McKenzie a done deal ?

[psj3809]

Keep reading reports that McKenzie will be our new GM but it cant be official till after the Packers postseason (So surely someone could 'nab' him perhaps ?)  ?

Saying that its on some of the major NFL sites..

NFL.com news: Packers' McKenzie to get Raiders' GM job, according to report

IF this does happen i'll be very happy.  I've got total faith in McKenzie, did a great job at GB, former Raider, let him take over the reins and do what he wants.  I reckon theres a great great chance he'll bring over one of his Packers defensive guys, Kevin Greene or Darren Perry or Winston Moss as defensive co ordinator for sure

Looks like there should be sweeping changes on defense.  When i look at our defense i think we have a lot of talent BUT at the end of the day they were dire last year, yeah the scheme was dire but i still think the play of some of our overhyped defensive players was shocking. I expect a fair few big changes to happen on defense.

Very happy if this is practically a done deal, looking forward to free agency, no crazy 48 million 3 year deals for crappy veterans, i'm sure McKenzie will get some great talent.

This is the start of a new era !  Top marks to Mark Allen/Amy Trask and others for getting this done early on.  Plus Chuck.B is gone.  Did read that its reported that Trask/Allen are behind Hue Jackson as HC.  Think he deserves another year.  To be fair he had major injuries at QB/HB/WR but still had us in the hunt, it'll be the same offense for Palmer and co, not great to keep changing it. 

Defensively we need major change and it looks like we'll get it.  This is exciting stuff

[Gazzara]

It's all around the twitterverse and there is confirmation from McKenzie too that it's happening via text etc.  The big thing now is will Wolf allow us to plunge a little further into the Packers' office or not?

[psj3809]

I'm surprised how this works though and its been announced already. I mean McKenzie cant leave the Pack till after their playoff run, i'm not saying he'll be the reason if they lose but surely when youre concentrating on the playoffs you dont want to hear your GM who helped build the team is off.

Anyway to be fair i dont care !  Suppose i wouldnt like it though if we were in the playoffs and then our GM talks to another team and says he'll be off soon.

But i'm glad we've got our man, great news that is.  I hope Wolf Jnr joins us as well.  As for defense i cant see the Pack denying every single interview for a Packers defensive coach ?

Plus Dennis Thurman (Remember we tried getting him from the Jets last year ?) is out of contract so he could be had.

I know Chuck.B was crap but looking back to last year we did try to get Perry/Moss/Thurman but failed so in the end we had Chuck.B and no one else (Who originally was meant to be just the LB coach anyway).

Not as gutted about the SD loss now as this McKenzie hire is HUGE.  Love it

[Gazzara]

It's not official but it is if you know what I mean.

There is a lot of good history between Wolf and the Davis family and if the backstory is true, Wolf actually offered McKenzie up to a point to help out.  I don't know the full ins and outs but is nice to know that there is a bit of honour between thieves still.

One thing that McKenzie can do is build the brand in the right way and persuade the right people to join the organisation rather than to a point having people here that are happy to come here but not necessarily the best fit for the organisation.  The McKenzie appointment will also douse Hue ego and control for everything a little and give him a little perspective.  Concentrate on getting the team ready to smash skulls next season rather than get mixed up in stuff that doesn't necessarily concern him.

As Bres and co's contracts run out on the 16th January I can't see them being renewed (they have already been asked to look elsewhere ) I see a possible hire of Spagnuolo at some point.

[psj3809]

Just caught up on all my Raider twitter messages.  Seems like everyone says its a great great hire. They also mentioned Spagnuolo possibly as def co ordinator as hes worked with Waufle in the past as well.  Good times could be coming !

[SuperRaider]

Who to say Waufle might be named DC of the Raiders

[psj3809]

Who to say Waufle might be named DC of the Raiders

Cant see it happening . Didnt think the d-line did a great job this year anyway, first half of the season they were playing very well but then tailed off big time.

Either way i think good times are ahead for sure

[SuperRaider]

Listen: anybody better than Chucky Bres...........and what the problem with at least giving him a chance.

The main problem with the Raiders defense was the linebackers, they are too big and don't have the speed. How that Waufle problem

[psj3809]

Listen: anybody better than Chucky Bres...........and what the problem with at least giving him a chance.

The main problem with the Raiders defense was the linebackers, they are too big and don't have the speed. How that Waufle problem

But last year we tried to get Dennis Thurman (Jets said no) and Winston Moss or Darren Perry.  In the end as we got turned down we didnt have anyone left and promoted LB coach Chuckie.B

I'm sure McKenzie has an idea who he wants, i cant see Waufle getting the job at all.  Plus hes 4-3 only and McKenzie 'might' want to go 3-4.  But Waufle doesnt excite me, Perry/Moss or Spagnola does

Okay forget the LB's but i dont think Waufle did an amazing job with the d-line, after a great start where in the first 6 games they were getting tons of pressure it tailed off. Again i dont know why you have this love for Waufle, hes good but hes not in my top 5 choice for def co ordinator at all

[Ottoman Empire]

Well it's official now - McKenzie is the man! There will be a press conference at 2pm (Pacific) on Tuesday. Doubt there will be any overhead projector, but this will be interesting to watch nonetheless.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_19689188

[psj3809]

And he starts straight away as he's left Gb.  Result.  Well done Mark Davis and Amy Trask

[Bakuron]

1. A safe enough pair of hands to put the organization in.
2. He has helped build the best team in the NFL currently.
3. He knows the Raiders, he knew Al's best and worst.
4. But this is still a step up for him. Time will tell if he is/was ready for it.

From the outside you'd say this was a good 'business' decision, hiring a large personality from the machinery of the best franchise in the NFL currently.

I think the hiring of Spagnuolo to be rejoined with Waufle would be perfect for us. Our front 4/5 was the best part of our defence by a long stretch and is easily one of the better units in the league - I would rather see their NY Giants 4-3 here than the Packers 3-4.

[Welsh Raider]

1. A safe enough pair of hands to put the organization in.
2. He has helped build the best team in the NFL currently.
3. He knows the Raiders, he knew Al's best and worst.
4. But this is still a step up for him. Time will tell if he is/was ready for it.

From the outside you'd say this was a good 'business' decision, hiring a large personality from the machinery of the best franchise in the NFL currently.

I think the hiring of Spagnuolo to be rejoined with Waufle would be perfect for us. Our front 4/5 was the best part of our defence by a long stretch and is easily one of the better units in the league - I would rather see their NY Giants 4-3 here than the Packers 3-4.

I reckon someone seen me suggest this over a week a go. If it happens and is successful, I expect full credit, and expect a Huge payment to my bank accountant as appreciation. 

Seriously though, really impressed with this hire.

[SuperRaider]

Yeah this is really good and the speed is excellent.....not like in Al Davis days when everyone has been hired by someone else and the Raiders are left with no-one

[Bakuron]

I reckon someone seen me suggest this over a week a go. If it happens and is successful, I expect full credit, and expect a Huge payment to my bank accountant as appreciation. 

Great shout. Fingers crossed.