Photo Credit: Darryl Bush (originally published in SF Chronicle)

January 19, 2003… the last time the Oakland Raiders participated in a conference championship game.

The Silver & Black advanced to the Super Bowl with a 41-24 home win versus the Tennessee Titans.

That was a daylong celebration for the Raider Nation. It began with the early tailgating, which then erupted onto a Network Coliseum parking lot concert featuring Metallica.

Yes, with Bob Rock on bass, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich played Fuel, Master of Puppets, Sad, But True, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Seek & Destroy and Battery – as if the Raider faithful needed more adrenaline prior to the contest. (Yup, click on any of those songs to watch the performance on youTube)

League MVP Rich Gannon was 29-41 for 286-yards, three scores and no interceptions. His 2-yard scamper for a score early in the 4^th quarter ignited a crowd that was at a fever pitch all afternoon, but Zack Crockett’s 7-yard run with 3:25 remaining was the final nail in the Titans coffin.

“It’s amazing what you remember at funny times,” said Tim Brown after the game. “It’s just a great feeling to know that after watching this for 14-years, watching people play this game, to actually be on your way, it’s pushing a dream boat.”

Brown, 36 at the time, had nine catches for 73-yards.

Oakland only ran the ball 17-times that afternoon – a norm for that team, who were carried by an epic year-round performance from Gannon.

Tennessee ranked second in the league that year versus the run, but 25^th against the pass. Unfortunately for them, the Silver & Black were the leagues best passing club.

“Tennessee’s got a great defensive line, a good set of linebackers, but their defensive backs are kind of suspect,” stated starting left guard Frank Middleton. “We knew that going in. You have to take advantage of that.”

The attendance: 62,544. Not one person in that building will forget the on-field celebration, Bill Callahan hoisting the Lamar Hunt trophy and the melodic chants of “RAAAAAIDERS,” that rung loudly at the house of thrills.

Veterans like Brown and Gannon joined Bill Romanowski, Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Charlie Garner and Lincoln Kennedy on the field stage to celebrate their Super Bowl berth.

On that Sunday nine-years ago, Oakland felt right at home… as AFC champions.

GAME NOTES

• Anthony Dorsett, who played for the Titans on their 1999 Super Bowl team, recovered a fumble that eventually led to a score that gave the Raiders a 21-17 lead.
• The Titans fought hard that weekend. Steve McNair played a tough contest and with Joe Nedney declared out at halftime, it curtailed Jeff Fisher’s strategy throughout the game. A 50-yard field goal attempt was nixed, and when Craig Hentrich attempted a punt at a crucial spot in the contest, the Raiders special teams, featuring Crocket, Tim Johnson, Eric Johnson and Clarence Love tackled the punter at the Titans 16-yard line. A few plays later, Sebastian Janikowski booted a field goal to make it 27-17 with 4:29 left in the 3^rd quarter.
• Oakland ran only one running play over the first three quarters.
• “We were making a lot of dumb mistakes out there,” starting linebacker Eric Barton said. “Fortunately, we sucked it up and stopped it. That shows the character of this team.” The Raiders compiled 14 penalties for 127 yards, as they landed some vicious hits on McNair and battered the Eddie George, who ran the ball for 67-yards on 15-carries. “McNair played like a true warrior today,” said Callahan. “He had no quit in him, no die in him.”
• “We fought all year long,” Rice said after his 5-catches for 79-yards. “When we lost four straight games, this team stuck together and now we’re going to the Super Bowl.”
• Doug Jolley had 3-catches for 13-yards and a score. Jerry Porter had 4-receptions for 52-yards and a touchdown. Garner tallied 7-receptions for 55-yards and one touchdown.

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On Tuesday, the Oakland Raiders introduced Reggie McKenzie as their new general manager:

Raiders: Fresh air blowing through Oakland with McKenzie hiring

Raiders: McKenzie and Davis transcript with analysis

Raiders: McKenzie and Davis transcript with analysis, part 2

That same day, Hue Jackson was released of his services as head coach:

New Raiders GM fires Hue Jackson after 8-8 season

Rich Gannon, on Sirius satellite radio stated about Jackson’s firing, “What a stunner. … I just go back to some of the comments that Hue made at the end of the season. They were damaging remarks about his team, about the players, about the fact that they didn’t put forth their best effort. And some of the decisions that he made essentially as the head coach/general manager in the absence of Al Davis, I mean, the decision to make that trade for Carson Palmer. And my sense is they got together and Reggie wanted to make a change and he’ll bring in someone that he’s more comfortable with. My sense is it is probably somebody on that Green Bay coaching staff. It could be assistant head coach Winston Moss.”

