This is why the James Lofton hiring makes sense and also why it rings of an endorsement to Kiffin's abilities. Why replace the receiving coach if you think the person calling the plays is at fault? Simply put, you don't.
If you think the Head Coach/Offensive play caller is doing things right, you give him more tools to get the job done, and what better tool to give an offense that struggles with the pass than a Hall of Famer Wide Receiver turned coach? The only way Al could've done better would've been to convince Jerry Rice to be the receiver's coach/third receiver.
Despite all of the reports to the contrary, Kiffin's admin Mark Jackson is still taking an active part in signing players. It's been reported that he's been doing much of the contract "hammering" since the off season started. He may not be an active part in Davis' decision making this off season, but from the looks of it, only Davis is making decisions. One of the most overlooked aspects of the Raiders off season has been the overall minor tweaking he has done on the offensive side of the ball. Most of his work continues to be defensive, and that gives me hope that this is also another vote of confidence in the young, brash, Kiffin...sometimes referred to as "Lance."
On offense, Al has made only one big signing while making other moves that would make the offensive staff very happy. We've already spoke of the new receivers' coach, but how about the additions of Javon Walker and Drew Carter? Walker, by far was the jewel of the 2008 free agent receivers this side of Randy Moss.
It was reported that over 10 teams were trying to land him, but the "lowly" Raiders were the clear winners. Although the Raiders didn't land Berrian or Bryant Johnson, (which I was hoping they'd do), they did pull in Drew Carter who has flashed the ability to be a star in the league. Due to Carter's inconsistency, he was free to sign on with the Raiders for one year at $2 million.
At Lane Kiffin's end of season press conference, he mentioned his "hope" that the Raiders would be able to resign Fargas. Kiffin's hope was realized while not breaking the bank. Then the wily Davis signs Harris, fulfilling offensive line coach Tom Cable's hope of getting another zone blocking lineman. To the world, Harris is a bust and a waste of $14 million. Only time will tell, but Cable was reported to say at the combine that 2/3d's of the linemen are disqualified off the top due to the agility demands of zone blocking. With that said, let me also point out that Cable was also reported to want Harris.
Kiffin said there would be many changes before next season, but who's to say he meant coaching changes? Are we to believe everything the media writes? If that were true, history would look much different than it does now.
The truth of the matter is, only Kiffin and Davis really know what's going on. Full scale changes have already occurred on the defensive side of the ball with the retirement of Sapp, signing of Wilson and Hall, and other lesser discussed signings and releases. As it stands now, the Raiders defense already has four new starters, and that my friends is plenty on a team of 11 players.
What's next? Your guess is as good as mine, but I predict that nobody else will be clear on Al-Lane's plans until April 28th, a day AFTER the 2008 draft.
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