Oakland
Raiders

Raiders Team Report

Updated: February 07, 2012 10:28 EST

Reggie McKenzie knew it the first time he talked to Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

The new Raiders general manager met with Allen on Jan. 18, then immediately placed a call to owner Mark Davis.

"I think I've got my guy," Allen said.

McKenzie interviewed other candidates, but when he interviewed Allen a second time at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., it was mostly to confirm what he already knew. Allen, 39, and never having been a coach at any level, would be McKenzie's choice to lead Oakland back into the playoffs after a nine-year absence.

"He understood the big picture as far as putting a plan together," McKenzie said. "We went over everything. How you treat people, how you treat players, getting a staff together. It was all right in line with the way I was thinking.

"We had a lot of thoughts about football, the Raiders, players and his passion. His intensity and his drive, that was just icing on the cake."

Allen becomes the 18th Raiders head coach (including two tours by Art Shell) and the seventh in the past 10 years. While it was the policy of late owner Al Davis to offer two-year contracts with a club option for a third, multiple reports have Allen receiving a four-year deal.

McKenzie wouldn't confirm that, but said, "I will tell you this, I'm committed to coach Dennis Allen and what we we're going to do within the next few years."

With the Raiders coming off an 8-8 season, Allen said he did not think the roster needed a major overhaul, and while he paid homage to the club's tradition, he also said, "This is a new day for Oakland Raiders football. We're going to set our own goals and aspirations."

Allen on several occasions during the press conference preached honesty and integrity and believes those qualities will go a long way toward leading the Raiders to a winning season for the first time since 2002.

"If you're passionate about the message you believe in, I firmly believe you can get people to follow you," Allen said. "Our message to these players is that we're going to look for smart, tough, hard-working committed players that want to be the best. We're not going to settle for anything less than that."

Allen, considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, also received a head coaching interview with the St. Louis Rams, who were waiting on a decision from Jeff Fisher. Fisher chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins.

Raiding the Stanford coaching staff has already produced one great NFL comeback story. The Oakland Raiders are hoping there's room for another.

The team announced on Monday that Stanford defensive coordinator Jason Tarver will leave the college ranks to take the same position with the Raiders, making him the newest addition to new head coach Dennis Allen's staff.

It's a return to the NFL after a one-year break for Tarver, who spent 10 seasons as an assistant with the 49ers before taking the Stanford job. He started as an offensive quality control assistant before working with the running backs, and then spent six seasons coaching the team's outside linebackers before taking the Stanford job under David Shaw. Tarver has spent his entire career in California, with West Valley College and UCLA as his other stops.

Sharing defensive coordinator duties with associate head coach Derek Mason, Tarver focused his efforts on the linebackers. The Cardinal was the Pac-12's best team against the run this past season, allowing just 84.4 yards per game and ranking third in the nation in that category. The defense was also the Pac-12's best on third downs, with opponents converting just 31.1 percent of those attempts. Stanford finished the season 11-2 after an overtime loss to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl.

That kind of defensive performance will be more than welcome in Oakland, where the Raiders allowed 387.6 yards per game in 2011. Only the Buccaneers, Patriots and Packers allowed more yards per game last season, while only Minnesota and Tampa allowed more points than the 27.1 points per contest the Raiders gave up. Oakland was the league's sixth-worst team against the pass (251.4 yards per game) and against the run (136.1 yards per game).

In Tarver's last season in the NFL, the 49ers were sixth in the league against the run, giving up less than 100 yards per game (96.7).

--The Oakland Raiders hired seven assistant coaches for head coach Dennis Allen's staff on Thursday, and three of them were on the Raiders' staff last season.

Also, the Raiders reportedly have requested permission to talk to Green Bay Packers cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. about the Raiders' defensive coordinator vacancy, the Oakland Tribune reported. Whitt Jr., 33, has been with the Packers for four years, and he worked with new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie while at Green Bay.

The assistant coaches the Raiders hired on Thursday included former Houston assistant Frank Pollack to replace Bob Wylie as the team's offensive line coach.

Pollack had been the assistant offensive line coach for the Texans the past five years. They were second in the NFL in rushing last season with 153 yards rushing per game.

