The Latest Buzz on Potential Replacements for Ex-Raiders Coach Hue Jackson

According to Paul Gutierrez of CSN Bay Area, the Oakland Raiders and GM Reggie McKenzie are beginning the search for a new coach:

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"The search will begin immediately," McKenzie said in his introductory media conference Tuesday. "We would start the interview process. I have my short list. The criteria is it doesn't matter offense or defense of my coaches. We just want a winner, a guy we feel can lead this team and move it forward as we embark here on this new era."

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That being said, not too many names have been tossed around; however, the sooner the Raiders replace Hue Jackson the better, as the offseason isn't going to wait around.

Winston Moss

Getting back to Paul Gutierrez's article, Winston Moss has been mentioned:

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The obvious name to come about is that of Winston Moss, Green Bay's Winston Moss, the Packers' assistant head coach/inside linebackers and a former Raiders linebacker.

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A defensive coach, Moss would be a good fit as the Raiders desperately need to improve their dark side. The Raiders allowed almost 390 total yards per game and ranked No. 27 against the pass and rush, respectively.

Plus with Moss being a former Raider, how could Oakland go wrong?

The offense isn't the problem as their rushing attack is among the best in the league. As long as they can get a solid offensive coach, the ground game will easily help setup the pass with their speedy receivers.

Moss has been an NFL coach since 1998 and has been with the Packers since 2006. Needless to say he has the postseason experience applicable to quickly turn the Raiders around.

Darren Perry

According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, another Packers coach may be of interest to Oakland:

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There is no guarantee that McKenzie will hire someone from the Packers organization, but he spent the past 17 years in Green Bay and established some deep relationships as a matter of course. The Packers have two assistants with ties to the Raiders -- assistant head coach/inside linebackers Winston Moss and safeties coach Darren Perry.

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In already having mentioned Winston Moss, let's take a gander at Darren Perry.

Perry played in the NFL from 1992-2000 mainly with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-98) and earned an All-Pro selection after the 1994 NFL season.

Since his retirement, he began coaching in 2002 with Cincinnati, went back to the Steelers from 2003-2006 (Super Bowl XL winner) and was with the Raiders in 2007 and 2008 before joining Green Bay in 2009.

Obviously a defensive-minded coach, Perry isn't a bad choice but he doesn't appear to be the ideal candidate like Winston Moss. That being said, if Oakland really wants to make strides in 2012, they will hire Moss as the head coach and make Perry the defensive coordinator/assistant head coach.

Either way though, with Moss and/or Perry coming from Titletown, the Raiders would be making a good decision to address their weak defense that performed in 2011.

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