Cable Cut Loose
Cable Cut LooseThe Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders often used the mantra of “Just cut it loose” to express to his team to play with passion and not worry about making mistakes.
Little did he realize that Davis would “cut him loose”. I’m sure Cable is devastated and blindsided by this stunning news. The guy bled silver and black and seemed to grow as a Head Coach.
After doing all the heavy lifting, excavating the team from the gutter into a competitive, on the cusp playoff team, Cable will not be on deck to see the fruits of his labor in 2011. In the meantime, I am in a "wait and see" mode and here's why:
After doing all the heavy lifting, excavating the team from the gutter into a competitive, on the cusp playoff team, Cable will not be on deck to see the fruits of his labor in 2011. In the meantime, I am in a "wait and see" mode and here's why:
Davis took such an unexpected, early in the game, decisive approach to clearing Cable with still almost 2 weeks before the deadline to exercise or opt out of Cable’s contract. Just speculation on my part but to me it means 1 of 4 things:
(1) It was Cable or Jackson ... Davis must be giving the lion's share of credit to Jackson and desperately doesn't want to lose him. Davis has always preferred a Head Coach who was also the playcaller. Jackson took an anemic offense from 2009 and doubled the unit's scoring output in 1 season of work. The fork in the road or accelerated cause for making an early decision on Cable was the interview with SF. Davis didn't want to be playing musical chairs without a chair for Jackson.
(2) Davis was severely disappointed in not making the playoffs ... in spite of going 6-0 in the division, the Raiders fell short in winnable games to Arizona, San Francisco, and Jacksonville.
(3) Davis has a “rock-star” candidate on deck who is a clear upgrade over Cable and his hand is forced by external forces due to the candidate’s current situation.
(4) Davis has lost his marbles. This is his vendetta on Cable for siding with Ski over Campbell in the early stages of the season.
If Davis lands Harbaugh or Fisher, I applaud it. Whenever the organization has an opportunity to upgrade their personnel and coaching staff, no time is better than the present.
If Davis names Jackson the Head Coach, I will be disappointed but would understand (see comment 1).
If Davis is fumbling around interviewing retread candidates well into February without a clear cut plan in place, what can I say but welcome to Raiderville.
posted by Calico Jack at 10:23 PM
12 Comments:
CJ, I've been critical of Cable, a.k.a, the Fire Hydrant, no question about it. But I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the guy. He should still be head coach in 2011-12. The guy scrapped and clawed and got more out of the team than anyone since Chuckie. He's no Gruden, Flores, or Madden. But he has grit and at least earned another shot next season. For Christ's sake, how tainted is his W-L record by The Deuce!? Very disappointing news. I will hope for the best but will expect the usual from the Cirque du Davis.
I don't understand. I know Cable wasn't the greatest coach, but he took over the job when no one else wanted it. He embraced it. Made the players believe in him and themselves. I agree with your assesment that maybe Al is punishing Cable for the Gradkowski incident.
But really, is it worth losing your fans, and your players possibly (Lechler, Bush, Aso, Seymour, Gallery) to show you are the boss? Really such a disappointment. Seems like the Marcus Allen move all over again.
I mean no disrespect to Hue Jackson. I will support him as HC, but man, what a sad day for the Raider Nation. Thanks, Tom Cable, for turning us around to not only believers, but WINNERS.
The one reason Al did this tonight was to screw with the Niners' time table. They got to cover the Rooney rule before hiring Harbaugh, who is heating up fast. So, by taking Hue away from them,today, he's making them wait, which is the last thing they want to do. I don't know.. I'm just super bent. I'm getting drunk on a tuesday night. That's how bent I am.
CJ,
I have mixed emotions. I thought Cable was loyal, did a good job with the o-line and running game and 8-8 was an accomplishment viewed through the prism of the last 7 years. I feel bad for Cable as a person but my primary conern is the Raiders therefor we need to ask ourselves the following questions:
1)Could you ever see Cable leading this team to a super bowl?
2) What happened against Miami, Houston, SF and Arizona? Was that the growing pains of a young team or was that Cable not having them ready?
3) Did you as well find the Gradkowski Campbell back and forth desperate decision making?
If Gruden comes back I will be behind this decision 100% if it is Hugh Jackson I will take a wait and see attitude. They also need a new Defensive coordinator way too many 30 point games given up
Last question: Do you think this will affect the chemistry on the team in the locker room?
Regards
Florida Raider
One more thought on why maybe Cable being fired is not the end of the world. Starting Veldheer at center on the road in his first nfl game opening day of the season was boarder line insane.
