Bleacher Report - Articles by Jay Herres

Oakland Raiders: How To Get Better in 2010

Jay Herres — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:45:49 -0500

As I watch yet another uninspired Raider effort in an ugly game today, I can't help but wonder—what's the plan for 2010?

Rumormongers are already saying Al Davis wants to fire Cable for cause after the season. It's just not that simple.

With five coaches since 2001, Al clearly can make the firing decision when he feels it's warranted. If he fires another coach, it will be JaMarcus Russell's fifth play caller in three years. Unless the next play caller is Russell's former LSU offensive coordinator, he'll have to learn a new playbook. With $20M-plus guaranteed, his ability to adapt to the new system will cross Al's mind.

If Al is true to form, he may fire Cable, but keep various assistants, such as Ted Tollner, John Marshall, and Paul Hackett. If he does that, then more of the same misery awaits Raider Nation: puppet head coaches, bad dynamics in the staff, and more wasted years.

Cable tried to change the culture, but his chance at success was clearly undercut by the performance of the franchise quarterback. A little success on offense would have made a huge difference in the team and Cable's future. Without more positive momentum, the year becomes another in a series of wasted efforts.

The best answer for the Raiders—has always been and remains—is to bring in a GM and have him pick a coach, enabling Davis to go back to being an owner. There is no strategy for the team and no scheme on offense or defense into which the roster fits.

This change—to a GM and a strategy—must be made unless Al is willing to risk another couple of lost years. At his age, he most likely appreciates each year a little more nowadays.

Right now five Super Bowl coaches are available, with two former Raider coaches among them. Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan clearly won't come back to Oakland, leaving Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, and Jim Fassel as the other three. Cowher and Holmgren may have GM/Coach aspirations, but would Oakland be the right environment for someone to plunge into?

The Raider team is in such bad shape, making it an excellent opportunity for a veteran coach who wants to reaffirm his leadership and reputation. Any success on the field would be a credit to the man roving the sidelines—not in the owner's box. There is some talent, but the talent and the scheme haven't always been in alignment. A coach and GM granted the authority to change that are the best option Davis has right now.

It is highly likely that Davis will take a run at Cowher or Holmgren, but will lose out to a slightly better team. Davis MUST bring in a GM, and let that GM take a run at a younger coach, or even a re-tread with low miles.

The bottom line is that the key ingredient for the Raiders is a "culture change" from the owner's box to the coach's desk to the locker room. The roster has some talent at key positions, but changing everything about the organization—starting at the GM and the coach—is key to any future success.

The Raider Nation will return to the stadium in droves once a winner is put on the field. Even the most stalwart of fans have grown tired of defending the moves the organization has made in recent years. Now is the time for Al to make a defining move, a surprising move, and a necessary move to return the Raiders to greatness. Al needs to change everything, starting with himself.

Judging the Oakland Raiders So Far: Better or Worse?

Jay Herres — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:59:06 -0400

The dawning of a new era...in which lion and hyena...oh sorry. Too many Disney movies.

Sometimes the Raiders resemble a movie script, and it's not always a good one.

The catchphrase: "The dawning of a new era in which the Raiders team returns to significance, to say nothing of potential dominance." The question: Should we believe it this time?

Given the offseason changes in the AFC West and the Chargers' ongoing ability to blow their opportunities, there is a very real possibility that this could be the year for the Raiders.

The preseason has a couple weeks left, and here's a rundown of what some of the ups and downs of camp look like, both on and off the field.

On the Field

DHB: TBD

Darrius Heyward-Bey has been "the" story of the draft: whether the Raiders reached for him, is he just speed, why not Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin, and so on.

Despite the press, DHB has had a pretty good camp. His initial case of the dropsies (and hammies) has faded, and he's gradually coming up to the speed of the NFL game.

Hopefully the next couple of preseason games will give us a better chance to judge what he's learned.

Michael Bush

He tore things up at the end of last season and doesn't appear to be slowing down. Even though the Raiders look like a running-back-by-committee team, within four weeks of this season they will have their lead runner.

The easy money is betting on Darren McFadden, but Bush could surprise some opponents, and even a few teammates! He's run well and strong thus far. He's my sleeper pick to have a significant impact on the Raiders' season.

Michael Huff

Thus far, Michael Huff appears to be a changed man. After Tom Cable's benching of him midseason last year and the write-off of that season, Huff was facing his last chance.

He appears to have been "hitting the books," and the pick against Dallas showed a side of him we've rarely seen. If he shows this much improvement during the season, he could be the most improved player for the year.

Chaz Schilens

Chase was clearly in position to be the No. 1 receiver prior to his broken foot. He has a great rapport with JaMarcus Russell and will potentially start to draw defensive attention. Some stated that he was the reason we didn't take Crabtree, and it appears their faith may be rewarded.

The injury was definitely a setback for the 2009 Raider squad. His recovery from the injury will show us whether he's ready to join the array of Raiders receivers.

His absence may create an opportunity for the "other" rookie wideout, Louis Murphy, to sneak into the rotation.

Javon Walker

Rumors of Javon Walker's demise appear to be greatly exaggerated. After a couple good years with a couple of teams, followed by last year's debacle, Walker remains a questionable commodity—great talent, but it's not always clear where his head is.

If this week's full speed practices are to be believed, he may be back.

As far as anyone knows, he's not deaf or blind, so he's probably aware of the criticism and may very well have a large chip on his shoulder this year. He could be the comeback player of the year—for not just the Raiders, but the league as well.

Off the Field

The Randy Hanson incident

So far we know there was a police report, and that Hanson was injured. We don't officially know how or what transpired.

What we do know is that Hanson ticked off Lane Kiffin enough to get suspended, and that the subsequent year, he ticked off another head coach. I'm not blaming Hanson necessarily, but where there's smoke, there's typically fire.

How the Raiders respond to the incident and, more importantly, how the police handle the incident will have an impact on the Raiders. Any kind of a charge or issue for Cable will be a significant distraction.

Despite years of having distractions, the Raiders have not actually become any more adept at handling them.

They used to be a team with a rock-solid focus on what was important, and nothing distracted them. They are trying to return to being that team—this season will prove whether they've made any actual progress.

The Team

Calling the team an off-the-field item may seem like an oxymoron, but how the team functions off the field will be key.

It doesn't mean a return to the Jon Gruden golf outings and BBQs, but it will be important for the team to be unified as they face any adversity. Distractions, as well as losses, have proven fatal in past years to the Raiders.

With the above player highlights, as well as the potential distractions, this year will be a proving ground for the Oakland Raiders.

Are they the team of the past six years, non-competitive and divided? Or will they actually become a team—unified and competitive?

Washington Huskies: Rising From The Ashes?

Jay Herres — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:54:29 -0400

After an abysmal 2008 campaign, the Washington Husky football team can only get better. For perspective, even a single win—just one—this year will be a significant improvement. After last year’s effort, the Husky AD cleaned house, and imported some coaching talent from one of the premier programs in the land at the University of Spoiled Children. (Their recent NCAA violations aside, their coaching, tactics, and execution of the past decade has been impressive).

