*** 2013 Oakland Raiders thread *** (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Martz would be good. We have many of the pieces to fit into a Martz offense. It was exactly the opposite when we hired Knapp. When we hired Knapp when took a deep ball gunslinging fast pace pocket QB and put him into a conservatively called slow moving short pass roll out offense. We had undersized speed WRs and made them run west coast routes. We had a RB and OL that had failed before at zone blocking. Now we are looking at coaches who can be successful with the players we have. That's a good thing. Martz also has a lot of experience both as OC and as a HC. With our inexperience at HC and DC we need that. My only concern with Martz is keeping Palmer healthy but that was already a concern.

 

[Vision6]

I'd love Martz if DA is cool with it. Sure the media has torn him apart over the years but his scheme fits our personnel.

 

[RaiderBones]

Per Pete Rousselete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me Jacksonville quarterbacks / asst head coach Greg Olsen has interviewed for the OC job with Oakland.Pete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me the Oakland Raiders are interviewing Marc Trestman today for their OC job.

 

[Raider Nation]

Per Pete Rousselete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me Jacksonville quarterbacks / asst head coach Greg Olsen has interviewed for the OC job with Oakland.Pete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me the Oakland Raiders are interviewing Marc Trestman today for their OC job.

Did Rich Kotite have other plans?

 

[32 Counter Pass]

All the interviews just indicate that the Raiders and DA are doing their due diligence in order to make the best decision. Don't eff it DA, it will cost you your job!

 

[Bruno2]

Per Pete Rousselete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me Jacksonville quarterbacks / asst head coach Greg Olsen has interviewed for the OC job with Oakland.Pete Roussel‏@coachingsearchSources tell me the Oakland Raiders are interviewing Marc Trestman today for their OC job.

Did Rich Kotite have other plans?

Two guys I hope they DO NOT hire! Jacksonville QB coach? Really? Are they going to bring in Romeo Crennel too?

 

[Garrett]

Absolutely must resign Phillip Wheeler.

 

[Garrett]

I haven't heard an OC candidate yet that isn't a huge upgrade over Knapp.

 

[ICON211]

I haven't heard an OC candidate yet that isn't a huge upgrade over Knapp.

Yeah, but who does not fit into that category? In all seriousness, I would be more than ok with Trestman or Martz. I know very little about the guy from the Jags.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Not the most stellar draft class, so I do hope the Raiders retain their 3rd pick instead of trading down to get at least one blue chip prospect in an area of huge need.Chiefs will likely take Joeckel or Lotulelei but I can also see them swinging for the fences with Geno given the present situation at QB for the Chiefs, and the potential that the trend of stellar rookie QBs continues for a third year.This likely leaves one of Lotulelei, Damontre Moore, Jarvis Jones or Bjoern Werner falling to us, any of which we could absolutely use. I think they represent better value that others we could trade down for, and more to the point, don't represent such gigantic value that other teams would give up meaningful picks to move up to the #3 spot.

 

[massraider]

Not the most stellar draft class, so I do hope the Raiders retain their 3rd pick instead of trading down to get at least one blue chip prospect in an area of huge need.Chiefs will likely take Joeckel or Lotulelei but I can also see them swinging for the fences with Geno given the present situation at QB for the Chiefs, and the potential that the trend of stellar rookie QBs continues for a third year.This likely leaves one of Lotulelei, Damontre Moore, Jarvis Jones or Bjoern Werner falling to us, any of which we could absolutely use. I think they represent better value that others we could trade down for, and more to the point, don't represent such gigantic value that other teams would give up meaningful picks to move up to the #3 spot.

As of today, and things change, I pretty much think the exact same thing.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

So with all of the hiring going on out there, shouldn't we at least be looking for a new offensive coordinator?We also need a special teams coordinator, offensive line coach and linebackers coach. If you ask me we should also be bringing in someone to replace Allen at HC. But that's another story.Who should we be looking for?

