Poole: Can Oakland Raiders offense go back to the future?

[Maxfly]

ALAMEDA -- After seeing the inconsistencies, witnessing numerous hearings in the courts of public opinion and debating the capabilities of the Raiders offense, we have a judge who can render a verdict.

If Greg Olson pays no other immediate dividends as Oakland's offensive coordinator, he will reveal the truth about one of the NFL's truly perplexing units.

Is it talented and teeming with potential, as it was in 2011?

Or is it barren and irreparable, as it seemed in 2012?

Few NFL narratives changed faster in 2012 than that of Oakland's offense. One season after it ranked ninth in total offense (15th in scoring) under coach Hue Jackson, it fell to 18th (and 26th) under new offensive coordinator

Oakland Raiders' starting quarterback Carson Palmer (3) hands the ball off to Oakland Raiders' Darren McFadden (20) against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. (Nhat V. Meyer/Staff) Greg Knapp.

Suddenly, the perception spread that the Raiders didn't have enough good players to form a decent offense.

How could that be true when the line underwent only subtle changes and added one new starter, guard Mike Brisiel, acquired because he had a solid grasp of the zone-blocking schemes preferred by Knapp?

Moreover, the skill-position cast was much the same as a year earlier. The quarterback was Carson Palmer, the lead running back was Darren McFadden and the primary receivers were Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey and tight end Brandon Myers.

As I prepared to question Olson about this discrepancy, he anticipated my question.

"So you want to know what happened?" he asked.

No. We know what



happened. We want to know why.

"To sit and blame it all on the previous coordinator is naive," Olson said, referring to Knapp, fired last month. "Players change, year in and year out. There are changes in philosophy and scheme. Injuries become a factor. The schedule becomes a factor.

"But whoever the quarterback is going to be, let's make sure he's comfortable. And after that, let's talk about McFadden because he's probably our most explosive player. Let's get back to doing what he does best."

Insofar as McFadden's acute regression in 2011 was an obvious case of a runner ill-suited to a new scheme, Olson's solution is logical. Put him back in his comfort zone. Construct schemes to suit talent, rather than requesting talent to adjust to the schemes.

What may be trickier, though, is reviving the passing game, for Palmer, in some ways, regressed nearly as much as McFadden. The quarterback was less accurate and surely less reliable, throwing more careless passes, many of which were intercepted.

And his receivers, well, they also were less effective than they'd been a year earlier.

While conceding the Raiders don't have an established No. 1 receiver, Olson cites an example of why that should not be an excuse: the New Orleans Saints.

"I look at a guy like Drew Brees," Olson said of the quarterback he coached at Purdue. "I don't think in New Orleans that there is a true standout (receiver), so he does it by spreading the ball around. We'll have to find a way to spread the ball around, share those touches.

"Everyone would love to have a Calvin Johnson, but most teams don't."

No doubt the Saints have more offensive talent than the Raiders. Brees is elite, a Super Bowl winner. Jimmy Graham is a top-5 tight end. Darren Sproles is as good a wild card playmaker as there is. The wideouts are very good, but Olson is correct about the absence of a true No. 1.

The key question here is whether Palmer, age 33, will play his best football in Oakland.

Olson clearly comes to town with his eyes wide and his mind open. He has studied video from each of the past three seasons, seen enough to believe 2011 was more reflective of the true potential of his roster than the disastrous 2012 season.

There is, however, an additional twist that seems to stir the scientist within Olson. He longs to see what kind of tricks he would resort to with Terrelle Pryor at quarterback.

The coordinator implies Pryor, an unused rookie in 2011, should be able to compete to be the starter while suggesting he more likely will be utilized in specific packages.

"There has to be competition at every position; I don't ever think you hand anyone a position from season to season or year to year," he said when asked if Pryor would be given a chance to start.

"We know what kind of an athlete he is. We need to find out what kind of decision-maker he is. And we need to find out (if he is) a guy that can also sit in the pocket and deliver the ball from point A to point B accurately and on time."

Those who look at 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and visualize Pryor making a similar ascent should stop. Kaepernick's passing skills at Nevada far exceeded those of Pryor at Ohio State. Pryor would need to make a quantum leap to be mentioned in the same conversation.

Yet Olson sees Pryor as one of many tools for his tinkering.

And Olson should know a tool when he sees one. He has worked with running backs Steven Jackson and LeGarrette Blount, as well as quarterbacks Jeff Garcia, Marc Bulger, Josh Freeman and the young Brees. Olson in 2010 arranged for Brees to spend a couple weeks tutoring Freeman.

Olson doesn't need to work a miracle in Oakland. We saw enough in 2011 to realize the possibilities. He gets to be the swing vote, deciding whether the offense is the productive unit it was in 2011 or the joke it was last season.

[N. Cog Neato]

The more I read about Olsen, the more I like him....

[ReBirthofNumber81]

"But whoever the quarterback is going to be, let's make sure he's comfortable. And after that, let's talk about McFadden because he's probably our most explosive player. Let's get back to doing what he does best."

This quote makes me wonder if Carson really is going to be the starter???

