Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast: the Timeframe for a Decision, the Latest on the GM, Coach Search
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00:00 Hi everybody, this is Hondo Carpenter from Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation Las Vegas
00:06 Raiders Insider Podcast with another one of our podcasts.
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01:11 Now, I want to get to several things that are really important today that I want to
01:17 address, I think are really important.
01:19 Now, we know this, at the time of this taping, it's very early in the morning, on Thursday
01:25 morning, but here's what we know.
01:27 There are six, excuse me, five candidates that the Raiders have requested information
01:32 or permission to interview for general managers.
01:37 We know that.
01:39 They are 49ers Assistant GM Adam Peters, Colts Assistant GM Ed Dodd, Bills Director of Play
01:49 Personnel Terry Gray, Bengals Senior Personnel Executive Trey Brown, and former Chargers
02:00 GM Tom Telesco.
02:02 Now, we know that Champ Kelly is going to get an interview, so there are six candidates
02:07 there.
02:08 At this point that we know of, no coaches have been requested.
02:11 That's not really a big deal.
02:14 Again, totally convinced until I hear things differently, and it's convinced around the
02:20 league.
02:21 It's a two-horse race.
02:23 For the head coach, if Antonio Pierce gets it, it's going to be Champ Kelly.
02:29 If Jim Harbaugh gets it, it'll be someone that he selects, similar to like Josh and
02:36 John did, where they said, "Hey, this is the guy to get me.
02:39 If you want me, this is the guy you got to get."
02:42 So should you be concerned?
02:49 No.
02:50 I mean, that's the process.
02:54 But that's the way it's going.
02:56 That's the candidates who are there.
02:59 We're just going to watch closely and see what happens and watch how the whole thing
03:02 develops, how things maneuver, how things go.
03:06 I have a lot of people asking me for what's a timeline that I suspect.
03:11 I would not expect a coach hiring before this coming Monday at all, just giving me that.
03:24 Or a GM hiring before Monday.
03:27 I would expect it all to be over with ... Let me just grab a calendar real quick.
03:32 I would expect it all to be over with by the 31st of the month, is when I would suspect
03:43 at the latest that it would be handled, maybe the 2nd of February, that Friday.
03:48 But again, right in that window.
03:51 That's when I expect the whole thing to be done.
03:53 Now, the Raiders have blocked some people who want to interview Patrick Graham for defensive
03:59 coordinator, which makes a lot of sense.
04:05 They can do that because you can block people for a lateral move.
04:10 AP is not a lateral move.
04:13 He's an interim coach.
04:14 So, if people want to interview him for a coach because he has their interim tag, they
04:18 can't block it.
04:19 If somebody wants to interview Patrick Graham for a head coach, can't block it.
04:23 Now I'm hearing, and I alluded to this a little bit on social media the other day, there's
04:28 one other team that may possibly be interviewing Patrick Graham for a head coach, maybe requesting
04:35 information.
04:36 Don't want to say who that team is right now because there's a reason that they haven't
04:40 done it.
04:41 I'm going to leave it there, but we may come back to that and I'll let you know if that
04:43 particular one pans out.
04:48 Interesting things.
04:49 A lot of people are like, "Hey, are you concerned?"
04:52 This is Mark Davis' team.
04:54 I think that AP should get it, but no one's saying Jim Harbaugh's a bad candidate in the
05:00 least bit.
05:01 But I had a person ask me the other day, "Should we be afraid?"
05:06 Well, I choose not to live a life of fear.
05:10 Should you be concerned if you're a Raider fan?
05:13 I think Antonio Preciado, you know, I laughed the other day, people were saying who don't
05:17 want AP to get the job.
05:18 See, nobody's interviewing him.
05:19 He's not a good candidate.
05:20 Then all of a sudden, comes out people want to interview him.
05:24 Again, I just challenge you, don't let this divide Raider Nation.
05:30 It's important to have strong opinions.
05:33 It's important.
05:34 You guys care.
05:36 And I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I watch people on social media, man, they
05:40 attack each other.
05:42 Somebody likes Harbaugh, they go after him.
05:44 Somebody likes AP, they go after him.
05:47 You're family.
05:48 You can disagree and have arguments, but remember, you can disagree without being disagreeable.
05:53 I really would challenge you to do that.
05:54 Don't let this divide the nation.
05:57 But at the same time, there is an element that you've got good candidates here.
06:05 I can tell you this, I know Champ Kelly is getting some interviews and should for other
06:14 general managers' jobs.
