With the announcement that Jason Tarver is officially our defensive coordinator we now have completed the hiring of the 3 most important positions on the staff. A Jack Nicholson quote sticks in my head for what I think of these hires and it is from the movie Mars Attacks.

"Two out of Three AINT BAD!"

I don't feel like going through the same bad mouthing of Greg Knapp being our offensive coordinator all over again. It is safe to say that his hiring was a bit disliked by Raider Nation. By a bit disliked I of course mean despised with the fire of a thousand suns. I am actually considered a supporter of him because I simply dislike the hire. That is almost as positive as any of us have been about the hire, minus a couple of stragglers that show up here and there that give minute amounts of praise and hope.

As for the other hires though I am excited about them. I have liked the hire of Dennis Allen all along and think he is going to be a great coach for years to come. Time will be the only thing that gives us an answer to his abilities but I am very excited to see what he brings to our team. Its a new age for us and its nice to know that we are going to try and start it out with such a young up and coming coach that could bring the stability sorely missed since the Curse of Gruden began.

With Jason Tarver I think we have one of the future brilliant minds of the NFL. I very much believe Tarver will be a head coach in a few years, although whether that happens will depend on his success with us. If he comes in and turns our defense around and works well with Allen than his stock is going to sky rocket.

I can't speak highly enough of the IQ levels that Tarver has. The man is literally a genius, and I don't just mean football. His extensive education in science is going to open up levels of perception on our defense that few others could open. He believes in simplifying things to their purest form and his greatest asset is his perception abilities. As a scientist he has always been great at taking notice of every little thing and that is one of the things that all great coaches do.

Having a coach this young with this much experience taking over our defensive play calling is a major step up. Mike Nolan is one of the great defensive minds there is, and Mike Singletary was one of the best linebackers to ever play the game. To have worked closely with those gentlemen and get some knowledge from those people should bring a new level of intensity to our defense. He is guy that immediately should receive respect for being a part of such a great defense. The Stanford defense that he was the Co-Coordinator for was not too shabby either.

The coaching staff is looking very good to me, with the only question mark of course being Knapp. I believe this hire of Jason should give fans a little more faith in Allen after his hiring of Knapp had people wondering if he was really going to make the proper decisions for our team. Even though Knapp is a definite downgrade in our minds from Saunders, I think Jason is that much and then some better than his predecessor so I now think our coaching staff is officially better than it was with our coaches last year. I know a lot of people probably wont agree with that and we will see the results on the field but I am very confident with the staff we put together.

As we currently stand we are missing DL/DB/LB/QB/WR/TE/AHC.

How would the nation feel if they invited

(WR and/or TE) AHC Al Saunders

QB Coach- Hue Jackson

Who would you like to see as

LB- Romanowski? Joe Vitt New Orleans worked with Allen?

DB- Woodson Return? Whitt or Perry?

DL- Pepper Johnson? Only one I could think of.

Let me know what you think. I think it would be good for continuity and we would have a younger staff between Allen/Tarver/ Jackson/ Both Quality Control and if they signed any of the DB coaches above, which could be good to stay intact for years to come.

Tyler Nielson is an OLB from Iowa.

Measureables:

6-3

235 lbs.

via a.espncdn.com

There is no video that I could find. Nielson is projected as a 5th-6th rounder according to CBS Draft. He had a neck injury in 2010, but went to play in 2011, or is going to play as far as I know. Its probably the only reason he is that late. He'll be a nice low risk high reward player at OLB for us. It will be better off if I just copy paste what CBS Draft says about him.

Overview

NFL scouts know Iowa linebackers will be athletic, hard-working, and well-coached, and Nielsen certainly fits the bill in all categories.

The 2006 Iowa Gatorade high school Player of the Year waited patiently behind 2010 draft pick A.J. Edds (selected in the fourth round by Miami) and other veterans, but looked the part of a solid NFL prospect in 2010 when healthy.

Nielsen redshirted in 2007, and then played special teams and a minor role on defense as a freshman (12 tackles) and sophomore (seven). He started the first eight games of the 2010 season on the strong side, making 42 tackles, 4.5 for loss, an interception, and four pass break-ups, but his season ended prematurely after he broke a vertebrae in his neck against Michigan (though he played through it for a game and a half before succumbing).

Apparently Nielsen's neck had healed enough by April 2011, as he spent his last spring break hunting wild boars in Arkansas. His straight-line speed, change of direction ability, and strong open-field tackling proficiency makes him look as though he could wrestle down a boar, and makes him a similar value to Edds as a potential starting Sam linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme at the next level.

Analysis

Read & React: Heady, well-coached player. Quick recognizing and reacting run vs. pass when playing near the line. Cognizant of multiple routes when in coverage, knows when to get off one route to jump another and ably chases down receivers when seeing the play in front of him.

