Eighteen years ago, the Raiders entered the season with an offense that returned largely intact from the previous season. The big difference was head coach Bill Callahan had assumed the reins from Jon Gruden and he held back a big secret until the regular season started. Everything seemed business as usual, a continuation from the
Is Jon Gruden about to pull a Bill Callahan with Raiders offense?
If I remember, the Raiders became a pass first, pass heavy offense under Callahan. Considering the number of receiver options, I suppose it’s possible. It works provided the pass protection holds up and DC does not get hurt. When Gannon got hurt, the drop-off in QB play was considerable.
Gruden isn’t going to flip to a predominantly pass offense, as Callahan did. Gruden loves to run the ball.
However, I understand the point of the article. We should expect some new wrinkles in the offense. I certainly hope so given challenges in the red zone last year!
The way I remember that season was some games we were pass heavy, some we
We’re run heavy.
Basically Callahan said you are strong defense against the run? We’re gonna pass the crap out of you. You’re strong because the pass? We’re gonna run it down your throat.
But in the Super Bowl there were three things that worked against us. Barret Robbins going AWOL,
Bill Callahan changing the game plan at the last second because of that, and Jon Gruden knowing our terminology.
Any other team we would’ve completely obliterated. Just our bad luck that of all the teams, it had to be a John Gruden team we faced!