Todd Bowles becomes the first known candidate in the coaching search:

Todd Bowles, the first name that surfaces for Raiders coaching opening

Jackson was contrite about his actions at the end of the campaign, stating, “I wish I could it take it back and say it differently so people could really understand what I was trying to say. I wasn’t trying to say that I wanted to take total control of everything. When you work for the Raiders, you understand that Al Davis is first and foremost – you work for him. So I didn’t get an opportunity to put everybody that I wanted on my staff or run the team to do with football operations the way that I see fit. I took the job and I knew the parameters of the job, and I accepted that. At the end, what was coming out of me was the emotion of a long season, being 8-8, losing to the Chargers with so much riding on the line: the opportunity to win the AFC West, to host a playoff game there at home, the opportunity to have the first nine-win season since 2002. I went and talked to the team, and what I normally do is I go in and take a shower and put on my clothes before I go see the media. I carried some things with me and that’s a lesson learned for me that I don’t think you can go in there [immediately]. You need to settle down first and really think through what you’re saying. But what I said is what I felt. Not that I was trying to say I wanted to run everything; I just wanted to be able to feel like I knew there were some changes that needed to be made and I wanted to be able to make them, and I was trying to voice that. Not take total control or anything like that.”

Jackson on his firing: “I was a little surprised, but I do understand the nature of pro football. Sometimes things that look like they should don’t always end up like they should. So I understand. The Raiders did me a favor by giving me an opportunity, Al Davis did and I thank him for it. What a tremendous organization. My time there was awesome, the people at 1220 [address of Raiders facility] who I worked with, they were tremendous – the staff was tremendous. I understand the nature of this business, but obviously I wish it would have went a different direction than it did.”

On what McKenzie told him:

“Reggie was very forthcoming and just said, ‘I’m going to make a change, I need to bring in my own guy,’ which I understand. I knew that anytime a new GM comes in, they like to line themselves with their head coach, somebody that they want to bring in. At the end of the day, I can’t fault him or anyone within the organization for feeling like they feel. I wish the situation was different but it’s not.”

One of my favorite columnists in the country, Jason Whitlock, had his take:

The real reason Jackson’s gone

Dom Capers a candidate?

Report: Dom Capers another coaching candidate for the Raiders

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On Sunday, the Oakland Raiders celebrated the life of Al Davis in their first home game since his passing. The event brought out a who’s who of ex-Raiders and celebrities that wanted to pay their respects in the Black Hole.

SBReport.net was there to capture all the highlights of this historic afternoon in the Coliseum:

Ole’ number #26, Napoleon Kaufman was one of many Raider legends. He was the Raiders 1^st round draft pick in 1995. The diminutive rusher, who was known for his speed and quick strike ability, was right at home donning Silver & Black.

Bill Romanowski, who was a vital veteran free agent acquisition in 2002, providing leadership and grit to the team that claimed their third straight AFC West crown and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVII, seemed right at home, paying homage to Mr. Davis.

Tom Flores, who was the first Hispanic quarterback and head coach in the league, and one of only two people to win a Super Bowl as a head coach, assistant coach and player, graced the O.co Coliseum field.

Fans had their homemade banners, donned shirts with Al Davis’ name and face, and cheered on the Raiders towards victory.

“AL” emblem lit up the screen.

Raiders FS Michael Huff & Ice-Cube during pre-game festivities.

Ice-Cube, this time with one of the most devastating safeties to ever play the game, George Atkinson.

Henry Lawrence sang the National Anthem.

Oakland’s own, MC Hammer, represented and wore the Silver & Black with Pride and Poise.

Mark Davis took in all the action.

Raiders assistant Al Saunders, along with all the staffers, donned black shirts with the same logo Oakland Raider players have on their helmets.

The Raider Nation.

Rich Gannon and Greg Papa reminisce during pre-game.

Amy Trask was one of many to put together all the happenings on Sunday.

