After a couple of interviews to potential head coaching candidates, the Raiders have decided to go with experience rather than go for new blood as they have hired Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach, Jack Del Rio. Del Rio brings the Raiders almost 8 years of Head Coaching experience coaching the Jaguars from 2003 till he was fired early on in the 2011 season. He has taken them to the Playoffs two times. As the Broncos Defensive Coordinator, he transformed them from a 24th rank defense previously under Dennis Allen to a top 5 defense in the last two years.
Full article: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12165283/oakland-raiders-close-hiring-jack-del-rio-head-coach
My Thoughts: I wanted this guy as Hue Jackson’s DC when Chuck Fat@$$ got fired! Oh well, that was the past. I know the reactions of this hiring: “Ugh, another defensive coordinator from Denver” or “ugh, he’s going to set up the team to fail just like Dennis Allen did” or “ugh, he sucked in Jacksonville.” First, let’s lighten it up with the relationship between Del Rio and the Raiders: 1) he’s a Bay Area native, 2) he grew up a Raiders fan, and 3) his family are season ticket holders. The thing that has us concerned about Del Rio is his track record in Jacksonville. 68-71, yeah it’s a losing statistic, but we have to remember his last two seasons in Jacksonville, the team was imploding from within, but other than that, it’s a not too shabby record. Unlike Dennis Allen’s defensive philosophy of “bend but don’t break,” Del Rio brings us a defensive philosophy of not giving offenses an inch in the ground game or in the passing game. His defenses in Denver had our number and we couldn’t run or pass for big chunks of yardage. People will bring up Super Bowl XLVIII or last Sunday’s game vs. the Colts. To be fair and honest, I thought it had to do with Denver’s “godly” offense (just because they have Peyton Manning) getting dominated by the tougher defenses of the Seahawks and the Colts. Anyway, with Del Rio’s hiring, there’s a possibility of having Mike Smith (former Falcons HC) as the DC for the Raiders. That’s a match made in heaven on the defensive side and they will turn Khalil Mack into a huge superstar. However, the offensive side is a question mark. Hopefully, he lets Sparano coach out his contract and continue being the O-line/Asst. HC for a little continuity and next, he needs to hire a really talented OC that runs an offense that fits the personnel around him, has a “run first” mentality, has a game plan ahead of time, and could further Derek Carr’s development. For me, it’s a good hire, not because of the aspect that he’s passionate for the Raiders (well some of that), but for the experience and bringing a more aggressive approach on the defensive end. With that said, Coach Del Rio, welcome home and welcome to the Raider Nation! “Just Win Baby” and “Keep Chopping Wood.”
UPDATE: The contract details for Jack Del Rio to be HC for the Raiders is reportedly a 4-year deal.
Btw... to all those delusional Bronco fans (though there are some I respect) thinking ya'll will win multiple Super Bowls with Peyton Manning, John Fox, and Del Rio. Manning's contemplating retirement, John Fox's fired, we got Del Rio, Broncos' future is totally in doubt, here's to all you guys:
No comments:
Post a Comment