The Oakland Raiders were once considered one of the strongest franchises in the NFL, but after years of bad contracts, mismanagement and awful roster moves, the team appeared to be turning things around with the hiring of Reggie McKenzie, but the behavior of owner Mark Davis has shown that the franchise may be sliding back into its old habits.
The first bad sign for Davis was firing PR leader Zak Gilbert for an unfavorable Sports Illustrated story that was written, as it undermined McKenzie since he brought him over from the Packers and according to CBS Sports, this could have been the first move that takes the team back in the wrong direction. The report says that Mark Davis is considering sweepings changes to the franchise and that could mean a head coaching change from Dennis Allen. One name that has come up and will continue to come up is former head coach Jon Gruden and according to Golden Gate Sports, it could be an option.
The report from Jason LaCanfora says that Davis had possibly thought about hiring former Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren as the team president after former executive Amy Trask stepped down as CEO of the team in May and now more changes could be coming. The report says that Gruden could be wooed by Davis in the near future, bringing him in as coach or team president or both. Gruden was very successful with the Raiders, coaching them to a 36-28 record as well as a 2-2 record in the playoffs from 1998 to 2001 and then he beat his former team in the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002.
Gruden left the Raiders just be forte that season and the team went from also-ran to playoff team in a quick turnaround, as Gruden led the team to a 12-4 record in 2000 before losing to the Ravens in the AFC championship game. Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie have been building the team together for two years, but if the franchise doesn't show improvement after going 4-12 last season, Davis could try and clean house.
McKenzie brought in a number of new players this year, including Nick Roach, Charles Woodson, Kevin Burnett, Tracy Porter, Mike Jenkins, as well as rookies Nick Kasa, Latavius Murray, Brice Butler, DJ Hayden and Tyler Wilson. The team has a new QB in Matt Flynn and without any improvements from the 4-12 record, the rebuilding could end swiftly and Gruden could be swayed to come back, even though so far he has said no to every job he has been offered. The team has high hopes for Flynn and the roster and they also feel this is a big year for Darren McFadden.
Gruden has enjoyed his time on TV and despite rumors of the Browns and the Tennessee Volunteers, he has remained adamant that he is not taking a job, but if David throws the team president in his face, things could change for the Monday Night Football analyst.
