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Reports yesterday indicated the Ravens made an addition to their coaching staff.
Today, they've had a departure from the group.
Quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who has been instrumental in the progression of Joe Flacco over the last two seasons, has accepted the offensive coordinator position with the Oakland Raiders, according to multiple reports.
This will be Jackson's third stint as a coordinator; he previously held OC jobs with the Redskins and Falcons. He'll now have the difficult task of trying to duplicate the success he's had with Flacco with JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders' No. 1 overall pick from 2007.
Jackson had also talked with the Raiders about their head coaching job, but Oakland decided to keep Tom Cable for the 2010 season. Jackson was also scheduled to talk with the Bears about their OC gig this week, but chose to skip that interview and head out west instead.
This move obviously creates an opening in the Ravens' coaching ranks, and quite an attractive one at that. Flacco is seen around the league as a quarterback with a ton of potential, and a coach who is able to help Flacco take the next step could follow Jackson's path to an elevated position.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has tossed out the names of two guys that the Ravens will interview for the now vacant QB coaching job - Al Saunders and Jim Zorn.
Saunders spent the 2009 season here in Baltimore serving as an offensive consultant with the Ravens and is an intriguing possibility because of his knowledge of the team and boatloads of experience.
Saunders has been a coach at the NFL level for the last 27 years, serving as a head coach with the Chargers from 1986-1988 and an offensive coordinator with the Chiefs, Redskins and Rams.
Zorn is another interesting option for the Ravens. He had little success as head coach with the Redskins the last two seasons, but was known as being a top-notch quarterbacks coach with the Seahawks.
He's a high-energy guy that might welcome the QB coaching job in Baltimore because it wouldn't require his family to make a dramatic move from the DC area.
Saunders and Zorn are the first two names we've heard linked to the vacant coaching position, but I'm sure there will be plenty of guys placing calls to The Castle looking for a chance to pick up where Jackson left off.
