Lots of reports today about the Raiders hiring Denver Broncos' Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen to replace the fired Hue Jackson as head coach.
Both ESPN and Fox Sports are citing unnamed sources. The Denver Post had the story early this morning and the Bay Area News Group's Monte Poole last night.
No official word yet of a contract, though.
Former coach Hue Jackson was fired two weeks ago by new GM Reggie McKenzie. The Raiders went 8-8 this year, during which they lost their starting quarterback Jason Campbell and starting running back Darren McFadden early on to injuries.
Some stats speaking to the results Allen got in his one season with the Broncos, from the Denver Post:
Allen improved the Broncos' defense from a dismal 2010 that saw the team finish at, or near, the bottom of the league's rankings in every major defensive category, including points, yards allowed per game and sacks. The Broncos finished 20th in yards allowed per game this past season (357.8), 24th in points allowed per game (24.4) and tied for 10th in sacks (41), and won their first playoff game in six years.
The Raiders could use a little defensive help. From the San Francisco Chronicle:
Last season the Raiders had franchise worsts in touchdown passes allowed (31), yards per carry (5.1), yards passing (4,262) and total yards (6,201), while giving up the third-most points (433) in team history.