06:16 And someone said to me, "Well, don't you think that they would want the Raiders?"
06:20 Sure I do.
06:22 I can tell you right now, Champ Kelly and Antonio Purse's first desire is to coach the
06:27 Raiders.
06:28 Okay?
06:29 But if you're sitting there with an owner that can't make up his mind, and you get an
06:35 offer and it's a legitimate offer, you have to take that.
06:44 Why would you roll the dice?
06:47 So do I think it's a concern?
06:49 Sure do.
06:50 Do I think it's something to be afraid about, like people have asked me?
06:54 No, I don't understand why you'd be afraid of stuff like that.
06:58 But again, I think those are legitimate concerns, but Mark Davis has a right to do whatever
07:01 he wants, and that's exactly what he's doing, whatever he wants.
07:05 I can tell you that I know for a fact, as of Monday, I was seeing people saying, "Oh,
07:22 these guys aren't taking the job.
07:23 Mark's already assured them."
07:24 I can tell you as of Monday, they had no idea what their future looked like with the Raiders.
07:29 Just leave it right there.
07:30 They had no idea.
07:32 So that's where that's at.
07:36 Again, you can block people from a lateral move, can't block from a non-lateral move.
07:45 Now, I put a tweet out, I don't remember if it was Adam Schefter or Pellissaro, but one
07:51 of them put a thing out about Patrick Graham being requested to interview him for a DC
08:00 job was rejected.
08:02 That's a big deal.
08:04 That tells you a couple of things.
08:07 The Raiders believe that there's a potential that the next coach is going to retain him.
08:14 So no, we're not going to let him go interview for a DC job.
08:17 Now, here's why that's a big deal.
08:22 I don't think it's a slam dunk that if Harbaugh got the job, Patrick Graham is the DC.
08:27 Don't think that's a slam dunk at all.
08:29 I'm not saying it would never happen.
08:31 I just don't think it's a slam dunk.
08:34 If AP gets a job, it's a slam dunk.
08:36 Patrick Graham will be back unless he gets a head coaching job.
08:40 Well, I should say I believe that AP would want him back and I believe that he would
08:47 want to come back.
08:48 They have a very good relationship.
08:53 So I think there's, hey, this may be a guy we want to keep.
08:57 I think there's awesome guys on that team that they're aware of.
09:00 We can upgrade our coaching staff.
09:02 So if they have a chance to go interview, yeah, we'll let you.
09:05 Sure.
09:06 They're not going to be jerks to people.
09:07 They're not trying to hold them out.
09:09 So I thought that was a big deal when they said no to letting Patrick Graham go interview
09:15 some for another DC job.
09:18 So I also thought it was a big deal when AP is going to get an interview with the Titans.
09:25 It's a very big deal.
09:28 You don't want to risk your guy.
09:32 This is where you got to get on the ball a little bit.
09:34 You don't want to risk your guy going, interviewing, getting in a building with somebody that really
09:41 wants.
09:42 I'll give you an example on this.
09:44 I have a buddy who really liked a girl and they dated for quite a while.
09:52 Then they kind of broke up.
09:55 She wanted a commitment.
09:57 He wasn't ready for a commitment.
09:58 Great girl, by the way.
10:00 Great, great girl.
10:02 So they broke up for like three months and they would talk and again, great girl.
10:12 And then three months later he decides, okay, she's the one I want.
10:16 He calls her.
10:17 He says, hey, listen, appreciate these last three months, but you're the one I want.
10:24 I want to get back together.
10:25 I know you said you wanted a long-term marital commitment and I wasn't willing to give it,
10:31 but I'm ready now.
10:34 And she was silent on the phone and he goes, what?
10:36 She said, well, you know, the first month after we broke up, I was heartbroken.
10:43 About three weeks ago, I met this guy.
10:46 We've been dating for three weeks and I think it could be really special.
10:51 He's already told me that, you know, he's been interested in me for years and I'm sorry.
10:58 I'm already dating someone and you didn't want me when you had me and this guy is treating
11:04 me right.
11:05 Okay.
11:06 So you're going to take a chance that if there's a chance AP may get the job and the blocking
11:13 of Patrick Graham lets you know there's a chance.
11:18 And I think there's a chance anyways, but you're taking that risk that somebody gets
11:24 in front of AP and says, listen, you're my guy.
11:28 You're who I want.
11:31 Now years ago, there was a point guard that played for a long time in the NBA by the time,
11:36 by the name of Eric Snow and Jud Heathcote was the coach at Michigan State and wanted
11:43 him to be, you know, a point guard and do all these things.
