(re) Building the Oakland Raiders

[big_palooka]

A look at how Thompson rebuilt the Packers as perhaps a blueprint to Mckenzie's task at hand:

http://www.raiders1.ninjagoro.com/2012/a-look-at-how-ted-thompson-re-built-the-packers/

Interesting notes:

Year 2 was the year Thompson went with an impact FA in Woodson.

The Packers approach has been similar to the Patriots. More picks spread across the draft, more chances to hit on players as their first round track record is spotty.

The similarities of the Packers and Raiders is eery in year 1.

So if this is a blueprint of what to expect of McKenzie, how will he work the draft to acquire more picks. Could DMAC be traded ala Javon Walker to land the team extra pics?

The biggest question I have is, what to expect not having an elite QB at the helm in a passing league.

How much of the Packers success with role player types has been because of the QB carrying this team as only the truly elite QBs can.
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[Preacher]

I wonder the same thing. I like CP3o, and think Pryor could be serviceable, but we do not have an elite QB. How do we find one? Draft.....we sucked at the QB draft? FA- did good with Gannon on some of the older guys, but now???
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Thanks JTJagg7754

There is good and evil, choose good.

[ZoomWaffle]

[Baggabonez]

Great perspective! A couple ironies I wanted to point out:

• I was planning on making a similar comparison of McKenzie to Ted Thompson except with a different perspective. One glaring omission to the writers timeline is the fact that in 2008 fans were calling for his head and it was suggested Thompson was on the way out citing his abysmal track record with 1st rd picks among other questionable moves. Currently, the FO has underperformed considering they have an elite QB. Without having the good fortune of drafting Rodgers in 2005 Thompson would be scout for the Lions right about now.

• Another irony is that BP is always dismissing the credibility of bloggers. . . except when they agree with his position

• The major difference between the Raiders and GB is uniqueness of carrying so much dead money while also having limited draft picks that will take multiple years to alleviate.
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Coattailing on what BP has started, I think it would note-worthy to compare HC Allen to HOU HC Gary Kuibak, who until just LAST SEASON was on a serious hot seat. The ZBS is highly effective, however the learning curve is steep, the collateral damage is wide spread and the transition price is high. The race between whether Allen can get his system in place before he gets whacked is on. Imo, Allen does not have the credibility credit of Kubiak, who was long sought after as a HC and will get a shorter leash. By all accounts Allen is a good coach but I don't like his odds.

I don't think McKenzie is incompetent, but I am concerned about how much risk he has incurred installing a difficult system with an inexperienced coach. In retrospect first-time GM may be exhibiting insecurities manifesting itself in the hiring of a preemie HC who won't overshadow his accomplishments. Two of my favorites Fisher and Del Rio, who were quite unpopular here, look like awfully good choices at the moment.
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Raiders 2014 Draft (check out my draft review tell me what you think)
Mancrush 2014: DE Clowney, WR Watkins, OT Robinson, LB Shazier, FS Brooks, TE ASJ, OG Jackson, WR Janis, OT Lucas, OT Tiny

[Darkness]

[NCOUGHMAN]

i still dont see oakland as being an attractive place for FA's. thats one of the main differences between oak and gb.

We are almost forced to build through the draft imo
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[RaiderX]

[Baggabonez]

[big_palooka]

[bitty]

[bitty]

Allen can forget about running a ZBS.
Report: League will consider abolishing all blocks below the waist in 2013

Instead, King believes that the chop block, which is legal in some situations, will be eliminated, and that downfield cut blocks (like the one that tore Chiefs safety Eric Berry’s ACL last year) will be banned.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/23/report-league-will-consider-abolishing-all-blocks-below-the-waist-in-2013/

[coach 2007]

By any chance could Allen be willing to move to D-Coordinator and Gruden be brought back; now that Al is gone?
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[big_palooka]

[DirtyHarry]

[RaisinBran]

The Packers were already a good team when Thompson became GM.

The Raiders were not a good team when Reggie took over, and still aren't.

Unfair to expect the same results from Reggie, since he's in a terrible situation to begin with.
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(MLB)=A's, (NFL)=Raiders, (NBA)= Warriors