The end of the war is near
By Charles Ybarra
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 11:17 pm in Oakland Raiders.
I must admit, I didn’t think Emperor Al could justify and cover most of Kiff’s team comments/allegations made earlier in the season…
but he did.
It looks as if the old man out of from Brockton, Mass won the verbal battle once again..(at least for now).
I still would like to know if he personally had anything to do with ANY kind of play calling during games in the past 5 years.
Former Raider employees and representatives had once told the Lord of the Sith..
“yes, he sure as hell has!”
Eh, I guess some mysteries will never be solved.
Back to the War..
Kiff recently told ESPN that just because somethings written on a letter, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true. I guess we’ll be hearing the ENTIRE story from Lane and his Attorneys in a wee bit. A press conference was supposed to be set for tomorrow, but our former Coach bailed out of his promise earlier this evening.
UGH, this War of words might even go on for the entire year..
Do you really care?
I’m sensing “Hell to the no!”
Do you want to watch the team win regardless of who the Coach is?
Don’t we all, sir.
REVISED TRANSCRIPT
Raiders Owner Al Davis: I will start by saying it is a regretful day, very much so. It was January ‘07. I was excited about the naming of the new head coach of the Raiders, a young guy, who I thought was dynamic. I thought could carry the flag, the torch of the Raiders; because I wanted to get young, I wanted young people in the organization. I knew it was a bold attempt, calculating that I always had a great success or that I thought I did with young people. And even those that didn’t stay with me long, I knew they were qualified with quality and sometimes things just don’t work out. It was after a short period of time that I realized I didn’t hire the person I thought I was hiring. This morning, I called Lane [Kiffin] and told him he is no longer the head coach of the Oakland Raiders and I was going to dismiss him with cause and I just couldn’t go on much longer with the propaganda of lying that has been going on for weeks, and months, and a year and time.
We’ll get back. The Raiders will be back. I have unshakable confidence, the will to win, and I just know that the fire that burns brightest in this building is the will to win and we WILL win. We will win.
Q: A few years ago, won two games, last year four games, this year 1-3, you’ve been in this game a long time. Do you think this team is better than 1-3, shouldn’t this organization be getting more wins based on the players you’ve brought in?
Al Davis: I think this team can win. I see every team in the league, I look at the tapes, I see one or two that may be above the rest. Buffalo is 4-0 and we can play with Buffalo. San Diego is 2-2, we’re getting closer, and we can play with San Diego. There’s one or two that may be above, but other than that this league will balance out and we’ll get there if we keep them alive, he’s good. This kid from LSU, [JaMarcus Russell] he’s a great player and we’re going to make him great. [Darren] McFadden is a hell of a player. [Nnamdi] Asomugha is a great player and we’re banged up and all, but we’ll see. It’s not over yet.
[After a short break]
Al Davis: Ladies and gentlemen this is Tom Cable. He is the new interim head coach of the Raiders. He’s been our offensive line coach of the Raiders last year, his first year, and has a tremendous record as a coordinator and offensive line coach at Atlanta. I think he had the number one rushing team in the league in Atlanta. At UCLA he really developed some great offensive teams as a coordinator. I think he’ll do great. I introduce you to Tom Cable and I’m proud to say he’s an Oakland Raider head coach.
Tom Cable: Thank you all for coming. It’s time for us to move forward, to put everything that’s happened in the past behind us, which we will do. We have a good coaching staff here and we have a good team here. Make no mistake about it we have a good football team. The process you go through, you learn how to achieve and win in this game and we’re on this process and that won’t change. As we move forward I’ll sit down with the staff shortly after this press conference and we’ll have some discussions.
Q: Tom did such a good job on the offensive line and I was just wondering is there any question to the line suffering from Tom not working there day to day?
Coach Cable: [That’s not] going to change. I’ll still coach the line. That’s what I do, it’s what I am. Those guys and that group, I’m very familiar with that group. There’s a bond there that won’t be broken and can’t be broken and we will move forward with that every day…go to work and do what we do. At the same time, we’re going to bring that work, that commitment and that bond to the whole team as the head coach now. That’s what it amounts to. There’s no reason to make any changes that way. This is a good coaching staff. We’ve got people in the right place. We’ve got good players. The bottom line is its up for us to win football games. At the end of the day that’s all this is about. This is a good football team.
