Raiders hire Al Saunders as offensive coordinator

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Jan. 20, 2011GUTIERREZ ARCHIVERAIDERS PAGERAIDERS VIDEOPaul GutierrezCSNCalifornia.com

Asexpected, the Raiders have hired longtime NFL coach Al Saunders as newcoach Hue Jacksons offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.The Raiders have not responded to calls seeking confirmation.Jackson, though, acknowledged his interest in Saunders duringTuesdays media conference while maintaining he would remain the teamsprimary play-caller.
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Obviously, the name you just mentioned (Saunders) is someone whos outthere that we would love to talk to, Jackson said at the time.Later that evening, quarterback Jason Campbell talked about thepossibility of playing for Saunders againSaunders ran Campbellsoffense his first two years as a starter in Washington, in 2006 and2007on CSN Bay Areas Chronicle Live show.
VIDEO: Jason Campbell on Chronicle Live
Hes a guy that, hes very smart, Campbell said of Saunders. Heknows the ins and outs of the game. Hes a great guy to be around. Hesvery professional. Id say hes a guy thats very intelligent about thegame, when it comes to the game of football.Him being in Baltimore over the last two years and them winning upthere, it just goes to show you he knows the winning edge. And thisteam is all about trying to win in 2011. Coach Jackson brought thatattitude here last year from Baltimore, the winning edge. Expecting towin.Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller has also expressed excitement at theprospect of Saunders joining the Raiders, saying, That would besomething.Jackson and Saunders were on the Baltimore staff together in 2009 asJackson was the Ravens quarterbacks coach and Saunders was anoffensive consultant. This past season, Saunders served as the Ravenssenior offensive assistant.Saunders, who turns 64 on Feb. 1, played college ball at San JoseState. He has spent 28 years as an NFL coach, been affiliated with twoof the more vaunted offenses in league historySan Diegos AirCoryell and the St. Louis Rams Greatest Show on Turfand spenttwo-plus seasons as San Diegos head coach, going 17-22 as DonCoryells successor from 1986 through 1988.Twice before an NFL offensive coordinatorfrom 2001 through 2005 inKansas City and in St. Louis in 2008Saunders 2004 and 2005 Chiefssquads led the NFL in total offense, though his 2008 Rams ranked just27th. In 2006 and 2007, he was Washingtons associate headcoachoffense, and playbook reportedly had 700 pages.Saunders has long been a favorite of Raiders owner Al Davis and has interviewed for Oaklands head job in the past.The Raiders defensive coordinator job is still open, what with JohnMarshall not being retained. Names being bandied about include currentdefenisive line coach Mike Waufle and Green Bay assistant headcoachinside linebackers Winston Moss, who played for the Raiders inLos Angeles from 1991-94.RELATED: Marshall's tenure with Raiders appears over
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