Welcome, Pete Carroll!
Finally, a GROWNUP and a PROVEN commodity at head coach.
I'm not saying Pete's going to be incredible and the Raiders are going to be instantly great, but at least we're finally in the ballpark and not flailing around wondering if Pierce is up to the task (nope), if McDaniels has gotten his s*** together (nope), if Gruden still has the old magic and isn't going to be cartoony (nope), etc.
This is just a simple, rock-solid, low-downside, possible high-upside choice of a stable coach who can shepherd the team through this transition time and out of the abyss and not look out of place or out of his depth in a division with Reid, Payton and Harbaugh.
I'll take it.
posted by Raider Take at 10:21 AM
78 Comments:
Indeed. The sad truth is, Carroll is a good hire for an organization which is incapable of finding and hiring unproven talent, the likes of which seems simple for some organizations. So, at age 73 (age 74 in Sept), Pete Carroll is the safe choice. (Also, the Raiders second choice.)
Carroll brings knowledge and stability, but not longevity. So, we will be doing this again in the short-term, for better or for worse.
The only positive I see in it is that the Raiders might be seriously trying to fast track the team to contention. That would certainly be welcome, but is it doable?
We shall see.
The last time I said OC was a critical hire for our HC we ended up with Luke Getsy. That's exactly where we are once again, at the most critical juncture of staff hirings.
Bottom line Carroll and Spytek is a far superior twosome than Telesco and Pierce. Sandy
Sandy, how do we know that? Or does that just mean, setting a broken leg is better than amputation?
Listen, IMO, the Raiders don't deserve our confidence after 22 years of failure. They need to earn it, and for more than two decades they have not.
Saying they finally hired a winning HC with experience might not, by itself, solve who the Raiders have become, losers! Sorry to sound pessimistic, but how many times do you need to get punched in the face before you duck? Once should be the answer but, for Raiders fans, it's more like 10x.
There's nothing the Raiders can do right now that will receive my full confidence. That might be a good omen because I thought hiring McDaniels then hiring Pierce were the right calls, until it was obvious they weren't.
Hail, Pete Carroll.
The Patriot way didn't go w/ Al's plans in his era but there is a huge connection between the two teams. The ex-N.E. guys helped the Raiders win during Al's best years and they were some of the best players in the NFL and Raiders' history.
Al's Patriots' connections:
*J. Plunkett
*R. Gannon
*M. Haynes
S. Jordan
*B. Hamilton
R. Seymore
Rob Ryan- DC
D. Hassellbeck
*B. Golic
T. Poole
P. Harlow
New regime's Patriots' connections:
T. Brady
R. Seymore
P. Carroll
Pats' guys
J. Jones
Abdullah
J. Meyers
T. Brown(OT)
A. Carter
D. Daniels(front office, scout?)
Jimmy G.
NY you are not being pessimistic (and I would tell you lol) I think you are being cautious due to scar tissue. Pete Carroll's body of work, experience and sucess screams stability compared to AP. Spytek I was going with the vibe you gave me last year re Telesco that he was a fired GM who had done an average to slightly above average in SD. I thought Telesco did a good job on his draft and mediocre on free agency cause of Minshew. Spytek seems to have a glowing resume and lot of respect from league people and media pundtis. The ture test for Spytek will be what he does about the QB position this year. Sandy
To other Anon,
Al-Anon
Well, what is it about Spytek that gives you the idea he and Brady and Carroll can rebuild this team? well, the NFL is investing/ supporting in this team now! happy?...Al spend decades/ years trying to keep the NFL out of the Raiders.
Al and other's who were about the game:
1. winning
2. being the best and/ or dominating the league.
3. then making money
The NFL:
1. Money
2. power
3. investment
4. legal protection from lawsuits.
5. more money.
Sandy, I think the Raiders might fall into the same trap as last year, making Spytek's job as impossible as Teleco's. They are probably too far back to draft a top QB (from a much thinner group) and free agent QBs are the same faces coming off one- or two-year deals.
Nobody fires a GM after one season. That's insane and an indictment of the hiring process.
I will say, Pete Carroll brings an incredible resume, arguably best Day 1 resume of any Raiders HC in their history. But he seemed pretty happy to retire last year (at 73), and he's coming to an organization where good coaches and players find failure unexpectedly and unnecessarily.
The Raiders were loaded with experienced coaches last year. Didn't they have three former HCs on staff and access to Tom Coughlin? None of that helped them to any success.
It just seems like whoever the Raiders get, it's never going to be good enough. And whatever Carroll can bring to the Raiders, it can't last. It will be surprising if he finishes his three-year contract.
So what's the plan then? Will we still have no QB and no HC?
If the Raiders plan was to never have a plan, then job well done.
