Silver and Black Report

The Raider Nation is not happy.

Well, more than anything, their bored with the current state of the club and feel like this team has abandoned any chance at improving this off-season via free agency. With an un-capped year, the sentiment from the Oakland Raiders fan base is that they should purge themselves of all the hefty contracts and unproductive players or, bring in some big names that can instill some semblance of hope for next season.

Here are a few moves the Silver & Black should make that make football sense and will appease their following.

Get rid of JaMarcus Russell

Yes, this relationship should be ended. Russell has not shown any leadership qualities, has a poor work ethic and has been completely inept when on the field. It’s so bad, that when Bruce Gradkowski came into games, he suddenly became the almighty savior and the entire offense sparked up because there was a competent passer in control of the huddle and game plan. Russell does have serious talent. But he’ll never channel that in a positive way – especially not in Oakland. The enormity of being the 1^st overall pick, shouldering the burden of a large contract and being the focal point of an organization that was sinking rapidly was not understood by Russell. Even if he goes somewhere else and the scenery is changed, Russell just does not show any urgency to be great – that huge signing bonus is enough for him.

Acquire Troy Smith or a vet QB; let them battle with Gradkowski

Troy Smith wants out of Baltimore. He would prefer to land in Cleveland, but Oakland may be a nice option for him. Smith would re-unite with Hue Jackson – his position coach with the Ravens – and get a fair shot to start in this league. If Smith thinks he can be atop a team’s depth chart, then competing against Gradkowski should be something he should embrace. Neither Smith nor Gradkowski have the natural talent that Russell had out of college, but both have intangibles that are far more desirable for a team looking to bounce back to respectability. Both will fight for their job and will give the Raiders hope at quarterback. If not Smith, bringing in another veteran, someone who has NFL experience, as a starter and had past success, that could also be an option.

Avoid picking up any veteran FA RB

Justin Fargas was let go. Partly, because it was time for the Raiders to hand over the reigns of the offense to Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Yes, both have major question marks, whether they can stay healthy or carry the load. But eventually, they have to let both of these young players get their deserved reps and demonstrate why they were taken in the draft. Staying away from a LaDanian Tomlinson or a Larry Johnson is the key. Why bring in a veteran rusher who will want to take away carries from McFadden or Bush?

Extend Zach Miller NOW

Since my vision involves purging, why not then transfer that freed money over to a very productive player. In 2011, Miller will be a free agent. So avoid any snags and deal in good faith with the tight end by keeping him in Silver & Black for the next 5-to-6 seasons. Since entering the NFL, Miller has improved his statistics every year. Quite the feat when you consider his one of the only options that are considered a threat on offense for a very feeble attack.

Lock up Seymour

Richard Seymour would be very happy if Oakland approached him with a respectable long-term deal that will ensure a boatload of money the next few seasons. This will also help the Raiders keep a key cog on defense and a solid leader to anchor this momentous turnaround they are looking for. No, he won’t command Julius Peppers money, but a 4-5 year deal worth around $55 million with about $22-25 in guarantees could get it done.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was on KNBR on Tuesday and spoke openly about his position with the club, wanting to get a fair shot to start in 2010, the return of Tom Cable and other topics. Here’s a transcript of his chat.

About being on the air and disseminating information:

Anything I can do to get to the fans out in this area and a lot of Raider fans, and we’re excited.

Reflections of the Pittsburgh Steelers game – his homecoming:

Oh, it was unbelievable. To go home, be in front of all my family and friends and to get a big win against a good football team like that was unbelievable. Just for my family, in sharing that with me and just the excitement. Just the feeling we had in the locker room and as a team that we were finally coming together.

About his college career, putting up great numbers and surpassing legendary names:

Just to be mentioned in the same sentence with those guys – it’s an honor. But it’s also humbling to know, I have a lot more to do in my career to even be mentioned with those guys. Being out now in the west coast, you saw what Joe Montana did out on the west coast. Hopefully one day I can do that for the Raiders. It’s definitely in my future and my goals and the dreams I have.

