With all of the movement on the staff it is becoming difficult to keep track of who is staying and who is going. Of course, with only a couple of coaches staying put (as of now) it is much easier to start with the men that don’t have to clean out their offices.

Kelly Skipper has received high praise for his work with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. That’s why it was a done deal for Allen to retain the services of Skipper as the running backs coach. Both Bush and McFadden have a great deal of respect for their position coach as you’d expect from two men that have featured prominently in Oakland’s offense.

Stefen Wisniewski got high praise during his rookie year. Playing both guard and center during the season the New Wiz showed plenty of promise. Therefore it is just good business sense to keep his 8-time All-Pro uncle Steve Wisniewski on the coaching staff.

While Wisniewski is staying the man he answers to is gone. Bob Wylie might have done the best coaching job of any member on Oakland’s staff last season. His offensive line allowed the 4^th fewest sacks in the league and was by far the biggest surprise of the season for the Raiders. However Allen has allowed Wylie to move on, choosing to replace the O-line coach with Frank Pollack. Pollack comes over with Greg Knapp from the Houston Texans.
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Will Jackson get another chance as a head coach?

In his two years in Oakland Hue Jackson took a lifeless offense and made it a top 10 performer. His one year as the team’s offensive coordinator was impressive enough that Al Davis quickly promoted Jackson to his first head coaching position.

One year as the head coach and one ill-advised press conference later Jackson is back on street looking for work. Thus far there has been little to no interest reported in Jackson’s services.

Jeff Fisher’s hiring of Brian Schottenheimer to coordinate the offense in St. Louis ended another potential opportunity for Jackson. It is highly unlikely Jackson will get any head coaching offers so an assistant position is his best bet of being employed in the NFL.

There are those that think the Indianapolis Colts should reach out to Jackson for their head coaching gig but that looks unlikely. Given the way Jackson threw his entire team under bus after a bitter end to the season, general managers around the league have got to wonder if he is truly head coach material.

No doubt Jackson’s swagger can rub his players the wrong way. But that usually goes for most outspoken coaches. In the end winning is all that matters. With a .500 record Jackson can’t boast of being a winner. However there were moments during the season in which Hue had the Raiders playing at a high level.

There is no telling what the word on Jackson is around the NFL at moment. However the silence speaks volumes. I’m sure some team will eventually give Jackson an opportunity. The question is when, if ever, he’ll get the chance to be a head coach again.

Excuse me? Why?

I’m on the record having said Jason Campbell is not the long term solution. Clearly Al Davis has got his work to do in order to keep last season’s momentum going to next season and beyond. Perhaps Campbell will blossom without the worry of Bruce Gradkowski staring at the playbook over his shoulder. First we’ve got to get a resolution to the lockout before crossing that bridge.

But never mind the long term, in the short term VY is as good a decision as handing the Dodgers over to the McCourts. Some people just weren’t built to be in positions that require tough decisions to be made under direst.

Let’s get a couple things clear. Young is not a terrible QB. In fact he’s coming off his best season as a pro and has shown some real progress. His skill set is as unique as you’ll ever find. And for the record if we’re still entertaining Jerry McDonald’s theory on drafting Terrelle Pryor – which I’m also against – I’d take the proven Young over the gamble of TP any day.

All that being said, Young just doesn’t have the mental makeup to be a big time QB in the NFL. I’m not even going down the road of his supposed manic moment a few years back. No need for a blogger to try and play psychiatrist. Let’s just stick to what we see on the field.
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