The legendary John Madden. “The fire that burns brightest in the Raiders organization is the will to win,” said Al Davis.

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Terrelle Pryor will now be able to don the Silver & Black on game days.

Terrelle Pryor talked to the media yesterday for the first time since joining the Oakland Raiders. Here’s a transcript of the session, per Jerry McDonald.

It was interesting to read his comments about how he feels entrenched in the system knowing he’ll be a passer. Hue Jackson is sure Pryor will be a quarterback and Oakland at this point has no intentions of making him anything else. You can make parallels to what they are trying to accomplish with recently acquired Aaron Curry, when the Raiders head coach stated, “I don’t want to put him in a whole bunch of spots. I want to let him play one thing and let him become great because the guy has great talent.”

As for Curry, it appears that the Raiders will get him at a bargain for the remainder of the campaign. Mike Florio first reported Oakland is only on the hook for $370,000 in 2011 and that his $5.7 million salary for 2012 is not guaranteed. This is the ultimate low risk, possibly high reward trade for the Silver & Black, who now have a motivated and rejuvenated talent who was widely considered the best linebacker prospect in many years when he was being scouted in 2009.

Curry stated in his first media session, “Run. The best thing I do is run. Wait for the runner to make a move and run in his direction. That’s my best asset. “

Oakland currently ranks 22^nd in the league against the run. Rolando McClain has yet stamped himself as a force in the middle, especially versus the run. So it will be interesting to see how Oakland can pair both of these highly talented linebackers, both whom are high first round selections, in order to improve a front-seven that can be leaky at times.

Curry will replace Quentin Groves on the weak-side of the formation. It’s been a long-time since Oakland had a trio this talented at linebacker: Curry, McClain and former Browns’ first rounder, Kamerion Wimbley, who will face his ex-mates on Sunday.

Wimbley was selected 13^th overall by the Browns in 2006, Curry 4^th overall in 2009 and McClain 8^th overall in 2010.

Wimbley could see action as a rusher on 3^rd downs, as many times, Oakland will convert to a nickel formation, adding Mike Mitchell, and going with two linebackers.

Former Raider linebacker Eric Barton, who was a starter along with Napoleon Harris and Bill Romanowski, in their last Super Bowl appearance, is Curry’s brother.

Curry said yesterday, “Yeah, Eric’s way more excited than I am. I’m excited, and he’s like over-the-mountain excited. He’s like, I mean, when can I come up? Where can I stay? I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll see you tomorrow. What’s the defense look like? Tell the coaches I say hey? I think he’s revisiting his time here and he had some special time here.”

CRIBBS CAUTION

Oakland has to be aware of the dangers kicking the football to Joshua Cribbs.

“Janikowski has a big leg, even their punter, he out kicks the punt coverage. But, that’s what he’s known for, so to combat that we will take deeper drops. I’m going to be standing back there like I was the first game against Cincinnati; I will have my foot on the edge of the end zone ready to bring them out. We’re going to make it happen when they give us an opportunity,” said Cribbs.

He continued: “We love for them to out kick their coverage because that gives them the disadvantage.”

OTHER NOTES

• “He’s a physical player,” LG Jason Pinkston said of Richard Seymour. “He plays hard every down. He goes through the whistle.”
• Rich Gannon, who helped the Raiders win three straight AFC West crowns, from 2000-2002, will be covering the game for CBS Sports, and surely one of the many former players that will be on hand to celebrate the life of Al Davis.

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Three Oakland Raiders will represent the Silver & Black at the Pro Bowl; cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, punter Shane Lechler and defensive tackle Richard Seymour.

“I am excited and happy for the Raiders who have been selected for the Pro Bowl,” said Tom Cable on Raiders.com. “It’s tremendous that they are being recognized as the best at their positions. They deserve it and the Raiders organization is proud of them. The Raiders have rich history and tradition and these players exemplify what it means to wear the Silver and Black.”

All three are deserving, notably Asomugha and Lechler who are the best players in the league at their positions. Seymour, who stated”I have to give credit to my teammates, guys like Tommy Kelly, who had a tremendous year, and Matt Shaughnessy, a young guy who has a very bright future, who deserve it,” did not have a string finish to the season, but based on dominating play early on the season and rep, was chosen to his sixth NFL all-star game.

