Marcus Thompson II
Bay Area News Group sports columnist
Dennis Allen Had to Go, Primarily for Derek Carr's Sake
Posted on September 29, 2014 by Marcus Thompson
NOTE: Exhausted after travel issues getting from Oakland to Kansas City. The lame Cincinnati airport was practically shut down at 8 p.m. So I'm writing this post while running on fumes, fueled only by travel frustrations and a disappointing first encounter with Chick-fil-A. (Seriously, Steph Curry? That's what you rave about?) But hey, NFL coaches don't get fired every day.
It had to happen. And in one of the few things you can credit the Raiders for this season, they did what they had to do: fire head coach Dennis Allen.
This move is not going to save the season. The Raiders are still going to lose most of their games, again. They're not going to sniff the playoffs. Whoever takes over will likely be an in-house interim. Which means he had a hand in the embarrassment that is this season so far, and he will probably keep the same system (perhaps with a few tweaks they'd been wanting to input but Allen said no to).
For the record, general manager Reggie McKenzie needs to be next. It's going to take the coup of the decade to overcome his missteps. Like Megatron for a fourth-round pick and an Oaklandish gift card. But I don't see that happening.
But Allen had to go. It had to happen. For Derek Carr.
The Raiders franchise quarterback is learning how to play this game at this level in the middle of this mess. The Raiders desperately need somebody to come in and make sure he's learning in the best environment possible.
The injury to Carr showed just how bad things have gotten. He's hobbling and limping, trying to play through it. Eventually he comes off and no one helps him off.
That's not a sign of a team that's together, all in. That's not the mark of a team learning how to win, even while losing. And while the Raiders have several veterans, leadership starts with the coach.
Carr is watching how the veterans on the team regard the coach. He's watching how hard others work, he's learning how to prepare for games, he's developing his sense of professionalism. This example begins with the coach, and it matters. Ask Alex Smith.
The Raiders' chief priority is no longer cramming as many wins as they can. I know it sounds good, its-about-winning talk. But the Raiders aren't good enough. The priority has to be developing the franchise quarterback. Grooming him in an environment of chaos, uncertainty or indifference is not good.
There are a few other reasons to fire Allen, including his 8-28 record as coach. He isn't getting the best effort from his players. His scheme and adjustments were suspect. Not having the talent doesn't help, but you could still expect more from this team than what's been shown.
But after four games, it is ever-so-clear Carr is the best thing going for these Raiders. And it's Mark Davis' responsibility to shield his future quarterback from the craziness as best as possible. As long as Allen was on the sidelines, angst and frustration was going to rule the day. With each humiliating loss, that locker room was in danger of turning into a horror story of apathy, poor work ethic and wanting professionalism.
There is no guarantee the interim coach will set things straight enough for the Raiders to lose respectably. Or that Carr is developing in a productive environment. But a change had to be made because it was clear Allen couldn't.
Marcus Thompson
Some Warriors Thoughts Heading Into Steve Kerr's Pre-Camp Media Session
Athletics Are On the Brink of Disappointment, Familiar Territory for Sean Doolittle
Recent Columns
Thompson: Why Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie still has a job
Thompson: Brownie Blendz is the barber to Bay Area stars
Colin Kaepernick's hometown of Turlock turns its back on native son
49ers' Colin Kaepernick sat during national anthem and sparked national debate; what's your contribution?
Thompson: Draymond Green brings exceptional skill to Team USA
Thompson: Speed City recalls history and inspiration
Thompson: Warriors' Steve Kerr likes what he sees with Kevin Durant and company
Thompson: Klay Thompson relishes role as defensive stopper on Team USA
Thompson: Team USA hoping to unite a divided country
Thompson: Harrison Barnes ready to move on
Tweets by @ThompsonScribe
49ers' Colin Kaepernick sat during national anthem and sparked national debate; what's your contribution?
Warriors' Draymond Green takes plea deal, but it's doubtful jail was on the table
Warriors' Kevin Durant honors 2Pac with his newest tat
New standard for Draymond Green, Warriors is being above reproach because craziness is coming
Exclusive: Stephen Curry talks Warriors' Kevin Durant acquisition
Eric Williams on 49ers' Colin Kaepernick sat during national anthem and sparked national debate; what's your contribution?
Shaheed As Salafee on Warriors' Stephen Curry is the new King, and you know LeBron James will be coming to get his crown back on Christmas
Jon888 on 49ers' Colin Kaepernick sat during national anthem and sparked national debate; what's your contribution?
Michael Davis on Oakland uniforms coming? Warriors working on uniforms, merchandise to honor host city
Soham Bhatia on Warriors Are Really Going to Pass Up on Kevin Love-Stephen Curry Tandem?