Raiders Mailbag "Coach Chat & Plan for D-Line"

In his 15th mailbag editorial, Anthony Carroll -- a senior writer for -- responds to fans' questions and comments submitted via RaidersLive.com.If you'd like to be in the next mailbag, scheduled for Jan. 19, please visit RaidersLive.com and fill out the quick form to submit your entries.Richmond, 34, Houston, Texas: AC, I'm very happy that we fired Shell (I'm blowing up balloons as I type), but I worry the Raiders don't have the clout anymore to find a good head coach. What right-minded person would want to come into this madhouse and bring these guys out of the dumpster? It seems impossible to me.AC: Your doubts are understandable. Al Davis had to deal with the same scenario last year, only to end up settling with Art Shell after a handful of candidates declined an offer or 6 Sanchez Green Jersey
simply moved on. This offseason, with alluring franchises like Pittsburgh and Atlanta in the hunt, the 77-year-old owner may find it equally as difficult.A quick, reasonable solution would be to simply upgrade Rob Ryan's title from defensive coordinator to head coach. Ryan has been with the team for three years, and has formed a tight bond with his youthful defensive crew during his short tenure. Under the young coordinator, the Raider 'D' shot up to third overall in total yardage allowed and first in pass defense this past season. Most importantly, though, Ryan's players want to produce for him and consistently work hard, which is something the offensive side of the ball has been lacking for several years.If the idea of a defensive-minded coach frightens Davis, though, then Louisville's Bobby Petrino and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz are two intriguing options to mull over.Jon, 27, Los Angeles, Calif.: First of all, I just want to quickly say thanks for the daily read. I look forward to visiting the site everyday at work. My question is regarding the defense, and the one hole that prevented it from dominating this season -- the defensive line. What can they do to fix it for next year? Should they wait until the draft, bring in some free agents, or just work with the personnel they already have? Thanks, and keep up the good work.AC: Oakland already made a smart decision by moving quickly to try and lock up the defense's only unrestricted free agent, Terdell Sands. Standing 6-foot-7, 335-pounds, the 27-year-old defensive tackle is an ideal rotational player on rushing downs, and he proved it this season with a career-high 41 tackles. The soon-to-be free agent is one of the hottest commodities this offseason has to offer; the Raiders need to quickly find a way to get No. 90's name on paper, signed in ink.After locking up Sands, the Raiders should look to free agency and the draft to shore up their front four. Veterans Derrick Burgess and Warren Sapp have proven to be dominant pass-rushing linemen, combining for 21 sacks in 2006. After the pair of pass rushers, though, Oakland is lacking an identify up front. Tommy Kelly is an athletic, but undersized defensive tackle who is weak in run defense, while Tyler Brayton is an underachieving end who has difficulty penetrating the backfield.Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, an unrestricted free agent from Green Bay, has recorded 64? sacks in seven years, and would complement Pro Bowl end 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
Derrick Burgess very nicely.At tackle, the free agency pool is less than exciting, meaning the Raiders should look to find an able nose tackle in the later rounds of the draft -- after they address the offensive side of the ball.We'll talk more about that as April approaches.Want to be in the next Raiders mailbag? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Jan. 19 mailbag. (28)