Pollack's hiring may indicate a change in scheme in the running game. The Texans relied on zone blocking schemes in their running game, while Wylie focused on power blocking.

The three coaches who were retained were running backs coach Kelly Skipper, assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski and defensive quality control coach Eric Sanders.

Former fullback Justin Griffith was named the Raiders offensive quality control coach, and Al Miller is now the strength and conditioning coach, with John Greico serving as his assistant.

--Deposed Oakland coach Hue Jackson has learned the time just after a game is termed a "cooling off period" by league officials for a reason. Typically, Jackson told The Sports Xchange last week, he would use the period, which generally refers to the time between the end of a game and the opening of the locker room to the media, to take a shower, dress in street clothes, and gather his thoughts.

"But I skipped my own routine," Jackson told The Sports Xchange of the moments following the Raiders' season-ending 38-26 drubbing by San Diego on New Year's Day, a defeat that kept Oakland out of the playoffs. "I went right in and talked to the media, and we all saw what happened."

In an angry, rambling dissertation, Jackson lashed out at his team's lack of effort, came down hard on the performance and seemed to throw some players and assistants under the bus. That was hardly his intention, Jackson emphasized.

Jackson feels the perceptions created by the postgame actions may have cost him some assistant coaching opportunities the past few weeks. Nor was he making a power grab, as many have perceived about his remarks in which he suggested he wanted input into matters on the franchise's future.

Jackson said that assumptions he "made" the trade for quarterback Carson Palmer were incorrect, but acknowledged he favored the deal.

"But the trade was made," Jackson said, "by the organization, not Hue Jackson."

He noted that he knew, shortly into his initial meeting with new general manager Reggie McKenzie, that he would not be back in 2012. Jackson said McKenzie informed him early on that the organization was going in another direction, and that the belief by some that he might retain his job because both men share an agent (Kennard McGuire) was "just people trying to connect dots."

Said Jackson: "I knew of (McKenzie), but I really didn't know him at all."

Most notably, perhaps, Jackson told The Sports Xchange that he feels he would still be the Oakland coach had Al Davis not passed away.

"I think I understood him and he understood me," said Jackson, who said that the late owner "ran" the defense and counted on Jackson to oversee the offense.

--The Raiders have gone shopping within their own division for their new special teams coordinator, hiring Chiefs special teams coach Steve Hoffman on Friday.

Hoffman brings 22 years of NFL experience to Oakland, the last three in Kansas City, where he saw Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt average a career-best 45.9 yards per punt in 2011. His NFL experience started in Dallas, where he was part of three Super Bowl winners as the Cowboys' kicking coach and offensive/defensive quality control coach from 1989 to 2004. After 16 seasons with the Cowboys, Hoffman has spent the last six seasons with three different teams: the Falcons (2006), the Dolphins (2007-08) and Kansas City.

In addition to his work with kickers and punters, Hoffman has had success coaching coverage units. In his first year with Kansas City, the Chiefs' special teams jumped 17 spots in Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin's comprehensive NFL special teams rankings, going from 29th in 2008 to 12th in 2009.

That experience will be welcome in Oakland, where the Raiders allowed an NFL-worst 13.5 yards per attempt on punt returns in 2011, largely negating the powerful punts of Shane Lechler, who averaged 50.8 yards per punt this past season. In addition, only five teams were worse than the Raiders on kickoff coverage, where opponents gained 25.7 yards per return.

Hoffman will work under Dennis Allen, who was introduced on Monday as the Raiders' new head coach, replacing Hue Jackson, who was fired last month. At 39 years of age, Allen is the youngest head coach in the NFL.

--Quarterback Carson Palmer has been silent since Reggie McKenzie fired Hue Jackson. Jackson orchestrated the trade that brought Palmer to Oakland and the two men have known each other since Jackson helped recruit Palmer to attend USC.

McKenzie and Allen said they both spoke to Palmer, and that the quarterback is on board with the new regime.

"Carson Palmer is extremely excited about what we have going here," Allen said. "He's looking forward to the future and he's excited about the opportunities here."

McKenzie said he and Palmer had spoken face to face.

Not surprisingly, it seems quarterback Jason Campbell, scheduled for unrestricted free agency, will play elsewhere.

