| Michael Milliron. 20th January, 2007 - 7:16 pm
 The Oakland Raiders are at a pivotal point in their history and as of late, it has been a very low point. In fact, if it gets any lower, maverick owner Al Davis risks his very legacy in a league he helped shape and ran roughshod over for the last forty some years. “Commitment to Excellence” has become “Commitment to Decadence.” “Pride and Poise” has become “Panic and Paranoia.” “The Greatness of the Raiders” has become, well…not so great…
How bad has it gotten? Well, the Raiders cannot even seem to find someone willing to come in and coach a team that has one of the greatest legacies in all of sports. Art Shell was fired – again, after only making it through one year of trying to get the Raiders back on track to becoming the Raiders again.
Shell’s return was miserable. The results: being able to select first in the 2007 NFL Draft after suffering through a 2 – 14 record. As John Houseman would have said, “the Raiders got the first pick the old fashioned way – they earrrnnned it.”
Shell brought back a coach on his Raider staff from 1994, when Shell was fired the first time, Tom Walsh, to run the offense. It was disastrous, as the offense, was well, offensive. Last in the league in points per game at 10.5, yards per game at 246.2, sacks allowed 72, and turnovers at 46.
In addition to the offensive ineptitude, there was infighting among the team and even worse, indifference. Shell alienated star receiver Jerry Porter from the beginning of the season, where he was suspended, then never really played, finishing the season with one catch – one. Offensive captain Randy Moss said early in the season, “there’s a lot of funny things going on in this organization, it’s fishy around here.” Moss made up for that by displaying more professional leadership, “I’m not even concerned with football right now. I’m just loving life.” Also, in a strange move for a team needing leadership, two loyal, enthusiastic Raiders were inexplicably sent packing. Linebacker Danny Clark, who started at MLB in 2005, and backup defensive end Bobby Hamilton were inexplicably sent packing. Clark was cut outright and Hamilton was traded to the New York Jets.
Shell had replaced the fired Norv Turner who had failed before him, compiling a two year record of 9 - 23. However, Shell was at best, the Raiders third choice to coach the team. There was the failed attempt to lure Head Coach Bobby Petrino from Louisville and an inability to bring in Pittsburgh Steeler Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.
Neither man wanted to coach the Raiders under Davis. Further showing how far the Raider job has dropped in terms of prestige, Petrino has now left Louisville for the Atlanta Falcons and “coach killer” Michael Vick while Whisenhunt decided to go and coach the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, the football rich tradition of the Cardinals. Davis may have saved some face by not courting them again after the Shell debacle, but he has to get the hire right this time.
Current candidates are said to include Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, San Diego Charger receivers coach James Lofton, USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, USC defensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, former NFL head coach Jim Fassel, and New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. Former NFL head coach Dennis Green did not even grant an interview request, perhaps thinking “the Raiders are who he thought they were.”
Not surprisingly, there has already been some controversy, as Sarkisian either “rejected” the Raiders offer to become their coach or may have “removed” his name as a candidate. Of course, the Raiders say he was never formally offered the job.
It is inconceivable that a college coordinator would be hired as an NFL head coach. Being snubbed by Petrino seems to have set the Raider bar lower instead of higher. Sarkisian, a former BYU QB who is an up and coming offensive mind, would not command the respect of NFL players as a college coordinator. If the coaching hire is botched this time, the Raiders might not be able to hire former BYU QB Jim McMahon to coach the team.
Lofton thought he had a deal to become the head coach after meetings with Davis lasting well into last Wednesday evening. After learning he was not being formally offered the job, he also “removed” his name as a candidate. If there was a miscommunication that led to the alienation of Lofton, that is unfortunate. He would have made a good offensive coordinator for the Raiders, now he looks out altogether. McDaniels may not be available to interview until at least after the AFC Championship.
It is widely perceived in NFL circles that Davis could not find a clue right now if you spotted him Professor Plum and the billiard room. He must choose the right Raider coach to unleash some of the weapons they do have at their disposal. It is very important that Davis hire a candidate who wants to be a Raider and not just an NFL head coach. There is a big difference.
If an outside candidate is chosen and fails, he knows that will not be held against him because it was the Raiders, after all. Davis must hire someone who has a passion for Raider football and is more invested in that than their own career. That is the only way the team will achieve success in the short term, which is all that matters to Davis, who at 77, wants to see a winning team and not a rebuilding project.
Everything that has transpired to this point, however, is history and Davis still has the opportunity to get the right man for the job: Ryan. He has been the right choice ever since it was decided Shell would be fired. Ryan has successfully overseen the only positive to come out of Oakland in several seasons, as the 2006 Raider defense ranked third in the NFL with virtually no help whatsoever from their offense.
Ryan kept the unit positive and effective as the defense suffered from the turmoil created by the inept offense. Veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who is known to be very emotional and will let you know what he is thinking stayed a loyal soldier under Ryan, providing leadership in a bad situation. Former first - round pick, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who has largely been considered a bust to this point, prospered this year, meriting Pro Bowl consideration. Second year linebacker Kirk Morrison successfully moved from outside to middle linebacker and became a leader. Safety Michael Huff, the fourth overall pick of the 2006 draft, progressed throughout the season and has considerable promise. Defensive end Derrick Burgess continued to be one of the best pass rushers in the game with 11 sacks.
Ryan has one half of the team playing well and is respected by the players on both sides of the ball. He has great coaching pedigree, from his father Buddy Ryan, who never won a Super Bowl as a head coach, but was the only coordinator ever carried off the field of a Super Bowl by his players, the 1985 Chicago Bears. With Ryan as the head coach, the Raiders could make John Shoop or Marc Trestman offensive coordinator and use the draft and free agency to improve the woeful offense.
Ryan is a big, burly looking man with long, raggedy gray hair and a beard. Give him an eye patch and a scimitar and no one would better look the part. Even Captain Jack Sparrow would fear crossing Ryan. In fact, he is the perfect Raider coach, instilling his players to play with passion and attack at all times. Ryan is the man to bring back the “Commitment to Excellence,” the “Pride and Poise,” and the “Greatness of the Raiders.” If only Davis will let him. |
