ALAMEDA, Calif. — Hue Jackson revitalized the dormant Oakland Raiders offense in one season as coordinator.
That performance earned him a promotion to head coach and the tall task of getting the Raiders back into the postseason after an eight-year drought.
Jackson will be introduced formally at a news conference Tuesday, two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.
“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.
Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get his first head coaching job at any level as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure.
Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games to avoid an eighth straight losing season.
“I’m excited about Hue getting the head coaching job,” tight end Zach Miller said in a phone interview. “I really like the direction our offense is going and how much we improved. This was the best offensive year we’ve had since I’ve been a Raider. I’m excited to have the continuity.”
Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, “Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!”
Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.
That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.
“That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. “It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset, but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough.
(2 of 2)
“We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no in between.”
That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced “you can’t call us losers anymore” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champ Kansas City in the season finale.
The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.
Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.
The latest was Cable, whose players credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.
But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.
Jackson had a strong relationship with Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson.
Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5
Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.
Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with three stints as an offensive coordinator. He helped develop quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore and groomed Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Ochocinco congratulated Jackson in a Twitter message and said, “Best receiver coach I’ve ever had.”
The Raiders are counting on him being just as successful in his first stint as a head coach.
Of the seven head coaches hired this offseason, John Fox in Denver is the only one with previous experience as an NFL head coach.
“He has a strong personality that will carry right over to the whole team,” Miller said. “Guys are familiar with him. They know what they’re getting with him. He’s not a new face coming in as a head coach. Having someone who has been here will make the transition that much easier.”
The Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday hired former Raiders coach Tom Cable to be their offensive line coach/assistant head coach at just about the time Raiders managing general partner Al Davis ripped Cable for his on- and off-field actions the past two years.
Cable joined the Raiders in 2007 as offensive line coach. He replaced the fired Lane Kiffin as head coach four games into the 2008 season and posted a 17-27 record.
Davis informed Cable two days after this season ended that the Raiders weren’t going to pick up the two-year, $5 million option on his contract.
When asked about Cable’s coaching ability, new head coach Hue Jackson said: “What Tom Cable is as a football coach is an exceptional line coach. He will go on and do great.”
Davis addressed the departure of JaMarcus Russell for the first time, saying the former Raiders quarterback’s personal problems were too much to overcome.
“We had a big investment in this guy,” Davis said. “Basically, he’s a good person, but he’s got personal problems. I decided that it was time that we were not going to fight it anymore.”
The Raiders selected Russell with the first pick of the 2007 NFL draft and won only seven of the 25 games he started. They released him in May, soon after trading for current starter Jason Campbell.
Russell didn’t play this past season. He was arrested in early July for possession of a controlled substance (codeine cough syrup),
although charges later were dropped.
It sounds as if the Raiders had no intention of picking up the option year on the contract of three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, whose deal voided anyway because he failed to meet performance incentives.
Davis acknowledged Asomugha’s skill as a cornerback and his worth in the community but noted “that $17 million can bring you two or three players that can help you win.”
When there were stories that Asomugha wanted to play with the New York Jets and Darrelle Revis, Davis said he asked Asomugha point-blank if he wished to be traded.
“He said, ‘No. I want to stay. I don’t want to go,’ ” Davis said.
Davis on the 2009 trade that sent a 2011 first-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for defensive tackle Richard Seymour: “You may not think it was a good trade. I thought it was a great trade. Still do.”
Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey still has the owner in his corner, although it’s notable that Davis didn’t use the word “great” when evaluating the second-year wide receiver.
“He’s going to be good,” Davis said. When asked why, he added: “(He has) explosion. He can catch, he’s getting better, and he’s a good guy. He’s going to be good.”
Raiders offensive line coach Jim Michalczik is being considered for the Cal offensive line coach vacancy. He joined the Raiders in 2009 after spending the previous seven seasons as Cal’s offensive line coach.
Staff writer Jonathan Okanes contributed to this report.
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis rarely talks to the media anymore.
So when Davis got the chance at a news conference announcing the hiring of Hue Jackson as his new head coach on Tuesday, he took the opportunity to address a number of issues.
Davis spent a larger portion of a more than 100-minute news conference explaining why he fined former coach Tom Cable $120,000 in the final year of his contract. Davis says he withheld the money from Cable’s last six checks because of the strain on the organization from lawsuits involving Cable assaulting a former assistant coach and a former girlfriend.
The suit by former assistant Randy Hanson was kicked out of court and sent to an NFL arbitrator. Davis said that Cable recently settled the suit with former girlfriend Marie Lutz.
“That lawsuit created a tremendous amount of work, stress and turmoil,” Davis said. “Tom had been told earlier in his career that he could have been fired without pay for the wrath he brought on the Raider organization.”
Cable’s agent did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment. Cable has filed a grievance with the NFL to recover the lost wages.
