Oakland Raiders Hire Dennis Allen: How Move Could Restore True Raider Football

Roughly two weeks after the Oakland Raiders hired Reggie McKenzie to be their new general manager, the team named former Broncos' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, pending a contractual agreement.

McKenzie had previously been quoted as saying that he wanted "his own guy" to fill the head coaching vacancy, which led many to speculate that the Raiders would turn to McKenzie's former assistant head coach in Green Bay, Winston Moss.

However, while the hiring of Dennis Allen is a stray from recent tradition of offensive-minded head coaches like Norv Turner, Jon Gruden and most recently, Hue Jackson, it may have been the one that Oakland needed to make to return to the hard-nosed style of play that many have associated with Raider football.

Dennis Allen, whose name is not one that the casual football fan may know, is arguably the one to whom the 2011 Broncos' late-season success should most be attributed.  As Tim Tebow received the praise and publicity for the Broncos' turnaround, it was the defense, led by Allen, that really carried the team.

The Bronco defense, anchored by Pro Bowl defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil and rookie linebacker Von Miller, allowed only 20.8 points per game over the second half of the season during which they climbed into playoff position, which was down from 28 points per game over the first eight contests.  The defense also was quite opportunistic, ranking second in the league in defensive touchdowns (six) and 10th in sacks (41).

Allen's defensive-mindedness should improve an Oakland defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in nearly every defensive statistical category.  The Raiders finished the 2011 season 29th in both points and yards allowed, including a 27th place finish in both rushing and passing yards allowed per game.

An improved Raider defense would complement an already strong offense led by QB Carson Palmer, who will be entering his first full season with the team and the return of running back Darren McFadden, who ranked among the league leaders in rushing before being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.

Pair these leaders with emerging young receivers like Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, and the Raiders could be a potential perennial contender in the AFC West for years to come.

A stray from the usual in this case should really prove beneficial to the Raiders, who have the chance with a couple strong defensive draft picks and a new system to restore the tough style of football that guys like Bill Romonowski and Ronnie Lott made so famous in the Bay Area.

Only time and effort will determine if the Raiders can return to their heydays of the 70s and 80s, but the hiring of a defensive-minded coach like Dennis Allen is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.  

The return of "Da Raidas" could be closer than most may think, something "The Black Hole" has been waiting to hear for quite some time.