Being able to handle all the duties of HC, on both sides of the ball and ST, was one of the criticisms of Jackson that was floated on this site.
Inexperience also exposes Allen to making the same or similar mistakes that helped get Jackson fired. But let’s not kid ourselves; Jackson became a little too brazen.
Anyone that can’t see the dissimilarities in the current Raiders’ process from past processes isn’t looking.
Step 1: owner hires a competent GM .
Step 2: GM hires a HC.
Step 3: HC starts to fill in his coaching staff.
The normalcy of this is making me silly. And who saw Dennis Allen before the diligence process revealed itself? Folks, including media and fans, thought Winston Moss or some other GB coach was a shoe-in.
It will be fun to see what other surprises McKenzie (and now Allen) has up his sleeve.
Cheers, Dennis Allen! And, Go Raiders!!
"NYR"...
B-12 would be an illegal formation which would just incur several more yellow flags!!!...No sense provoking that "Zebra" any more than we already have....
Unbalanced formation right...Spread eagle left...Wild Pirate up the middle on "B-12"....
Hike!!!
From Reggie,
"He's got a lot of stuff he needs to answer," McKenzie told CSNCalifornia.com. "Nah, it's not a lock, irregardless of other people's reports."
Other than irregardless isn’t a word, he is saying nothing is carved in stone. But, it appears, the stone carver is warming up in the next room.
I will say that, at least, I’m getting my wish. A defensive minded coach. However, until the press release is out I’m going with “nothing final yet.”
But, I will say this. When Tebow Mania was sweeping the country, I felt like a voice in the wilderness pointing out the job their defense was doing during that run. It also appears he has coached both DL and DB’s. I like that. He wasn’t pigeon holed.
Arkansas,
Congrats man. I was with Grandson of H watching the Giants vs. Whiners game. He’s 21 months. He will actually watch football. Only for five minutes at a time, but hey, it’s a start. When something big would happen during the game I’d look at him and say “Go Raiders”. He’d repeat me then run around in circles. Gotta’ start ‘em young.
H
Ark, congrats! Is this your first?
I have 2 (girl, 6, and a boy, 4); along with my wife, my family is my joy and pride. Cherish them.
When I heard we were interviewing Dennis Allen, I couldn't believe it! Even before he was made DC in Donco land, he was being viewed as a future HC possibility. His year in Denver proved he's ready.
My only concern is that I hope he brings in a DC, and focuses on being a HC in terms of knowing and implementing a game plan for both sides of the ball.
Either way, Just Win, BABY!
I am ecstatic! This is amazing news and is everything I asked for. Great job McKenzie and welcome aboard Allen! I never was excited about Moss and it is nice to see McKenzie step outside his comfort zone of GB. Well done. I am MINTY FRESH.
Roy
I see some Raider fans lamenting his mediocre defensive stats at Denver, but it took nearly half a year before the defense started playing exceptional ball... which points solely to COACHING.
My biggest worry is he doesn't get drunk with power like we saw with Haley, McDaniels, and yes, Hue.
A first warning sign would be not retaining Saunders.
The second would be crossing Palmer.
I have my fingers crossed.
Haley and McDaniels set their franchises back many years (despite both teams making fluke playoff appearances.)
Its especially nice we no longer have to face Cutler twice a year thanx to McDaniels. Hopefully thats not a gift we give to the other AFCW teams with Palmer.
Like it or not, he is the future of this franchise for three more years. An exceptional coach without a franchise QB is like a well built ship without a rudder.
Gary,
I agree with you about Palmer, regarding Saunders...not so much. I would not be opposed to keeping Saunders, but this was Hue's offense not his.
I suppose for the sake of continuity it could be good. However, I want hungry coaches that aspire to be head coaches. That is not Saunders, perhaps he aspires but it ain't happening.
It might be nice to have an experienced coach like him to help mentor and guide Allen. But I am good either way. I want Allen to begin shaping the staff and do it his way.
Roy
...without the D, Tebow is toast. ...forget San Diego. ...KC? ...far as I'm concerned, not taking the West is inexcusable, and beating the aging AFC champs over the last six yrs (New England and Pittsburgh) won't even require a super strong draft. I think the Palmer grab and Coach drop was tactically, and practically, sound. J W B !!!
Roy...
Sanders Was The "OC" And Added His Playbook...With him the terminology remains the same as does the system that fits our roster...Power running with quick strike deep capabilities and team speed...
A new "OC" with a new system means it takes everyone time to adjust and diminishes production in the short term...A new "D" will also be diminishing production in the short term...If both sides of your team are crippled early one your not going to start the season with a winning record and be trying to dig yourself out of a hole like that "Donkey" did....
Not a good idea...
But if we have continuity on the top 10 "O" with improvements in their second season together and an full off season of preparation than even if it takes a little time for the "D" to gel we will still have the probability of winning...
The "O" can always be scrapped and altered at some later date after that "D" has a full head of steam 2 seasons down the road...
PantyRaider....Conditional Hope Based Upon Near Future Moves!!!/_
Panty,
That is sound logic and I must admit I agree. Perhaps it would be wise to wait until next year before we explore changing offenses. That said, I will not be upset if Allen does decide to go in another direction.
Roy
I have NO opinion on Allen. I've said on this site that I believe that it was the Donkey defense that kept them in games this season. But when you look at their rankings in the NFL, they don't look that impressive.
Additionally, we here have had experience with a great defense during a period where we've had no offense. It's an illusion. Opponents play conservatively because they know you can't score on them.
We also don't know if McKenzie is as good at spotting HC talent as he is player talent. This is a first for him.
I'm really going to have to reserve judgment until I see what assistants he brings in, which players he wants to move, and which he wants to keep.
It's all a big open question.
"It's all a big open question."
Kinda adds a different spin on being a Raider fan? All these years of the Org being run in a certain way and then all of a sudden it's like the Org is in a 'black hole'. And NO ONE knows where it will come out on the other side.
With Mr. Davis there was some speculation but the pattern was set. Now, it is all pure speculation until we see the results.....I'm betting the results are going to be very entertaining, with a dash of victories. Hopefully a big dash....Allen looks like he could have the makings of a guy a team would rally around. The way he conducts himself and the way past players have described him. Those who were asking for a 'Harbaugh' type, could very well have one. I think this year will be the most optimistic I have been since the "turn of the Century" years. It should be fun to watch.
JONES
"I've said on this site that I believe that it was the Donkey defense that kept them in games this season. But when you look at their rankings in the NFL, they don't look that impressive."
Rankings don't tell the whole story...how many 3 and out's with Timmy at the helm? You have to think and realize that the Defense was forced to play most of the games on the field. T.O.P. Timmy had the knack for the comeback, but, it was the D that kept them close because Denver was toast if they didn't have the running game going. Odd circumstances, very inconsistent Offense....stats are nothing if you don't look into why.
JONES
For what it's worth...
Shefter said Allen was going to be a HC for someone in the next year or 2, that he is very impressive in person and "it was a coup..to take him from the Broncos"
The other legitimate question here is how much of the Donkey defense belonged to Dennis Allen, and how much belonged to Jon Fox.
It is one thing to select a DC with a top tier defense who worked for an offensive specializing HC, and another to select one supervised by a defensive specializing HC.
There is no question that Allen coached that team, but how much of the defense was created by him, and how much by Fox?
Giving a great interview is swell, but remember that one Lane Kiffin gave great interview as well.
I will say that I like some of the things I'm hearing... But I heard good things re Callahan, Turner, Shell, Kiffin, Cable, Jackson...
...hearing a lot of talk from the Donkey defensive players on how, and why, Allen will be missed. That's news we can use. Fired up, finally, with good reason... J W BB!
From the media "Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has been named the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts"
The Ravens always have a top defense. Pagano was a guy I thought the Raiders might or should look at.
Blanda, IIRC, Allen was in charge of the game plan during the week, and FOR SURE called the defense games days.
I think Fox controlled the overall scheme (4-3, etc) but I think Allen had plenty of control of the day to day defense.
Thought I would give the 'copy and paste' a go....
“He knew how to get us ready,” Bailey told the NFL Network. “I give him a lot of credit for the success we had this year. … He’s one of the most intense coaches I’ve had.
“I know what type of team he’s going to have (with the Raiders). Very intense, hard-nosed, tough. That’s the way he is. That’s what I expect his team to be.”
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie surprised many with his pick of the 39-year-old Allen, but he probably saw what Allen’s players saw last season,
“They’re getting a guy that’s going to come in right away, and he’s going to get it done,” Broncos linebacker Von Miller told the NFL Network. “That’s what he did for us. He came in, he laid out a plan for us, he told us, ‘This is how we’re going to do it, and this will work,’ and that’s what happened. We improved our defense an incredible amount. It was a night and day team from a year before.
“I think he’ll do the same thing with the Oakland Raiders.”
The Raiders last season had franchise worsts in touchdown passes allowed (31), yards per carry (5.1), yards passing (4,262) and total yards (6,201), while giving up the third-most points (433) in team history.
Oakland also set NFL records with 163 penalties for 1,358 yards.
“(Allen’s) thing is discipline, discipline, discipline,” Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman told the Denver Post. “Do everything right, all the time, and never let up.”
JONES
nice copy & paste, Jones.
To me the Bronco defenders comments are VERY encouraging. You sense the professional respect that each player has in Allen and how confident they are about his abilities to positively impact the Raiders. For these guys to say in essence that the Raiders are in good hands with Allen reveals their admiration for his leadership AND coaching abilities.
The more I read about Allen, the more that I truly believe that McKenzie crushed it out of the park. Of course, the assembling of the staff, players, and results on the field will be what really counts.
Both Callahan and Joe Bugel became Raider HCs because the players loved them.
"Both Callahan and Joe Bugel became Raider HCs because the players loved them."
Those days are gone my friend, let them go. It's a new era, with an up and comer at HC and highly touted 1st year GM. It's not the same, get over it, the sooner you do, the sooner you can accept it.
JONES
Jack.....when you hear players talk of a coach like these players and others who played for him are. It's a huge sign that it has a good chance to be carried into a HC'ing role. No nonsense, no doing his nails when the QB is asking to go over the gameplans (had to throw that one in there). Very intense, very thorough and doesn't accept mediocre. EXCELLENT to hear...I think the Raiders win the West, it's ripe for the picking and the players will be totally refreshed with a new updated org. It has all the makings of a good next season, but, like you wrote, have to see the results.
JONES
BR,
I am with you on the "wait and see" approach BUT the vibe of your past 5-10 comments is SO incredibly negative that I just don't get it.
You seem to be searching for ALL the reasons it won't work in the new era.
If you carefully read between the lines of your posts, it is a fair perception to wonder if you are hoping McKenzie and Allen fail.
Look, we know you respected & admired Al Davis. Ditto.
However, the sooner you deal with the new reality, new era the better. Where is the optimism and support? Are you a Raider fan or an Al Davis fan?
Hey, i like this new hire, Dennis Allen.
Maybe he'll turn out like another Allen the Raiders hired once upon a time.
What was his name ? oh yeah, i remember, it was Allen Davis.
**********************************
"it was the Donkey defense that kept them in games this season. But when you look at their rankings in the NFL, they don't look that impressive."
**********************************
Blanda, i wouldn't worry to much about this.
Remember, Donks got off to a slow start with Orton as QB.
And when Tebow was bad, he was very bad.
Turning ball over many times in games they lost. Putting tremendous pressure on the defense to stop teams on a short field.
Raiders | Al Saunders could be retained
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:48:00 -0800
Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders could be retained as part of head coach Dennis Allen's staff. Allen agreed in principal to a deal with the team Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Jack!!...Who the fuck are you to criticize anyone!!!
You have been a constant nagging negative lying pain in the ass for a few seasons now and all of a sudden because your "HateTrip" for Mr Davis has been fulfilled are full of optimism for something else as yet totally "UNPROVEN"???
Talk about freakin "BS" -n- "White Noise" You It!!!
The Raiders fielded one of their worst defenses in franchise history last year, which made Bresnahan a colossal failure... and Jackson guilty by association.
