In addition to these hires, Raiders head coach Dennis Allen has indeed decided to retain ex-Raiders offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski as an assistant offensive line coach. Wisniewski joined the Raiders coaching staff last season, helping coach a young offensive line that includes his nephew, Stefen Wisniewski, to allowing only 25 sacks all season, third best in the NFL.

Ex-Raiders fullback Justin Griffith has been added to the coaching staff as offensive quality control coach

The Raiders also announced the decision to keep Eric Sanders on the coaching staff as the defensive quality control coach. Sanders, a native of San Francisco, has been on the Raiders staff for the past two seasons as an offensive assistant.

Allen has also decided to bring in ex-Raiders fullback Justin Griffith to be the Raiders new offensive quality control coach. Griffith played for seven NFL seasons, including playing for the Atlanta Falcons from 2003-2006.

While with the Falcons, newly hired Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp served the same position and Dennis Allen served as a defensive assistant coach. Griffith played in 23 games for the Raiders, including 14 starts, from 2007-2008. This will mark the first season Griffith has been on a NFL coaching staff.

Although the Raiders have not announced it, SBReport.net is reporting that the Raiders hired former Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Steve Hoffman to replace John Fassel for the same position. To see Victor Cotto’s piece regarding Hoffman, CLICK HERE.

In other notes around the NFL, Greg Manusky, who the Raiders interviewed for their vacant defensive coordinator position, accepted a job offer by the Indianapolis Colts for the same position. The hire leaves the Raiders back in square one as they continue to search for a defensive mind to work under Allen.

Allen has been denied permission to speak to many of his desired personnel, including Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson and Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith. Allen appears to have possibly taken a suggestion from Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie by reportedly asking for permission to speak to Green Bay Packers secondary coach Paul Whitt, Jr. San Francisco 49er’s secondary coach Ed Donatell is still believed to be in the running.

After the Raiders officially announced the hiring of Greg Knapp as Allen’s offensive coordinator, other reports came out Wednesday involving Allen’s staff.

New Raiders head coach Dennis Allen decided to retain running backs coach Dennis Allen, according to FOXSports.com (Photo courtesy of Raiders.com)

According to FOXSports.com, Allen has decided to retain running backs coach Kelly Skipper. Skipper, who has been with the Raiders since 2007, has been the Silver & Black’s running backs coach since 2009. Oakland averaged 131.9 yards per game (7th in the NFL) on the ground last season even with star running back Darren McFadden being out for the season since week seven with a foot injury.

It appears that Knapp, who was the Houston Texans quarterback coach last season, will be bringing Texans’ assistant offensive line coach Frank Pollack with him to Oakland to be the Raiders new offensive line coach.

Pollack replaces Bob Wylie, who turned around the Raiders offensive line while having two young players on the left side in second year left tackle Jared Veldheer and rookie left guard Stefen Wisniewski. Last season, the Raiders offensive line only allowed 25 sacks, tied for the third-lowest in the NFL, and opened up holes for running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.

Allen has reportedly hired Texans assistant coach as the Raiders new offensive line coach (Photo courtesy of HoustonTexans.com)

One difference between Pollack and Wylie is the types of schemes that they run. Last season, under Wylie, the Raiders were dominantly a power-blocking team. During his coaching tenure in the NFL, Pollack has only coached zone blocking.

Last season under the zone-blocking philosophy, the Texans allowed only 33 sacks and ran for a NFL second-best 2,448 yards. Raider fans may be familiar with the zone-blocking philosophy from Tom Cable’s tenure in Oakland, both as an offensive line coach and head coach. It remains to be decided if ex-Raiders offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski will be retained as an assistant offensive line coach.

Allen also decided to bring in longtime NFL strength and conditioning coach Al Miller to serve as the same position for the Raiders. Miller currently has 21 years of experience as an NFL strength and conditioning coach.

