Quintessential Davis-hires now can craft future
08.10.11
The Raiders are in unfamiliar territory as a franchise with the late Al Davis no longer front and center as its leader. But in the year he passed away, Davis put a man on the sidelines who can help ease the transition.
Hue Jackson earned the team's head coaching job with his acumen as offensive coordinator. He has also proved that he can do more than lead one of the league's premier rushing attacks.
Since the team lost Super Bowl XXXVII to former Raiders coach Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davis had been searching for someone who could be equal parts schematically and motivationally savvy. From a limited sample, it's easy to see Jackson is that man.
Since that post-Gruden playoff run with Bill Callahan in the 2002 season, Davis put his coaches through a series of short runs—Norv Turner, Art Shell (for his second stint), Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable—before handing off to Jackson full-time this year.
With Jackson calling the plays in a run-heavy scheme featuring explosive young star Darren McFadden, the Raiders swept AFC West divisional play in 2010. They finished 8-8, respectable considering the lows from the seven seasons before.
Source: SportingNews.com