So another season has come and gone in Raider Nation but the result has been the same as it has been since 2003—missing the playoffs. There have been numerous issues since 2003 that have come and gone, but there are two consistent issues: penalties and defense.The defense hasn't been terrible since 2003 (ranking among league leaders in pass defense a few times), but this past season it was terrible under Chuck Bresnahan, who I would call a has been—though that would imply he was good at one time, which he wasn't. The offense carried the Raiders from 2000-2002 when they ...
With the Dennis Allen deal finalized, and the likelihood of additional changes to be made in the staff and roster, Raider Nation is anxiously awaiting Allen's first moves.It's always fascinating how the first few moves by a new head coach energize a fan base, and Oakland has gotten really good at judging new head coaches. Unlike most NFL teams that prefer consistency, the Raiders have chosen to go through head coaches like toilet paper. Allen is Oakland's seventh head coach since 2002.While it has not done much to stabilize the franchise, it has taught this fan base all about new head coaches ...
Reggie McKenzie didn’t hesitate when he punctuated his first Oakland Raiders press conference with the following: “I’m going to keep this short, ‘cause we’ve got a lot of work to do.” And he wasn’t kidding, either. In just three weeks time, the new Raiders general manager has effectively started rebuilding and putting his own touches on the Raiders’ franchise. And that type of house cleaning is an excellent stepping stone to a more successful Raider team. Keep in mind, McKenzie is not just making quick decisions. He is also showing confidence in his choices. And he made it very clear ...
With the Dennis Allen hiring in its final stages, and the offseason officially ready to get started, disturbing rumors are popping up about the future of Run DMC. There are whispers that Darren McFadden may be trade fodder to bolster better draft picks in the 2012 draft. It's not surprising to see that Oakland's new GM would be looking to reboot this roster, but it may be a little overzealous to trade away someone this valuable.It goes without saying that Oakland has a talented backfield, and McFadden is a major component of that group. Did Michael Bush have a fantastic season when McFadden went down? Sure, for ...
The Oakland Raiders just took a big risk, hiring a 39-year-old with no head coaching experience.But if you ask around the NFL this season, Dennis Allen isn't much of a risk at all. In fact, this is generally being looked at as a great hire for the Raiders.Allen and the Raiders formally agreed on a four-year deal on Thursday, according to ESPN. Allen, the former defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, is seen as one of the great young defensive minds in the NFL, and his work with the young Broncos this season speaks for itself.Tim Tebow aside, a big ...
Can the Oakland Raiders get their groove back for winning games consistently? Yes, they can.Many of us believe that Dennis Allen can build the team character of the Oakland Raiders.Here is another observation:If you play chess, you realize that the removal of the queen on the board weakens the stance of your opponent. The recent choice of Allen, a former defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, has the potential of doing just that: weakening the Broncos, the rival of the Oakland Raiders. Of course, a pawn can work its way up to a "queen" status and do the job of ...
On Tuesday, the Oakland Raiders announced that they had come to an agreement to hire Dennis Allen as their next head coach. After weeks of interviews and candidates, speculation and hearsay, the Raiders named the former defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos as Oakland’s seventh head coach in the past 10 years, replacing the departed Hue Jackson. The Raiders have yet to officially introduce Allen; however, according to CSNBayArea.com, both sides have asserted the hiring is being finalized—some contract formalities are being ironed out. Allen must surely be excited about his first head coaching opportunity, and at 39, he continues ...
This week has seen the hiring of two first-time head coaches in the NFL.The Oakland Raiders brought in former Broncos and Saints secondary coach Dennis Allen to replace Hue Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts hired Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano to head a currently fractured coaching situation. Team owner Jim Irsay recently cleaned house of multiple coaches coming off an ugly 2-14 season in the absence of Peyton Manning. He also sent executives Bill and Chris Polian packing, so the Colts are clearly in rebuilding mode as the 2012 NFL Draft approaches. Expected to take QB Andrew Luck with the first ...
Living in Denver right now is a lot of fun, especially if you are an Oakland Raiders fan. The Raiders announced yesterday that Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would be taking on the role of head coach for the Silver and Black. Denver fans are not happy, and honestly, I am tickled pink! The news came on the heels of what can only be described as a turbulent season for one of the league’s most storied franchises. Seeing the passing of owner Al Davis, season-ending injuries to multiple starters and the firing of yet another head coach has put many loyal ...
The Oakland Raiders have not hired a defensive-minded head coach since they chose to go with John Madden in 1969. Now, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL at age 39 by joining the Raiders. Allen was largely responsible for the Broncos’ turnaround this season. Keeping pressure on opposing quarterbacks caused turnovers and kept the pressure off Tim Tebow to play out of his role. Tebow never had to put up flashy numbers or throw more than the game plan called for, since his defense was so reliable. Dennis Allen brings a defensive mentality ...