The overrated genius of Paul Hackett.

It is far too easy to assign a large portion of the blame for the Raiders’ 1-4 start on the horrendous play of JaMarcus Russell. Through 5 games, Russell’s numbers are as terrible as you’ll ever see in the National Football League. With a completion percentage (42.1%) well below his QB rating (47.1), it is more than fair to criticize the young signal caller for failing to take the necessary steps in becoming the face of the franchise.

However, when you’re offense hasn’t gained more than 200-yards in a game since September. There is more than enough blame to go around.

At the conclusion of ’08, JaMarcus Russell was looking like he was on his way to becoming the player Al Davis envisioned when he selected the former LSU Tiger number one overall. Russell played three masterful games to conclude the 2008 season, completing 63% of his passes, throwing 6 TDs to just 2 INTs and most importantly leading the Raiders to consecutive victories.

What has changed since last season? Paul Hackett. That is the glaring difference between then and now.

Russell’s work ethic might not be legendary, but he was certainly doing something right last year.

Has JaMarcus mysteriously forgotten everything he’s ever learned in the game of football?

Could it be that Russell has an evil twin who has taken his place, wearing #2 on Sundays?

Is JaMarcus intentionally trying to throw games in hopes of being benched so he won’t have to take hits from 300-pound lineman any longer?

Or, is Paul Hackett simply doing what he does best – ruining good talent.

When looking at Hackett’s resume, it becomes clear that there is a consistent pattern of underachievement.

As a head coach, Hackett was never going to be confused with John Madden. In his three years as the big man on campus at the University of Pittsburgh, Hackett led the Panthers to a woeful record of 13-20-1. In 1998, Hackett took the reigns from his mentor, John Robinson, at USC. In each of his three years, the Trojans’ win totals decreased, finally bottoming out as Hackett led USC to a place the storied program had never been before – dead last in the Pacific 10 Conference.  

Hackett was replaced by Pete Carroll and the rest is modern college football history. Carroll quickly returned the Trojans to their glory days and Hackett was back to the NFL.

Interestingly enough, Hackett did not leave the cupboard empty for Carroll. All-Pros Carson Palmer and Troy Polamalu were both Hackett recruits. Under the tutelage of Hackett, Palmer arrived at Southern Cal with a bounty of potential yet never seemed as if he’d progress any. When Carroll arrived with Norm Chow in tow, Palmer blossomed into a Heisman winner and eventual number one overall selection in the NFL draft.

Some can be attributed to Palmer’s injuries, but most can be traced to Hackett and his inability to either inspire or lead.

As an offensive coordinator, Hackett has been blessed with some standout NFL talent. He might not have been calling plays for the likes of Joe Montana and Marcus Allen in their prime, but his offense in Kansas City was sporadic at best, ranking as high as 5^th in the league to as low as 24^th. Not surprisingly, after his departure, the Chiefs’ offense was ranked in the top 10 for 6 of the next 8 seasons. Hackett’s parting gift to the Chiefs was to help develop Rich Gannon into a franchise quarterback for the Raiders. Perhaps his crowing achievement, though it would be hard to argue with the role Jon Gruden played in the growth of Gannon.  

The last time Hackett was an NFL play caller was in 2004 as a member of the New York Jets’ coaching staff. During his four years under Herm Edwards, Hackett’s offense never ranked higher than 17^th and was as low as 23^rd. His unit was below average despite having an All-Pro runner in Curtis Martin, talent out wide in Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles, a dominating offensive line and a young quarterback named Chad Pennington.

Russell has played his worst football under Hackett.

Pennington’s progress, or lack thereof, is the most glaring example of what Raider fans can expect from JaMarcus Russell. All the things that Russell isn’t, Pennington was before Hackett ever coached him. Pennington arrived in New York as an accurate thrower who made good decisions and had excellent footwork. All the tools any coach could ask for from a young quarterback. Pennington showed flashes of brilliance, but never evolved into the “Joe Montana” prototype he was billed as.

Russell is everything Pennington never could be. He is a natural talent with instincts that can’t be coached and an arm the likes of which has never been seen.

Hackett’s conservative approach to coaching Russell has stunted his growth. When watching JaMarcus play, you can see him thinking instead of reacting. Quarterbacks must do what comes naturally by relying on their instincts; this is the essence of the position. Coaches must find ways to rely on the talent of their players while helping to refine their skills; this is the essence of the job. If Hackett coached Brett Favre, you’d better believe that you’d never see him even attempt the type of throw he made to beat the San Francisco 49ers just a few weeks ago. Sometimes, making the right decision must be ignored when a QB believes that making a play is possible. 

