Todd Bowles to interview for head coach

[Ottoman Empire]

New general manager Reggie McKenzie has an interview planned with Todd Bowles as a potential replacement for fired head coach Hue Jackson, according to an ESPN report.
Bowles, 48, replaced fired Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano 13 games into this season and managed a 2-1 record the rest of the way.
Bowles, who played in the NFL for eight seasons, interviewed for the Dolphins vacancy the day after the season ended, but he has yet to be told whether he is getting the job.
Bowles interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys last year for the job that went to interim coach Jason Garrett. He is considered a bright prospect who has a knack for connecting with his players and getting the most out of them.
Bowles’ history as an assistant is that of a secondary coach. Therefore, he also could help the Raiders in that problem area if he is hired by McKenzie.
McKenzie said he isn’t going to waste any time in reshaping the Raiders. This is evidence that he already has a plan in place.
He said Tuesday at his introductory news conference that he has a short list of candidates. Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss is thought to be atop that list, though no interview has been scheduled because Moss still is in the middle of his season.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/oaklandraiders/2012/01/11/report-mckenzie-lines-up-coaching-interview/

[R8RMR]

Bowles does look to be a possiblity but as it says, Moss is still the leading candidate.

[psj3809]

Didnt realise how much Raider fans dont seem to want Winston Moss as HC.  I know the Packers defense doesnt rank high (Nor does the Patriots a lot of years) but surely thats due mostly to opposing teams playing catch up so much late on in games and getting some late yardage ?  They wont have been 14-0 if they truely had a terrible defense.

I doubt a lot of Pack fans were ecstatic when Mike McCarthy got the job in GB, not saying Moss will be a SB winning headcoach but as i always say, theres tons of surprises every year in the NFL, Moss might be alright ?

[Bakuron]

Bowles > Moss.

Bowles interviewed well, Raiders job not on a hold for anyone | Silver and Black Report

That Dolphins D was one of the best we faced and statistically one of the stingiest. 3-4 mind.

[R8RMR]

With all the other changes that are coming, why not 3-4 as well?

[Bakuron]

With all the other changes that are coming, why not 3-4 as well?

Because it makes harder work of the job at hand and revolves around getting a player we don't already have, NT. Imo the move to 3-4 at GBP was a failure because Raji can't do what's asked of him.

[Welsh Raider]

It does make wonder with all this talk of Bowles, why Mike Nolan hasnt had more of a look in anywhere.

Yes i know the 49ers were pretty poor under his stewardship but that Dolphins defense  has been really good for 2 years now, and he but the foundations in place for the very impressive Broncos defense that we see now.

Learn from your mistakes and improve, and all that.

[psj3809]

Would love to have Nolan as defensive co ordinator. Yeah poor HC but hes a superb defensive co-ord.

Hopefully we'll get some more info/clues this upcoming week

[Vann_Mcelroy]

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have both been given permission by the Broncos to interview with new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie about the Raiders head coaching position

[Ottoman Empire]

With all the other changes that are coming, why not 3-4 as well?

Because it makes harder work of the job at hand and revolves around getting a player we don't already have, NT. Imo the move to 3-4 at GBP was a failure because Raji can't do what's asked of him.

This is all true of course. However, the GM's job is basically 'getting a player we don't already have'. The Raiders are going to be very active in FA and more active in the draft than we probably realise at this point - a NT or 2 will be picked up somewhere along the line there I think. A 3-4 would suit Rolando McClain much better also. Lets face it the guy is not a middle LB in a 4-3 now is he? If we stick with a 4-3 - McLain will be cut. I think they will give him another shot to shine in a 3-4.

The fact is we do not have a great 4-3 defense either - this D is going to get a major overhaul over the next few years. Many Raiders fans seem to think we were only a decent coordinator away from a playoff standard D. Not a view I share, for the record. This D just has none, not one single play-maker or game changer at all. There are major needs at every single position (and that includes the line).  

