Oakland Raiders: 10 Changes Hue Jackson Will Make in 2011
With Al Davis making a change after the teams' 8-8 performance, the Oakland Raiders have at last settled on Hue Jackson as the choice for the future. In a statement, Al Davis issued this: "The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,”
With Hue Jackson, it has been noted in the past is a man that does not like to lose. Before the team beat up on the Kansas City Chiefs, he made it clear that he feels that there's first place and last place...you either win or you lose.
So what does Hue Jackson need to do in Oakland, to advance the team past the .500 record they achieved? Here at ten changes that Hue Jackson needs to do, for this to occur...
10: Free Agency Issues
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In a normal offseason, the free agency period has two parts for the Oakland Raiders. Keeping quality players in the Silver and Black, or finding replacements to fill in gaps in performance for the team.
In this offseason however, two major events are lining up to cause issues this time. For one, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire in March, which may cause the owners to lock out the players, threatening the season to come.
The other aspect, that Hue has to help Al Davis with is the crop of free agents, none more important than Nnamdi Asomugha and Richard Seymour. Asomugha's discovery of free agency caught most in the NFL by surprise, but thankfully there is a silver lining in that he has stated the chances are "great" that he will be coming back.
With Richard Seymour though, A larger problem exists, dating from his original arrival in Oakland. When the trade went through, Richard's original desire was a long-term, security deal to ensure he would finish out his career. However, over the last two attempts to sign a deal, Richard has declined each offer, leaving some speculation to either he isn't truly happy in Oakland...or he simply thinks he's worth more than he is.
Other free agents that will have to be addressed range from Zach Miller, the leading aerial threat for several seasons, to Robert Gallery, one of the team's strongest offensive linemen.
9: QB Issues
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One issue that reared it's head several times this season was the rotating of QB's in and out, depending on how people felt a specific QB was playing.
Bruce Gradkowski came in to spell Jason Campbell during a game against the Rams, helping lead Oakland to a win over the St Louis Rams. After Bruce went down in a game against the Chargers, Jason came back, leading the team to a key win over the Chargers, the first in several years.While the game on October the 10th was a sweet victory, Jason would be returned to the bench during a mauling against the Steelers, only to be returned to the starting job when Bruce's season ended on the IR.
If Hue Jackson can manage to keep the same QB for an entire season, many feel this is how the Raiders will improve on last year. Switching out QBs can alienate some players, can lead others to wonder who is really calling the shots and frustrate whoever is sitting on the bench stewing.
8. Penalties
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Sometimes, the team needs just a kick to get things going.
Other times, a penalty can cause a coach to rip out his hair.
I guess Hue Jackson doesn't have to worry about that much, right?
All joking aside, this is a position where you can say that penalties can help or hurt a club. How many of us loved it when Rolando McClain looked like a wrestler earlier in the season? Felt good, right? Like old school Raiders, didn't it?
At the same time, you'd like to throw something at the ref when a third and two becomes third and seven because of a stupid penalty...it can be frustrating.
While it's not entirely within Hue's job ability to limit penalties, he should have some ability to teach players under his control to limit some of the bone-headed flags the team draws.
It should be noted though, that the Raiders actually play better when they have more penalties...if they spend all their time playing nice...they tend to get ripped apart.
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7. Pick Up Quality Coaches to Serve Alongside Him
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Doesn't he look happy?
This is Al Saunders, a coach the Raiders have circled as their Offensive Coordinator to replace Hue when he's elevated. Al should be given a nod on this choice, as Al was part of the KC offense that spent time running over the Raiders. He's been coaching in the NFL since 1983, and most recently has been with the Ravens, where we got Hue Jackson from.
From the sounds of it, the Raiders are also looking at Chuck Pagano, presently their Secondary coach to fill out the Defensive Coordinator slot in Oakland. Considering how well the Ravens have done in the past, it looks like Al Davis is borrowing a page from the Chiefs' blueprint.
Hey, if Hue can more than double our offensive output, why not see what a couple more coaches can do?
