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Question of the Day
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Training Camp Reports with Tony Lombardi from Ravens24x7.com
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Good Guy. Bad Decision. Bad Situation.
New Raiders Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson, 44, did wonders for Joe Flacco and the Ravens. However, he is not putting himself in a position to succeed. Jackson was offered the opportunity to interview with the Chicago Bears, where he would have worked with Jay Cutler. Cutler, however, has gotten a bad rap recently in the National Football League. It is obvious that Jackson wants a challenge (Jamarcus Russell), but if he had stayed with the Ravens, he would have been one of the leading candidates for Cam Cameron’s position if he were to leave. He is entering a situation in which the owner tries to control every aspect of the organization, including the coaching staff. However, Jackson has plenty of experience with bad circumstances. He called the plays for Steve Spurrier with the Redskins in 2003, worked with Chad Ochocinco and the Bengals’ wide receiving corps from 2004-2006, and was the offensive coordinator for Bobby Petrino’s Falcons in 2007. “It’s going to be hard to leave here,” Jackson told BaltimoreRavens.com. “I have nothing but great memories. Two playoff appearances, playing in the AFC Championship game and developing a young quarterback. Knowing what Joe [Flacco] is going to become is one of the hard parts about it." “But the challenge with going to the Oakland Raiders and helping them become what they want to become is exciting. That’s what you look for. I want to run to the challenge.” The problem for Jackson is he has not really ever succeeded in a challenging situation before. The Redskins failed. The Bengals lost. Petrino resigned in the middle of the season. Why would you “run” from a good situation to the disastrous “Black Hole”? Will he really be able to make Russell better? Can he utilize the Raiders’ young weapons (Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darren McFadden, and Louis Murphy)? Those will be among the questions as Jackson heads into his first year with Oakland’s organization. He will be under a lot of pressure, from both Tom Cable and Al Davis, to rejuvenate the Raiders’ offense. Cable’s job will be on the line, and Davis does not want to lose any longer. Have fun in Oakland, Hue!
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