The Raiders have been talking to former Browns President Mike Holmgren "about a leadership position within the organization," according to sources cited by Williamson & Clayton of ESPN.com. Holmgren "would be a natural candidate because of his relationship" with Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, as both previously worked for the Packers. Part of the job "would be to lead the quest for a new stadium" (ESPN.com, 2/26). CSNBAYAREA.com’s Paul Gutierrez noted Holmgren joining the team "might make for an uncomfortable dynamic," as McKenzie was hired by Raiders Owner Mark Davis to be a "football czar answering to no one." In addition, why would Holmgren “join a situation in which he was not the boss?” (CSNBAYAREA.com, 2/26). But in S.F., Vic Tafur notes because of his football background, Holmgren “is not discussing a president's role similar to the one for which” Davis interviewed NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Ray Anderson and former MSG President Scott O'Neil in recent months. That business-side position “would be to help chief executive Amy Trask secure a new stadium as the Raiders' lease at O.co Coliseum expires after next season” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/27).
POTENTIALLY A GOOD MOVE: YAHOO SPORTS’ Frank Schwab wrote it is “hard to see that move as anything but a positive one for the Raiders.” Assuming Holmgren “also works on the personnel side of the Raiders' front office, and assuming he and McKenzie can find a good balance of power, that gives Oakland a couple of good football minds to build the roster.” That would be “a good step for a franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs since the end of the 2002 season” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/26). ESPN’s Damien Woody said, “Anytime you can have more familiar faces, people who are familiar with the style that you have from the days that you won a Super Bowl, I’m sure that’s welcome in Oakland. They’re trying to change the culture with the Raiders” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 2/26). ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said the hire is “one that would make a lot of sense if they work it out” (“NFL 32,” ESPN2, 2/26). NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted the Raiders "have been taking steps over the last couple months to try to modernize their franchise as they move on from the passing of Al Davis” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 2/26).
