It’s The Same Old Raiders And Absolutely Nothing Has Changed …….They Continue To Stink Up The Joint

It’s being widely reported around the sport’s talk radio networks and broadcast television that an altercation took place between Oakland Raiders‘ coach Tom Cable and his assistant defensive coordinator Randy Hanson. And whilst , the denials have come quick and fast that an altercation never took place. It can only create the perception that all is not right within Raider Nation . Especially amongst the coaching staff of the Raiders. The team’s antics of which haven’t been anything desirable by the franchise as to its competitiveness on or off the field.

Tom Cable gives you his inner being as to what makes him tick.

And while we can all opine as to what ails the Raiders as an organization. This latest incident can only provide clear proof that this once beloved franchise is still a downright mess. From the executive level on downwards. And though Cable has only been in the position but a year as the team’s coach. He’s been able to bring some semblance of discipline back to the franchise. Albeit , that their level of competitive play is still inconsistent. There’s no veteran leadership on the team. And even with the acquisition of wily veteran Jeff Garcia as a free agent. One is hardly liable to view Garcia as the person who can provide the erstwhile intuitiveness and leadership qualities one would come to expect. His limited physical attributes notwithstanding ,this team struggles to find an identity. Furthermore, its draft picks over the last five years haven’t exactly panned out whereby , there’s been anything tangible or advantageous that it can hang its hat on.

Tom Cable (left) and assistant defensive coordinator Randy Hanson (right). An altercation is said to have taken place between the two during a team meeting. Both the NFL and the Raiders' organization are now said to be conducting their own investigation into the incident. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Steven Goyer .......

And though Cable was said to be succinct in his explanation as to what actually took place. How much more will the fans be allowed to tolerate at this juncture ? Cable’s predecessor Lane Kiffin was about as well equipped to handle the position. As Paris Hilton would be considered, to be ready to perform open heart surgery on a patient in need of an urgent heart transplant. For Cable, his first season was something of a baptism of fire under the auspices of team owner, Al Davis . And Davis, as of late has been going through coaches, the way that former Filipino first lady, Imelda Marcos went through a pair of shoes. No laughing matter there, considering the economic plight of the Philippines. As to the wealth of the Raiders’ franchise, its wealth can be best judged by the fact that whatever value it’s said to have can only be really based in its history. Rather than anything that it’s said to have achieved as of late.

Raiders' owner Al Davis speaks with members of the press having just made the formal announcement that the interim coach's tag had been removed and that Tom Cable was now the team's head coach. The formal announcement was made in February at the team's training facility in Alameda County , California. picture appears courtesy of reuters/ Robert Galbraith .................

No doubt this all looks embarrassing for the franchise. But in reality, should we expect anything different from an organization that still has trouble finding some semblance of a game ? Much less, one that actually can still play the game with the deftness expected of a popular franchise. Granted, their fans are still very much passionate about all things Raider-esque. But then again when you’re said to be the only game in town . What else is there to do ? Support the Oakland A’s ?

Raiders' starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2) is sacked by the Dallas Cowboys' Keith Brooking (51) in the first quarter of a preseason game played at the Oalkand-Alameda County Coliseum on August 13th 2009. The Raiders would end up defeating the Cowboys 31-10. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jeb Jacobsohn ..............

Much has been made of the Raiders’ JaMarcus Russell ,starting quartetback for the team. And that we ought to see improvements in his play. Now, as a third year starter , the franchise can ill afford to have him once again have another sub par season by most people’s standards. It’s bad enough that the talents of their running back , Darren McFadden has been under-utilized. But then again, the Raiders’ offense as it is , has never been anything to write home about, recently. Potency for them , would be to be caught out in bare sunlight without using sunscreen with the factor of SPF 15 or above. That’s how banal they’ve become offensively, as a team ! Never-mind the fact that defensively they’re as porous as a sponge against the run. And when it comes to tackling , one can espouse to the idea that there may well be male ballet dancers who possess more athleticism and physical traits than the entire Raiders’ defense !

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to beginning of the preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jeb Jacobsohn ..................

Draft wise the team did well in terms of the acquisitions made through the draft. And their prize acquirement was that of wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey . It’s hoped that he can be that missing piece that they require at the wide-out position. It’s hoped that with he and Javon Walker , working in tandem . We can see more potency upfront from the team.

The expectations are high once again for this Raiders’ team . And if they’re to live up to those expectations of prevailing in the AFC West against the likes of the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. Then this Raiders’ organization, will have to definitely get its house in order, both on and off the field.

No doubt now , with the NFL about to conduct its own investigation into the alleged incident, between Cable and his assistant Randy Hanson. This is something that’s about to create another PR nightmare for a franchise that has in recent times become the laughing stock of the NFL. And though the much maligned owner , Al Davis is thought to still have some of his faculties about him. I can only hazard a guess, that he , himself , won’t think anything of it, that his coaching staff on appearance, are no more saner than he is. After-all , this is the Oakland Raiders that we’re talking about ! It’s not as if, in recent times they’ve given the fans of the NFL much less their own fans something to be happy about. It’s still a comedy of errors within the organization. Be it on the field or off it , for that matter !

