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Yahoo! Contributor NetworkOakland Raiders Holding onto Al Saunders, Hire Defilippo and Gilmore: Fan Perspective
In what should be seen as good news in the eyes of many Oakland Raiders' fans, the team has decided to hold onto their former offensive coordinator, Al Saunders, in a new role as senior offensive assistant. Many throughout the Raider Nation had hoped Saunders would stay on as the offensive coordinator, bringing some of his experience to the mostly new, and young, coaching staff, but head coach Dennis Allen hired Gregg Knapp from the Houston Texans for that position.
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Keeping Saunders on in any role with his veteran experience bodes well for the team in 2012, and also give them some continuity on offense. He was signed on through 2013, though his specific duties are still unknown. The 65-year-old did an excellent job in his offensive roll in 2011, and no one could find much to fault in his efforts last year. Saunders began his NFL coaching career back in 1983 with the San Diego Chargers as the wide receivers coach, and was an assistant head coach for the St. Louis Rams. Before joining Oakland in 2011, he was an offensive consultant with the Baltimore Ravens.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Silver and Black hired Ted Gilmore in the role of wide receivers coach who worked underneath the Raiders' former head coach Lane Kiffin at USC. Interestingly, Giffin had tried to hire Gilmore in the same position when he was in Oakland in 2007-2008.
44-year-old Gilmore has been with the Trojans for just a year. Prior to that he spent six years with the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the same position. He was exceptional for USC in 2011, helping both wide receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods surpass 1,000 yards. He definitely sounds like a good hire for the Raiders.
John Defilippo is said to be returning to the Raiders as their quarterbacks coach. He was in the role during 2007-2008 - the same time that the infamous losing quarterback, JaMarcus Russell was there. This time he'll have a much better player to work with in Carson Palmer. Defillippo also worked with Knapp during his first stint with the team.
It looks like things are coming together quickly now and it's just a matter of time and patience before we see what happens out on the field in 2012.
K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been anOakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.
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