Pete Carroll has a youthful energy that many people half his age don't possess, and the Raiders hope that enthusiasm — and, more importantly, his proven track record — translates to Las Vegas. It's a gamble in a city that knows something about that subject on someone who will turn 74 in September,

The Raiders have made the playoffs just twice since 2002. They need a jolt, and former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is a living, breathing jumper cable.