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Not the most stellar draft class, so I do hope the Raiders retain their 3rd pick instead of trading down to get at least one blue chip prospect in an area of huge need.Chiefs will likely take Joeckel or Lotulelei but I can also see them swinging for the fences with Geno given the present situation at QB for the Chiefs, and the potential that the trend of stellar rookie QBs continues for a third year.This likely leaves one of Lotulelei, Damontre Moore, Jarvis Jones or Bjoern Werner falling to us, any of which we could absolutely use. I think they represent better value that others we could trade down for, and more to the point, don't represent such gigantic value that other teams would give up meaningful picks to move up to the #3 spot.

To a large degree public pception about the quality of a draft class is shaped by talent at the glamor positions like QB, RB and WR. I have heard several GMs publicly say this is one of the strongest drafts in years for linemen on both sides of the ball. And as is true in any draft there are alwYs gems in the rough.. Personally I hope the Raider can trade down and pick up an extra pick in the second round. If they draft correctly they should get much needed help in the front seven as well as the OLine.

 

[UnknownCoach]

I believe that Martz is going to be one of the finalists for OC. There are still 4 teams in the playoffs and you have the coaches from the Packers and other teams that just hit the market this week. Some of the guys we've already interviewed have taken other jobs. So the interviews are still ongoing. McKenzie is like Al Davis in that he doesnt want to leak to the media who's being looked at. Even though its Allen doing the intrviews its still hush hush. It'll be the same way around draft time. It might frustrate some fans but its for the best.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I want Martz kinda like I want herpes. Any OC will be improvement over knapp. I doubt DA will go for an old school guy do to the age factor. And he hasn't proven to be that smart. A la josh mcdaniels. He's young and knows everything. We will most likely hire a young gun that gets along with dATrestman would have been awesome. I want nothing to do with norv, Romeo, Martz, or their ilk. The jags qb coach is the type of person I see us bringing in. I am not excited by anyone from the jags but he fits the profile I see hiring.

 

[Raider Nation]

Broncos hire Greg Knapp as quarterbacks coach

LOL

 

[UnknownCoach]

Broncos hire Greg Knapp as quarterbacks coach

LOL

Or is Manning going to coach Knapp?

 

[UnknownCoach]

Greg Olson has been hired to be the new OC. Resume not impressive statisticly but has worked on teams without great talent. Not really known for his playcalling either. In those regards it reminds us of the Knapp hire. On the bright side Olson likes downhill power running and a verticle game. So at least we got someone able to work with the talent on hand.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

I was just thinking they need to announce an OC soon because they are coaching the Senior bowl this coming week. History as an OC (Year / Team/Rank in Total offense / Key starters):2004 / Lions / Ranked 24 / (Harrington, KJones, RWilliams)2005 / Lions / Ranked 27 / (Harrington, KJones, Pollard/RWilliams)2006 / Rams / Ranked 6 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2007 / Rams / Ranked 24 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2008 / Buccs / Ranked 14 / (Garcia, Dunn, ABryant)2009 / Buccs / Ranked 28 / (Freeman, Caddy, Winslow)2010 / Buccs / Ranked 19 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)2011 / Buccs / Ranked 21 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)As an OC his offense has only finished top 10 ONCE, and in the top half of the league twice in 8 coaching tries. Not a particularly inspiring hire. ETC: last date for Buccs

 

[Bruno2]

I was just thinking they need to announce an OC soon because they are coaching the Senior bowl this coming week. History as an OC (Year / Team/Rank in Total offense / Key starters):2004 / Lions / Ranked 24 / (Harrington, KJones, RWilliams)2005 / Lions / Ranked 27 / (Harrington, KJones, Pollard/RWilliams)2006 / Rams / Ranked 6 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2007 / Rams / Ranked 24 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2008 / Buccs / Ranked 14 / (Garcia, Dunn, ABryant)2009 / Buccs / Ranked 28 / (Freeman, Caddy, Winslow)2010 / Buccs / Ranked 19 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)2010 / Buccs / Ranked 21 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)As an OC his offense has only finished top 10 ONCE, and in the top half of the league twice in 8 coaching tries. Not a particularly inspiring hire.