Miller, who last worked in 2005 with Allen for the Atlanta Falcons, interviewed with the Broncos and John Elway earlier this week, according to CSNBayArea.com. Shortly after interviewing with Elway, Miller heard that his friend Allen may get a head coaching job in Oakland and decided to wait before making a decision.

Miller then chose to join Allen in Oakland and serve as the Raiders new strength and conditioning coach, also bringing along John Grieco to be the assistant strength and conditioning coach. Miller has helped coach four teams to the Super Bowl in his career.

Miller left the NFL in 2005 to spend more time with his wife, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004, and move to Monroe, La. where Miller volunteered at University of Louisiana-Monroe. Grieco has worked the past two seasons as the strength and conditioning coach for the ULM.

Allen is still yet to hire a defensive coordinator to work under him. It has been reported that the New Orleans Saints denied Allen from permission to talk to their defensive line coach Bill Johnson and the Broncos had also denied permission to talk to linebackers coach Richard Smith for the defensive coordinator vacancy.

FOXSports.com has reported that the Raiders have interviewed Greg Manusky for the job. Manusky worked as the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers last year before being released at the end of the season.

Manusky’s defense allowed only 224.4 yards per game in the air, but allowed 122.2 yards per game on the ground.

Another name that has been tossed around regarding the open defensive coordinator position is San Francisco 49er’s secondary coach Ed Donatell. Donatell has previous defensive coordinator experience with the Green Bay Packers (2002-2003) and the Atlanta Falcons (2004-2006), where he worked with Allen.

Dennis Allen did not give Al Saunders a glowing endorsement yesterday during the head coach’s introductory press conference.

When asked about what he expects out of his offense, all Allen stated was, “We’re going to be up-tempo. We want to be fast, we want to be aggressive. You’ll hear me use that word a lot — aggressiveness. And I think that’s critical in the game of football. We want to be fast, we want to be up-tempo. We’re going to be able to run the football and run the football solidly so we can stay ahead of the chains on first and second down. And we’re going to be explosive in the passing game.”

Saunders was the only staffer on the Oakland’s 2011 roster to still be under contract.

Here’s an earlier post with more info on Knapp and analysis:

Greg Knapp offered O.C spot in Oakland

Just remember, this time around, Knapp will have more autonomy, not have to deal with JaMarcus Russell and he’ll have a talented group of targets, a dynamic rusher and a offensive line that is youthful and has a bright future on the left side.

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Greg Knapp

Dennis Allen did not give Al Saunders a glowing endorsement yesterday during the head coach’s introductory press conference.

And when asked about what he expects out of his offense, all Allen stated was, “We’re going to be up-tempo. We want to be fast, we want to be aggressive. You’ll hear me use that word a lot — aggressiveness. And I think that’s critical in the game of football. We want to be fast, we want to be up-tempo. We’re going to be able to run the football and run the football solidly so we can stay ahead of the chains on first and second down. And we’re going to be explosive in the passing game.”

Saunders, who is still under contract, may not have a role as offensive coordinator very long, as Allen reportedly offered the job to Greg Knapp.

Yes, the same Knapp that was on Lane Kiffn’s staff for two years in 2007 and 2008 at that same capacity.

Allen and Knapp are familiar with each other, working in Atlanta during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Knapp was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator then. He also was a play caller with the 49ers (2001-03) and the Seahawks (2009).

“We’re exploring all our avenues as far as what we’re going to do there,” Allen said.  “We are in the process right now of formulating our whole staff.”

ANALYSIS:

It may not be an inspiring choice to many, but he has been a very good staffer in the league and has a working relationship with Allen. Knapp was good enough for “Lance” and just the fact that he would’ve never be brought back by the old regime, may be good enough of an excuse to hire him to lead the offense.

Seriously, Knapp did a great job in Houston this past season after season ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart and eventually working with rookie T.J. Yates.

Ultimately, it’s imperative they get a play caller and coach that can work together with Carson Palmer and continue to develop their youthful receiving unit. Incorporating Kevin Boss into the attack more will be a priority, along with maintaining the team’s strength the last few years – their ground attack.

