The Raiders struggled to adapt to offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s scheme this season and, according to a report from Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, there won’t be a second season to see if everything comes together.
Tafur reports via league sources that Knapp and several other members of the Raiders coaching staff will be let go this week. Knapp had been the Texans’ quarterback coach the last two seasons and brought a similar zone blocking system with him to Oakland. It did not mesh with the Raiders’ personnel and the team wound up 29th in rushing offense. Running back Darren McFadden averaged just 3.3 yards per carry for the season and he was glad that it had come to an end on Sunday.
“I don’t want to speak on it anymore,” McFadden said. “It is what it is. The season is over now. I am just looking forward to next year.”
If Knapp does go, it’s a good bet that the next offensive coordinator will install a scheme better suited for McFadden’s power running style. While a third scheme in three years doesn’t do much for stability, the Raiders definitely need to get McFadden going if their offense is going to improve in 2013.