Nov 11, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M

Let’s just make this simple without getting too analytical.

Let’s say I had two houses I was renting out to two friends. One of those houses was already furnished, already had all the utilities activated and also happened to have a valuable piece of art hanging in one of the rooms. Then let’s say the other house was an absolute mess. Nothing works, there isn’t a single piece of furniture in the home and it’s going to be condemned unless something is done.

So I decide to let my homies crash at each of these places for a year until they get back on their feet only asking that they either maintain or improve the respective properties.

Let’s say at the end of the year I finally go and check in on both of them. Now my boy who got the dump of a home hasn’t done much to make it better. Sure, he’s cleaned up a little and even got the water running and has a few lawn chairs posing as living room furniture with an air mattress in the bedroom. But overall the house isn’t much better but at least I didn’t show up to find out that the city has run red tape around the building. He didn’t have much to work with to begin with but at least he respected the home I let him live in and did make an effort to improve it.

Now my other friend is a different story. I show up at his ready-made house only to discover he’s turned it into a dump. Nothing seems to work like it used to, the place is a mess and he’s trying to tell me he needs more time to get the place in order when his year of leasing ended a month ago. Worst of all is that once valued piece of art isn’t even hanging on the wall any longer. It’s got a hole in it as he decided to turn it into a dinner table.

That’s about the only way I can properly describe what has happened to the offense and defense of the Oakland Raiders this season on the watch of Greg Knapp and Jason Tarver respectively. In my little scenario Tarver is the guy who took over the flophouse and at least attempted to make it livable whereas Knapp is the slob that ruined a nice home and destroyed a valued work of art (Darren McFadden).

So I ask you, all things considered, which of these two are you likely to ever rent to again?

I hope Reggie McKenzie takes my little analogy into consideration.

That is all.

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Among the many qualities an individual must have in order to be a coach in the NFL you wouldn’t think the ability to make arrogant assumptions is one of them. Certainly both Jason Tarver and especially Greg Knapp need thick skin for all the heat they’ve taken this season but making plans for next year would be among the worst things either could do at the moment.

But in keeping with what this season has been all about for the clueless coaching staff of the Oakland Raiders that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Both Knapp and Tarver are already talking about how much better the respective units they coach will be next season.

Now for Tarver there are plenty of viable excuses not the least of which is the fact he inherited the worst defense in the history of the franchise. Last season Oakland broke new ground in their inability to defend the run racking up some historically bad numbers. This season Tarver took over a defense that had nowhere to go but up. Too bad an already weak unit was further weakened due to some necessary roster trims.

So Tarver doesn’t exactly get a pass but he’d be foolish to assume his job is guaranteed. Reggie McKenzie already said he’s going to be more involved with the coaching staff. Apparently Tarver doesn’t think that applies to him.

“With the change of personnel, now they’re realizing what the scheme can do for them. It’s been good. With a year under our belts and keeping as many of these guys as we can, it’ll grow big time.”

Tarver is correct in his claim that another year under the belt should help to improve things. However his assertion fails to address the reality of the situation. This defense has been horrendous no matter the excuses. At some point the coaching staff has to be held accountable. All of this putrid play cannot be pawned off on the players alone.

Now as for Knapp, his story is much different.

Greg Knapp didn’t inherit a bottom dwelling offense. Quite the opposite. Knapp took over a unit that boasted a potential MVP in Darren McFadden and a potentially potent aerial assault with Carson Palmer comfortable in a scheme he had just weeks to digest last year.

So, what did Knapp do? Scrap everything that worked previously to install a system that doesn’t fit the roster. But in keeping with his blind ignorance, Knapp is talking up how much better things will be next year.

“Every place I’ve been to, it’s usually going to take at least a year’s transition time to get everything taught. If you take a business structure and you make those changes, it’s going to take a year’s time to process everything and learn it. Once they master it, you can add to it. Right now, it’s taking some time.”

Knapp knows more about football that I ever will. But there are some ideals that translate no matter the profession or the experience one has in said profession. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…right?

Dennis Allen’s hiring of Knapp has proven itself to be a failure on all levels. Absolutely nothing that Knapp has installed has bettered the Raiders in any way.

Making matters even worse Knapp has pissed away a precious season for many of the offensive players at the expense of cramming his failed system down their throats. McFadden’s prime is fading as an NFL running back – if he ever had one. Carson Palmer’s best days are dwindling.

Exactly how can Knapp justify flushing an entire season down the drain just so he can get his scheme all figured out?

It’s deplorable to hear coaches struggling through a 3-10 season talking up what next season will be like. Of course if there is a next season for Knapp it will be even more deplorable. As for Tarver, it is truly hard to tell what kind of coach he is given the talent and turnover he’s had to deal with.

Knapp on the other hand was handed the keys to M3 yet he’s driven it like a Prius. Next season apparently can’t come fast enough for the Raiders coaching staff. For McKenzie’s sake I hope he realizes this is the exact mentality that has ruined an otherwise hope-filled season. Coaches on scholarship are much worse than players on scholarship. Time to hold every man in the franchise equally accountable.

5) The Raiders must be prepared for injury! Lets face facts the NFL is a brutal buisness. A man’s career could be done in a split second and all it takes is taking the wrong step or landing funny. Oakland needs to be able to use the next man up philosophy, and fill in for injured players without throwing the game away. Nobody expects the backup longsnapper to play like a Pro Bowler, but that next man up has to be relied on to do his job efficiently. Chances are somebody will go down today. Will Oakland be ready?

4) Carson Palmer has to continue playing like an elite qaurterback! Palmer showed Raider Nation last week that he could finish a game without giving the ball away once. Can he continue to play turnover free? Palmer threw for close to 300 yards, and a single touchdown. The latter of the two is something that needs to be fixed, but in my opinion that is the work of Greg Knapp not Palmer. If Palmer can put up similar numbers today against a weak Fins team the Raiders will be able to add their first win.

3) The Raider’s defense needs to play like the thirsty animals that contained a talented San Diego team last week! The Mckenzie era is completly underway, and nothing is more visible then the play of the defense. Who would of thought that a team would only score one touchdown in Oakand. Even more surprising was the ability to stop the run. Jason Tarver and the Raiders defense needs to continue to give Palmer the oppurtunity to run the checkdown pass offense.

2) Disciplined football is winning football! If football doesnt work out for the Raiders they can always open up their own laundry mat, but I’d rather see them fix their penalty problem. Since day one Dennis Allen has promised discipline in Oakland. However, to the dismay of Raider Nation the penalties did not stop. In fact team captain, Tommy Kelly, almost gave the Chargers their only touchdown with his two third down offsides penalties. The answer is simple. Don’t be stupid!

Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

1) The Raiders offense needs to be explosive. There is no excuse for having only one touchdown in a game. Greg Knapp has been given a top tier running back, a big armed qaurterback, banged up but explosive recievers, and an offensive line that gains more talent every season. If the rushing game doesnt get going Knapp cant go Hue Jackson and blame the players. Anything less then three touchdowns today is an utter dissapointment for the Raiders. Darren McFadden should have at least 150 yards rushing. Carson Palmer should have at least 200 yards passing. Will these things happen? Greg Knapp is at the wheel of this car and it is up to him whether or not to stay in the Buick lane or let that car transform into Optimus Touchdown.

The Raiders will need the win and all the positive energy that goes along with a win as the Pittsburgh Steelers will be coming into town next week.

P.S. Fantasy owners should be starting their Raider players today. Look for McFadden, Palmer, and the defense t