Run defense: Spends a lot of time outside the box in coverage, but has the strength to hold the edge in the nine-technique against large tight ends and linemen. Good quickness to attack ballcarriers when playing near the line, breaks down and wraps legs to make the stop. Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks, must learn to defeat with his hands.

Pass defense: Excellent in coverage. Stays with tight ends and receivers in the slot with very good straight-line speed and change of direction ability for his size. Discipline, aware zone defender, does not vacate his area despite initial receiver heading downfield. Height makes him tough to throw over. Breaks down to wrap up running backs in the flat or tight ends flaring towards the sideline.

Tackling: Combination of size, length, and agility makes him a secure tackler in space. Keeps his head up and wraps the waist-to-thigh while keeping his feet moving until the player is on the ground. Inconsistent getting off blocks from smaller offensive players, gets moved or out-positioned, forced to chase down plays from behind. Leaves his feet at times, but usually has a fair grasp of the ballcarrier. Sometimes heads straight-on to quick receivers instead of anticipating their route, allowing them to elude him.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Not asked to blitz in team's scheme, usually in a stack or lined up over tight end. Possesses the relative speed, change of direction, and secure tackling ability to succeed as a free blitzer. Would need to use his hands more violently to defeat blocks while coming after the quarterback at the next level.

Intangibles: Multiple-season Academic All-Big Ten pick. Elected to team's Leadership Group all four years. Suffered broken vertebrae in his neck in October 2010, four neck brace for 10 weeks, cleared for contact in January 2011. Graduated in May 2011. Family owns John Deere dealership.

--Chad Reuter

Now I would try and compare stats before his injury, but his injury started during early 2010 season, and he was a backup in 2009 as far as I know. So here are his stats AFTER his neck injury.

Tackles:

2011- 12 games, 34 solo, 39 assisted, 73 total, 6.08 total/game

Tackles for loss:

2011- 12 games, 4 TFL, 20 yards lost, .33 TFL/Game

Sacks:

2011- 12 games, 1 sack, 16 yards lost, .08 sacks per game

That's from one site. I know that the sacks, and tackles for loss look discouraging, but the truth is this guy can be a big playmaker for us. And when I said I couldn't found video... well I found some. lol and he looks awesome (However its highschool, andI watched the bottom vid first):

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiting-football/Tyler-Nielsen-Humboldt-27044

He is a 5th/6th rounder. Runs a 4.54 40 as far as I know. CBS draft had a lot of great things to say about him, as I have highlighted in bold. I think he can be a sleeper. A potential playmaker. Wish there was college video of him where I can get a better look, but from what I've read I'm surprised he is not a 3rd rounder at the least.

Fellow Raiders,

The past several weeks has been exhausting for all of us I'm sure. I've gotten up off the ground, looked around, tried to realize where I am, and sure enough, I STILL don't know whats going on in the Silver and Black Universe. Things I have been able to gather, Which I like by the way, are that this team is doing things it has never done before. Firstly, most obviously, and most importantly we have a General Manager whose name doesn't rhyme with "Pal, pave this." This is part one of two of the most important developments in recent Raider History. Secondly, we have hired a Defensive Coordinator as a head coach. I think these are brilliant moves which will generate immediate results.

Ok, enough with stating the obvious.

I started writing this for a reason, an important one I might add. I am a business student at the University of New Orleans. Recently in a class, quite interestingly enough "Staffing and Developing Personnel in Human Resources," my professor ( a really cool cat by the way ) gave us this article about "Bad Apples" and I couldn't stop thinking about the Raiders. Mr. Allen, Mr. McKensie, I encourage you to read this article and hope you are up to the challenge. I think this article sums up what has been wrong in Oakland since Gruden and the Bucs stomped our asses. Whether you take this literately or in metaphor (both are true in my opinion and this applies to both Staff and Players), this is your challenge gentleman. Cure this and you cure the Raiders. This article was written by Robert Sutton, a Professor of Management Science at Stanford Engineering School, for the Wall Street Journal. Hit the jump and read this very insightful article!

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So the superbowl is over, and now I am primed for the offseason. FAs and rookies are in abundance, but first I want to evaluate where we are at now.

We still need a DC. That much is obvious. Our offense is fine where its at now.

This whole thing of Palmer vs. Campbell, who should be our starting QB.... just stop. Listen, I know that the INTs are what scare people about Palmer, and thats the main reason why we should start Campbell. But in where our offense is going to, Campbell is not the right guy for it. We are running a vertical, attacking style offense. Campbell can't throw accurately beyond 20-30 yards. He would be fine in an offense similar to the pats, but not the Raiders. Besides, with an offseason who knows how good Palmer will be next year. As of now, I will start Palmer with the potential he has in our offense. If he is better than last year, than I see some great things.

