Saunders Talking to the Raiders
For probably the fourth time in the last decade, former Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders is going to sit down and talk about a job with Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders.
This time, it may stick.
Saunders walked away from one of those interviews with the idea that he was the Raiders new head coach. That was in the first days of 2006, after he did not get the chance to replace Dick Vermeil as head coach of the Chiefs.
In his talks with Davis, Saunders was told he would get the chance to hire his coaching staff. Then, a day after the conversation, the Raiders announced they were keeping Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and gave him a three-year contract. Eventually, Art Shell was hired as head coach and Saunders went to work for Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins.
Saunders talked with Davis in January of 2004 about the head coaching job that ended up going to Norv Turner.
Now, he’s talking with Davis about working as offensive coordinator for a yet to be named head coach. Only the Raiders! This past season, he was the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams.
Saunders grew up in Oakland and once was a ball boy for the Raiders back in the early days of the American Football League.
Of course, he was the man who helped create the Vermeil Flying Circus offense from 2001-2005 that re-wrote that side of the Chiefs record book. Saunders was also the team’s wide receivers coach on Marty Schottenheimer’s staff from 1989 through the 1998 season.
Kinda sad to see Saunders having trouble finding a job, he’s got some game, feel bad for anyone desperate enough to work for davis.
Oh boy this could be good for the Raiders they need help on the offensive side of the ball if they get another big time reciever possibly Crabtree for a weapon and a healthy Curry already there along with their tight end Zach Miller and Mcfadden this could be interesting weapons for Russell. Could be a force with the right offensive linemen too ala free agent or draft me as a Chief’s fan may take this seriously if they get him.
I think they still need a QB, I didn’t think russell was a gamer when he came outta LSU. He hasn’t done anything to make me think different yet.
Russell probably won’t fit in with Saunders passing game. He relies on crisp routes, accurate throws and great timing. Russell was drafted because he has a freakish cannon attached to his shoulder.
I tend to agree with the Russell not being a fit. He seems to be a long long long term project. lol “freakish cannon” thats clasic but true.
JB
Al must be desperate after seeing how Lane Kiffen was abused in Oakland
Fortunately for the Chiefs, Russell doesn’t seem to possess the intangibles to succeed in the NFL. Isn’t that what makes the NFL so interesting and combine stats so inconclusive? Talent is a prerequisite, but insufficient to graduate.
Pioli’s promise to build a team, and not just a collection of talent, is music to my ears. Here in DFW, we witness the spectacle of Jerry Jones experimenting with the former. Good luck with that. Talent matters, of course, but it is a commodity separated at the very top levels by character, competitiveness and commitment. I’d like to think the Chiefs now have the ownership and management to navigate such waters. Only the brutal reality of battle on the field, and not in newspapers or blogs, will judgment be pronounced. Ain’t this a great game!
If an O Coor could get something out of the Raiders, it would be Saunders. He can coach offense.
We may be back to having a real rivalry with the raiders. If Pioli and whoever can develope the chiefs, we could have some raider haters days again.
I feel bad for anyone that shows up for the interview in oakland. The one name that realy stands out for me in this article is Art Shell. When he was here as our OL coach we had a running attack!! And how!! Five big bulldozers wearing red and gold. What is he doing these days? And maybe Dan Saleamua could be the DL coach?
Maybe if we…
1. Develope a running game (Blount)sp) Oregan
2. Develope a DEFENCE (sp) ( Clay Mathews)
3. Draft Jeremy Maclin Improve the long ball.
4. Dump LJman Less bail money and court fees.
5. Bring back to tommahawk chop and chant (no price chopper)
Maybe we can get outa the cellar. (AFC West)
If the team Saunders goes to is patient, than he will be successful. Russell put up better #s this yr than Thigpen, and all without quality recievers. They have a young, capable Oline, good RBs, a QBOTF, a decent TE, they just need healthy and capable recievers.