With the new coaching staff, and few changes in the roster, the question is—what can a purple-and-gold fan expect for this year—other than the assumed Apple Cup victory?

Coaching –

Based on the activity this offseason, the coaches clearly have a plan and players are either on board with it—or out. The tempo at practices has significantly changed, the attention to detail has increased, and bottom line – the emotion has returned. New Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has brought a disciplined approach to the whole team, and a new pro-style offensive playbook. His energy appears to have penetrated the 2008 hangover in the players, and started to plant the seeds of hope.

Defensive Coordinator, and former linebacker, Nick Holt appears ready to go toe to toe with any defensive player who doesn’t want to give a full effort. The addition of Doug Nussmeier as Locker’s coach/mentor is targeted specifically at moving him from a talented improviser to a disciplined playcaller. In addition, this coaching staff has clearly made an impression on some high school talent, as their 2010 recruiting class will be the highest ranked incoming Husky class in years.

Overall, I believe that this coaching staff is better for this young team than the prior staff. The expectations of structure and execution have already had an impact on the team. This season, when the chips go against the Dawgs, the expectation is that this coaching staff will lean on their detailed preparation, make some adjustments, and their boys should deliver.

Players –

To state the obvious, Jake Locker is the player who faces the highest expectations for this year. The raw talent he showcased last year creates the perception that he is ready to take the step to that “next level”. He has succeeded so far by being a man against boys in one-on-one on field challenges. However, that didn’t win a game before his injury last year. He must now make the change from being the best player on the field to being the best quarterback on the field.

Outside of the quarterback, expectations will be raised across the board for any of the players. With last year’s team, things got so bad so quickly, single players or plays were rarely singled out. Willingham’s style was not to attack a particular player, nor isolate specific instances. The players played well in spots, but with injuries and roster moves - there wasn't a consistent Husky unit at any point in the season.

In adjusting to the new coach, both sides of the ball have to learn the new terminology, schemes, and audibles, the quarterback Locker, and defensive captain—perhaps a Tuiasosopo or Savannah—have the biggest book to memorize. The adjustment to a new playbook in the NFL can take a couple of years, let alone a pro-style playbook for a group of 19 and 20 year olds. So that challenge will affect the Dawgs in 2009.

One item that tempers expectations—across the board—the Huskies are young. Out of their 98 current players, only 35 are Juniors or Seniors. The other 63 guys are either redshirt freshman or sophomores. This youth has a yin and yang for Sark and friends – the yin is that they are inexperienced, and don’t have a lot of quality college football experience to draw from. The yang is that they are effectively blank clay that Sark can sculpt into whatever he wants them to be.

Sark will put his best eleven on the field, and will watch their every play. Failure is not acceptable. Every player on the roster will need to be ready to fill in for someone who forgets an assignment or misses a play. The entire roster will have to adjust to the new scrutiny. Over the coming year's, Sark will change the Husky culture and gradually build a team of "his guys."

Husky Expectations 2009 –

For 2009, the Huskies cannot get any worse than they were last year. However, in Seattle, the standard for Husky performance is pretty high. Husky fans (and the Tyee club of boosters) expect bowl games and Pac-10 titles. Steve Sarkisian played vs the Huskies (and lost) and felt the impact of Husky fans first hand.

Based on the intensity of the spring practices, Coach Sarkisian and his staff focus on two core items—the fundamentals of the game and raising the players' intensity. For the players, repetition at a higher intensity level took an adjustment in the first few practices, and one can hope this translates to better on the field execution.

In 2009, the Huskies should climb out of the cellar and be one of the middle of the Pac teams. They may surprise some of their Pac 10 foes. However, a non-conference list that includes an opener vs LSU and Notre Dame may temper that enthusiasm. One thing is clear—2009 will begin the return of the Dawgs to their rightful place at the top of the conference.

Bottom line, the 2009 expectations are for a long overdue improvement and an Apple Cup win!! In 2010 and beyond the Dawgs will be ready to challenge the top teams in the Pac-10.

Are the Oakland Raiders Good Enough for My Son?

Jay Herres — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:10:00 -0400

For most Americans, December 7 is a day which will live in infamy. For me, it is no different—the year was 1981. My dad came home from work one Friday and said “I’m finally taking you to your first NFL game on Monday.” “The Raiders? Versus the Steelers!?!” I said. “Yes,” came the answer.

My head exploded. As an 11 year old, a pro football game—Monday Night Football no less, on a schoolnight—was like a birthday, Christmas, and the last day of school all at once.

The first thing I saw when I ran up, grabbed the railing and looked down on the field was a 40 yard Bradshaw pass intercepted by Lester Hayes (I think he caught it with his elbow and a little stickum) After watching the Raiders win 30-27 in overtime, I began to bleed silver and black, and still do to this day.

I had already been an acolyte of the Raiders, and had a pennant from the ‘80 Super Bowl, but this was my Raid-mitzvah—the day I became a man.

As I sit here nearly 20 years later, and prepare to take my son to his first NFL game, I find myself asking many questions:

Do I gently make sure he’s a Raiders fan? Give him wistful glances everytime we pass my Raiders authentic jersey? Squeeze his hand when the highlights are on ESPN?

Or do I let him choose his own NFL team? Could I stomach it if he chose the Broncos or Chiefs? Or worse—the Niners?

As a parent, we constantly evaluate our kids’ friends, their meals, their toys, clothes, and activities. Why do we do that? We want them to grow up with the best of everything. So, should I bring that same commitment to excellence to his choices of fandom? If so—here’s how it would look:

The Raiders have a good history, three super bowl victories (in five appearances), 13 Hall of famers, and a rabidly loyal fanbase. Few teams can claim as much.

Could I let him be a Steelers fan? Their last two Super Bowls were sketchy at best. He could end up in jail.

Could I let him be a Patriots fan? They’ve admitted cheating. Would he apply their ethics to his tests at school?

Could I let him be a Lions fan? Just kidding.

Could I handle him being a Seahawks fan? Maybe, but it appears to be a lifetime of pain. No one wants to see their child suffer. In the rain. All day. Every day.

The question comes down to—which team is worthy of my son’s love and dedication?

Whichever team it is, he’ll have to defend them, take abuse for them, and share in their victories. It’s a big choice—and the question is—do I leave it up to him?

My father left it up to me—largely because he wasn’t a big football fan, but wanted me to have the choice. How do I keep from influencing my kid toward fulfilling my dream of watching my team with my boy next to me.

Or is this one of those dang-blasted “do the right thing” things, where I let him make his own choice, fall down and skin his own knee, and see what color the blood is?

Oakland Raiders: To Change the Results, Try Changing the Plays

Jay Herres — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:02:59 -0400

Last offseason, the Raiders added some big ticket players—Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall, and a home-run draft choice—Darren McFadden. McFadden’s no longer a rookie, and the Raiders added Darrius Heyward-Bey at wideout, in addition to returning receivers Schilens, Walker (post-surprise surgery) and 2008 breakout player Johnnie Lee Higgins.