11:46 And he told Eric Snow getting ready to go in the draft.
11:50 It doesn't matter if every NBA team wants you only need one.
11:55 So there may be a lot of teams that say, okay, you know what?
11:57 We really like AP.
11:59 There's a lot of potential there, but he doesn't fit our narrative or maybe they don't need
12:03 a coach, but it only takes one.
12:07 And if you're a guy sitting there, a chant Kelly, or you're sitting there and you're
12:12 AP and you want to be Raiders and they both want to be Raiders.
12:15 That's their first choice.
12:19 And you don't know.
12:21 And somebody comes along and says, listen, you are our number one draft pick.
12:25 You're the guy we want.
12:27 I appreciate your love for the Raiders, but are they offering you anything?
12:31 No, not yet.
12:34 Well, we are, what's it going to take to get you signed right now before you leave the
12:39 building?
12:41 So those are risks that you take.
12:43 And quite frankly, I think that's such a no brainer that AP and champ that you go do that,
12:50 but clearly Raiders are okay.
12:55 So that's the next thing I wanted to talk about.
12:58 Where is the time?
13:11 About something that we addressed yesterday on the podcast.
13:15 And I had a couple of people email me about it.
13:19 And you know, if one person emails you, you just kind of think, okay, maybe they didn't
13:23 listen.
13:24 If more than one did, then you start to realize maybe we didn't communicate.
13:30 Years ago, Jim Trestle was suspended by the NCAA, tried to make the move to the NFL and
13:35 the NFL said, no, you're going to have to sit out.
13:40 Now the reason the NFL did that is because college football is their minor leagues and
13:45 they don't have to pay a dime for it.
13:47 I mean, they have the perfect world.
13:52 These guys have to stay in school three years.
13:55 So they go to these schools, they get bigger, faster, stronger, and it's free for the NFL.
14:03 They don't want to hurt the golden goose that is college football at all.
14:08 Now I believe we all can agree.
14:13 LeBron James is a tremendous basketball player.
14:17 Kevin Garnett, tremendous basketball player.
14:19 Moses Malone, tremendous basketball players.
14:23 Guys that went from high school, skipped college and went right to the pros.
14:27 But I think we also could agree that there is a vast amount of guys going to the pros
14:33 after one year in college that are all developmental, who are going to the NBA and failing in the
14:41 league.
14:43 And I believe it's watered down and hurt the National Basketball Association.
14:46 I really do.
14:47 I think the NBA needs to do something similar.
14:51 If you don't want to go to college, great, but you got to go to the G League and play
14:55 two years or three years.
14:58 But you may say, well, what about the one?
15:00 I agree the one.
15:01 But there's a lot of guys not getting a college education, leaving after one year that are
15:07 failing in the NBA.
15:09 And I think it hurts the league.
15:11 I think the product in the NBA is significantly worse than it was just a few years ago because
15:21 of the youth and the development.
15:22 So you get a guy in the roster who has to develop, he's not going to play a lot rather
15:26 than having a proven veteran on there.
15:29 And then you're only bringing in guys after two or three years in college.
15:32 I think it just hurts the product.
15:34 The NFL agrees with that, though.
15:37 That's why they're going to do everything to protect college.
15:41 Now, yesterday on the broadcast, we discussed that you may remember beginning of the year,
15:51 Jim Harbaugh set out a few games for a violation.
15:57 He did something with a recruit and the NCAA felt he was less than honest.
16:02 Now, listen, I hate the NCAA.
16:04 And you all know I don't use the term hate very much.
16:07 I hate it.
16:08 It is the most disingenuous thing that we have in America outside of Congress.
16:14 It's just terrible.
16:15 It's horrible.
16:18 It's despicable.
16:19 I loathe the NCAA.
16:22 OK, I do.
16:26 So I'm not talking about the alleged cheating scandal, because I've already told you, I
16:30 don't trust the NCAA.
16:31 So until proof is presented, I don't believe them.
16:37 So I'm throwing that away.
16:38 I've had so many people ask me, what do you think about the Michigan National Championship?
16:41 Is there an askers?
16:42 No, there's no askers.
16:45 Nothing's been proven.
16:48 So I'm throwing that out.
16:52 But the NCAA is actively investigating.
16:55 Jim and Michigan already self-imposed a ban.
16:59 I think it was the first three games of the year on their own prior to the investigation
17:05 coming to an end.
17:06 Now listen, I don't know all the details of it, but it was something that happened with
17:12 the recruit.