Trade Mcfadden? What?! Why the hell would trade this guy. Yeah, he hardly played last season. But that is no way for people to get discouraged about the guy. Next year, he should be healthier since he didn't see the field for most of the games last season, and most importantly, he is a tremendous weapon. If Bush has to go, fine. We have Taiwan Jones in the wings. But McFadden is the playmaker Bush can NEVER be. McFadden adds another dimension to out offense, and he just makes it 10x deadlier.

Now that those questions are out of the way, how about our defense? Dennis Allen mentioned that we'll be a 3-4, 4-3 hybrid. I like that a lot. We'll get Matt Shaugnessy back, which will be huge for our overall DL. When he is back, I see a huge upgrade for next year. I like our rotation in the middle. I think Houston will be fine next year, probably better than last year with an offseason to help him out more as well. In our LB unit, we need improvement.McClain was bad last season. There is no question. I expect him to be better next season though. WImbley should play DE. I like him, but he is a pass rusher. We need another OLB to help contain the edge. If McClain is sucking this season, then we also need another MLB. CUrry is alright. Just wish he got better vs. the pass.Our secondary? SHould be fine. All we need is a FS. I think DVD and Chekwa will be huge additions next seasons. They are young and talented. Even Chekwa can play FS maybe. But we NEED to get turnovers on defense. That is the main key there.

And that's my opinion on the team, and what we have to do next year. Most problems are on the defensive side. We need to look at DE, DT, MLB, OLB, FS, CB. If anything for depth, or for starting. I'll be looking at rookies, and some rookies we'll get based on who there is in free agency. I'll try and get out as much as I can with school in the way.

After the vast amount of changes the Raiders have gone through, I still have one question lingering on my mind: Can the Raiders answer the bell next year?

• Offense

22.4 PPG (16th) 379.5 YDS (9th) 131.9 RYDS (7th) 247.6 PYDS (11th) -4 TO (22nd)
I think last year was just scratching the surface of what this offense could do by these numbers, but the men in black clearly turned it over too much. Zone blocking schemes are coming back with Knapp so It's hard for me to get a pulse of what these numbers will look like for next year. With close to no draft picks, improving is going to be a challenge on this side of the ball.
Overall i would be surprised and happy if we could at least duplicate the PPG and RYDS for a chance at the big game.

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Getting rid of Dmac would be one of the worst moves Oakland could make.

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If the word out there is true, then we are in for some good times, Nation! Word on the Tweet Block is that the Raiders have hired Jason Tarver, the Co-Defensive Coordinator for the Stanford Cardinal. This guy brings it to practice every day and there is no quit. Here is some of an article by Tom Fitzgerald of SFGate.com:

In 2001 Jason Tarver had finished three years as a graduate assistant on UCLA coach Bob Toledo's staff. He had a master's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology.

He could have gone into drug design or research, or to medical school. He had thought about being an orthopedic surgeon after shattering his knee as a high school safety.

But there he was, sitting at a conference table at the 49ers' headquarters. Bill Walsh was there. So was Steve Mariucci, then the head coach, along with others.

"Why the heck do you want to be doing this?" they asked.

He's been asked the question quite a few times over the years in a career that led him this year to become co-defensive coordinator at Stanford. He and Derek Mason guide a unit that leads the nation in run defense.

Tarver had gotten his interview with the 49ers through the coaching network. After a long talk, they offered him the keys to a club van and told him he could either take them, go to his father's home in Livermore and come back to work - or take a job he had been offered with the Green Bay Packers. He said, "Give me the keys."

Here's all you need to know about his skills as a coach: He was hired by Mariucci, then retained by Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary. Counting Jim Tomsula, who coached the 2010 finale after Singletary was fired, he worked for five head coaches in one organization.

Jim Harbaugh would have kept him, too, but David Shaw offered him a key position at Stanford.

He's 37 now, and still gets asked: "Why coach?"

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/28/SPH01LAOMK.DTL#ixzz1lUgLgsvu

I also am going to post this video that was posted earlier by KillaFresh:

Coach Speak with Co-Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver (via stanfordathletics)

This is definitely a refreshing choice and just what we need.

Poll

Is Jason Tarver a good hire?

• Yes
• No

  1748 votes | Results

The orignial story is that the Raiders are interested in Stanford's Co-Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver. He's 37 and was brought to Stanford to replace Vic Fangio after he left to join harbaugh in San Francisco. Tarver was previously with the Niners for the last decade as an outside linebackers coach and offensive assistant. Word in the Tweets is that he has decide to join the Raider Nation as their new DC. Details are at a minium for the moment, as awards and superbowl activites are currently taking place. But more info should emerge by Monday. With that said, How do you guys like the Hire?

Just got done reading the HOF selections. Not happy....pretty damn disgusted and am of a mind that the whole system for selection is bullshit. It just boggles the fucking mind. What little there is of mine after 2011....

I just dont undertand the criteria for choice. Obviously, being one of the premeire wide receivers and punt returners in the modern era doesnt count. Or is it just being Mr. Raider? Please express yourself, o brothers and sisters of the Nation....