That was an awesome game against the Steelers, but it also would make it even more special if that was the AFC Championship game and we are going to the Super Bowl after that win. That’s kind of what I’m thinking about.

About the return of Tom Cable:

Yeah, coach Cable is going to be back. A lot of our coaching staff has stayed the same and we brought in a good coach in Hue Jackson, coming from the Baltimore Ravens, and you know, I’m excited.

Have you’ve been told Cable will be back, specifically?

We are going to work everyday like it’s the same. Coach Cable is in there working and that’s all I care about. I don’t look into details, but I just go in and take care of my own business and whoever is there I’m going to work with and we are going to do just fine.

Last season’s inconsistent play, beating the Steelers and Eagles, but failing against lesser opponents or in back-to-back games:

I think it shows that we are a good football team. And the only thing we have to work on is being consistent. And that’s the number one thing we are going to be focused on coming into this year is knowing and understanding that we are a good football team – the Oakland Raiders can compete with anyone. And we’ve proven that, we’ve showed that and now its just time to be consistent and show week-in and week-out and just prepare like that every week and believe in ourselves and know that we can get the job done just like any other team in the NFL.

What he brought to the table as oppose to JaMarcus Russell and if his leadership and work ethic was what won people over:

I think so. It was the way I’ve been raised.

Your going to get what you deserve. I believe that, so I’m just going to keep on working hard, just like I’ve been and that’s just the way my parents raised me.

I’m not really worried about how other people do their job. I’m just worried about being a professional, taking care of my own business and when the opportunity comes, just take advantage of it. And I was blessed with a good opportunity this past season.

About the situation with Russell, and how his large contract may dictate what occurs on the field:

Well, its tough. A guy like Jeff Garcia whose been in the league for years and he’s been successful, he’s never gotten the big signing bonus, the big contract that he’s deserved. And you know, its crazy how things work out in the NFL. It’s frustrating to a certain point, but you can’t worry about those things.

You just keep on working hard and good things will come. And you’ll get what you deserve. So that’s all I can really focus on.

Whether he’s officially signed?

I haven’t officially signed with them yet. They offered a second round tender. So its still free agency going on, so there are other teams out there, but in my heart, I want to be in Oakland. I believe I’ll be in Oakland and I’ll like to be here for years to come. I just feel a good presence here, especially with the fan-base we have. It’s the best in football and fans that love their team. And we need to give them something to cheer for. So that’s what I’m looking forward to changing this year and going in and having a good season.

Do you want assurance about having an open quarterback competition?

Yeah, I think that’s the way it always has to go. I believe that in any business that you are on, any field of work, competition just makes you better and the best person should be out there for the job. I think that’s the way it should take place. That’s the way it will take place and I’m looking forward to it. I’m just excited for getting this opportunity and like I’ve said, competition makes you better and there’s going to be competition everywhere. It’s just the nature of the game. So I’m looking forward to it this year and I’ll love to get it from the start and see what we can do with it.

About being the underdog year in and year out and communicating with Jeff Garcia:

Yeah, that’s why I think me and Jeff have such a good relationship. I think we are so similar in so many ways. At this point in Jeff’s career, where I’m at, he wasn’t even in the NFL, he was still in Canada, so I still have to stay positive. He reminds me of that. And when the opportunity comes, take advantage of it…

If you can win football games, if you can find a way to win, I think that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter about how much skill you really have, its about does the team rally around you, do you get the job done, are you smart and the leadership role – I think that’s one of the most important things about being a quarterback.

Differences between Cable and Jon Gruden:

I think every coach is different. And that is what makes every coach unique. There is no really right way to do it – it’s your own way. And I think coach Gruden, coach Gruden wanted his hands in everything. He was the offensive coordinator, the QBs coach, he kind of did everything.

Coach Cable is more of a overseer. A discipline guy. He’s a player’s type coach. The players want to play for a coach like coach Cable. He’s easy to communicate with and he wants the best for his players. So you like playing for a coach like that. Gruden and Cable, they each have their own way and its all about how to get the job done. And I think coach Cable did a great job with us last year and so, I’m exciting in moving forward with him this year and I think there are good things in store for us.