Mr. Davis: I was concerned about it. I really was. He’s very strong and very forceful. I think it can be done. It has been done in the past. I think if anyone can do it, he can do it. I thought this team needed him.
Q : Will Greg Knapp call plays?
Coach Cable: Yes, Greg will call the plays. Greg and I will work side by side on that. I had the fortune of being with Greg in Atlanta and this system. We’re very familiar with each other. Greg is very good at what he does. There’s no issue there. I will have final say as to the game plan…how we’re going to get after you, how we’re going to attack you and how we’re going to manage the game. As the game goes, as for the play calling, the right decision right now is for Greg to do that and I feel very confident in that.
Q: How can you turn things around?
Coach Cable: Well, I think you first got to get an understanding of something. The spirit of the team is of the utmost importance. All of these guys to be professional football players have been winners, they are winners. They didn’t get here because they’re second hand and couldn’t achieve, so you got to draw that out. You have to take them back so they can find that spirit. Then you have to do it collectively as a team. That’s what we plan to do and that’s what we will work towards doing. How do you finish teams? You don’t let up. You throw the football to score points in this game and you run the ball to win games. You have to find the balance in those two. You have to get the ball in your play makers’ hands. You have to be able to do that to finish. Defensively, you have to be able to choke them out, you have to intercept balls, get your hand on the ball and cause fumbles. To me, you emphasize and talk about all these things but sometimes it’s best to go out and play and to pull the spirit out of these men. They’re good football players, they always have been, and that’s why they’re professionals.
Q: As you look at the Raiders right now, what would you say is the strength of the team as you look at it?
Coach Cable: I think the strength of this team is the character of this football team. I think you have great men on this team, you have guys who can fly around. The play makers on defense, you have a defensive coordinator that I watch daily put everything he has into it. It’s his life, it’s all of our lives. Rob [Ryan] is no different than anyone else.
He has done a great job and he’ll do a great job even more so now. The rest of the staff, very very solid group of guys…good teachers and that’s the most important thing. This football team - its strength to me is its character. We’ll hit you in the mouth, we can run the football at you, we have a quarterback who’s a special guy and now it’s up to us to get him in a position so he can succeed. Obviously, we’ve been attempting to do that but we have to do it better.
Q: When did Mr. Davis offer you the job and did he say something that convinced you that this was the right opportunity for you?
Coach Cable: We talked this morning. You know what he had to convince me of really was is that it is the right thing and the right time and that he believed in me. It was a surprise to me and at the same time is a dream to me obviously. I think that when I heard in his voice that he believed that I could take his football team, his organization where he wants it to go. That is all that I needed to hear. Because my passion and my love for the game, my love for the players and coaches that I work with every day - it does not wane. Once that I heard it in his voice that he believed in me I knew that this was the right thing to do.
Q: Under your direction will the offense look any different that it has in the early part of the season in terms of either play selection or personnel?
Coach Cable: The biggest thing that I need to do quite honestly is go back and sit down with the coaches and get some input and give them some input about the direction that I want to go in terms of specifics. It’s no secret what we have to do. We have to take care of the football and score points on offense. And on defense you have to get ball away and knock people’s heads off and keep them from scoring points. And at the end of the day, win. It does not matter if it is 49 to 48, it does not matter if it is one to nothing. Win.
Looks like Cable has the right attitude.
I just hope the players buy into the fresh and new program as well as the current Coaches…
otherwise?
Hell, we all have been down on that lonely damn road before..
Couldn’t get any worse, right???
(Please don’t mention Art’s record)
To new beginnings,
-DR
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October 1st, 2008 at 12:50 am
I KNEW AL WOULD BE ABLE TO BREAK IT DOWN. LANE LAID EVERYTHING OUT FOR THE MEDIA AND ANYBODY LISTENING THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IT’S THIS SIMPLE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE TEAM, LANE WOULD SPEAK AS IF THIS CURRENT TEAM HAD NO TALENT OVERALL AND HE REALLY SEEMED TO SINGLE HIMSELF OUT IN TERMS OF BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON GAME DAY ” FORTH QUARTER LEADS AND BEING VERY PASSIVE IN CRITICAL TIMES IN GAMES “. NOW WE ALL KNEW HE WAS YOUNG AND HAD TO GROW AS A COACH BUT HE WASN’T READY TO DEAL WITH MEDIA WHICH IS ALSO A SKILL A HEAD COACH HAS TO HAVE. LET’S SEE HOW CABLE DOES. MY BET IS THAT HE WILL NOT SINGLE OUT PLAYERS, COACHES OR THE OWNER OF THE TEAM, THAT WOULD BE THE PERSON IN CHARGE IN CASE ANY OF YOU ” AL’S IN THE WAY FOLKS ” . LET’S SEE WHAT IT DO !
