I look at teams like that Titans and see coaches like Jeff Fisher who will have been there for over 15 years. He has not had winning seasons all of his years coaching, yet he is still their coach. I’m just saying Hue, if you do not take us to the AFC Championship or the Super Bowl this year, pack your bags. Al Davis does not put up with mediocrity very well. You are on a short leash but I’m sure you already knew that. Al Davis is  “committed to excellence”. He is also committed to kicking your ass out the door if you do not win within the first two years. 

Hey Hue, who are you drafting this year? I know, whoever Al tells you to. Hey Hue, who are you re-signing this year? I know, anyone Al tells you to. Get used to that! You are in Al’s world. If Al tells you to draft a kicker in the first round, you do that! Its Al tells you to give the ball to the running back eight plays in a row, (because he thinks Marcus Allen is still in the backfield), you do that!

Don’t get me wrong Raider Nation, I hope Hue Jackson kicks some serious NFL butt this year. I am also aware and I know the realities of being a Raider coach. Expectations are so high as a raider coach, even if you are winning you still may lose your job. Ask Jon Gruden or Tom Cable about that. 

Just win or just sue Al later!

Greg Simon

JBB Staff Writer

Nobody is calling Cable the next Madden but he’s the closest thing we’ve seen in Silver and Black since Jon Gruden.

All things being considered, Cable’s ability to get this team to 8-8 when Al Davis was taking money right out of his pocket during the season is remarkable. How many coaches would have been able to keep their team focused while dealing with as many distractions as Cable did during his 2+ years in Oakland?

Some of those distractions Cable brought on himself. Randy Hanson’s jaw didn’t break itself and even if Cable didn’t directly cause the situation he certainly didn’t do much to stop it. Still, the Raiders stuck it out with Cable and this year he repaid them with a return to respectability.
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ESPN reports that during this past season, Davis deducted a total of $120,000 from Tom Cable’s paychecks. Why was Davis taking food off Cable’s plate? According to the report they were fines levied at $20,000 a pop. Among the issues that got Davis’ diapers in a bunch were two OTA sessions that were denied the Raiders in June.

The report also states Davis and Cable were only communicating through legal channels during the season. Kinda makes you wonder if Davis had his lawyer call Cable on the ring down to tell him to put Jason Campbell back in game.

Who knows what the real root of all this is and who really cares?

All this means is once again Raider Nation will be stuck footing the bill for of Al’s legal fees as yet another symptom of the never ending Raider dysfunction comes to light. In the delusional mind of Davis he’ll say he had good reason to fine Cable and perhaps he did. Lane Kiffin had to learn the hard way that Davis does his legal due diligence before making moves. Kiffin was denied a grievance earlier this year that stemmed from his firing. In that instance Davis proved he had cause to terminate Kiffin without pay. Now, Al’s legal team is  again pitted with a similar task.

The level of chaos and dysfunction in Oakland is a broken record. No matter how much things would appear to change, they inevitably remain the same. Davis and his antiquated business practices are holding the progress of the franchise hostage. Hue Jackson, you’d better be paying attention. My advice is to hire a lawyer now and be sure to document everything. You’re not even the head coach yet but I’m sure your number is already programmed into the phones of Davis’ legal team.