I'm guessing some players won't survive under Allen's disciplined approach... nice!
The Raiders have a new foundation, and Allen is a welcome change!
BTW, what's with all the anger and resentment that folks are displaying their optimism?!
"NYR"...
"what's with all the anger and resentment that folks are displaying their optimism?!"
It's about freakin time...
So why couldn't that have been the case this last season when Hue was in his 1st season a "HC"???...
Or the season before when Cable had been retained and a 2nd season "HC"???
Or the season before that when Cable was anointed the new "HC"???
Oh!!...Ya!! I forgot...That was all while Mr Davis was still alive and in control of his own damn franchise...
So I guess some of us may question it just a little when such optimism is founded upon nothing!!!...NO trail of accomplishments...No track record of good deals...NO history of "V"s....NOT even a single "PO" appearance EVER!!!...And yet this can be pimped as the new coming of the greatest time in Raider history????
A little weird if you ask me???
Now I think after we can see a legitimate accomplishment by the new "HC" things may just appear a little brighter don't you??
such as retaining Al Saunders as "OC" as has been speculated according to what I posted...Or our "OL"-n-"RB"s coach...Or a new "DC" besides that "Donkey" "LB"s coach that is being speculated...
As per this:
Raiders | Richard Smith could become defensive coordinator
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:15:14 -0800
Denver Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith could be someone Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen looks to hire as his new defensive coordinator.
Now are you also excited about that????
Don't you think it just a little wise to enjoy the speculations while balancing the reality with reality instead of unsubstantiated optimism based upon____________-n-__________________-n-_____________????
You fill in the blanks as to why you hold this in such high esteem...Oh!!..Ya!!....Gut Feelings???
PantyRaider...Show Me Some Substance That I Also May be Excited!!!!/_
So how about some little speculations of substance???
#1...If Al Saunders in NOT retained what type of "O" will you expect to see and how will Carson Palmer perform under such a situation???...
#2...Same question regarding every other "O" player on our roster???
#3...Without retaining our "OL" coaches just what can we expect from the unit???...Now remember until this season it was one of the worst in our history!!!
#4...What effect upon "McD"-n-bush-n-"TJ"-n-Reece will the loss of our "RB"s coach have???...Now remember also that until this season none of them produced good #'s!!!
#5...What "D" will we run???...Prolley better no matter what it is considering how piss poor this past season has been!!!
#6...Will we retain our "STC" and if not what can we expect for that unit???....Hopefully we have at least one health return specialist...
#7...This one is all yours!!!
#8...Yours again!!
#9..._______________________??
#10_______________________???
So anything constructive besides:
"It's a great time in Raider history without Mr Davis"!!!!
That's all I have seen out of you
"HateTrippers" to this point!!!
Raiders | Rolando McClain trial set
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:42:18 -0800
Oakland Raiders LB Rolando McClain's trial has been set for May 17 for allegedly punching and threatening to kill a man while firing a pistol by his ear. He pleased not guilty to a third-degree assault Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Raiders | Dennis Allen update
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:45:39 -0800
Updating a previous item, the Oakland Raiders have agreed in principal to a contract with Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to become the team's next head coach. However, the deal has not yet been signed.
Raiders | Michael Huff may not move to CB
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:01:18 -0800
Oakland Raiders FS Michael Huff, who was scheduled to move to cornerback, may remain at safety with head coach Dennis Allen in place. Former head coach Hue Jackson had previously made the decision to move Huff to corrnerback.
Raiders | Cornerback a top offseason priority
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:33:41 -0800
The Oakland Raiders' top offseason priority could be finding a top-flight cornerback.
Raiders | Could look at signing an impact WR
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:31:08 -0800
The Oakland Raiders could look at signing an impact free-agent wide receiver in the offseason.
Raiders | Michael Bush could receive franchise tag
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:26:16 -0800
There is a strong chance Oakland Raiders impending free-agent RB Michael Bush receives the franchise tag in the offseason as RB Darren McFadden can't be trusted to make it through an entire season healthy.
Raiders | Could Darren McFadden be traded?
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:28:31 -0800
The Oakland Raiders could look at trading RB Darren McFadden in hopes of acquiring more draft picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. McFadden is likely the team's best bargaining chip.
Raiders | Steve Wisniewski could be retained
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:01:06 -0800
Oakland Raiders assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski could be retained as part of head coach Dennis Allen's staff.
What’s going to be interesting is the affect on the Yellow Flag Fiesta we experienced last season. Some quotes are saying Allen will instill a “culture of accountability” to take care of that. Well, we had that with Gruden and Cable. Did it help? Not really.
Many Mondays throughout the seasons both coaches would be peppered with questions about penalties. I truly hope this is a non-issue next season. But, every coach has said they were going to do something about it. Basically, none have been able to accomplish that.
The best coach at handling that was John Madden. He didn’t necessarily get our numbers down, but he got our opposition’s numbers up by working the officials hard every game. You look at some of the old films and he was constantly in the officials’ ears. Many coaches did that back then. Hank Stram was one of the best at that also. Gotta’ watch it, don’t want to get all nostalgic and misty eyed.
Now days coaches are too wrapped up with their headsets and play sheets.
Now, to be perfectly honest, the net effect of the penalties was somewhat negligible. We were second in the league in opponent’s penalties per game and first in opponent’s penalty yardage. On average we were 2.7 more per game than our opposition. I’m just tired of hearing about it as part of the pregame analysis. They never mention how our opponents commit a large number of infractions every game also. How undisciplined they are when they play us.
And, why isn’t it a problem for Detroit who was among the most penalized teams in the league two years in a row? Think how far they could go if they were “more disciplined”. All you heard about is Suh, not Nick Fairley and the rest of the crew.
There, now I’ve got that out of my system. But, I’m still bugged about that calling games differently during the playoffs thing. Shouldn’t happen.
H
If I remember correctly, most of the SOCALLED "Mr.Davis haters" were for keeping Tom as HC. He had brought some stability and the team played for him. I for one was very disappointed when he was let go. Then as Hue started off well, there were compliments headed Mr.Davis' way for the team showing an improvement on Offense and the players playing hard for Hue. Up to Cable getting the players to play hard and be competitive, the team was in disarray for years. Even when Kiffin was hired, many wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt and Kiffin looked to be turning it around for a little while. I think a certain someone just wants to continue the "doom and gloom" labels for his own axe to grind. Well, too bad for you! Get a new gig, trollster.
JONES
Mr.Davis is gone, it's a new day, why don't you get over it? It's about what is best for the TEAM, always has been. But for a certain few, it's always been about defending Mr.Davis. He could do no wrong and it didn't matter how much losing the fans had to endure, the excuses for the team and Mr.Davis was never ending.
Meanwhile, the socalled haters wanted a stable Org and a winning team. Obviously this wasn't happening, so what the hell do you want from the fans? Because Mr.Davis was successful many moons ago, we were supposed to just eat the losing? Sorry, most aren't wired that way, we watch the game for WINS. If Mr.Davis was no longer able to make that happen, then, for the sake of the team and the fans, he should of let go. Instead, he drove it into the ground.
Mr.Davis did great things for the league and the Raiders. When he passed, it was like a family member had gone. When I read the news, my wife asked why I was all teared up....it hurt. But it's for the team, if you can't get behind what is best for the team....that's on you.
JONES
Still no coaches page at Raiders.com nor are Marc/Reggie listed in Administration yet...
John Madden Speaks...Audio..
http://siriusxmsports.posterous.com/john-madden-host-of-madden-football-on-sirius-69500
Instant Debate: Is Dennis Allen the right man for Oakland?
Yet another gamble by the Raiders
First of all, let's be fair when assessing Dennis Allen. The Broncos defense was awful, then it got better, then it was awful again. True, the defense did improve -- from 29 points per game last year to 24 this year -- but it was still 24th in points allowed overall. Denver gave up over 40 points in a game four times this season, including twice in the last three weeks of the regular season, and once more against New England in the playoffs. It was Allen's first year as a defensive coordinator anywhere in the NFL, and now he becomes the league's youngest head coach at 39. He's aggressive and his former players love him. He could be great. But he's also a gamble.
It's not about the offensive or defensive side of the ball in Oakland, it's about stability and a résumé. This is the fourth straight head coach Oakland has taken a risk on (Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and Hue Jackson were the prior three). While I think you do have to take a chance once in a while, if you do it consistently you're going to come up snake eyes more often than not and your team just drifts -- which is exactly what the Raiders have been doing the last few years. Oakland needed someone who could garner instant respect and be the person you could look at and say. "He's going to be there for a while. The Raiders are fine now." I just don't get that feeling with Allen.
Allen will get two years to show significant progress
It really doesn't matter whether a head coach is from the defensive side of the ball (like Bill Belichick) or the offensive side of the ball (like Tom Coughlin). Do you have what it takes to evaluate talent, develop that talent and deliver on Sundays? Dennis Allen is well thought of in NFL circles, but he has never been an NFL head coach. A return to glory for this franchise is a lofty goal and a steep mountain to climb. Raider history suggests he will get two years to show significant progress ... or join the long list of coaches no longer in Oakland.
From everything being said about Allen at the Senior Bowl down here in Mobile, Ala., he has a good chance to succeed. But just look back at the list of 11 coaches hired in 2009 across the league. Only two remain on the job.
Fixing the defense isn't Allen's only big job
Considering how poorly their defense played, yes. The troubling aspect aspect is that the Raiders have talent on that side of the ball, despite finishing 29th overall in yards allowed. Injuries to starters hurt, namely cornerback Chris Johnson and defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, but that's not enough of a loss to constitute giving up the second-most big plays in the league (plays of 20-plus yards). Well, at least not to ownership.
It should be noted that the Raiders could hire Buddy Ryan in his prime with Tom Landry, Bud Carson, Bill Belichick, and Monte Kiffin as assistants, and that still wouldn't provide them a defense good enough to overcome all of Carson Palmer's interceptions or being the most penalized team in the league. Lack of discipline and offensive giveaways hurt this club during the second half of the season as much as anything else.
First and foremost, Oakland needs a major change of culture
The change won't come in Oakland with a new head coach, regardless of what mindset he brings to the table. The change will come when some of the cronyism within the walls in Alameda is dealt with, so a talented young coach like Dennis Allen and his general manager, Reggie McKenzie, have a chance.
Some promising coaches came and went because they were undermined by a culture in which people only felt accountable to Al Davis. With a change at the top and more certainly to come at all levels of the franchise, Allen, who several NFL coaches think has the right stuff, might have a chance.
I didn't see much optimism here did you???
Raiders' Lechler OK with ex-teammate Allen coaching him
Lechler, 35, has been around the block, having recently completed his 12th season in the NFL. He also was a college teammate of Allen's at Texas A&M in 1995.
"I think it will be a good fit for us," said Lechler, whom Allen hosted on a recruiting trip to College Station. "He's a young, energetic guy. Smart guy. Been through a lot with Atlanta, then a lot with New Orleans, over to Denver and that defense. We'll take all the help we can get right now.
"I've known him forever. I think this will be a good fit."
Raiders GM McKenzie says choosing staff will be up to Allen
New Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen will have the power to select his own assistant coaches, general manager Reggie McKenzie told the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday.
Offensive coordinator Al Saunders is the only holdover from the previous regime still with the team.
LoL!!!....Al Is Still Home...But please bring back our "OL" coaches as well...
While contract details were being completed, Allen was busy talking to prospective assistant coaches, and the Denver Broncos were looking for a new defensive coordinator to replace Allen.
"He's trying to put together his staff, and the first goal is to hire his offensive and defensive coordinators," said Grady Allen, Dennis' father and a former NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons. "It's been so hectic he hasn't had time to talk."
"I heard Reggie had been following him for a few years, watching his progression through the coaching ranks," Grady Allen said. "Evidently he's been on somebody's radar."
"The Raiders have a history of recklessness, and in my opinion you've got to change the culture," Goodwin said. "They've tended to go after lower-character, lower-integrity, high-skill level guys, but if you don't have a good moral compass and some integrity to buy into the team concept, they're ultimately going to fail you.
