Why are the Raiders taking their time with Tom Cable?
Tom Cable is still employed by the Oakland Raiders…
And per senior executive John Herrera, Al Davis and the coach in limbo could meet today again to talk about the job and his future in Silver & Black.
But what exactly are they talking about?
Isn’t it quite clear; you are either fired, or told to continue your duties as head coach.
Nothing is lucid in Oakland. Especially with Davis handing this situation and needing to make a correct decision in order to help his team get back to respectability.
I’m assuming the talks can be about one thing, and one thing only…
Davis setting up parameters for Cable’s return.
Why else will they meet over several days and prolong an outcome?
Cable wants the job. He needs this job. It’s not like he will be a hot commodity once he is jettisoned that will interview for any vacancies in the future. Sure, he’ll probably land as a position coach elsewhere and continue his football-teaching career. But there won’t be another chance to lead a NFL club; especially with the likes of Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden in waiting for openings.
Cable will do anything to keep this job. And making concessions to Davis, even if it’s grudgingly, is something he’ll have to do and that may be happening. Why else the waiting game?
Davis could be telling him that he would like to relieve him of his play-calling duties. Maybe Davis is giving Cable his thoughts on what the staff could look like if he remained as head coach.
Davis could be telling him that regardless of how he feels about JaMarcus Russell, the former no. 1 overall pick has to and will be given another shot to lead his club. Remember, it was Davis who had visions of John Elway when Russell was coming out of college and also stated, “He is a great player. Get over it,” during the September 2008 press conference in which he detailed his desire to draft Russell.
He could also be making other commands that Cable will have to concede to. Cable may have to live through weeks were Darrius Heyward-Bey struggles in the future, but since that was Davis’ selection, taking him out of the line-up won’t be an option.
And what is Cable going to say? He’s not going to tell him to take his job and shove it. He’s been loyal to the Raiders and wants to continue his work with this crop of Raiders. So bending over backwards and jumping through Davis’ hoops will have to happen.
That’s the only conclusion I can come up with regarding the delayed announcement.
If Cable were canned, no way would there be such a calm within the facility. If Cable was a goner, just state it and move forward with the hiring process.
The meetings could be indicators of the above scenarios.
Could Davis be that vindictive in keeping Cable awaiting a decision?
All that negative press with the Randy Hanson situation and the uncovering of the history of violence towards women reported by ESPN could have left Davis with that bad of a taste in his mouth? Would he leave Cable in limbo due to Russell’s benching?
Many questions surround this situation in Oakland.
And very little answers are ever even substantiated during these times when the Silver & Black are involved.
A decision will come, but it won’t be soon enough it seems.