McKenzie was non-committal when asked about Campbell.

--Mark Davis, in his first public speaking appearance since the death of his father on Oct. 8, said he has no intention of selling the franchise.

"There is no intention to sell the team," Davis said. "This is my life. I've been with the Raiders 48 years. And my whole thing is to continue the legacy that my father built here. I've got one of the largest extended families in the world -- all the former players and everybody that's been in the organization."

Davis, however, couldn't say for certain the team would remain in Oakland.

He called Santa Clara and a shared stadium with the 49ers a possibility, but said there had been no discussions with the 49ers toward that end. Basically, Davis said, anything is on the table.

"The time table is yesterday," Davis said. "We've got to get a new stadium. We've got to get that done. It's such a competitive business. We can't compete for a lot of the players other teams can, at times."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "My approach is old school. I'm a roll-up-the-sleeves type of guy, just wake up early like iron workers and come prepared to get the job done." -- Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie.

The Raiders find themselves for the first time since Al Davis arrived as being a blank slate.

GM Reggie McKenzie will hire a coaching staff that will implement its own system and anything is on the table. With Carson Palmer at quarterback, chances are it will include more of a downfield passing attack than the West Coast system favored at Green Bay.

Defensively, the Packers preferred a 3-4 defensive alignment and coach Hue Jackson had hinted before his firing the Raiders could be headed that way.

However, McKenzie said he isn't wed to a particular offensive or defensive scheme. The new coach will sell him on that and he'll work to provide the best players to execute the plan.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Carson Palmer. Backups -- Kyle Boller, Terrelle Pryor, Jason Campbell.

Speculation that Palmer had slipped in terms of arm strength proved unfounded. The team will be built around him and he'll get an entire training camp this time. Boller, an unrestricted free agent, is a No. 3 and, at best, a backup. The hope is Pryor shows enough to be a backup after getting in a full camp. Campbell is expected to go somewhere in free agency where he could conceivably start.

RUNNING BACKS: RB Darren McFadden, FB Marcel Reece. Backups -- RB Michael Bush, RB Rock Cartwright, RB Taiwan Jones, FB Manase Tonga.

McFadden is one of the NFL's best and most versatile backs but through four years cannot be counted upon for an entire season. Reece is unlike any other fullback in the league in that he can play in the slot and be a downfield receiver. Bush gained 977 yards as a "backup" as McFadden missed nine games. Remains to be seen whether the Raiders will shell out the money to keep him either as a franchise free agent or with a long-term deal. Cartwright is a special teams captain and team leader. Jones is one of the fastest backs in the NFL but was slowed by a hamstring pull, playing in 10 games. Tonga was useful in power blocking formations.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Kevin Boss. Backups -- Brandon Myers, Richard Gordon, David Ausberry.

Boss missed the first two games with a strained knee and was an effective but under-utilized target (28 receptions, 368 yards, 3 TDs) who will benefit with a training camp with Palmer. Myers is a solid receiver/blocker as a backup and a very good special teams player. Gordon is an effective enough blocker to play fullback on occasion. Ausberry's blocking is a work in progress but he is an athletic and potentially explosive wide receiver.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore. Backups -- Jacoby Ford, Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Jones.

Heyward-Bey shed the bust label in his third year with a team-leading 64 receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns. Primarily a physical, catch-and-run receiver, he caught a couple of long passes near season's end. Moore made an impact from his first day at training camp and finished with 33 receptions for 618 yards and five touchdowns. Ford's second season didn't match his first because of hamstring and foot injuries that limited him to eight games. Schilens had his moments as a tall, possession receiver and stayed healthy for the first time, but needs to take the next step. Murphy had sports hernia surgery in training camp and his production was down as a third-year player. Houshmandzadeh was brought in by former coach Hue Jackson mostly for leadership purposes, but is near the end of the line.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Jared Veldheer, LG Stefen Wisniewski, C Samson Satele, RG Cooper Carlisle, RT Khalif Barnes. Backups -- T/G Joe Barksdale, T Stephon Heyer, T/G Bruce Campbell.

