PFT - Lombardi Out?

[Langlier]

POSTED 10:22 p.m. EST, December 19, 2006

LOMBARDI OUT IN OAKLAND?

There's plenty of talk in league circles that the Oakland Raiders soon will be parting ways with personnel executive Mike Lombardi.

Lombardi is widely believed to be the target of a recent rant from coach Art Shell, who claims that someone inside the organization is undermining him to the media.

Though it's entirely possible that Lombardi will get launched, it's our understanding that no decisions will be finalized and that no actions will be taken until after the season is completed.

Our guess, however, is that significant changes are coming. And perhaps the only guy in the football operations who is safe is the head coach, since we think it would be virtually impossible to find someone with real credentials who would take that job.

 

[Crossbones]

I don't see this as a good thing. Who exactly is going to take Lombardi's place? He seems to be the only sane person left in the organization.

 

[SoCalRaider]

What's the point in keeping him? You figure if Davis is going to fill his coaching vacancies with clowns like Shell, he might as well stay consistent and take out the entire front office while he's at it.

 

[TheNextStep]

A lot of people shit their pants when they heard that Bruce Allen was leaving, too...

Oh... and isn't Bruce rumored to be on the hot seat in Tampa, by the way?

Either way, I guess I'm just not overly concerned.

 

[hawaiianboy]

Yet another leak springs from the bow of the SS Minnow...

I'm a little more concerned than Stepper... It will be hard enough getting free agents to come here without losing the one guy we have that's really tied into league circles... I mean it seems like Sean Jones is a bright guy, but would he be getting a bump based on the buddy system or because of merit?...


I would suggest going after Scott Pioli's right hand guy in New England, but the perception of working conditions and lack of real power pretty much takes the major players out of the picture...

Maybe Ron Wolf's not digging retirement?...



Somehow Marty and AJ Smith manage to co-exist despite hating each other...

 

[Banter]

Thats cause the owner actually called both of them into his office and demanded a working truce. Our only hope is they blow-it in the playoffs this year otherwise it could be a golden age in San Diego for the next 5 years.

The thing with Lombardi reminds me of how it went down with Bruce Allen. There is too much smoke for this not to be true. Sean Jones' post football career background as an agent makes him sound like a better replacement for a capologist like Allen then a talent evaluator like Lombardi. This is going to be one scary off-season.

 

[jatfly]

What did Lombardi do here that was so good for me to be upset about him getting the Boot........??

 

[Madturk]

My main concern is the carte blanche Al has apparently given Shell. Seems like he's already quietly assumed the GM role in addition to his HC title. I think HB pretty well summed it up. It's going to be next to impossible to attract any qualified candidates to work here.

 

[Madturk]

What did Lombardi do here that was so good for me to be upset about him getting the Boot........??

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawak...-raider-notes/

 

[Crossbones]

Link is broken!

 

[Freakshow]

My main concern is the carte blanche Al has apparently given Shell. Seems like he's already quietly assumed the GM role in addition to his HC title. I think HB pretty well summed it up. It's going to be next to impossible to attract any qualified candidates to work here.

For as long as I've ever been a Raider fan, and that's a long time, the knock on Al Davis was that he's been too close to the head coach. He's meddled, called the shots, pulled the strings, etc. The fact that he finally appears to be relinquishing some of that to Art is fine with me. He trusts Art's abilities, both as a coach and as a front office-type guy and seems to be grooming him for the latter. I for one have no problem with Al handing the reigns over - it's about f-ing time if you ask me. The question is "is Art the right guy to be handing it over to" and we'll have to wait and see on that one.

If Art knows Lombardi is not on the same page and is acting detremental to the team, than take him out. There are a lot more business-type replacements to fill those shoes, be it Sean Jones or someone else. I'm all for a top-to-bottom shake down and it could mark the start of the organizational purging I've been hoping for.

 

[Raider Nation]

I'm beginning to wonder if there are legs to the talk of Bruce Allen and an Oakland reunion. I realize more than anything else it's coincidence, but to my knowledge, Bruce and Al parted on good terms. Tampa will have an easier time in the media and with the fan base if they let Allen "resign" and then cut some dead weight on contracts (S. Rice, Pittman, K. Brady, etc.). The alternative would be to fire Gruden, and that's just not going to happen IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a long-shot. But he knows the structure of the organization, enjoyed his greatest career success while here, and beats any of the other candidates who would even consider the job.

 

[Freakshow]

I pray to God that the Marty curse is in full-effect come January.