Davis said Cable lied to him when asked if there were any issues in his past that could affect the Raiders. He was also angered by one aspect of Lutz’s lawsuit that said Cable brought her on road trips with the team, saying it goes against his way of living and the Raider way.
He said that even though Cable was accused of breaking Hanson’s jaw in August 2009, accused of assaulting three women later that year and sued by Lutz last June, he kept him on to coach the 2010 season.
“We had been in turmoil for about a year or two after the initial stuff came out and so I just didn’t think we needed another uproar at this particular time,” Davis said. “Two roads. You can choose Road A or Road B, either way.”
Cable has acknowledged striking his first wife, Sandy Cable, with an open hand. He said the altercation happened more than 20 years ago and was the only time he’s ever touched a woman inappropriately. Because that happened before Cable joined the NFL, he was not punished by the league.
Davis said he still does not know what happened in the hotel room at training camp when Hanson had his jaw broken. Hanson accused Cable of throwing him against the wall, causing the left side of Hanson’s face to strike a table, then hit Hanson while he was on the floor. Hanson was treated for a fractured jaw and broken teeth. Hanson said Cable was restrained by assistants John Marshall, Willie Brown and Lionel Washington.
Davis said he didn’t want to get into the middle of the dispute.
“Can’t get the story,” Davis said. “You know, it’s like Gitmo. Trying to find out, did they waterboard those guys or not? No, really. It’s hard to believe. How many guys went in? Four guys went into the room with a guy, the guys comes out with a broken jaw and no one saw it.”
On other topics in Davis’ first news conference in more than 16 months:
• Davis took some blame for the Raiders struggles the past eight years when they have failed to post a winning record. “I have made mistakes. Yes, there’s no question about it, and you got to have great players. But you also, sometimes, have the players and don’t get it done. So, you’re saying, should I take some of the blame? I certainly do.”
• He said the team was hurt by the failures of former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, who was cut last May after being paid more than $39 million for three ineffective seasons. “We had a big investment in this guy. Basically, he’s a good person but he’s got personal problems, and I decided that it was time that we were not going to fight it anymore.”
• He said he was not pleased with Cable’s proclamation that “we’re not losers anymore” after the Raiders won the season finale to finish 8-8. “If that’s not being a loser in our world, I don’t know what it is, come in .500. That’s never been my goal.”
• He explained why he still believes in receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who caught just 37 passes in his first two seasons. “Explosion. He can catch, he’s getting better and he’s a good guy. He’s going to be good.”
• He said he wouldn’t know whether Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha would be brought back after the final year of his contract voided, but hinted the Raiders would have cut him instead of picking up an option that was set to be worth at least $16.8 million. “Can that $17 million bring you two or three quality players to help you win?”
• He also said he was not surprised he won a grievance hearing against former coach Lane Kiffin, who was seeking more than $300,000, after being fired for cause in September 2008. “I beat him because he lied. He’s a liar. He lied to you guys.”
• He said the team needed a new stadium — preferably at the same site as the current home — and was hurt by low revenues. The Raiders sold out only one game this season but Davis hopes a new labor deal will help Oakland’s cause. “We don’t have the resources that other teams have, but, but, I think we’ve shown that we can compete. It’s a question now of winning, and doing better than them. But it depends on what happens in the collective bargaining agreement.”
• He would not give an opinion on a proposed 18-game season that commissioner Roger Goodell wants in the new collective bargaining agreement, but said the talk of increased injuries was overplayed. “There’s no question that the ownership wants it, and Roger seems to have a way of getting things done if he wants it. So I’d rather not say what I think but I think the business of injury is overplayed.”
• He said he wasn’t worried about recent criticisms from Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who was upset the team let Cable go, pointing out that Lechler talked about leaving as a free agent after the 2008 season. “Shane said publicly he wasn’t coming back, he didn’t like it here. A month later, he was coming back because I gave him the highest paid contract of a specialist in pro football. No, these things happen, that’s a part of our lives, I read about marriage breakups, all those things.”
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Hue Jackson revitalized the dormant Oakland Raiders offense in one season as coordinator.
That performance earned him a promotion to head coach and the tall task of getting the Raiders back into the postseason after an eight-year drought.
Jackson will be formally introduced at a news conference today, two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.
‘The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.
Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get his first head coaching job at any level as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure.
Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games to avoid an eighth straight losing season.
‘I’m excited about Hue getting the head coaching job,” tight end Zach Miller said in a phone interview. ‘I really like the direction our offense is going and how much we improved. This was the best offensive year we’ve had since I’ve been a Raider. I’m excited to have the continuity.”
Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, ‘Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!”
Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.
That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.
‘That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. ‘It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough.
‘We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no inbetween.”
That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced ‘you can’t call us losers anymore” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champ Kansas City in the season finale.