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Dave Tollefson – Giants DL

Was shutout from the boxscore and was just a reserve during New York’s 37-20 win versus the top-seeded Packers.

Charles Woodson – Packers CB

“Anything you’ve seen through the regular season happened to us today — missed tackles, (missed) assignments, not getting to the QB. We let them throw for a bunch of yards. Everything that happened during the season happened today,” said the former Oakland cornerback. Woodson was of the goats from yesterday’s defeat.

Winston Moss – Packers Asst. HC/LB coach

Played for the Los Angeles Raiders (1991-94) and in 1993, when he led the Silver & Black in tackles on the team that advanced to the AFC Divisional playoffs, he earned the Ed Block Courage Award. All eyes now turn to Green Bay’s ouster, as there a few candidates that Reggie McKenzie can pick from to be Oakland’s next head coach.

Darren Perry – Packers Secondary/Safeties coach

Perry coached the Raiders secondary for two years (2007-2008), aiding the development of Nnamdi Asomugha and helping the Silver & Black stay within the top-10 versus the pass in both of those campaigns. The Packers allowed 325-yards passing yesterday and were ranked last in the entire league in aerial yards per game.

Greg Knapp – Texans QB coach

Houston’s playoff run came to an abrupt end in Baltimore, as Tyler Yates went 17/35 for 184-yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Knapp had a tough task at the end of the years, prepping his young passer for a post-season experience after losing the team’s top two passers.

Chris Carr – Ravens CB

Chris Carr in his playing days with the Silver & Black.

Was inactive during Baltimore’s 20-13 victory versus Houston.

Chuck Pagano – Ravens defensive coordinator

Spent two campaigns with the Raiders as a defensive backs coach. In 2006, Oakland led the league in pass defense (150.8) and Asomugha had a breakout year with eight interceptions. Pagano is now the mastermind behind that stout Ravens defense.

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Thomas Howard – Bengals LB

The former 2^nd round pick out of UTEP saw post-season action in his second year with the Cincinnati Bengals. He had a very active game, leading the team with six-tackles. The Houston Texans advanced with a 31-10 win, but Howard had a nice showing.

Gibril Wilson – Bengals S

Yes, he was a Raider back in the 2008 campaign. He had very little impact during the game on Saturday.

Dave Tollefson – Giants DL

Did not play a significant role as a reserve versus the Falcons, but he did tally 5.0 sacks this season.

John Fox – Broncos HC

His team stunned the Steelers on the first play of overtime, as the AFC West champs advance to face the New England Patriots. Fox was a one time assistant with the Silver & Black in Los Angeles.

Aaron Kromer – Saints OL coach

Was a vital coach for the Raiders in 2002 during their run to the Super Bowl.  The Saints are sending three linemen to the Pro Bowl this year.

Terry Robiskie – Falcons WR coach

Served with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982 where he coached with the team for 12 seasons. Now, he has Roddy White and Julio Jones to mentor in Atlanta.

Greg Knapp – Texans QB coach

Was the offensive coordinator with the Raiders in 2007-2008. Knapp has done a great job with many injuries at quarterback for Houston and a rookie passer currently under center.

OTHER NOTES

Al Davis wanted JaMarcus Russell; Lane Kiffin wanted the man dubbed “Megatron.” In February of 2009, when Davis reflected on those days, he stated, “Someone the other day said we had to go get a receiver. We should’ve drafted Calvin Johnson instead of JaMarcus Russell. But [Detroit Lions] record was 0-16 last year with Calvin Johnson.”

Johnson, in his team’s first playoff appearance since 1999, caught two touchdown passes and tallied 211-yards.

The Raiders were 7-4 heading into December and the Broncos were floundering around .500 when Tim Tebow began his charge to an AFC West crown. Yesterday, Tebow posted 316-yards passing, two touchdowns throwing the football and one rushing with a rating of 125.6 during the Broncos 29-23 overtime victory. It was the first extra period NFL post-season game with the new rules. It took all but one play to end the contest after Tebow hung the most yards passing the Steelers allowed all campaign.