I think a 3-4 is coming at some point soon. This is part of the things we need to prepare for as fans. We are not getting anywhere near the playoffs for around 3 years, as an overhaul and change of philosophy is coming on both sides of the ball. The Raiders will become a 'West Coast' offense and a 3-4 defense. We may well see something of a 'shifting' D next year (some 4-3 and some 3-4) as part of the transition and assessment. One thing I think is for certain, the days of Oakland being a base 4-3 team, come rain or shine, are numbered - it's only a matter of time.

[psj3809]

Oh oh be scared !

Mike Tice and Marty Morwhinweg are being interviewed as well (gulp)

Tice i've never rated, probably a good assistant coach but HC nah. Same for Morwhinweg, granted Matt Millen was GM but even so he had a terrible record.  Again a good co ordinator but not HC.

Surely McKenzie is just doing a bit of scouting etc, cant see either getting the job. Hope he makes a decision soon though, going on a bit now

[Bakuron]

This is all true of course. However, the GM's job is basically 'getting a player we don't already have'. The Raiders are going to be very active in FA and more active in the draft than we probably realise at this point - a NT or 2 will be picked up somewhere along the line there I think. A 3-4 would suit Rolando McClain much better also. Lets face it the guy is not a middle LB in a 4-3 now is he? If we stick with a 4-3 - McLain will be cut. I think they will give him another shot to shine in a 3-4.

The fact is we do not have a great 4-3 defense either - this D is going to get a major overhaul over the next few years. Many Raiders fans seem to think we were only a decent coordinator away from a playoff standard D. Not a view I share, for the record. This D just has none, not one single play-maker or game changer at all. There are major needs at every single position (and that includes the line).  

I think a 3-4 is coming at some point soon. This is part of the things we need to prepare for as fans. We are not getting anywhere near the playoffs for around 3 years, as an overhaul and change of philosophy is coming on both sides of the ball. The Raiders will become a 'West Coast' offense and a 3-4 defense. We may well see something of a 'shifting' D next year (some 4-3 and some 3-4) as part of the transition and assessment. One thing I think is for certain, the days of Oakland being a base 4-3 team, come rain or shine, are numbered - it's only a matter of time.

How many successful 3-4's operate in the NFL currently? How many NT's are there right now? Rare as Hen's teeth.

Are you sure McClain is less a victim of the 4-3, or just the way we play it? We played a huge amount of man coverage but without a single Linebacker that's particularly good in coverage. McClain's an inconsistent player who hasn't got the range to be 'elite', but his weaknesses appear universal rather than system-specific imo.

I just don't see this need for a 'major overhaul'. We've got runningbacks, receivers, linemen (on both sides), leaders, and a quaterback. We need some good, smart coaches who can just make the most of them, and at the very least paper over the cracks we have in the defensive backfield.

At most we need a decent RT or RG, a replacement for Michael Bush, a weakside linebacker that knows how to cover a Tight End, and a cover-safety to replace Huff moving to corner.

[SuperRaider]

Might need to get smaller faster linebackers; the crew we got now could play DE....

McClain maybe just had bad coaching; I would not give up on him.

[SuperRaider]

Oh oh be scared !

Mike Tice and Marty Morwhinweg are being interviewed as well (gulp)

Tice i've never rated, probably a good assistant coach but HC nah. Same for Morwhinweg, granted Matt Millen was GM but even so he had a terrible record.  Again a good co ordinator but not HC.

Surely McKenzie is just doing a bit of scouting etc, cant see either getting the job. Hope he makes a decision soon though, going on a bit now

Got a feeling that McKenzie might want to interview some of the 49ers staff too...

[Ottoman Empire]

This is all true of course. However, the GM's job is basically 'getting a player we don't already have'. The Raiders are going to be very active in FA and more active in the draft than we probably realise at this point - a NT or 2 will be picked up somewhere along the line there I think. A 3-4 would suit Rolando McClain much better also. Lets face it the guy is not a middle LB in a 4-3 now is he? If we stick with a 4-3 - McLain will be cut. I think they will give him another shot to shine in a 3-4.

