A New Era.......... The Autumn Wind

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RAAAAAAAAAAAIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hear it now. Deep in the Black Hole, the sound resonates through my head gear, vibrates my chest and stings my eardrums. It lingers like a good vintage wine for hours after. The call of Victory!

Back in February, I thought time stood still. Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes to hours and hours to days. It was like a bad case of separation anxiety. The team went their way and the fan base was left with so many questions and no answers.

Well, the waiting is over. The 2013 season is upon us and a new desire and hunger for the pinnacle of achievement hangs in the balance. Its time for answers. But those answers come at some expense that we knew was inevitable. The Autumn Wind blew across the surface of our bow. Change was upon us. 

It all started with the hiring of Reggie McKenzie. It was obvious from the start in his introduction with Mark Davis that it was going to be his direction. A new Era of Raiders football. With the subsequent hiring of Dennis Allen, a defensive minded coach and the first since John Madden, the Raiders began to remove themselves from the Al Davis era and tonight into the Reggie McKenzie era of 21st Century NFL Football.

I know that its hard to place expectations on the team this early, but its the typical routine we go through as fans. Win the Super Bowl. My fears are that we may have taken 2 steps back to make the leap after this year. All of that can change with a great showing tonight against the Cowboys. Which Raiders team will show up? The New or the Old?

Keys to tell........................

Offense

1. Small steps. We were pretty good last year and with a full off season under Carson Palmer's belt, I am hooping that the players can get going together on the common path.I am looking for a touch down on our opening possession. No 3 and out.
2. Maturation of our Wide Receivers. I hope that they can continue on the path they have been going, Yards after the catch. With the west coast offense now being implemented, I can almost assure you that there will be more 5-10 yard routes and more inclusion of the tight end to move the ball and focus more on the first down rather then the home run ball.
3. Stability at Running back. We need to stay healthy and build a good running game. We are going back to the Zone Blocking Scheme and establishment of our dominance will start today on the offensive line and backfield. 
4. 65%-35% mix Run/Pass. Although Carson Palmer is a proven vet, I think he should only be called on when it comes to putting the final dagger through out opponents heart. We have to be balanced at first to get our opponent off guard and then run them into the ground.

Defense

1. D-Line dominance. We need to establish ourselves as a run stuffing defensive team. We have some new vets in the backfield with returning rookies, but it all starts with the D-Line protecting us from the runs. In addition to this, they have to make quick pursuits to the QB. Nothing new here.
2. Line backer pursuit. Has to be there. These guys need to be all over the ball and filling their gaps. The hardest part to this is to be patient and trust the guys in front of you to do their jobs. Ray Lewis is not who he is because he alone is great. He has a trust for the down 4 that allows him to be patient and flow with the play and attack the ball.
3. Minimize penalties. Our biggest offender, Stanford Routt, is gone. Thank the Lord. He stunk it up last year with 17 penalties alone. This group needs to play disciplined football and get off the field on 3rd down. No exceptions. 

It should be interesting to usher in this new era of thinking. I am excited to see the growth of Dennis Allen from his days in Denver into something we have needed for a long time. A leader of the team. Only time will tell and tonight our journey begins.

Its good to be back Nation. Good to be back!

Chaotic View

 

Common Sense......Time To Come Up...... Free Agency

After the hiring of Dennis Allen, I figured there is enough talk about who he is and what he has done so far in his coaching career and decided to stay away from telling you yet again the same Wiki information you have read about a hundred times already.

What I will do is talk to you all about what the Raiders need to do going into the next year to improve this team at the positions I feel we are the weakest at.

