Report: Hue Jackson to Accept Raiders O.C. Job

[theFRANCHISE]

Per ESPN and various sources, Ravens QB coach Hue Jackson will accept the offensive coordinator position in Oakland and will now be in charge of reviving JaMarcus Russell's career. ([url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4859138"]link[/url])

Possible candidates to fill Jackson's vacancy in Baltimore include current offensive consultant Al Saunders (previously offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins), as well as former Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, who was previously a QB coach in Seattle under Mike Holmgren.

It's sad to see Jackson go, but at this point, I'm hoping the Ravens exhaust every possible lead in hiring his replacement; Flacco's continued development rides on it.

[FlaccoIsHot]

Agreed. Hopefully they will find someone great to fill his shoes. Flacco needs to keep progressing and it seemed like he had a good relationship with Hue.

[FerrariFan87]

Why would anyone want to leave a first class organization like the Ravens for an organization and owner like the Raiders and Al Davis? (besides the obvious: money/promotion)

Good luck, Hue, you will need it.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='26 January 2010 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1264519714' post='351277']

It's sad to see Jackson go, but at this point, I'm hoping the Ravens exhaust every possible lead in hiring his replacement; [b]Flacco's continued development rides on it.[/b]
[/quote]

Having a good QB Coach is important, but if Ozzie doesn't give Joe weapons it won't make a difference. Getting a #1 WR should be top priority this off-season.

[bce086]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='26 January 2010 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1264519714' post='351277']

Possible candidates to fill Jackson's vacancy in Baltimore include current offensive consultant Al Saunders (previously offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins), as well as former Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, who was previously a QB coach in Seattle under Mike Holmgren.

[/quote]

Any personal preference on these 2? Any dark horse candidates we may not be expecting? I'm not extremely knowledgeable on coaches, and I'd wager you know more than me on the issue.

[FlaccoIsHot]

I hope it's not Al Saunders...he's never been a QB coach before. I'd be happy with Zorn though. He was a big part in seattle a couple years ago when they went to the superbowl.

pft brought up a pretty good point though. It's funny how 5 people have already turned down the bears to coach Jay Cutler and the ravens already have 2 interviews lined up to coach Flacco.

[Ed_Reed20]

Bulldog on 1057 said Saunders might have a better chance to getting the job than Zorn because he's already on the staff. I'd prefer Zorn though considering what he did with Charlie Batch early in his career and Hasselbeck.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='bce086' date='26 January 2010 - 11:04 AM' timestamp='1264521855' post='351291']
Any personal preference on these 2? Any dark horse candidates we may not be expecting? I'm not extremely knowledgeable on coaches, and I'd wager you know more than me on the issue.
[/quote]
Al Saunders may not have been a QB coach in the past, but he certainly knows good QBs. He was the assistant head coach in St. Louis when the Rams won the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner and put on the Greatest Show on Turf, and he was the offensive coordinator of the Chiefs when Trent Green was one of the top QBs in the league. Also, to an extent, he helped Jason Campbell become a serviceable QB in the NFL during his time in Washington.

The only knock on Saunders as a coordinator was that his offensive playbook was extremely thick, and his terminology was complicated. That'd be my only concern about Saunders in transitioning into the QB coach position. Flacco already has enough problems with Cam Cameron's terminology, hence how long it's taken to break the huddle.

Jim Zorn, on the other hand, had a hand in developing Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle, but I'm inclined to give more credit to Mike Holmgren than Zorn himself. Holmgren, after all, had a veritable QB factory in Green Bay, with Hasselbeck himself along with Mark Brunell and other QBs beginning their careers as backups to Brett Favre before eventually starting elsewhere. Hasselbeck, of course, was far and away the best backup QB that the Packers ever had, as the rest had short-lived stints as starters.

There are probably other candidates on the market, but my head's foggy right now, so I'd have to do some digging.

[MagicianCamille]

Honestly I'm not too concerned with who we get to replace him, as I think ultimately Joe is going to need to push himself more than a QB coach can help him, at this point.

I do wonder why he'd leave the Ravens to go to the RAIDERS though. They are the worst organization in football. I guess he's trying to work his way up the coaching ladder, but still...

[theFRANCHISE]

Unless Jackson is looking to work with Bruce Gradkowski instead of JaMarcus Russell, I can't see this boding well for him.

[edreedfromtheu]

If Zorn happened to be hired, and Flacco went on to make the next step in becoming a great QB... I think that would definitely mean THE END for Jason Campbell down there in DC. hahaha

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='26 January 2010 - 11:41 AM' timestamp='1264524117' post='351312']
Unless Jackson is looking to work with Bruce Gradkowski instead of JaMarcus Russell, I can't see this boding well for him.
[/quote]

LOL! How Al Davis can still think Russell is QB of the future is incredible. Forget the money, the longer they invest in him, the longer that franchise will be a laughing stock.