The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.
Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.
The latest was Cable, whose players credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.
But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines that Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.
Jackson had a strong relationship with Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson.
Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5.
Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.
Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with three stints as an offensive coordinator.
He helped develop quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore and groomed Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Ochocinco congratulated Jackson in a Twitter message and said, ‘Best receiver coach I’ve ever had.”
The Raiders are counting on him being just as successful in his first stint as a head coach.
Of the seven head coaches hired this offseason, John Fox in Denver is the only one with previous experience as an NFL head coach.
‘He has a strong personality that will carry right over to the whole team,” Miller said. ‘Guys are familiar with him. They know what they’re getting with him. He’s not a new face coming in as a head coach. Having someone who has been here will make the transition that much easier.”
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*The Oakland Raiders promoted offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to head coach on Monday after he helped the team more than double its scoring output in his first year with the franchise.
According to the AP, Jackson will be formally introduced at a news conference today — two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.
“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,†owner Al Davis said in a statement.
Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get the job as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure. This is Jackson’s first head coaching job at any level.
Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games and avoid an eighth straight losing season.
Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, “Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!â€
Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.
That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.
“That’s what I came here for,†Jackson said late in the season. “It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough. … We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no in between.â€
That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced “you can’t call us losers anymore,†after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champion Kansas City in the season finale.
The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.
Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.
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Tags: afc west, al davis, head coach, hue jackson, jason campbell, oakland raiders, offensive coordinator, promotion, tom cable
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ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders promoted offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to head coach on Monday after he helped the team more than double its scoring output in his first year with the franchise.
Jackson will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday — two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.
Hue Jackson becomes the Raiders’ sixth head coach since 2003. (AP Photo)
“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.
Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get the job as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure. This is Jackson’s first head coaching job at any level.
Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games and avoid an eighth straight losing season.
“I’m excited about Hue getting the head coaching job,” Raiders tight end Zach Miller said in a phone interview. “I really like the direction our offense is going and how much we improved. This was the best offensive year we’ve had since I’ve been a Raider. I’m excited to have the continuity.”
Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, “Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!”
Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.
That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.
“That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. “It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough. … We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no in between.”
That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced “you can’t call us losers anymore,” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champion Kansas City in the season finale.
The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.
Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.
The latest was Cable, who had wide support from his players, who credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.
But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him as head coach. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines that Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.
Jackson had a strong relationship with Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson. Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5
Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.
Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with serving three stints as an offensive coordinator.
He helped develop quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore and groomed Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Ochocinco congratulated Jackson in a Twitter message and called him “Best receiver coach I’ve ever had.”
The Raiders are counting on him being just as successful in his first stint as a head coach. Of the seven head coaches hired this offseason, John Fox in Denver is the only one with previous experience as an NFL head coach.
“He has a strong personality that will carry right over to the whole team,” Miller said. “Guys are familiar with him. They know what they’re getting with him. He’s not a new face coming in as a head coach. Having someone who has been here will make the transition that much easier.”
— The Associated Press
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Tom Cable led the Raiders to a 17-27 record since taking over on an interim basis in 2008.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders informed coach Tom Cable on Tuesday that they will not bring him back as coach next season even though he led them to their best record in eight years this season.
The Raiders announced their decision not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option on Cable’s contract for 2011 and ’12, two days after wrapping up an 8-8 season that gave Oakland its first non-losing record since winning the 2002 AFC championship.
“Coach Cable was informed the club would not be exercising its option for the 2011 season, and that he’s free to seek employment elsewhere,” his agent, Don Yee, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “Teams already have shown interest in Tom.”
The Raiders now begin their search for their sixth coach since Jon Gruden left for Tampa Bay following the 2001 season. Cable lasted longer than any of the previous five, with a 17-27 record since being promoted from offensive line coach to interim head coach early in the 2008 season after Lane Kiffin was fired.
Cable had wide support from his players, who credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.
But that was not enough to persuade owner Al Davis to bring him back for a third full season. The Raiders could have waited two weeks to make this decision but acted quickly.
The move comes the same day the Raiders granted the San Francisco 49ers permission to interview offensive coordinator Hue Jackson for their vacant head coaching job.
Davis brought Jackson in after last season to take over the play-calling duties from Cable. Led by a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points. That was the sixth-most points scored in a season in franchise history and more than doubled last year’s scoring output.
Jackson will likely be a leading contender for the job. Raiders senior executive John Herrera says the team has not talked to any candidates yet.
The Raiders also could have interest in Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who was a quarterbacks coach in Oakland from 2002-03 and is close with Davis. Harbaugh is also being sought by the San Francisco 49ers, among other NFL teams.
Cable has had a tenuous hold on the job ever since getting it when Kiffin was fired four games into the 2008 season. The Raiders took a month after that season before deciding to give Cable a two-year contract and then left the coach in limbo for weeks after last season.