Here are the current Raider Free Agents:

KEY

UFA: Unrestricted free agent; a player who has completed four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

RFA: Restricted free agent; a player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

OFFENSE

• Jason Campbell QB – UFA
• Khalif Barnes T – UFA
• Kyle Boller QB – UFA
• Michael Bush RB – UFA
• Rock Cartwright RB – UFA
• Stephon Heyer OL – UFA
• T.J. Houshmanzadeh WR – UFA
• Marcel Reece FB — UFA
• Samson Satele C – UFA
• Chaz Schilens WR – UFA

DEFENSE

• Darryl Blackstock LB – UFA
• Desmond Bryant DL – RFA
• Tyvon Branch SS – UFA
• Matt Giordano – UFA
• Quentin Groves LB – UFA
• Jarvis Moss DE – UFA
• Trevor Scott DE – UFA
• Lito Sheppard – UFA

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Jon Condo LS – UFA
• Bryan McCann – UFA

In previous blogs, here and here, I posted my comments on certain players and who balled out and who simply busted out. Well, because of the fact that the Raiders have a large amount of free agents and limited draft picks, I thought I would fill in the gaps on our glaring needs from the waiver/free agency wire.

Carl Nicks - Guard - Cooper Carslie is getting old and needs to be replaced. This guy is going to be a hot commodity this offseason. Hopefully courted by us.

Cortland Finnegan - CB - Standford Routt is not a top flight CB, but with the youth at that position, I would say we need to get rid of his 54 million contract and spend it on a guy who is tough and only commits penalties when he is punching someone in the face.

Calais Campbell - DE - Going to the 3-4...... we need some speed on the outside. Hybrid DE that can rush the end well. Has 21 career sacks at the age of 25.

Dwayne Bowe - WR - Chaz "Glass Chin" Schillins, and Louis "Cancer" Murphy are way beyond their time. We need those roster spots for people who actually want to play.

Brodrick Bunkley - DT - Going 3-4? Want a familiar face? Bring in one of your tools Allen.... No better place to start then your former team.

Reggie Wayne - WR - Wow, talk about a retread that could be had at a discount. I would love for this guy to provide a presence on this team that would help DHB and Jacoby Ford become a better squad. Paired with Dwayne Bowe, this may be too lethal of a team to have even your best day as a defensive backfield and not expect Carson Palmer to light it up.

Jon Condo - LS - Just sign him. He is a Raider for life.

Matt Giordiano - FS - Played well enough to earn and keep a starting job. He can only get better.

Tyvonn Branch - SS - Hard hitter, good blitzer and proven team member. Resign for sure.

Marcel Reece - FB - Need I say anymore? Just the name is synonymous with success. Pay him!

Michael Bush - RB - A quality backup to Darren McFadden who is often hurt. If we do not keep McFadden and trade him and make a run at Arian Foster (Who is a life long Raider Fan by the way)  in my opinion, we don't skip a beat in the backfield.

Rock Cartwright - RB - Perennial special teams player who is always around the ball and does what he needs to to finish his career with the Raiders. He is a fan favorite and one of the old goats that the team looks to for leadership!

It is yet to be seen as to whether or not Jason Campbell will stick it out with the team. Just him being in the locker room last year polarized the WR group into who their loyalty was finishing out the season. I think if he is going to stay, then Carson has to go, but if not, he can not be in the Raiders locker room next to Palmer and cause a huge separation through the rest of the offense. Guys pick their guy. Carson was Hue's guy and came in and played great ball for the limited time he was exposed to the offense. Our productivity increased and our average yards per game in the air increased. Like I said though, Jason Campbell was the QB who began the success and guys don't forget that. I would be surprised if he stayed with the team and didn't bicker about not being named the starter.

Speaking of the QB position, can we just release Kyle Boller now please? I heard TO was looking for a new QB. We should look for someone to play and compete with Terrell Pryor for the 2nd spot.

Anyhow, that's what I think we should do to get this team better. Some you may agree with, some you may not, but I would love to hear why...... Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

Chaotic View

Diamond In The Rough.......