About the Randy Hanson incident:

I think the players, we just kind of have to worry about our job.

Just coming to work everyday and letting that stuff be handle by the people that handle that situation.

It’s unusual but, I think Mr. [Al] Davis, he just wants to win. And I think he really just wants to win and he wants the best for his players.

I’m hoping our fans back us from day one, ‘cause we can use them and we need them to be a part of this year and to be a part of this thing when we turn it around.

Archived Image: Marc Bulger getting sacked in 2006

It’s obvious that the Oakland Raiders are ready to go into 2010 season with Bruce Gradkowski on their quarterback corps after he received a second-round tender this week.

He could potentially earn $1.759 million under the one-year tender.

And the Raiders believe that he can compete with JaMarcus Russell next season for the starting job.

But lets state the facts; neither has proven anything in the NFL. Russell has been a bust so far and has no leadership skills. Gradkowski is fiery and elevated the spirit of his teammates, but he’s also limited and has done little to prove that he can be a successful starting caliber quarterback that can do it from week-to-week.

The other guy in the picture – Charlie Frye – was given his original round tender. But he’s definitely a third stringer at best and a player that is valued more for his mental acuity for the game than his actual on the field ability.

So why not bring in a veteran who may be ready to rejuvenate his career or retain a starting job? Why not bring in a quarterback who actually has a solid resume and has been a proven winner atop someone’s depth chart?

Yes, Jake Delhomme was just jettisoned by the Carolina Panthers. No, he’s not the guy I’m talking about. I am talking about a quarterback in the same conference that will probably be ousted very soon by his club.

Marc Bulger.

The St. Louis Rams just finalized a deal with A.J Feeley. They have some options at quarterback that intrigue them and taking a passer in the draft is not completely out of the question.

Parting ways with Bulger is expected due to the $8.5 million salary he’s slated to make in 2010 – money the 33-year old will not likely see as the Rams can easily escape from that this off-season.

Bulger’s career has been way more productive than any of the Raiders current crop of passers. He led the Rams to a 12-4 record in 2003 and into the 2^nd round of the playoffs. Bulger is a two time pro-bowler and the Rams thought so highly of him, they game him a six-year, $62.5 million extension in 2007.

A few lackluster seasons along with injuries have slowed him down. But this is the type of passer that Oakland needs to bring into the fold.

Going young and not having a passer with Bulger’s experience or ability to push the other quarterbacks fighting for the top spot may not be the right move.

And there is no denying that Bulger is still capable of flinging the football all over the field with success.

“I think Marc is extremely talented,” Kurt Warner said in February. “I think he brings a lot to the table. But the thing you always realize as a quarterback is that you’re never going to have great success if you don’t have great players around you. They’ve obviously been going through a rebuilding process. A lot of changes have taken place over the last few years. Although Marc can still play, he hasn’t had the opportunity to really do what he is capable of doing. That has been the frustrating part.”

Another former teammate, D’Marco Farr stated, “Now there’s a guy [Bulger] with all the talent in the world in my opinion. Has the same brain as Kurt Warner; they were trained under the same guy in Mike Martz.”

He continued, “It’s a sad deal because the guy can wing the football. I mean the guy can flat play,” praising his ability, but he also commented that his downfall may be his lack of charisma.

Regardless, Bulger has all the tools and more importantly, the experience in this league to get the job done – something that neither Russell nor Gradkowski have proven.

When Bulger is released – which is highly likely – that’s the type of player they need to really elevate the competition at quarterback going into the summer. He’s the type of talent that can push the others on the roster because of his body of work.

Bulger will come cheap and he would consider Oakland because his arrival could land him a job under center.

I’m sure he’s confident enough that he can beat out any of the players the Raiders line up to battle for the job. And that could be enough to entice him to come to the Bay Area.

And that’s the type of player that in the past Oakland has had success with at quarterback – passers looking to revive their career after being thrown overboard by former teams.