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After being the interim coach for 12 games, posting a 4-8 record and ending the 2008 season with back-to-back wins, it appears that Tom Cable has convinced the Oakland Raiders’ brass that he is the right man for the job.

According to sources close to the organization, Cable will be named the next head football coach of the Silver & Black.

Cable, 43, served as offensive line coach in his first season with the Raiders and turned around a lowly group that allowed a league high 72-sacks in 2006. That season, Oakland finished sixth in the NFL in rushing. He also helped Robert Gallery turn his career around from a bust tackle to a solid starting guard.

When Oakland parted ways with Lane Kiffin four games into the 2008 campaign – after a tumultuous feud between coach and owner – Cable was pegged for the job in the midst of the team’s worst stretch in modern day history.

“This is in many ways a strange day,” Cable said in September. “I have a friend who lost a job. That’s difficult in this business but, as we know, this is a business. It is time for us to move forward and to put the past behind us. … We have a good coaching staff here and a good football team here.”

Even though the Raiders posted another losing record – becoming the first team ever to lose at least 11 games in six straight seasons – highly regarded players declared their loyalty to Cable when the season ended and let their feelings be known about who should lead the team going into 2009.

“If (Davis) wants to ask or if he’s interested in our opinion, I’m sure any man in this locker room would vouch for (Cable),” commented running back Justin Fargas. “From just the way he’s treated us with respect and raised our expectations.”

The player who the organization needs the most to develop into a great talent even pledge his allegiance to Cable.

“[Cable] brought us from one direction and took us up the ladder,” quarterback JaMarcus Russell said. “He always told us that deep down he thought we were a good football team. By him becoming (head) coach, he guided us in a different way. He talked to us about what needed to be done, we need to make some changes and within that, I think we did.”

The news weeks after reports stated that New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride spoke to owner Al Davis on the phone regarding the position on January 3^rd, and officially interviewing for the job January in Oakland.

Green Bay Packer assistant head coach and former Raider linebacker Winston Moss was also a candidate for the opening.

Oakland will have to rebuild the staff around Cable, as their defensive coordinator since 2004, Rob Ryan, bolted to Cleveland to reunite with Eric Mangini at the same capacity for the Browns.

Greg Knapp, who was offensive coordinator and called plays for the Raiders before Cable took over that duty as the season wound down, also departed and landed with the Seahawks on Jim Mora’s staff.

“I want to be the head coach of the Raiders, but it’s not in my hands. But I certainly know I put this team together and got it going in the right direction, and today proved that,” replied Cable after the season ending victory in Tampa Bay when asked about his future with the club.

SBReport has also learned that Cable will have full autonomy in hiring his own coaches and surrounding himself with staffers of his choosing. 

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Greg Knapp

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Although it remains to be seen whether interim head coach Tom Cable will be back with the Oakland Raiders next year, and in what capacity, there will definitely be changes in the Lane Kiffin-built coaching staff.

Multiple media reports indicate offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, as had been rumored for some time, will be joining new Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora Jr.

Knapp, at one time a possible head coaching candidate in Oakland, finally was given play-calling abilities after Kiffin’s dismissal a quarter of the way through the season, only to see them taken away by the halfway mark of the year after a string of low-scoring performances.

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, one of the longest-tenured members of the coaching staff, is reported to be a target of new Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini, who worked with Ryan in New England. Ryan has been with the Raiders for five years, serving under four different head coaches, and like Knapp was once considered a head coaching possibility.

The San Francisco 49ers’ website says Raiders running backs coach Tom Rathman has agreed to join that Bay Area club, with whom he spent most of his playing career.

And special teams coach Brian Schneider, whose charges had a terrific season in 2008, is reportedly interviewing around the league.

Most sources agree wide receivers coach James Lofton is the only member of the staff, including Cable, with a contract for 2009, and the other assistants’ pacts are up next week. Several reports indicate the team is willing to let assistants get an early start on departures, and with no clear indication of who the head coach will be, it appears many are trying to find stability somewhere other than Oakland.