The 2009 season was marred by an investigation into whether he assaulted assistant Randy Hanson and allegations of a history of violence toward women.
The Raiders made big strides to improve under Cable but fell short of making the postseason for an eighth straight season. Oakland became the first team since the 1970 merger to win all of its division games and not make the playoffs.
The Raiders went just 2-8 outside the AFC West this season, with five of those losses coming to teams with losing records.
This season was marked by indecision at quarterback. The Raiders acquired Jason Campbell in the offseason from Washington to replace draft bust JaMarcus Russell. Davis compared Campbell in training camp to two-time Super Bowl winner Jim Plunkett, but Campbell was benched after just six quarters.
Campbell got the job back when Bruce Gradkowski injured his shoulder and eventually won three straight games to put the Raiders in first place in November. But he was benched again after a blowout loss at Pittsburgh.
The Raiders lost the following week at home to Miami when Gradkowski re-injured his shoulder. Campbell started the final four games.
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ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders informed coach Tom Cable on Tuesday that they will not bring him back as coach next season even though he led them to their best record in eight years this season.
The Raiders announced their decision not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option on Cable’s contract for 2011 and ’12, two days after wrapping up an 8-8 season that gave Oakland its first non-losing record since winning the 2002 AFC championship.
“Coach Cable was informed the club would not be exercising its option for the 2011 season, and that he’s free to seek employment elsewhere,” his agent, Don Yee, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “Teams already have shown interest in Tom.”
The Raiders now begin their search for their sixth coach since Jon Gruden left for Tampa Bay following the 2001 season. Cable lasted longer than any of the previous five, with a 17-27 record since being promoted from offensive line coach to interim head coach early in the 2008 season after Lane Kiffin was fired.
Cable had wide support from his players, who credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.
But that was not enough to persuade owner Al Davis to bring him back for a third full season. The Raiders could have waited two weeks to make this decision but acted quickly.
The move comes the same day the Raiders granted the San Francisco 49ers permission to interview offensive coordinator Hue Jackson for their vacant head coaching job.
Davis brought Jackson in after last season to take over the play-calling duties from Cable. Led by a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points. That was the sixth-most points scored in a season in franchise history and more than doubled last year’s scoring output.
Jackson will likely be a leading contender for the job. Raiders senior executive John Herrera says the team has not talked to any candidates yet.
The Raiders also could have interest in Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who was a quarterbacks coach in Oakland from 2002-03 and is close with Davis. Harbaugh is also being sought by the 49ers, among other NFL teams.
Cable has had a tenuous hold on the job ever since getting it when Kiffin was fired four games into the 2008 season. The Raiders took a month after that season before deciding to give Cable a two-year contract and then left the coach in limbo for weeks after last season.
The 2009 season was marred by an investigation into whether he assaulted assistant Randy Hanson and allegations of a history of violence toward women.
The Raiders made big strides to improve under Cable but fell short of making the postseason for an eighth straight season. Oakland became the first team since the 1970 merger to win all of its division games and not make the playoffs.
The Raiders went just 2-8 outside the AFC West this season, with five of those losses coming to teams with losing records.
This season was marked by indecision at quarterback. The Raiders acquired Jason Campbell in the offseason from Washington to replace draft bust JaMarcus Russell. Davis compared Campbell in training camp to two-time Super Bowl winner Jim Plunkett, but Campbell was benched after just six quarters.
Campbell got the job back when Bruce Gradkowski injured his shoulder and eventually won three straight games to put the Raiders in first place in November. But he was benched again after a blowout loss at Pittsburgh.
The Raiders lost the following week at home to Miami when Gradkowski re-injured his shoulder. Campbell started the final four games.
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) – The Oakland Raiders ended a run of seven straight losing seasons, dominated their division and rediscovered the big-play offense that had been so lacking in recent years.
Whether all of that is enough to help coach Tom Cable keep his job for another season is the first major question owner Al Davis must answer heading into an eighth straight offseason that begins before the playoffs start.
Oakland (8-8) ended the season with a couple of notable accomplishments. By winning the season finale 31-10 at playoff-bound Kansas City, the Raiders avoided an eighth straight losing season and completed a perfect run through the AFC West, sweeping division rivals Kansas City, San Diego and Denver.
That was the first time the Raiders had a perfect record in the division since their Super Bowl season in 1976 and the first time since the 1970 merger that a team won all its division games and did not make the playoffs.
“We certainly got this thing back on its feet and we’re very proud of that,” Cable said Monday. “You can’t call us losers anymore, at least from this point forward. That’s a huge accomplishment for this team, particularly for the guys who have been around here for a number of years, and the organization itself. It gives everybody, the city of Oakland, everybody in football, something to look forward to as we move forward.”
