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The first name has surfaced from Reggie McKenzie’s list of potential candidates to lead the Oakland Raiders…

Todd Bowles, who was the interim coach for the Miami Dolphins and led them to a 2-1 record after Tony Sparano’s firing, will reportedly get a chance to interview for the Silver & Black’s opening.

Bowles has been a secondary coach his entire career and not likely in Miami’s plans for the future unless they cannot land one of the bigger names out there to lead their organization.

The Eagles sought permission to speak to Bowles at the end of the season for a place on their staff.

Bowles got into coaching with the Jets in 2000, with stints in Cleveland and Dallas before landing in Miami.

McKenzie is likely doing due diligence and making sure every stone is left unturned in his search for a head coach. He stated yesterday, “I would like sooner than better. But if I have to wait, I’ll wait. I’m gonna work my tail off to hire the best coach. The best fit. And that’s all that’s gonna matter right now. And that will start now. And however long it takes, that’s how long it will take. But we want to get the right guy.”

Winston Moss has been the speculated name atop his wish list, but since he’s preparing for a game this weekend with the Packers, McKenzie will just wait patiently and make sure he interviews every guy out there to make sure ultimately, that his final selection will be the correct one.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see more names pop-up within the next few days or in the coming weeks, especially if Green Bay’s playoff run continues. Could there be other coaches currently at work that are on that list? If there are, then McKenzie will have to wait on them as well.

Bowles would meet the Rooney Rule requirement, but he also demonstrates that the new regime has changed who the Raiders potentially look at to lead their club.

Traditionally, the Silver & Black have gone with offensive minded-minds when Al Davis ran the show.

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Following their appearance on “Jim Rome is Burning” and the arrest of middle linebacker Rolando McClain earlier this week, the Raiders came out flat and never got their offense going, nor could they stop Miami’s running backs.

Dolphins running back Reggie Bush tore up the porous Raiders rush defense for 100 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while backup Daniel Thomas rushed for another 73 yards on 13 carries.

Following a Raiders 3 and out to start the game, the Dolphins marched down to Raiders territory but was forced to settle for a Dan Carpenter field goal from 48 yards out. The Dolphins would score another field goal on the next drive, giving them the early 6-0 lead.

The Raiders were finally able to get their offense moving late in the first quarter, with quarterback Carson Palmer finding wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey for a couple of nice catches and gains but stalled due to a couple of holding penalties and was forced another Shane Lechler punt.

Miami extended their lead on the first touchdown of the game halfway through the second quarter. On 3rd and 8, Miami quarterback Matt Moore found wide receiver Devone Bess on a crossing pattern who ran it up the middle of the field for the 12-yard touchdown.

The Dolphins would build up a 27-0 lead against the Raiders defense, and then topped it off when Raiders linebacker Kevin Burnett intercepted Palmer and returned it for a 34-yard touchdown and giving the Dolphins their 34-0 lead.

The Raiders did not get on the board until Palmer found a wide open T.J. Houshmandzadeh on 2nd and 20 for a 40-yard touchdown down the right hand side, bringing the score to 34-7.

The Raiders second and final touchdown would come near the end of the fourth quarter when the Raiders were able to drive down the field with ease and Palmer found Heyward-Bey on a back-shoulder fade pass that Heyward-Bey was able to reach behind him and haul in the ball one-handed for his second touchdown of the season.

Defensive tackle Richard Seymour was ejected in the beginning of the fourth quarter for a short scuffle with Miami guard Richie Incognito where Seymour allegedly threw a jab.

Palmer had arguably his worse start as a Raider, finishing 20-41 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and one interception; with Moore out to injury still, wide receiver Chaz Schilens became a favorite of Palmer, hauling in six receptions for 89 yards; Michael Bush was unable to find running room, finishing with just 18 yards on 10 carries.

With the loss to Miami and the win by the Broncos, it is the Broncos who are now in control of the AFC West. Although they hold the same record at 7-5, the Broncos currently hold the first tie breaker, which is divisional wins. The second tie breaker is the win percentage in common games, which the Broncos are also in control of.

The Raiders also remain  behind the Cincinnati Bengals for the second wildcard seed.

Bottom line is that the Raiders must win more games than the Denver Broncos or the Cincinnati Bengals in the remaining games if they hope to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Tim Tebow led another charge this weekend, propelling the Broncos to a 35-32 victory at Minnesota, while the Silver & Black were M.I.A in Miami.

If the playoffs were to begin today, Oakland would be on the outside looking in, leaving Denver with the divisional crown and a first round match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oakland will face the undefeated Packers next week, then finish with a trio of games versus the Lions, Chiefs and the Chargers.

Green Bay survived a scare yesterday and will look to bounce back at home. The Lions have hit a swoon, but will get Ndamukong Suh back for their game in Oakland. Oakland has played well in Kansas City in recent years, but there would be no better feeling for the rivals than to impede the Silver & Black’s chances for post-season play. San Diego has struggled all year, but they would also love to hurt Oakland, especially with their current losing streak against the Raiders.

Denver plays the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots at home, then travel to Buffalo before a home game against the Chiefs.

“Our mind-set now is to win the division,” said Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil.

Tommy Kelly stated yesterday, “They getting the job done,” when asked about the Broncos.

If Oakland gets in, they would have earned it. Yes, they did have control of their own destiny, but the margin for error was very minimal. Tebow and the Broncos have all the momentum and they’ve taken a ‘me against the world’ mentality with the polarizing passer.

