Sparano Can Make Oakland Raiders Better This Year

Sep 30, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) and Tony Sparano (right) during a press conference to introduce Sparano as Raiders interim coach at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Every football team, for better or worse, takes on the identity of their football coach as he sets the philosophy and style of play. And under recently fired head coach Dennis Allen, the Raiders were out of sorts, unsure and confused like him. It seemed like all Allen did was try to force square pegs in to round holes and wondered why things weren’t going well.

There were plenty of guys that could play that were let go by the Raiders because Allen wanted to create his type of team. He brought zone-blocking to a team that was at good power-blocking and tried to turn Carson Palmer, a big-armed quarterback into Jeff Garica. Then G.M. Reggie McKenzie brought the power-blocking back with the huge offensive lineman along with some other talent.

And none of it worked so he did the greatest thing he ever did as a G.M. and fired Allen was and made offensive line coach Sparano the interim head coach. I’m not sure how much Raider Nation knows Sparano but he could very well improve the Raiders this year. It may be too late for the Super Bowl or even the playoffs but he can make the Raiders respectable and possibly keep the job.

Turn the page to see how and why.