Raiders: Signs Of Hope?

You know, I don't really bear a grudge against Gruden—much—other than the fact he stole a Superbowl by using our playbook against us, being the only one of 16 NFC teams who would have beaten us that day. Oh well.

But, that's all in the past... Gruden's just some guy, as is Tampa Bay just some team.  We take absolutely no additional pleasure in beating them at home.  Really, we don't.  And it certainly adds no joy to the game that we knocked them out of the playoffs, at home, coming in as a 4-11 team with nothing to play for.  

MWAHAHAHAAHAHHAA!!! We knocked em out, paid back everybody, Gru-dog/Chucky, Kiffin's Dad, Bruce Allen, everybody.  Sure, Davis is still nuts, and the offseason will be a little scary, but for now—it feels good!

I think that Cable might be head coach material.  He's gotten the team fired up for the last 2 games—both meaningless—and won them both.  He cut loose with all the young guys—Johnnie Lee Higgins, Schilens, Russell, Gallery, McFadden, and today's poster boy, Michael "Don't call me a tailback" Bush!  You should check out the highlights here.  It was a beautiful thing!

In term's of my season-ending thoughts:

First, Cable is worth a serious look as head coach.   He's clearly got the leadership skills and attention of the team.   He cut loose with Kiffin/Knapp's playbook, and did more with it than they did in the previous weeks.  I just don't know if Davis will fill out his staff for him, or if he'll have some input.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Lofton become the Offensive Coordinator at Davis' behest.  

Next, please let us get a real, non-retread GM.  I know that the performance of the young guys lately could lead some to think we've been good with talent, but I just don't see it.  We need structure and consistency around our selection of draftees—but more importantly—free agents.  

But, when it's all said and done, I'm still a Raider.  As much fun as it was to write the article for ESPN, and toy with the idea of freeing myself from the past six years, I'm still a Raider. Besides, I've still got tons of Raiders garanimals to wear.   And, rightly or wrongly, these are still my boys, and I live and die with them.  

Besides, I very much enjoyed beating Chucky in his house, being his fourth loss, and sending him to the showers for the offseason.  So much for his mighty offensive mind... but I'm not bitter.