"He's got to go in and overhaul that culture, and I think he'll go about it in a workmanlike manner. I think he'll make a great head coach. I'd love to play for him."
Or as Slocum put it, "You win with character, not characters. Dennis is going to be a class guy, do things the right way, and get people around him to do that as well."
"I know what type of team he's going to have," Bailey said. "Very intense, hard-nosed. Tough. That's the way he is. That's what I expect his team to be."
Said Broncos linebacker Von Miller: "He came in, he laid out a plan, he told us, 'This is how we're going to do it, and this will work,' and that's what happened. We improved our defense an incredible amount. It was night and day from a year before. I think he'll do the same thing with the Oakland Raiders."
PR - the last paragraph (quote) from your post says it all...
"Some promising coaches came and went because they were undermined by a culture in which people only felt accountable to Al Davis. With a change at the top and more certainly to come at all levels of the franchise, Allen, who several NFL coaches think has the right stuff, might have a chance."
The change needed to come from the top down. That's what folks here have been saying for years.
It's a new day in Oakland!
CJ, you said: "I am with you on the "wait and see" approach BUT the vibe of your past 5-10 comments is SO incredibly negative that I just don't get it.
"You seem to be searching for ALL the reasons it won't work in the new era.
"If you carefully read between the lines of your posts, it is a fair perception to wonder if you are hoping McKenzie and Allen fail."
I get the same crap from you, Jones and RT, and nothing could be more ridiculous or further from the truth.
You have all accused me of knee jerk support of Al Davis. Let me repeat one more time the points I have made consistently over the last six years. Go back and check my posts.
Al Davis devised a football organization that was by and large a one man show. The organization worked solid for about forty years.
I have said repeatedly that Al Davis' age seemed to be catching up with him, so that he no longer had the energy to do the things he was required to do in his own organization. He had the mental ability, but not the physical. I supported the idea that he needed to bring in help, or he needed to find the energy he once had at 45 now that he was in his 80s.
Over the last two years I believe he was showing some of that energy (and the exertion of that energy is what ultimately killed him) and also re-devising his organizational structure to give more power to the HC (which is why Jackson had the ability to move so quickly on trades after Davis' passing).
In Davis' final years I believed that he had more than earned the right to run the team according to his wishes. I believe that because the great 40 years certainly outweighed 7 of the last nine. I believed in his ability to find a way to turn it around because of the stellar work he's put in through an entire life.
Weather or not anyone here has shared that faith isn't relevant. What is relevant is that Al Davis
is dead. McKenzie is the new GM, and essentially given the same authority as Davis used to wield with the exception of writing the checks.
McKenzie is highly respected and highly recommended by people who have my respect. But that doesn't change the fact that McKenzie's reputation, so far, is merely based on his record as a player, a scout, and his ability to work in a team structure.
But as a GM, as someone capable of spotting coaching talent, and as someone who can completely structure an organization, he as NO experience at all. That doesn't mean he can't do it (lots of folks in the same position have - Al Davis for one), but it certainly DOES mean HE HASN'T DONE IT YET.
I have plenty of optimism. What I don't have is confidence. I don't have confidence BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING TO BASE IT ON.
We've all seen high profile wunderkind go into a losing organization and turn it into a winner. But we've also seen plenty of high profile wunderkind walk into a losing organization and fall on their face.
Let's keep this in mind - McKenzie is Mark Davis' first hire EVER of any kind. Allen is McKenzie's first hire of a Head Coach. Mark Davis has NO record, and McKenzie has one that is wholly incomplete.
Dancing around singing, "Ding Dong the witch is dead" doesn't make us a winner. EVERYTHING is yet to be seen. There is simply NO counter argument to that.
Jones,
I was on the Keep Cable Bandwagon myself. I still believe the team would have performed better were Cable AND Marshall retained.
As for all the hype about the Geldings’ defense being so bad the last three games. Well, the offense gave the ball away seven times in back-to-back games against Buffalo and NE. The Bills scored three Defensive/ST touchdowns. Against NE, the offense fumbled the ball away three times. Against Buffalo it was four turnovers. The defense had to hold teams to 17 or less just to keep games close.
Miracle finishes aside, let’s be perfectly honest about Tim Tebow. He started eleven games, fumbled fourteen times, losing seven and threw six interceptions while completing just over 45% of his passes. The team had no choice but to lead the league in rushing and play stout defense.
Tim Tebow is a very good, hard working, hard nosed football player. But, he needs to be all three plus be an efficient quarterback. He ain't there yet.
The main reason those comebacks were even possible was because the defense kept the score close. This is a perfect example of how numbers can be deceiving. You have to see the overall picture. And you know how I hate to say anything good about the Geldings.
H
Blanda...
It was obvious that the team was not being run right, Ron Wolf even confessed to it. So now we have a good hire at GM as said by Ron Wolf and John Madden. Reggie now has hired a HC that is getting rave reviews from former players and other coaches. If you can't get behind that, while on the other hand, you were behind the dysfunction and poor coaching hires before....to each his own, I guess.
JONES
H...
Totally agree, their Defense had to keep their team in it every game so Timmy could perform his 'magic'. It's not like Timmy was continually driving the ball all game, many 3 and outs and turnovers. The Defense constantly trotting out on the field to save Timmy's ass so he could perform his 'miracles'. It was their D that got them to the playoffs more than it was Timmy and his pose.
JONES
"NYR"...
You miss everything else for only what you want to see...
"Allen, who several NFL coaches think has the right stuff, might have a chance."
Did you catch that "might have a chance."???
As many good things as there are to speak about our new "HC" in speculation there seems to be just as much to be concerned over...As I posted the man as yet has a track record of "0" so would you mind so much posting just what it is that your basing all this new found optimism upon??
The only thig I see coming out of you and the rest of the former "Doom-n-Gloomers" is that Al Davis is dead...Aside from that I haven't seen one single thing that has excited all your hope and exceptions to sore!!!
Fill in the blanks "_____________-n-_____________-n-_______________"
JONES, you said: "It was obvious that the team was not being run right, Ron Wolf even confessed to it."
It doesn't help the argument to make shit up. Wolf said NO SUCH THING. He said he loved the way the organization was run when he worked there, but he had no idea how the team has been run since, but understands that it was in in disarray after Davis' death. That's ALL Wolf said. Go back and read it again. You're adding nuances that don't exist.
Let me illustrate the point I made earlier.
Al Davis W-L record of FIRST TIME head coaches he hired: 343-216
Reggie McKenzie's W-L record of FIRST TIME head coaches he hired: 0-0
Now, that doesn't mean that McKenzie will prove to be WORSE or BETTER than Al Davis. It simply means that until he has a record, he has NO RECORD. He merely has something the Raiders have, right now, in a decent supply. That's POTENTIAL. Ask our defense - Does potential equal success? I think I know their answer.
One thing has been proven factual beyond question on this board...
The hate -n- animosity of you "HateTrippen" sons of bitches extends well beyond the grave and for this you should all be so fuckin proud!!!
Judas Demon JONES die so I can piss on your fuckin grave just the way you bastards do to a man whom you've NOT even fit to utter his holy name!!!
Fuck-Off and die the lot of you!!!
Hypocrite sons a bitches!!
Ron Wolf said the structure was broken and it is you who makes out like he meant with Hue. He said the Raiders want to get back to the way it was run when he was in Oakland. Still can't admit what the whole world knows. It isn't a dig at Mr.Davis, it's just a fact. Cry about it all you want, those days have passed and it's time to get over it.
JONES
"Ask our defense - Does potential equal success? I think I know their answer."
Ask the Defense if they are fired up about a new way of playing Defense in Oakland, I think I know their answer. When the owner/GM is in charge of the Defense with a puppet DC who is undermined continually...of course the odds of that system working out is slim...you can go back to the 90's on that. Also, even before Gruden, Mr.Davis was not attracting good talent to the HC position... To deny it ever happened, that would be you trying to rewrite history... sorry to break it to you, big guy.
JONES
"Fuck-Off and die the lot of you!!!
Hypocrite sons a bitches!!"
Sounds like a line from the blind 'killer' kid from the movie 'UNFORGIVEN' with Clint Westwood. " Yeah, I'm a killer , Will and I can see that hawk in the sky".
JONES
Blanda....here it is
Wolf.."I’m not into that really and truly. It’s an area I don’t know that much about. I do know having worked 25 years under Al Davis with the Raiders exactly what that was like when he was in control. The great thing about working for him was the fact that you knew what you were supposed to do and you were given the opportunity to do that. Everything was compartmentalized. I do not know what the structure is today or what it’s like because I left in 1990, but it would seem to me that whole thing has fallen apart from the sense of a structural standpoint. And I think that’s what the need to get back."
JONES
..."whom you've NOT even fit to utter his holy name!!!"...
worship of another man is never a good thing...you are pushing Karma and she don't like it, you better watch your step.
JONES
"You have all accused me of knee jerk support of Al Davis."
There is nothing knee jerk about it. It seems to be a chronic thing. Mr.Davis wasn't at his best for at least the last 8 years. It happens, people get old, they lose their edge. Trick is, to know WHEN that time has come and make the appropriate moves, that wasn't done.
You made ever excuse you could muster, even saying Mr.Davis wasn't involved enough because he was distracted or couldn't do it. Either way, he should have been totally involved and if he couldn't, he should have hired the help to do it without being half in and half out. Many said, until this happens, it will be more of the same.
Now it's different, open your arms and give it a good welcome. Embrace it, you backed a failing method, at least you could be positive of this method? It looks to have good possibilities and that's what we want, right?
JONES
Potential candidates to watch in Oakland
January, 26, 2012
By Bill Williamson
Don’t be surprised if the Oakland Raiders continue to pick from the AFC West as they add to their coaching staff.
One name to keep an eye on for Oakland’s defensive coordinator job is Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas. The former Chiefs star defensive back is very close with new Oakland coach Dennis Allen. They worked together for several years in Atlanta and Thomas served as Allen’s mentor.
Thomas, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been a defensive coordinator for three different teams. Thomas, 68, was last a coordinator in Minnesota, in 2001. He has been the Chiefs’ secondary coach since 2010.
Thomas also has ties to new Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie. Thomas was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator in 1999 when McKenzie was an executive. Allen, who was hired by the Raiders this week after being Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2011, will likely have a major role in the Raiders’ defense. However, he will want a trusted assistant to run the defense and Thomas could be that man.
Meanwhile, Mike Sherman could potentially be on Allen’s list as offensive coordinator. Sherman was last Texas A&M’s head coach and Allen is a former standout at Texas A&M. Sherman is also a former head coach of the Packers and has strong ties to McKenzie.
If Allen were to want to pursue Sherman, though, he may have to act quickly. He is interviewing in Miami for the same job. Finding an offensive coordinator may not be pressing for Allen because incumbent Al Saunders is expected to be a strong candidate. Saunders is owed money for the 2012 season and he is familiar with the Raiders’ personnel, so keeping him in place may ultimately be what Allen decides to do.
JONES, step into reality. First of all, if you go back and read my post, you'll find there is much we agree on, I just don't put it as disrespectfully as you do.
Yes, Wolf said the structure had fallen apart, but he didn't say that it fell apart because he left. Wolf spoke a couple of months after Al's death, and he was talking about the structure since Davis died. The interviewer was careful to say that.
I find that the current questioning of my fan credentials seems to hinge on whether or not I join in the "Ding Dong the which is dead" chorus.
The question has been raised here about what would the defensive players think about the Allen hiring?
Celebration would be my first thought. We are going to be a tough, agressive defensive team.
Under Marshall the defense was much more agressive, sacks were up, way up. Under Bresnahan, we went backwards. Much more passive.
Allen likes to blitz, linebackers and safeties like to blitz. We did more blitzing under Marshall. Huff and Branch had eight sacks between them. They dissappeared in that category this year.
I think the defensive players should be very happy.