P.S., this year offered some high-performing, quality coordinators who look primed for HC opportunities, as well as a couple previous HCs who seemed hungry for another opportunity. Bears, Cowboys, Jets, Pats, all found guys who, under the right circumstances, can be their HC for a decade.
There are still guys in the current coaching pool that look solid, including coordinators in the remaining field of teams.
The Raiders had opportunity to vet these guys but instead decided to go with a guy who might only last 1-3 years. I hate to say it, but Carroll seems like a desperation hire by a desperate team.
Maybe Carroll brings in Wilson and the Raiders make a run for the payoffs. The Raiders will have successfully band-aided their problem but they'll still need an operation.
I'm a fan of Pete Carroll, but this move seems incredibly shortsighted. To me, it shows the Raiders know they are incapable of properly vetting young coaches. Or they are just too lazy... as they have the shortest list of interviews by any team looking to hire a new HC. Same as last year.
Given the instability of the Raiders the past few years, I think it's a wise move bringing in a wise experienced coach with a high floor like Pete versus some wonder kid coordinator who has never been a head coach. Sandy
I don't like the rumor of Carroll and Wilson. In case you don't remember, that relationship didn't end well, much worse than Carroll/Lynch. I like the hire, it gives the Raiders an edge over the other coaches in the division. But, Pete does try to outsmart himself at times. I am curious who the OC and DC will be
Sandy, that makes sense, but it also speaks to the position the Raiders placed themselves in. And what about GM? They fired the experience guy and brought a first-timer. Is Carroll expected to fill that role too?
IMO, there's no excusing lazy and stupid at this point. Not vetting qualified HC (and GM) candidates has become a mainstay of Mark Davis's tenure as owner which has now undergone eight coaching changes in 12 years. Let that sink in for a minute. That's exactly why the Raiders are desperate.
For some fans and media, Telesco overperformed for a GM off the scrap heap. What did Mark Davis and the Raiders expect from his hire?
I'm sure Pete Carroll thinks this is gonna be fun. Not sure he knows what he's getting himself into.
As I said before, this all might be a good omen, i.e., me questioning the process and the hires, because I've been wrong about the last couple regimes. In my defense, nobody is paying me to do this, and I'm pretty certain I could do better than Davis has... but so could a child.
OC/DC up next! Maybe I'll feel better (or worse).
To Raidernation,
Al-Anon
Pete Carroll is a good HC but not elite anymore we now have 4 very good HCs' in the AFC West but what about the GM behind the HC? we don't have that here we don't have the old Raiders culture, attitude or vision or even a little of it. we don't have just haters, we have people who are worse than them, there are people who want to erase and change this team's culture because they felt it was bad/ strange from the start and needed to go.
Raidernation supported all that negative press, lying and unfair claims against Al's teams but hey, maybe things will get better but again, we are seeing this team go with a new regime and that it is good for us- this time!
Fans happy '25 but question things don't just go with it. go Raiders in '25!
Breaking, (Sat, Jan 25th), the Texans have fired Bobby Slowik as their OC. Bring him in Pete!
No big complaints re Telesco. Spytek seems to have been on organizatiosn that draft a lot of high quality players and have a philosphy of building the trenches.
Remember how the Raiders came out flat against Carolina this year and got their ass kicked. I don't see that with Carroll he knows how to prepare his teams to play.
Slightly off topic but with the Eagles playing tomorrow everytime I see Jalen Carter absoutlley dominainte I think how GM Ziegler/McDaniels fucked that up by taking Tyree Wilson.
Sandy
Sandy, I was thinking about that the other day. I remember how adamant you were about drafting Carter over Wilson. Carter is a monster and Wilson is a dud! Plus, the Raiders could have saved >$100M not signing Wilkins, who spent last year on IR.
It's embarrassing how bad the Raiders missed that one. Wilson is slow off the snap and has below average strength for a big guy. Did the Raiders actually scout him?
Good memory NY, Wilson is another Clellin Farrell Sandy
I'm warming up to the Pete Carroll hire. It is what it is. I can't complain about his resume, only complaining about the process by which so few candidates were vetted. But we need high-level coordinators, especially, OC. Pierce had his shortcomings but his choice of Luke Getsy was easily his biggest mistake.
Also, the Raiders have a number of free agents they should re-sign. Leading that group are Moehrig, Spillane, Butler and Chaisson. Koonce may have too high of a price tag. Not sure he's earned that after a year on IR.
Spytek and Carroll have a lot of work ahead of them.
2025 QB1 will be a top priority. Ironically, the Raiders are in almost identical position as last year. They are behind the draft slotting for top QBs and free agent market is very similar to last year, without any top-level talent.
It's entirely possible AOC is still competing for Raiders QB1 in 2025. Carroll and company will need to be on top of their game to make that work... or we might be doing this again next year.