CALI LUV, BAY AREA LUV, RAIDER NATION UNITE !
MR. SNAKE
9HUNDRED RECORDS,INC.
OAKLAND,CA.
NINEHUNDREDRECORDSINC@YAHOO.COM
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/9hundredrecords
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mrsnake
October 1st, 2008 at 2:05 am
I watched the press conference this afternoon, as well as the overplayed coverage by ESPN and NFL Network. You’ve got John Clayton saying one thing and Terrel Davis showing off his Bronco colors, but the most important thing about the press conference was the REALITY of Tom Cable. If nothing else, the man says what he means. He has a high motor and a refreshing lack of tact. This man could very well be the best thing for us this season, because it seems to me that he’ll get through to the players. He looks, acts, and talks like the sport itself, and that’s just what the players need right now. They need to just put on their pads, get to the practice field, and smack each other around for a bit. It’s sounds counter-intuitive, but that just might clear their heads. There’s almost a glimmer of Madden about Cable’s demeanor and perspective.
I can only hope that Cable’s influence will give us a game or two where we just unleash all this pent up frustration in an aggressive mauling of some team (hopefully the Ravens–I still remember that AFC Championship game).
To new beginnings, and health to all Raiders,
Paper Tiger
-Paper Tiger
October 1st, 2008 at 6:41 am
Everyone loves a bad guy (right Darth Raider?) and one of the biggest things for me was to see Al hasn’t been spending “A Weekend At Bernie’s” with Amy Trask or John Herrera. He’s still Emperor Davis.
The Emperor stated a compelling case for change and Tom Cable has the making of a good Grand Moff. I don’t think 6-10 is out of reach if the players and coaches can buy into it. From his ESPN interview and the shifty eyes I have to wonder how truthful the young rebel Kiffin truly was. I expect “a certain point of view” from the the organizations but not the pitch man.
D_H
October 1st, 2008 at 8:06 am
I’m utterly amazed at how easily some people buy into a story that’s complete crap. If anyone thinks Al Davis’ antics are validated because of this “letter”; you’re only fooling yourselves. C’mon, look at the man’s track record. Al Davis is a liar and always has been. I knew the Davis loyalists would jump on this and say: “See, I told you so. It is Kiffin’s fault.” I didn’t buy for a second the diarrhea that spews from this has-been’s mouth. He’s done nothing in over 20 years to make me, a realistic person, believe that he’s in the right. He’s a horrible owner, and to deny this fact is to simply choose ignorance; well, what can you expect from “fanatics?” Fans aren’t exactly the most objective people. If you could not see through this transparent, buttered up, concocted letter; then you deserve to continue to watch your team sink, while continuing pay them money for tickets, merchandise, etc; because it doesn’t make a difference with you Al Davis supporters. When Kiffin was interviewed; he showed maturity in that he did not even dignify Al’s press conference with a response. Although he did say that he ‘is embarrassed for him [Al].” Al Davis is clearly a manipulative piece of crap. He has single handedly destroyed a once proud franchise. Davis, at one time, had one of the best organizations in American sports, but has done nothing but tear it down for the past 20 + years; yet he still manages to fool you into giving him money to support his “cause.” Go ahead, waste your time and money on this pathetic organization, keep giving Al Davis your life, and just like a slut-wife, he’ll keep breaking your heart, and you’ll keep coming back. I am washing my hands of this organization until “honest-Al” leaves…whatever way it happens. I am sick and tired of being associated with the UNDISCIPLINED, laughing stock of the NFL, year in and year out. AL DAVIS SUCKS! HE IS A MANIPULATIVE SACK OF GARBAGE! I wish all of you would come to your senses and teach this douche nozzle a lesson. Let him know that you will not stand for his putrid tactics. But you won’t…so go ahead and be “proud” to be a Raider/Al fan. YOU SUCK! And so do the Raiders/Al.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am
raider nation lets get through the bye week and win a game most importantly lets finish the game. kiffen is gone so to me he’s not in the family no more so buck
him, move on and finish the 4th quarter theres no reason we shouldnt be a 3-1 football team. start strong finish strong. if we can get to 9-7 we maybe
in the playoffs the way afc is looking right now.
we’ll get denver and san diego again and we will win
those games. holla back
October 1st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Doesn’t Al look like the Sith Lord?