[Tyler]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='26 January 2010 - 11:50 AM' timestamp='1264524659' post='351318']
LOL! How Al Davis can still think Russell is QB of the future is incredible. Forget the money, the longer they invest in him, the longer that franchise will be a laughing stock.
[/quote]

But for some reason I feel that if Russell, Mcfadden, and DHB would have been drafted by a different organization, then they would have had way better early careers. just saying.

[darklight1216]

All of the recievers will be free agents (sort of) the quarterbacks coach is leaving, and the back-up wants out. This should be an interesting offseason for our signal caller.

Please don't let it be Jim Zorn. >.<

[quote name='FlaccoIsHot' date='26 January 2010 - 11:11 AM' timestamp='1264522297' post='351293']
I hope it's not Al Saunders...he's never been a QB coach before. I'd be happy with Zorn though. He was a big part in seattle a couple years ago when they went to the superbowl.

[b]pft brought up a pretty good point though. It's funny how 5 people have already turned down the bears to coach Jay Cutler and the ravens already have 2 interviews lined up to coach Flacco.[/b]
[/quote]
Lol, that's awesome.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Tyler' date='26 January 2010 - 12:22 PM' timestamp='1264526527' post='351328']
But for some reason I feel that if Russell, Mcfadden, and DHB would have been drafted by a different organization, then they would have had way better early careers. just saying.
[/quote]

I agree to an extent. Russell has terrible work ethic and DHB is a project. However, McFadden is supremely talented player. Could you imagine him on the Saints?

[Jamal]

Thats horrible news, but I guess thats the NFL for you.

I wouldn't mind if the Ravens got Zorn.

[FlaccoIsHot]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='26 January 2010 - 12:27 PM' timestamp='1264526873' post='351337']
All of the recievers will be free agents (sort of) the quarterbacks coach is leaving, and the back-up wants out. This should be an interesting offseason for our signal caller.

Please don't let it be Jim Zorn. >.<


Lol, that's awesome.
[/quote]

Poor Joe...hope he doesn't get an inferiority complex

[FerrariFan87]

I would only want to see Zorn as a QB Coach... no other capacity.

The only good thing about the loss to the Colts is that it forces Cameron to stay at least another year to prove himself... so the OC position is set and Joe will be going into his 3rd year in the same system.

[WCRaiderfan]

Hello guys,
First post here and just wanted to check in and see what some of your thoughts were about Hue. As a Raider fan it hasn`t been easy the past decade for obvious reasons with AD calling all shots. I honestly don`t know much about Hue Jackson but as a Raider fan, I don`t want to see Cable calling the plays anymore. I would rather see Hue work with Gradkowski over Jamillions simply because Grads is a self motivated leader and player whereas Jamillions is seen too often eating at McDonalds and counting his money lol. Also, I don`t see McFadden and Bush being used to their strengths. Can any of you tell me what Hue`s strengths and offensive philosophies are? (Although it may not make any difference if AD keeps him under his thumb) Thanks for any replies and I wish the Ravens for more success next year. JW from NorCal

[darklight1216]

Hue was one of the coaches that declined the offer to work with Jay Cutler.

Of course, he did choose to go to Oakland...

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='WCRaiderfan' date='26 January 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1264528002' post='351358']
Hello guys,
First post here and just wanted to check in and see what some of your thoughts were about Hue. As a Raider fan it hasn`t been easy the past decade for obvious reasons with AD calling all shots. I honestly don`t know much about Hue Jackson but as a Raider fan, I don`t want to see Cable calling the plays anymore. I would rather see Hue work with Gradkowski over Jamillions simply because Grads is a self motivated leader and player whereas Jamillions is seen too often eating at McDonalds and counting his money lol. Also, I don`t see McFadden and Bush being used to their strengths. Can any of you tell me what Hue`s strengths and offensive philosophies are? (Although it may not make any difference if AD keeps him under his thumb) Thanks for any replies and I wish the Ravens for more success next year. JW from NorCal
[/quote]

Look what Hue did for a QB out of a D-IAA school (Delaware) and how he's developed into a franchise QB... Oakland has the weapons, it's just a matter of bringing in the right QB to get them the ball effectively. That, or go one more round with Russell, which doesn't seem likely.

[RavenAL]

Im happy for Hue Jackson.

I hope he does well.

The Raiders got some talent it just seems they cant get it together.

They beat some quality teams this year.

Al Davis has done great things for the NFL but hes lost it.

[JEEPercreepermd]

I wish Hue the best of luck! If they could just get a solid QB they would be right back in the mix in the AFC West

[McBurks]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='26 January 2010 - 12:50 PM' timestamp='1264528216' post='351359']
Hue was one of the coaches that declined the offer to work with Jay Cutler.