Whether Cable will be part of that moving forward will be determined in the next couple of weeks. He has a 17-27 record since taking over as interim coach from Lane Kiffin in 2008 and has earned the admiration of his players, who credit him for a culture change around the team.
Cable got a new contract after his interim season that expires in two weeks, meaning the Raiders must decide whether to exercise the two-year option on his deal or allow him to leave. The team must notify Cable by Jan. 17 whether it plans to exercise the options for 2011 and ’12 at $2.5 million per season.
If Davis chooses to pass on the option, he will begin the search for the team’s seventh head coach since the 2001 season. With 44 games as coach, Cable has lasted longer than anyone in that position since Jon Gruden spent four years as head coach before leaving for Tampa Bay.
Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who has played for six coaches since joining the Raiders in 2000, said it would be a shame if Cable is not back.
“I seriously believe that it would set us back again,” Lechler said. “I can’t go through another head coach. I just can’t. I’ve been through too many of them. And they all come in here and say the same thing, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to turn this.’ No, you’re not. I’d rather be with the guy that’s here right now, and we’ll roll with him.”
But once again Oakland goes into the offseason with uncertainty at head coach. Since keeping Norv Turner following the 2004 season, there have been questions every offseason about whether the head coach would return. Turner was fired following the 2005 season and Art Shell was fired a year later. The tension between Kiffin and Davis led to talk about whether Kiffin would resign after his first season in 2007.
The Raiders interviewed candidates after the 2008 season before deciding to stick with Cable and there were weeks of uncertainty a year ago about whether Cable would stay. ESPN and NFL Network are reporting that it’s “unlikely” Cable will return in 2011, although there were similar reports a year ago when Cable stayed.
“I’d like for it to just go away and have Al and I sit down and discuss it, which we will,” Cable said. “I know what we’ve done. I think everybody else who knows football knows what we’ve done. Whoever says it or writes it probably doesn’t know what the hell they’re doing.”
One of the leading contenders would figure to be offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who was brought in by Davis a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable.
The improvement on offense has been stark, with much of it owed to the decision to release former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell in the offseason and acquire Jason Campbell.
Led by a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points. That more than doubled last year’s scoring total and was the sixth-most points scored in a season in franchise history.
“You got to start somewhere, we feel like this is a great starting point for us,” Campbell said. “We’re going in the right direction. We didn’t come here to be 8-8, to go undefeated in the division. We came here to go undefeated in the division and go to the playoffs. There are still a lot of goals to shoot for in the upcoming season.”
Success? No. Serene and brilliant management? Of course not. New stadiums on the horizon? Don’t be silly.
But wait: After years of wallowing in gray uncertainties, this was the most definitive combined season in the recent histories of the Raiders and 49ers.
Questions were answered, yes or no. Dramatic moments arrived, and essential events occurred. Issues were put in clear resolution, which is a key step by itself.
Both teams end their seasons today — the Raiders in Kansas City with a shot to finish 8-8 and the 49ers (5-10) at Candlestick against Arizona — short of the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.
But there will be reverberations from the 2010 season, and there were many important answers provided. Let’s take a look.
Preseason question: Will the Raiders be better off after releasing chronic underachiever and over-weigher JaMarcus Russell in May?
End-of-season answer: Absolutely yes. Dropping Russell didn’t cure everything that has ailed the Raiders for years, but it might have gotten the franchise about halfway there.
Though Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski had only rare moments of quarterbacking greatness, without Russell weighing down the offense and the locker room, the 2010 Raiders were freer, happier, more mobile and unequivocally better.
Preseason question: Can Alex Smith once and for all put together a season that justifies the 49ers’ prolonged
faith in him?
End-of-season answer: No. Once and for all.
Despite the hullabaloo about Smith finally having two consecutive years with the same offensive coordinator, 2010 was Smith’s career in a capsule: He was erratic, hurt, benched, back, benched again, and is back again to finish the season.
After Mike Singletary bungled the QB spot so wretchedly, the 49ers have to hire a coach and general manager who can find and develop a QB for now and for the next 10 years.
Or else the next 10 years will look a lot like the last six.
Preseason question: Will new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and Campbell revive the Raiders’ offense?
End-of-season answer: Yes. Jackson got the best out of tailback Darren McFadden (11th in the NFL with 1,157 rushing yards) and the Raiders’ scoring average jumped nearly 10 points. Huge impact.
Preseason question: Does Singletary have staying power as an NFL coach?
End-of-season answer: No. Singletary, who was fired last Sunday, believed in Jimmy Raye and Alex Smith, and was convinced he didn’t need tactics to win, just emotion and brute force.
Singletary was wrong, and his erratic behavior was just a side effect.
Preseason question: Will Tom Cable do enough to keep his job into the 2011 season?
End-of-season answer: Yet to be determined by owner Al Davis, who has a few weeks to contemplate exercising Cable’s option and probably believes the team should’ve made the playoffs.