Reports in February stated that Bulger had cleaned out his locker.

If he’s truly a goner – and all indications are that the Rams are ready to go in a different direction…

The Raiders should target Bulger and give him a shot at their opening at quarterback.

It appears that the Oakland Raiders want to keep Bruce Gradkowski around to push JaMarcus Russell.

A report on SFGate.com stated that Tom Cable spoke to Gradkowski’s agent about the Silver & Black’s intentions to assign a second-round tender to the underdog passer.

If that occurs, Oakland will have a chance to match any offer tendered by another team or accept a second round selection if Gradkowski departs.

The tender can worth as much as $1.759 million if he stays in Oakland for one-season.

Even in a quarterback-starved league, Gradkowski is not worth a second round pick to another club, which will likely keep him from going anywhere. Especially since he ended the season injured and really only played sparingly as the campaign wound down.

Yes, he woke up the offense and got some rejuvenating victories, but the team was dead in the water with JaMarcus Russell starting and at that point, any success by anyone under center would have been invigorating to the team and fan-base.

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable talked at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this weekend. He shot down the notion that the Silver & Black draft based on attributes only – how Oakland focuses on speedy prospects – “How about the best player? Let’s talk that way,” Cable said. “… We need to get better in some areas, and so at this thing (the combine), find who you think the best players are, whether they jump the highest or run the fastest. That shouldn’t make a damn difference. He has to be able to play football good enough for us to become a championship team.”

Oakland has been scrutinized for years about their draft strategies and in 2009, the received criticism for selecting wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey 7^th overall – who ended his rookie campaign with 9 receptions, 124-yards and 1 score.

Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks and Kenny Britt were chosen in the first round after Heyward-Bey – all out-performed the Raiders rookie and showed to have more potential in their initial seasons.

Cable also hinted to an open competition at quarterback after the abysmal season JaMarcus Russell had and the way the team looked when other passers where inserted into the line-up.

“We’re getting ready to start offseason and get to OTAs and minicamp and let the (quarterback) job be competed for,” he said. “I think that’s where we’re at in terms of our starting quarterback.

“I don’t think you would discount (using a pick on) that or any other position.”

When Cable catapulted Bruce Gradkowski atop the depth chart, the team had their best offensive outputs and scored victories at home versus playoff bound Cincinnati and on the road against Pittsburgh.

Players stated that the attack was far more dynamic and that there was a jolt of confidence when Gradkowski was in there, as oppose to Russell.

Third stringer Charlie Frye even had his chances to show what he could do, as Cable elected to go with the journeyman instead of Russell prior to a game against the Broncos when Gradkowski went down with knee injuries.

Could Charlie Frye have a chance to start in Oakland?

“(JaMarcus and I) have talked a couple of times,” Cable stated this weekend. “I know he’s working. I’m anxious for the off-season program to get started where you get a chance to see him all the time.”

Cable also addressed the rumors regarding the team’s intentions with their roster.

“We get a ton of calls about a lot of players on our football team all the time,” he said. “In fact, before I came in here I was on the phone about something. To me, that stuff happens in the NFL and it’s going to happen and it’s going to happen all the time. People call you and you listen and see if anything interests you or doesn’t interest you. Sometimes it’s crazier than you think. … You really just take the call and listen.”

If I were Bruce Gradkowski, why wouldn’t I want to stick around in Oakland?

Yes, all signs point to the Silver & Black giving JaMarcus Russell another shot to fulfill their destiny for him – to become the organization’s franchise passer. Yes, as long as Al Davis feels that his prized strong-armed passer can develop until a competent player, he’ll give him as many opportunities to do so.

And even if Tom Cable has other plans for Russell, the facts are that Davis will have ultimate say on whether or not the former LSU star will be in the huddle or on the sideline, not the coach.

With all that said, Gradkowski coming back to Oakland for another year could give him the best shot for getting back on the field than any other option that may be out there.

