How Tony Sparano Can Coach Oakland Raiders Beyond 2014

Sep 28, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) carries the ball as Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) defends during the second half at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

 Allow Playmakers to do What They do Best 

Sparano’s philosophy and willingness to allow players to do what they do best will have the Raiders winning in no time. Darren McFadden has looked explosive all year so far this year and has improved his ability to finish his runs, pushing the pile. Sparano will have the Raiders running the ball more and McFadden should get more than his 11 carries per game so far this year.

McFadden is the most dynamic football player on the offense so it’s a good idea for Sparano to get him the ball more. The way Sparano uses McFadden is even more important as he has already stressed players doing what they do best. If you look back at 2010 and 2011, what McFadden runs best is the power-O off tackle and we haven’t seen him run a whole lot of that this year so far.

It’s also time to allow Denarius Moore to do what he does best after he deservedly sat one out after his drop cost the Raiders the New England Patriots game. And having Moore run 4-yard patterns over the middle where linebackers are isn’t doing that. Moore is a deep threat made for a vertical offense which is why he averaged 18.7 yards per catch in 2011 under Hue Jackson.

So what Sparano needs to do here is lean more on offensive assistant Al Saunders who’s one of the best offensive coordinators ever. It sounds like offensive coordinator Greg Olson will continue to call plays but Saunders should be more involved in designing the offense. Then the plays Olson has to choose from will be more of a fit to what guys like Moore and McFadden do well.

When healthy in 2011, McFadden and Moore had the Raiders offense clicking on all cylinders and Saunders was the coordinator that knew how to use them.