Oakland Raiders set to bring in general manager – NFL News
With the Oakland Raiders out of the playoff contention, many changes in the organization are expected. The foremost is hiring a general manager and bringing changes in the defensive coordinators.
Such plans had been much talked of ever since the team’s owner Al Davis died last October leaving a gap that is yet to be filled in. This however has coach Hue Jackson unmoved and not worried. He seems to be confident of his role
with the Raiders and the possibility that the new manager may prefer to bring in his own coach does not have him worried at all. On the contrary he would like to stay away from the hiring process.
"I know people say, 'If they hire a G.M. then he's going to want to bring in his head coach.' Whoever comes here, I think it's going to be somebody who wants to share the same vision as I do." Jackson said.
However, Jackson seems intent on making himself clear that he pretty much has the idea of knowing what the team needs and how they need to do it.
There are other changes expected too, particularly among the defensive coordinators and the defensive strategy. The defence of the Raiders has been at its weakest this season and penalties has been the biggest issue they ever faced.
The Raiders have made a record in penalties this season surpassing those committed by the Kansas City Chiefs back in 1998. They committed 163 penalties which are the highest for any team in a season and forfeited 1,358 yards, thus setting a record for both
penalties and yards.
The defence was nowhere near to being even an average. It has been the worst part of the team unable to contain the opponent’s quarterback and rushing offence. No doubt injuries to key players has played its role on the worsening
the situation but now finally a lot of change needs to be brought in.
"We cannot look at what we've done on defence and say it's good enough, or say it's even close to being good enough. It's not, and my players know that. We have to improve by leaps and bounds, and we're going to." Jackson said.
Oakland Raiders have become one of the four teams now in allowing 5.0 yards per carry and 30 TD passes in a season. The heat is likely to fall on defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan. However no decisions have been made in this
regard so far.
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