Oakland Raiders: Hue Jackson's Decisions Hurting More Than Helping

The Raiders still play in Oakland, right?

The Raiders still fly the infamous silver and black right?

The Raiders is still ran by *a* Davis, right?

We thought so leading up into the game against the Denver Broncos in O.Co.

To approach this differently, I'm going to speak in usual fashion, none of this third-person stuff that I used before. I want to say something clearly:

THIS ISN'T THE BENGALS, HUE.

When Jason Campbell went down with the broken collarbone, the Oakland Raiders organization went into panic mode. Amy Trask, Mark Davis and Hue Jackson decided it was best to try and salvage a (then) winning season by trading for the best available option at quarterback in Carson Palmer.

That is not a problem.

Contrary to popular belief, not EVERY Oakland Raiders fan dislikes the trade (and this is coming from a Jason Campbell supporter). Carson Palmer has had trouble reclaiming top form in Cincy after the knee and elbow injury he suffered, but against Denver, displayed ability to get the ball into places and make plays.

I think Carson Palmer will work out, I like the trade as we gave up draft picks in a weak draft class that would struggle to find room on an already young and talented roster.

Hue's second move though? TJ Houshmandzadeh, troubles me.

This troubled me from the start as I felt that the more and more Bengals who are signed, the more and more Hue Jackson is showing that he will enforce his will and shape the Raiders into the same Bengals team that won the AFC North in 2005.

That won't happen.

Jackson gave Darrius Heyward-Bey 12 snaps and one pass attempt.

ONE pass attempt.

Up until (and even after) the game against Denver; DHB has made strides to become a new man with fire in his eyes to succeed due to chance that Al Davis gave him, in the wake of Davis' passing. DHB's work ethic has been something I often complimented him on, as I was one of the few columnists for the Raiders that NEVER questioned him and knew he would come to be.

So in the light of DHB's breakout season, on a hot streak where he has averaged nearly a 100 yards since playing against the Texans, Hue Jackson decides to cut DHB's playing time, essentially give a guy like Houshmandzadeh—who was a free-agent until last week Tuesday—three more chances to shine than Oakland's leading receiver!

Anyone see foul with that?

Does anyone also see Kevin Boss not getting any attempts but arguably the worst tight end on the roster in Brandon Meyers getting a shot?

When TJ was signed, my biggest fear was DHB being cast to the side to make room for Hue's next signing if he's in control...

"His son" Chad Johnson.

Fellow B/R columnist Yustaf Hassan wrote an article on October 26, 2011, on New England's interest in Darrius Heyward-Bey. At the time, I wrote it off as just speculation but seeing the way DHB was cast off like a rookie with no stripes, it really makes you wonder how far off from the truth that is.

Once Houshmandzadeh found his way into Oakland and Hagan found his way out, Hue's moment of true power came to life.

Derek Hagan worked hard, despite what some may say as far as "dropping passes"goes, did what he was brought in to do as a Raider—move the chains on third down when the running stalls.

Hagan caught 11 passes for 124 yards in six games. Randy Moss numbers? No, but good enough to warrant keeping his job as a possession receiver on third down to get that first-down marker.

This is not a tirade thrown in Housmandzadeh's direction. TJ had a good career in Cincy and Seattle, although all which will probably be eclipsed by the drop he had as a Raven that cost the Ravens the chance to square off against Green Bay in the Super Bowl. This is an attempt to make people see that the Raiders that we know and love? The smash-mouth, pound-'n'-ground, hard-nosed running football team? A lost art in the NFL?

It's over.

Now, Oakland is (under the direction of Hue Jackson) is focused primarily on passing. When Al Davis was alive, the first offensive play of the game would be a dive or off tackle to the weak side.

Against Denver? Against Kansas City? The first play was a pass, truly unconventional of the Raiders.

I support Hue Jackson in his attempt to turn Oakland into a championship team, but I do not support Hue Jackson's mentality to change Oakland's identity and have them follow the same mold as Green Bay and New England.

The Oakland Raiders RUN the ball, but that was when Al was alive.

Now?

The Oakland Raiders PASS the ball, with Hue Jackson calling the shots

Amy and Mark need to get on the ball and figure this out before Hue Jackson's efforts ends up luring talent away from Oakland and leaves them open to no-one other than ex-Bengals.

Darrius Heyward-Bey IS Al's guy, but he's also the leading receiver and most reliable that the Raiders have under contract. He has earned the right to be the No. 1 receiver in Oakland through hard work and consistency this season.

Kevin Boss should be treated the same way. Losing Zach Miller was a blow, but Kevin Boss being signed was a remedy, but thus far has not been able to produce.

You want to win, Hue? You want to make Raider Nation happy and "just win baby?"

Then play those that deserve to be played.

Houshmandzadeh getting more snaps than DHB is ridiculous, almost as bad as Boss not being used.

Many are questioning Hue Jackson right now, his charisma can't save him from the anger of Raider Nation. Stop worrying about employing any ex-Bengal that comes into contact with the free agency and start focusing in on what got you the job as head coach in Oakland;

Thinking out of the box, motivating EVERY player to do his best...and oh yeah...

Winning, duh.