I'm speechless...

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Pretty much exactly what I expected. Didn't know who it would be but knew it would be a relatively young nobody. This team is gonna be a bottom feeder for a while. It's sad

 

[Raider Nation]

It's a good thing I have a Raiders tattoo on my arm. It prevents me from jumping ship.

 

[ICON211]

I was just thinking they need to announce an OC soon because they are coaching the Senior bowl this coming week. History as an OC (Year / Team/Rank in Total offense / Key starters):2004 / Lions / Ranked 24 / (Harrington, KJones, RWilliams)2005 / Lions / Ranked 27 / (Harrington, KJones, Pollard/RWilliams)2006 / Rams / Ranked 6 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2007 / Rams / Ranked 24 / (Bugler, Jackson, Holt)2008 / Buccs / Ranked 14 / (Garcia, Dunn, ABryant)2009 / Buccs / Ranked 28 / (Freeman, Caddy, Winslow)2010 / Buccs / Ranked 19 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)2010 / Buccs / Ranked 21 / (Freeman, Blount, Winslow)As an OC his offense has only finished top 10 ONCE, and in the top half of the league twice in 8 coaching tries. Not a particularly inspiring hire.

I'm speechless...

Pretty uninspiring hire.

 

[Garrett]

The Olson hire is a 110% commitment to McFadden in 2013.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Olson hire is a 110% commitment to McFadden in 2013.

Now we just need to put him in bubble wrap during games.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

The Olson hire is a 110% commitment to McFadden in 2013.

No doubt, but is that really a good direction considering McFadden's durability, or lack thereof?In hopes of trying to find something positive about this hire I dug a little deeper, but to no avail.Here are how Olsen's offenses finished in scoring:004 / Lions / Ranked 242005 / Lions / Ranked 282006 / Rams / Ranked 102007 / Rams / Ranked 282008 / Buccs / Ranked 192009 / Buccs / Ranked 302010 / Buccs / Ranked 202010 / Buccs / Ranked 27I am finding it very tough to keep a positive attitude about this hire.

 

[UnknownCoach]

No we dont give up on McFadden. He's the most talented player we got and our best hope for an offensive rebound. I actually think Olsen will play McFadden a little less than Knapp but he'll be at least as committed to establishing the running game. We'll probably look to add a wider backup RB or maybe use more of Reece in that role. Goodson may or may not be resigned and Jones will always only be a CoP guy. There's room for another RB even if Goodson sticks around. Stewart and the backup FB arent hardly rosterable. If Goodson bails then look to add a couple of RBs. Time to bring in another Michael Bush type. Got to improve at the guard positions though if we are going to be successful running inside.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Did they hire an OLine coach? I would think they would have since they are coaching the senior bowl this week.

 

[Bruno2]

Scary thought of the day... Is it possible if Tebow ends up in Jacksonville that Gabbert will somehow follow Olsen to Oakland? I hope not, but I sure could see this happening the way things are going.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

It's a good thing I have a Raiders tattoo on my arm. It prevents me from jumping ship.

Same deal, except just over my heart.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I am finding it very tough to keep a positive attitude about this hire.

As am I. And I've always been a cup half full kind of fan. Now I am seriously questioning if Reggie McK is the right guy for the job. This is the type of move a perrenial bottom feeder franchise makes.

 

[ICON211]

I am finding it very tough to keep a positive attitude about this hire.

As am I. And I've always been a cup half full kind of fan. Now I am seriously questioning if Reggie McK is the right guy for the job. This is the type of move a perrenial bottom feeder franchise makes.

Even every one of the last ten years I have gone in each one thinking hey you never know we could be good with a few breaks and held out hope till there was none left. It seems that I am going to feel very different going into next year. I know there is a whole offseason to get some things done, but I can never remember feeling this dejected about the state of the team. Its not that the OC hires were not sexy, they just seem like flat out bad retreads.