Of course, he did choose to go to Oakland...
[/quote]

That"s a head scratcher there.

[Bazooka Joe]

A teacher is only as good as his student. Joe Flacco is a great student and is driven to be the best. It remains to be seen if JeMarcus has that same desire and fire. He definitely has the skillset to be elite, but does he have the brains and desire?

Good luck to Hue.

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='26 January 2010 - 12:27 PM' timestamp='1264526873' post='351337']
All of the recievers will be free agents (sort of) the quarterbacks coach is leaving, and the back-up wants out. This should be an interesting offseason for our signal caller.

Please don't let it be Jim Zorn. >.<


Lol, that's awesome.
[/quote]


Zorn did not have success as a HC, but he is one hell of a QB Coach. I hope we get Zorn, but I think Al Saunders is going to get the gig. Either Saunders or Zorn would be a great candidate.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='WCRaiderfan' date='26 January 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1264528002' post='351358']
Hello guys,
First post here and just wanted to check in and see what some of your thoughts were about Hue. As a Raider fan it hasn`t been easy the past decade for obvious reasons with AD calling all shots. I honestly don`t know much about Hue Jackson but as a Raider fan, I don`t want to see Cable calling the plays anymore. I would rather see Hue work with Gradkowski over Jamillions simply because Grads is a self motivated leader and player whereas Jamillions is seen too often eating at McDonalds and counting his money lol. Also, I don`t see McFadden and Bush being used to their strengths. Can any of you tell me what Hue`s strengths and offensive philosophies are? (Although it may not make any difference if AD keeps him under his thumb) Thanks for any replies and I wish the Ravens for more success next year. JW from NorCal
[/quote]
I'm glad you're one of the few Raiders fans who recognize that Al Davis has held back the team in recent years and that JaMarcus Russell is not the answer. Sometimes, I head on over to Raider Nation and other Raiders message boards and I see people actively defending Davis and Russell, as if they're not a huge part of the problem in Oakland. It boggles the mind, especially considering the talent the Raiders have at key positions (RB, LB, DL.)

JaMarcus Russell will fail, no matter how talented Hue Jackson is, because Russell is not a student of the game and has shown no willingness to take the extra steps off-the-field that separate the average QBs from the good and great ones. Bruce Gradkowski showed last season that he is the answer in Oakland, and if he can stay healthy, Al Davis would be stupid to let him go.

Hue Jackson's strength, from what I've seen in his work in Cincinnati and Baltimore in various positions, is basically his knowledge of offensive football in general, given that he's coached at last three different skill positions and has helmed whole offenses before. Had Bobby Petrino not left Atlanta high-and-dry and had there not been a QB shuffle, Jackson could've had much more success with the Falcons in his lone season there as coordinator. Also, from all indications, Jackson is very much a people-person and seems to know how to get the most out of the players he works intimately with, from Clinton Portis to Ladell Betts to Chad Ochocinco to T.J. Houshmandzadeh to Chris Henry to Joe Flacco. Before Jackson was hired, lots of players spoke glowingly of him in soundbytes.

One lone season in Atlanta, however, makes it hard to gauge whether Jackson's failures as an offensive coordinator were because of the personnel or his own system. Either way, that offense was dismal that season. I didn't see him as offensive coordinator with the Redskins, but I'm assuming that he was let go largely because Joe Gibbs came in the following year and gutted the staff.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Its official

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/01/Ravens_Lose_Jackson_to_Raiders.aspx

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' date='26 January 2010 - 02:11 PM' timestamp='1264533073' post='351416']
Zorn did not have success as a HC, but he is one hell of a QB Coach. I hope we get Zorn, but I think Al Saunders is going to get the gig. Either Saunders or Zorn would be a great candidate.
[/quote]
I live in Redksins country, so I'll believe it when I see it.

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='26 January 2010 - 02:36 PM' timestamp='1264534610' post='351437']
I'm glad you're one of the few Raiders fans who recognize that Al Davis has held back the team in recent years and that JaMarcus Russell is not the answer. Sometimes, I head on over to Raider Nation and other Raiders message boards and I see people actively defending Davis and Russell, as if they're not a huge part of the problem in Oakland. It boggles the mind, especially considering the talent the Raiders have at key positions (RB, LB, DL.)
[/quote]
Who have you been talking to? Everytime I go to the Raiders message board, all I see is, "Ruffles must go."

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='26 January 2010 - 02:45 PM' timestamp='1264535159' post='351444']
Who have you been talking to? Everytime I go to the Raiders message board, all I see is "Ruffles must go."
[/quote]
Keep in mind, last time I visited was early this past season, before Bruce Gradkowski came along. I'm sure things have changed by now. I hope.