Raiders have requested to interview Karl Scott, Seattle's DB Coach, for the DC position. Karl worked at Alabama for 3 years under Saban before joining the Seahawks in Carroll's last 2 seasons.
Love the Pete Carroll hire ! Now do what the Raiders have been unwilling to do for over two decades....Build a great TEAM.
Qb is important, but Qb needs a team around him, whoever it ends up being.
Not a fan of Russ Wilson, he hasn't been a top Qb for five years now. If he is any good, Steelers would keep him, but they moving on.
Hopefully, Pete Carroll looked at some film, and believes the Raiders can be a quick turn around. Raiders have two great TE's. Add some top Wr's, and a running back, and Raiders could truly have an explosive offense. It can happen fast, or at least, a couple of years.
Coordinator hires will be huge. Hopefully, Carroll won't fall into the trap of being the next Raiders HC who finds failure with this losing org. It's been an impossible trend to break.
Forget Pierce's inexperience, the Raiders were loaded with coaching talent last year and had their worst season since going 2-14.
This decades long streak is an organizational curse. Is Pete up for that?
As for QB, I'd choose Fields over Wilson, and I said that last year too. Fields still needs grooming but he has far more upside and longevity on his side.
I'm squarely against signing Darnold after watching him throw screen passes to the turf in the Vikings payoff game. He is a choker. Need someone with ice in their veins.
Let AOC, Fields and a draft QB battle it out. The Raiders don't have many options.
Fired up after that press conference, especially with Money Lynch yelling a huge "RAAAAIIIIDERS!" Glad to see Maxx there too, btw, he ain't going anywhere.
I think John drafts a QB, if not the first, then in the second. I like Will Howard, but there are others too. Another name I like is Jalen Milroe, though his stats and TD/Int ratio are a hot mess. That is, of course, if Sanders or Cam Ward doesn't fall to #6. I am not a fan of Jaxson Dart, however.
Raiders need a RB too, not a good look getting rid of Josh Jacobs. We will see.
Raiders were stupid to let Jacobs walk, but nobody looks dumber right now than the Giants. Barkley is all-world and cannot be stopped.
On a side note, the Eagles are all that stands in the way of the "Swifties" Chiefs 3-peating. Not sure I could stomach that.
NYR......Watching these KC Swifts games has become sort of comical. Everyone knows it's in the bag for Swifts to win. The calls by refs are hilarious. Bending over backwards to ensure a KC Swifts victory.
NFL should change name to, NFRL, as in, The, Not For Real League ! Nothing we are watching is real !
Funny, it's so obvious it's been a topic on the Howard Stern show.
Unless the game is rigged, Eagles have enough to beat the Chiefs.
I saw a photo-shopped meme on Twitter or X or whatever, after the game, and it was Mahomes kissing a referee. I thought it was hilarious. 2 blown calls on first down for the Bills, and gave the ball tot he Swifts. The non-catch catch. Too many non calls for holding to protect Mahomes.
In other NFL news, Bill Musgrave is the new QB coach for the Browns. I really wanted him back as OC. I will be happy if they go after the Texans OC who was recently let go, Bobby Slowick.
What made Musgrave so effective as Raiders OC was his willingness to let Carr make plays on his own. That's when Carr is at his best. But I don't think he's been coordinator since, meaning he might be a little behind the curve. Musgrave had his moment but that may have past.
It's interesting because Raiders will need a dynamic coordinator who can work with pocket passer like AOC and possibly a scrambler like Justin Fields or maybe Geno Smith.
Also, the way this is being framed (at least for PR sake) is that It's understood this is the only contract Pete Carroll will receive from the Raiders, and that he intends to hire talented coaches which intentionally should include his successor (which he will groom).
Not sure Bill Musgrave is that guy. Maybe he could be, but IDK.
One thing for sure, Carroll can't afford to miss at OC like Pierce did.
If you watch teams like Washington or Philly, you will see that they are so confident in their offenses, they go for short 4th downs all over the field... and usually get them. The Raiders seem light years from that level of proficiency.
Well, Musgrave won't be back because he is the new QB coach in Cleveland. Bobby Slowick should be the #1 OC Candidate. I really do not understand why the Texans let him go.
Okay, I watched the presser. Love the energy and passion of Pete Carroll. He might be a little long in the tooth, but he definitely has some chops left.
Perhaps the Raiders still get outplayed (that's to be determined) but the days of the Raiders getting outcoached are over while PC is on the sideline.
Without a doubt, the most elevated and accomplished HC the Raiders have ever hired.
There's something to be said for that. Let's hope it works!
Al-Anon
We got a good HC but we didn't once again, try to get an elite HC from pro or college levels.
We have a very experienced front office but will be bring int he players for them to coach up?
