Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis on the sidelines before the game San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Deadspin is one of the most popular sports blogs on the internet, mostly for their hilariously blunt takes on everything in the sporting world. Usually when Deadspin takes aim at you it is the start of a written lashing by one of their writers because you have earned one, which is the case with the easy target of the Oakland Raiders present head coaching candidates.
Eric Mangini and Pat Shurmur to not impress Deadspin, who ripped owner Mark Davis for a rather uninspiring initial list of candidates to interview for the job. A list that has no head coaches with a winning record in their careers on it as of Tuesday.
From Deadspin (Profane writing alert, because Deadspin)
"These are all terrible head coaching options. The Raiders are not shaking up any foundation, and right now, they can build a new one with a sparkly new coach. But they’re choosing to look at proven failures.Oakland needs to break the cycle of coach shuffling. Look at some college coaches. Talk to one NFL coordinator who isn’t a failed head coach. Listen, if you’re going to fail, fail originally. Don’t fail with fucking Pat Shurmur."
To Deadspin’s credit they also mentioned the talent the Raiders have as a reason the idea of taking a former head coach from the scrap heap is so damn frustrating to witness.
"The Raiders have some talent right now. That’s not a joke. Derek Carr is a competent quarterback. Khalil Mack was an outstanding linebacker in his first season. Latavius Murray could help their running-back woes. This is the perfect time for someone new, and the Raiders don’t seem to be taking advantage of the opportunity."
It is quite clear outside, and inside, of Oakland that these head coaching options are not on par with what the Raiders need to return to success. If Mark Davis fails to find an interesting candidate there is no way of escaping criticism as after setting the bar high with early rumors of Jon Gruden lobbying and then trying to bring in Jim Harbaugh, Pat Shurmur or Eric Mangini just won’t cut it. The Raiders need a hire that brings excitement into the team other then the same old negative that is seen every time the franchise makes a move that gives the perception that things won’t turn around anytime soon in Oakland.