Hours after LastWordOnProFootball.com published an article about why the Oakland Raiders should keep offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, the team announced that they wouldn’t be re-signing him at all. Instead, they’ll be promoting quarterbacks coach Todd Downing to the offensive coordinator position. Is that good or bad?
Todd Downing Could Make the Oakland Raiders Better
Warning Signs
As critical as many members of the Raider Nation had been, perhaps it was head coach Jack Del Rio that was the least impressed by Musgrave’s play-calling. After losses against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, Del Rio was furious about the play-calling. He specifically brought up how the team’s leading rusher, Latavius Murray, only had a handful of carries in their 24-6 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Strangely enough, this isn’t even the first time Jack Del Rio has decided he didn’t want Bill Musgrave as his offensive coordinator. Del Rio fired Bill Musgrave from the same position back in 2004 when he was coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the success of Oakland’s offense, Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie obviously believed the Raiders could do better.
Loaded Deck
It’s not like being the offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders is a hard job. The Raiders have one of the best offensive lines in football, as well as several talented skill players. Derek Carr is arguably the best young quarterback and football, nor two wide receivers like Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
Nobody knows if Latavius Murray will re-sign. But with players like Christian McCaffrey coming out in the draft, the Raiders will likely have a feature back when the season starts. Oakland also needs a tight end, as Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford have failed to consistently produce. Despite that, the Oakland Raiders don’t leave a lot to be desired on offense.
Get Better
A huge upside is that Todd Downing has been in Bill Musgrave’s system. While he’ll have to change the offense to fit his vision, he and Derek Carr don’t have to start over. He already has a built-in rapport with his young quarterback, and they can build an offense around that.
Reportedly, Derek Carr had been given more control of the offense last season, and when he was changing the play, it seemed like he was making good decisions. Maybe Downing and Carr can become a dynamic duo and flourish in 2017. They can keep the good parts of Musgrave’s offense, and add wrinkles to the bad parts.
As much fun as it would’ve been to see Oakland pursue a big name, this might be better. The Raiders don’t really have to start over with Todd Downing. There’s a sense of stability in promoting from within, and as long as they avoid another Jon Gruden/Bill Callahan situation, the Raiders could be even better on offense in 2017.