No, this team isn't making big moves, they got an experienced HC and assistants but they really needed somebody with some boldness and a little rebellious or willing to make big decisions. we will build a well coached team but if they spent big on star FA's maybe we'd be a winning team faster. you got a good and famous/ big name HC but you're letting an inexperienced guy build your team.
Looks like they're bringing back Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator I think that's good news for the team and all the free agents they have. Sandy
They brought back ST coordinator too.
I believe Graham became a more aggressive play-caller over the past two years, following the energy and determination of Crosby and Spillane. He went from read and react to regularly blitzing. And he moved Moehrig closer to the LOS, elevating his play 3x.
Keeping this system and adding a few players is probably a good call.
Graham can sign a multi-year deal as DC for the Raiders and still take a HC job whenever he's offered. That's what he wants.
I'm a little surprised, though, because Pete Carroll is a D-minded HC. You'd think he'd want his own system.
A key takeaway from the intro presser is that the Raiders brass expect to win immediately. This is not a rebuild in their estimation. After a clear statement to that effect, it's funny to see all the media headlines about a Raiders rebuild happening. These writers can't see their nose in front of their faces. It probably signals the Raiders will bring in another vet QB, like Russell Wilson, Geno Smith or Sam Darnold.
Spytek top priorities now, especially, if Graham remains DC, re-sign Spillane, Butler and Moehrig. Also, restructure Crosby with new guarantees. None of that is rocket science.
This IS a rebuild because the team was bad/ looked bad but were better than the looked or was TANKING.
They are rebuilding and they need to spend big to try and make the playoffs in '25.
1. get Crosby a good back up pass rusher.
2. don't let Crosby and Wilkins play every down they are pass rushers and should play mostly on passing downs and/ or rotate with other DLs' more.
Amy Trask and Suzy Schuster have a podcast called "What the Football." They did an interview with Pete Carroll yesterday that is AWESOME! You can listen to it here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zK5HKD7WgeNj8iCzNsvng?si=caba44091a8d4e20
Sorry, I can't help it. This has been repeated many times and it's still the dumbest statement I think I've read from the author.
"don't let Crosby and Wilkins play every down they are pass rushers and should play mostly on passing downs and/ or rotate with other DLs' more."
Maxx Crosby is arguably the best edge player against the run in the NFL.
But it gets worse. It's compounded by this statement...
"get Crosby a good backup pass rusher."
So the author of these ridiculous statements wants to remove Crosby from running plays, then rotate him out on passing downs.
Geez! Should Crosby get to play at all?
Complete foolishness.
BTW, the "not rebuilding" comment is not from me, it's from Pete Carroll, citing his conversations with Mark Davis and/or "the interview team" which included Tom Brady. So don't take my word for it. Go to the source.
And please stop suggesting the Raiders were tanking. They won 2 of their last 3 games. That's not tanking... by any definition.
I don't know how you expect anyone to take you seriously when you don't bring facts or common sense to the discussion.
Rumor out that Tom Cable is rejoining the Raiders coaching staff, for the third time. Like 2x wasn't enough.
Cable is a firm believer in zone blocking.
Of all people, Pete Carroll should remember, Cable got chased out of Seattle for his awful time as their line coach. He came to the Raiders (then 2nd stint) and failed ZBS again.
His claim to fame prior to that was calling his own plays while briefly HC of the Raiders, only to be undermined by Al Davis, who hired Hue Jackson to take over play-calling duties. The following year he replaced Cable with Jackson as HC.
Cable also was accused of punching Randy Hanson. Remember that?
Cable is not a bad guy, just someone with bad ideas about play-calling. While he won't be OC, his preferred ZBS should be banned by the Raiders org.
To NY Raider,
Al-Anon
NY!, now, you saw them lose games they shouldn't've lost then they win a few then lose the rest, they
Whatever the game plan was it wasn't to get the top overall pick. mainly because they don't want to pay a rookie/ young QB that much money so I don't think they really planned to get 1 of the 2 elite QBs' anyway. at least that makes sense, they'll put or should put a group of guys to focus on finding a steal in later rounds and
Crosby and Wilkins-my bad idea?: Crosby plays on a bad team and is getting older, he's starting to ware down. since the Raiders feel they can find a steal in later rounds(the draft) or sign a cheap but good FA player they refuse to get Crosby a talented back DE/ edge to play while these 2 guys rest more.
What you're suggesting is absolutely incorrect. Because the Raiders lost games they should have won (in your opinion), you say they were "tanking." That's absurd. Every team loses games like that.
Tanking means they lose games that are meaningful for them to lose, e.g., to get higher draft picks. The Raiders won two of their last three games and blew that theory out of contention. But here you are trying to warp that into something else.
I don't understand why that needs to be explained.