Russell is still under center, and now has legit backup in Garcia. In addition to those roster moves, the Raiders changed the offensive and defensive coaches, and accordingly the playbooks for both sides of the ball.

What does that all mean? Flea-flickers? Division champions? The spread offense? Dogs and Cats living together? Not sure. However, it definitely means that we should see some significant changes in the Raiders playbook for 2009.

On Defense

Marshall’s defensive play calling is naturally going to depend on generating pressure. All defenses face that challenge, but in Marshall’s successful campaign with the Seahawks, the front four generated consistent pressure, and the three linebackers went nuts on what was left.

The improvement over last year’s Ryan-esque defense should be in more consistent play calling and better preparation.

In Marshall’s peak years, the ‘Hawks rarely looked surprised by an opponent. Only one team scored over 30 points (and still lost), and they were the sixth best defense in points allowed.

Looking back at that roster (Widstrom, Tubbs, Tatupu, Hill) does looks stronger than the current Raiders; however, keep in mind those players were all much younger then—and weren’t predicted to pull off what they did.

Fans should expect to see Marshall take full advantage of his shutdown corners, and if any of our six safeties show better than average ability, even the Blitz will return to Oaktown, bringing fear back to opponents eyes.

On Offense

The Raiders offense last year was inconsistent at every level—coaching, playcalling, and execution. In all cases, it can only get better this year. Dismissing the first eight weeks due to the sideline theatrics, we have eight weeks on which to judge Cable. Early on, Cable’s calls seemed unimaginative and predictable.

However, in the later games the execution improved significantly, and even a “boring” play like “HB Right Toss” sprang Bush for a 60+ yarder against TB.

Tollner will bring a different approach to the passing game, and that a semi-functional Walker, a surprising Higgins and a healthy, veteran McFadden will make a huge difference play calling options. I also expect the occasional attempt to see if Russell can indeed overthrow Heyward-Bey.

In summary, the core “run first, pass second” philosophy should remain with the Raiders this year. However, to the extent that Russell can be accurate with short and long passes, we might, dare we hope, have a balanced offense.

The Shell and Kiffin eras both rapidly declined into contentious fights between grown men, which this year appears to be positioned to avoid.

Overall, fans should expect that we will see an offensive and defensive approach that no longer has to contend with disagreements between coaches and the front office, and that maybe, just maybe, the team could just play football!

Oakland Raiders: Same Coach, New Results?

Jay Herres — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:30:11 -0400

Given that the Raiders' coaching for 2008 was a comic sideshow for most of last season, it doesn't seem too far fetched for the Raiders to improve on that chaos in 2009. To enable that improvement to occur, some coaching cupboards had to be emptied.

While the Raiders didn't "change" the head coach after the season, they removed the interim tag on him. They did, however, change many of the other folks. The two most significant changes were at offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, with a nod to the QB coach.

Offensive coordinator/passing game coordinator

After the revolving door on play-calling last season, Tom Cable has retained those duties, and Knapp is gone.

Ted Tollner was added to the staff as passing game coordinator, which to my mind provides a sounding board and counterbalance to Cable’s O-line and running game obsessions.

In my ideal version, the Cable Guy and the other offensive coaches gameplan all week, and then during the game, Cable holds the script but listens to the non-Davis guys upstairs about what they see and what some options of attacking could be.

If the model is something other than that or Cable starts to ignore their input, I fear some of the less than imaginative play-calling we saw last year could reoccur.

Defensive coordinator

If the media’s statements are true, Kiffin tried to fire Ryan, but Davis kept him.

After last year’s performance, Ryan is gone, and Marshall is in. On the surface, we traded one coordinator of a bottom of the league defense for another.

However, in Marshall’s past, with good talent and an offense that kept his defense off the field, he has been to the pinnacle of the league.

Is this Raider team good enough to reach that level? We shall see.

Marshall leans on athletic linebackers to drive a speed-based defense. His teams in Carolina and Seattle both ran a 4-3 and typically gave up less than 20 points a game.

The question is whether the Raiders have the talent to execute his plan, and honestly, whether some guys start earning their paychecks.

QB coach

For any defense to succeed, the offense needs to stay on the field for at least a little while. In order to improve the time of possession over last year, the Raiders must keep the ball longer.

While Paul Hackett has a checkered past as a coordinator, he has worked with several quarterbacks to make a significant difference in their performance.

Aside from the plethora of media concerns about Russell’s work ethic, I believe the major improvement we can see is from Hackett’s input on fundamentals. Foot position, accuracy, and mechanics, these are all items that will channel Russell’s raw talent into a more refined quarterbacking ability.

Head coach

Since this year's opening day coach is different that last year's it's a change - just not an offseason one. The difference between Tom Cable and Lane Kiffin cannot be understated. Night and day is not a dramatic enough difference.

As Kiffin’s antics at Tennessee have shown, discipline, structure, and consistency are not remotely his forte.

Cable is so stable, he’s almost boring. At the same time, he has the fire in him of a lineman who looks forward to getting dirty in the trenches and going toe-to-toe with the opponents best rusher.

In the last half of last season, fans saw the team start to take on that persona. The Raiders went right at the heart of the opposition in their house, traded punches with them, and did not flinch.

If that belief has been internalized by the team, it is a vast improvement over the previous six years and can drive the cultural change we’ve hoped for.

The scoring

OC/PG—2009 stability beats 2008 chaos
DC—2009 philosophy beats 2008’s inability to adjust within games
QB—2009 experience improves over 2008 ineffectiveness
HC—2009 hard work wins over 2008 flash with no substance

The four changes above represent a change in philosophy at the major leadership positions within the team. They are guys who can show the team a different way to do things, and a better way than the past.

However, as the adage goes: The coaches don’t make the tackle, complete the pass, or run the ball. How effective these coaches are at driving that belief home to the players will determine the fate of this season.

On every team, the coaches lead the way, but the Raiders haven’t had a good coach/leader in nearly a decade, and everyone—players and fans—is ready to see one on the sidelines again.

Oakland Raiders' 2009 Roster: Making the Grade?

Jay Herres — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:25:27 -0400

As part of the ongoing effort to keep the post-draft hype cycle whirlwind going, I'm here to offer another perspective on the Oakland Raiders for 2009.

Raider fans have been suffering all kinds of indignities since the Super Bowl six years ago, and it’s high time for a change. At this point, what we have is a coach who is happy to be here, and a three-game win streak to build on.

The key word for 2009 is build. The Raiders appear to have realized that they are indeed rebuilding, and are doing it with youth. Regardless of what folks think of the quality of their picks and how their roster looks, you can't argue with us getting younger.

I'm going to take a look at each unit, and give our Raiders 2009 prospects a grade (relative to the best in the league). Agree, disagree, or wonder what yours truly is smoking – the choice is yours.

The Defense

D-Line – The Raiders only spent a couple of picks on Shaughnessy and Sulak to add to Sands, Kelly, Burgess, and the rest of the tribe. I believe we’ll be improved over last year—but the question still remains, can we stop the run? John Marshall has been to a Super Bowl, and also dropped to the dregs.

