Terminated Oaf working!

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 8, 2009 1:36 PM PST Comment 38 comments

Now another NFC East team has thrashed us needlessly. Like Dallas, it was a meltdown in the 2nd Half and as with Dallas, Coach Cable the Oaf was ineffective, effete, and clueless. Oakland allowed 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter, and played undisciplined football throughout: committing 14 penalties, fumbling 4 times, allowing 9 sacks, giving up big plays, as usual, up the middle. Discipline is something Cable seems incapable of instilling in this team.

The game strategy after the 1st Quarter was absurd. On a wet field and rainy day, against the worst rushing defense around, Cable chose not to run the football, not to play Michael Bush at all. Calling a total of 21 running plays (Bruce ran 3 on his own). It made no sense. Washington has an excellent pass rush and terrible rush defense and we pass. Especially after Bruce went down Cable insisted on passing. On the sidelines Cable was fixated on a plastic-coated game sheet, absorbed in it and detached from the realities spinning out of control around him. He seemed like one struggling for a clue, attempting to decipher a code or an occult inscription.

To some it remains an open question whether Tom Cable has coaching ability or any leadership skills. Not for me, it's too obvious that Tom Cable is the main problem and not fit as a HC.

Incidentally, there is a lot of misdirected hostility against J. Russell. Granted he deserves a lot of resentment for playing badly, having a disgraceful attitude and being paid an unconscionable amount of money. But Russell does not put himself into ball games or call plays; Cable put him in (even while the whole stadium was booing and calling for backup QB Charlie Frye). Russell is being scapegoated now for Tom Cable's lack of judgment and inability to lead. This misdirected fan aggression is understandable but wrong. Sunday's loss to Washington is more Cable's fault than anyone else's. Tom Cable is unqualified to be the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders and Al Davis [I'm sure] has him marked for termination which becomes official January 4th, 2010.

Poll

Which answer best conveys Tom Cable's fate?

Tom has done enough already to remain Oakland's HC.

12 votes

If Oakland beats Washington, Tom's job is secure - showing he can handle success.

10 votes

Oakland ends with 6-10 record; Tom's job is secured if team goes out 2/2.

27 votes

Oakland must win 3 of its 4 for Cable to secure HC job.

24 votes

Cable must run the table and finish 8-8 to remain HC. You have the talent, let's see you use it.

10 votes

No matter what Cable does from here on - he is through here.

16 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Tom Cable

If we finish the season at 6-10, which would mean that we would have finished the season 4-3, I think he stays. If we go 5-11, I think he’s out.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 8, 2009 2:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He needs to win 3 of 4 to lock his job

Look, Washington and Cleveland.
Then Denver there. They were better w/Cutler but not good enough then to beat the team we have become. Besides, we through that one away early and Tom was in his Dallas mode. He owes us all for emotional distress and post traumatic stress syndrome.
Cable has to go 3 out of 4 and finish 7/9 (or 8/8) to keep his job.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 8, 2009 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

5-11

If he finished 5-11, hes out for sure. 7-9 hes in fer sure

by Remix. on Dec 8, 2009 5:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

and 6-10, what then?

My take is this, Cable has to prove that he can win 2 games in a row. We could beat Cleveland and Baltimore and never win two in a row. So, 6-10 (2 of next 4) doesn’t work for me b/c the problem with Cable is consistency.
I suppose (if he fails Sunday) we could string two by beating Cleveland and Denver or Denver and Baltimore. But 3 of 4 guarantees successive wins will demonstrate consistency and that indicates mental toughness – essential for a HC.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 8, 2009 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Correction, we could beat Denver and Baltimore and never string two in a row.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 8, 2009 8:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he might be back by default

If Russell remains, no one is going to want to come and deal with that potential mess and no one wants to deal w/ Davis.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Dec 8, 2009 6:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What the hell for?

Isn’t it about a time we got a coach with real experience who actually can take this team somewhere? Does anybody really think it’s Cable that’s making this team better?

Davis has interviewed Trestman and Fassel before. It’s got to be about time he brings in somebody with some real knowledge of the game. Anybody can see that Cable is winging it from game to game, insisting on calling the plays himself rather than getting a respectable offensive coordinator. The guy was fired at Idaho State, but he’s the future of the Raiders??

by rightnasty on Dec 8, 2009 7:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Pittsburgh win got him out of the hole

Tom’s got some capital now but nowhere near enough. He needs 3 or all 4 games for job security. I believe we’ll know soon which way it’s going to go. If he pulls another Dallas job on us Sunday – I will join you in bringing him down … not because I hate Cable but for the greater good of the Oakland Raiders.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 8, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Cable seems a timid man

He likes the sure things. Fargas gives him a modest but sure thing without the horror of a fumble. When Tom has looked bold is when the situation is dire. Thus, he orders the blitzkriegs on Philadelphia and goes for it on 4th downs against Pittsburgh. The one exception was Dallas when we went in 14 pt dogs and Cable was conservative – the worst combination he could manage. That’s why I really like what Al did today with Hanson. Shake this coach up and make him say, “fuck-it” more often. He seems to have some innate football ability but lacks confidence in himself.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 10, 2009 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Every coach has started out with

“no real experience”.