Florida Raider
As long as Crazy Uncle Al owns the team, or still stalks this earth, Gruden will not come within 20 miles of this franchise. The players were pissed on last night's news. Al's got himself a controversy on his hands. He'll have to have one heck of a trick up his sleeve to calm the situation down.
Feels like today, everyone has calmed down and we're all just waiting to see what's going to happen. Apparently, Miami came out here to SF to interview Harbaugh and offer him 7-8 million. Word is that Niners only offered 4 mill. So that's a new wrinkle.
Seems like it will probably be Hue after all, and after much grumbling, and confusion from the players, they will settle down and get the job done. Getting into the playoffs for sure. I just want this over and done with so we can all move on.
I agree about that Veldheer decision...whoa. Go Raiders!!
CJ,
Not meaning to hijack the comments here but I have to chime in on the Al Davis issue. Yes I am loyal Al supporter but hear me out.
First of all I think Al deserves the lion share of credit for the success this year, we all know he was the driving force behind the incredible draft, trade for Seymour, signing of Wembley and hiring of Jackson for OC. Cable had little to do with any of that. Those four things played a much more important role in this season's success than Cable rallying the troops, putting together an average o-line and keeping the locker room together.
Tooz as far as the players revolting they will get over it as Dana mentions.
Most importanlty I think all of our perceptions of success are a little skewed due to the scars we have from seven years of crap. 8-8/.500 is not a success in sports and certainly not in Raider land, winning superbowls are. Lets give Al credit for striving for greatness not embracing average like the Bengals who keep Lewis around after a 4 win season. Continuity be damned and we will get some of that with JAckson anyway
If we can step back from the relief of a mediocre season I think we can all agree that there is now way Cable can be considered a superbowl quality coach. My prediction Cable will never be a head coach in the NFL again and I think that in itself says a lot right there. Does anyone disagree with that?
Regards
Florida Raider
1)Could you ever see Cable leading this team to a super bowl?
Sure. He seemed to be getting better each year at delegating responsibilities and navigating the difficult waters of Alameda HQ.
2) What happened against Miami, Houston, SF and Arizona? Was that the growing pains of a young team or was that Cable not having them ready?
Houston - Horrible defensive effort
SF - Flat, inability to capitalize on 2 initial red zone opportunities, questionable playcalling from Hue.
Miami - Listless, unprepared
JAX - Defensive failure in 2nd half; 28 points scored on a mere 13 plays.
Ultimately, the losses fall on the HC's shoulders. The lack of consistency demonstrated by the Raiders is Cable's burden to bear.
3) Did you as well find the Gradkowski Campbell back and forth desperate decision making?
Bad decision making with unusual circumstances ... Cable attempted (but failed) to straddle the fence between his loyalty to Ski (who saved his job in 2009) and Davis (who gave him the opportunity to be head coach and was clearly a Campbell supporter/advocate as the QB)
Last question: Do you think this will affect the chemistry on the team in the locker room?
It shouldn't if you've got solid leaders in place (players and coaches) who hunger for success, don't make excuses, and realize how fortunate they are to be highly paid professionals involved in a sport they love.
Some of the questions Raider fans need to seriously ask themselves and contemplate if Hue is promoted are:
(1) Is Jackson any less qualified or capable than Cable in getting us to the next level of competitiveness (read: playoffs)?
(2) Is Jackson any less of a motivator and leader of men than Cable?
(3) How much credit does Cable deserve in terms of 2010's bump in wins from 5 to 8?
If you look at the personnel acquired (Davis + scouting staff) and the quantum leap in offensive production (mostly Jackson with some credit going to Cable), one begins to wonder if the Jackson/Davis partnership might be more fruitful.
Until we actually hire a new Head Coach, and we see how the 2011 season goes, we will have many unanswered questions to ponder.
No doubt. I thought of a nightmare scenario yesterday, though. Nnamdi is almost certainly gone -- what if he went to the 49ers, who desperately need a CB. Then, what if Jackson went over there to be the OC, too? The reason for my musings is that the Oakland Raiders have not made a new HC announcement yet. Why not? If I'm Jackson, I'm saying, "make the announcement now or I'm walking." There is nothing for Al or Hue to gain by delaying this.
I ran into a guy who looked like a fire hydrant. He was looking for "the buck twenty" he was owed. The latest Oak Raid coach kicked to the curb. Won't be the last. Unfortunately.
Good to see the Cableman got hired by the SeaChickens as an Asst Head Coach/ Oline Coach.
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