I believe Ryan overstayed his welcome in Oakland, and as we get younger, Marshall may be able to tighten up our 3-4-sieve run defense. Gunnheim is also waiting in the wings for a shot.
Grade C+

LBs – The 2 2009 DE picks could shift to the LB pack, but my belief is quite simple. With better performance up front, our four guys from last year—Morrison, Brown, Howard, and Williams all will see time.

But my hope is that the young guys can unleash a little youthful exuberance, and some raw ability to improve the unit. Sulak or Alston could cross over and help improve the speed on the unit as well.

Grade B -

DBs – I’m not gonna waste any time on the corners—Nnamdi and whoever the other QB has to throw at are gonna be just fine. Chris Johnson did well from that spot last year, and I expect his years of experience to show well this year. My core concern is about the safeties.

Huff still has to show something from being drafted in the first round. Mitchell will have a chip on his shoulder, which (along with Heyward-Bey) could help the middle of the field. In addition, the safety support for run coverage will significantly help the transition of the DL mentioned above.

Grade A (CB)+Grade C (Safety) = B

The Special Teams

Kicking: Janikowski is fine, and as long as Cable doesn’t send him out for a 73-yarder, he’ll be solid. Lechler is still a Raider, and we’re glad to have him. Defensive kick coverage was solid, but not spectacular last year. Grade A

Returns: Johnnie Lee Higgins had his breakout year last year. The groundwork laid in the previous seasons came to fruition—on the quick slant routes for TDs, and also in the kicking game. We finally have a serious threat back there—which only improves our ability to make teams nervous. Grade B-

Now, for the fun part:

The Offense

QB: It all comes down to JaMarcus. He showed some dramatic improvement at the end of last year, but the jury seems to still be out. I for one think he’s got all the ability in the world – and we’ll see if he can put it together on the field.

I’m concerned about all the criticism and that Garcia and Cable appear to be building a fire under him. Speaking of Garcia, he’s the best backup we’ve had since...well...since forever. Grade: TBD

O-Line: The Raiders traded centers with Miami, plus picked up a couple solid free agents. I think we’re gonna be dramatically improved over last year. Henderson and Gallery both came into their own last year, and with some support from the other side of the line, they could make life easy for the QB and RBs and that can only be good. Grade B-

TE: Miller’s a stud, and we’ve got an army of guys to support him. Foschi’s back, and Stewart’s around for blocking duties. I think that Miller will be JR’s security blanket for most of the year, and that will be great for both of them. Grade B+

WR: Did you know the Raiders chose a WR in the first round? There hasn’t been *any* coverage of that at all since the draft, so it could come as a surprise to you. But seriously, I think that the Raiders are very young and hungry at wideout. The key will be if they can run tight routes and that JR can hit them.

No one knows what goes on in Javon’s head, but I think that if the rest of the youngest WR corps in football can execute the game plan (and if it’s a good one – that’s even better)—we could surprise some people.

I think DHB will be fine. My guess is that for the first year, he’ll be a James Jett/Derrick Alexander deep threat, and as long as he makes 1 unexpected catch per game, teams will have to respect him.

Grade: Unknown

RB: The 3 headed beast will continue to terrorize the NFL this year. McFadden has a steel-toed shoe now, and if he stays healthy, he will tear it up. He can split out, and take the corner against any team.

Fargas is solid, and now the “elder” statesman of the group. Bush will still bring the hammer, and he’s still got a chip on his shoulder from his year off. Trust me—hunger is good. We’ve also got solid coverage against injuries, and Rankin in the cupboard. Grade A

Overall Grade – B-. Predicted record – 8-8

After all of the above—my take on the Raiders overall roster is that the offensive line and running game should be as good if not better than last year. Special teams, despite the loss of the coach will also be fine.

My two major concerns are at safety and wide receiver. Without better safety coverage, the run defense will be a liability, and we’ll continue to fall prey to the big-plays that killed us last year.

At wideout, while I believe in the potential of Schilens, Higgins, and even Heyward-Bey, the proof will be in the first three weeks of the season against our AFC rivals.

If our guys can play well in those environments, and not make the mistakes of youth, we just might be going up the standings...finally...

The Heyward-Bey Interview That Breaks the Rules

Jay Herres — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:45:43 -0400

As everyone knows, the Raiders shocked the world with their choice of Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh pick in the draft. Dozens of media experts began asking questions about the Raiders' logic, evaluations, and even their sanity.

I’ve chosen to put all of that aside and imagine sitting down with Darrius Heyward-Bey, and just ask him a few questions. The below questions are my approach to breaking the ice and getting an interview that breaks from the norm.

Who’s your favorite comic book superhero, and you can’t say “Flash?"

The idea here is to get him off-balance right out of the gate, and see who he relates himself to. Occasionally, I get a peek into someone’s childhood with this question.

What is your biggest challenge in moving up to the NFL, and how do you plan to address it?

This tests some actual football knowledge and also tests his self-assessment skills. He might disclose which articles he reads online in the weakness he outlines

Growing up, who picked on you the most, and what would you say to them now?

This is another question to peek behind the curtain, and find out more about Darrius the person, not the player. This also gives him the chance to be vindictive—let’s see what he does with it.

How will you establish trust with your quarterback?

This is a key question. In any relationship, trust plays a huge part. Short of doing the falling backward exercise, Darrius and JaMarcus have to learn to trust each other, while winning football games. How they do this in a short few months will be key to the Raiders' success this year.

Tell me a story of a time when you faced a difficult challenge and explain what your thought process was and how you got through it?

This is adapted from a job interview question, and gives Darrius a chance to choose the topic, and then provide a window into his world for us. This question can be very revealing in gauging what he considers “difficult” in his past, as well as how he describes it.

Lastly, what question do you wish we had asked?

This question gives the control back to the interview subject, and gives them a green field to choose a topic. It also makes a good closing question, as it leaves things on a good note. The intent is to take the hot out of the interview hot seat.

Granted, the odds of me getting an interview with DHB are low, but if given the chance, the above questions would help it be a rewarding interview for him, the interviewer, and the readers who are tired of reading “how fast are you?” and the other questions.

Oakland Raiders: Top 10 Draft Picks

Jay Herres — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:28:14 -0400

Draft day is a mixed bag for every fan: the possibilities are endless, upside is huge, and opinions are plentiful from so-called "experts". Despite these, the Raiders have picked "guaranteed" superstars, risky propositions, and players no one really understands. The following list covers the Top 10 Raiders draft moments, covering a wide variety of results.

The below 10 players (or pairs of players) represent either great drafts, players who exceeded expectations, or just perennial all-stars found via the draft.

10. 2003 – 1st Round – Nnamdi Asomugha – Highly touted out of Cal, and everyone figured he had potential, however, it wasn't expected that he become one of the top 2 corners in the league by his 5th year. His work ethic both on and off the field has proven he was well worth the choice.

9. 2000 – 5th Round – Shane Lechler – Late round picks are often used for kickers and punters, but few of those result in perennial pro-bowlers who lead the league repeatedly in net yardage.