Russell has not shown the maturity level or the work ethic to grab that starting position and make his own. He lacks many fundamentals and is lacking throughout his football repertoire enough to make you wonder if he can ever bounce back from this horrid start to his career.

And that is why Gradkowski should sit tight and realize that he may be the next in line.

Most of the players got an energy and vibe from Gradkowski that was not present with Russell. They were far more productive on offense with Gradkowski and at this point, its safe to say that the coaches that remain on staff realize that the journeyman is more of a sparkplug and provides more intangibles than the multi-millionaire.

When Gradkowski limped off the field against the Washington Redskins and Russell took over, the team was deflated. “You could kind of see it emotionally a little bit, the wind left our sails, so to speak, just a little bit, when that happened,” defensive end Jay Richardson said.

Langston Walker praised the passer after the victory in Pittsburgh, stating, “Bruce is fiery. He’s yelling at us, screaming at us, running around like a banshee, but it’s all controlled. That’s how he gets it done. You saw the result.”

And Oakland’s most productive player on offense – Zach Miller – and Russell’s security blanket on the field commented this season, “A love for the game that he shows in the way he plays, the way he calls plays. The way he works on details of plays with players, in between. He’s just uh, I think that’s the main thing I’m seeing with him. It’s just, he’s a get-after-it type of guy.

“He’s obviously a pretty smart guy, reads things well, throws a real good ball. He’s a pro quarterback, so they’re all good. We feel like we’ll be able to throw it around better now.”

All signs of a team that feels more confident with one signal caller, than the other.

An unhappy fan showing his displeasure with JaMarcus Russell

And this is why Gradkowski should stick around and Oakland should try to do everything within reason to keep him in Silver & Black.

If Gradkowski overvalues himself and tries to break the bank – which is highly unlikely – then he isn’t worth keeping around.

But Oakland needs to realize that his presence is a safety net they need just in case Russell continues his horrid play.

“I plan to be back with the Raiders,” Gradkowski stated to The Toledo Blade “I think everything will work out, and I’m looking forward to it. We did a lot of good things this year and I’m looking forward to next season.”

Gradkowski also mentioned his roaming NFL lifestyle, “I’m all over the place, and hopefully I can settle down soon.”

And as for his outlook for the Raiders, it seems like he has a good grasp of the situation he may be presented.

“I think at this point, hopefully, they’ll just pick the best guy to be out there on the field,” he replied. “Money’s not an issue, but I know in this business it kind of is when you invest a lot of money in someone. All I ask for is an opportunity to compete.”

It may not be a fair one to begin if the Raiders force Russell onto the field. But unless he changes drastically, Gradkowski will get his shot to compete, and rightfully so.

Tom Cable 'absolutely' thinks he'll continue to work with Oakland

Tom Cable was on KHTK – 1140am – and talked about his current status with the Oakland Raiders while at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Here are some excerpts of his conversation with the host.

At the Senior Bowl:

Well, you’re really looking at these kids and trying to familiarize yourself with them as you prepare for the next step, which will be the combine. So, you get a chance to look at, basically, 70-some players, you get a chance to go back now and look at all the juniors that are coming out and just kind of start comparing this whole thing and then it gets you ready for the combine. Because that group that was here in Mobile, they’ll be at the combine, as well as all those juniors that came out. So, it gives you a great opportunity to kind of get a jump on it and familiarize yourself with the whole group.

Talking to Al Davis:

Well, we’ve had a lot of conversations. You’re right, there’s been a lot of speculation. But the whole time, we’ve talked about where we’re at as a football team. And that’s everything. That’s the organization, that’s the coaches, that’s the roster, our free agents, who we need to get signed back, just everything that goes into it. We really never have had discussions about what would or wouldn’t happen. It’s just always been about evaluating the Oakland Raiders. I don’t know that at anytime he’s ever said he was going to change or he wasn’t going to change. It’s just an evaluation process that every team goes through. We did great diligence in terms of an organization, the coaches, and here we are getting ready for the 2010 season and starting the scouting routine with the Senior Bowl.