And suggesting Crosby stay on the sideline for any plays is foolishness. Are you his agent? Maybe you're trying to setup his retirement plan?
If Pete Carroll went to Maxx Crosby and suggested what you said about limiting his playing time, the first words out of Crosby's mouth would be "TRADE ME." And he'd be well in his right to ask.
It's not rocket science.
It's frustrating trying to make sense of your wacky theories.
Yes! the Raiders were TANKING!!! wow! you were right! they want a QB then you say they suddenly decided to win! yes, you were right again! yes, they won but not to win they wanted to miss out on the 1st and 2nd picks. why? IMO...I think the NFL told them not to go after those elite QBs. but probably they decided they were going to let their special group or their GM with help from Brady find a QB in lower rounds I think the Saints and the teams at the end of the year were trying to lose or not win and the Raiders just couldn't get them to TANK.
"...they wanted to miss out on the 1st and 2nd picks because the NFL told them not to go after elite QBs."
You think that's a grounded perspective?
That's unhinged.
If they wanted to get those picks what could they have done?
The last few teams they played may've been trying to TANK. so the Raiders couldn't out lose them? or the teams
This isn't rocket science you TANK to get the top pick. But the Raiders don't pick elite players they're the only team that purposely went after system guys and you have to know that was ridiculous. they think they can copy Bellichick's vision/ system? even if they thought they could and had some ex-dynasty Patriots' guys in their front office- if Bellichick was giving them advise they shouldn't've done that! but you have the nerve to support this none sense! you don't think they wanted the Raiders to get to a certain point but not the overall pick for some reason mainly because they want somebody else to have it and for to do good but not that good. they want us to get an elite player now because they want to con us with "a new hero is going to build a winner" talk.
Friend, nothing you say is accurate. Your words are not steeped in facts or logic, and sometimes downright ridiculous.
The Raiders had the top pick and lost it by winning two games to end the season. That's definitely not tanking! Mark Davis was ecstatic about winning those two games, so nobody told him either.
You said "the NFL told the Raiders not to go after elite QBs." That would be huge breaking news. Yet not a single media outlet, blogger, team executive, coach, ball boy or housewife has ever said a word about it.
Apparently, it's a secret that only you know.
When that happens, it's time to step away from the pipe.
And then why are you saying it was stupid, bad decision to try and win those games then? if in fact they planned to get a "Franchise QB"? that's silly! and well, maybe MD was happy about the win but he's the owner and doesn't/ may not know what his staff does!
When you think that they according to some of you, TANKED then why would they suddenly feel like they want to win? then fire the HC after the season if he did a great thing by stop TANKING and winning a few more games?
Yea, it doesn't make sense that they would win and then lose the rest of those games. If they just lost to a better team then o.k. I admit I'm wrong- the situation is not clear- if they were trying to lose or just got too excited/ hyped and played hard and did they get beaten by better team or did something happend because maybe the other team wanted to TANK too but the Raiders just played bad football harder?---------------
By your definition of tanking, Al Davis tanked the final nine years of his reign as the Raiders supreme leader. During that time, Al oversaw worse seasons than the Raiders just had.
If the 2024 Raiders were tanking, they would have results to show for it (like a top draft pick). There's no degree of tanking which other teams tanked better than the Raiders. That's absurd. The Raiders tried to win those games. Pierce was coaching for his life to win those games... and he won two of his last three, then got fired for losing the others. That's NOT tanking.
Now it's moot. The Raiders have a new head coach and still no clear path to obtaining a QB. That has nothing to do with the NFL. Suggesting it does makes you look foolish.
Raiders made their own mess.
Sometimes the most obvious things are true. No need to twist the facts beyond recognition.
Scott Tuner is leaving Raiders to be an assistant for Jets. I think Tuner has some chops. He certainly has pedigree. He'll be OC again in the NFL.
Carroll needs to find a truly talented OC. Because picking the wrong OC is exactly what cost Pierce his job.
And no matter what we think of Carroll, he's not likely to last more than 2-3 seasons, leaving the Raiders to retool again. And not by necessity, this time by design. That's why hiring Carroll is a bit of a headscratcher.
But who am I to say. Carroll is the most elevated and experienced HC the Raiders organization has ever hired.
Pierce was young and inexperienced. Carroll is the exact opposite.
If the Raiders "F" this up, they will have completed the circle and officially screwed up every way possible. (Just an observation.)
Chip Kelly is the new OC, I like it he knows how to run the ball. Sandy
The Raiders and your opinion/ claims
The traded for D. Adams for 2 high picks- then got rid of the best QB they had- then trade Adams for a 3rd round pick.
They hired coach Allen and fired coach Jackson.
They fired coach Del Rio and hired coach Gruden II
They wouldn't draft another elite player after taking K. Mack until they drafted DE/ edge Wilson. but later drafted TE B. Bowers.