Hackett is no longer an NFL play caller and might not ever be again unless Tom Cable is relieved of his duties this year. Of course, Hackett would have to leap frog the “passing game coordinator” Ted Tollner first.

Given his track record, the decline of JaMarcus Russell should have seemed inevitable under Hackett.

Russell is playing worse than ever and Hackett cannot be excused from that. There is no progress being made. Nothing changes from week to week. If Russell is following instructions, then he is getting horrible coaching. If Russell is ignoring instructions, then Hackett needs to be more vocal in his displeasure with his pupil. These are the traits of a leader. These are the tools Hackett does not have in his arsenal.

The worst part is that should Cable be excused from his head coaching duties for any reason, Hackett could very well become the man in charge.

Unable to inspire; incapable of getting the most of his talent; Paul Hackett could be the worst thing to happen to the Oakland Raiders in 2009.

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Let me first begin by saying that I am a Matt Cassel fan. I saw his career blossom back in 1998 when I moved into an apartment just down the street from Chatsworth High School.

Chatsworth was known as a powerhouse in baseball, but Cassel’s arm stole the headlines on the football field. When he committed to Pete Carroll at USC, I had no doubt he’d become a record setting passer in the PAC-10.

Timing is everything in life and Cassel was unlucky enough to be on a Trojan roster with two Heisman winners at the same position as his. He would be relegated to the bench, seemingly shifting his tale from future franchise QB to high school hero unfit to wear the crown of greatness.

By now, we all know the tale of his rise from being Tom Brady’s back up to $14 million starter in less than a year. Now he’s a Chief and I’ll get to see him play at least twice a year. Of course whenever he plays against my Raiders, I’ll be the loudest heckler in the crowd. But, since I always support my fellow Cali natives in the sports world, I’d like to offer him a few tips in order to survive here in the AFC West.

1) Stay humble – Look, you’ve come a long way, now is not the time to get cocky. I’m a supporter, but I’m not sold on all the hype. Yes, you balled when you came to Oakland last year. I was watching. But you had a great O-line, a Hall of Fame receiver and a hungry defense helping you. Now the bar is raised and Chief fans aren’t Pats fans.  In KC you’re expected to carry the franchise and not just keep the seat warm for Brady. Just remember how Brady went from clipboard jockey to supermodel hubby. All I’m saying is you’ve only got a one year deal (as of now) and Tyler Thigpen might want to marry a supermodel some day too.

 2) Become a leader – There is some talent on that Chief roster. D-Bowe is set to make a Pro Bowl roster now that he might actually have a legit QB to get him the ball. Tony Gonzalez is a Hall of Famer who has never seen a win in the playoffs. Convince him that you’re the guy who can add the exclamation point to punctuate his career and he’ll have your back when you get in Larry Johnson’s face in the huddle. You’re on the verge of getting paid to endorse soft drinks, so now is not the time to go Tony Romo. Act like you’ve been here before.

 3) Up your game against your new rivals – The AFC West boasts of some of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. You might have thought that you got it bad as a Pat when you came to Oakland, but wait till you show up wearing a Chief shirt. This is not the friendly AFC East where Brett Favre makes nice with Chad Pennington. This is the wild AFC West where Philip Rivers heckles Jay Cutler like a drunken Charger fan would. Chief fans will forgive you for stinking it up in Philly next year if you run the table on the Broncos and Chargers. Sorry, but something tells me its going to be tough for you to get one over the Raiders next year. Just a hunch, but I think you’re going to find it a little more difficult to toss 4 touches in Oakland this time around.

 4) Don’t test Asomugha – You’re a sharp kid, no doubt. But you’re not going to make a name for yourself by throwing at the best corner in the business. That is a sure fire way to start hearing the “Scotty Mitchell” chants get louder and louder with each INT. Again, defer to Tony G whenever you play the Raiders. I know it seems wrong to give a Chief advice when it comes to my team, but this is a gentlemen’s game and nothing would be better than having the Raiders and Chiefs turn the AFC West on its head next year.

 Well, Mr. Cassel, I hope this helps you some. You’ve just gone from zero to hero in less than 12 months and now you’ll have to go from Jesus Shuttlesworth to Jesus Christ in less than one regular season. You’re not playing with house money anymore. It’s your own paycheck that you’re playing with now. I wish you the best, but can’t wait to see you wearing Tommy Kelly like a backpack.

Welcome to the wild AFC West, Matt Cassel!