About being the head coach of the Silver & Black:

Well, absolutely. I don’t think there was ever any question. That, really, was more speculation than anything else. It’s never been a thought in my mind. We went at this thing every day, whether it was discussions with the owner or discussions with the staff, that we were moving forward and getting ready for 2010. So, it’s never really been an issue for us.

On Jamarcus Russell:

He’s just one man on this football team. He knows he’s got to get better. We know we’ve got to get him better. But everyone on this team, coaching staff, players alike, has to get better, and that starts with me. So, obviously, people want to single someone out or whatever that is but right now, it’s about all of us getting better.

Many reports are indicating that Hue Jackson will sign on to the Oakland Raiders staff and become their offensive coordinator.

Jackson was expected to talk to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday for that same job, but that was nixed and now it appears that the he’ll depart the Baltimore Ravens to head to the Bay Area.

The former quarterbacks coach in Baltimore worked with Joe Flacco for the first two years of the passers career. Under Jackson’s tutelage, Flacco became the first rookie in NFL history to win two playoff games under center. While with the Cincinnati Bengals (2004-2006), Jackson worked with their receivers.

Chad – then Johnson – Ochocinco  (1,369) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first duo at wide receiver to put up 1,000-yard seasons for the organization. Ochocinco had his best years under Jackson and Houshmandzadeh developed into one of the better pass catchers in the AFC.

Jackson had a desire to become a coordinator in this league after stints in that same capacity in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons and with the Washington Redskins in 2003.

His biggest objective while in Oakland will be to get the most out of former number one overall pick JaMarcus Russell.

It appears that Jackson was hand-picked by Al Davis to direct an offense that ranked 31^st in points scored per game, 21^st in rushing yards per game and 29^th in pass yards per contest.

Tom Cable was the primary play caller in 2009 and with Davis not happy with the direction of his attack and the lack of development in his prized passer; the change at offensive coordinator was imminent.

All signs point to Cable coming back as head-coach, but it appears that he had to make concessions and allow Davis to tinker with his staff in order for him to finish his contract in Oakland.

Russell struggled all of 2009 and showed little improvement. His footwork, accuracy and work ethic among many other things have been scrutinized.

Cable benched the former LSU star as the season wound down while Bruce Gradkowski helped the team increase their offensive output. Once he went down due to injury, Charlie Frye also surpassed any production Russell was able to muster up.

Both back-ups were able to absorb Cable’s playbook and give the Oakland offense more of a fighting shot.

In the other hand, Russell was unproductive, had the game plans simplified, yet he continued to play inept football.

If Oakland is pinning all their hopes on Jackson to revive Russell, it could be a risk that may cost them another double-digit losing season.

Unless Russell takes it upon himself to work harder, get into camp in shape and somehow miraculously improve many of the mechanical issues he has passing along with his accuracy, Oakland will be wasting their time trying to milk anything out him.

Davis obviously thinks Russell has more to give.

He drafted Russell with visions of John Elway.

And Jackson’s arrival may just mean that Davis wants to see if another voice not named Cable could wake him up.

FROM THE BALTIMORESUN.COM

“After much consideration I have decided to accept a position as offensive Coordinator with the Oakland Raiders,” Jackson said in a statement. “I will miss the fans here and I thank them for all the encouragement and support they have shown me while I called Baltimore my home. I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie Newsome, Dick Cass and especially Coach John Harbaugh who brought me to Baltimore. Baltimore will always hold a special place in my heart and I’m especially thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with a world class organization, a top notch coaching staff and some of the best talent in the league.”

CBS analyst and former Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon was on WFTL sports radio tonight and gave his thoughts on the current state of the Silver & Black, JaMarcus Russell, the coaching situation and whether or not Jon Gruden would ever go back to the Bay Area and coach.