8. 1995 – 1st Round – Napoleon Kaufman – Being local to UW, I knew what Kaufman could do. The Raiders discovered it as well, both from the backfield, as well as on kickoff returns. It's a bit of a reach for this list—however, what seemed like a reach to others at the time, was proved out by his performance over time.

7. 1981 – 2nd Round – Howie Long – dominated his position, and the league. He learned well from those around him and won a Super Bowl with the Raiders. Not even his performance in those Chevy commercials can detract from his performance in the Silver and Black.

6. 1987 – 7th Round – Bo Jackson – the Raiders took a flying leap, despite the fact he was playing baseball at the time. Sure enough, Jackson signed and showed up, and dominated the league. He attained immortality in two places – 1) the Kingdome, and 2) Tecmo Bowl.

5. 1988 – 1st Round – Tim Brown, Terry McDaniel — With these two picks in one round, the Raiders made the entire '88 class a success. Regardless of the other picks, these two played many years and led the Raiders to the playoffs repeatedly. They didn't get a Superbowl, but regardless showed they were worth the picks.

4. 1972 – 4th Round – Cliff Branch — combined with Casper and Stabler to form the triumvirate of Raider domination. The 3 of them set the standard for possession catches and vertical passing for the 70's.

3. 1977 – 1st Round – Lester Hayes – Hayes teamed with Mike Haynes and dominated the backfield for many years. The next drafted Raiders cornerback of the same caliber after him may be Asogmugha

2. 1974 – 2nd Round – Dave Casper — The Ghost to the Post was a staple of the Raiders offense for nearly a decade. He was also part of memorable plays, as well as rule-changing Holy Roller plays. He combined with Branch and Stabler into a very dangerous set of weapons.

1. 1968 – 2nd/3rd Rd – Ken Stabler and Art Shell – These two go without saying as all-time Raider greats. With Gene Upshaw (R.I.P – always a Raider) the year before, the Raiders built the foundation for their playoff success in the 70s. Every offensive line player and QB has been judged against the standard for success set by these two.

So, there it is. The quintessential, unarguable, best list of Top 10 Raider Draft picks ever. Or maybe not. Even if you disagree, it will only raise your anticipation of hearing those fateful words — "With the 7th Pick in the 2009 Draft, the Oakland Raiders select..."

And hopefully, just maybe, if we say our prayers and take our vitamins, that player will be on the next version of this list five years from now.

ESPN Top Ten Catchphrases of All Time

Jay Herres — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:27:54 -0400

Everyone knows ESPN, and for many of us, it's been the core sports network for a very long time. However, depending on your age, you may not remember early ESPN, showing Aussie Rules Football, D-II sporting events, and bass fishing.

Slowly but surely, ESPN picked up viewers. . .Sunday night football recaps became a staple, even to the point that the "real" networks started to copy the fledgling ESPN.

But, one of the key parts of the irreverent ESPN, before Keith Olbermann was a political fireplug and the "Patrick" everyone knew wasn't Danica, there was the catchphrase.

Before they became a cliched part of all highlight shows, they were a catchy, pithy remark which blended into the flow of the highlights. Something that added another layer to the replays.

This list is based on several factors: the humor in the phrase, the timing, and the overall impact of the phrase. Many anchors have used them, many have failed, but some have succeeded. This article is dedicated to those purveyors of their craft who have delivered in the clutch.

10. "He could go all the way. . .but not today." Even John McCain quoted this one, which shows how much it's been diluted. But back in the day, it was a big part of ESPN Primetime.

9. "He shoots, he scores." – an ESPN catchphrase, which crossed off of ESPN cable, onto Wayne's World, and into the pop lexicon for good.

8. "It's never iffy, if it's Griffey" – Kenny Mayne, trying hard not to sound like a Pacific Northwest Homer, and failing.

7. "Cool as the other side of the pillow". The lone Stuart Scott item in the list. It's such a great simile...or is it metaphor...regardless, it's a very poetic phrase, and much more marketable than his other now-overblown phrase "Boo-yah!"

6. "From way downtown...BANG!" - Another Olbermann standard, crossed from hoops to other sports, and again...into the hands of bad golfers trying to sound cool. Or worse – office guys shooting the proverbial wad of paper toward the trashcan, and missing.

5."It's deep, and I don't think it's playable." – What started as an Olbermann baseball HR call, is now used by lame duffers like myself who occasionally miss the fairway in the silly game with the little white ball.

4. "The other team's quarterback must go down, and he must go down hahd." - a Keith Olbermann phrase, most often attributed to Al Davis, including the old man's accent.

3. "I am amused by the simplicity of this game." - Kenny Mayne described a three-homer game by Albert Belle with this phrase.

2. "You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him." - A Dan Patrick staple, which has even crossed over into mocking a buddy. In a local hoops game, your pal misses 3 of 4, and sure enough "you can only hope to contain him" comes out.

1. "I don't know what that pitch was, but it tastes like chicken." - a Ken Griffey home run, and another Kenny Mayne contribution. It drew a chuckle from me, and my buddies that night.

Well, that about does it for this list. 4 Olbermann's, 3 Mayne's, a Patrick, a Berman and a Scott. I guess it shows that I'm a little bit old-school, a little bit down home. If video was able to kill the radio star, some catchphrases are immortal.

Well, I guess that concludes this list, and remember – "aloha means goodbye".

Gonzaga Vs Akron: Easy Street Or Skid Row?

Jay Herres — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:45:39 -0400

As the Zags prepare for their opening game—the standard questions apply: Is it a trap game against an underrated foe, or just another 13-seed vs. 4-seed that forces us to change the channel?

Akron just won the Mid-America tourney, after being the bridesmaid the last two years. Unfortunately, they drew a tough game against the Zags—who are red-hot after winning the WCC Tourney easily.

Akron has a solid roster of guys who share the ball—the "team" approach vs. a couple of stars running the floor supported by role players.

The Zags counter with a solid team approach, with an additional bonus of three stars—Heytvelt, Bouldin, Pargo, with a dash of Daye and Downs for seasoning.

Daye and Heytvelt have a few inches on their counterparts, and if they take advantage on the defensive glass, it could make for a long night for Akron.

If the Zags get out and run, it's done. However, if Akron can hang around and play tough defense, and if the Zags overlooked them a little, it could be closer than any of us expect.

If the Zags dispatch the Zips, then it's either Illinois or Western Kentucky. In case you're unaware, Kentucky is basketball territory, and Illinois just lost the Big Ten final to Purdue.

The Illini match up better against the Zags than Akron, and have played some tough games both home and away.

So, the Zags will have to be ready to shut down McCamey, Davis, or Tisdale to throw the Illini off their game. The Illini played some tough Big Ten teams, so they won't flinch against the Zags.

However, a scary "trap" matchup for the Zags would be Western Kentucky. They're smaller, but fast, and have played some tough games, and crushed some teams—but they haven't seen a team with a defense like the Zags to this point.

Bottom line—my gut is that the Zags will easily handle Akron, and if Western Kentucky manages to beat Illinois, then the Zags can take them too.