H
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
That song was played over and over on this board that past 3 seasons well before that chores ever applied while those "HateTrippers" drowned themselves in pools of tears because age and time had not taken the man down!!!
And you know who you are and your fuckin LIARS if you try to deny it!!!
"Yes, Wolf said the structure had fallen apart, but he didn't say that it fell apart because he left."
Who in the hell said anything about this? And you tell me to quit making things up?
.."Wolf spoke a couple of months after Al's death, and he was talking about the structure since Davis died."...
I don't take that from what Wolf said, at all. IMO, Wolf was saying since the ORG had depleted to a poor team.
..."I find that the current questioning of my fan credentials seems to hinge on whether or not I join in the "Ding Dong the which is dead" chorus."...
No, I think it just reasserts that you are a major Al Davis fan who doesn't really like the idea that the team will be run by someone other than Mr.Davis.
JONES
H - "I still believe the team would have performed better were Cable AND Marshall retained."
I totally agree, and that was my position before Jackson was hired. I quickly shifted my faith to Jackson, but never stood behind Bresnahan. That was a horrible choice by Al Davis.
PR - There is a fundamental difference in our thinking. I believe the Raiders have been broken for some time. McKenzie proposes organizational structure that probably never existed under Davis, mostly because of Davis' unique talents.
Unfortunately, those days are long gone and, IMO, we needed this change many years prior to Davis’ unfortunate passing.
It started with the GM. My hat is off to Mark Davis for acting quickly and diligently after his father’s death.
I know very little about Dennis Allen, but it appears his hire stems from another diligent process enacted by McKenzie.
Now, Allen will assemble his coaching staff.
McKenzie has bolstered the scouting dept and will search new talent through FA, draft and trade.
McKenzie doesn't plan to do what Davis did. He knows there is strength in numbers. Right now, I have to trust he will surround himself with the right professionals to get the Raiders back on track.
It's more than a team rebuilding process; it's on an organizational level.
After he was fired, Hue Jackson said, "Everybody knows my hands were tied – I worked for Al Davis. He ran the defense, always had. It’s part of the job."
I think that structure--the owner overseeing the defense, and not allowing the head coach to choose his own coordinator--had proven to be broken.
This is what led to the strange retention of Rob Ryan over different regimes, and the hiring of a clearly unqualified Chuck Bresnehan, which is ultimately what kept us out of the playoffs this year.
I know some will say that I'm blaspheming Al Davis by saying this, but that's not my intent. I'm just saying that I think this is one major thing that was broken, and that is now undergoing an attempted fix, and that makes me optimistic.
For me, optimism comes too from believing that authority will be deligated in all the right places, and without the communication breakdowns of past regimes.
NYRaider,
"I quickly shifted my faith to Jackson, but never stood behind Bresnahan. That was a horrible choice by Al Davis."
Yes and no. Agreed it was not a good choice. But, he basically became the last man standing. Others were interviewed. Bresnahan was origianlly hired as a DB coach. He was later promoted to DC.
But, spilt milk, best laid plans and all that.
I've been calling for a defensive minded HC for a long, long time. It is my contention that the fastest way back to the playoffs is with a strong, agressive defense. More of my all time favorite Raiders are defensive players.
Defense is generally more steady than offense. Week in, week out it is not as subject to having an off-week. It's the main reason the Ravens are generally in the hunt. Ozzie Newsome learned that from the master, Bear Bryant.
H
>>>>
H: I've been calling for a defensive minded HC for a long, long time. It is my contention that the fastest way back to the playoffs is with a strong, agressive defense. More of my all time favorite Raiders are defensive players.
>>>>
Something I have been considering is if having a offensive HC is too much of a chore? Offenses are an EXTREMELY complex beast... I don't know if it was here that posted the clip of Gruden explaining ONE PLAY... and I was like... WOW. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about.
I can see why a HC calling his own plays could be wearing too many hats and how the defense could get neglected... especially if the DC is a complete imbecile (like Breshnahan.. or SOB).
Just look at the offensive coaches from the AFCW.... Hue, Turner, McDaniels, and Haley all pretty much flamed out overall (well, Turner keeps getting rehired, but thats a story all to itself.)
Callahan was a great OC, but one of the worst HC's.
Gruden could prolly be one of the best OC's in the history of the NFL, but under-achieved after he won a SB with someone else's team.
I'm anxious to see how this turns out!
Allen needs to get his contract signed so he can tell us Saunders is the OC... and then I will be ready for the LETS LIGHT THIS CANDLE!
"I find that the current questioning of my fan credentials seems to hinge on whether or not I join in the "Ding Dong the which is dead" chorus." - BR
First off, this is a complete lie. Show me 1 post where ANYONE said anything to the effect of "Ding Dong the witch is dead". You can't because it simply wasn't said. If you are implying that our enthusiasm for McKenzie and Allen equates to "Ding Dong.." you are completely absurd.
Secondly, in my case, I have been open about my disappointment in the team's failures the past 9 years AND giving credit where credit is due. And what is your problem with that?
Do you want me to do cartwheels for 9 consecutive seasons of non-winning, non-playoff football? Get real.
Regarding Davis, I have consistently said that I've admired and respected everything he has done for the Raiders and the NFL. I also wanted him DESPERATELY in the past 7+ years or so to hire a GM to do some of the heavy lifting while he was alive. So?
Your "fan credentials" don't hinge on anything. You choose how you want to support the team. For many of us, we are excited and optimistic to start a new era in Raider football.
I'm choosing to embrace the new era, a fresh start, the new beginning, the next chapter ... but by no means am I washing the previous 51 years away. The history, traditions should be celebrated but I don't live in the past.
Report: Allen signs 4-year contract
Dennis Allen signed a four-year contract to coach the Raiders, according to Kate Longworth of CSN Bay Area.
Allen and Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie reached agreement on a contract Tuesday night in Mobile, Ala., where Allen interviewed for the second time.
The Raiders still have not confirmed the hiring. CSN says the introductory news conference is scheduled for Monday. Given the news conference will be broadcast on CSN, it’s a safe bet to say the Raiders have confirmed it to CSN.
McKenzie returned to Alameda on Wednesday. Allen should be through checking out pro prospects in Mobile today of Friday.
Allen could not be reached for comment. Two Raiders officials said they cannot confirm Allen signing a contract.
LoL!!!
"First off, this is a complete lie. Show me 1 post where ANYONE said anything to the effect of "Ding Dong the witch is dead".
The implications are there Jack repeatedly while you now celibate the "New Beginning" without the man who was a thorn in your side these past several seasons!!!
You can't hide from the TRUTH!!!
Now as I have already asked "NYR" just what the hell do you base all this new found optimism upon other than "NO MORE AL DAVIS" and a track record of "0"!!!!!!!
And you know fucken well that is Mr Davis was still here and made this hire you would be all over it with total animosity for the man!!!..Now that is fucken FACT!!!
Fill in the freakin blanks for us Jack!!...What's all this positive vibe based upon???...
#1_______________________________
#2_______________________________
#3_______________________________
#$_______________________________
Gary...
"Allen needs to get his contract signed so he can tell us Saunders is the OC... and then I will be ready for the LETS LIGHT THIS CANDLE!"
Exactly...Show us something 1st and than we can get excited...
As I already posted it appears that Al Saunders is the only holdover from the previous staff so very likely to become the new "OC"...Sad that our "OL" coaches aren't listed there as well and our "STC" but I guess there's still hope??
If we maintain stability is that top 10 "O" than I'm all excited with this process....If NOT I'm questioning what our new personality will even be and if it will be productive and if the players will buy into it...Namely Carson Palmer especially....
As Reggie said "Dennis The Menace" needs to answer several more questions before he's a lock and that's still an ongoing process for me before I just throw my hat in the circle!!!
"NYR"....
So how long do you envision this rebuilding to take and what is your outlook for this season??
2012 Win-Loss record _______________???
2013 Win Loss Record __________________???
Just trying to measure this new born optimism that's being preached here...
PantyRaider...Hopeful But Not Much To Base Optimism On Yet!!!
"NYR"...
There are 31 other teams in the NFL who already have what your pimping as the basis of your new found optimism....So just what makes you think our process is better than theirs and how will that translate to the win loss record sense that's exactly what has been pimped here threw time as the ONLY gauge of working or not working.....Right!!!
That['s what has been held up against Mr Davis trew these past 9 seasons and than some 20 seasons by some of you...
Win Loss Record!!!
So now just how the hell does all this relate to that record this next season???
What are your minimal expectations???
2012 ________________________???
2013 ________________________???
2014 ________________________???
4 year deal????
Put it on the freakin line just the way you did against Mr Davis...I want to freakin see it in "Black-n-White" just how much damn freakin "Optimism" you "New Born Optimist" really have???
PantyRaider....LoL!!!!/_
Bottom Line: I don't believe it!!!
The 1st signs of losing and you bums will be all over "Denise The Menace" just like you were Hue -n- Cable...
Than if something isn't done you will be all ove Reggie too even if he keeps his word and lets his "HC" make all those decisions while keeping him on board for the 4 year life of that contract......
Than is the short term if we blow it on the few draft picks we have you will turn on Reggie and Bash Away!!!
PR - "There are 31 other teams in the NFL who already have what your pimping as the basis of your new found optimism....So just what makes you think our process is better than theirs...."
Probably not all 31, but I'll bite on the Q.
My initial response to that Q is that none of those teams just went through a 9-season period like we did.
Change was needed! Sure, it doesn't always work, but it's also a proven model in the modern football era.
The key is getting the right people on board. If you believe in Ron Wolf and John Madden (and what others believe were Davis' wishes), then this should be a no-brainer.
PR - "So how long do you envision this rebuilding to take and what is your outlook for this season??"
My expectation is always that the Raiders win...
every season.
2012 will be no different. I expect them to win. However, I will confess; I've been beat down so hard the last nine years, I've learned to temper my expectation will real progress.
It's that progress that prompted me to stand in Cable's corner before Jackson was hired.
"NYR"...
So what is the tolerable limit???
2012...6-n-10???
8-n-8???
It's as always for me...10-n-6 as AFCW Champs which we damn sure should have been this season!!!
I have a novel idea. Just for grins, why don’t we talk football? You know, something like the rumors of a McFadden trade. Will it happen—won’t it happen—what we might get for him? Who the DC/OC might be? Who is the best QB coach out there to develop Pryor? Maybe get two QB coaches. Who from last year’s staff might be kept? Roster moves? A lot to consider.
Personally, I feel trading McFadden for a high second rounder is a good deal, considering his injury issue. If someone is willing to give up a first, jump on it. The guy might have HOF potential, but for what he’s been paid, it’s been disappointing. When he’s there, he can be spectacular. But, the key is “When he’s there.” This is the final year of his contract. If he’s injured again, we won’t get squat and to keep him we would probably have to use the franchise tag. Too expensive.
A four year contract for Allen is showing a commitment to stability. And, don’t think for a minute Mark Davis wasn’t consulted. It’s his money McKenzie is spending. Three years tops has been the norm.
Even though there is no “official” announcement, it’s reported McKenzie has returned to Oakland. I do not believe he would have done so without a signature. Current rumor is a Monday press conference to make it official.
H
"H"..."Hand Shake" deal until the contract is drawn up....For those of us with integrity that very sufficient...
Reggie returned to headquarters while Dennis stays behind to finish interviewing assistant prospects while he makes up his staff...
I agree the 4 year deal is prof of commitment on both sides...I appreciate that Reggie and Dennis wanted that...Enough turnover...Time to get some continuity!!!
"D-Mac" ain't going anywhere...It would be really stupid to let him go for anything less that a top 10 pick and no one will give that to us so anything would be a losing deal...
What is needed is a much better group of trainers and off season program to keep these guys standing...Not just "D-Mac" but also our other "RB"/"WR"s/"TE"s/"FB"/"CB"s/"S"s -n- "DE"s who all went down at some point so the arguments against one player like "D-Mac" are rather foolish don't you think???
Than perhaps just a little more toughness from them and willingness to play threw the pain???