17:13 I don't know if the recruit got a sandwich or something like that.
17:15 It was just something so minor.
17:17 And they said that Jim either covered it up or didn't disclose it, whatever.
17:23 I'm not arguing that the NCAA rules are not stupid.
17:29 So please don't hear that.
17:31 And bringing it up isn't saying that it precludes Jim from being the coach.
17:37 It's just the point was being made, if a suspension is levied, and even if he leaves Michigan,
17:44 they would still levy a suspension in case he tried to return, like with Jim Trestle,
17:50 that the NFL would probably honor that.
17:55 And so one thing you have to be thinking about, and if Jim Harbaugh is your guy, and you think
18:00 there's a chance he'll miss five or six games next year, then that's up to an owner to decide,
18:04 okay, am I willing to hire this guy and he's going to miss five, six, seven games next
18:09 year?
18:10 It was not something that we were saying, you shouldn't hire Jim.
18:15 We were just bringing up something of which is germane to the hiring process.
18:20 I hope you understand it.
18:22 Because a few people asked, were you saying that you think that should preclude him from
18:27 being the coach?
18:28 No, that was not the intended communication there at all.
18:33 But I wanted to put it into context for you so that you would understand it.
18:38 Now, a couple of things I want to address.
18:42 The combine is coming up in February.
18:47 So it's and then you're not going to have any announcement on a coach or general manager
18:52 during the Super Bowl.
18:54 So you've got at the latest, at the latest, that last week, I mean, that first week in
19:02 February, or it needs to be before.
19:09 To me, there is an onus on Mark Davis to get this hiring announced as quick as possible.
19:19 Because if it's champ, you want your team to continue to prepare for the draft.
19:25 Combine's coming up.
19:26 You're trying to get as much information as you can on every guy for your interviews there.
19:31 Champ has the advantage because he's in place.
19:35 His scouts are in place.
19:37 They've are they have not stopped working on it.
19:40 But you still want to get it done moving forward.
19:43 Plus, if it's not champ, then you have an onus to do it quickly if it's not champ and
19:50 AP, because they got to get their people in.
19:52 They've got to evaluate the Raiders roster.
19:54 Is there any going to be any options that we want to offer or pick up?
19:58 What about free agencies?
20:00 What about our guys who are going to be free agents?
20:02 We got to start working on it.
20:04 Who do we want to resign?
20:05 Who do we not?
20:06 Is there any guys who want to do extensions?
20:08 And then they got to bring in all their guys to prepare for the combine and prepare for
20:12 the draft.
20:13 So there's an onus on getting this done quickly and as quickly as possible.
20:18 I was asked recently on a national show, the longer it takes, do you think that's bad news
20:28 for champ and AP?
20:31 And what I would say to you is no, I don't think it's bad news at all.
20:35 I think it clearly shows that they're probably more in the hunt than anyone else.
20:42 But also the longer you string it out, you're leaving opportunity for someone to come in
20:52 and wine and dine them and win their heart.
20:56 Here's the other one.
20:57 I know for a fact, for a fact that there are free agents who want to come here and play
21:04 for AP.
21:07 Now free agency starts, I think the 11th, 12th and 13th teams can start talking to guys
21:15 officially.
21:16 You could start signing them on the 13th at 4pm Eastern.
21:19 Here's the problem with that.
21:23 If you think the discussions only start the 11th of March, come on now, that dog don't
21:35 hunt and there are lots of ways teams talk.
21:39 They talk through friends.
21:41 Hey, tell you what, if you had a buddy that played on another team, how about, would you
21:45 like to see him be here?
21:47 Especially if he's a good, and I'm just going to pick a position, long snapper.
21:51 Oh yeah, boy, I wish you'd let them know.
21:54 We sure like them.
21:55 Oh yeah.
21:56 A couple of days later.
21:57 Well, if you come across any friends that play long snapper, tell them we want them.
22:02 Oh yeah, I probably already did.
22:06 And they call an agent.
22:07 Hey, we can't talk about anybody, but man, we're going to be looking for a long snapper.
22:12 And if you have any long snapper clients, man, I'll tell you what, a three year, $9 million
22:17 deal is probably in our range.
22:19 What do you think?
22:20 You think so too?
22:21 Yeah, well, good.
22:22 We'll, we'll call you on March 11th.
22:24 As soon as the clocks open up and hopefully you'll have a guy that that's an offer he's
22:29 going to want.
22:30 That's how it works.
22:34 No names, no emails, nothing that can be traced.
22:41 That's how you see deals get done so fast.