But it’s fairly obvious that Cable is the steadiest all-purpose Raiders coach since Jon Gruden.
Still, if Jackson gets interest from the many teams looking for a head coach, Davis might feel forced to promote him and dispatch Cable.
Upside: Al has two good head-coaching options on his staff. Usually, he has none.
Preseason question: Are the 49ers ready to become a dominant defense?
End-of-season answer: No, despite the premium talent on the roster and despite the bonus of playing in the NFC West, possibly the least-talented division in league history.
Once again, the 49ers were middle-of-the-pack in almost every defensive category, showing that they need a cover cornerback, a safety and a classic edge rusher.
Preseason question: Is this the year the Raiders find players in the draft, not just physical specimens?
End-of-season answer: Yes. Fourth-round pick Jacoby Ford is the receiver Davis always thought Darrius Heyward-Bey would be; add in linebacker Rolando McClain, defensive lineman Lamarr Houston and left tackle Jared Veldheer, and this is Davis’ best draft class in more than a decade.
Preseason question: Can the 49ers plug two rookie offensive linemen right into the starting lineup?
End-of-season answer: Yes, to mixed results but trending up.
Guard Mike Iupati immediately became the team’s go-to run-blocker; tackle Anthony Davis had shaky moments, but just making it through the season intact is a positive sign.
Preseason question: Does either team have a clear long-term vision?
End-of-season answer: This one’s still in limbo.
49ers president Jed York apparently is determined to hire uninspiring Trent Baalke as general manager and claim he was the best man available.
We don’t know who the 49ers will land as coach — could be No. 1 target Jim Harbaugh, could be Brian Billick, could be somebody else, and the 49ers probably don’t know, either.
Davis steadied the Raiders ship for the first time since 2002. But the road back to the playoffs from the depths takes sustained concentration and patience.
We got answers this season. But until the Raiders and 49ers get back into the elite, there will always be more tough questions. It’s up to them if they want to keep providing definitive answers.
Read Tim Kawakami’s Talking Points blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami. Contact him at tkawakami@mercurynews.com. or 408-920-5442.
10 a.m. CBS
Preview. Page 5 Inside
Raiders’ perfection within West goes for naught. Page 5 Arizona (5-10) at 49ers (5-10)
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) – Now that their playoff hopes are officially extinguished, the Oakland Raiders are left looking to achieve much smaller goals.
A season-ending victory in Kansas City on Sunday would end a streak of seven straight losing seasons and give Oakland (7-8) its first perfect record in the AFC West since 1976. Those are just consolation prizes now for a team that believed it was good enough to win the division.
“Our goal was to go to the playoffs and give ourselves a shot to move on from there,” offensive lineman Robert Gallery said. “It’s a step forward from where we’ve been in the past but I don’t think anybody feels good about where we’re at right now.”
The Raiders will be left out of the playoffs once again, having been eliminated by Kansas City’s 34-14 victory Sunday that wrapped up early in the first quarter of Oakland’s home finale.
The Raiders went on to lose 31-26 to Indianapolis, ending any chance at a winning season.
So instead of having a playoff showdown against the Chiefs (10-5) in Kansas City, the Raiders will end the season with essentially a meaningless game. A win would give the Raiders series sweeps against division rivals San Diego, Denver and Kansas City and make Oakland the first team since the start of division play to win every division game and not finish first.
“It would be nice go in there and try to give them their first home loss and all that, sweep the division,” defensive lineman Tommy Kelly said. “It’s kind of hollow but, we achieved a goal but we didn’t get the ultimate goal. So that’s still kind of hard to swallow right there.”
There were many signs of progress this season for the Raiders, who had their most wins since winning the AFC championship in 2002. The offense improved by leaps under new coordinator Hue Jackson and quarterback Jason Campbell. Oakland has scored 379 points already this season, the eighth most ever by the franchise and most since 2002.
Darren McFadden has emerged as the big-play back the Raiders expected when they picked him fourth overall in 2008, with 1,157 yards rushing, 47 catches and 10 touchdowns.
Oakland has gotten big contributions from a rookie class that includes two defensive starters in middle linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive lineman Lamarr Houston, starting left tackle Jared Veldheer, and game-breaking receiver-returner Jacoby Ford, who has returned three kicks for touchdowns.
The Raiders lost only three games by double figures all season, a stark difference from a year ago, when they lost five games by at least 20 points and two others by more than 10.
Some of those close losses still haunt the Raiders, who lost 24-23 at Arizona when Sebastian Janikowski missed a 32-yard field goal, had chances late against Houston and San Francisco and gave up the winning score in Jacksonville with 1:34 remaining.
