Bye week reflections on the Oakland Raiders

October 4, 1:21 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

Previous Next

5 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Oakland Raiders Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

The Oakland Raiders have their bye week this week, which gives Tom Cable some time to step in to his new role as a head coach. The 2008 season is only four weeks old, but it has been an extremely eventful four weeks. The Raiders were humiliated in week one, which touched off a firestorm of controversy that lingered over the Raiders like smog until Kiffin's firing this past tuesday. Cable ascended to the top spot to finish out the season, which will likely be considered an audition period by Al Davis. Here are a few seemingly random observations on the season thus far.

• Tom Cable has a no-lose situation, as most see the Raiders as no-win. If Cable turns the Raiders around and they pull out an 8-8 or better season he positions himself as a hot property on the coaching market. If the Raiders have a double digit loss season, his reputation will still be intact as one of the premier line coaches, and will have gained experience in the top spot. No one other than Al Davis will blame him for the losses.
• However unlikely it is, many in the Raider Nation are intrigued by the thought of the limited partners somehow overthrowing Al Davis.
• When Kiffin burst onto the scene, many compared him to Jon Gruden. Now they are terrified he will become another Mike Shanahan.
• When Al gives a press conference, it is a real show. Although, there were times when his performace could be summed up by "Just Whine, Baby."
• Will the Raiders resemble a normal football team the rest of this year?