They refused to hire an elite HC or GM.
They just hired a very good HC but hired another inexperienced GM.
NY!, this team has done almost everything it could to suck/ lose! They have shown they will go farther than most pro teams to be bad. they done some ridiculous thing and then they
Al's rosters were as good if not better than most of those teams. you can't blame him for these guys and how they played and also many teams had older and veteran HCs' so to put down on Al's guys is unfair/ silly. this team has been bad for over 10 years- the new regimes, how can all these leaders be that bad? Al lost for 9 years and there were different regimes, so Al's teams didn't lose for 22+ years.
Yea they TANKED and then won games and then suddenly lost again, when they could've won- IMO. because maybe, those other teams were trying to TANK to so you're telling me the Raiders couldnt win those last games?
Troll
Troll
Crazy Troll
Raiders might be thinking out of the box a little bit by hiring Chip Kelly. Already lots of rumblings about his Will Howard connection and bringing the QB to the Raiders. Of course, Howard would be a reach with the #6 pick.
Kelly was meh as a HC in the NFL but found success coaching at college level. He obviously has some chops calling plays and brings a wealth of college scouting with him... like insider information. That could be helpful!
Chip Kelly is the new OC, WOW! He did awesome at Ohio State. I think he will do well as OC here. I'm hoping he will help the Raiders with their Red Zone issues. Pete has put together a terrific staff, no excuses now. We will see if it has been a coaching issue or a player/talent issue.
I'm more inclined to say it was a coaching issue; but in reality maybe it was both. We will see. Good hires and moves so far by Pete, now let's see what they do in Free Agency and the Draft. I'm hoping we stay away from the likes of some veteran QBs, and I'm hoping we draft a young QB (Sanders, Ward, or Howard in later rounds). I really feel our biggest need on offense is RB and O-Line.
The bottom line is once again, we are headed into a new season, with a shiny new coaching staff and hope. The Raiders now have to go out and JUST PROVE IT, BABY!
Let's be honest about Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly, Patrick Graham, and the Raiders coaching staff right now. Raiders haven't had an innovative OC like this since Al hired Hue Jackson to be OC. They haven't had a coaching staff like this since John Madden/Tom Flores days. These are truly exciting times for the Raiders, right when I was ready to throw in the towel, they went and hired a staff that can win now. Now to put the pieces of the roster together
Kelly is getting paid $6M a year to be Raiders OC, so there's clearly a price tag that goes with having qualified staff.
Suddenly there's a winning pedigree in the building. But that doesn't assure winning. Raiders have found a strange way of finding defeat, like no other professional sports franchise.
Nothing is certain. It's the Raiders!
PS we can dispel any rumors about Mark Davis not having the money.
After firing and buying out contracts for three consecutive coaching/GM regimes, Davis has opened his wallet again... in a big way.
If the Raiders DIDN'T TANK in the 1st place we wouldn't be arguing over whether they really tried to TANK or was just mediocre/ bad as usual/ like they've been for years and was really trying to win.
But the fact was they looked like they were TANKING IMO...they TANKED the season and made A.P. and Telesco the blame(s) for the last season slump/ losing last games.
So, did they really TANK or just lost those last games to better teams? they wanted to win more than get a high draft pick?
IMO...I think some of the last teams they played wanted to TANK and how is it the Raiders couldn't beat them? you mean, they couldn't lose on purpose?
They didn't TANK but weren't a good team this year.
They did a lot of strange things and if you can answer what all of that was then I guess I'm wrong.
To Aussie Raider, Crazy Troll part II
Al Anon
A bunch of guys who go fan anything that a team/ media sells them only because they can't understand that the NFL is corrupt, hates the Al Davis era and did this to this team.
That for over 10 years they keep waiting for some hero to turn this team around but won't admit Al couldn't've been the blame for this problems and that this team isn't better than his era.
I call it "The curse of Al Davis", a father who denied his only son the wealth of knowledge and business acumen that he had to offer, which could have potentially saved the Raiders a decade of misery,
When Mark Davis felt compelled to tell media "he didn't know what he didn't know," that wasn't Mark's fault. That was Al's fault that Mark didn't know.
Your facts-be-damned fixation about blaming the NFL for the Raiders problems has reached a level of paranoid schizophrenia (Google it!).
To NY Raider,
Al-Anon
Who ADVISED Mark on how to make decisons? was it Al's employees? was it some elite NFL guy or a friend/ ex-employee of Al's?
No, it was rumors and misleading news that Al's ex-employees/ friends TOLD him to hire Reggie.
The NFL the new NFL which is billionaire owner and wall street controlled, is
and worst of all!-! they are using a system that Al helped create("franchise free agency")! you mean a guy who fell from genius to the worst owner in pro sports you gonna use his system to get more powerful and richer?