22:43 And if you don't think that's going on, you're nuts.
22:47 Okay.
22:48 So let's say you're a free agent that really wants to come play for AP and the Raiders
22:56 are dragging their feet, Raiders are dragging their feet, Raiders are dragging their feet.
22:59 And all of a sudden now your agent's talking to people and Hey, you know, this team's willing
23:03 to make a commitment.
23:06 Are you willing to let them continue to look at other people?
23:10 Because you're hoping AP gets the job.
23:14 I know a NFL free agent that I'm very close with what was a free agent.
23:20 And he had a deal done with the team in mid-March.
23:27 In mid-March he knew exactly where he was going and how much.
23:31 There was no emails, nothing, but everybody knew.
23:35 In fact, I found out because his mom told me.
23:43 And I asked him, he goes, Oh, I'm going to have to talk to mom.
23:45 And I go, I'm not going to report it, but that stuff goes on and that's stuff that hurts
23:50 the Raiders.
23:52 And so that's kind of where the process is right now.
23:57 And there is huge momentum for Antonio Pierce.
24:01 There's a lot of people that want Jim Harbaugh.
24:03 Not the wrong with that, but your alumni and your players want Pierce.
24:11 And I hear this argument, players should just shut up and play.
24:17 They don't have an opinion on management.
24:19 You don't think so?
24:20 Okay, that's fine.
24:21 That's a fair opinion.
24:22 Clearly you're not a business owner or you don't have employees because I have a lot
24:29 of them.
24:31 You don't know who your boss is or you don't like your boss or you like a boss and you
24:38 fire them and get rid of them and bring someone new in.
24:40 You don't think people leave?
24:43 If you don't think that players opinions of their coach matters, then you also probably
24:48 believe that when a kid picks a college to go play at, like the kids who all picked Alabama
24:53 and are decommitting because of Nick, leaving, retiring, you're probably the one that thinks
24:59 kids don't pick the coach, they pick the school, right?
25:03 Genius.
25:05 They absolutely do.
25:07 Now you're right.
25:10 There are a lot of teams that don't let the players have a say.
25:16 And Mark clearly didn't when it came to Rich Versace and how'd that work out?
25:21 Bueller, Bueller, didn't work out real well.
25:28 Then you get rid of it and you tell your players, "Hey, I was concerned for you guys.
25:33 I just didn't see you having any fun."
25:35 Whatever.
25:36 You're talking to the players.
25:37 Mark's up at Mark Davis.
25:38 I mean, Max is up at Mark Davis' house smoking cigars, making it clear.
25:42 All your players, your alumni are making it clear.
25:45 Your fans are making it clear.
25:47 If you don't think that carries some voice, that's fine if you say it wouldn't be a voice
25:53 to me, but you're crazy if you don't think it's at least a voice that has to resonate
26:00 and be germane and carry some weight.
26:02 Whatever your epistemology is, that's irrelevant.
26:08 It's going to carry some.
26:09 Now Mark has proven he'll do what he wants and Locke Room's voice isn't a big deal.
26:15 But I also know, I think there was regret in Mark not going with Rich.
26:21 I also know Mark's paid really big money.
26:26 Big money.
26:29 Big, big, big money for coaches that aren't coaching here anymore.
26:34 Yep, he is rolling in the dough.
26:36 Well, he is too, and he's made some great business decisions, and I don't think people
26:41 give him enough credit for that.
26:44 He has been an absolute amazing businessman when it comes to this franchise and getting
26:51 them into stability and financial viability.
26:55 But I don't care how rich you are.
26:57 He wants to throw away tens of millions of dollars.
27:01 And I made another comment yesterday that people were asking me about.
27:06 So Jim Harbaugh has a deal on the books with Michigan for his signature.
27:13 It's been reported it's a 10 year, $125 million deal.
27:19 So to get them, you're going to pay about 10 years, $150 million.
27:25 You're going to have to pay more than Michigan's willing to pay.
27:29 So 10 years, roughly $150 million is what Jim Harbaugh is going to probably cost you.
27:39 I don't care how much money Mark Davis has.
27:42 You as sure as shooting better take into effect that goes up here, that goes up here.
27:53 And it's something he should be thinking about.
27:56 And invariably, when I make the comment to you, how did it work out the last time?
28:02 I'm in no way saying that Josh McDaniels and Jim Harbaugh are equal coaches.
28:08 That would be totally unfair to Jim.
28:12 Now Jim's won as a head coach in college, a national title.
28:19 He's taken his team to conference championships.
28:25 He has been a very successful coach.
