Raiders May Have Reached A New Low

Maybe its age, possibly stubbornness or perhaps ignorance but Al Davis just doesn’t get the fact that the entire football world is laughing at the Oakland Raiders and has been for quite some time now. The organization has set the standard for what a losing franchise looks like, first round draft picks have been wasted on fourth round talent and the team has been a revolving door of coaches. Former players have are in line to bash the organization on everything from draft picks to team management.

However there may be a new low surfacing for an organization that has made a habit of reaching new lows. Head coach Tom Cable could be arrested at any moment for an incident in August where he assaulted one of his assistant coaches. Some sort of disagreement between Cable and assistant Randy Hanson left Hanson with a broken jaw and three other assistants as witnesses. Now there are criminal charges possibly pending and no one knows who would take over should Cable wind up in the pokey or suspended by the NFL.

“Everybody is trying to figure out who’s going to take over if Tom isn’t here,” said an assistant coach, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “John Marshall has a lot of experience, he’s probably the guy. But it’s nuts. It’s crazy when you start to really think about it.”

I say just put the old man out there and let him give coaching in today’s NFL a whack. He really couldn’t be any worse than anyone he’s thrown out there since Jon Gruden.

Al Davis Can’t Find Anyone To Put Up With Him, Sticks With Cable

Tom Cable is the next person to jump on the crazy merry-go-round known as the Oakland Raiders which means that he’s the odds on favorite to become the next NFL head coach to be fired.

Cable was named interim in September when Lane Kiffin was fired following a Lane Kiffin’s firing. Al Davis said this week that the Raiders finishing the season with back-to-back wins is what convinced him that Cable should have the interim tag removed and him named as the next head coach. However, it took him over a month and several candidate interviews to announce it. My take on it is that Davis couldn’t pay anyone else to ride the crazy train with him after he’s made a mockery on a once proud NFL franchise.

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Free Agent Casualties

The NFL Free Agency period has officially begun and several veterans were shown the door as teams are making salary cap room. Among the notable names released were Ravens RB Jamal Lewis, Vikings QB Brad Johnson, Saints WR Joe Horn and Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe and Steelers LB Joey Porter.

As far as who and going where and what teams are looking for here’s the latest NFL rumors.

The Miami Dolphins are looking to add an outside linebacker and possibly pick up yet another veteran quarterback. Among the players the Dolphins would consider are the New England Patriots' Tully Banta-Cain, Cato June of the Indianapolis Colts and Carlos Polk of the San Diego Chargers.

The quarterback the Dolphins are interested in is Kansas City’s Trent Green who is rumored to be on the trading block. Miami will part ways with Joey Harrington and with Culpepper’s health still a big question mark Green could walk into the starting QB spot in Miami with little or no competition.

The hatred between Randy Moss and the Green Bay Packers could be subdued because the Packers are very interested in acquiring Moss from the Oakland Raiders.

The New York Giants are definitely going to be in the market for Bills cornerback Nate Clements.

The Detroit Lions picked up a new running back on Thursday when they traded cornerback Dre’ Bly to the Denver Broncos for Tatum Bell. Now offensive coordinator Mike Martz may go after one of his former receivers in St. Louis, Kevin Curtis.

Blogging the NFL – Divisional Play-Offs

Coaching Carousel
Some way some how Tom Coughlin survived this season as the New York Giants head coach despite finishing the season 2-7. In fact the Giants gave Coughlin a one year extension through 2008. Is this an example of blind faith?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly very close to hiring their next head coach. In fact rumors are flying that there will be an announcement as early as tomorrow. Longtime assistant Russ Grimm has been speculated to be the leading candidate.

Who hasn’t interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position? No one can deny that Miami has done one of the most extensive searches of the off season. The number of interviewed candidates is up to 12 and the most recent big name to come up is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

The plan is to narrow the list down to five and then two before making an offer to anyone.

The Arizona Cardinals appear to be focusing in on Houston Texans assistant head coach Mike Sherman. They are bringing the former Packers head coach in for his second interview but are also supposedly waiting to see what the Pittsburgh Steelers do with Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt. I wouldn’t eliminate Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow from the equation yet either.

The Oakland Raiders are rumored to be interested in former offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.

Browns Moving to the West Coast?
Offensively speaking of course. Cleveland is hot on the trail of former Atkanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp who is a West Coast offensive guy.

Harrison Out Again for Pats
The New England Patriots will be out Rodney Harrison again this weekend when they travel to play against the San Diego Chargers. This will be the second consecutive play-off game the Patriots safety will miss with a sprained knee. At this point Harrison is looking like a very bad investment for New England.

Seattle has Jackson Back
Seattle will need to use every offensive weapon in their arsenal to upset the Chicago Bears and it appears they are close to getting there. Leading receiver Darrell Jackson has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game.

Divisional Play-Off Winners
Indianapolis at Baltimore – Ravens
Philadelphia at New Orleans – Saints
Seattle at Chicago – Bears
New England at San Diego – Chargers

If you are registered for the NFL Play-Offs Contest don’t forget to make your picks before kick-off of the Colts/Ravens Game on Saturday. You can make your picks here!