ALAMEDA – Dennis Allen doesn't sound like a man expecting to be anything other than the coach of the Raiders in 2013.
While the Raiders do what they can to improve a 3-10 record with Kansas City, Carolina and San Diego left to play, Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie also will be evaluating the roster to ensure it doesn't happen again.
"We want to win. That's what it's all about," Allen said Friday, the day after a 26-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. "But I've got a big-picture view of what I want this team to look like. Reggie and I have talked about it. We knew what we were dealing with when we came here.
"We knew we had some depth issues on the roster and couldn't sustain a lot of injuries. We've sustained a few injuries in some spots. ... We all want to win, but I'm looking at the long-term future of this team."
Allen signed a four-year contract, he's been backed by McKenzie publicly, and owner Mark Davis, although frustrated, has made good on his promise to leave football matters to the general manager and the coach.
Davis didn't see much improvement in the loss to the Broncos, the Raiders' sixth straight defeat. Whether he would intervene if the Raiders lose their remaining three games is something only he can determine.
Allen declined to specify how long he thinks it will take the Raiders to turn things around.
Notes – Allen said the re-injury to Darren McFadden's high right ankle sprain did not look serious.
• The Raiders are off today and Sunday, and Allen will leave the team to attend his father's funeral, returning Wednesday.
• X-rays were negative on the wrist of cornerback Michael Huff, who also will have an MRI to determine whether he'll miss any practice time or games.
• A fan appeared to deliberately jump from the upper deck at the O.co Coliseum during Thursday night's game, said Oakland police, who initially called the incident an accident.
The man, whose name wasn't released, was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Jerry McDonald
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.