Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers is one of the candidates being considered for the head coaching job with Oakland. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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In his new role as Oakland general manager, former Green Bay Packers personnel man Reggie McKenzie is casting a wide net in his search for the Raiders' next head coach.

Among those hauled in for consideration by McKenzie is Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

The 61-year-old Capers has already spoken to McKenzie about the Raiders' open head coaching position, a source familiar with the search said Monday. It more than likely constituted Capers' interview, but the source did not know where the discussion took place or if it was by telephone.

Capers is one of a large lot of candidates that McKenzie, the former Packers director of football operations, has interviewed for the spot once held by Hue Jackson. McKenzie is not limiting his search in any way.

Several reports said McKenzie spoke with inside linebackers coach Winston Moss in Green Bay before the Packers' playoff loss to the New York Giants. Charley Casserly of CBS reported Sunday that the Raiders asked and received permission to speak to Capers, but that probably occurred last week and it's possible Capers met with McKenzie before that report came out.

Besides Capers, five others have reportedly interviewed with McKenzie, including Moss. The others are former Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg,

McKenzie is also expected to interview Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Tice this week at the Senior Bowl. Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was supposed to interview, but he dropped out when he thought he was going to get the Miami Dolphins job.

Reports have said that Allen is scheduled for a second interview.

It's odd that coach Mike McCarthy allowed Moss to interview the day before a divisional playoff game. Not only does it violate the spirit of the NFL's tampering rules, but the fact it occurred so close to game time would seem like a distraction for someone about to coach in the postseason.

NFL rules state that teams seeking head coaches can interview assistant coaches from teams with playoff byes during the bye week and can conduct a second interview before the team's first game. No one has reported that Moss' interview with McKenzie last Saturday was his second.

McCarthy may have believed that with the game plan installed and free time available to players and coaches Saturday that it was best Moss do it then. It did give McKenzie an advantage over other teams that might be interested in Moss.

Capers, meanwhile, has twice been a head coach in the NFL, both times with expansion clubs. The Carolina Panthers hired him to launch their franchise and he served from 1995-'98, compiling a 30-34 record. He also was hired to help build the Houston Texans in 2001 and from 2002-'05 compiled an 18-46 mark.

He is 1-1 in the postseason, including an NFC Championship Game loss to the Packers during the '96 season.

Until this season, Capers had directed the Packers to top-five finishes in overall defense and top-seven finishes in scoring defense. The bottom fell out this year with Capers' unit ranking dead last in yards allowed and 19th in points.

In two of his three seasons ('09 and '11), Capers' units led the NFL in takeaways. They were sixth during their Super Bowl championship season.

Interviewing Capers would definitely give McKenzie perspective on the difference between someone who has been a head coach and someone who has only been a coordinator. Capers has been open to accepting the moves general manager Ted Thompson has made for the defense and McKenzie undoubtedly is looking for that type of relationship with his head coach.

So far, there have been no indications that new Miami coach Joe Philbin is targeting any Packers assistant coaches for positions on his staff. The former offensive coordinator was expected back in Green Bay this week to begin relocating his family and it's likely he'll talk to McCarthy about any assistants he wants to pursue.

Philbin would be able to conduct the interviews while he's in town.

The odds-on favorite to replace Philbin remains quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, who has been an NFL coordinator before. A league source familiar with McCarthy said all indications were that Clements would be the choice.

One factor that could change that is if Clements were to get an offer somewhere else to call plays. As long as he is with the Packers, McCarthy will be the one calling the plays.