1. I can't stomach the thought of Schotzy actually winning it all.
2. I hate the Chargers with a passion.
3. Any scenario that can precipitate the departure of A.J. Smith works for me.

If I'm Al, I open my suitcase, er. wallet, and welcome that boy with open arms.

Bruce Allen is intriguing though. He's the best cap-ologist in the business and did a great job in Oakland in my opinion but I'd prefer Smith for his unbelievable player evaluation skills.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

My main concern is the carte blanche Al has apparently given Shell. Seems like he's already quietly assumed the GM role in addition to his HC title. I think HB pretty well summed it up. It's going to be next to impossible to attract any qualified candidates to work here.

I don't buy that. The Raiders can attack the issue with $$$$$, in which case the qualms that people ostensibly have to working in Oakland are quickly forgotten.

The other route is to hire, young, hungry and upcoming candidates - ala Jon Gruden. James Lofton anyone?

 

[Crossbones]

I don't buy that. The Raiders can attack the issue with $$$$$, in which case the qualms that people ostensibly have to working in Oakland are quickly forgotten.

This is only true if the candidates have no other option.

It's not like the Raiders are known for paying top dollar for coaching positions.

Same thing can be said about FA players. Given a choice and where the money is close, what would you do?

 

[Limee]

Don't worry, something big is going to happen. I have reservations about Lombardi going, but if everybody is not pulling in the same direction we are never going to get this thing turned around.

 

[SoCalRaider]

The other route is to hire, young, hungry and upcoming candidates - ala Jon Gruden. James Lofton anyone?

I apparently missed the memo on how James Lofton suddenly elevated to superstar coaching prospect... because I've seen several people on here pimping this guy.

But when guys like Sean Payton choose to remain an OC over this gig and guys like Mora Jr. won't even give Davis the time of day, I think the chances of us getting a future superstar HC like Mike Singletary are about as realistic as us actually developing a QB like Brady Quinn...

Not in Al's lifetime.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

yawn. Why is Lombardi such a guru now? First we would rue the day when Bruce Allen & Jon Gruden left. Both have been decidedly unsuccesful in Tampon Bay.

The Raiders single biggest problem is the fact that Langston Walker, Robert Gallery & Jake Grove are either busts or "haven't been developed properly". Take you pick, it's really that simple IMHO.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

I apparently missed the memo on how James Lofton suddenly elevated to superstar coaching prospect... because I've seen several people on here pimping this guy.

But when guys like Sean Payton choose to remain an OC over this gig and guys like Mora Jr. won't even give Davis the time of day, I think the chances of us getting a future superstar HC like Mike Singletary are about as realistic as us actually developing a QB like Brady Quinn...

Not in Al's lifetime.

I'm not saying James Lofton is a superstar candidate, but he IS regarded as a young up & comer. People weren't exactly chasing down Gruden until Al Davis hired him. That's all I'm saying. Sometimes young guys work out, sometimes they don't. Rob Ryan was the scourge of Raider Nation, now he's a near Diety. Go Figure.

As for Gruden, funny how people forget that Al Davis mortaged the short-term future to give Gruden the players he wanted. We are only now emerging from that spending free.

Then again, why let the facts get in the way of Al Davis & Art Shell 'blasting'.

This is going to be an interesting...and successfull offseason IMHO. Certain guys have developed, meaning that we have young building blocks and hopefully we stick with the current philosophy. I still contend that it will pay dividends down road and as for the players that have not panned out, Al will have the opportunity to land a true BLUE CHIPPER for the offense (and he ain't passing this time) and has the damn $$$$$$ to bring in help along the O-line and bolster the D-line with a signing or two.

We're much closer than most realize IMHO.

 

[SoCalRaider]

As for Gruden, funny how people forget that Al Davis mortaged the short-term future to give Gruden the players he wanted. We are only now emerging from that spending free.

Sorry, but I don't buy this for a second. Davis had more than enough cap room to pay top dollar for guys like Sapp, Moss, and LaMont Jordan... and retain big ticket players like Woodson and Porter. The supposed cap problems the Raiders faced in Allen's last 2 years were blown completely out of proportion. We never had to blow the roster up like the Titans and 49ers did when their runs were over.

Not to get off subject... but a lot of key vets like Rod Woodson and Romo took less money to come play here because we were winning with a great coach, a great FO, and a great system. The reason we haven't made the killing in FA like we did in the past is mostly because nobody wants to play for a losing organization... not because Davis doesn't have the cap room.