You can attack my points but you can't say Al wasn't STILL the biggest GM in the NFL when he died! a league that claims it is so honest and has integrity and character calls a guy a nut, senile, evil and dysfunctional and they are using something he helped create to get rich!
Also, Al's rosters were outstanding, he didn't cap his salary and go after average-to good players and try to coach 'em up! what's sad/ funny is fans thought that was a good idea but the new Raiders couldn't copy Belichick's vision/ system but they've made a disgrace/ joke of this team and kept it back for years trying to do it. but the fans buy their hype when they claim they have a new winning system.
NYR....It may be a little unfair to blame Al for Marks lack of football knowledge. The old saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink", might apply here. Mark may have had no interest in his younger days. But, we will never really know.
Things really taking shape now with Raiders. Looks like Carroll will coach for a few seasons, and than either Kelly, or Graham will take over. Wow, an actual plan for the Raiders !!
Ghost, I may have sensationalized it a bit for our friend, who seems to have no idea what or who the Raiders are, nor how the NFL works.
Al-Anon, for all your idolization of Al Davis, you have no clue that Reggie McKenzie was a Raiders legacy. He was hired as a well-respected football executive and disciple of Ron Wolf who began his career as a scout for the Raiders and Al Davis. And it was the late great John Madden who advised Mark Davis after Al died.
But you're here telling us it was the NFL who brought Reggie McKenzie to the Raiders.
You are completely out of your mind. Nobody should believe a word you say!
Who told Reggie to:
1. fire ALL of Al's employees?
2. to get rid of ALL the players on the roster?
3. to draft a guy who just got out of the hospital in the 1st round?
4. to refuse to spend big on free agents?
Al's ex-employees and/ or friends didn't advise Reggie to do any of the things he did.
The Packers were successful but he didn't use Al's vision or GB's vision/ ideas.
Reggie didn't have a game plan he didn't even know coach Allen.
A fan base that keeps buying the most ridiculous hype that media can sell when you can see its' not about winning or anything to help/ for us. its' about pay back to Al for years of feuding and that CBA thing and getting the 'brand'!
Now we have a guy w/ no front office experience running the team and you think its' great! and you call me "out of my mind"!?
No team did what the new Raiders did for 5 to 6 years after '12 only getting Gruden II helps a very bad looking/ embarrassing story/ history of decisions.
And you keep buying hype about a turn around and the same system the Patriots' system and then when they do the most ridiculous things you say oh, we just need some more help/ changes and this/ that regime will turn this team around. yet, you don't ask why don't you try other ways, like Al's or Jimmy Johnson's? why do the same system? and why Brady and not an elite front office person?
Yea, you attack my points and call me "out of my mind" and you can talk about Al's last 9 years and how crazy/ too much my claim are and then- the Raiders pay an OC 6M. really!? they could've hired decent OCs' but paying a guy big money to be OC but there are star FAs' who are expensive that can help a bad team get better, the Raiders are spending on staff but there are players who they could spend on too.
Yes, when you lose for 10 straight years, people get fired.
Wake up!
To other Anon,
Al-Anon
We are looking for heroes to turn this team around/ go back to 'glory' but we don't want to answer who is really in control of this game plan!
Nobody does this! inexperienced guy running a whole team, a HOF'er legendary football man that nobody want's to use his vision/ ideas, hiring a good but older HC and paying his OC huge money but not paying star FA's huge money! then to fire you ex-HC because you(allegedly) TANKED the season and he isn't to blame for the season, and firing your GM when he allegedly, did a good job.
Well, there is the ol' saying that some are called to be offensive coordinators and not Head Coaches (Norv Turner and Chip Kelly apply here). Greg Olson has a knack for being a QB Coach, and not a coordinator; and Pete has brought Mr Vanilla in for the 3rd time to be QB Coach. I think this is the first disappointing hire made in this transition; or one that I'm not too excited about.
We will see if Mr. Vanilla can work in his strength as QB coach, and who are next QB will be?
Greg Olsen had a hand in bringing ZBS to the Raiders during one or both of his previous stints with the team, and I don't forgive him for that, but he also worked with Derek Carr in a very "Bill Musgrave fashion" after Jon Gruden resigned, and the Raiders offense notably improved as a result.
So, the jury is still out on Olsen. I believe he's a good coach.
At the end of the day, Chip Kelly calling the offense, Patrick Graham calling the defense and Pete Carroll calling the game on the sideline should be a significant upgrade over what we're used to... all else being equal.
Raiders have among the highest cap space of any team. If they can figure out the QB position (and that might mean coaching up AOC and giving him a legit run game), the Raiders could be much improved.