“I couldn’t get it done without those guys,” he stated, recognizing the accomplishments of his line mates.

Place kicker Sebastian Janikowski, running back Darren McFadden, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and tight end Zach Miller were named alternates.

Janikowski was beat out by Billy Cundiff, who was more accurate (88.9% vs. 80.0%) and had nine more touchbacks on kickoffs. Plus, it may have hurt Janikowski that a game-winning attempt at Arizona from 32-yards out was missed. He surpass Jeff Jaeger’s franchise record for most points in a season on Sunday versus the Colts (135).

Jacoby Ford had a solid case to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. But another first-year player – Titans’ Marc Mariani – made it instead. Ford and New York Jets returner Brad Smith had comparable numbers. Smith led the AFC in kickoff yards (1,432) and average per return (28.6). Ford had the most scores out of the trio, one more than Smith, two more than Mariani. The New York standout did not fumble once, the other two fumbled a combined five times.

And as great of a season Darren McFadden had, it was obvious that other rushers in the conference had better statistical seasons and were as deserving.

GALLERY – WHAT’S THE FUTURE?

On Monday, Robert Gallery confirmed his pending free agency. Since being drafted number two overall in the 2004 Draft, the left guard has been one of the good guys in the locker room and a consistent performer once he was moved from tackle.

“I love this place,” Gallery said. “I’m just worried about this last game.

“This is the first time going to free agency for me, so I don’t know what the process is like,” Gallery was quoted. “I’m not really worried about it. It’s a long ways away. We’ll see what happens. I, obviously, haven’t thought one bit about it.”

FLAGS, FLAGS & MORE FLAGS

Oakland is tops in the NFL with 1,199 penalty yards. Seventy-six more yards on infractions against the Chiefs and they will past the franchise mark.

CHAZ A-GO-GO

Chaz Schilens making a play versus the Colts last Sunday.

Chaz Schilens recorded his first receptions of the season last Sunday.

“The thing I’m really encouraged for Chaz is, hopefully, we get through the last week with him again improving and getting more involved and him being able to walk away from the season injury free or healthy, if you will,” Cable said. ”To go into the off-season would be a huge step for him. It’s good to see him back involved, definitely.”

As for his future, Cable stated, “I think this. If he’s healthy, he has the chance to lift us up. You can’t sit around and put No. 1 tags on someone until they can have a chance to go out and prove it. Unfortunately, with his injury situation, he hasn’t been able to that. I do think he’s a quality player and I do think he could really be something for us.”

Don’t expect Schilens to go anywhere; Oakland likes his potential and he is a cheap alternative to others currently on the roster.

NOTES

• Oakland has had 175 Pro Bowl selections among 59 different players since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
• Seymour is the first defensive tackle to be selected for Oakland since the late Darrell Russell (2000).
• The Raiders have not sent a offensive player to the Pro Bowl since 2002, when Rich Gannon, Tim Brown and Lincoln Kennedy went.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

This Sunday, the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers will face each other for the 101^st time since both clubs began play in 1960. The Silver & Black hold a 54-44-2 advantage in the regular season series and a 1-0 edge in post-season match-ups.

In their last contest on November 1, 2009, the Chargers prevailed 24-16, as LaDainian Tomlinson turned back the clock and had a solid performance, Shawne Merriman had recorded his first sack since 2007 and San Diego stretched their winning streak against the Raiders to 13.

“When I first got here, the intensity and atmosphere of the game, it rubbed me the wrong way,” said Tomlinson. “By beating them 13 times, it means 13 times their fans went home with their heads hanging.”

“It’s one of those things that was long coming,” Merriman said. “I don’t put as big an emphasis on sacks as everybody else does. But they are important. I realize I’ve got to go out and make plays and get those sacks in order for us to be a better defense. As long as I’m doing that and putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing him to do things that he doesn’t want to do, we’re going to be better.”

Oakland’s last win against the Chargers was on September 28, 2003. The Silver & Black triumphed 34-31 in overtime after Rich Gannon rallied his club from a 14-point deficit. “Rich did this, and we all helped,” said then Raider center Barret Robbins. “That’s why he’s the most valuable player of this league. You could sense a calm feeling out there. We were going to get it done.”