I like Cable because he recognizes that dealing with Al is part of the job and works around it, embraces it, instead of blowing it off or rebelling.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Dec 11, 2009 11:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the positive side of having a mild mannered HC

Cable’s chances of remaining HC are increased if he isn’t disturbed by Al’s eccentricities and avoids antagonizing him. He still needs to win games, of course.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 12, 2009 7:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

rightnasty, I have experienced enough!

Cable has got to go and I shall harry him as the terrier doth the rat.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 13, 2009 10:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the ironic thing

Gradkowski is more responsible for winning these games than Cable, and yet it may secure Cable’s job. Meanwhile, who knows if or when Al may hand the quarterback job back to Russell just to get a return on his investment. I’d like to think winning comes first, but $60 million down the drain is going to be a lot for even Al to stomach.

by rightnasty on Dec 9, 2009 2:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think it has a lot to do with having a QB who understands the game plan and offence

and is somewhat capable of executing it.

"Mel Kiper has his opinion and I respect it. But what does it mean? My 9-year-old nephew can watch film and make an opinion. I think I value the opinion of scouts who get paid to make their opinions. It will carry me through my career. It will serve as motivation for me." - Mike Mitchell

"I'll be the guy on top of the Quarterback" - Richard Seymour

Here they come baby, Just win baby, Feel the storm of the cold autum wind baby
Its the Oakland Raiders, Get your mouthpiece
You in the black hole, With the black beast! - Ice Cube 'Raider Nation'

by Ozraider on Dec 9, 2009 3:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Bruce continues even near the level we've seen

Al won’t bench him for any reason.

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2009 6:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

there is history to suggest that Al has no problem sticking with a journyman who puts up results eg. Plunkett, I think Al will enjoy the synergy with how Gradkowski has become the starter and the Raider history and I think as long as he plays keeps playing solid he will start next season.

"I'll be the guy on top of the Quarterback" - Richard Seymour

Here they come baby, Just win baby, Feel the storm of the cold autum wind baby
Its the Oakland Raiders, Get your mouthpiece
You in the black hole, With the black beast! - Ice Cube 'Raider Nation'

by Ozraider on Dec 9, 2009 3:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

Al tried to replace Jim Plunkett several times with Marc Wilson and Plunkett would always come back in because Wilson was so awful but this went on for years.

by sirbed on Dec 9, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

Thanks for bringing that up. Those Marc Wilson days were so painful because if we would have had a decent QB, we might have a few more SB trophies.

by Rusty23 on Dec 9, 2009 3:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Marc Vilson ein Dreck

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ahh fucck yeah - Marc fucking Wilson

I think i must have blacked that out.

"I'll be the guy on top of the Quarterback" - Richard Seymour

Here they come baby, Just win baby, Feel the storm of the cold autum wind baby
Its the Oakland Raiders, Get your mouthpiece
You in the black hole, With the black beast! - Ice Cube 'Raider Nation'

by Ozraider on Dec 10, 2009 2:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If by "investment" you mean money, please explain

how playing JR gets Al a return on his investment? Wouldn’t that be throwing good $ after bad? Or does ‘investment’ mean something besides money?

Son-of-Blanda

by Sons-of-Blanda on Dec 9, 2009 3:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He invested the money in Russell

so he’s going to try to get something for that investment by starting Russell again. That’s what he means.

If you invest in something, you use your money in a way that you hope will increase its value.

If Russell pans out then it would increase the value of his money, maybe not monetary, but that money spent was worth something valuable.

But this scenario is unlikely.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Dec 10, 2009 5:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And even if he doesn't pan out

Paying somebody that much money to sit on the bench is just plain ugly. Safe to assume Russell didn’t earn the starting job this season, and it took them 2/3 of the season before they would give Grad a chance. And Russell just said he won’t take a pay cut, but Al doesn’t think like we do. Wasn’t about to make Russell earn the job, just figured throw him out there, and he’ll learn on the fly.

by rightnasty on Dec 11, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and cost us the season

What’s saving Gradkowski is 3 things in my opinion (in no particular ranked order)

1) Decision making is better than Russell’s

2) Elusiveness in the pocket and pocket presence. I’m thinking his size is actually a plus here allowing him to duck out from under the defense linemen.

3) Leadership. Getting the offense on track, keeping them grounded after mistakes, keeping them accountable, and being accountable. I love how he says when he’s out there it’s his offense and he leads like it’s his offense.

