Oakland Raiders: 10 Changes Al Davis Must Let Hue Jackson Make Immediately
The once proud Oakland Raiders franchise has seen better days; we know this.
The 2010 season marked the first time in eight years that the Raiders won more than five games since 2002, an incredible stat for a team that won 33 games between 2000-2002.
The past eight seasons they have won only 37 games; they lost 91.
Oakland owner Al Davis is one of the most important owners in football, but as of late he has been a bit "off".
Davis has fired five different coaches since the 2002 season and has spent time squabbling over money with almost all of them.
While he was once one of the best at what he did, his power and drive to do things his way has cost his franchise success in recent seasons.
The Raiders went 8-8 in 2010, went 6-0 in the division, and almost doubled their point total from 2009.
Former coach Tom Cable had the support of the locker room, but it was Hue Jackson's offense that made the Raiders an actual non-loser this past season.
If Al Davis wants his Raiders to return to greatness, he has to let Hue Jackson do it his way.
No. 10: Show Stability
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Al Davis has had five different coaches come and go since the 2002 season. That does not bode well for franchise stability.
Tom Cable actually got the Raiders on track, at least for the time being, and turned in the first non-losing season in eight years; Davis did not pick up his option.
Jackson should be brought in and shown a long-term commitment to helping this team complete their turnaround.
If Jackson is rewarded as the guy in place for the foreseeable future, it will likely attract more attention to Oakland as a potential free agent landing spot, and show to the players already on the team that Davis is committed to truly doing what is best for his football team.
While this has more to do with Al, it hinges on Jackson.
No. 9: Stay Out Of The Way
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This has everything to do with Al.
His inability to allow a coach any reign over what is going on inside the Raider locker room has been an absolute nightmare.
Davis has spent time in litigation with coaches over money, has consistently reached too far for players in the draft, and has simply been more of a problem to whomever his coach is rather than a help.
Davis was once phenomenal, but the game has changed completely since that time.
He needs to leave Hue Jackson alone if he wants this coaching gig to last more than two seasons.
No. 8: Make Necessary Staff Changes When Needed
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Hue Jackson's move up the ladder means that he should be able to put who and what he needs on his staff in Oakland.
Whether it be this season, or next, or whatever season it is, Jackson needs to be able to make any and all necessary coaching changes for his staff.
Only Jackson will know what his team needs to be successful and the coaches on his staff are an extension of what he does.
Davis will have to give Jackson whatever he wants if the coach is going to survive with in Oakland.
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No. 7: Discipline The Football Team
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The 2010 Oakland Raiders led the league in penalties - shocker, I know.
But undisciplined play can damage a team tremendously, especially in close games.
Hue Jackson must make it a priority to do any and all the necessary things to make sure his Raiders play sound, effective, and smart football.
Yes, the Raiders of old were some of the dirtiest players to ever play the game, but in this day in age, it can truly kill any team's momentum.
Jackson has to clean up the Raiders on-field discipline.
No. 6: Bring In A Veteran Presence at Wide Receiver
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The Raiders have spent a lot of draft picks on young, talented wide receivers in recent years.
Darrius Heyward Bey, Chaz Schilens, Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy could all be playmakers on the NFL level, but it could never hurt to have a veteran who has been doing it in the league for some time to come in and help.
Veteran free agent wide receivers will include Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Santana Moss, and potentially Chad Ochocinco.
Randy Moss will never lineup in Oakland again.
Owens may be too much of a distraction, but cannot be ruled out.
Santonio Holmes will likely re-sign in New York.
Braylon Edwards, depending on the status of Holmes, could be a potential target.
Santana Moss consistently produces and would not be a bad addition.
Ochocinco has played under Jackson before and makes for an interesting target. The Bengals are unlikely to pick his $6 million option at the end of the season.
However the free agent market plays out, adding a veteran on the outside can only help the Raiders' young talent.
No. 5: Bring Back Nnamdi Asomugha
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The Raiders' star cornerback is an extremely valuable player.
Asomugha's contract was voided at season's end, but he has not ruled out a return to Oakland.
The cornerback will be a highly sought after commodity on the open market; his talents are too much to pass up.
If the Raiders want to seriously consider becoming a threat to win the AFC West again and contending on a yearly basis, Asomugha needs to be wearing Silver and Black.
Allowing the defense's best player to get away is foolish for a team that is getting better.
There is no "addition by subtraction" when losing Asomugha, the Raiders would simply be worse without him.
No. 4: Sign Other Core Free Agents
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Along with Nnamdi, the Raiders have other top talents they need to consider keeping as well.
Oakland traded this year's first round pick to New England for Richard Seymour; they need to consider him as such and bring him back to the team.
Other talented players such as tight end Zach Miller, safety Michael Huff, running back Michael Bush, and guard Robert Gallery could all potentially land on new teams next season, as well.
The Raiders are not expected to return all of these players, but they need to bring back a good portion of them.
Seymour, Miller and Bush should be top priority players to secure if the Raiders want to continue their turnaround.
No. 3: Draft What Hue Jackson Needs, Not What Al Davis Wants
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There has been countless documentation on Al Davis' inability to separate need from pure speed in NFL drafts.
The most athletic players in the draft are always on Oakland's radar, but this season, without a first round pick, the Raiders will have to be thorough and draft players that can contribute to this team's turnaround immediately.
While Davis has found some play makers in Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy and Michael Bush in later rounds, he has overextended for dominant athletes too many times and the Raiders cannot afford to ever have another JaMarcus Russell if they plan on being winners.
With no first round pick this season it may actually be a blessing in disguise and the Raiders owner needs to let Jackson get the players he needs to help this team, not the players Al is enamored with.
No. 2: Find His Quarterback
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Jason Campbell had a decent season for the Raiders in 2010, but he also found the bench twice.
If Jackson believes Campbell is the guy to give Oakland the best chance to win football games in 2011, he has to make that adjustment and stick with it.
Campbell was acquired during the draft process one season ago and now he should be able to take full advantage of an off-season with a guaranteed head coach that he has already worked with.
If for whatever reason Campbell is not the answer, Jackson needs to find his quarterback immediately and bring him in at all costs.
The Raiders cannot afford to have this season go south because of inconsistent play at the quarterback position.
No. 1: Play Hue Jackson's Way
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Like the No. 9 slide said, Al Davis has to stay out of the way and that includes letting Hue Jackson be Hue Jackson.
Too many times has Davis interfered with his head coach and it is almost always a bad sign for the football team.
Jackson needs to be given the green light and full confidence by Davis, and it has to happen immediately.
Hue Jackson turned around an inept Raider offense in one season as offensive coordinator.
Now, as the head coach, he needs to instill his brand of football in any and all wearing Silver and Black, and that includes his owner.
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