MOBILE, Ala. -- Reunited with Hue Jackson after a previous stint together at Cal, Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable expressed confidence that hiring the former Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach as the AFC West franchise's new offensive coordinator will pay immediate dividends.
"I think it's a good decision by the organization," Cable told National Football Post while observing the South team practice at the Senior Bowl today. "It's someone that I'm familiar with. It's someone that I think can help us take the next step, so we're all pretty excited about it."
The Raiders finished 5-11 this past season, but managed to beat some good teams. That included upset victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
After several years of losing seasons, the Raiders are hoping to build on a year where they endured a considerable amount of controversies as well as injuries.
"Well, I think we have a chance," Cable said. "I think we've gotten to that level of competitiveness that it takes. The next step will be the hardest, and that's getting to the playoffs. But that will be the goal."
Although the Raiders haven't made any official announcement about Cable's status, he definitely didn't act like someone who's in any danger of losing his job.
A sizable contingent of Raiders personnel have been taking a business-as-usual approach at the Senior Bowl.
Cable said his meetings with team owner Al Davis have been positive and constructive.
It seems like the status quo in Oakland, for the most part.
"We've been meeting constantly and talking about how we can get better," Cable said. "We're continuing to do that as we get ready for the draft."
Cable said he's looking forward to a season strictly focused on football after a year where off-field issues swirled around the team, including the Randy Hanson incident.
"Certainly, but that really wasn't an issue for me," Cable said.
So, it's a straightahead focus? "Absolutely," Cable said.
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"An official announcement from the team is necessary when the guy is under contract as the Head Coach" because reporters find it easier to do their jobs then. And they don't have sources and they have deadlines and need to write articles... but it can be embarrassing for them when they're always guessing wrong.
Considering that the team has denied a report that Cable would be back, yes, it would be nice for them to issue a formal announcement either way. That's the bed the Raiders have made for themselves over the years.
Co-sign with DM. Jon: stop drinking the Kool-Aid, and this is coming from an Oakland native and big fan.
Hugh Jackson is no magician, all of his success in Baltimore was directly related to the very solid "O" and "D" lines. Winning in the NFL has more to do with the talent on the lines than it has to do with the coaching.
Anyone that watch the playoffs and thinks that the Raiders do not need a complete "O" line overhaul is sadly mistaken. The Jets proved the the Raider "O" line is made up with rejects, players of marginal talent.
Team's lease called for all games...
Former Chiefs head coach will...
But free agent is rehabbing from...
Vikings director of player personnel...
'SYNDER SUCKS' he wrote on Twitter
Jan 26, 2010
06:40 PM
Why is an official announcement necessary when the guy is under contract as the Head Coach?