May 20, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn (15) and offensive coordinator Greg Olson (right) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When the Oakland Raiders hired Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp last year, Raider Nation was worried.  We had all observed the debacle that is Greg Knapp’s Offense in the past.  We were hoping that his time with the Houston Texans had given him a better feel for running a productive offense.  However, it didn’t pan out, and it made our once productive running game look like a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean.  Thankfully, Greg Knapp was released and there’s a new Sheriff in town.  Enter in newly appointed Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson.

What would his philosophy be, and how was he going to use Darren McFadden?  This was the burning question on my mind.  I feel he is answering my questions.  With the passing of Mini-Camps and the lull before Training Camp, I have learned a great deal about Greg Olson’s philosophy.  He has made it clear to Raider Nation and the football world what his intentions for this offense are.  Is it a new idea or scheme?

No, Olson is implementing an old and new idea that has had great success past and present:  “Build an offense around the players that you have.”  What is this scheme you ask?  Raider Nation can remember a time when this scheme was put to work for the Oakland Raiders.

Head Coach Jon Gruden had taken a fledgling offense of the late 90’s and had grown it into a powerhouse.  In 2000, utilizing the skill-sets of players like Rich Gannon, Tyrone Wheatley, Tim Brown, Zack Crockett, Rickey Dudley, and James Jett, he built and offense that carried our team to the AFC Championship.  In 2001, Gruden added Jerry Rice and Charlie Garner to again win the AFC West Division.  Even when Gruden was released, newly appointed Head Coach Bill Callahan inherited the team and took it to a Super Bowl.  This was all due to the building blocks that Jon Gruden had in place.

Currently, Greg Olson is breathing new life into the offensive playbook by building the skill-sets of the players that already exist.  He is not forcing players into a strict scheme and expecting them to perform.  This is the new Oakland Raiders.  This is the team that will prevail in 2013 and for years to come.  The football world can underestimate us all they want, because we live for being the underdog.

If you don’t believe what I am saying, read the words from Greg Olson in a recent interview; “So, I’ve been exposed to a number of different systems.  If there’s one think that I’ve learned, you’d better adapt to the players you have on your team.  You’d better not pigeon-hole yourself, as in, ‘This is my system and this is what we’re going to do,’ because that personnel may not match that system,” Olson said.  Upon completion of OTA’s and Mandatory Mini-Camp, Olson talked about Matt Flynn and Tyler Wilson.  He said, “We’re not sitting here claiming we have Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or Tom Brady.  We never made that statement or claim, but we’ve got guys we feel are very capable of running an NFL team and an NFL offense.  They both possess different types of skills, so we’ll try to play to their strengths until someone separates themselves.” 

May 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen watches players stretch during rookie minicamp at the Raiders team headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Head Coach Dennis Allen is thrilled with the players that Oakland has on the team.  He believes that with the right system in place, it is a group they can build on and bring long-term success.  Quarterback Flynn loves the playbook Olson has put together so far. He believes the team is feeling more comfortable with the change and training camp will only help in that process.

Only time will tell as to the outcome of the 2013 season.  I for one am excited to see what this revamped, restructured, and gutted team is capable of.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Calm down Nation. Maintain low tones. There is no reason to get all hot under the helmet just set.

By now you’ve likely heard about or have seen the rumors floating around the interwebs of Oakland’s rumored talks with Jon Gruden about a possibly Chucky reunion in the Bay.

That’s nice and all. No doubt a welcome change as we’ve seen about all we need to know of the current staff. But it’s just not realistic. At least not right now.

For all we know Mark Davis might just have placed a courtesy call to Chucky’s people. Just consider it a once over something along the lines of what Jim Harbaugh did with Peyton Manning this past offseason. Never hurts to know what options might be available. It doesn’t mean a move is imminent. Just means there is the chance of a move occurring if the situation presents itself.

Dennis Allen, sadly enough, is out of town having been by his father’s side as he passed. No need to get into detail why these suddenly surfacing rumors are all kinds of wrong.

No doubt Allen’s seat is warm even if he’s not seated in his East Bay office at the moment. Both Mark Davis and Reggie McKenzie have made it clear that “evaluations” are underway. We all know what that means.

What we don’t know is what types of changes are coming.

Is McKenzie willing to scrap his first ever coaching hire after one failed season? Is Davis making a play from his father’s handbook?

While Mark Davis might be showing some of his dad’s tendencies he’s not about to start running the show the same way as pops. In the past rumors like this wouldn’t have leaked so easily. These new Raiders are much more transparent and if there was backdoor Grudening going on the local beat writers would have got wind of it.

Instead it’s an unfounded rumor first announced on a Chicago radio station.

I’m not saying there is no chance of a Re-Chucky scenario. I’m just saying if it’s going to happen no real talks will begin until the final whistle blows on the season. By then it will be much more than rumor. It will be obvious.

Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Gotta give some proper respects to Mark Davis. Though he has no desire to even attempt to walk in iconic his father’s shoes he is certainly doing something his father must respect. Mark Davis is doing things his way. One such thing that Mark Davis is doing which his father never would have is burying the hatchet on some lingering issues that have circled the Raiders franchise for years now.

First Mark Davis welcomed Marcus Allen back into the fold of the Silver and Black by inviting the once banned running back to Oakland to light the Al Davis memorial flame. As we all know Mr. Davis and Allen were not on speaking terms no thanks to a long running beef.

Mark Davis put those demons to rest and now he’s out to exorcise another.

Today, Jon Gruden will ignite the Al Davis memorial flame prior to kickoff against the Saints. No need to explain why that is such a big deal. If you’re reading this blog then the horrors of Chucky are still fresh in your mind.

Once a beloved coach who was hand picked by Al Davis and his omniscient eye for talent, Gruden was the last coach to lead the Raiders to the Promised Land. He’s also the last coach to defeat the Raiders in said Promised Land.

While Raider Nation still has found feelings towards Gruden, Mr. Davis didn’t see things that way. None the less Mark Davis is again making good on some old grudges that have in many ways held this franchise back.  The notion certainly isn’t lost on this member of Raider Nation and it rings runs with countless others as well.

Now if only Chucky could exorcise the demons that are haunting the current coaching staff. Dennis Allen and his beleaguered offensive coordinator Greg Knapp could learn a thing or eight from Gruden about getting the most of the talent on their roster. But today is supposed to be about burying old beefs and not starting new ones so I’ll take it down a notch on that topic…for now.