The fact is we do not have a great 4-3 defense either - this D is going to get a major overhaul over the next few years. Many Raiders fans seem to think we were only a decent coordinator away from a playoff standard D. Not a view I share, for the record. This D just has none, not one single play-maker or game changer at all. There are major needs at every single position (and that includes the line).  

I think a 3-4 is coming at some point soon. This is part of the things we need to prepare for as fans. We are not getting anywhere near the playoffs for around 3 years, as an overhaul and change of philosophy is coming on both sides of the ball. The Raiders will become a 'West Coast' offense and a 3-4 defense. We may well see something of a 'shifting' D next year (some 4-3 and some 3-4) as part of the transition and assessment. One thing I think is for certain, the days of Oakland being a base 4-3 team, come rain or shine, are numbered - it's only a matter of time.

How many successful 3-4's operate in the NFL currently? How many NT's are there right now? Rare as Hen's teeth.

Are you sure McClain is less a victim of the 4-3, or just the way we play it? We played a huge amount of man coverage but without a single Linebacker that's particularly good in coverage. McClain's an inconsistent player who hasn't got the range to be 'elite', but his weaknesses appear universal rather than system-specific imo.

I just don't see this need for a 'major overhaul'. We've got runningbacks, receivers, linemen (on both sides), leaders, and a quaterback. We need some good, smart coaches who can just make the most of them, and at the very least paper over the cracks we have in the defensive backfield.

At most we need a decent RT or RG, a replacement for Michael Bush, a weakside linebacker that knows how to cover a Tight End, and a cover-safety to replace Huff moving to corner.

Well I'm not disputing that there are not many successful 3-4's in today's NFL. Then again, under today's pass friendly league, how many successful 4-3's are there? Certainly there is nothing even approaching some of the D's there were in the 70's or even 80's.  There will certainly be players coming out of college and currentyl in the league capable of playing at NT I would have thought. If a system requiring one is rare as you say, NT's will be rare it seems to me.

I never said McClain's problems were system specific really. I meant that playing him in a 3-4 may play away from his biggest weaknesses, or 'paper over the cracks' if you prefer. Certainly, he is more familiar with a 3-4, no? I share your view on McClain in terms of his problems being 'universal' - I actually think there is a chance he will be cut. Whiffed tackles, bad positioning and missed assignments are not a problem of system.  We also played a lot less man to man this year, the LB's were still burned badly in coverage. I don't think our LB's are bad due to the system - they are just not that good, period. The system used just made the situation worse. It's not really about systems at the end of the day, it's about players. We need new LB's too.

I appear to be in a minority on this one, but I feel our D-line is the most overrated unit in football. Tommy Kelly remains massively overpaid (at real risk of being cut also). Houston was pretty much invisible and a non factor all season long. We need Defensive lineman too. Corners and safeties that can't cover are a problem in any system, not just a 4-3. Not sure how a new DC is going to cover the cracks that are DB's that can't cover, either man to man or zone.  We need corners too. There is now no guarantee that Huff will be moving to corner at all. How are you defining a leader here? (in the context of the D). A leader should be a difference maker, a game changer, an impact player. A player that will lead by example, a player teammates respect because his level of play demands it.  Should he not? Name me one such player on the Raiders D

We definitely need a RT & RG. The situation at center needs to be sorted too, they either use Wisniewski there longer term and get a replacement left guard or search for a new center - Satele is not good enough. I think quite a few people are overrating the offensive line too. McFadden's breakaway talent to the outside has masked over weaknesses in this unit. Think back, how many runs up the gut or to the right side (even with McFadden in) were stuffed for no gain or a loss? How many times was the TE used solely as an extra blocker on passing plays? Why do you suppose Kevin Boss never got the opportunity to shine - because his blocking was not as good as others such as Myers (at least in the opinion of the coaches). The O Line needs an overhaul too.

I suppose this all partly depends on what you want. If you want us to be able to make the playoffs (maybe as a wild card), and then go one and out - no major overhaul is needed. If you want the Raiders to convincingly win the division, go deep in the playoffs and stand a chance of winning it all - an overhaul is needed in every unit. That's the way I see it anyway, and I am expecting this to take some time to achieve.