The exodus began, in fact, before the season even ended, with offensive line assistant James Cregg notoriously drawing Cable’s ire by resigning to join Kiffin’s University of Tennessee staff.

The Raiders have not formally interviewed anyone for the head coaching spot yet (the Rooney rule must be satisfied, among other formalities), although owner Al Davis reportedly has spoken at some length with both Cable and New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, a former San Diego Chargers head coach.

If there are mass departures from the staff, even if Cable wins the permanent job as head coach, it could hamper some of the progress made by quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the team as a whole in a pair of season-ending victories.

On the other hand, with the Raiders’ recent struggles, it can be debated whether retaining a coach such as the ultra-popular defensive coordinator Ryan is a key to consistency, or merely a key to the consistent inconsistency of the past six years.

Other assistants who finished the 2008 season on the Silver & Black sidelines include: Quarterbacks coach John DiFilippo (who in a “Six Degrees of Separation” moment is the son of Gene DiFilippo, the Boston College athletic director who just fired head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, whose name was mentioned in at least one rumor reported out of Oakland), tight ends coach Kelly Skipper, defensive line coaches Keith Millard and Don Johnson, linebackers coach Don Martindale (Ryan’s right-hand man, who could be a candidate to replace him, or join him in Cleveland), defensive backs coaches Darren Perry and Randy Hanson, quality control coaches Adam Henry, Sanjay Lal, George Martinez and John Fassel, and strength coach Brad Roll.

One assistant who isn’t likely going anywhere is squad development coach Willie Brown, a Raider lifer who also works with the defensive backs. But the 23-year veteran staffer’s role could change, depending on who comes in as head coach.

QUARTERBACK — C+

JaMarcus Russell followed up his solid outing in Denver with an up-and-down performance at home. At times, he looked in full control of the offense and showed off his stellar arm with nice tosses. On play action in the first half, he executed a nice 28-yard pass on a corner route to Miller and he repeated his accuracy with a 21-yard toss to his tight end on a crossing pattern. Other times, he overthrew Ronald Curry on what could’ve been a score on 4^th and 3 in the 2^nd quarter and was not able to connect with his targets. Johnnie Lee Higgins could’ve adjusted on one seam pattern that should’ve led to a score and Miller dropped a big gainer after a big hit. It was good to see him use his legs more and take off on a couple big runs.

RUNNING BACKS — C-

More is expected out of this bunch. And today, they didn’t provide the Raiders the support needed to beat a team that is 31^st in the league at stopping the run. Justin Fargas had 18 carries for 82 yards and his first touchdown of the season, but his fumble in the 4^th quarter, on Oakland’s first play after the Chiefs took a 17-10 lead was a back-breaker that put them behind 10-points. Darren McFadden was used again in varying packages, but Oakland still has to find a way to get him more touches during a game. He again drew a pass interference call and was incorporated into the passing attack with 50 yards receiving on 3 grabs. As a flanker he hauled in a 13-yard slant and on a 3^rd and 7, was wide open on a seam pattern for 20 yards.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS — D-

Oakland gets nothing from this bunch and this has contributed to Russell’s inability to put up better numbers or perform up to his abilities. Higgins should’ve been aware of the coverage and ran a post pattern for Russell on one route in the 1^st half. Ashley Lelie was non-existent after his best performance as a Raider last week and the only receiver to record a catch was Ronald Curry, who ended with that lone reception for 0 yards (he flipped that toss to McFadden on a hook and lateral play on their opening drive).

OFFENSIVE LINE — C+

They were average at best. Kwame Harris was not a turnstile today, but he did get flagged twice – once for holding at the end of the 1^st half and a false start as the game wound down. Raiders have not been as physical along the interior since Jake Grove’s injury and 132 yards rushing today were highly disappointing after compiling 300 yards against this opponent in their first meeting.

