Oakland Raiders Blog

News and announcement of Tom Cable’s return as Raiders head coach for 2009 is all but officially announced. As of Tuesday, rumours and reports have leaked from around the league that Al Davis and the Raiders have reached a decision on bringing Cable back as head coach.

Raiders front office officials have yet to officially announce the decision. But the lack of an official press conference is in all likelihood due to the NFL front office’s bereavement from wanting any major news announced in the same week to detract attention from the Superbowl.

From the thin list the Raiders had to choose from, Tom Cable was the best choice and I’m glad the Raiders are bringing him back. Cable may not be a hidden football genius in the rough, but what the Raiders need right now is stability, not a messiah.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Oakland Raiders
• Halftime: Chargers 27, Raiders 7 – Inside The Oakland Raiders – A …
• Chance to end another streak – Inside The Oakland Raiders – A look …
• First quarter: Chargers 10, Raiders 0 – Inside The Oakland Raiders …
• Third quarter: Chargers 27, Raiders 7 – Inside The Oakland Raiders …

• Related Blogs on Tom Cable

After about a month into the Raiders off-season, AlN Davis has yet to decide on the team’s head coach for 2009. The Raiders are in a most curious off-season where over 20 members of the coaching staff have expired contracts. So far, the only coach slated to be on the 2009 staff is Lionel Washington, the teams DB coach.

More importantly, the head coach spot remains open for next season. Who’s available and likely to lead the silver and black next year?

Tom Cable

After Davis fired Lane Kiffen, offensive line coach Tom Cable filled in admirably and led the Raiders to two impressive wins at the end of the season against Denver and Tampa. Presumed to be the team’s front runner, Tom Cable has officially interviewed for next seasons “permanent” head coach position this past week. Though Davis is looking to interview a few more coaches, the Raiders should reach a decision in the upcoming weeks.

Kevin Gilbride

The New York Giants former offensive coordinator interviewed with the Raiders this past week. According a team executive, “It went well. He had a good interview.” Though the team had previously reported having no interest in Gilbride, Gilbride remains in the mix with Cable and Harbaugh.

Jim Harbaugh

When I first heard whispers of Jim Harbaugh’s name float through the rumour mill, I confused him with his brother John Harbaugh. John, the Baltimore Raven’s rookie coach, took the Ravens this season all the way from the bottom of the AFC North and flipped their record from 5-11 to 11-5 finishing one game out of the Super Bowl.

As for John, currently the head coach at Stanford University, is in line to interview with the Raiders. The Raiders interest in Harbaugh is mainly his influence and potential to aid development of Jamarcus Russell. However, how much interest Harbaugh has in leaving Stanford for Oakland remains in the air.

Rob Ryan

Rob Ryan, considered the most qualified for the job, has just signed on as the the head coach for the New York Jets next season.

Others

Also on the head coach firing line this season, two former Raider head coaches Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden are looking for teams. How likely are they in coming back to Oakland? Probably as likely as the league reversing the infamous “Tuck Rule.”

Bush Powers By The Bucs Defense

Hey Philadelphia Eagles fans, you’re welcome. Didn’t think the Raiders could travel from west to east and pull a road win? Didn’t think the Raiders could win two in a row since…who knows? Think the Raiders didn’t stand a chance with top receiver Ronald Curry and pro bowl corner Nnamdi Asomugha out for the game?

You know where I’m going with this. In a game where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 6-1 home team, desperately needing to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Oakland Raiders went into Tampa and gave the Bucs more than they could handle.

Despite throwing a late interception returned for a touchdown, Jamarcus Russell settled down and led the Raiders down the field on two efficient 4th quarter drives sealing the game.

As for Michael Bush, a top 10 running back out of the 2007 draft had he not broken his leg at Louisville, the second year back ran for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns including a beastly 4th quarter run to the right blowing through every Tampa Bay defender. You can watch the game highlights here at the NFL.com site. Bush’s run is on around the 2:30 mark.

As for the final game of the 2008 season, the Raiders reaffirmed hope across Raider Nation that the team is progressing. Managing to beat a tough Houston team at home and traveling into Tampa on back-to-back weeks, Jamarcus Russell has clearly developed and the new Raider backfield tandem of Fargas-McFadden-Bush provides intrigue for the 2009 season.

At 5-11, the Raiders will have the 7th overall pick ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 Draft.

As for next season’s schedule, the Raiders will face the San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens in Oakland. On the road, the Raiders will travel to San Diego, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas, New York for the Giants, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.

The Raiders have shown a lot in the final two games this season. Yet a tough off-season awaits the team as direction and guidance still remains hazy. Al Davis needs to re-evaluate his own future role in the Raiders organization. If Tom Cable doesn’t remain the coach, the Raiders need to begin their search. Asomugha becomes a free agent and the league would certainly offer him the world.

But amidst everything, Raider Nation heads into another hopefilled off-season.