28:28 He's gone to the highest levels in college and pro.
28:33 Josh went to multiple Super Bowls as an offensive coordinator and is tremendously good at the
28:40 X's and O's.
28:42 There is nobody in the Raiders organization, players included, or in the NFL that would
28:48 tell you Josh McDaniels is not tremendously good, excellent, and many still use the term
28:53 genius when it comes to the X's and O's.
28:58 But it's not about X's and O's at the head coach job where you're the CEO and you're
29:02 supposed to be the leader of men.
29:04 That's different.
29:05 Okay, Jim's proven.
29:07 So I don't think it's fair to equate the two and I'm not, but I am saying going against
29:12 your locker room, this should be twice in two years.
29:15 That is a big deal.
29:18 I'm not saying that Jim is the next Josh McDaniels.
29:21 Are you crazy?
29:22 That's not the resume.
29:24 I like his style of football.
29:27 Now the style of football that Jim Harbaugh plays is the style of football that AP's going
29:32 to play too.
29:35 I like that.
29:37 I like that.
29:39 And I've already told you, the entire staff will not be back if AP gets the job.
29:46 There are some terrific coaches that want to coach with him, that want to be here.
29:53 And that's a big deal.
29:54 Why?
29:55 Because if there's some guys who are coming off of contracts in other places, hint, hint,
30:03 and that team wants them back.
30:06 Okay, if AP doesn't have the job and I really think I want to go to Vegas and I think he
30:12 wants me in Vegas, but can I wait and let a deal on the table here?
30:16 Because if I don't sign here, what happens if AP doesn't get the job?
30:19 Then I'm stuck without a job.
30:22 Again, all goes back to the involvement of it.
30:26 So I think there's a lot of things going on here.
30:29 There's a lot of process here.
30:32 And again, I think if you're Mark, you want to be expedient.
30:38 You want to get this done.
30:41 And I think it's important if you're going to bring Jim in, bring them in quick.
30:45 Let him start to develop, get all of his staff together, get all the information together.
30:52 If you're bringing and keeping AP and Champ, then you go and let them do their thing.
30:56 Now had several people asked me this question.
31:00 Hondo, do you think if Champ gets the job, it's an automatic he wants AP?
31:06 Yes, he does.
31:09 Absolutely.
31:11 The other one is, I just alluded to it a minute ago, but I'll say it again.
31:16 What about, do you think that AP would want Patrick Grant?
31:21 Yes.
31:22 And I think if Patrick doesn't get a head coaching job, he wants to stay here.
31:28 I know that.
31:30 He loves these guys, loves his team, and would love to be here with AP.
31:35 So you're going to keep that together.
31:38 That is a very, very big deal.
31:40 Now the other thing is the longer you take, these guys get other interviews.
31:49 So let's talk about an interview.
31:52 Let's say that Patrick Graham does an interview or Champ Kelly with the Chargers.
32:01 So here's the Chargers.
32:04 What do you think you did best in Vegas?
32:06 And you tell them.
32:10 What did you identify as the biggest weaknesses in Vegas and how would you have fixed it?
32:16 Now watch what they're doing.
32:19 They're giving these guys a chance to sell themselves.
32:22 But additionally, even if they don't hire them, they're learning from the insides, what's
32:27 are the weaknesses of the organization?
32:34 You don't let that go on.
32:36 So there you go.
32:38 That's kind of where everything sits right now.
32:42 The fact that they haven't interviewed a bunch of coaches, I think is telling.
32:46 I think that's extremely telling.
32:48 That's why I addressed it earlier in this podcast.
32:50 And that's where everything rests right now.
32:53 You will probably get AP for 33% of what it's going to cost you to get Jim Harbaugh.
33:02 You're not going to have to give him as long of a deal.
33:06 So it's better financially for the organization.
33:09 I've shared this previously, but we have so many new listeners.
33:13 Several weeks ago, I had a general manager in the NFL tell me this.
33:18 If he was Mark Davis, he would go to Champ Kelly and say to Champ Kelly, "Here's what
33:26 I want.
33:27 I want to hire you, five-year deal."
33:31 And then ask Champ, "Who do you want?"
33:34 He's going to say AP.
33:36 Then you say to him, "Okay, here's what I'm thinking as the owner."
33:40 We go to AP, give him a three-year fully guaranteed deal at four or five million per year.
33:47 You let him know he's going to get all three years.
33:50 At the end of three years, or let me just go back.
33:53 If anywhere during the three years, he gets this team to a playoff, then his deal extends
34:03 another five years and you raise them to 10 million.