6. Quiet Down The Chaos in Oakland
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When the news hit the air that Tom Cable wasn't going to be retained, the Raider Nation and even some fans had more than a few choice words for the "crypt keeper". What truly was interesting, is when Shane Lechler took to the air himself, stating what he saw as a big mistake and why switching coaches was a bad deal.
As everyone now knows, Al Davis and Tom Cable apparently had more than a bit of bad blood festering between them, with some even thinking that regardless of Tom reaching the playoffs, Al still would have cut him loose.
However, Hue's job now, is going to be showing, hey, we can work together. We can all get along.
Some of the problems in the past, has been with the Raiders' switching coaches, is that the team wouldn't buy into the new coaches' ideas.
Given that Hue is coming in, after already having one good year and most players are used to his way of thinking, maybe they'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Either that, or Al will remove any problems.
5. Draft With Purpose
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In 2009, the Oakland Raiders went out and picked up the "classic Al Davis" selection, in Darrius Heyward-Bey.
in 2010, the Oakland Raiders went out and picked up Rolando McClain.
For several years, draft picks have been a hit or miss prospect for the Raiders, with some names being complete eye-blinkers, while others would make you wince.
Last year though, the Raiders went into the draft and completely shocked everyone.
With the first round, they picked up who should be a stalwart in the defense for years, Rolando McClain. They would follow this up with Lamarr Houston. In fact, looking at the 2010 draft the team, even when it drafted an "Al Davis" type, Jacoby Ford, it did work out well.
So, will Hue Jackson be able to sway Al Davis into letting him draft, or will Al be there to direct the draft once again?
Only time will tell.
4. Grow a Backbone
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Probably the hardest thing that Hue Jackson has to change, is to grow a backbone.
He'll need one, to negotiate with Al Davis.
Al Davis likes to tinker with the team, that much is noted. He'll want to do whatever he can, on the justification, he's the boss.
However, if Hue wants to win, he'll have to find a balancing point....and that will involve keeping Al from upsetting a good balance in the locker room.
3 Restore Faith in The Fans
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Probably the hardest hit by the coaching change, is going to the Raider Nation. Fans all over the world hit the panic button first when Cable was released...then when John Marshall was told he would not be retained.
Understandably....the team had reached .500 for the first time since 2002...Al, can't you give us a break?
It will undoubtedly take time, as Hue will have to prove that releasing Tom Cable was a good thing. Winning will help that, but so will doing smart choices. poor drafting will simply reinforce the belief that Tom Cable knew what he was doing last year and that Al Davis has reasserted his position in control.
It was interesting last year, seeing Tom implore fans to come out for games, week in and week out. It was also quite a sight, seeing the Raider Nation in full color for the Raiders-Chiefs game. It would be a nice touch to see that every week.
2. Improving The Game
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Probably the easiest change Hue can do, is to keep improving what we see each Sunday.
This last season, the Raider Nation had to think positively about winning big in Denver. They also had to enjoy the last win of the season, over the Chiefs. However, with the wins, came losses that were glaring.
The destruction in Pittsburgh. The botched refs job in Jacksonville. Even the losses to the Dolphins and Colts had to hurt, as those games were within reach, only to see the win slip away.
I won't bring up Arizona.
For Hue, advancing this forward, would solve two problems. For one, it would get him into the playoffs, where he felt the team should have been this year.
Likewise, the fans really want it....along with Al and the players.
Along with wins, comes the belief that the team can do better. touched on earlier, is how the team presents itself on the field. You can win a game in blowout fashion or you can have an ugly win...which one would you rather celebrate?
In Oakland's case, I'd rather win a game knowing we had deserved, than by having it handed to us by a zebra. For this, the Raiders need to return to dominance...that's for you, Hue.
1. Prove People Wrong
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Hue's last change, is probably the hardest. People will be second-guessing Al for months, until Oakland can take the field again. Some speculation is that the Raiders' choice at DC was premature, as it forced Dallas to grab Rob Ryan early. Others still feel that all the chaos in the last month simply shows the team can not escape their past, and that the Raiders are the same old Raiders, chaotic and stuck.
Hue can change this in one simple way. Win and win often.
Thanks for stopping by and here's to the hope that we will see the Raiders in 2011!
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