Former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson has been making his rounds amongst the media these days, with the latest stop on the PR freight train at 95.7 The GAME to talk about whether or not he saw the firing coming, or if he felt he deserved a chance to keep his job.
Jackson was quick to point out that 'at the end of the day' it doesn't really matter now how he felt or what he thought about certain situations that have happend, because they already have, and there's no point crying over spilt milk.
Whether or not he saw this coming:
"I don't think now it really matters what I seen or anything at this time. I think what's important is I have an opportunity to tell Raider Nation and the fans thank you so much for their support now. Everywhere I've gone, everywhere I've been people just came out with a lot of support and I appreciate it. It's time for everyone to move forward and get going."
Whether or not he felt he earned a shot to keep his job:
"At the end of the day it's not gonna matter what I felt. When you start something you would like to have the opportunity to finish it. The organization made a decision to move forward, hired a new GM, Mark Davis is the owner, he's in place, and they're going to hire a new coach."
Jackson also talked about his presence in the locker room, and whether or not he began to 'lose' the players down the stretch this season:
If he feels like he lost the locker room:
"I know that's not true. I never felt that. I know everybody made a big deal after the last game of the comments I made. I made ‘em and wish I hadn't. Obviously I wish I would've done my normal which was go take a shower, put on my clothes, and then go speak. I was very emotional and felt like I felt based on the circumstances of the game and what was riding on the game and the fact that I didn't think we took care of enough business to win the game. I said what I said. Not that I didn't feel what I said I was feeling, but there was just probably a different way that it needed to be said. It's a learning experience for me and I will grow from that."
He also talked about the Carson Palmer trade, and how it affected the rest of the season moving forward:
Whether or not he believes the season turned when the Raiders traded for Carson Palmer:
"No I don't. I know everybody says that we're a 4-2 football team and I really believe that the season in my opinion turned when we didn't finish. We had our opportunities as a football team and we didn't get it done. When you look back at it as a coach that's what you're most disappointed in."
Lastly, Jackson shared his vision of what he thinks of this Raiders team in the future:
What he thinks of the Raiders team moving forward:
"I think there's a really good nucleus of players, there are some very good skill players there, very strong and solid offensive football team that for two years has been one of the top offenses in pro football. They have some really good players on offense to build around. I think it's a defense that has good players and I'm sure they'll overhaul it and do everything they can to get better. I think it's a solid team that has a chance to really grow and get better with a great offseason. Last year there wasn't really an offseason. They'll have a chance to kinda hit the ground running and get better from there."
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