Now, just as an afterthought. Russell doesn’t have any leadership qualities, never held himself accountable and never tried to fire up the offense, so there is some truth in what he says about the players making plays. HOWEVER, it’s his fault because if he isn’t going to try himself, why should the other players? Bruce came out w/ a fire in his eyes and a point to prove. And the old domino effect comes in here. It works both ways. Shit rolls down hill, but so does spirit. If you get a leader out there firing you up, getting your adrenaline going, trying his hardest to get a job done, damn right you’re going to get other members of the team fired up too.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Dec 11, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Unlikely?

More like impossible..I tired of sticking up for JaMarcus. He hasnt done anything to deserve my unappreciated support. He isnt going anywhere in his career. Unless someone moves him to the DL

by Remix. on Dec 10, 2009 2:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

+1

I agree, jaMarcus really made me look like a douchebag this year.

"I'll be the guy on top of the Quarterback" - Richard Seymour

Here they come baby, Just win baby, Feel the storm of the cold autum wind baby
Its the Oakland Raiders, Get your mouthpiece
You in the black hole, With the black beast! - Ice Cube 'Raider Nation'

by Ozraider on Dec 10, 2009 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I argued constanly with my Math teacher how he’s the future. I always stuck up for him. I caught alot of shit for it, but I was loyal. Fuck that..That kid can warm the bench for the rest of his career and I wouldnt give two shits

by Remix. on Dec 10, 2009 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Seems to be a lot of us that did this. Some will remember my “What’s with the JR Bashing” post I made in the summer. They’ll also notice it’s been deleted.

by rightnasty on Dec 11, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This opinion is sure to be unpopular

but whats to say Jamarcus Russell can’t get it back together?

I mean, I like Gradkowski, I think he should be given every chance to start until he’s unproductive. but we’ve seen it twice this year where a former first round pick that had been written off as a bust comes in and becomes a productive player. Maybe a prolonged benching is what Russell needs…?

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Dec 11, 2009 11:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is w/ Russell getting to together

is that right now it just doesn’t seem it. He went backwards from last year to this year. Then he got benched, and Tom Cable was asked was there any change and the answer was no. Now he’s coming out and still blaming the players around him, even if there is some truth to that, it falls on him because he himself wasn’t making plays and showed like he didn’t care so therefore the people around him didn’t care. Now he also comes out says he won’t take a pay cut and it’s all about JaMarcus.

Soooo that leads us to why people are saying it’s a hopeless case. The evidence as of now does not support the case that he’ll get it together.

I’m not saying it couldn’t happen but I’m looking at the facts. And all that article about what he said did was put more wind in the dead sails of the Russell apologists.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Dec 12, 2009 1:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i like what you got to say

but first off…I think any of that “jamarcus doesnt care” stuff as BS hyped up by the media, which spread like a wildfire after his immediate struggles. if he was winning, or not sucking, he would be our “calm, collected leader.” I’m not going to argue demeanors though, because no one really knows how jamarcus feels except for jamarcus.

I think there may be some valid points to what jamarcus was saying. several weeks ago, murphy would not have caught that toss up. But even then, I think its sad that Jamarcus cites all of his fails on other people. I speculate that it perhaps has something to do with never previously failing in football, but Im def not qualified to be taken seriously.

I’d have a hard time giving up millions of dollars if someone asked me to. i just would.

“the problem is w/russell getting to together is that right now it just doesn’t seem it”
-that was my point w/alex smith and vince young. they just didn’t seem it either.

With all that being said, Jamarcus’ future doesn’t look very bright. On the flip side Bruce Gradkowski’s future looks very bright. I want to see Jamarcus come out and justify his contract, but I just don’t see it happening. It’s silly to cut him at this point though..

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Dec 12, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not necessarily

going by the media. I’m talking about he just sat on the bench when he came off field after a 3rd and out and didn’t talk to the coaches or get the offense fired up or on the same page.

In the Pittsburgh game, and I’ll cite this game cuz I got to see it in entirety, I saw Bruce talking w/ Cable consulting. Of course I don’t know what about, but I do know right after that we had 3 TD drives.

When Russell was QB we never heard the players say the stuff they do about Gradowski. How he’s a leader and infuses the fire in them to make that play. Russell has a lot of growing up both mentally and personally to do to be a starter again.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Dec 12, 2009 11:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But see

That’s what’s scary. We’re reduced to hoping that he MIGHT get it together. That’s all we can say is that he MIGHT, without many encouraging signs that he WILL. And as Raider fans we seem to have gotten comfortable with that. That’s probably not a good thing.

by rightnasty on Dec 12, 2009 4:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely wouldn't say CONFORTABLE

but I would say adjusting your beliefs based on what seems rational. Either way, it’s definitely not a good thing though..

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Dec 12, 2009 10:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How do you delete Posts?

I kinda Vented after the Jets loss in a post, and Id like for it to be removed

There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.

by Remix. on Dec 12, 2009 7:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs