Jawgate Fallout: Al Davis Again Fails To Bar the Media

Hanging out at Raider fan headquarters (Ricky’s in San Leandro, California ) I heard the first plausible explanation for Randy Hanson’s broken jaw.

First, as new details have come to light, we just have to laugh at the scenario in the Napa Marriot hotel room where Jawgate took place.

According to the D.A. account of events, Randy Hanson was leaning back in his chair with his feet on the table.

What kind of NFL assistant coach would attend a staff meeting with his feet on the table when his boss is trying to get his point across to you?  That seems a little suspicious but considering that a man of legal stature is telling us this information, we have to assume that this version of the story is credible. 

If this is in fact true, what seems likely is that Hanson really did fall over when bumped into (rather than being struck). As one of the many ardent Raider fans at Ricky’s explained, when one’s body is impacted (as Hanson would have done hitting the floor or some furniture), smashing your chin against your own collarbone is a perfectly reasonable way of causing not only a break in the jaw but also can cause damage to the teeth,

So there you go.

As for whether Coach Cable’s tirade is somehow at fault for what occurred is speculative but we will see how the civil case pans out.

One thing is certain; the very fact that criminal charges against an NFL head coach is even part of the discussions about the Oakland Raiders has tarnished Coach Cable’s reputation, made the Raiders organization mode of operations even sketchier than it already is perceived and is just a useless distraction no one needs.

What needs to be pointed out is Al Davis is at fault for this because it is he who hired Randy Hanson and it was his decision to keep him on staff after dismissing Lane Kiffin last season.  Obviously Hanson felt he was secure in his position enough to have his feet on the table during a defensive coaches meeting with the head coach.

But most things don’t change at Raiders HQ, as evidenced by the attempt to ban Yahoo Sports writer Michael Silver from a media production meeting.

Hey…wasn’t that what Al tried to do with CBS Broadcast Analyst Rich Gannon just a few weeks ago?

One would think Al Davis would have gotten the message by now.  You don’t have the authority to ban anyone with valid media credentials from covering the Raiders wherever production meetings are held.  In fact, Al Davis has no authority to stop anyone from informing the public about the glaring deficiencies within the organization.

Do you get it Al?  You have no authority.  How does that make you feel?  A little powerless?  Does it make you feel like a smaller man than you thought you were all these years?  You really gave Pete Rozelle a shot in the gut didn’t you.  How’d that make you feel?  Like a big man for a few days.

But, unfortunately for you Al, the party’s over.  Your team stinks to high hell and the world knows it.  There is no bounce back to glory.  You are done and past the point of no return.  You have muffed harshly on just about every draft pick since your last super bowl appearance and have caused calamity within your own ranks.

It took defiance by your defensive coordinator to change the scheme so they could manage to sack Donovan McNabb a few times en route to  a meager four-point victory because your horrible offense can only manage a few drives here and there and a lucky break for a change of pace TD.

Al's ego is what keeps the Oakland defense predictable.  Believe it or not Al thinks man to man/single high safety can be effective.  Somehow he thinks opponents won’t see it coming or that the Raiders can match up man for man as well as overwhelm an opponent with a four-man rush (no blitzing) all game.

In another instance of bad management, Al trotted out Chaz Schilens for a press conference just last week.

Chaz is a solid receiver when healthy but clearly, showcasing him for the media was intended to give Jamarcus Russell a break (since he’s not cutting it as team leader).  You were so hoping Chaz would be able to lift the team’s fortunes.

So close but so far.

Let’s see, what other recent bad judgment by Al Davis has the hurt the team?  

Well, there was cutting Gary Russell after preseason.  That’s because Al (or maybe Kelly Skipper, Running Backs Coach) figured Oren O’Neil or Luke Lawton could adequately handle the fullback role.  Though Gary Russell is a short yardage running back, the coaching staff's (and Al’s) poor assessment of Russell led to his release, only to bring him back and find out how valuable and versatile he is.

RB Louis Rankin surely was worth keeping as well.

There’s more but it can wait for another article.