34:06 Now you were willing to play Gruden and McDaniels 10 million and they didn't get you to the
34:10 playoffs.
34:13 That means after year one, if he gets them to the playoffs, you extend it five.
34:18 That three-year deal, there are two years left, so now it's a seven-year deal at 10
34:22 million per.
34:23 Why?
34:24 Because he did what your last two guys you paid all the big jack to.
34:31 You pay John Gruden 100 million large and you pay McDaniels 60 million large and neither
34:39 got you to the playoffs.
34:42 You go ahead and do the same for AP if he gets you to the playoffs.
34:48 You're giving him a worse deal, but he takes it.
34:53 He takes it and you home grow your guy, let him grow and you reward him.
35:00 If he doesn't get you to the playoffs, okay, you gave him three years and your players
35:05 all love your owner even more.
35:07 Your fans love the owner.
35:08 There's more grace for him to make some errors, make some mistakes and you move forward.
35:17 That's where the case sits tonight.
35:19 That's where the situation sits tonight.
35:22 I've been asked, do you think that the Raiders would have interest in any other coaches?
35:27 I think there would be interest, sure, but it's hard bar AP.
35:38 It would be a complete utter curve ball that I just don't see coming.
35:43 I know others don't because I'm talking to people on any other coach.
35:50 For some reason, three or four people today emailed me, I guess yesterday, and asked about
35:55 Belichick.
35:56 Nope.
35:57 I mean, Belichick's already trying to keep his job in New England by talking about changes
36:11 he's willing to make, including bringing Josh McDaniels back.
36:14 Does anyone want Josh McDaniels back?
36:17 Bueller?
36:19 No.
36:21 So, anyways, that's where all that sits.
36:26 That's where all that rests as of right now.
36:30 That's the process.
36:31 That's what everything's going through.
36:33 And we're building towards some interesting podcasts that are coming up for you that I
36:40 think you're going to really enjoy bringing in some top-notch evaluators, getting some
36:47 great information, and really looking forward to talking to you and giving you a lot more.
36:54 Many of you are aware of my exposure to Nick Saban and my fondness of respect for Nick
37:03 and Terry.
37:07 This podcast is about the Raiders.
37:10 It's about football.
37:12 And I'm going to be bringing on a couple of people to do a podcast about Nick to share
37:20 some stories, just ones if you're a football fan that I think you'll enjoy.
37:24 It's only going to be one podcast.
37:26 I'm not going to have a bunch because this is a Raider channel.
37:28 We're going to stay specific to the Raiders.
37:31 But I had several of you email and ask if I would do that or share some things.
37:35 So we will.
37:36 I'm going to get a couple of people, and you'll appreciate all of that.
37:42 And I'm sure that you'll enjoy that.
37:43 We're going to have a lot of Raiders-specific stuff, a lot of great stuff coming.
37:48 So I appreciate all of you.
37:51 Thank you for joining us.
37:53 I'm going to have a tremendous podcast tomorrow with Zeke.
37:57 Make sure that you don't miss it.
37:59 Now, let me also tell you, I'm headed to the North Country on a hunting trip up near Canada,
38:09 but still going to be doing our podcast every day.
38:11 In fact, the day we get there, they're getting between 18 and 24 inches of snow.
38:18 So it's going to be a lot of fun out there hunting and having a good time.
38:21 That was my wife.
38:23 She asked for a hunting rifle, a new hunting rifle, and a hunting trip for Christmas when
38:27 the season was over.
38:28 Do I have a great wife or what?
38:31 And but we're going to have a great time up there.
38:33 And we're headed up there taking my son and my niece, Harpy, is going to go up with us,
38:39 but we're going to have a great time.
38:41 But we'll still be doing all the podcasts, all the coverage, writing at night, doing
38:45 everything.
38:46 So we're going to take care of you.
38:47 And just because we're leaving doesn't mean that we're not going to be bringing you every
38:51 single day the best coverage that we can.
38:55 Want to make this clear.
38:56 You guys are greatly appreciated.
39:00 I'm thankful for you, and I appreciate you.
39:04 And I appreciate the fact you're watching these podcasts, you're listening, you're garnering
39:08 information, and you seem to be enjoying it and liking it.
39:11 So from all of us here at Sports Illustrated's FAN Nation Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast,
39:17 thank you for joining us.
39:19 And then one last thing.
39:20 If you don't want to look at my mug, I don't blame you.
39:22 It's why I shower with the lights off.
