We are losers again

Two days after his team wrapped up its most successful season since 2002 - and by far the most gratifying for fans - Al Davis decided to fire coach Tom Cable. Couldn't stand the faint whiff of success? Angry that the Team of the Decades couldn't extend its NFL record 11-loss streak into this decade? Miffed that he never put out a press release about how great Jacoby Ford will be? Still irked that he slept through the first day of the draft this year?

More plausible, but still crazy, was that he couldn't risk the chance that the 49ers would one-up him by stealing his prized Hue Jackson. And of course "a source" even says that Cable's post-game comment, "We're not losers anymore" apparently did not go over well with Al Davis. The implication being that this somehow contributed to the decision.

Perhaps Hue Jackson will get the job and everything will go swimmingly next year. History doesn't favor that outcome, but we can hope. In the meantime, the first positive vibes in many years are gone. Here's some player reaction, courtesy of Jerry:

Shane Lechler: After stating that Gallery and Bush will be gone in free agency, "It's going to be a huge setback...It's hard to understand why the decision was made...we finally felt like we were headed in the right way, and the owner goes and pulls the (plug)."

Robert Gallery: "I think this is going to hit 99 percent of the locker room really hard because people respected how he dealt with us and where we were headed. It's definitely a step back from what we've done going forward the last year or two."

And the fans lose again.

Ho Hum

Another captivating coaching search by the Raiders. Cable got his interview. The Rooney Rule is satisfied after a visit from Winston Moss. Now Gilbride is in town, and we can add him to this list now that Herrera is finally willing to call his conversation an "interview."

While it is tempting to be discouraged when contrasting this search with others as Nancy Gay did today, as long as Cable is waiting in the wings we are better off than offering the job to Sean Payton, having him get cold feet and go home, denying the whole thing, then waiting an eternity only to have Art Shell come back. Not many on the hot list would consider the gig.

Speaking of Herrera, Lombardi's "Baghdad Bob" take on Jason Jones' post about the Lofton firing is worth a laugh...

The Search

While Denver is off wining and dining every coach on the A-list, a steady trickle of uninspiring news comes out of Alameda. Is Al too busy with rehab? Is he preoccupied boarding up the windows as the professional rioters and opportunistic kids advance?

Or has he already settled on Tom Cable?

David White continues his active blogging during the offseason, and notes that Don Martindale is favored for another in-house promotion to defensive coordinator. Jerry suggests it, too, and goes beyond the semantics argument over Gilbride to discuss Ed Donatell as another possibility, along with an offer to Lionel Washington to become defensive backs coach. Given the Packer connections perhaps we can get dobolina to weigh in.

But White ties things together in his article, suggesting that the Cable hire is imminent once the Rooney Rule is satisfied. Again, considering Al's recent hiring track record and Cable's inspiring (yes, inspiring) end to the season, I would be in favor of the move.

Ryan Is Out

Per Schefter, the long awaited move for Rob Ryan to leave and join his old friend Eric Mangini has happened. The Raiders' ship continues to empty, with Rathman making a lateral move across the bay. Maybe once John DeFelippo leaves, Cable will hire Jeff Jagodzinski, fired by John's dad at Boston College for interviewing with the Jets.

Meanwhile, in Al's world, it seems that "acting quickly" is relative.

Kawakami Rips off Sllaacs, Makes Me Physically Ill

Tim Kawakami has an extended blog post on the similarities between JaMarcus Russell and Alex Smith. About a month after Sllaacs started calling him JaAlex SmiRussell, or JASR for short.

What makes me so physically ill about the Kawakami post is that I'm terrified he might be right. And that's also why I'm endorsing the idea floated by Cam Inman in his column the other night. Sit him down until you have a coach who can work with him, and a line that can block for him, and some wide receivers who can catch the goddam ball.