Posted on Thursday, 10/29/2009 - 4:44 p.m. PDT — by CaptainBlack
Before being named the head coach of the Oakland Raiders Tom Cable was an offensive line coach for Oakland and Atlanta. Prior to the NFL, Tom had extensive college coaching experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach. If you believe Tom’s resume lacks the necessary NFL experience to be a head coach let me direct your attention to John Madden’s resume before he was named head coach of the Raiders in 1969. NFL experience does not always translate into success. So far, why has Tom not been successful coaching these Raiders? We can point to a number of problems beginning with the offensive line. Besides Robert Gallery and Mario Henderson the offensive line does not block particularly well for the run or pass. The starters are either cast-offs or back-ups from other teams. The offensive line is, well, offensive! And Tom built this line. How about the running backs? Justin Fargas is the team’s best back, but he doesn’t score or catch passes. Bush flashes but is inconsistent. Does he block? Not that I have seen. Former Raider running back Art Whittington didn’t like blocking either. Can you imagine being a football player and not wanting to block? What about McFadden? You certainly can’t start him because he fumbles too often? What about the receivers? Besides Zach Miller, do we have a receiver who can catch? We’ve seen DHB and Murphy in action…and since the answer is obviously no, we’ll move away from the receivers. I have intentionally not discussed quarterback JaMarcus Russell. While his technique is flawed and he’s a project, and he doesn’t have a supporting cast, he gets a pass…for now. During the 1978 NFL Season, Al Davis benched HOF receiver Fred Biletnikoff for speedster Morris Bradshaw. Bradshaw couldn’t catch a flu, and along with a shaky offensive line, a troubled Cliff Branch, Kenny Stabler had a bad year. However, that Raider team had talent and went 9-7, which compared to past Raider teams, was a bad record. JaMarcus isn’t so lucky.
It’s obvious we lack the talent to win in the NFL. The cupboard is empty. We also lack the ability to recognize and draft talent. We need football players not projects. Name one recent Raider player who left the team and found success elsewhere? You’d have to go back to 2002 when linebacker Greg Biekert was released and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. His replacement was Napoleon Harris.
Does Cable get the axe at the bye? This team has Al’s signature written all over it. Tom is coaching the best he can with the talent he’s been given. I don’t believe Tom will be fired…not yet anyway. Al must hire a talented GM and load the wagon. If the team acquires sufficient talent to compete and Tom Cable continues to lose then fire him.
Joined: Sep 2004
Current Posts: 27
A good thought, in thinking through it, I'm wondering if AD would just wait to see if we are 6-10 or 2-14.
We have some personell returning after the bye, don't know about their imediate impact, however they should be better on the O-Line. If the team is healthy and they still get their butts tossed around, then obviously what we already know becomes evident, and that is we have a talent deficiency + Cable is all bluster. If we end up at 3-13 or 4-12, then AD and company might go again in 2010. It is hard for me to imagine that cable will get axed......who could replace him, what immediate return do we get out of it? We all know that AD needs to cede power and get some serious help to restore credibility, till then we'll just be stuck with AD's 'YES MEN' - Looking at how we've lost, it is clearly dissing the fans that support the franchise, we are the customer, yet we are ignored. EVERYONE can see we need the O-Line - Center going right replaced with Barret Robbins / Henry Lawrence caliber talent. We need to stop with the 4th string players we have at these 3 positions. DMAC is not what we hoped for, it goes on and on with just one example, we have at least 10+ more that are just not anything more then a legend in AD's mind, not reality. I've been watching this team since they played in Frank Youell Field, watched the Coloseum erected, never in my life would I have expected this, same as we never expected this recession / depression, at least their are several bright people getting us going economically, with the Raiders it's ONE pathetic 'I know best' person that now is going on 7 years of PROOF, his way is riddled with errors and massive money, squandered. It would have only taken a small percentage of the squandered money to get a top shelf front office with credible untampered coaching. AD won't fire Cable, what differance would it make, it's the fans that need to be repaid, and it sure doesn't start with another chump for a coach. I'm just afraid AD lives another 18 years, still running it his way.
Joined: Mar 2008
Current Posts: 435
You cannot compare John Maden and Cable at all. Cable has never had the talent to become a head coach.
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 86
Sure you can compare, not that Cable measures up. Madden had better talent than Cable, and it is a different time. Football is not the same as then.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 902
Madden got guys to play all pro and even hall of fame level. perfect schemes, great playcalling, wonderful handling of players that were not easy to handle
cable has how many Top 10 lottery picks, five? including a #1 selection at QB! add Richard Seymour. wow. TONS of talent its just that we play waaaaaaaaaaaaay below our talent level.