Next would be a better game plan that uses the 3-headed monster properly so one player isn't spent until he's done...That's what Hue -n- Cable did while saying "Next man Up"...Stop that "BS" and let them share reps and stay healthy...
It appears that Al Saunders will be staying on as "OC"...Good probability...In which case I'm extremely happy with everything that has transpired...Could be better if we also bring back the "OL"/"RB"s-n-"ST" coaches but I can't have everything...
With a top 10 "O" which should be improved with another season in the same system/healthy roster/better experience/new talent and a "D" that is most probably going to be improved our team should be a legitimate contender for the AFCW again this season...
A few more moves are needed to solidify this but at the moment it would appear on paper that we are still in it...
PantyRaider....2012 Still The Year Of The Raider!!!/_
Calico:
"I'm choosing to embrace the new era, a fresh start, the new beginning, the next chapter ... but by no means am I washing the previous 51 years away. The history, traditions should be celebrated but I don't live in the past."
You certainly don't have to. I'm just pointing to some of the hypocrisy. McKenzie is the last GM to name an HC. Where are the cries that all of the good choices will be taken, and that McKenzie is taking much too long? The Raiders are in no hurry to officially announce Allen's hiring. Where are the cries that McKenzie and Mark Davis are hanging Allen out to dry and railing against the disrespect given to him?
That's my issue, Calico. It has nothing to do with McKenzie. I have confidence that McKenzie will do the best job he's capable of doing. I believe that McKenzie will make every effort to build a long term winner.
But I had the ultimate faith that Davis would do the same. I never believed he would accept losing indefinitely. I never argued about reasonable complaints aimed at Davis, I made my own complaints.
But over the last five years every move by Davis that even approached an avenue for controversy was blown so completely out of proportion that it made absolutely NO sense.
I will be as consistent in my support for McKenzie as I was with Davis, but he has yet to earn that support. You can object to that all you want, but from my point of view I've been the most consistent on this website.
Doctors should have a serious chance to completely evaluate McFadden's durability. If not, he should be traded. We won't get very much for him, unless we package him with another injury prone athlete like Ford.
I don't have that much faith in
Bush. While many here were touting that Bush had gained nearly 1,000 yards only playing a little more than half the season, the fact is he had a 3.8 YPC average. I'm sorry, but that's Lamont Jordan territory.
Bush will not suit us as an every down back. He must share the load with somebody. Unless somebody else is brought into the mix, the only option is T. Jones.
Right now, I think RB is the weakest link on our offense.
I will give this cudo to McKenzie. He has been tracking Dennis Allen's career since college. I doubt Allen is the only coach he's been doing that with.
He was likely taught that by Ron Wolf, who was likely taught that by Al Davis. I never had any doubt that Al Davis knew something about every coach in the league. I'm glad to see that may hold true with McKenzie.
PR - It's all relative. Cable was on the cusp of the playoffs two years ago, so the expectation for Jackson was to get us over that hump.
Jackson failed to improve the team and, arguably, we got worse.
The current process is a radical change from the past. If we do have a setback in our record next year, I hope we can at least point to some area of significant and obvious improvement that projects to a promising future.
Like you, I will judge the events as they unfold. So far, they have unfolded nicely, IMO.
One of the reasons that I supported Davis was that you knew that the most important thing in Davis' life was to win. In spite of seven really bad years, you knew (well, at least I did) that Davis would find a way to do it himself, or he'd eventually make an organizational adjustment that would improve the odds.
I've said over the last couple of years that it was clear to me that Davis was attempting to make changes and those changes were beginning to pay off. With added depth, or a season without major injuries, I believe that Davis left a team behind with playoff potential.
With Davis' passing, EVERYTHING is a roll of the dice. We may stay the same, we may improve and make the playoffs, or we may drop back again to double digit losses.
We saw with Davis that in the eyes of many of the fans, seven years of losing trumped 41 years of winning. McKenzie only has a reputation as an up and comer. I'm wondering how many years of losing it will take to trump that. In the end, I suspect that I will give McKenzie more patience than anyone here.
Blanda,
Good points. But, right now I'll take 3.8 at 22-24 carries for 16 games. That's 1,200-1,500 yards per season. Plus, he's a pretty good receiver.
Once Bush is in the open he punishes the smaller DB's and he's as big as the LB's.
He's the type of back that should get stronger as the game goes on. Maybe it's only 3.8, but 4.2-4.5 in the fourth quarter when we need to protect a lead. Against Detroit he was slicing and dicing in the fourth until we decided to go deep on third and short, and our defense gave up a 99 yard drive.
H
..."We saw with Davis that in the eyes of many of the fans, seven years of losing trumped 41 years of winning. McKenzie only has a reputation as an up and comer. I'm wondering how many years of losing it will take to trump that. In the end, I suspect that I will give McKenzie more patience than anyone here..."
That is quite an endorsement, of yourself.
First of all, the problems from Mr.Davis' way was recognized in the 90's and the Raiders were mediocre starting in the late 80's...so it wasn't just a 7 year stretch, this had been going on for a long time. The one time the ORG had stabilized and had some success (99-02), it was blown up over ego and control. We saw the recycled QB's, the same Defense, head scratching player acquisitions and the poor coaching hires, year after year.
We saw the undermining of coaches, players losing respect for the coaches and a total dysfunction of an ORG. Which lead to indifferent play and a coaching carousel. So the way Mr.Davis ran the org was a long pattern, not just 7 years. The point is and always has been, that they way the team was run, it would never be successful, the jupiter in line with mars sort of thing.
Now that Hue has been exposed, does anyone really think the team with Hue would have been better next year? Do we see other teams jumping at the chance to hire Hue? To hang your hat on Hue as evidence that Mr.Davis had turned it around.....I'm not buying it.
So once again, we now have a GM who comes with rave reviews from Wolf and Madden and a HC hire that has rave reviews from former players and coaches....after the last 20 or so years, it is music to many Raider fans ears that the system will become a system and method that can succeed and produce WINS.
JONES
"So once again, we now have a GM who comes with rave reviews from Wolf and Madden and a HC hire that has rave reviews from former players and coaches...."
Gee, JONES... You know else had rave reviews from Wolf, Madden and former players? Al Davis.
JONES, I wonder if you realize that the Raiders, under Al Davis (alone), is number FIVE overall in the number of playoff appearances by any team. This represents the ENTIRE history of the NFL, not just since Davis arrived on the scene in 1962. The teams ahead of the Raiders have been in the business for a longer time and have done it with multiple GMs and owners.
"First of all, the problems from Mr.Davis' way was recognized in the 90's and the Raiders were mediocre starting in the late 80's...so it wasn't just a 7 year stretch, this had been going on for a long time. The one time the ORG had stabilized and had some success (99-02), it was blown up over ego and control."
Yeah, Davis let Gruden go because of GRUDEN's ego and demand for control. Once Gruden was given the control he wanted in Tampa, the team went steadily down hill.
Let me phrase that in a slightly different way. Under Al Davis' authority, Gruden built a Super Bowl contender in Oakland. When given his own authority in Tampa, Gruden built a loser.
A new era...
It is indeed. The fact is that we are currently (essentially) an expansion franchise with a pre set team in place.
Now there is certainly no reason why anyone should not feel optimism when starting an expansion franchise. And the fact that we didn't have to draft a team of also rans to start a season, should even give us more optimism. But until some rubber meets the road, no one should be celebrating that we've finally turned the corner just because the owner died.
"The fact is that we are currently (essentially) an expansion franchise with a pre set team in place."
What does this mean? Replacing Hue Jackson and Bresnahan turns us into an expansion team?
We got rid of a head coach who flamed out, didn't improve on Cable's record, and who became unhinged and inappropriately power hungry in the end. We got rid of one of the worst defensive coordinators who never should have been hired in the first place.
We should have a lot of returning players. We have an up-and-coming head coach with a lot of promise. The head coach is an expert in an area, defense, that has been our weak spot. We got a GM from a stellar organization with recommendations from Ron Wolf and John Madden. It's safe to say that our player evaluation process will probably be better and broader.
And we'd be in an even better spot if we hadn't handed out draft picks like Christmas candy.
Did I miss anything? Wow, sounds like we're going down the tubes.
So much doom and gloom and lack of optimism here.
There's nothing to suggest we're on the wrong track (if there is, please elaborate), but plenty to suggest that we're on the right track.
Yet now it's a time for impatience, pessimism, etc.?
"What does this mean? Replacing Hue Jackson and Bresnahan turns us into an expansion team?"
Are you kidding? Only Hue Jackson and Bresnahan have been replaced. The last I checked there was an entire new organization from the top down to the assistants. The only person below Mark Davis that has a shot at returning is our current OC.
Also, last I heard, McKenzie was just fine with the Palmer trade. If you have a problem with it, you ought to take it to him.
I hate to break it to you, but this is common practice in the NFL. You know, owner hires GM, GM hires coach, coach hires staff, etc.
There's nothing "expansion" about it.
We had to hire a GM because our GM passed away. He fired Jackson because Jackson deserved to be shown the door. He hired a promising head coach to replace Jackson. They are going to get rid of our biggest coaching liability, Bresnehan. They may keep our OC. The coach will hand pick his assistants.
And your problem with all of this is?
Blanda,
"It is indeed. The fact is that we are currently (essentially) an expansion franchise with a pre set team in place."
Hey guy, I must disagree. Or, I'm reading it wrong.
Expansion teams don't go 8-8 and miss the playoffs on the last day of the season.
Here's something to chew on for everyone. We went from 11th in 2010 in yards per geme to 29th, with basically the same personnel. What was the primary difference. Here's a hint, it wasn't Nnamdi. He was good, but not a one man team.
H
Also, check my posts, RT. It's not about McKenzie. It's about the double standard. McKenzie is what he is. He is a highly recommended first time GM. I expect that he will become more than that. He just hasn't yet.
That doesn't mean I won't look for good things when the team takes the field next September. And if I don't see good things right away, I'll look for the reasons I don't. If I don't think the impediment can be strictly laid at McKenzie's or Allen's feet, I'll have reasonable patience.
That said, my patience with Davis was based on a record over decades, not "what have you done for me lately?" My patience with McKenzie and Allen will, at some point, turn to "what have you done?"
"RT"...
"plenty to suggest that we're on the right track."
So state it???...
How does our new totally inexperienced "HC" translate into "plenty to suggest that we're on the right track."???
I would have thought that hiring a totally inexperienced "HC" with only one season as a "DC" and NO experience what so ever running an "O" who has never hired his own "D" staff before let alone the entire new coaching staff would certainly quantify as suspicions of "Something to suggest we're on the wrong track" but LoL!!!...Your now the "Glory Boy" now!!!
#1...Our entire coaching staff has been scrubbed...Alarming to you???
(Unless we get word some are retained which to this point we have not)
#2...We hired a bottom tier "DB" coach who was promoted to "DC" for only one season and prior to this past week was never even ever interviewed for another job such as this let along speculated about having that perspective prominence!!!
#3...Now we give total authority to this totally inexperienced "HC" to go out and completely replace our entire coaching staff with a free hand to do as he pleases and a 4 year deal under his belt...NOT alarming to you???
#4...How the hell does this newbie fit with our pleasant roster???...He has never even spoken to our starting "QB" as yet now has he???
#5...Under our new rookie "GM" the talk is to completely restructure and go into a phase of rebuilding!!!...Now that's NOT alarming to you???
So now there are 5 very legitimate reasons for alarm...Your turn!!!...On what basis do you support all this new found optimism if not on the simple connotation of:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
PantyRaider...Something Besides "up-and-coming head coach with a lot of promise"!!!!/_
4 year contract for Allen. Commitment. Excellent. Land Ho!
In my analysis, I believe we're on the right track. Plain and simple. Nothing is proven yet, but that's my take.
Just as it has been my take that the Raiders were not on the right track for many years, but finally getting better and improving, but in a painfully slow manner.
That take was supported by the fact that we didn't notch a winning record over the past nine seasons.