Gannon was 26-of-43 for 348-yards and three touchdowns. A 36-yard pass to Alvis Whitted cut the Charger lead to 31-24 in the 4^th quarter. Then on their next drive, Charlie Garner dashed into the end zone from 24-yards out to tie the ball game.

“I hope that this game serves as a catalyst and a launching pad to get us going again,” Oakland coach Bill Callahan said. “We came alive. We were wearing them down at the end. I thought our stamina was excellent down the stretch.”

Through the years, SBReport.net and Raiderfans.net have been covering this bitter rivalry. Here are some photos from out archives:

DeLawrence Grant (59) and Derrick Burgess (56) converge on Drew Brees during the 2005 campaign.

Tyler Brayton (91) gets his hands on Philip Rivers in 2006.

Andrew Walter (16) had a miserable night in 2008 against the Chargers.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Danny Clark targeting LaDainian Tomlinson during the 2004 season

Danny Clark, LB

In March of 2004, the Oakland Raiders lost Eric Barton via free agency and a week earlier they had released Bill Romanowski, leaving them with major gaps at linebacker. They quickly filled one of those voids signing Danny Clark away from the Jacksonville Jaguars with a two-year $3 million contract. Known as ‘Hammerhead’ to teammates, Clark finally was able to play every down in Silver & Black and he started all 16-games in 2004, leading the club with 129-tackles. “I appreciate where I am. I bleed silver and black now,” said Clark in 2005.

Verdict: A solid player on bad defenses, Clark always played with a good motor and gave the Raiders good value with that signing. He was released prior to the 2006 season after Oakland decided to go with their younger crop of linebackers.

Ray Buchanan, DB/S

The Raiders added Buchanan in April of 2004 with a five-year $12 million contract. The ostentatious defensive back was 32-years old when the Falcons released him due to his declining coverage skills, but the Raiders used him all over the secondary during his one-year stint. “I give them a lot of flexibility because I can play safety, but if they need me, I can go out on the edge and play corner, too, Buchanan stated upon his arrival. “They can use me in the slot to cover. My hands are not tied.”

Verdict: His lone season in Silver & Black was disastrous. Buchanan did not have anything left in the tank and his career was over after the 2004 campaign.

Desmond Howard, WR/ST

The year subsequent to signing Larry Brown after his MVP performance in a Super Bowl, the Raiders inked Desmond Howard to a four year contract worth $6 million after the Green Bay Packer became the first special teams player ever to win MVP honors in the big game. Howard’s 10-returns for 244-yards and a score in Super Bowl XXXI led him to Oakland. “This is totally amazing,” Howard said when he arrived. “To sign a contract and become an Oakland Raider, it’s an emotional roller-coaster … because I’m leaving a team I helped to win a world championship and a lot of close friends.” Then Raider coach Joe Bugel stated, “We’ve added yet another explosive, impact player to our football team.” In his first year in Oakland, he led the league with 61 kickoff returns, ending with 1,318 yards, but no scores. In 1998, he scored twice on punts, but his impact was never significant enough to justify the money he received.

Verdict: Howard was useless on offense. He never lived up to the hype he established as a collegiate and the Raiders continued to collect players with trophies rather than productive talents that impact the ball club in a positive way.

Kerry Collins, QB

In May of 2004, Collins signed a three-year $12 million deal. “I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Raider Nation,” Collins stated in a statement. The Giants released the former first rounder after drafting Eli Manning and Oakland picked him up as insurance after Rich Gannon and Marques Tuiasosopo ended their season on injured reserve in 2003. “Kerry is a highly productive performer who will add to what is already a talented position,” said coach Norv Turner. Collins took over as a full-time starter after Gannon sustained a neck injury early in 2004. He tallied a 7-21 record as a Raider, passing for 7,254 yards with 41 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.

Verdict: Collins had some streaky stretches with the Raiders, piling up passing yards with receivers Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry and leading Oakland to one of their most memorable victories the last 7-seasons during a snow storm at Denver on a nationally televised game. A cap casualty, Collins was not viewed as a long-term solution for the struggling Raiders.

