Al Saunders would be Oakland’s best bet for OC

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, January 23, 2009  |  Comments( 18 )

Oakland Raiders
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OK, let’s make this as simple as can be: If Al Saunders will accept a position as offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis should pull the trigger immediately. Period.

Keep Tom Cable at head coach and let Saunders call the plays. And then move on.

There’s a widespread theory out there that not a single soul wants to coach in Oakland. For the most part, it’s probably true. Yet, Saunders seems to be one rare exception. The longtime NFL coach returned to Alameda, Calif., for the second time in three years to interview for an open position with the Raiders. The first visit Saunders made was back in 2006 for the head coaching position that was eventually filled by Art Shell (what a mistake).

Now, he’s back. And the Raiders should do everything they can to make certain he stays.

The 61-year-old will meet with Oakland in the “next couple of days,” according to team senior executive John Herrera, to interview for the open offensive coordinator position. The job became available when ex-Raiders coordinator Greg Knapp left to join the Seattle Seahawks’ staff.

The decision to interview Saunders only for a coordinator position indicates that his hiring could mean Cable would stay put at head coach for at least one more year. Two strong wins to close out the ‘08 season, along with a noticeable improvement in personnel management quickly made Cable a legitimate candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy.

All Cable would need is a well-established O-coordinator calling the plays. And that’s what Saunders could provide. For the past decade, Saunders has assembled some of the NFL’s best offenses:

• In 1999, as the St. Louis Rams’ assistant head coach/wide receivers coach, the team had the league's best offense, averaging just over 400 yards per game. St. Louis was first overall in passing ‘O’ and fifth in the rushing department.

• A year later, in the same capacity, the Rams again had the NFL’s No. 1 offense, this time with 442.2 total yards per game.

• In 2001, Saunders became the offensive coordinator of a Chiefs team that a year prior ranked a solid eighth in the NFL in total yardage. With Saunders in control, KC got even better, finishing fifth overall.

• In his second year with the Chiefs, the team’s offense improved yet again, this time ranking fourth in the league in total yardage, despite ranking 25th in plays from scrimmage.

• 2003 was the same story. An already good Chiefs offense became even better with Saunders calling the shots. Kansas City moved up to second overall in yards per game and first overall in points per game.

• From taking an eighth-ranked offense to fifth in 2001 to fourth in 2002 and then to second in ‘03, Saunders claimed the No. 1 spot in 2004. Kansas City’s offense racked up over 30 points and 418 yards per game, tops in the NFL.

• 2005 was his last season with the Chiefs. But yet again, Saunders took his No. 1 offense from a year ago and kept it first in the league, this time with 387 yards per game.

• Last season was Saunders’ last stint as a full-time offensive coordinator, returning once more to the St. Louis Rams. With QB Marc Bulger battling his own mistakes and injuries all season long, St. Louis finished 27th overall in offense, Saunders' worst season as a coordinator in a decade.

So has Al Saunders lost his coaching touch or was last season’s experience with the Rams a fluke? Were the Rams simply that awful and the timing equally awful?

The latter choice seems more likely.

Either way, for someone known to gamble on big personnel decisions, this one should be an easy one for Davis.

Put all your money on Al Saunders and let the real offseason begin.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 18  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
El Tato		05:41 AM
01/23/2009
According to nfldraftcountdown.com Oakland has taken a close look to the following player in Senior Bowl: - WR Juaquin Iglesias...
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No.2
Tommy		06:07 AM
01/23/2009
Alex Mack is a good football player. But that just might be my Cal Bears bias, but I doubt it. He really looks solid.
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No.3
Tommy		06:11 AM
01/23/2009
Mel Kiper's mock draft has us drafting Jeremy Macklin. How stupid would that be? We do not need another speedy receiver / punt...
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