It looks like Tom Cable will return as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders next season (although the Raiders haven’t confirmed any such news). And why shouldn’t he? Nobody else—short of John Madden coming out of retirement—really wants to work with Raiders owner Al Davis (including Tom Cable but hey, it’s his job). And coach Cable did guide this once proud organization into a (sometimes) competitive group last season. They did beat two playoff teams and the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
OK, I’m being extremely optimistic with the results. The Raiders had a second straight 5-11 season. And …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Oakland Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable was named the team’s official head coach today (he’ll be introduced at a presser tomorrow). Coach Cable went 4-8 after replacing Lane Kiffin last season, including winning his last two games against Houston and Tampa Bay. Apparently that was all the proof owner Al Davis needed to make his decision even though it comes over a month after those final victories and subsequent interviews with Kevin Gilbride (N.Y. Giants) and Winston Moss (Green Bay Packers).
This is not a surprise. I think keeping coach Cable is the only …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Their 2-6 record might not immediately announce themselves as the worst team in the National Football League. But the Oakland Raiders are the worst team in the National Football League. And they proved it yesterday in one of the most pathetic performances I have ever seen from an NFL team. Raiders safety Gibril Wilson had no answers afterward:
“During the week, we look like we’re a Super Bowl team, and we come out there and we’re damn near the laughingstock of the league, and it’s ridiculous. I’ve never been in a situation where it’s been like …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Oakland Raiders fired head coach Lane Kiffin today. That makes two head coach firings in two days as St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan was dismissed from his job yesterday. This marks the first time since at least 1970 that two head coaches have been fired before the fifth game of the season.
Coach Kiffin’s dismissal had been seriously rumored since the Raiders lost their season-opener to Denver. And unlike coach Linehan’s firing yesterday, this one wasn’t a friendly farewell. Raiders owner Al Davis not only brought the anticipated announcement in a presser today, …read more