Cann’t you envision him in a hood (albeit silver and black), saying “join the dark side Lane, you don’t understand the power of the dark side?”
Sith Lord Al
He runs the Raiders just like the it.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Cable seems good and all, but can he translate that into wins? I hope so.
And how in the hell can a score be 1-0 in football? If Cable actually said that, I think we might be in for yet ANOTHER long season.
…
Just kidding.
Hopefully.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
NMRaider — I couldn’t agree more! Old Al is looking more and more like the burnt up Emperor as the days go on (and on and on). God willing, Cable focuses the kids on the strengths (primarily anything that occurs in the first half of games) and keeps the team’s minds on the field and not on the circus/media nonsense. It is what it is… this is the time where the true fans will be separated from the posers.
As always Darth, thanks for the insight and the humor. Both sure are needed these days!
I (have been and still am) IN!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Two names come to mind that might offer hope. But the real question is, would they want to work for Al Davis next year? Brian Billick and Bill Cowher. Maybe Al could make them an offer they couldn’t refuse and promise them complete control since both have Super Bowl Trophies under their belt..make them the highest paid coaches in the Universe! Boy would that shake things up!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Actually a worthwhile post this time. Short and to the point plus the transcript. Much Improved DR.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
NORVACAIN: Why I’m glad The CHOKERS have him!!!!!
Pronunciation: NOR-VA-CAIN
Norvacain is a fast working drug. Norvacain is injected into the heart of a football team in an attempt to replace a Motivational Coach with an Offensive Coordinator with the intensity of a librarian. Though it may be worth trying, this injection alone is enough to make Fans nervous about any football game where player intensity may be required. The risk is that usually one season of Norvacain could potentially be dangerous to the health of the team by numbing the team for the duration of any football Championship window.
Along with its known effects, Norvacain may cause some unwanted effects, such as ,passive, unmotivated play, lack of focus and intensity, fatigue, playing under players potential, demise of leadership, breakdown of the team unit, loss of team character, emotionless and unprepared gameplanning, becoming injury prone.
Team Captains will attempt to call team meetings in an effort to bolster the troops in an effort to ward off this invasion, however, continued exposure to the Norvacain soon proves fatal to the Team chemistry and players frustration soon begin to fester.
Early warning signs are when the Defensive Captain states:
It took me a while,” Merriman conceded Monday. “I kind of get rowdy, get up for a game by yelling and screaming and everything else, and Norv wasn’t like that.” He added, “I’m waiting to hear him tell me to get up and run through that wall over there, and it never happened.”
Fans being exposed to literally watching their team transition from being a perennial Championship team to a team best remembered for playing at a waterpark, soon experience any of the following side affects,
loss of Appetite,high blood Pressure, Bluish lips and fingernails; breathing problems; chest pain; convulsions (seizures); dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; fever; headache; irregular heartbeat; itching; nausea and/or vomiting; pale skin; raised red swellings on the skin lips tongue or in the throat; rapid heart rate; restlessness; unusual tiredness or weakness; Back pain; constipation; difficulty in opening the mouth; inability to hold bowel movement and/or urine; loss of sexual function; paralysis of legs; persistent numbness; prolonged numbness or tingling of lips and mouth; shivering; skin rash; tingling or pins and needles sensation.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:24 am
It makes no difference who the raiders coach is, the top man has GOT TO GO , period,, All the coaching changes , the same on the field results, except for the 4 short years we had Jon Gruden,, Tell me where would this team had been, how many double digit lose seasons would we be on , if Gruden had not come and along with Rich Gannon, Mercy sake this team is a mess and the one who has made it that way will not get out of the way , to allow some one to come in and change it,,
So till Al Davis is out of here, the losing will continue,,
Aloyal fan of 40 years
Perry
October 14th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Kiffin had the team moving forward but his defense was horrible yet expensive. I’m still not sure picking a quaterback with the first pick was the right call due to the pressure he is under, we could have got a great receiver instead and picked a QB in a later round. Cable will be replaced next year if anyone will take the job. Davis has turned a great team into a nightmare and I think he should disband the organization before it gets worse.