PantyRaider, scroll up and you'll see that I already stated why I think we're on the right track.
I'd like you and others to state why you think we're on the wrong track.
Truly, what have the Raiders done wrong since the end of the season?
Hue Jackson was an "up-and-coming head coach with a lot of promise"!!!!/_
Lance was an "up-and-coming head coach with a lot of promise"!!!!/_
They both flamed out and you posted should have been removed...
Now state your case how the hell is "Dennis The menace" any damn different???
Based upon what???
Rich Gannon said to blow the place up. They did. I'm pumped. It's a brand new era.
None of us ever posted that the Raiders were now on the wrong track...Non of us even suggested such a thing...But we do question you new born optimism for something that smell remarkably the same as several moves made by Mr Davis in the past who you blasted every time for doing so....
It's NOT this franchise that's under scrutiny...
It's YOU and your clan of "Mutinous Malcontents" who now suddenly are pimping themselves as "Optimist"!!!
"RT"
I posted 5 very legitimate things that could raise some concern...Address them!!!...One by one...I don't think you can!!!
Ryan was in dark about Jets players' issues, Revis says
Lol!!!...
Now about 2 seasons ago that was an "up-and-coming head coach with a lot of promise"!!!!/_
LoL!!!....This is what you base your optimism upon???
Oakland Raiders: Dennis Allen
New GM Reggie McKenzie went against conventional Raider wisdom by choosing a defensive coach to head up the team. Allen comes highly recommended, even though he has only been a coordinator for one year and is now the youngest head coach in the league. But he is impressive and has a command of his players. The Raiders must be patient with Allen and think long-term as he grows into the job. It will take Allen time to learn on the job, but if the Raiders give a chance, he could be their coach for the next 10 years.
...my optimism here is based on bold moves. Strong medicine required. Patience, "patients"... the 'Nation has been stuck in triage since Callahanigans... STAT!
Panty,
Number 1 is simple. Not alarming. All the assistants, except Saunders, were at the end of their contracts. Saunders has another year on his.
It did not make business sense to resign any before the new HC was in place. He may decide he likes Wiz 1.0 and others. We just don't know yet.
H
"I'd like you and others to state why you think we're on the wrong track.
"Truly, what have the Raiders done wrong since the end of the season?"
As to the first, I never ONCE said we were on the wrong track. All I've said is that until we see some landmarks, we don't have any idea what track we're on.
The Raiders haven't done ONE THING wrong since the end of the season, and I never suggested they did. However, I have pointed out that they've done a few of the things that got one hell of a lot criticism when Al Davis did them.
Schiano makes sense for Bucs; assessing other new hires
By Michael Lombardi NFL Network
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82660359/article/schiano-makes-sense-for-bucs-assessing-other-new-hires?module=HP11_writer_experts
Here have a look see...How does our new "HC" acquisition compare around the NFL as we take the virtually unknown newbie off the bottom of the ladder!!!???!!!
"H"...
True we don't know yet and I'm still hopeful that a few are brought back...But for the sake of argument lets see how "RT" and the rest can address this issue as it is now....They are all gone!!!
Panty, that thing regarding Allen... The exact same thing could have been said about Hue Jackson, with the exception that he's an offensive specialist.
Now, before anybody jumps all over me for saying anything nice about Hue Jackson, I'll point out that I've said that McKenzie was well within his prerogative and probably right to do so, for a lot of reasons, related to building an new organization from the top down.
However, that said, while Oaktown seems very aware that we will have an entirely new organization from the top down, RT doesn't seem to be.
Blanda -
For each of the quirky similarities to AL's model you point to and wonder why folks aren't up in arms, there are 10 dissimilarities.
The Raiders model failed for too long to not change it. Credible and identifiable change is, in itself, cause for optimism.
Jump on board!
"NYR"
"For each of the quirky similarities to AL's model you point to and wonder why folks aren't up in arms, there are 10 dissimilarities."
Now name those "10 dissimilarities."
I'm all ears...Eyes too!!!
My optimism is based on the decision making process and due diligence conducted to get the organization (and organizational structure) on the right track.
- Upon Al Davis passing, Mark Davis received counsel from Wolf, Madden, and Herock. Part of the advice included the recommendation of McKenzie.
- Mark Davis did his research on McKenzie BEFORE interviewing him.
- Madden and Davis interview McKenzie 3 days after the season completed. McKenzie was hired 5 days after the season completed.
- McKenzie in short order identified a short list of candidates, interviewed the candidates over the course of 2 weeks, and hired Allen on Jan. 24. Prior to hiring Allen, McKenzie had been following Allen's career for a number of years. Because Allen was hired on Jan. 24, this allowed him to interview assistants during the senior bowl week.
- By all accounts, Allen is an outstanding coach and leader. The football community across the board (GMs, coaches, players, analysts) all have given Allen positive reviews. In addition, I like that our new HC is young, has a 4 year contract, and is defensive minded.
- Finally, my positive vibe is that I like how business has been conducted. Owner hires GM. GM hires HC. HC hires assistants. There is a clear line of authority and accountability.
- It might be year 1 of the new era but I believe we are headed in the right direction with a better chance to finally establish a greater level of true stability.
My expectation for 2012:
Win the AFCW. If we fall short of this goal, I will be disappointed but I will have faith in McKenzie and Allen to roll up their sleeves to make the necessary improvements and adjustments.
Plain -n- Simple:
We now have a complete unknown as our new "HC"...No one knows how he's going to call a game or what our team will even look like or how long it will take him to get up to speed...
This is NOT a top tier "HC" like a Jeff Fisher who has been a proven winner over time...It's NOT even a "Retread" who has a history of success and failures.....This is a no name unproven nobody newbie without even a one game track record form that "MuleValley" who's team lost 3 in a row 1 of which were against the worst of the AFCW as they backslid into ta "PO" berth!!!!
So my official stance:
A)...If "Dennis The Menace" elects to keep our top 10 rated "O" intact as he rebuilds our piss poor "D" than I'm down with this move and can look forward to being in contention for the "AFCW and a "PO" berth in 2012...
B)....If on the other hand he elects to go in some totally new direction and restart from the ground up I'm NOT happy with this shit at all and we are officially out of contention for the AFCW or a "PO" berth until proven otherwise on that "ScoreBoard"!!!
PantyRaider....Optimism Must be Built Upon Factual Points Of Potential Success NOT A Whim!!!!/_
"We saw with Davis that in the eyes of many of the fans, seven years of losing trumped 41 years of winning." - BR
You know these #s are completely bogus, right? Where on earth did you come up with 41 years of winning? Try 28 winning seasons out of 48.
PantyRaider, regarding your list, what you generally see as a cause for alarm, I see as progress. We are two ships passing in the night.
My take is that in a year or two, many of you will be ruing the day you questioned my optimism at this juncture.
Don't try to skirt my question, folks: What should Mark Davis, McKenzie and Allen have done differently up to this point?
If you won't answer that question, then this discussion is essentially over, isn't it?
As for me, I don't think they should have done anything differently up to this point, and that makes me optimistic. Pure and simple.
The fucken front office has never won a single god damn game!!!!...EVER!!!
All this happy horse shit about how you like the process has absolutely nothing to do with winning the damn games...
Your fuckin stance has been if winning now is NOT the primary goal than the process is wrong!!!
Just how the hell can it be OK now to pimp disappointment is OK as you have faith it will get corrected later???
That's exactly what we have been bad mouthed for the last few seasons as we supported the "MGP" who had the best winning record in all professional sports!!!
Now you pimp is with 2 newbies without one god damn combined "V"????
Who the hell are you kidding???
"RT"...
The discussion was over when you failed to address the 5 questions I posted!!!
As I posted I don't believe you can and now it's very damn apparent that you won't!!!
..."JONES, I wonder if you realize that the Raiders, under Al Davis (alone), is number FIVE overall in the number of playoff appearances by any team."....
And how many since 1987? EXACTLY.
JONES
....."It is indeed. The fact is that we are currently (essentially) an expansion franchise with a pre set team in place."....
WRONG, the Raiders have a great history and they are not an expansion. Many teams go through management changes and coaching changes, do you call them "
currently (essentially) an expansion franchise"? How many times under Mr.Davis did the team start over? Only the owner/GM stayed but all the coaches and players were on heavy turnover....Blanda, trying to reason with you is pointless, your bias it to consuming of your thought process and there is no solid ground to it.
JONES
The only thing that's completely apparent is that some of you didn't like Al Davis and those same ones of you now like Reggie and thus Allan...
So because you like them your willing to support their very similar moves in things that you were unwilling to support Al Davis in...
So this is true where you acknowledge it or not!@!!~/!
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
To this point NON of you have made one single point to the contrary!!!
Case Closed!!!!
Your Guilty as charged and convicted upon your own admission of evidence against you!!!
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Anything to say in your defense prior to my passing judgement upon you???
Here's my answer to all five questions: no, not cause for alarm.
Thank you.
Look at Jethro pimping Lombardi as his 'proof'. Flip flop to the barber shop and get that hippie 'ponytail' cut off.
JONES
So we can't be optimistic until September when the Raiders win a game under this new regime, but we were lectured to be optimistic after every losing season?
Optimism, by definition, is an opinion based on what might happen. Don't tell me I can't be optimistic about something that hasn't happened, like this new regime winning a game. You've been screaming at me for years to be optimistic about something that still hasn't happened in nine years, a winning record.
Let me say it again. My reason for optimism is very clear: since the passing of Al Davis and the end of the season, I wouldn't change anything done by Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie or Dennis Allen to date.
I agreed with Jackson's firing. I agreed with McKenzie's hiring. I like what I hear about Dennis Allen. I like the fact that he has a defensive background, because that's where we most need a change. I like the fact that he will get to assemble a staff instead of having a coordinator forced upon him.
I LIKE IT = optimism. Why is that so hard to understand?
It's like trying to reason with a little kid....it wasn't about liking or disliking Mr.Davis, it was about his method and systems. Now we have a system that is conducive to WINNING and by the sounds of it, Ron Wolf, John Madden, ex players and coaches, the team is on the right path. It is you who condoned a system that wasn't working and was blatantly broken. But, now, you just can't seem to see that the Raiders are on a good course towards stability and wins...that's your problem if you can't see that. All your hate doesn't change the facts. I swear you are not even old enough to drive. Pull over that '70's wagon and let an adult drive before you kill someone.
JONES
..."Anything to say in your defense prior to my passing judgement upon you???"....
There is only one judge and it ain't you. Your self importance is just a little over the top....you really don't mean that much, if anything at all.
JONES
Than by you own weak ass decree I now pronounce you guilty of proclaiming:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
As you have filed to make one single reply other that that which applies to this in your hearts!!!!
NOT once "RT" have you or any of your "HateTrippin" Mutinous clan come out with one single thing contrary to you hated Al Davis a "MGP"!!!!...That's it!!!...So now any change is for the better which is your blind willingness to follow as long as your not following Mr Davis...Even in face of a very similar hire of an unqualified "HC"...Your all about pimping it if Al Davis was NOT involved...Your denial of this as fact is freakin hilarious!!!
All the while denying that Reggie was in fact Al's man all along and on the short list that he left behind for his son and Madden and Wolf and Amy to follow!!!
Mark on whether he will be hands on with the football side:
“It’s based on bringing the Raiders to greatness. That’s always been his goal. And to win. And that’s my goal. And we are doing it in different ways because I don’t know what my dad knew.”
Reggie McKenzie:
“The legacy of the Raiders is steeped in tradition but with all things there comes a time when change is necessary and for the Raiders, that time is now,” said Reggie McKenzie, as he opened his portion of the conference. “The Raiders organization, with respect and deference to all its tradition and history, is about to embark on a new era.”
Also a reporter asked Mark Davis when the change occurred as far as the direction of the team. Mark flat out said "the day my Dad passed away".
JONES
PR,
If Al Davis had Reggie McKenzie on a pre-planned short list prior to his passing, major kudos to Al.
You are real big on your questions posed to us. You asked why we're optimistic. We have given detailed reasons.