Current Cable-led Raiders = Underachievers
Former Madden-led Raiders = Classic scrappy OVERACHIEVERS, thanks to John Madden.
John Madden = would be hired by any organization in pro football at the drop of a hat.
Tom Cable = would not even be hired by anyone else in the NFL for any position let alone coach. won't even land a college gig after he gets fired in oakland.
CaptainBlack = LLAMA OF THE DAY!!!
Joined: Aug 2007
Current Posts: 652
You're contending Davis loaded the team with talent, therefor Cable is the problem and needs to be fired...
... ? ......? ..... ? ....What?
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 48
More questions then answers. I think Cable should be the coach till the end of this season. Every one starts some where and this could be Cables shot. The injuries have been a real problem on O-line and recievers. Let the team get healthy and compete. Let Marshall bring the pressure on D. If this team can fight its way to 7-9, the Raiders could be on their way. If they cant, Al will cut off their heads and we start all over again. Al Davis is ultimently the problem and who knows what the solution is?
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 48
Go Raiders !!!!
Joined: Nov 2007
Current Posts: 397
You can`t right now, unless you hire a long term coach right now for the future. It will be much better to wait until the end of the year or let cable do his full 2 years first. it`s the first year of a new coaching staff with the youngest offense in the NFL. So no one including big Al should expect a whole lot. I agree with Arok, if we can get healthy and get to 7-9 or more than he should stay. that would be major improvement over the last few years
The Barkernator !!!
Joined: Feb 2007
Current Posts: 20
NO!!!!
Raider Fan Even After Death!!!
Joined: Nov 2007
Current Posts: 397
He had success with New England when he left. Also Marcus Allen had some success with the Chiefs.
The Barkernator !!!
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 86
I should have said a player drafted by the Raiders. Marcus was drafted in 82, not recent past.
Joined: Nov 2007
Current Posts: 397
Charles Woodson is doing ok with Green Bay. Him i miss a lot. However i do agree with ya. it`s kinda shocking actually.
The Barkernator !!!
Joined: Sep 2008
Current Posts: 36
I don't think its fair to say the offensive line was built by Cable. The offensive line was built (neglected) by Al Davis! You could tell in the days leading up to the draft that Cable was interested in drafiting one of the stud tackles coming out. But noooo! Al wants track stars that happen to play football (DHB). Not football players who happen to also be fast! (See Percey Harvin, Jeremy Macklin). You don't honestly believe Cable wants to start DHB and JRUSS!! Thats has Al Davis written all over it! Cable is doing it to appease big Al so he can keep his job! Until Al Davis backs off hires a GM and lets his coach make personnel decisions the Raiders will continue to lose.
As for Cable I think he would do better if he was able to play the players he thinks can help this team win on the field. That said he is trying to work with Al. Its either that or we're back on that coaching carosel. No self respecting, high profile, successful coach will want to do time in:
AL-catraz
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 86
i agree.
Joined: Nov 2007
Current Posts: 397
The o-line is being. Key word "Being" built by Cable. he`s only been on the coaching staff for what 2 seasons and this his full season as head coach ? They need some more depth and maybe 1 -2 more years of playing the same scheme and things should flurish with everybody
The Barkernator !!!
Joined: Aug 2006
Current Posts: 112
Agree and well put.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 902
rarely wins. causing all kinds of commotion, beating women and coaches....this is a no-brainer, even for al
al will laugh when he refuses to pay Cable, as Cable has broken rules of the contract
Al Davis loves to cut coaches loose without paying them. he lives for it!
Joined: Sep 2004
Current Posts: 27
if cable gets wind that he is about to be fired, he should resign with a press release that says: " I am resigning due to my inability to coach the team freely, myself and all of the assistants and coordinators have our hands tied, being forced to implement a game plan developed by the owner, mandates what plays we run or don't, what defense we are to play, and we are stuck with the players he selects and wants to have on the field. I truly wish we all had the freedom to coach without the meddling, however, in my best interest and the future of my family, I have decided to resign and pursue a more normal coaching position, it's like trying to teach english, but forced to do it in portugese."
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 86
nice
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 31
blackbones, bravo, i couldnt have said it better myself
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 902
and al will refuse to pay him. say it was "with cause"....
Next coach/llama?