 

[Raider Nation]

A decade ago, the Raiders’ fate in Super Bowl XXXVII presumably was sealed by the weekend disappearance of center Barret Robbins. Hall of Fame finalist Tim Brown believes that the blame for the 48-21 loss to the Buccaneers should go to Oakland’s head coach.“We get our game plan for victory on Monday, and the game plan says we’re gonna run the ball,” Brown said Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, which provided us with the audio. “We averaged 340 [pounds] on the offensive line, they averaged 280 [on the defensive line]. We’re all happy with that, everybody is excited. [We] tell Charlie Garner, ‘Look, you’re not gonna get too many carries, but at the end of the day we’re gonna get a victory. Tyrone Wheatley, Zack Crockett, let’s get ready to blow this thing up.’”According to Brown, coach Bill Callahan then “blew this thing up” on the Friday before the Super Bowl, changing the game plan from a run-heavy attack to an intent to “throw the ball 60 times.”“We all called it sabotage . . . because Callahan and [Tampa Bay coach Jon] Gruden were good friends,” Brown said. “And Callahan had a big problem with the Raiders, you know, hated the Raiders. You know, only came because Gruden made him come. Literally walked off the field on us a couple of times during the season when he first got there, the first couple years. So really he had become someone who was part of the staff but we just didn’t pay him any attention. Gruden leaves, he becomes the head coach. . . . It’s hard to say that the guy sabotaged the Super Bowl. You know, can you really say that? That can be my opinion, but I can’t say for a fact that that’s what his plan was, to sabotage the Super Bowl. He hated the Raiders so much that he would sabotage the Super Bowl so his friend can win the Super Bowl. That’s hard to say, because you can’t prove it.“But the facts are what they are, that less than 36 hours before the game we changed our game plan. And we go into that game absolutely knowing that we have no shot. That the only shot we had if Tampa Bay didn’t show up.”Brown explained that the change had a specific impact on Robbins. “Barret Robbins begged Coach Callahan, ‘Do not do this to me. I don’t have time to make my calls, to get my calls ready. You can’t do this to me on Friday. We haven’t practiced full speed, we can’t get this done.’”Brown tiptoed around the question of whether the change caused Robbins to go off the deep end, suggesting that it had an impact and then explaining that there’s no way to know if it did. “I’m not saying one had anything to do with the other,” Brown said. “All I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened Super Bowl week. So our ire wasn’t towards Barret Robbins, it was towards Bill Callahan. Because we feel as if he wouldn’t have did what he did, then Barret wouldn’t have done what he did.“Now, should Barret have manned up and tried to do it? Absolutely. But everybody knew Barret was unstable anyway. So to put him in that situation — not that he was putting him in that situation — but for that decision to be made without consulting the players the Friday before the Super Bowl? I played 27 years of football. The coaches never changed the game plan the Friday before the game. I’m not trying to point fingers at anybody here, all I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened. So people look at Barret and they say all these things, but every player in that locker room will tell you, ‘You’d better talk to Bill Callahan.’ Because if not for Coach Callahan, I don’t think we’re in that situation.”Well, we now know what Tim Brown will be asked about next week in New Orleans. Continuously.There’s only one potential flaw in Brown’s logic. He assumes that the new game plan came from Callahan. Who’s to say that the order to throw the ball 60 times didn’t come from the late Al Davis, who had a special affinity for throwing the football, and also for meddling directly in the coaching of the team?Thus, while it’s easy to blame Callahan, Callahan may have simply been the messenger.Regardless, Brown and Callahan and Gruden and quarterback Rich Gannon and anyone/everyone who was part of that team will soon be hearing from reporters and radio/TV producers, just in time for the 10th anniversary of the game.

 

[UnknownCoach]

McKenzie doesnt hire the assistant coaches. Allen does.