Veldheer is emerging as a top-flight left tackle, as evidenced by strong games against the likes of Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. Wisniewski played like a five-year veteran, particularly early in the season when he was at his best. Satele is a tough, smart veteran but could eventually be moved aside for Wisniewski. Carlsile rebounded with a solid season after decreasing effectiveness in the two previous years. Barnes had his moments but was prone to penalties (10) on the right side. Barksdale, an extra lineman, could challenge at right tackle with a full training camp. Heyer proved capable as a reserve and filled in admirably when injuries required him to do so. Campbell was inactive late in the season even though he was healthy and players at other positions were too hurt to play. He may not make the roster this season.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: DLE Lamarr Houston, DLT Richard Seymour, NT Tommy Kelly, DRE Desmond Bryant. Backups -- DE Matt Shaughnessy, DT John Henderson, DE Jarvis Moss, DE Trevor Scott, DE Mason Brodine.

Houston is an active, aggressive defender who eventually should be best suited inside as a three-technique. Seymour fought through injuries and earned a Pro Bowl berth mostly on reputation. Kelly's 7.5 sacks led the Raiders, but he, too, would be suited to a three-technique. Bryant can play outside or inside and may be the Raiers' strongest lineman. Shaughnessy looked like a coming star during training camp but spent most of the season on injured reserve after shoulder surgery. Henderson is having trouble staying healthy but can still push the middle of the line. Moss was not as effective as in 2010 and has difficulty holding the edge. Scott's first year back from ACL surgery netted no sacks. Brodine was a Week 16 call-up from the practice squad.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Kamerion Wimbley, MLB Rolando McClain, WLB Aaron Curry. Backups -- WLB Quentin Groves, OLB/MLB Travis Goethel, MLB Darryl Blackstock.

Wimbley's huge contract netted seven sacks as a nickel pass rusher as well as being among the league leaders in quarterback hits and pressures. He tends to play in spurts, however, and vanish for periods of time. McClain has been slow to react and is too often out of his gap -- hence Oakland's problems against the run. Curry is an aggressive sideline-to-sideline player and a big-hitter who tends to be overaggressive and prone to penalties. Groves, a free agent, was relegated to special teams after Curry's acquisition. Goethel missed the entire season after a training camp knee injury but the Raiders like his willingness to take on blockers. Blackstock was a special teams player and backup middle linebacker who may not return.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Stanford Routt, FS Michael Huff, SS Tyvon Branch, RCB Lito Sheppard. Backups -- CB Chris Johnson, CB Chimdi Chekwa, CB DeMarcus Van Dyke, DB Bryan McCann, SS Mike Mitchell, S Jerome Boyd, FS Matt Giordano.

Routt committed a league-high 17 penalties to go along with four interceptions and struggled in the last five games of the season. Huff missed four games due to a concussion and a hamstring injury and there was talk at the end of the season in moving him to cornerback considering he did some good work as slot corner in the nickel defense. Branch, the Raiders' leading tackler, is a willing hitter and was much improved against the pass. Sheppard was signed during the season, ended up starting, and struggled badly against larger receivers in the last three games of the season.

Johnson was placed on the non-football illness list to end the season after a family tragedy. Chekwa's rookie season was derailed by shoulder and hamstring woes. It wasn't a good sign for Van Dyke that he got healthy but couldn't get on the field in front of Sheppard. McCann is primarily a kickoff and punt return specialist. Mitchell is a willing hitter but has periodic issues with his health and can't seem to grain traction beyond occasional work in nickel and dime defenses. Boyd's troubles defending the pass were conspicuous particularly on long throws, where he had trouble adjusting to balls in flight. Girodano had a team-high five interceptions and made a role for himself as Huff struggled with injuries.

SPECIALISTS: PK Sebastian Janikowski, P Shane Lechler, KOR Jacoby Ford, PR Denarius Moore, LOS Jon Condo.

Janikowski was 31-for-35 on field goal attempts, didn't miss a kick inside the 50-yard line that wasn't blocked and made his deservingly made his first Pro Bowl. Lechler remains the AFC's premiere punter. Ford had a touchdown return but was hurt much of the year. Moore showed promise on punts but the Raiders would probably like to find someone to take over and let him concentrate on being a game-breaking receiver. Condo has gotten top-dollar as a long snapper and deserved it. He's been nearly perfect for four years.