DEFENSIVE LINE – D

They played well in the 1^st half, holding Kansas City to 26 yards rushing. But they regressed in the 2^nd half and never put enough pressure on Tyler Thigpen to disrupt his rhythm or facilitate more mistakes. Oakland cannot win games when 1 sack is recorded (Tommy Kelly) the entire game and 119 yards are allowed on the ground in the 2^nd half, while the offense struggles.

LINEBACKERS — C

Thomas Howard is playing extremely well and is flying to the football. But the rest of the unit appears lost at times and out of position. Kirk Morrison’s play has been sub par and Jon Alston is not a starting caliber linebacker at this level.

SECONDARY — C

Chris Johnson continued his solid play. His interception and 44-yard return to the KC 1 yard line inthe 3^rd quarter gave Oakland life and set them up for their only touchdown of the game. Nnamdi Asomugha took on Tony Gonzalez (who torched the Raiders with 8 rec. for 110 yards), and was beaten twice for 34 yards. Gibril Wilson started the game on the hall of fame bound tight end, but the Raiders slowed down his production with their top corner. Wilson dropped a poorly thrown ball by Thigpen that should’ve been interception. Instead, the drive continued and the Chiefs scored to take a 17-10 lead (the drive started in the 3^rd quarter, elapsed into the 4^th, and went for 91 yards on 16 plays).

SPECIAL TEAMS — D

Higgins was shutdown and Justin Miller could not provide a spark on kick returns. Shane Lechler had a miserable day punting and was part of that botched fake field goal that led to a Maurice Legget 67-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

COACHING – D –

The team was overconfident and the blasé approach in leaving points on the field hurt the Raiders. Oakland still has only 1 touchdown in the first half of games this season. They struggle to generate points, but the staff called a fake punt on 4^th and 10, thinking their hefty kicker could run for a first down and deep in KC territory, bypassed an easy field goal, instead calling a pass that fell harmlessly incomplete in the back of the end zone on 4^th and 3 in the first half. Some of the play calling was refreshing by Greg Knapp. The screen to Curry, which then turned into a hook and lateral that McFadden ran for 16 yards was exciting. ‘Wildcat’ formations a bootleg in which Russell kept for 17 yards, the utilization of McFadden and a reverse to Higgins were pleasant surprises and nicely executed at times. But the overall approach against a lowly team and leaving the points on the field for a team that has been the lowest scoring in the NFL is mind-boggling.

EXTRA POINTS

• Thigpen is now 1-6 as a starter.
• Kansas City snapped a 2 game losing streak against the Raiders, but extended their winning streak to seven games in Oakland.
• Oakland had 3 successful drives in the first half, but came away with only 3 points.

New Orleans, LA – For the Oakland Raiders (1-3), a win today at New Orleans could wash away much of the stage show that has surrounded them since the start of the season and through its bye week.

One key aspect of the game will be how the offense will look with coordinator Greg Knapp in full control of the play calling.

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell has not looked like your typical first year passer, but he has not had many opportunities to get the ball down the field, as Lane Kiffin appeared to have a short leash on the former LSU product. The Raiders need to balance their offense in the coming weeks and one vital component that they will have to get involved is Javon Walker.

So far, Walker has compiled a lackluster 4 receptions for 52-yards. Not exactly what the Raiders thought they would get when they invested $55 million with $16 in guarantees during the off-season.

The passing offense needs a jolt. And stretching the field with Russell’s huge arm and getting Walker into the mix is imperative. Ronald Curry has been a disappointment as well, and his consistency has been sorely missed.

The ground game has flourished as expected, but since they were becoming easily one of the most predictable teams in the league, with the change in coaches, the Raiders can now refresh their mode of attacks and begin a new era today by diversifying an offense that is ranked 19^th overall, but on the strength of the 155 yards per game on the ground. The 153 yards per game they have amassed ranks them 29^th in the league.

And if they are going to turn the corner and move in the right direction with Cable at the helm and Knapp directing the offense, airing it out and taking advantage of the reputation they have built in running the ball is something they must take advantage of.