Oakland Raiders: Looking Into the Future, Part I

Since the primary quest for the season is done, I'm starting a new series, looking at the Raiders.

Primarily, me and a few friends are going to hash out the team, what needs to go, what needs to stay, and where does the team go from here.

The basic start, to anything, will be the guy who has the hardest job in the NFL...being a head coach for Al Davis.

Right now, the present seat-warmer is Tom Cable. At times, he's been described as raw, and others, a buffoon.

He's managed to get two wins, against seven losses, and replaced a popular Lane Kiffin who is now coaching the Vols in the college circuit.

Some feel, like Russell it's too early to pull the plug. Others think we need Cable like we needed Tom Walsh, someone out of touch with the rigors and reality of the job at hand.

One thing Cable does seem to have, is he can get along with Al Davis. How long that will last, if the Raiders keep losing, is anyone's guess.

So then comes the question. If not Cable, who's next on the chart to replace him?

• James Lofton - A few felt this was the most obvious choice for Al, but for some reason he took Cable first. Call it a dry run, or that Al lost faith in Lofton due to the poor results with Oakland's WR corps.
• Jim Fassel - Presently not coaching, and has submitted a letter stating interest in trying the job. From the rumor mill, he and Al are friends, but that doesn't always lead to good results on the field. There's also the lasting Joe Bugel effect to consider.
• Rob Ryan - This follows the primary thought, if he can't coach a defense, maybe he can coach better with the main clipboard. Doesn't make a lot of Raider fans happy, considering how poorly Ryan's players have played at times. Going prevent with a lead, what would he do in control?
• Bill Cowher - Maybe if heck freezes over, it snows in the sahara, and a meteor strikes the planet....plus, I can't imagine Al and Bill seeing eye to eye on anything. And Bill would probably kill Al at the first press conference.
• Greg Knapp - Currently runs the offense, and has the same limitations that Ryan would have...what have you done for me lately situation, plus questions on would it be an improvement. You can blame injuries only so many times.
• Tom Rathman - Some would consider this sacrilege, naming a former 49er a head coach, but at the same time, seeing him get into the face of a RB for fumbling reminds you of someone nicknamed Chucky.
• Random Coach from College or Pro Levels - The NCAA has a lot of coaches, coordinators, and other levels in the NFL looking for employment each year. The hard part is talking them into working under Al Davis. Kinda like the ant under the magnifying glass....can't be a comforting feeling.

As things go, I wouldn't bet on Cable being the team's coach a month after our season ends. Al might watch the playoffs, looking to see if a coach shows some interest, or, return a call to Fassel. Hopefully, he'll make the choice prior to the draft...but as it goes, only one man knows what goes on inside Al's mind.

And sometimes, Al doesn't know either.