However, if the Illini take care of business—then the Zags A-game will be in demand early on in the tourney. But this time in the first two rounds—no one will sneak up on them like Davidson did.

Gonzaga Bracket-Bulldog-Y

Jay Herres — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:23:54 -0400

So, the Gonzaga Bulldogs won the WCC Tournament.

Big deal. They have won it five out of six times in a row.

So, they won the conference regular season title. Big deal, especially since they have done it nine times in a row.

What is not to like?

Well, it is tournament time. For the last dozen or so years, the Zags have ceased being judged for the regular season, and are judged by their tournament performance. This year is no different.

So, who will they face? Who can break them down? Who will they get medieval on?

Based on the global super-bracketometer, I am projecting the Bulldogs at between a three to a five seed, depending on how other teams do. So, that means they could get a first round game against someone 12th-14th or so.

Lets see how they break down?

We will assume the Zags get popped in a bracket with one of the biggies, such as Pitt, UNC, UConn, Louisville, and Memphis. Once that piece is out of the way, they have two quick games before it gets interesting.

They have a tough defense. When they are hitting on all cylinders, the Bulldogs can run with just about anybody.

Looking at the lower seed teams, it comes down to the number of "exceptional" players. If we use the number of 14-pt scorers over the season as a measure, any of the lower teams that are out there.

Penn State (2), WeberState (1), Michigan (2), or South Carolina (2) could provide a challenge for the Zags.

They all are athletic teams with some guys who can run. And as Davidson showed last year, Gonzaga is beatable by a team with some speed and a superstar shooter.

That second game could get dicey. Washington (3), Xavier (2), or Villanova (2) will give the Zags (2.5) all that they can handle.

A higher-ranked team with more even balance and more athletes to run with the Zags will be a problem. Using Washington as the example, they would put Brockman on Heytvelt, Dentmon on Bouldin, and Thomas on Pargo.

If those guys cancel each other out, it will depend on the bench.

For the Bulldogs, the bench is the key. Can Daye, Downs, Gray, and Goodson make the difference?

They have done it from time to time over the course of the year. But can they do it in the clutch? Even in the WCC tournament, the Zags did not face much of a challenge, but they have over the year.

Going back to the UConn game - which the Zags effectively threw away in the clutch - they had 4 players in double digit scoring, and one more with 9 from the bench. 31 boards spread across 7 guys. They've got to share the rock to move on in the bracket.

Bottom line, for the early games just put them away. Any first round game is dangerous, and the Zags need to show the killer instinct they showed in the WCC tournament. No prisoners.

Match one of the big guns on their star player, and let the boys clean up the rest.

Over the past couple years, the Zags have been unwilling to step on the throats of the little teams. Maybe it is a religious school thing, but they can be generous in the offseason, not the Big Dance.

For the later games, it is go time. The Zags will need to look back at the past season and remember two games in particular, the Memphis beat-down and the UConn loss. Both extremes will not let the Bulldogs fall prey to over confidence, or not finishing games.

The way I see it, the Zags just have to play within themselves, and draw on their hearts. Since their losing streak, they have played with guts and moxie, and played smart.

They have been around the block now, and can count on that experience to get them wins when it counts.

And if they do that, they can play with anybody, including UNC, UConn, and Pitt, or anyone.

Gonzaga Bulldogs: WCC Outlook: All Bark or Still a Bite?

Jay Herres — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:01:47 -0500

Nearing the halfway point of the WCC schedule, the Zags find themselves in their familiar spot of first place. However, at times this year, the Zags have shows an Achilles heel or two along the way—and have just been fortunate that these have come in their non-conference schedule.

In order for the Zags to win their 11th regular-season division championship in the last 12 years, there are a few key components that will be critical to their success or failure:

1) Ignore the Media

The Zags should avoid reading (or at least believing) any of the press. When it's good, they can fall to a team that they should beat. If its bad, they seem to believe it, and start a mini-slide. One of the key factors to judge if they aren't being "themselves" is the color of Coach Few's face at the eight or 10-minute mark of the first half.

If it's in the crimson-spectrum, somebody forgot their identity—or their assignment. The Zags need to know they are better than the opponent, and play like it. It may sound like a cliche, but with such a young bench in a tightening division—it still fits.

2) Show Their Age

The Zags start three Seniors, supported by a couple of strong Juniors. These guys need to play like it. If you've watched the games I have, you've seen the occasional lapses, the showboat plays, and the occasional "what the..?" moments.

Yes, this is the college game, but these guys should show what four yrs of a Few-caliber team can do. No more silly mistakes. Knowing where you are on the floor, what the score is, etc. Think of Chris Webber in the NCAA Championship, and then do the opposite.

3) Never forget a lesson

These Bulldogs have played some tough games. They've lost some heart-breakers. With one or two fewer lapses (see No. 2) they've had beaten Connecticut in Seattle, which could have set the tone.

As it stands, they bookended it with a couple other losses, and in order to get through their conference and the dance, they need to remember the losses. Not just the punch in the gut from the loss, but the "make one more pass", "finish", and "fundamentals" lessons from along the way.

4) Love the bulls-eye

The past decade has put Gonzaga near the top of D-1 ball. This means that every team will be out to get them. In their division, they are now the only game that counts. Many of the teams aren't going to any tourneys—but want a piece of the big dog to make their season.

Used to be the Dogs could sneak up on people, now they have to make sure no one sneaks up on them. The Zags can be like Rocky Balboa against Clubber Lang in the final bout - each punch the opponent throws, the Zags just smile and say "You ain't so bad!"

5) Bouldin. Downs. Daye.

Sure, Pargo and Heytvelt are the easy picks for key players, but from my perspective these three are the engine that makes things go.

Bouldin can either be the stabilizing force, or the disruptive one. When he's making plays, the Zags are usually winning.

Downs fills in the gaps, and plays at 10,000 rpm every time he's in there. His fire is infectious, and the Zags need that spark.

Daye's the wild card. Every so often, he's two years from High School—then suddenly he's two years from going pro. He can take over a game, crash the glass, and finish with authority. His ability to transition from Sophomore role player to Junior leader will be a huge factor in the length of the Bulldogs season.

6) Finish him!

In the old Mortal Kombat games, when you had an opponent beaten down, the game would say, "Finish him!!" This is exactly what the Zags need to do. Develop that killer instinct for every game.

In some games we've seen it, but not all. In today's bout with San Diego, it was there. In Thursday night's game, the Zags couldn't put away a team who lost their best scorer to injury.

Sure it's a long season, but the Zags only have eight games left before the WCC Tourney.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are in great position to keep playing deep into March (or even April). However, the factors above will play a significant role. There are three angry teams within two games of the Zags. Each one of them is good enough to exploit any weakness that is shown.

It really comes down to the fundamentals: Forget your last game. Focus on the challenge at hand. Fill the lane. Finish your opponents.

Oakland Raiders Need to Learn How to "Just Win, Baby"

Jay Herres — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:14:46 -0500

If you were on a deserted island for the last two years and returned just now, you'd read the following:

Arizona Cardinals Play in the Super Bowl

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Compete in the World Series

Oakland Raiders Return to League's Elite

Okay, I made up the last one, but based on those first two, is it really so far-fetched?

