Silver Minings: Former Raiders coach Bill Callahan is now key to Cleveland Browns’ offense

When asked this week about the key to the Cleveland Browns offense — who the Las Vegas Raiders will play on Sunday — Jon Gruden quickly credited his old friend, Bill Callahan.

Callahan is now the Browns’ offensive line coach. He was Gruden’s offensive coordinator when Gruden was previously the Raiders’ coach and he replaced him as the Raiders’ head coach when Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay in 2002. Callahan remained in that role for two seasons

Gruden said he thinks Callahan is doing a great job in Cleveland.

“He’s a great line coach. I have a lot of experience working with him,” Gruden said. “You’re going to see [Kareem] Hunt and when [Nick] Chubb is healthy, they have two of the best backs in the AFC and in the NFL. They know how to use them. They can run the ball inside or out, gap scheme or zone scheme, traps, shotgun, you name it.

“He’s a great teacher. He’s always studying, he’s always learning, he’s always finding ways to get better. He’s got a book about that thick of line techniques,” Gruden continued to rave about Callahan. “He knows how to coach a right guard. Then that next day he’ll make that right guard the left tackle. All five of his linemen can play multiple positions. He’s just a great line coach. He’s a great football coach. I look forward to seeing Bill.”

In other Raiders’ links:

• Jacobs looking to bounce back: Josh Jacobs wants to move on from “embarrassing” game against Tampa Bay.
• Week 8 power rankings: Look where ESPN has the Raiders in its latest power rankings.
• Wow, Bo: Bo Jackson thinks he would average 300-400 yards a game in today’s NFL.
• Trade talk: CBS has some trade ideas for the Raiders.
• Gambling talk: Here’s a Raiders-Browns preview from a gambling angle.