 

[UnknownCoach]

After Michael Vick got out of prison there were rumors that Al Davis made an effort to sign him. Vick hired Dungy who reportable advised Vick not to go Oakland even though it was his best chance for an immediate starting job. Dungy wanted Vick to go to a team with a better reputation in order to improve his public profile. Now Vick is available again but this time around we already have a good veteran QB. There isnt much chance of Vick coming here now. I cant see it happening. Best to dispel the rumor before it catches on. Palmer is our QB and we cant afford to sign Vick to play backup even if he wanted to come here which is doubtful. That's a lose lose situation. Just posting this because it somehow made the news wire.

 

[ICON211]

McKenzie doesnt hire the assistant coaches. Allen does.

And Mckenzie hired Allen. I am down on both of them. Hopefully, they will surprise me next year and at least show some improvement which should not be too hard after this year.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

A decade ago, the Raiders’ fate in Super Bowl XXXVII presumably was sealed by the weekend disappearance of center Barret Robbins. Hall of Fame finalist Tim Brown believes that the blame for the 48-21 loss to the Buccaneers should go to Oakland’s head coach.“We get our game plan for victory on Monday, and the game plan says we’re gonna run the ball,” Brown said Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, which provided us with the audio. “We averaged 340 [pounds] on the offensive line, they averaged 280 [on the defensive line]. We’re all happy with that, everybody is excited. [We] tell Charlie Garner, ‘Look, you’re not gonna get too many carries, but at the end of the day we’re gonna get a victory. Tyrone Wheatley, Zack Crockett, let’s get ready to blow this thing up.’”According to Brown, coach Bill Callahan then “blew this thing up” on the Friday before the Super Bowl, changing the game plan from a run-heavy attack to an intent to “throw the ball 60 times.”“We all called it sabotage . . . because Callahan and [Tampa Bay coach Jon] Gruden were good friends,” Brown said. “And Callahan had a big problem with the Raiders, you know, hated the Raiders. You know, only came because Gruden made him come. Literally walked off the field on us a couple of times during the season when he first got there, the first couple years. So really he had become someone who was part of the staff but we just didn’t pay him any attention. Gruden leaves, he becomes the head coach. . . . It’s hard to say that the guy sabotaged the Super Bowl. You know, can you really say that? That can be my opinion, but I can’t say for a fact that that’s what his plan was, to sabotage the Super Bowl. He hated the Raiders so much that he would sabotage the Super Bowl so his friend can win the Super Bowl. That’s hard to say, because you can’t prove it.“But the facts are what they are, that less than 36 hours before the game we changed our game plan. And we go into that game absolutely knowing that we have no shot. That the only shot we had if Tampa Bay didn’t show up.”Brown explained that the change had a specific impact on Robbins. “Barret Robbins begged Coach Callahan, ‘Do not do this to me. I don’t have time to make my calls, to get my calls ready. You can’t do this to me on Friday. We haven’t practiced full speed, we can’t get this done.’”Brown tiptoed around the question of whether the change caused Robbins to go off the deep end, suggesting that it had an impact and then explaining that there’s no way to know if it did. “I’m not saying one had anything to do with the other,” Brown said. “All I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened Super Bowl week. So our ire wasn’t towards Barret Robbins, it was towards Bill Callahan. Because we feel as if he wouldn’t have did what he did, then Barret wouldn’t have done what he did.“Now, should Barret have manned up and tried to do it? Absolutely. But everybody knew Barret was unstable anyway. So to put him in that situation — not that he was putting him in that situation — but for that decision to be made without consulting the players the Friday before the Super Bowl? I played 27 years of football. The coaches never changed the game plan the Friday before the game. I’m not trying to point fingers at anybody here, all I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened. So people look at Barret and they say all these things, but every player in that locker room will tell you, ‘You’d better talk to Bill Callahan.’ Because if not for Coach Callahan, I don’t think we’re in that situation.”Well, we now know what Tim Brown will be asked about next week in New Orleans. Continuously.There’s only one potential flaw in Brown’s logic. He assumes that the new game plan came from Callahan. Who’s to say that the order to throw the ball 60 times didn’t come from the late Al Davis, who had a special affinity for throwing the football, and also for meddling directly in the coaching of the team?Thus, while it’s easy to blame Callahan, Callahan may have simply been the messenger.Regardless, Brown and Callahan and Gruden and quarterback Rich Gannon and anyone/everyone who was part of that team will soon be hearing from reporters and radio/TV producers, just in time for the 10th anniversary of the game.