Courtesy of the Washington Post :

Cable Denies He Hit Assistant Coach

By Mark Maske of The Washington Post

Oakland Raiders’ coach Tom Cable has denied a report that he hit one of his team’s defensive assistants in the jaw during a meeting, resulting in an injury that required treatment at a Napa, Calif., hospital emergency room earlier this month.

Cable told ESPN that no punches were thrown.

Several news organizations reported that Raiders defensive assistant Randy Hanson was treated at a hospital following the Aug. 5th incident. The league-owned NFL Network reported that Hanson told police he’d been struck by another member of the team’s coaching staff. A report by the website FanHouse indicated that Cable had punched Hanson in the jaw. cont’d ……….

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NB For more of an update as to the latest in the ongoing saga as to this incident. Then please click on the link provided below, to view.

NFL investigating alleged Raiders coach scrap ; Cable denies fight ….. From the Associated Press.

The Glass Is Either Half Empty Or Half Full …………

When one looks that at both NFL franchises in the Bay area of California. I can’t help but wonder what went wrong with both ? The Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers have become the complete antithesis of everything you’d expect to see from a successfully ran NFL team.

Oakland Raiders' logo

And desptite a rich vein of success by the two franchises through the course of their history. Over the last few year it has been anything but that for these two proud NFL franchises. Whether it’s been through a lack of genuine care by their respective ownership structures . Or merely from the fact of the inexperience shown by their coaching staff. What has gone on and has been exhibited as coaching prowess , has merely brought about abject failure and ridicule for the two teams. It can be said that when these two teams aren’t part of the equation within the NFL . In many respects one could view that all is not necessarily right in the world of football . For both the Raiders and 49ers their’s is a unique history and one that the NFL has every reason to be proud of. Of late however , that’d be the furthest thing from the truth.

49ers' logo

For the Oakland Raiders (5-11) coming off a season of disappointment. And when considers that in the AFC West , an (8-8) record brought a divisional championship and a playoff berth for the San Diego Chargers . It tells you how woefully inept, the division really is ! It has to be said that the expectations were indeed high for the Raiders. But once again they failed to live up to them. And even if perhaps their best display of the season was their derailing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7), 31-24 in a meaningless game at the end of the regular season. In reality it did very little to brighten the hopes of their fans. As devout and vociferous as they are , most members of the Raider Nation tend to know what’s right , from what’s wrong, with their team. They may not always show it but many of them are some of the most knowledgeable fans in all of the NFL.

Raiders' starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell at the team's training camp in Napa , California. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Paul Sakuma ...........

The upshot of it all is with first year coach Tom Cable , the team is still finding some semblance of discipline when it comes to playing the game with any real authority and understanding. And it certainly hasn’t helped that the team’s starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell continues to struggle , despite his alleged athletic prowess. He most definitely doesn’t show that he understands the complexities of playing the postion. Furthermore , his over reliance on the fact that he has an explosive arm, seems to do little in serving him or his team well.

Raiders' coach Tom Cable watches the team's practice with a great deal of inensity and some might say apprehension. This upcoming season will no doubt be filled with a great deal of ups and down for the franchise as well as Cable's coaching staff. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Paul Sakuma ..........................

Offensively , all the arsenal seems to be in place. But it was the inexperience shown by the players that basically has laid the groundwork for their failure throughout much of last season. On the defensive side of the ball things were bearly measurable there, as well. If anything the Raiders’ defense left a great deal to be desired. These stats show that there’s still a great deal to be done by the team before they can be thought of as a legitimate contender not only within their division. But very much also, within the AFC and the entire NFL as a whole.

Whatever leadership that can be provided to the team , may well have to come in the guise of veteran quarterback, Jeff Garcia . The player has now become somewhat of a journeyman around the league. Bringing along with him a somewhat disciplined art to his play. If anything at the first sign of real adversity and undue pressure shown by Russell. There’s no doubt that Cable, will look to Garcia, to provide the stability and leadership needed for the team.

And if the Oakland Raiders are to fare well. Then a great deal of presence will have to be shown by the entire team , both on and off the field.

For Niners’ coach , Mike Singletary , his biggest problem this upcoming season, may well be to entrust one of the two quarterbacks he feels, will be able to lead this team with the reins. On the one hand, he has former overall #1 draft pick, Alex Smith . The player’s career thus far in the NFL , has proven to be something of a bust . Inexplicably, however, he still remains a part of the franchise’s plans for the immediate future. Alongside Smith , there’s also Shaun Hill . Both have in excess of five years experience in the NFL. But the effort put forth by either player , can be best described as meager by NFL standards.

Denise DeBartolo-York and her husband , Dr John York , owners of the San Francisco 49ers. At the helm of the franchise as owners. The couple have squandered whatever goodwill that they'd built up within the city of San Francisco and the franchise's fans. picture appears courtesy of jamd @ copyrighted material . All rights reserved

And for the San Francisco 49ers (7-9) , coming off another sub par season. It can be best explained away, that there was both turmoil on and off the field in terms of their competitive mindset. Not that Singletary hasn’t brought about some resolve to the team. But herein, lies the fact, as to the woes of the Forty Niners. This is a team where its ownership, if anything , hasn’t been overly concerned with putting a competive product on the field of play. For owners , Denise DeBartolo-York and her husband , Dr John York . It has been more about the perceived appearance that they do care about the franchise. If anything the couple has shown a great deal of apathy as to the plight of the franchise over the years.