If Al gets a real GM, a solid coach, and modernizes his philosophy, it's not that outrageous. Oakland has solid young talents at the running back and quarterback spots, and a good free agent or drafted wideout will change that offense.

A new coordinator can revitalize the defense because the talent is there. Just misplaced.

Right now there are three major steps between the Raiders and a return to prominence:

1) Hiring a General Manager

Al needs to find another guy like the "old" Bruce Allen. (Yes, Allen's available, but that's not my point.)

When Allen was with the Raiders, he provided balance between the coach and ownership, a fresh perspective that we haven't had in years.

(The "new" Bruce Allen started drinking his own Kool-Aid and presided over Gruden bringing in a ton of ex-Raiders and 17 quarterbacks in a three-year span. None of them panned out.)

If the Raiders had someone who could help provide an additional perspective on talent, they could have avoided spending so much on has-beens this past summer, and could have addressed more specific needs in free agency.

Al has said he will bring in a GM, it's now just a question of who and when.

2) Finding a Tone-Setting Head Coach

Which type of head coach will Al choose?

A head coach with an offensive slant, leaving the defense to struggle, a defensive stud dependent on an offensive coordinator to drive the other side of the ball, or a head coach who sets the tone for the team and counts on both coordinators?

I believe the third option is the best choice. Tom Cable set the tone for the team over the last few weeks and brought back some of that Raider swagger.

If Oakland can find that tone-setting head coach and surround him with good coordinators, they can turn it around quickly. Most successful teams find head coaches who can be best defined as leaders.

Bill Belichick has proven that it's his singular leadership that drives the Pats, not the X's and O's of a Crennel or Weis.

Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt both have history as experts on one side of the ball, but appear to focus more on leading their teams as a whole.

I'm not going to make recommendations here, but the Raiders need a leader more than an offensive or defensive guru as their next head coach.

3) Bringing Back the Swagger

Where has it gone?

The Raiders have talented players in a flawed system. In the recent past, petty battles within the organization have been distractions for the team. And the losing has tainted some of that classic Raider luster.

They need that swagger back. Part of it comes from winning and being professional.

The Raiders have too many guys celebrating a tackle when they're down by three scores. They need the type of players that can take a team's best punch and be determined to return it with interest.

Teams need to know that when they play the Raiders, they're going to take some hits. And that there's a good chance they'll lose.

If Al Davis addresses the first two items, the third will soon follow. With strong and consistent leadership, the Raiders can be rebuilt. The players have to walk on the field and remember that they are the Oakland %#*!#@(% Raiders!

And for those who need a reminder: The autumn wind is a Raider. Pillaging just for fun. He'll knock you 'round and upside down, and laugh when he's conquered and won.

Oakland Raiders' Draft Options for 2009

Jay Herres — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:52:24 -0500

The Raiders are drafting No. 7 overall. Seven. Not necessarily the "home run" pick that leads to a McFadden or a Russell, but still a top 10 pick with some potential.

So, as we begin our journey to figure out what the Raiders could/would/should do with the pick, I'll go thru the needs, and then talk about a few players after that.

First off, the Offense.

QB - We're set with Russell, and either Tui or Walter as a backup.

RB by Committee - Fargas, McFadden, and the recently re-discovered Bush are solid.

TE - Solid here with Miller and friends.

WR - Walker is definitely risky (at this point, only two good seasons since '02). Lelie only plays over-the-top vs Denver. Curry has forgotten how to catch, but Higgins and Schilens can play. Watkins and some other bit players have some potential, but potential don't pay the bills.

OL - I think the line did okay this year. I think the shift to zone blocking was a success, but only late in the season did we find the right combination of players.

Overall on offense, I think the biggest need is wide receiver. I personally believe that WR is the biggest need we have on offense. If you look at the old Cowboys model, the Bills model, and even the Giants, there's a "triplet" group that forms the core for an offense.

An elite runner creates space for a wideout, and vice versa. Right now, we don't really scare anyone, so they stack up against the run.

Defense

DL - We've got loads of guys, some over-paid, but in general a good core. However, our defense did not improve this year.

LB - Interesting group, but too many injuries to Brown, et la, to get a good feel. Morrison and Howard did well (although Howard was much better in my Madden 2009 season). The unit was hit pretty hard by injuries. A young stud could help out here.

CB - I feel pretty good about Asomugha, and whoever's opposite him. Depending on how our Lechler/Asomugha quandary goes, this could suddenly become a need. If we don't lose Asomugha, I wouldn't waste a pick here.

Safety - Huff didn't really make the huge leap we hoped for with his move to free safety, but Wilson did well, when not covering for our burned corners early in the year.

Special Teams

Janikowski's fine, and someday his Polish Cannon leg will win a game from 58-60 yards. Someday. Lechler is a superstar. I hope that we can keep him, but he's caught in the Asomugha/Lechler quandary of dollars.

On one hand, I think Lechler could stay, based on the positive vibes from the Cable-regime. On the other hand, he's witnessed some crazy stuff and may just want to go someplace stable.

Okay, so with that background, let me give you some ideas of where we might go (in no particular order).

1) Get a wideout

Finish out our triplets. Russell's career would skyrocket if he had a "separation" guy out there.

Get Michael Crabtree at all costs. He's a game changer—like Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson—this guy can flat out play. However, the Hawks have even fewer receivers than we do, and they're ahead of us in the draft. If Crabtree isn't there, and Maclin comes out; I'm not sure he's the same level, but it might be worth considering.

2) Go offensive lineman

Andre Smith, Jason Smith, or Eugene Monroe could all give us a lift over some of our weaker links. If we put a stud with Gallery and Henderson, we could have a great foundation for the future of our new zone-blocking scheme.

3) Go linebacker

Depending on who we get for a GM, and who we get for a Defensive Coordinator—if we shift to 3-4 or something, then a linebacker would be a good fit. Curry and Malauga are both good options here.

4) Trade down

This option is a little scarier, but it gives us the chance to go for other options. There's a bunch of DEs, DTs, and LBs in the top 30, and a couple first rounders would help us address more needs, and also get us some cap relief.

Summary

If we can address the WR need via free agency (Houshmandzadeh perhaps—averaged almost 10 yards a catch on a bad team) then that changes the draft perspective.

This is where we really need a GM to balance all of our needs against the draft and free agency. Someone who could decide—trade Fargas for a veteran wideout, or keep Fargas and shift the offense a little. I think after the past year, that Davis will hopefully not be quite as active in the "overpay for people to come to Oakland" category.

Those are the potential paths as I see them. I for one am gonna put a wideout wish under my pillow on the night of Apr. 24, 2009. Now we'll just see if that wish can come true.