This strikes me as ridiculous. Gannon said as much on Sirius this morning (only more diplomatically). If Brown actually believes this he should get his head examined. If he is just trying to get media attention he should be ashamed.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Thinking on the Olsen hire a little more... big picture plan might be to utilize a power run game (which seem to fit our personnel). The main idea would be to shorten the game and keep the defense off the field. They have the type of backfield that lends itself to this approach with DMac, Gooden and Reece.

If this is the thinking then I anticipate the Raiders go heavily on defense in the draft (Strengthen the defense to get the ball back and shorten the game with the running attack.). If they do not move the 1.04 pick then a player that provides instant pass rush makes sense (think JarJone or Bjoern Werner). This would give us a much needed perimeter pass rusher and help cover up our weakness in the secondary. They would then devote most of the remaining picks to improving the DBs and LB core, possibly taking an offensive tackle to compete with the dreadful K. Barnes.

 

[ICON211]

A decade ago, the Raiders’ fate in Super Bowl XXXVII presumably was sealed by the weekend disappearance of center Barret Robbins. Hall of Fame finalist Tim Brown believes that the blame for the 48-21 loss to the Buccaneers should go to Oakland’s head coach.“We get our game plan for victory on Monday, and the game plan says we’re gonna run the ball,” Brown said Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, which provided us with the audio. “We averaged 340 [pounds] on the offensive line, they averaged 280 [on the defensive line]. We’re all happy with that, everybody is excited. [We] tell Charlie Garner, ‘Look, you’re not gonna get too many carries, but at the end of the day we’re gonna get a victory. Tyrone Wheatley, Zack Crockett, let’s get ready to blow this thing up.’”According to Brown, coach Bill Callahan then “blew this thing up” on the Friday before the Super Bowl, changing the game plan from a run-heavy attack to an intent to “throw the ball 60 times.”“We all called it sabotage . . . because Callahan and [Tampa Bay coach Jon] Gruden were good friends,” Brown said. “And Callahan had a big problem with the Raiders, you know, hated the Raiders. You know, only came because Gruden made him come. Literally walked off the field on us a couple of times during the season when he first got there, the first couple years. So really he had become someone who was part of the staff but we just didn’t pay him any attention. Gruden leaves, he becomes the head coach. . . . It’s hard to say that the guy sabotaged the Super Bowl. You know, can you really say that? That can be my opinion, but I can’t say for a fact that that’s what his plan was, to sabotage the Super Bowl. He hated the Raiders so much that he would sabotage the Super Bowl so his friend can win the Super Bowl. That’s hard to say, because you can’t prove it.“But the facts are what they are, that less than 36 hours before the game we changed our game plan. And we go into that game absolutely knowing that we have no shot. That the only shot we had if Tampa Bay didn’t show up.”Brown explained that the change had a specific impact on Robbins. “Barret Robbins begged Coach Callahan, ‘Do not do this to me. I don’t have time to make my calls, to get my calls ready. You can’t do this to me on Friday. We haven’t practiced full speed, we can’t get this done.’”Brown tiptoed around the question of whether the change caused Robbins to go off the deep end, suggesting that it had an impact and then explaining that there’s no way to know if it did. “I’m not saying one had anything to do with the other,” Brown said. “All I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened Super Bowl week. So our ire wasn’t towards Barret Robbins, it was towards Bill Callahan. Because we feel as if he wouldn’t have did what he did, then Barret wouldn’t have done what he did.“Now, should Barret have manned up and tried to do it? Absolutely. But everybody knew Barret was unstable anyway. So to put him in that situation — not that he was putting him in that situation — but for that decision to be made without consulting the players the Friday before the Super Bowl? I played 27 years of football. The coaches never changed the game plan the Friday before the game. I’m not trying to point fingers at anybody here, all I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened. So people look at Barret and they say all these things, but every player in that locker room will tell you, ‘You’d better talk to Bill Callahan.’ Because if not for Coach Callahan, I don’t think we’re in that situation.”Well, we now know what Tim Brown will be asked about next week in New Orleans. Continuously.There’s only one potential flaw in Brown’s logic. He assumes that the new game plan came from Callahan. Who’s to say that the order to throw the ball 60 times didn’t come from the late Al Davis, who had a special affinity for throwing the football, and also for meddling directly in the coaching of the team?Thus, while it’s easy to blame Callahan, Callahan may have simply been the messenger.Regardless, Brown and Callahan and Gruden and quarterback Rich Gannon and anyone/everyone who was part of that team will soon be hearing from reporters and radio/TV producers, just in time for the 10th anniversary of the game.