The division winner could be decided on the season’s final day. One team will head to the playoffs, the second-place finisher will be heading home.

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Hue Jackson addressing the media after the Raiders 34-14 loss in Miami.

MIAMI — “At the end of the day,” Oakland Raiders Hue Jackson said about Roland McClain, “there’s no question that he knows I’m disappointed with some things that occurred. And I will take care of that in-house.”

“If the league comes down on him,” Jackson continued, “then I’m going to come down on him like you’ve never seen.”

McClain didn’t play on the first few plays based on packages the Silver & Black presented and the practice time the linebacker missed towards the end of the week, not necessarily due to the happenings that occurred while he was in Alabama.

The defender refused to talk after the game to reporters.

Jackson was frustrated with Richard Seymour‘s ejection, stating, “I told him he can’t get kicked out of the game, he’s one of the rocks on this football team.”

On the outcome versus the Dolphins: “That was a bad day at the office all the way around.”

“Again, I take total responsibility for this loss.”

“I didn’t prepare this team…,”

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Richard Seymour Dolphins

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Aaron Curry 56

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Bush danced around the Oakland defense, Kevin Burnett tangoed into the end zone and the Dolphins romped during their home effort of the season.

Oakland’s lack of emotion, inability to win battles in the trenches and lack of efficiency on 3^rd downs were a recipe for disaster. Carson Palmer never looked in sync with his receivers, minus a brief span at the end of the first half when he connected a few times with Chaz Schilens.

The Raiders avoided the shutout with a Palmer to T.J Houshmandzadeh 40-yard scoring reception, cutting the deficit to 34-7 with 7:51 remaining in the contest. Oakland went 9-plays for 80-yards on the possession.

That was the first touchdown allowed by Miami at home since their loss to the Broncos.

Marcel Reece hurdled a defender during a 38-yard gain and a few plays later; Darrius Heyward-Bey capped the drive with a touchdown reception.

Oakland went 5 plays in 72 yards, ending in the speedster’s 3-yard haul, and cutting into the Dolphins mammoth lead, 34-14.

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Reggie Bush then gained four yards, upping his total to 79-yards for the game, before Miami called a time out on 2^nd and 6. Stanford Routt was called for pass interference on the next play, working against Lex Hilliard in the end zone. Bush then runs it in from one-yard out to push the Miami lead to 20-0.

On the ensuing drive, Chaz Schilens gained nine on a reception, before Michael Bush picked up the first down. Oakland stalled again a few plays later and had to punt. The Raiders at that point were 1-of-7 on 3^rd downs for the afternoon.

Miami began at their own 9-yard line, but quickly moved to midfield after Matt Moore connected with Brandon Marshall for 38-yards a couple plays into the drive.

Daniel Thomas then ran it twice, setting up a 3^rd and 1. Lex Hilliard then ran for 3, and Reggie Bush on 1^st and 10 for 3. A few plays later, Miami faced another 3^rd and 1, and they called Hilliard’s number for a chain moving play.

Richard Seymour was ejected during the drive as he was engaged with Jake Long. There wasn’t much evidence or any flagrant actions by Seymour to warrant the boot.

The drive that covered 13 plays for 91 yards ended on a 6-yard scamper by Moore. The Dolphins went up 27-0, Seymour was ejected and Oakland was missing in action in Miami.

The day got worse a few plays later when Kevin Burnett picked off Palmer and returned it 34-yards for a touchdown – Miami was up 34-0 with 4:41 remaining.

The 3^rd quarter ended with Miami driving into Oakland territory.

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Oakland continued the drive, faced a 3^rd and 9 a few plays later, Burnett made up for his mistake with a sack of Palmer – a loss of 8-yards.

Miami’s Davone Bess returned Shane Lechler’s ensuing punt for 21-yards, giving the Dolphins the ball at the 37-yard line.

On 2^nd and 8 – Matt Moore rolled out of pocket and found Anthony Fasano for a key 26-yard reception. Moore hit Fasano again for 10-yards, before Reggie Bush carried the football for 11-yards.

Davone Bess continued his torment of the Raiders with a 12-yard scoring reception, giving the Fins a 13-0 lead at the 8:24 mark. The drive amassed 63-yards on seven plays. Aaron Curry, who has struggled in coverage, on the move in the middle of the field.

Oakland finally showed signs of life on offense with a reverse to Louis Murphy for 15-yards, a Palmer toss to Michal Bush for 16-yards and another Murphy run before stalling.

Palmer was unable to connect with Kevin Boss on back-to-back plays and on 3^rd and 9, Darrius Heyward-Bey was unable to catch a ricocheted ball off Boss’ hands.

Daniel Thomas ran for 21-yards on Miami’s next drive. The possession ended after Jake Long was flagged for a 15-yard penalty and Miami gained very little on a 3^rd and 28.

Oakland got to the 2:00 warning scoreless, 1-5 on 3^rd downs and with 68-yards of total offense.

Palmer then got into a rhythm with Chaz Schilens, hitting the target for 16 and 30-yard son back-to-back plays. A third completion to Heyward-Bey was negated by a Khalif Barnes penalty (2^nd of game). Vontae Davis then sacked Palmer, and an incomplete on 3^rd and 27 ended the Raiders best drive of the afternoon with a 1:24 left.

Miami converted a 3rd down with under a minute to go, after Oakland used up their time outs, as they took a 13-0 lead into halftime.

STATS:

Oakland 1-6 on 3rd downs.

Time of possession: MIA 18:65 OAK 11:04

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