Oakland Raiders: Is Hue Jackson Crazy To Accept the Raiders Job?
Oakland Raiders now have a coach, just like every other team out there in the NFL. What a novel concept!
The Raiders were more than a week behind other teams in their head coaching search, but they filled the vacancy yesterday when they promoted offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to the top gig.
Since setting foot on the field at Qualcomm Stadium in Super Bowl XXXVII, the Raiders have been a borderline disastrous franchise.
But the Raiders did show signs of turning it around in 2010. Of course they fired Tom Cable, the man who oversaw the minor resurgence.
Raiders head coaches have failed miserably ever since Jon Gruden left, and many promising candidates have turned down the job, so why would Hue Jackson take it?
Here are 10 reasons why.
No. 10: Jason Campbell
1 of 10
No one would put Jason Campbell on their list of top 10 NFL quarterbacks. Putting him inside a top 20 might even be a stretch.
But Campbell did show some promise towards the end of the 2010 season. He was excellent in the loss to Jacksonville (aside from the last play) and played well in the loss to Indianapolis.
And in the four victories over Kansas City and San Diego, Campbell threw four touchdowns against just one interception.
Campbell is a very good runner as well, and since he will finally be playing in the same offense for the second straight year (Jackson's offense), he should continue to improve.
No. 9: Across the Bay, They're Starting Over Too
2 of 10
Both teams by the bay have been major disappointments since 2002 and continue to churn through head coaches.
But if the 49ers are the nearest measuring stick for the Raiders, Hue Jackson has a slight leg up on their closest regional rival.
Jackson isn't starting from scratch in Oakland. He'll keep his offense and probably keep a good majority of the assistants there under Tom Cable.
Jim Harbaugh is starting from scratch in San Francisco and is going to have to transition from the college game to the pros.
At least in that first season, Jackson's Raiders should be better than Harbaugh's 49ers.
And don't think the press won't praise him for it since he will be terribly underpaid compared to Harbaugh.
No. 8: Al Davis Wants To Win
3 of 10
Al Davis is many things: crazy, delusional, impulsive, short-sighted, behind-the-times, etc.
But he does want to win. Badly.
It's been more than a quarter century since the Ray-dahs hoisted a Lombardi Trophy.
He's been at the helm of the franchise for a quarter century now, and he wants to see another championship: Davis does turn 82 in a few months.
Now they kind of blew the deal with Nnamdi Asomugha, but Davis and the front office should dig deep into their pockets this offseason and be very active in the free agent market, especially since they do not have a first round pick.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 7: Compared to Lane Kiffin and Tom Cable, Hue Jackson Is John Madden
4 of 10
The last few Raiders head coaches have been public relations disasters for the franchise.
Tom Cable (allegedly) punched a fellow assistant coach and was investigated by the police.
Lane Kiffin, well, you know that story: He and Davis got into an ugly and childish spat through the media.
And the Bill Callahan era was equally disastrous, as he publicly stated that the Raiders were "the dumbest team in America."
As long as Jackson avoids that kind of off-the-field trouble (and nothing in his past suggests he cannot), just by comparison, his tenure in Oakland will be far smoother than anything since the early 1990s.
No. 6: A Solid Defense
5 of 10
According to the Sporting News, Nnamdi Asomugha might not bolt Oakland after all.
But even if he doesn't come back in 2011, the Raiders defense, which finished last season ranked second against the pass and 11th overall, has several good players.
Richard Seymour probably still has a year or two left of excellent play. Michael Huff is a top-notch safety and only 27 years old.
And by next year, Rolando McClain, Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves could develop into one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL and remain as such for the next half-decade.
No. 5: Special Teams
6 of 10
Every NFL head coach preaches the importance of being "sound in the kicking game" and having good special teams.
And although the Raiders finished 8-8, lost four of their last seven games and missed the playoffs, they did have excellent special teams, perhaps the best all-around collection in the NFL.
Jacoby Ford was an outstanding returner, taking three kickoffs back for scores.
Shane Lechler finished first in the AFC in average and net average, earning a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl spot.
Sebastian Janikowski was tied for the league lead with 33 field goals, including four-of-seven from 50+.
If special teams truly are "one-third of the game", then the Raiders have an advantage over most teams they play.
No. 4: The Bar Is Low
7 of 10
Prior to this season's 8-8 finish, the Raiders had lost double-digit games ever year since their Super Bowl run in 2002.
That is one of the reasons why the Raiders were the "it" team for a while this year: They actually held a share of first place in the division lead in early November.
If Jackson can somehow get Oakland to a winning record and/or a playoff berth, he would become a regional icon. That isn't the type of ceiling Leslie Frazier or Jason Garrett are working with in Minnesota and Dallas.
No. 3: Talented Receivers
8 of 10
Darius Heyward-Bey has definitely been a disappointment in two seasons: The seventh overall pick has only 35 catches. But he did have a few decent games this year, including a 105-yard effort against Seattle.
But it's Heyward-Bey's fellow young receivers who should intrigue Hue Jackson.
Louis Murphy caught 41 passes for 609 yards, nice numbers for a fourth round pick two years ago.
In addition to his special teams prowess, Jacoby Ford led the team with an 18.8 yards per reception stat on 25 catches.
Zach Miller was again one of the top tight ends in the AFC this season, leading the team with 60 catches, 685 yards and five touchdowns.
To an offensive mind like Jackson, those tools will be put to great use.
No. 2: The AFC West Can Be Had
9 of 10
The 2010 Raiders became the first NFL team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to finish with a perfect record in their division and not reach the playoffs.
While it's sad that the Raiders were so poor outside of the AFC West (they went 2-8), their 6-0 mark in the division has to be promising to Jackson.
They manhandled the Broncos, who are also starting over this year. They physically whipped the Chargers, the bully of the AFC West. And they thumped the AFC West champion Chiefs in the season finale.
Even if the Raiders don't improve that much, considering how the Seahawks reached the playoffs this year, another 6-0 mark in the division will likely lead to a playoff spot.
No. 1: Darren McFadden
10 of 10
It took him a few seasons to get there, but third-year back Darren McFadden blossomed into one of the league's best runners this year.
Despite missing three games due to injury, McFadden rushed for 1,157 yards on just 223 carries, a stellar 5.2-yard average.
If McFadden can stay healthy in 2011, he is a good candidate to win the rushing title. And if that happens, given their talent in the passing game, the Raiders could have one of the AFC's best offenses.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")