Let's flip the script and play your silly game.
Give us your reasons for the following:
(1) Why aren't you optimistic about the new era?
(2) Why don't you think that McKenzie, Allen, and the Raiders will succeed?
(3) Why are you against the top-down organizational structure and hiring practices currently in place?
This is for those who are trying to rewrite history already.....
Q: Mark, did your father leave behind any ideas or suggestions?
Reggie McKenzie: I haven’t found any plans yet. But I used to talk to my dad every night. We’d talk on the phone every night and talk about football and the organization and things of that nature. So I had a good idea of what he thought, but we never talked about specific people or anything like that. But I know he had high regard for Reggie.
Q: Mark, are you trying to weigh your father’s wishes or plot your own course?
Mark Davis: No, I think it’s based on just bringing the Raiders to greatness, and that’s always been his goal, and to win. And that’s my goal. And we’re doing it in a different way because I don’t know what my dad knew. He knew talent. He knew all these things. And it’s a big void to fill when he passed on. And that’s why Reggie is gonna be taking over that whole football side, because I believe he’s the man that can do it.
Q: Is Winston Moss on your short list? Also, as look at this team and personnel, do you have enough bullets to change it – picks, salary cap space to make changes that need to be made?
Reggie McKenzie: No. 1, with the short list, I will not name names until absolutely needed. Do we have enough bullets? Absolutely. We have some players in place. Now, do we have enough draft picks? No, we don’t. But we can find players in different ways. We’re going to work the college free agent market. You’ve got to work the waiver wire. You’ve got to work the lower tier unrestricted free agency. You don’t have to go after top-dollar players just to improve your team. Trust me, I’ve got 18 years of experience to know how to build a team. Draft picks, they’ll come, but we’ll figure out a way to get around that. And as far a cap, we will manage the cap. If we don’t have room right now, we’ll figure out a way to get some room. When there are players involved that we some room, we’ll figure it out. That’s our job.
JONES
Jack:
You should read before you post!!!
(1) Why aren't you optimistic about the new era?
"B)....If on the other hand he elects to go in some totally new direction and restart from the ground up I'm NOT happy with this shit at all and we are officially out of contention for the AFCW or a "PO" berth until proven otherwise on that "ScoreBoard"!!!"
(2) Why don't you think that McKenzie, Allen, and the Raiders will succeed?
"A)...If "Dennis The Menace" elects to keep our top 10 rated "O" intact as he rebuilds our piss poor "D" than I'm down with this move and can look forward to being in contention for the "AFCW and a "PO" berth in 2012..."
(3) Why are you against the top-down organizational structure and hiring practices currently in place?
Where???
"Plain -n- Simple:
We now have a complete unknown as our new "HC"...No one knows how he's going to call a game or what our team will even look like or how long it will take him to get up to speed...
This is NOT a top tier "HC" like a Jeff Fisher who has been a proven winner over time...It's NOT even a "Retread" who has a history of success and failures.....This is a no name unproven nobody newbie without even a one game track record form that "MuleValley" who's team lost 3 in a row 1 of which were against the worst of the AFCW as they backslid into ta "PO" berth!!!!"
"RT"...Said:
"So we can't be optimistic until September when the Raiders win a game under this new regime
Don't tell me I can't be optimistic about something that hasn't happened, like this new regime winning a game."
Well look at what you posted:
"This new Raider Way is simply about returning to the original Raider Way, which was all about winning."
"all about winning."
"A time for patience and optimism has finally arrived, and now some of you sound impatient and pessimistic?
Of course it might take time.
But it will be time well spent, and rest assured"
"it might take time."????
"It's a blog about the state of the Oakland Raiders.
To the degree that it has taken a negative view amid the daily news of the Raiders, that view has been vividly confirmed by the product on the field."
"product on the field." has changed???
"I don't know why, because I know very little about this guy, but I have good feeling about it."
"you could look at this cast of candidates from far and wide and say it looks more like the Raiders are flailing around"
NO Viable Candidates!!!
"He hired a promising head coach to replace Jackson."
"There's nothing to suggest we're on the wrong track but plenty to suggest that we're on the right track."
Where???....The "V"s???
"I wouldn't change anything done by Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie or Dennis Allen to date."
Jack...
Where are those "Detailed Reasons"???
How many times do I need to say it: I agree with every decision made so far by Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen. It all looks good to me. That makes me optimistic. End of story.
It's a shame some of you are so unhappy with the state of the Raiders.
Jerry McDonald - @raiderrob67 Waiting for McKenzie to give the OK. No one in building do anything without his say-so. 01-26
Jerry McDonald - @A_Kuhn1 Guessing the defense will largely be Allen's thing, so I'm not all that worried about who the DC is. 01-26
One comment from Fox that I place on the positive side, "his ability to teach fundamentally and assignment-wise really helped us get better."
I've said continuously over the last 9 years that the players seem to lack fundamentals and complet knowledge of their assignments.
Also, I'm getting really tired of being asked why I'm not optimistic. How many times do I have to say that I have plenty of optimism, what I don't have is confidence. Does anyone here understand that there is a difference between optimism and confidence.
Optimism comes from hope. Confidence comes from facts. I have plenty of hope, I have no factual basis for confidence. McKenzie is 0-0 as a GM and Allen is 0-0 as an HC.
Why do I have to keep defending that statement when it's so damned obvious?
"RT"...
What you have pimped in the past and up til yesterday was that "V" are the only quantitative measurement of success and scolded us for having faith when those "V" were not in prof on that "ScoreBoard"!!!!...But now your pimping your optimism on the basis of you like it or it feels good to you???...What!!!....After bitching us out for so many seasons for feeling good about our Raiders despite not posting enough "V"s!!!
WoW!!!....How you roll with the punches as you move those "Rubber Wall"s!!!
Also, I keep hearing how unqualified Bresnehan was. Um, he was our DC when we went to the Super Bowl, and he was in Cincy in the same position.
Frankly, I've also said that I didn't like Bresnahan on his first stint, but we did, after all, go to the Super Bowl on his watch.
I'm holding you to the same damn scrutiny that you tried to hold us too...
And I'm insisting that you hold the new "GM" and his "HC" to the same damn scrutiny that you held the former "MGP" -n- his "HC"s to...
It's called "Consistency" and I'm demanding that you show it now!!!
Calico, I identify Tom Flores as a winning coach, but guess what! Tom Flores had some losing seasons.
And I'm not the first to suggest that the Raiders are now an expansion franchise with pre existing uniforms and players. The first one I saw suggest that was Stever Corkoran, who's been a little closer to the team than I have.
Optimism is based on facts....fact....Reggie was highly endorsed by Ron Wolf and John Madden....fact...Reggie's hire at HC is being given good reviews by players and coaches alike....fact...Mark Davis says he wants to win and "whatever it takes" to win. Fact...Mr.Davis' way was broken...fact...Mr.Davis could no longer attract good quality coaching...fact...the Org was a mess....fact the Org is now pointed in a direction of stability. HENCE THE OPTIMISM.
JONES
..."And I'm not the first to suggest that the Raiders are now an expansion franchise with pre existing uniforms and players. The first one I saw suggest that was Stever Corkoran, who's been a little closer to the team than I have"....
Well, if another mediot said it, it must be true, just like Jethro pimping Lombardi as an expert on HC's. You 2 are really funny, are you doing this for kicks? Or do you really mean it?
JONES
Optimism: A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.
Confidence: the quality or state of being certain.
Go back and read my post again, JONES.
First off, JONES I agree that most of those "facts" lead one to be optimistic. They don't lead to any kind of CERTITUDE (i.e., CONFIDENCE). Or are you going to tell me that based on what you've seen this off season, you are certain that we will win. When? Right now? In a few years?
In simple terms, the Raiders are now doing what many of us very much wanted Al Davis to do while he was still alive. Now folks are upset by the fact that we're happy to have Mark Davis and Reggie McKenzie provide us with the very process and structure we've been begging for.
Bizarre!
In terms of expectation, I think we should all expect to win now. There's no reason why the current events should set the team back.
I fully expect the 2012 Raiders will be better than the 2011 version. Why shouldn't they be better?
..."Or are you going to tell me that based on what you've seen this off season, you are certain that we will win. When? Right now? In a few years?..."
I have already predicted a WEST win on this site. I said a couple years ago that if the Raiders had a modern scheme on Defense that they could make the playoffs. I said last year that putting this Defense in a proper scheme, could be very good. Now, the HC hired, is supposedly good as far as schemes and communicating them to the players.
The West is weak, a properly structured team, with good coaching and with the talent the Raiders have right now, can easily win the West division. I say right now, they are going to win the West. You can once again tell me that I shouldn't pat myself on the back after the playoffs next year.
JONES
The players are going to be busting their asses this next season, you watch, they are going to be hugely inspired. I'm sure there will be additions to the roster as well that will solidify the team.
There will be no "splash" predictions, but Reggie isn't afraid to upgrade for the sake of a 'chosen draft pick'. If you aren't doing the job, someone will be brought in who will. No longer do players get a free pass because a player is "one of his picks". They are ALL going to have to earn it and that creates a winning enviroment. You just watch...I am confident and optimistic, mostly confident. I was no longer confident and optimistic with the Raiders in prior years. I think we all know the reasons.
JONES
JONES,
i agree with you. the hiring of Dennis Allen, was to address the 2 weakest links on the Raiders.
the defense, and the attitude.
"eye of the tiger", and "warrior mentality", were 2 things not associated with the Raiders for a long time.
Yes, the Raiders always had some great athletes on the roster. but you never got the sense they had the guys that would run through a brick wall to win a game.
that is why, in the tough moments. december games, and 4th quarter, the Raiders always seemed to wilt.
i expect all this to change now.
the players can no longer, bypass the HC, and go to the owner.
the Raiders day care center, is now closed.
McKenzie promised to put football acumen ahead of athleticism. That's the exact opposite of the Davis philosophy. The Raiders no longer have the luxury of Davis’ low percentage hit-or-miss thinking when it comes to players. It's time to man-up with football players.
Great! We have JONES on record. The Raiders will absolutely win the AFC West in 2012. I think NY has seconded.
While I'm optimistic, I have no idea what record to call for the Raiders in 2012. However, I do know that it would not be possible to win the west next season if the witch hadn't set up a pretty good group of base players.
...."However, I do know that it would not be possible to win the west next season if the witch hadn't set up a pretty good group of base players."....
So you are now calling Mr.Davis a witch? WTF, I really have to question the sincerity of the "...."....they have enough talent to win, no doubt...now that the structure isn't broken and is on the mend...hell yeah, they have a great chance to win the West. I think some just have a problem with identifying problems and sorting out what it all means...I'm getting worn out trying to explain it...it's been a good 4-5 years of me on here explaining it and they still don't see it....BANG HEAD HERE.
JONES
JONES, if you could make a cohesive argument, and not state opinions as facts it might help.
It will take some sincerity on your part, Blanda. I have made my argument, backed it with facts...meanwhile, your argument is floating like a rock in water.
JONES
Take, I may be a newer poster here but I've followed your blog for quite some time. I think a good ground rule might be, if I may be so bold, to encourage more news and less PowerPasting of poster quotes. It looks like the three stooges... or perhaps an off-season clown car. 150 decent posts is better than 300 repasted squabbles. Take it outside, boys!
>>>>
I've said continuously over the last 9 years that the players seem to lack fundamentals and complet knowledge of their assignments.
>>>
I couldn't agree more...especially defense. How come nobody can tell McClain or Morrison to play their gap instead of guessing early and sticking their dick into the line?? Its been 8 years of the same ol...
And I think part if that has been the coaching carousel has always involved offensive coaches.
They expect DC's to handle it and we are stuck with morons.
Yes, this was an Al problem.
I fully expect McClain to be the MLB next year in a 4-3... if he is still giving up his gaps to allow... what 700 extra yards per season like he has done his entire career... well, then we aren't really accomplishing anything.
I'd prefer the 3-4 if we keep McClain on the team.
Crossing my fingers....
