Why Reggie McKenzie needs to be fired

The week started off with The Raiders coming back from London after a terrible loss, Dennis Allen getting fired and a press conference to introduce the Interim Coach Tony Sparano. During that press conference, General Manager Reggie McKenzie was asked about his job security, he clearly said, “No one has to tell me my job is on the line. I’ll work like it is until we’re in the championship.” When I heard him say that I laughed. he hasn’t worked like his job was on the line since he got to Oakland in 2012.

The first thing he did wrong was hire Dennis Allen. Now no one could have foreseen that Allen and company would produce two straight season with records of 4-12. Allen came from then Tim Tebow led Denver Broncos, who were barely good enough to make the playoffs. They were blown out in four of their losses and had manageable deficits in the other four. Allen was supposed to be a defensive guru, but we never saw that on the field. Many Raider fans were angry and confused after Hue Jackson was fired after an 8-8 season and barely missing the playoffs. Had McKenzie kept Jackson and made a few roster changes, this team may have been in the playoffs the next season instead of lowly 4-12.

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The next issue with McKenzie is the draft. Since the 2012 draft, there has been no significant change. In 2012, McKenzie and company drafted Tony Bergstrom, Miles Burris, Jack Crawford, Juron Criner, Christo Bilukidi , and Nathan Stupar. The only players still on the roster are Bergstrom and Burris. 2013 brought in D.J. Hayden, Menelik Watson, Sio Moore, Tyler Wilson, Nick Kasa, Latavius Murray, Mychal Rivera, Stacy McGee, Brice Butler, and David Bass. Hayden is currently on the PUP list, Wilson and Bass never made it to the 53 man roster, Kasa is currently hurt, and the others are slowly growing into better performers in their second year with the team. 2014 is the light at the end of the tunnel for Reggie Mckenzie, bringing in Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson, Justin Ellis, Keith McGill, T.J Carrie, Shelby Harris, and Jonathan Dowling. This draft class was the best draft of McKenzie’s career with the Raiders. Unfortunately, you can’t run the whole team on rookies.

McKenzie also brought in some veterans to help this team. In 2013, Charles Woodson returned to the Raiders and has been a leader in the locker room since. This offseason, McKenzie brought in Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley, Justin Smith and others to help out on defense. None of that has materialized quite yet.

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McKenzie has never gotten a hold on the quarterback situation either. Carson Palmer was in and out of Oakland, Matt Flynn should have never been in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor never materialized, Matt Schaub is washed up, Derek Carr is a rookie, and Matt McGloin is a solid backup. Hopefully everyone is right about Carr and he becomes the future of the Raiders.

The Raiders need to clean house. They have already done it with the roster several times. Now it’s time to clean out the staff. Allen is gone. Others may be next. But for sure, if this season ends with 4-12 or worse, Reggie McKenzie has got to go.

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