Stay tuned for upcoming installments, looking back at the Raiders history during the free-agency period. Part-five coming soon…

Archived Game Coverage: Rod Woodson was a solid veteran addition for the Silver & Black

Rich Gannon, QB

At 33, Oakland tabbed the former Kansas City passer to lead Jon Gruden’s offense. That signing in February of 1999 changed the fortunes of the Silver & Black. Gannon once said, “When I came to Oakland in 1999, I didn’t sign up to be the team jerk but I was taken aback by the things I was seeing. Guys being late to meetings, guys missing practices. Sometimes, something had to be said.” He said them and backed it up with Pro Bowl years, playoff appearances and ultimately, winning the league’s MVP award in 2002 as he led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Verdict: One of the best signings in Raiders history.

Larry Brown, CB

In February of 1996, Oakland raided the world champion Dallas Cowboys. They signed cornerback Larry Brown to a five-year $12.5 million deal that included $3.5 million signing bonus. He played in 12 games in two seasons for the Raiders, parlaying his MVP winning performance in Super Bowl XXX to the then lucrative deal. Within days of signing Brown, Oakland snatched up defensive tackle Russell Maryland, inking him to a six-year $19 million deal. Leigh Steinberg, Maryland’s agent at the time stated, “This is another case of the salary cap breaking up a marriage.”

Verdict: Brown was a complete disaster in Oakland and while Maryland had his moments, neither influenced the team enough to make them into winners.

Rod Woodson, S

In his first year with the Raiders, the Hall of Fame bound safety led the NFL in interceptions (8) at 37-years old. Woodson added stability, veteran leadership and solid playmaking ability to a secondary that featured Tory James, Charles Woodson, Derrick Gibson and Anthony Dorsett. An underrated play during the 2002 campaign was his 98-yard interception return for a score. A loss in Denver would have had them at 4-5, instead, they romped in that game led by that momentum-changing play and won six of the next seven games.

Verdict: Although it was a brief stint in Silver & Black, Woodson gave them a presence at safety that was much needed. He was a key addition to that Super Bowl run.

Warren Sapp, DT

After spurning the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland reached out to the boisterous veteran and signed him to a seven year $36.6 million deal. In his 4 campaigns in Silver & Black, Sapp tallied 19.5 sacks. His first year was a disappointment, as Oakland moved him around from tackle to end throughout the season. A shoulder injury sidelined him for six games in 2005, but in 2006, the former Buccaneer had 10-sacks. A more svelte Sapp ended his career after the 2007 season with a simple message on his web site stating, “I’m done!”

Verdict: Yes Sapp was a loud mouth, never was the dominant force he was in Tampa Bay nor was he as influential as he was earlier in his career. But he had his moments and added some life at times to teams that were just abysmal and otherwise boring to watch.

During the off-season, SBReport.net will continue to look back at signings that work and that failed for the Oakland Raiders. Stay tuned for the second installment very soon…

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.

Insidebayarea.com posted a report that former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter had $312,000 worth of jewelry stolen.

Porter told officials that someone took his jewelry from his vehicle while he went for a facial at a Bay Area salon.

According to staff writer Peter Hegarty, Porter was going to speak to the Alameda police about the happening this afternoon. Porter did not show up for the meeting and officials are still sorting out the details of the robbery.

The 31-year old still resides in Oakland.

He was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars at the start of the 2009 campaign after signing a six-year, $30 million contract with them in 2008.

Porter’s best season came in 2003 when he tallied 688-yards and 9 touchdowns, being a key cog in Rich Gannon’s league MVP campaign. He teamed up with hall of fame bound targets Jerry Rice and Tim Brown to form the most prolific offense of that season in reaching Super Bowl XXVII.

In 2004 an 2005, Porter compiled 140 catches for 1,940 yards and 14 touchdowns. But in 2006, he publicly feuded with Art Shell and demanded to be traded. He was deactivated and inactive for most of the season even suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the club for four games.

“There’s guys every year that might not want to be on a team, but, hey, part of this business is you play with who you’ve got,” Shell stated that season. “If we have somebody on this team that’s here, whether he said he wants to be here or not, if he’s doing what he’s supposed to do, then we’ll go to work.”

The NFLPA intervened and the suspension was dropped to two games.

Porter was drafted in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft.

OTHER NEWS

• Steve Corkran confirmed a story that had the Raiders interested in rehiring defensive line coach Mike Waufle.
• Earlier in the day, Jon Condo was added to the Pro Bowl roster.