...."150 decent posts is better than 300 repasted squabbles. Take it outside, boys!".....
Go back to cheering for N.E., go shine Tommy's shoes.
JONES
Jack...
Where are those "Detailed Reasons"???
1:07 pm post. Thanks and come again.
"Calico, I identify Tom Flores as a winning coach, but guess what! Tom Flores had some losing seasons." -BR
Sorry BR but that analogy doesn't work. You specifically said Davis had 41 winning seasons. He had 28.
As soon as you use specifics, hard #s, you need to back it up.
"In simple terms, the Raiders are now doing what many of us very much wanted Al Davis to do while he was still alive. Now folks are upset by the fact that we're happy to have Mark Davis and Reggie McKenzie provide us with the very process and structure we've been begging for.
Bizarre!" NYR
I agree 100% Well said.
Last season, the Raiders D got blasted and let down the team countless times.
38 points to Buff
31 points to NE
38 points to Den
34 points to Mia
46 points to GBay
38 points to SD
Throw in 28 by KC and another 28 by Detroit and you've got an average of giving up 35 points per game in half the season's games.
If Allen's hiring impacts an incremental yet substantial improvement in our D, and our offense plays to their potential,
the team will take the next step up the competitive ladder. Just another reason for optimism ...
"NYR"...
"I fully expect the 2012 Raiders will be better than the 2011 version. Why shouldn't they be better?"
Answer: The "O"
"B)....If on the other hand he elects to go in some totally new direction and restart from the ground up I'm NOT happy with this shit at all and we are officially out of contention for the AFCW or a "PO" berth until proven otherwise on that "ScoreBoard"!!!"
Keep that top 10 "O" intact and I fully agree with your take....We should be better...
"OTB"...
If you note I and "BR" and "H" and Gary are the only ones who have done what you suggest while I get bashed as just a "Copy Poster" for it...
By the way with all the news that I post here do you see one solitary discussion on that info??...I have missed it myself...
LoL!!!...Jack!!!
I Knew you couldn't address an issue with anything legitimate to back it up besides:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
-----------------------------------
Blogger Calico Jack said...
Jack...
Where are those "Detailed Reasons"???
1:07 pm post. Thanks and come again.
7:54 PM
-----------------------------------
Undeniable Pouf!!!
Show me where any of you "Optimist Pimps" even mentioned the name Dennis on this board prior to my posting info about him here...
Further show me any comment prior to Dennis being named as a 2nd interview where any of you "Optimist Pimps" even bothered to discuss his qualifications...
Show me this 1st before you demand that I believe that your happy with this hiring other than due to:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Than sense you can't demonstrate one single post show me where any of you "Optimist Pimps" were parading around his name prior to being named "HC" by the news leaks...
Nothing but "BS" after the fact pimping of a decision you had absolutely zero take on what so ever!!!
Where are the constructive speculations as to who "Dennis The Menace" will now bring in as his coaching staff???....
Where's the take on that "Donkey" "LB" coach that's been speculated about???...
Where the discussion of what this team will be if Al Saunders and some of his staff are not retained???
From BSPN:
The Raiders are coming off one of their worst defensive seasons ever. Oakland had franchise worsts in touchdown passes allowed (31), yards per carry (5.1), yards passing (4,262) and total yards (6,201), while giving up the third-most points (433) in team history.
The Raiders joined this year’s Tampa Bay team as one of the four teams to allow at least 30 TD passes and 5.0 yards per carry in a season, a distinction last reached by the 1952 Dallas Texans. The Raiders also became the sixth team since the 1970 merger to allow at least 2,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing in a season.
Now add to what BSPN posted that we also set the record in penalties...
But we were also right on the cuff of making the "WC" cut or taking the AFCW even though our "D" played so well...
LoL!!...That was a joke!!!
This testifies as to how well our "O" played threw all the adversity with injuries and bogas flags and loss of our leadership...This demonstrates substantial reason to keep that top 10 rated "O" in place while "Dennis The Menace" addresses that piss poor "D"...
Yet!!...Nary a word on that issue from any of you "Optimist Pimps"...Wonder Why???
What effect will it have on this team if Al Saunders is not retained as "OC"???
NO!!!....
The reality here is that you "Mutinous Dogs" now have a brand new toy and you are going to beat that new drum to death singing:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Over and over and over again without the slightest amount of constructive research or speculations nor fundamental factual evidence about anything of importance to this next season...
All I have seen to this point is singing that praise:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Why is it good??
Because Al Davis is NOT involved as you sing:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Now this is a high profile move NOT what we did: So how do you feel about this now "Optimist Pimps"???
Del Rio replaces Allen as Broncos' defensive coordinator
The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio to become their defensive coordinator, the team announced via Twitter on Friday.
NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora had reported Wednesday that Del Rio was a possible replacement for Dennis Allen, who became the Oakland Raiders’ head coach this week.
Del Rio is the Broncos’ fifth coordinator in five seasons. He also has a strong relationship with Broncos coach John Fox, having served as Fox’s defensive coordinator in 2002, when he was coach of the Carolina Panthers.
“We are thrilled to be able to add such a well-respected defensive coach to our staff,” Fox said. “He was an integral part of our turnaround on defense during my first year with the Panthers in 2002. His defenses with the Jaguars have ranked among the NFL’s best, and we are excited he’s a Bronco.”
Broncos safety Brian Dawkins also tweeted support for Del Rio.
“Love the hire, just hope we can keep him around,” Dawkins said.
Del Rio was fired by the Jaguars in November while in his ninth season with the team. He finished his career in Jacksonville with a 69-73 overall record, including a 1-2 mark in the playoffs.
This is a high profile move but what do we have???
Are you still so damn happy "Optimist Pimps"???
Browns tab ex-Vikings coach Childress as offensive coordinator
The Cleveland Browns have hired former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress to become the team’s offensive coordinator, confirming an earlier report Friday by NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
2012 Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl — one of the premier pre-draft events — features the best senior college stars and top NFL draft prospects. NFL Network has coverage of the event, including the game on Jan. 28
Childress is the first Browns offensive coordinator under head coach Pat Shurmur, who ran the offense himself during his first season as the team’s head coach. Shurmur acknowledged after the season the need to beef up his staff and find someone to help with game planning.
Shurmur has said he was open to the idea of having his offensive coordinator call plays if the right coach was hired. A source told The Plain Dealer that Shurmur will continue calling plays for now, but the decision is still being discussed and has not been finalized.
The Browns had interest in Childress and former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman, reported La Canfora, who were both in demand as offensive coordinators. Sherman agreed to terms to take the same position with the Dolphins on Friday.
Don't you just love such trememdous "Due Dilligence"!!...I mean all we have heard on this board is how we couldn't attract a high profile top tier coach as long as Al Davis was in charges and now this...
A no name "HC"...Dennis The Menace"!!!
NO "OC"...
NO "DC" while we talk to the "LB" coach of that freakin "Donkey" that NO one has ever even heard off!!!
Meanwhile that "Donkey" with Elway at the helm goes out and hires the highest profile top tier "DC" in the game...Jack!!...While the freakin "Dawgs" go out and get their high profile guy as "OC"!!!...Brad!!
And we sit here on our collective thumbs listening to you "Optimist Pimps" singing and beating that new drum:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
The longer this shit drags on the more and more I'm getting a very bad vibe!!!...
By the way we will have to play against Brad's new "O" this season at home and face Jack De Rio's new "D" twice....
I count 3 strikes against us already...Can someone please point out the positive here???
Besides singing:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Does anything look easy to you "Optimist Pimps" here???
Oakland Raiders 2012 Opponents
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I am really digging that Allen gets a four year shot, as compared to a two year "Al Davis" contract. Again, there are certain things that other winning organizations have done that works, and that common ground is personnel loyalty. I would also have been OK if they had announced three more years with Hue, and he has the hiring power now that Reggie is the GM. But I am just a spectator, outside the wall. I stand behind the leaders.
PS: to Panty Raider, (in reply) ...as you know, there is one guy, just one, who, for some reason (and we all know who he is) just seems to get some sort of satisfaction in it. Copying and pasting to make a point is necessary much of the time, but for another, it's a living.
So now who is left out there as potential "OC"/"DC" and assistants???
Someone from the Giants or "NE" perhaps???
Richard Smith (Denver’s linebackers coach)
Emmitt Thomas (Kansas City’s defensive backs coach)
Bill Johnson (New Orleans’ defensive line coach)
Common!!!...Pimping all that Optimism without a legitimate candidate on the board???
Fish Bowles???
"OTB"...
I was talking about "News"....I past all that news on this board and it goes completely unnoticed while instead fantasy speculation is all that prevails...NOTHING of any importance even gets addressed as the Choir sings and beats that damn dumb drum!!!
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
The problem on this board is that few are willing to own what they preach and have NO consistency what so ever...So the only way to pin them down on that is to "Copy-Past" themselves to themselves so they can't move those "Rubber Wall's" that they keep constructing to try to avoid exposure of their stupidity...It's all about trying to be proven right instead of trying to find the truth....
Hypocrisy is the name of the game here!!!
"It's a blog about the state of the Oakland Raiders"
Where is your list of "OC"/"DC" candidates who would best fit this organization as it now stands???
Where is your discussion on how each perspective coach would bring lasting benefits to our future???
Where is your discussion of how this process will insure a winning record???
Where is your perspective list of possible/probable "FA"s that Reggie should go after???
Where is your list of perspective player moves..trades...position changes and so forth that will insure future success???
Where is your anything besides:
"Ding Dong the which is dead"
Tidbits...
Bowles is now available for the Raiders' DC
Miami just hired a man named Kevin Coyle as their new DC.
Offensive Coordinator from Oregon could be brought in by Allen for our OC job.
Allen as HC + Saunders as OC + Bowles as DC = excellent coaching staff
who Reggie and the Menace are scouting at the Senior Bowl:
the Raiders are looking at a bunch of defensive specialists and a RB
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Oakland Raiders Senior Bowl Snippets
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com
Raider’s scouts spent quite a bit of time with big powerful Baylor RB, Terrance Ganaway. Michael Bush replacement?
We spoke with Oakland Raider’s Senior scout, Jon Kingdon and he mentioned they were really looking at LBs. This was evidenced when I walked by Miami LB, Sean Spence, and his agent,the notorious Drew Rosenhaus, speaking at length with Raider’s personnel.
Kingdon also had some other interesting Raider’s niblets. They are somehwat disappointed in Rolando McClain to this point. Aaron Curry was a good pick up and he played well. The Raiders were happy with the development of young DBs Chimdi Chekwa and Demarcus Van Dyke.
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"Denice The Menace" on tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v0qWP2290M&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpC2p2NdIK0&feature=player_embedded
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/2011-Training-Camp---Day-5-Allen/4b67adee-91ca-4302-8958-c2e422d1606c
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Catching-up-with-Dennis-Allen/860882eb-9ec9-4e5f-ad34-9faa843fb98f
Panty,
I wouldn't mind a power back to back up McFadden. Then we would get a Garner/Wheatley feel to our backfield again. Watch Ganaway run, saw him play in person the past few years, and he is straight power.
That will help us in the red zone.
Unless we plan on trading up, we probably won't sniff Sean Spence. I think we can wait and pick up Keenan Robinson (Texas), Terrell Manning (NC State), or Nigel Bradham (Florida State).
If we do trade up, I'd rather draft Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma). I also think we need to upgrade at Offensive Guard, and Defensive Tackle. Lucas Nix (Pitsburgh), Lonnie Edwards (Texas Tech), and Rokevious Watkins (South Carolina) would be good prospects at Guard.
TJ Barnes (GT) and Hebron Fangupo (BYU). If we trade up Alameda Ta'amu (Washington) would be an excellent pick.
I wouldn't mind having Bowles as a DC. I hope we keep Wiz and Saunders on the Offensive side of things. But, Reggie said it was up to the new coach, so let's see who he grabs.
New take is up, comment there, as something's broken that won't allow comments to be viewed past the 200 mark.
200!!!
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