This strikes me as ridiculous. Gannon said as much on Sirius this morning (only more diplomatically). If Brown actually believes this he should get his head examined. If he is just trying to get media attention he should be ashamed.

Changing the game plan that late might have been a bad decision, but to suggest he was doing it to throw the Super Bowl is absurd.

 

[UnknownCoach]

There's no defense for Robbins and that appears to be part of this. Jerry Rice is backing up Tim Brown's assessment that the coaching change caused Robbins to go off instead of the other way around. Other players are still saying the opposite. If Robbins really pleaded with the coach that would indicate at least some players were told about the change before Robbin's disappearance. I think if they had practiced a new game plan that day then there wouldnt be all that confusion about who did what first. So Robbins would have had to have been told after practice. Even if he was, its no excuse to disappear before the Superbowl. While a dramatic game plan change just before the game doesnt make much sense, this was a team used to throwing 60 times a game. Robbins should have been up to the task. I cant defend Robbins at all. Its no surprise either that were out coached. We knew they had the coaching advantage going into the game. No matter how much the loss hurt, you cant cry sabatoge unless you want to blame the refs.

 

[Garrett]

Did they hire an OLine coach? I would think they would have since they are coaching the senior bowl this week.

Russ Grimm is available...Tony Sparano? Mike Tice?Some decent options.

 

[joey]