“We’re really close,” linebacker Quentin Groves said. “You look at the San Fran game, you look at the Arizona game, we could have easily had two wins right there. You look at the Jacksonville game, that’s another big win we could have had. So, we’re right there on the threshold of being a great team and a team to be reckoned with in this league.”
There is still uncertainty whether coach Tom Cable will be back for a third full season. His contract is up next month, although the Raiders hold an option to bring him back in 2011.
Sunday’s game will be Cable’s 44th since taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin on an interim basis in 2008, a mark only two coaches have reached since Tom Flores moved to the front office after the 1987 season. But he’s still looking for his first playoff berth.
“It’s a process to get there,” he said. “This week is just the last step for this year, and that is to go out and win a game and finish the season 8-8, stop the losing record thing that has kind of been chasing this organization for a number of years as well as complete the sweep in the division. I think that would be a heck of a deal for our football team and launch us into the future and the next year.”
The Raiders went 4-8 with Cable as an interim coach in 2008, then were 5-11 last season, when JaMarcus Russell’s struggles at quarterback held the franchise back. Oakland followed that up with at least seven wins this season.
Punter Shane Lechler, one of the last ties to Oakland’s division championship teams in 2000-02, said it would be a “huge setback” if Cable does not return.
“We’ve invested so much of our time and there’s been so much commitment starting from the day he took over. Not only this year,” Lechler said. “He had a plan. The plan is working. It would be a terrible disappointment if there was a change because he’s the guy for this job.”
The Oakland Raiders just won their biggest game of the year against the San Diego Chargers. That puts them in second place in the AFC West along with the Chargers at 6-6.
The Kansas City Chiefs are two games up in first place in the AFC West with four games left. The mission is still possible for the Raiders to win the division because their schedule isn’t too bad and they have a game left against the Chiefs.
The Chargers are in position to help out and beat the Chiefs this coming Sunday. Philip Rivers and company will be up for the task as they still have hope to win the AFC crown themselves.
If the Chargers beat the Chiefs this Sunday, the week 17 game between the Raiders and Chiefs will mean everything just like old times. A Raider win at that point will force a first place tie that goes to the Raiders because of their division record.
Turn the page to see why the Raiders can run the table including the Chiefs in week 17.Â
Nnamdi Asomugha: Getting Healthy
If the Raiders were any other team, the everyone would be saying that they’re getting healthy at the right time. But only those that know Raiders know that’s really the case and Nnamdi Asomugha is a big part of it.
After a failed comeback against the Dolphins Asomugha shut his man down against the Chargers. He actually played better this past Sunday against the Chargers than he did in week 5.
So I now trust him to shut down the opponent’s best receiver down the stretch.
This and the Raider pass rush will make it all the less possible to throw on them.
Getting Healthy: Chaz Schilens
Chaz Shilens is the Raider’s most consistent receiver the Raiders have on their roster. Unfortunately, he has been hurt all season so he could do nothing to help the Raider passing game.
The 6’4, 225 pound receiver has blazing speed just like the rest of the Raider receivers. But one thing Schilens has to set him apart from the rest is the ability to go over the middle and catch the ball in traffic.
He also consistently catches everything thrown near him no matter how tough the catch is. He even made Jamarcus Russell look like he was going to be okay as the Raider’s franchise quarterback at the end of 2008.
Schilens will especially do wonders for Jason Campbell.
 He will also open up things for another Raider that’s getting healthy.
Getting Healthy: Zach Miller
Zach Miller is the most consistent offensive weapon the Raiders have had since he was drafted in 2007. He has missed some time and been slowed down by plantar fasciitus but he is reportedly getting better every day.
Schilens back in the lineup will take double teams away from Miller on third down as he gets healthy. Third and seven will no longer seem like a mile for the Raiders with their possession receivers in play.
Look for Miller to return to form down the stretch.
Darren McFadden: Staying Healthy
Since missing a couple of games with a pulled hamstring earlier this season, Darren McFadden has proven that he can take the pounding of an NFL running back. He has also taken his place among the elite running backs in the league and should go over the 1,000 yard mark soon.
What the Raiders do to get the ball in McFadden’s hands down the stretch will determine the outcome of this season. He can be used in the running game and the passing game so there’s no reason not to get him touches.
That’s the kind of impact a former top 10 pick is supposed to have.Â
Jason Campbell: Settling In
They say that competition within a team brings out the best football players.
Not at quarterback when the season has already started.
Jason Campbell plays his best football when he knows that he’s the guy to lead the Raiders. He’s 5-0 with an average quarterback rating of 109 in games that Bruce Gradkowski is definitely out with an injury.
Campbell is 0-3 with an average rating of 35 when Gradkowski is suited up and pacing the sideline. He often hears the boo birds before he even enters the game when Gradkowski is healthy.