So it has been a quiet few weeks.... No real news to write about except that Paul Guttierez ran into Reggie McKenzie at the airport and asked him how everything was going. Mentioned a few names about possible coaching candidates and even got specific about Jon Gruden. Reggie just laughed and said there is a possibility that we could have our man by this next Saturday. I say, hold your horses..... There is someone that has not been named this year with any link to the coaching search and I believe it would be a mistake to not even look into the thought. His name...... Kevin Gilbride.....

You ask, who the hell is Kevin Gilbride? I say..... lets dive into it......

He went to Southern Connecticut State University, where he played both quarterback and tight end. He would later coach at his alma mater for five seasons starting in 1980 and compiled a 35-14-2 overall record. He was an assistant coach at American International College (AIC) in Springfield, Massachusetts.From 1985 to 1986 he served as an assistant with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.

NFL Experience.... Gilbride served as the San Diego Chargers head coach from 1997-1998. Sure they didn't win a lot of games, but the Chargers roster sucked. Can't blame him.

Since 1990, Gilbride has served as an assistant with a number of NFL franchises, working as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Those franchises include the Houston Oilers (1990–1994), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–1996), Pittsburgh Steelers (1999–2000), Buffalo Bills (2002–2003), and currently is the offensive coordinator with the New York Giants, with whom he earned a Super Bowl ring.

Speaking of the Giants.... They are now in the Superbowl for the second time under Kevin's offensive tutelage. Pretty impressive that no one has approached him before.... Oh wait.... In 2008, the  Raiders received permission to interview Gilbride for their vacant head coach position. We ended up hiring Tom Cable. We see where that took us....

Here is who he worked under in the NFL...

Tom Coughlin - Ney York Giants and Jacksonville Jags.

Bill Cowher - Pittsburgh Steelers

Jack Pardee - Houston Oilers

Gregg Williams - Buffalo Bills

With the exception of Pardee, I would say not bad pedigree huh?

So you ask, why Gilbride? Look at the stats and schedule from this last year...

Wk 1 - Loss to Washington 28-14

Wk 2  - Win Vs. Rams  28-16

Wk 3 - Win Vs. Eagles 29-16

Wk 4 - Win Vs. Ari. 31-27

Wk 5 - Loss to Sea. 36-25

Wk 6 - Win Vs. Buff. 27-24

Wk 7 - Bye

Wk 8 - Win Vs. Miami 20-17

Wk 9 - Win Vs. Pats 24-20

Wk 10 - Loss to SF 27-20

Wk 11 - Loss to Eagles 17-10

Wk 12 - Loss to New Orleans 49-24

Wk 13 - Loss to GB 38-35

Wk 14 - Win Vs. Cowgirls 37-34

Wk 15 - Loss to Washington 23-10

Wk 16 - Win Vs. Jets 29-14

Post Season

Wild Card Win Vs. Atlanta 24-2

Division Round Win Vs. GB 37-20

NFC Championships Win Vs. Whiners 20-17

BETWEEN THE NUMBERS

OFFENSIVE RANKINGS

Overall Ranking (League Rank) 8th

Pts Per Game (24.6) 9th

Yards Per Game (385.1) 8th

Passing Yards Per Game (295.9) 5th

Rush Yards (89.2) 32nd

How did they stack up against Hue Jackson's Offense?

Overall Ranking (League Rank) 9th

Pts Per Game (22.4) 16th

Yards Per Game (379.5) 9th

Passing Yards Per Game (247.6) 11th

Rush Yards (131.9) 7th

I am thinking the rush yards is most likely a talent issue. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are good backs, but they are not Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. The receiving corps are identical. A bunch of no namers who are making a name for themselves. Personally, I see it as an even draw with talent with the exception that the Raiders have a better backs, only making Gilbrides job easier.

If Reggie McKenzie is serious about making us a contender, he needs to bring in a coach who can use the vast majority of the talent we have in place and a mindset of our offense putting its foot on the throat of our opponent and not letting up on the pressure. Its a must! Pedal to the Metal baby! We can still instill that mindset of building a bully that Hue started, this time with a new defensive coordinator to equal out the field and make us a power house.