A decade ago, the Raiders’ fate in Super Bowl XXXVII presumably was sealed by the weekend disappearance of center Barret Robbins. Hall of Fame finalist Tim Brown believes that the blame for the 48-21 loss to the Buccaneers should go to Oakland’s head coach.“We get our game plan for victory on Monday, and the game plan says we’re gonna run the ball,” Brown said Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, which provided us with the audio. “We averaged 340 [pounds] on the offensive line, they averaged 280 [on the defensive line]. We’re all happy with that, everybody is excited. [We] tell Charlie Garner, ‘Look, you’re not gonna get too many carries, but at the end of the day we’re gonna get a victory. Tyrone Wheatley, Zack Crockett, let’s get ready to blow this thing up.’”According to Brown, coach Bill Callahan then “blew this thing up” on the Friday before the Super Bowl, changing the game plan from a run-heavy attack to an intent to “throw the ball 60 times.”“We all called it sabotage . . . because Callahan and [Tampa Bay coach Jon] Gruden were good friends,” Brown said. “And Callahan had a big problem with the Raiders, you know, hated the Raiders. You know, only came because Gruden made him come. Literally walked off the field on us a couple of times during the season when he first got there, the first couple years. So really he had become someone who was part of the staff but we just didn’t pay him any attention. Gruden leaves, he becomes the head coach. . . . It’s hard to say that the guy sabotaged the Super Bowl. You know, can you really say that? That can be my opinion, but I can’t say for a fact that that’s what his plan was, to sabotage the Super Bowl. He hated the Raiders so much that he would sabotage the Super Bowl so his friend can win the Super Bowl. That’s hard to say, because you can’t prove it.“But the facts are what they are, that less than 36 hours before the game we changed our game plan. And we go into that game absolutely knowing that we have no shot. That the only shot we had if Tampa Bay didn’t show up.”Brown explained that the change had a specific impact on Robbins. “Barret Robbins begged Coach Callahan, ‘Do not do this to me. I don’t have time to make my calls, to get my calls ready. You can’t do this to me on Friday. We haven’t practiced full speed, we can’t get this done.’”Brown tiptoed around the question of whether the change caused Robbins to go off the deep end, suggesting that it had an impact and then explaining that there’s no way to know if it did. “I’m not saying one had anything to do with the other,” Brown said. “All I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened Super Bowl week. So our ire wasn’t towards Barret Robbins, it was towards Bill Callahan. Because we feel as if he wouldn’t have did what he did, then Barret wouldn’t have done what he did.“Now, should Barret have manned up and tried to do it? Absolutely. But everybody knew Barret was unstable anyway. So to put him in that situation — not that he was putting him in that situation — but for that decision to be made without consulting the players the Friday before the Super Bowl? I played 27 years of football. The coaches never changed the game plan the Friday before the game. I’m not trying to point fingers at anybody here, all I’m saying is those are the facts of what happened. So people look at Barret and they say all these things, but every player in that locker room will tell you, ‘You’d better talk to Bill Callahan.’ Because if not for Coach Callahan, I don’t think we’re in that situation.”Well, we now know what Tim Brown will be asked about next week in New Orleans. Continuously.There’s only one potential flaw in Brown’s logic. He assumes that the new game plan came from Callahan. Who’s to say that the order to throw the ball 60 times didn’t come from the late Al Davis, who had a special affinity for throwing the football, and also for meddling directly in the coaching of the team?Thus, while it’s easy to blame Callahan, Callahan may have simply been the messenger.Regardless, Brown and Callahan and Gruden and quarterback Rich Gannon and anyone/everyone who was part of that team will soon be hearing from reporters and radio/TV producers, just in time for the 10th anniversary of the game.

This strikes me as ridiculous. Gannon said as much on Sirius this morning (only more diplomatically). If Brown actually believes this he should get his head examined. If he is just trying to get media attention he should be ashamed.

Changing the game plan that late might have been a bad decision, but to suggest he was doing it to throw the Super Bowl is absurd.

These kinds of absurb statements have been Tim Brown M.O. the whole time he was with the Raiders.He is literally my Most Hated Raider of all time, and I'm a freakin' Raider fan.MAN, that dude makes my blood boil even more than thinking of how Jamarcus Russell fleeced the Raiders for all that cash and wasted years of development.F U Tim Brown.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Did they hire an OLine coach? I would think they would have since they are coaching the senior bowl this week.

Russ Grimm is available...Tony Sparano? Mike Tice?Some decent options.

I heard they also interviewed Juan Castillo. Not thrilled about Grimm. The AZ Oline never improved the entire time under his tenure.

 

[massraider]

That night, I was wondering why we weren't just running the ball down their throats.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Did they hire an OLine coach? I would think they would have since they are coaching the senior bowl this week.

Russ Grimm is available...Tony Sparano? Mike Tice?Some decent options.

I heard they also interviewed Juan Castillo. Not thrilled about Grimm. The AZ Oline never improved the entire time under his tenure.

Castillo is staying with Baltimore. Is Bob Wylie available? Would Uncle Wiz be willing to come back?

 

[UnknownCoach]

Even though Knapp and the offensive coaches are gone I think its unlikely Uncle Wiz will come back. Allen is still in charge and Wiz quit in the middle of training camp last year while Allen was in charge. I'd like to see him back but it seems far fetched.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Per Adam Schefter on Twitter: The Oakland Raiders have hired former Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano as their assistant head coach/offensive line.

 

[massraider]

Per Adam Schefter on Twitter: The Oakland Raiders have hired former Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano as their assistant head coach/offensive line.

Wow. I am definitely a fan of this move.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Nice hire Reggie.

 

[Autumn Wind]

So do we just chalk up his disastrous stint in NY as the Jets being the Jets?