Oakland Raiders' Head-Coach Candidates: The Dirty Baker's Dozen

Jay Herres — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:11:50 -0500

In order to be the head coach for the Raiders, the following qualities are key:

Ability to manage chaos
Ability to deal with a circus at times
Experience managing veterans, rookies, media, and front office folks
Creativity, Adaptability, Flexibility

I believe those first two skills are the key ones. The other two are more typical of any of the jobs open right now. As I looked at the possibilities out there, especially given that there are now five openings: Denver (Yea, baby!), Detroit, Jets, Browns, and da Raidehs.

Each of the openings requires a different skill set, but I think that the ownership situation in Oakland is key. I believe that it would be in our best interests to hire a GM before a head coach, but I don't think that should actually happen.

So, let's take a look at the candidates—regardless of whether they've been denied or confirmed by anyone.

(In no particular order)

1) Dennis Green - His name always circulates, because he's "friends" with Al Davis. However, he's been gone too long, and his rough edges in Minneapolis and Arizona wouldn't do well in Oaktown. Odds: 100:1

2) Bill Cowher - After the Super Bowl win, everyone has decided that he's the next Holmgren/Belichick. I disagree, because, as I recall, his team's did not handle prosperity well in the playoffs and often lost to lesser teams.

In addition, he can write his ticket in the current environment and could end up in Denver (and the subsequent roster turnover from Shanny's patsies to Cowher types bodes well for my Raiders). Odds 50:1

3) Jim Harbaugh - I'm not sure why folks are so high on him (although his brother did well with Billick's roster), but I think he's got to stay at Stanford to finish the job he started before he makes the next jump. Odds: 25:1

4) Mike Martz - Puhleeze. He's an offensive coordinator with delusions of grandeur. He's too arrogant, and again, he hasn't done anything in recent years to warrant even a first look, let alone a second. Even with Al's love of offense, Martz is damaged goods. Odds 75:1

5) Steve Spagnuolo - Defensive-minded guy, rumored for other jobs. I don't see a defensive coach coming to Oaktown. Odds 50:1

6) Marc Trestman - Former Oaktown guy, knows the environment, but I don't see it. I think that he's been out of it a little too long, and he may not even want to return to the current Raiders situation. Odds 25:1

7) Hue Jackson - Going from QB Coach for a rookie coach to Head Coach at one of the most chaotic and challenging environments doesn't strike me as very good odds for success. We've already seen what a coach who's trying to make his first gig with the Raiders can look like. Thanks Lance. Odds 25:1

8) Paul Hackett - Re-tread NFL coordinator from past lives. I don't think he's head-coach material, and he fails my "creativity" criteria above. Odds 100:1

9) Eric Mangini - Rejected Jets guy who never really was given much to work with. Pennington had injuries, and their drafts left a lot to be desired offensively. In addition, he's not a good communicator and is defensive minded. Not a good match for Oakland's world. Odds 100:1

10) Jim Fassel - The ultimate retread. Yes, he's been in Oakland before and did a pretty good job in NY during his time there. However, I think that NY is completely different from Oakland, and the roster is in a different place as well.

Our path to success is via the younger guys, and we need a guy who can relate to them well. I don't think Fassel is that guy. Odds 20:1

11) James Lofton - Recent hire by Al. Seems to have done a good job with the wideouts this year. Hasn't been a coordinator, so the jump to head coach would be a challenge.

In addition, with Al's propensity for hiring a coaching staff in pieces, it could be tough for James to pull them all together. The flip side is—if you went with an inexperienced coach, maybe they'd lean on Al's patchwork staff more, and that could be successful. Odds 12:1

12) Rob Ryan - I think Rob Ryan will leave the team if he's not made head coach. I also think that his chance to take the team was when Kiffin left. Davis didn't pick him them (even though he interviewed for the head coach previously), so that says a lot. Odds 15:1

13) Tom Cable - Cable has done a good job the last several weeks. I believe he's gotten the players minds turned around and won the last three of six, including the "spoiler" role against Tampa in a meaningless cross-country game for our folks.

I believe Davis sees that potential. It would be interesting to see what Cable would do in growing from this experience, surviving in Oakland, and starting with his own playbook and some new assistants. Odds 4:1

The one person I didn't list here is Bill Parcells. He'd be a great fit—for the front office. I still don't think he'll choose us, but if he did, I don't think it would be as Coach.

Depending on how Al handles the hiring of the GM and Head Coach, as well as how much Al changes based on the past two seasons total failure with Kiffin, and newfound success with Cable, it could be anybody's guess to see what happens.

I believe that Cable has shown some good qualities—especially the last two weeks, as well as a willingness to do it his way. Even with the failed fake FG with Seabass "Wheels" Janikowski around the end, he still stuck to his guns. He's definitely gotten rid of most of the garbage that Kiffin pumped into the system and into guy's heads.

If Al chooses someone other than Cable, then instead of 2009 being a "building on 2008" year, it becomes a "start from scratch year", b/c we'd have new DC, new HC, and new GM.

Those items combine to make it a very tough year, depending on how the above decisions are made. My personal hope is to minimize change, stabilize the organization, and get started moving forward.

In order to do that, call the Cable Guy!

Raiders: Signs Of Hope?

Jay Herres — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:39:49 -0500

You know, I don't really bear a grudge against Gruden—much—other than the fact he stole a Superbowl by using our playbook against us, being the only one of 16 NFC teams who would have beaten us that day. Oh well.

But, that's all in the past... Gruden's just some guy, as is Tampa Bay just some team. We take absolutely no additional pleasure in beating them at home. Really, we don't. And it certainly adds no joy to the game that we knocked them out of the playoffs, at home, coming in as a 4-11 team with nothing to play for.

MWAHAHAHAAHAHHAA!!! We knocked em out, paid back everybody, Gru-dog/Chucky, Kiffin's Dad, Bruce Allen, everybody. Sure, Davis is still nuts, and the offseason will be a little scary, but for now—it feels good!

I think that Cable might be head coach material. He's gotten the team fired up for the last 2 games—both meaningless—and won them both. He cut loose with all the young guys—Johnnie Lee Higgins, Schilens, Russell, Gallery, McFadden, and today's poster boy, Michael "Don't call me a tailback" Bush! You should check out the highlights here. It was a beautiful thing!

In term's of my season-ending thoughts:

First, Cable is worth a serious look as head coach. He's clearly got the leadership skills and attention of the team. He cut loose with Kiffin/Knapp's playbook, and did more with it than they did in the previous weeks. I just don't know if Davis will fill out his staff for him, or if he'll have some input. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lofton become the Offensive Coordinator at Davis' behest.

Next, please let us get a real, non-retread GM. I know that the performance of the young guys lately could lead some to think we've been good with talent, but I just don't see it. We need structure and consistency around our selection of draftees—but more importantly—free agents.

But, when it's all said and done, I'm still a Raider. As much fun as it was to write the article for ESPN, and toy with the idea of freeing myself from the past six years, I'm still a Raider. Besides, I've still got tons of Raiders garanimals to wear. And, rightly or wrongly, these are still my boys, and I live and die with them.

Besides, I very much enjoyed beating Chucky in his house, being his fourth loss, and sending him to the showers for the offseason. So much for his mighty offensive mind... but I'm not bitter.