Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell needs help so the organization has solicited the help of Hue Jackson as they have hired him as their new offensive coordinator. The hope is Jackson can turn Russell’s career around like he developed Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

With the addition of Jackson, head coach Tom Cable will relinquish the play-calling duties to the new hire now that the team has a legitimate offensive coordinator.

“I’m hired as the offensive coordinator, and I’ll be the primary play-caller,” Jackson said. “That’s my role. It’s a chance to go out and assist the head coach and be the best offense we can be.”

Jackson is not the only assistant hired by the Raiders. Oakland also hired Mike Waufle who will coach the defensive line for Al Davis’ team. Both new assistants are associated with head coach Tom Cable.

Though Davis has not commented on Cable’s future and his status with the team, does hiring two new assistants who have ties with him suggest that he will be back in 2010?

While at Cal-State Fullerton in 1990, Cable and Jackson worked together and they both teamed up again at the University of California in 1996. Waufle worked with Cable at Cal also in the 90’s.

Though Cable is currently at the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, AL, the Raiders feel these two new hires will help upgrade their personnel as the team hopes to improve on the past 5-11 NFL regular season record.

“We continue to evaluate the staff and make changes to get better achievement,” said senior executive John Herrera. “It’s still an ongoing process.”

With Jackson, the Raiders are hoping to improve their scoring. Oakland was ranked 31st last season with 197 points and they gained second-fewest in yards also. This past season was also their seventh straight with at least 11 losses.

Jackson history with Flacco, as the Ravens made it to two straight playoffs in the quarterback’s first two seasons, and work with Carson Palmer while as the offensive coordinator at Southern California has helped his credentials as a quality offensive mind. The Raiders hope he can do the same with Russell who people in the organization believe has the potential to be a great quarterback.

“This guy was the first player drafted. It’s going to be fun to see if we can get him up and playing the way we all wish that he can perform,” Jackson told ESPN 1000 in Chicago. “It’s not just about JaMarcus. The quarterback takes on a whole life by itself but it’s the team, the whole offensive unit has to perform well around the quarterback.”