Reggie and Tommy Boy, this is your man! Cause I said so! You get this guy, Al will be proud and so will the Raider Nation.

Chaotic View

Reggie McKenzie..... The Man At The Top.....

Well, if you have not yet heard, the Raiders, who have not yet confirmed the hiring, are set to hire the first GM to the Raiders since Al Davis lost his mind and tool complete control of Player Personell. The report of the agreement was  reported by ESPN Thursday night by Adam Schefter, and subsequantly McKenzie confirmed the hiring through text message through ESPN Milwaukee.

 

So, who is McKenzie you ask..... Well here are some of his details:

 

With the Raiders: 

• Chosen by Ron Wolf as a 10th-round pick from Tennessee in 1985, he enjoyed a seven-year playing career as a linebacker, suiting up for the then-Los Angeles Raiders
• Became an immediate starter and won all-rookie honors.
• Unfortunately, all records were not really kept as far as tackles were concerned, but he had 3 career sacks and 2 interception which he returned for 35 yards.

 

Inbetween Raiders/Packers:

• Spent two injury-plagued seasons (1989-90) with the then-Phoenix Cardinals and one year (1992) with the San Francisco 49ers.
• Prior to signing with the 49ers, he played with the World League’s Montreal Machine in the spring of 1992. While out of football in 1991, McKenzie spent a season as a defensive coach for Dorsey High School in south central Los Angeles.
• In 1993, McKenzie returned to Tennessee and served as an assistant under head coach Philip Fulmer. That year, the Volunteers appeared in the Florida Citrus Bowl and landed one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, highlighted by QB Peyton Manning. While back in Knoxville, McKenzie also pursued a master’s degree in education administration

 

With The Packers:

• First joined Packers in 1994 as a pro personnel assistant; promoted to director of pro personnel in 1997.
• Finishing his 25th year in the NFL and had 18th season as a member of the Packers’ personnel department. Since he joined the team’s front office in 1994, Green Bay’s 170 regular-season wins over that period rank tied for third most with Indianapolis, trailing only Pittsburgh (172) and New England (180).
• Oversees Green Bay’s scouting efforts of all professional football leagues, including the NFL, CFL and Arena Football League, as well as all other pro leagues and international players.
• Played an integral role in judging the Packers’ current players and evaluating potential free agents across the league.
• Was heavily involved in all of the team’s moves on a daily basis, including all tryouts and transactions. Provided advance scouting reports on upcoming opponents, working closely with Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his staff.
• He also contributed to the scouting of college prospects, made school visits in both the fall and spring, and worked in conjunction with the General Manager of the Packers, Ted Thompson, in preparation for the annual draft.
• Named director – football operations May 27, 2008.
• During McKenzie’s tenure, the Packers have captured seven division titles, three conference championships and Super Bowls XXXI and XLV

 

The Personal Side:

• President of the ‘McKenzie Foundation,’ a non-profit youth foundation in Knoxville.
• A two-way star as a prep at Austin East High School in Knoxville, was valedictorian of his 1981 graduating class.
• Born in Knoxville, Tenn., on Feb. 8, 1963, McKenzie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in personnel management at Tennessee. 
• McKenzie and his wife, June, a Green Bay attorney, have two daughters, Jasmin, 19, who attends Wheaton College in Illinois and Mahkayla, 17, who will enroll at Duke University in the fall. He also has two sons, Reginald Kahlil, 14, and Jalen Elijah, 12.

 

It is not yet clear whether McKenzie will take over immediately as he is still under contract with Green Bay. Because they are still in the playoffs, they will need to decide whether or not he is able to leave and at what time.

 

By the way, his Super Bowl ring was stolen on May 3, 2009. Sucks for him, but maybe with him at the helm for the Raiders, we can bring him a shiny new one for his finger.

What do you think of the hire? Leave me your comments.

Chaotic View