So, I might still scratch my head over a short-term hire of Pete Carroll, but you won't hear me say I'm disappointed, because I'm not.
Chip Kelly will be making $6 million a year. It was just reported Patrick Graham will make in the area of $4 million.
That's $10M for the coordinators. Not sure what Carroll will get paid, but you can be sure it's $10M or more.
On the heels of paying off three consecutive failed regimes, Davis doesn't mind spending more money.
To Raidernation,
Al-Anon
We got a name coach but it seems like another scheme if Carroll isn't the HC they wanted then we are looking at more schemes and conservative and bad advise moves.
They pay the assistants more than the players which means they think they will coach up players and not bring in a lot of expensive/ star FAs'. what they should do is spend big on FAs. they could hire young electric assistants or another OC to add something to their O and Carroll could help build the D. but they could use some of Al's old staff to add more to their 'game plan'. Al's staff and Carrolls coaching might help them win and maybe they can be a good team.
Al's old staff? It's been over 40 years since the Raiders won a world championship. Don't bother making a list of Al's coaches who you think were good. You'll be wasting your time.
Again, all that would put may points in a tough spot/ on the ground except a couple of things
A fan base is buying the hype that an ex-star QB and DE is gonna turn this team around but have no front office experience.
they got the HC but he isn't the answer, longterm. and you have an expensive staff BUT! they refuse to spend big on star FAs' and refuse to bring in a star/ good veteran QB. and keep helping other teams in some really lop sided trades(A. Brown, D. Adams).
Brady is running the show and Carroll is his HC. and you don't see something is strange, questionable and risky/ not too smart about that?
al was evil because he bullied and intimidated people.
the NFL has done worse
Al was evil for causing the merger but also because he didn't want it
the NFL was a run 1st league and had only 12 teams before the merger.
Al was evil for 1st moving the Raiders to L.A. and back to Oakland.
the NFL has 'screwed' many cities by not stopping owners from moving from loyal fans and decent stadiums AND-, for being o.k. w/ owners using "Franchise free agency" that Al helped create- the guy they say was dysfunctional, evil and incompetent- they use the scheme and have gone crazy/ wild with it.
Al was evil for mistreating Marcus.
Yea, he was- it was wrong to mistreat Marcus and not trade him or let him play but other owners have benched/ released players and fans say yea! he's a drama queen(king) and is making money- enough money! don't give in to him!
You think you're being cheeky by saying those things about Al Davis, e.g., he was evil, but you've proven many times that you have no idea who Al Davis was or how he approached managing and owning the Raiders. You believe your theories are beyond reproach, but you're the only one who thinks that. I can't find a single written word that supports anything you pimp here ad nauseum. Can you?
Nooooo NY, I was being difficult and sarcastic I'm not saying he was 'evil' I was acting like the media who said that about him.
See what I was saying! here's an example/ my real points!
Al was 'evil' BECAUSE he didn't work w/ the NFL and feuded with them.
Well, the NFL didn't do anything to make itself more better/ this great American sports entertainment and civil rights opportunities and top sports league it was Al and many AFL people who did that.
Al was 'evil' because he controlled everything on the team for years.
Most owners let people run their teams because they don't know the football side of the business but some will let guys who mistreat staff/ players and also will get rid of star players if they hold out too long and miss winning, making the playoffs or being a contender instead of keeping their best/ star players.
See NY, I was being sarcastic that's all.
NY if you think Tom Brady, John Elway, John Lynch, Reggie McKenzie, the Pat's guys, Harbaugh, Peyton or Andy Reid know more about football and can succeed better than Al you are confused and naive.
The only reason the Raiders are sucking is because the NFL did this to us! out of revenge and to show Al he can't mess w/ their money!
Again, because again, these new billionaire owners
1. have connection to law/ courts people.
2. have more power than the old school owners.
3. have control of the league.
4. have a way to intimidate players and other owners if they don't cooperate with the scheme.
5. some owners own media companies and they can cover up and make the Raiders look very bad and the normal media is friends with the leagues not the teams.
I mean, this is not a joke this is outright criminal activity.
Criminal? Because you say so?
Al Davis epically failed the Raiders during his last 10 years and, arguably, for 15 years prior to that. So, yeah, John Elway, John Lynch, Sean Payton (or Peyton Manning, whoever you're referring to), Tom Brady and Andy Reid all have one up on Al Davis since 1985.
Andy Reid is facing a three-peat. Al didn't have a one-peat for his last 25 years.
Your paranoia about the NFL and its owners is laughable. They own the NFL and make the rules. What's "criminal" is your theory that the NFL and its owners are preventing the Raiders from successfully navigating the NFL.
Because the Raiders have failed for so long, you think it's unfathomable and that they deserve welfare.
That's incredibly lame. You live in a world of denial with zero accountability.
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