After watching my Oakland Raiders stumble through an historically inept season, I again have to do two things. First, I have to pick a proxy team to cheer for in the playoffs (Colts? Bears?). Second, I get to offer my simple prescription for turning this team around:
1) Use their draft pick to trade down and stockpile additional picks or guys who can play right now.
2) Draft defensive players ... the problems with the offense won't be solved by throwing rookies at it, and you never want to reinforce failure.
3) Fire Art and every coach associated with special teams or the offensive side of the ball.
4) Promote defensive coordinator Ryan to head coach ... this will show the team that success is rewarded, and that grit is recognized. It will also be the first step toward applying the Raiders' successful defensive mindset to the team as a whole.
5) Look outside the organization for an offensive coordinator.
6) Look to improve the offense through free agency and trades to find guys who can help this team today.
With a successful defense and a floundering offense the temptation will be to select offensive players in the draft ... but I really think the Raiders should reinforce their very good defense with an eye toward making it a dominant unit that can carry the offense for the next couple seasons. Then, develop an offense that can eat the clock and score more often than not on a short field. It's basically the same formula that got the Bears into the driver's seat in the NFC ... and what the Raiders are doing now sure isn't working.
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