Some could say, “He has to be tough and overcome that. That’s what great players do”
Jim Brown is the best football player in the history of the game. When Brown spoke of his being selected by the Browns he said, “Paul must have known a little bit about me. When I went to Cleveland he told me that I was his man and I would then do the rest of the work.”
Even a great player wants to know that he’s the guy and doesn’t have to look over his shoulder after any mistake. The result of Gradkowski’s last injury is Campbell playing confidently and effectively in a win against the Chargers.
Campbell can now, “cut it loose” and be the Raider’s quarterback.
Rolando McClain: Growing Into His Role
Rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain is starting to become a play making middle linebacker. Now that he is used to the speed of the NFL game he is more instinctive and figures things out much quicker.
You can even tell that he has grown into his role as a leader of the Raider defense as he makes more plays. He is more the just a “director” as a middle linebacker as Deion Sanders would say.
McClain also leads by setting the tone in big games with his ferocious hits. The result of that on Sunday wasn’t pretty on Sunday for Darren Sproles of the Chargers.
Sproles was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
The Raiders can use more plays like that down the stretch. (minus the concussions)
Michael Bush: Getting More Work
He started off the season with a broken hand and was forgotten a bit with McFadden’s breakout season. But Michael Bush is a very necessary part of the running game with the Raiders.
He is money on short short yardage situations and near the goal line.
He can also kill the clock for you to end the game when you have the lead. But don’t think for a second the Bush can’t break one on you too.
Bush and McFadden together can really wear a defense down as they did the Chargers Sunday.
Mike Mitchell: Getting On The Field More
Mike Mitchell has played his way into more playing time in the Raider secondary. Injuries at the corner position have taken Michael Huff out there on occasion and left Mitchell to play free safety.
He’s even played some strong safety in place of the injured Tyvon Branch. Mitchell has made the most of his time with bone jarring hits and his improved coverage.
Those hits are where is value is as they create momentum for the Raiders. His hitting and tackling can also stop a big play from getting bigger as he represents the last line of defense.
Mitchell deserves to start as other plans can be made for Huff.Â
Jacoby Ford: Another Weapon
Jacoby Ford is another one of those world class sprinters on the Raider roster. He’s also proving himself to be a big time weapon on the team.
Ford has three touchdowns in the last two games and has shown versatility aside from his return skills this year. Against the Chiefs, Ford showed himself to be a vertical threat that can adjust to the ball.
In the Miami game, Ford showed his ability to run after the catch with a 44-yard touchdown. Then last Sunday in San Diego, Ford showed himself to be a weapon in the red zone.
It will be exciting to see what Ford can do with Schilens, Murphy, and Miller. I do have to mention his two returns for touchdowns because those are the types of plays that change game.
He just makes this team better.
Lamarr Houston: Becoming a Force
Lamarr Houston is really starting to get it at defensive end coming down the home stretch of the season. He showed last Sunday that he has it at defensive tackle as he was pressed into some duty there due to Richard Seymour not being 100 percent.
His sack and his tackle behind the line of scrimmage on third and short are the type of plays the Raiders need. Houston has played hard all year but is just now starting to wow Raider Nation.
They say that a rookie is no longer a rookie after week 10.
So that means he now has the experience to keep his play making ways up.
Michael Huff: Moving to Corner Will Help
From the very beginning, I have always thought that Huff should be moved to corner. I questioned his ability to make plays and be physical enough to play safety.
While he’s proven me wrong and improved immensely as a free safety, he has proven me right as a corner. Every since the injury to Chris Johnson, Huff has been pressed into more duty as a corner.
In that time, he has shown himself to be the second best corner on the team behind Asomugha. Opposing quarterbacks have had their way throwing at Stanford Routt and Johnson all year.
The move would get the best 11 on the Raider defense on the field.Â
The Schedule
The big, physical teams on defense are the teams that the Raiders struggle mightily against. The Raiders don’t have such a team on the schedule for the last four games of the season.
The Jaguars are physical on offense but not defense this year as they are No. 17 against the run.
The Broncos are No. 31 against the run.
The Colts are No.29 against the run.
The Chiefs are No. 12 against the run but Raiders did move the ball on the ground effectively against them.
This means that the Raiders will be able to be who they are for the last four games. The undersized Samson Satele and Cooper Carlisle shouldn’t hurt the Raider running game against these teams.
That gives them a good chance to win them all.
Â
Overview
The Oakland Raiders have a better chance to make the playoffs than people think. They have some key players getting healthy and young ones emerging so it will be exciting to see what they will do with it.
I’m not making any predictions but this article is an illustration of just how good of a chance they have. If your average Raider fan was asked if they would take being in this position before the season, they would.
If the Raiders do falter and don’t make the playoffs this year, it will give them the fuel to get there next year. Either way, this is another turning point in the rich history of Silver and Black football.
But it is still possible for the Raiders this year.
Hope is alive in Raider Nation.
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