More Lincecum, more Raiders

As an A's and Niners fan, I think the opposite of Sousa most of the time, but in this case, I don't hate Tim Lincecum...  yet.  The way the Giants and their fans are drooling over this kid will make me hate him in no time.   Meanwhile, it looks like the A's are going to grab Matt Holliday and  Rafael Fucal, and once again field a better team than S.F. 

How bout those Warriors last night?  Nellie is still The Man, and Stephen Jackson is the best leader on any Cali professional sports franchise not named the Lakers or the Sharks.

Last but not least: Al Davis is at it again - that is, making the tough calls:

Davis strips Knapp of duties

It was widely reported Tuesday that Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable stripped offensive coordinator Greg Knapp of his play-calling duties. Not quite. Numerous Raiders sources confirmed that managing general partner Al Davis was the one who told Knapp he no longer would call plays this season.

Cable was responsible for calling the plays in Sunday's 17-6 loss to the Panthers at the Coliseum.

"Knapp just happened to be the next in line to be a scapegoat," said one source, speaking on the condition of anonymity but eager to clarify who stripped the play-calling duties from the offensive coordinator.

Under Davis' orders, Knapp had been calling plays since shortly before head coach Lane Kiffin was dismissed Sept. 30.

The horrendous performance in a 24-0 loss to the Falcons at the Coliseum on Nov. 2, in which the Raiders gained 77 yards and collected three first downs, apparently prompted Davis to make this move.

Knapp - whose Raiders contract expires at the end of the season - responded to a text message inquiring about his demotion this way: "Gotta run. Have a great Veteran's Day."

E-mail Nancy Gay at ngay@sfchronicle.com.

Sllaacs