Here are his thoughts on the what’s happening with Tom Cable and the coaching saga:

I can’t tell you that anything surprises me out in Oakland. I know that some of the decisions they have made have been probably, leaving you scratching your head, There’s a reason why they’ve gone seven straight season where they’ve lost 11 or more games. You got a guy on the coaching staff right now – Tom Cable – and your bringing in other coaches. They don’t allow him to pick his own coaching staff. Al [Davis] is probably going to go out and hire an offensive coordinator, someone to coach the quarterback – JaMarcus Russell – Al thinks this guy has a bright future in the league. And you know, its tough. It’s a tough situation to work in and when you look at the results, you have to question whether or not they are making the right decisions.

On JaMarcus Russell and how Cable could lose credibility by sticking with the young passer if he doesn’t feel he is the answer:

You have to tell him how you feel. I think what’s at stake here it’s the fact that you may start to lose your football team. These guys, they work hard every day, they put a lot of time in and they want to win and when you put a guy out there who is not ready to play, is not prepared, doesn’t work necessarily to put himself in a position to have a chance to be successful then you start, then the players start looking at the coaches and saying ‘hey, put the other guy in.’ The guy that gives us a chance. When you go back to the same guy, because the owner wants him to play, then you lose your credibility in the locker room,  you lose your credibility with your players and that becomes a problem for a coach.

On him helping the Raiders in any way:

I absolutely have no problems with Al. I think there is obviously a philosophical difference of opinion on what needs to get done an obviously, he’s the owner and I’m not. But he and I have agreed to disagree on a number of occasions even when I was playing there we didn’t agree on a lot of things, but I think he respected the fact that I took a stand and that I was a guy committed to do the work necessary to help turn the thing around. I believe I left the place in better shape than what I found it. My purpose of calling Al was just to reach out and he used to call me in the past and I was willing to go out and help JaMarcus, or anybody, in any way that I could. Look, its important to me to see that team play well. I think I have a vested interest. I spent six years of my career out there. I helped turn it around. You know, I still have teammates out there, people that work in the building, some coaches I know and the trainers, the equipment guys that…I want to see them win. I’m not looking to coach. I’m not looking to be in management – I’ve been offered positions by other organizations, it’s just a gesture on my part to reach out to a young quarterback that has really struggled and that has not been able to find his way in the NFL.

On Jon Gruden ever coming back to the Silver & Black:

I was with Jon and Bruce Allen about six weeks ago and we had that very same conversation, I asked him, ‘Would you ever go back and coach Oakland. You’d be surprised what Jon Gruden said. He said, ‘Absolutely.’ I don’t think he’ll go back under the current situation, but I know he loves northern California.  He loves the Bay Area. He loved his time with the Oakland Raiders.

I’m sure he wouldn’t go back under the current set-up and situation.

Oakland Raiders starting linebacker Kirk Morrison was on 1090 am sports radio in San Diego today with host Darren Smith and he talked about various topics.

Morrison briefly talked about how plays John Madden football on XBOX live and the host jokingly asked about JaMarcus Russell’s rating on the game. “I haven’t looked at that yet,” Morrison answered. He continued, “I run Wildcat.”

On the coaching situation with the Raiders:

I can’t worry about what happens within, who you bring in as coach or, what happens to the coach. Only thing I can control is my play on the football field.

On his pending free-agency:

Time is going to tell.

I’ve spent a lot of good time in Oakland. I played my heart out for that football team.

This is the NFL. This is a business. And people don’t see that side of it.

On Sebastian Janikowski:

I have to give my guy props too – Sebastian Janikowski. Who I felt should be in the Pro Bowl.

He’s just automatic.

Kirk Morrison talking to teammate Thomas Howard

On Lane Kiffin’s move to USC and his time with the Silver & Black:

No, it wasn’t a surprise at all. People are getting mad at Lane for what he did. I don’t fault the guy at all. At all.

We were a team that was rising. I think we started off 2-2 – his first year. And then we just kind of, went on a little slide. But we were still getting to learn Lane Kiffin. And then before you know it, a couple of games in, you know, he was let go.

Wherever he’s been, he’s brought an attitude, he’s brought a confidence, he’s brought a swagger and he just hasn’t had, let his plan fall all the way through.