39:24 But you can check out our every day we do our podcast, the same exact podcast, just
39:31 the audio on Spotify and Apple.
39:35 Additionally, on Spotify and Apple, I do another podcast that goes between five and ten minutes
39:41 every day.
39:42 It's never more than ten.
39:43 I don't know that we've ever done one less than five.
39:47 And it's called Riding with Hondo and Dexter.
39:48 It's just usually when me and Dexter are in the car, I'll get off the phone, I'll have
39:54 some information, maybe I've gotten a text from somebody, just a little bit of information,
39:59 tidbits that you're not going to get in my podcast, in the main one, you're not going
40:02 to get in an article.
40:03 And I really would encourage you to check it out.
40:05 I think that you'll enjoy it.
40:06 So again, from all of us to all of you, I hope you're having a great new year.
40:11 I hope you're enjoying it.
40:12 There's going to be some great playoff football this week.
40:15 I'm going to tape all the games so I can watch him at night after I come in from hunting.
40:21 My wife, man, what a great lady, hunting all day where you can't talk.
40:25 And then I got to go right and watch football at night.
40:28 Doesn't matter.
40:29 Great thing.
40:30 I love it because she sits in there and joins it with me.
40:33 One last thing I got to address with you.
40:36 So many of you know this, but because I talk about it regular, because I think it's important
40:42 as fast as we're growing that I remind you of it.
40:46 But the other day in the press room, Antonio Pierce did the chant that a lot of fans do,
40:56 "Raiders."
40:57 And one person responded to him in the press room.
41:03 A lady, Mayra Gomez, who's a terrific journalist, and she is the color analyst on the Spanish
41:10 broadcast.
41:11 She works for the team.
41:13 She did nothing inappropriate.
41:15 She works for the team.
41:17 I had some people calling me out because I didn't respond back to him.
41:22 Well, first of all, I'm not a Raider fan.
41:25 I'm an impartial journalist.
41:27 Now I root for good people.
41:29 AP's good people.
41:31 Champ Kelly's good people.
41:32 Mark Davis is good people.
41:34 This organization is good people.
41:36 And I want them to do well.
41:38 But the second thing is, is before every game, they even remind everyone in the press box,
41:42 there's no cheering.
41:43 You cheer, you're out.
41:45 It's inappropriate when you're a journalist to be cheering in the setting of your job.
41:54 We're all members of the Pro Football Writers Association.
41:58 It's just not what you do.
41:59 It's like a doctor doesn't sit there and hit on patients, or shouldn't.
42:07 And so there's just protocol.
42:12 But I had a lot of you laugh because you may remember after the last game, when the Raiders
42:17 won the last game of the season, my wife sent me a text.
42:22 Hey, we're a Raider.
42:24 Dexter is a Raider.
42:25 I'm a Raider fan now, and I'm raising Dexter.
42:28 So y'all have gotten my wife and son Raidered out.
42:31 Boy, they've got their Raider clothes now.
42:33 They bought them.
42:34 So I'm going to put out a picture on social media soon.
42:37 I think you'll get a kick out of it.
42:38 It was pretty funny.
42:39 Little Dexter.
42:40 Now, when Dexter was born, some members of the Raider organization gave him a Raider
42:44 onesie, very kind of them, and he's worn it all along.
42:48 We weren't going to try to hold him from root and form if he wanted to, but my wife's all
42:51 in with you.
42:53 But I just wanted to address that little bit of why we didn't.
42:57 And if that offends you, sorry, but it's the reality of the situation as to why.
43:03 So check out the newsletter.
43:05 Check out all that we give you.
43:06 Hey, we're not the only ones that cover the Raiders.
43:08 There's a lot of really good journalists that cover this team.
43:13 But don't pay others for what we give you for free.
43:16 And we give you a ton of content between all of it.
43:20 And so if you're going to pay somebody, and there's some you should pay, just make sure
43:27 they're giving you something that we're not.
43:29 Never pay for what you can get from us for free.
43:31 But there's a lot that you should pay for because it's really good.
43:34 So from all of us to all of you, we appreciate you.
43:37 I hope you're having a wonderful day and stay warm.
43:41 I'm headed to cold.
43:42 You stay to warm, but we'll see you back here again tomorrow.
43:45 Have a wonderful day, everybody.
43:46 God bless you.
43:47 Thanks for watching today.
43:48 And again, we'll see you tomorrow.
43:51 I promise as soon as I can find out how to turn this thing off.
43:55 Dear Lord, I'm having trouble because the lights are so bright.
43:58 There we go.
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