Also this quote lets you know that DMC is going to be the focal point of the offense like when Hue Jax was here and we were successful. We just need to have another guy like DMC to help him and relieve him when tired/injured

[BigGuy951]

Nice read, thanks for posting!

[corralski]

Well it's time to see if words translate to results. I like the approach though.....

[Proximo]

Good read.

[bigjunior559]

Alot of us new Knapps zone blocking scheme wasnt going to be effective the moment we heard of the hiring, I wonder why he never got the memo.

[the_firm_09]

If the Oakland Raiders start Carson Palmer in 2013, the organization is not committed to winning it`s that simple.

[Superglue]

Completely different team from two years ago. And even that team was only good when Bush/DMC were playing way above their usual game. The defense was terrible and they never adjusted for the 2nd half of the game.

I don't expect anything from the team this season.

[fishedz]

"But whoever the quarterback is going to be, let's make sure he's comfortable. And after that, let's talk about McFadden because he's probably our most explosive player. Let's get back to doing what he does best."

This quote makes me wonder if Carson really is going to be the starter???

Also this quote lets you know that DMC is going to be the focal point of the offense like when Hue Jax was here and we were successful. We just need to have another guy like DMC to help him and relieve him when tired/injured

A beat writer for NFL.com has him as the #1veteran candidate to get cut. It also lists DHB and McClain in the top ten. The press keeps pointing to Palmer getting cut, it would not surprise me. If Pryor fails, we get a high pick for a QB. If he succeeds, they look like geniuses.

[raiderdave]

If the Oakland Raiders start Carson Palmer in 2013, the organization is not committed to winning it`s that simple.

do you have that lined saved to auto response?

[Maxfly]

If the Oakland Raiders start Carson Palmer in 2013, the organization is not committed to winning it`s that simple.

If Firm EVER responds to a thread without mentioning Carson Palmer and the demise of the organization that employs him I will sell my properties and move to Fiji and become a Canadian Football League fan for life!!

[krsonekth]

If Firm EVER responds to a thread without mentioning Carson Palmer and the demise of the organization that employs him I will sell my properties and move to Fiji and become a Canadian Football League fan for life!!

Either that or the world will end.

[raiderizer]

Yah, we'll be goog some day.. But we need to take risk..KNOW.

[RAIDERCOACH]

If the Oakland Raiders start Carson Palmer in 2013, the organization is not committed to winning it`s that simple.

why? because firm thinks so ....wa waa waa you'll never win this argument! when the organization sees shiat like this, hell yeah their committed to winning, if they give Palmer the reigns again! oh yeah and he was the reason we were 9th in the NFL in offense ,and 15th in scoring, and then he puts on a show for us in 2012, with a shiatty scheme and gets second best to my beloved Gannon... STFU...you got no leg to stand on for your comment...your name shouldn't be firm it should be jelly like your brain...no facts or stats get to you ,you are a Palmer basher on every thread ...it gets old... so take this backhand to the mouth stats! I LOVE TERRELLE PRYOR BUT I WONT BE UPSET WHEN PALMER STARTS AGAIN THIS TIME WITH BETTER OLINE PRODUCTION AND A SCHEME TO SUPPORT OUR RUNNING GAME THIS SHOULD GIVE PALMER HIS BEST YEAR OR YEARS WITH US .. Current Raiders QB Carson Palmer turned in the second-best single-season passing performance in team history in 2012. Take a look at the Top 10.

1.
Rich Gannon led the NFL's #1 offense in 2002. Gannon completed 418 of 618 pass attempts for 4,689 yards, 26 TDs and only 10 INTs as he led the Raiders to a 3rd straight AFC West title and a Super Bowl berth.
2. In 2012, Carson Palmer became only the second player in Raiders history to throw for more than 4,000 yards. He completed 345 of 565 pass attempts for 4,018 yards, 22 TDs and 14 INTs.
3. In 1997, Jeff George completed 290 of 521 pass attempts for 3,917 yards, 29 TDs and only 9 INTs.
4. In 1999, his second year as the Raiders starter, Rich Gannon completed 304 of 515 pass attempts for 3,840 yards, 24 TDs and 14 INTs.
5. In 2001, Rich Gannon completed 361 of 549 pass attempts for 3,828 yards, 27 TDs, and just 9 INTS, while leading the Raiders to a 2nd straight AFC West title.
6. Rich Gannon's successor, Kerry Collins, threw for 3,759 yards while completing 302 of 565 pass attempts in 2005. He tossed 20 TD passes and only 12 INTs.
7. In 1979, his last year as the Raiders starting QB, Kenny Stabler completed 304 of 498 pass attempts for 3,615 yards, 26 TDs and 22 INTs.
8. In 2004, Kerry Collins completed 289 of 513 pass attempts for 3,495 yards, 21 TDs and 20 INTs.
9. In 2000, Rich Gannon completed 284 of 474 pass attempts for 3,430 yards, 28 TDs and just 11 INTs. Gannon led the Raiders to an AFC West title and an AFC Championship game appearance.
10. In 1993, Jeff Hostetler completed 263 of 455 pass attempts for 3,334 yards, 20 TDs and 16 INTs, while leading the Raiders to the playoffs.