Jim Fassel has stepped up his campaign to become an NFL head coach again in the most interesting of ways.
Fassel
A team source tells ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that Fassel recently sent a handwritten letter to Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, expressing his respect and admiration for Davis and his desire to coach the embattled franchise.
Fassel last worked in the league as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens from 2003 until his dismissal midway through the 2006 season. He was head coach of the New York Giants from 1997 until the team fired him after the 2003 season.
Fassel was 60-56-1 in seven seasons with the Giants and led the club to a Super Bowl XXXV appearance against Baltimore. He had two interviews with the Washington Redskins last offseason before owner Daniel Snyder ultimately decided to hire Jim Zorn as his coach.
NFL.com Video
Raiders owner Al Davis explains his reasons for firing coach Lane Kiffin in his September News Conference.
Lane Kiffin was fired by Davis on Sept. 30 after Oakland started 1-3, with the job going to offensive line coach Tom Cable on an interim basis. The Raiders are 1-4 under Cable. Kiffin, meanwhile, has filed a grievance against Davis in an attempt to collect the remaining money on his contract.
The upheaval within the coaching staff has yet to abate. Davis, it turns out, stripped offensive coordinator Greg Knapp of play-calling duties, a source told Mortensen. Cable said last week that he relieved Knapp of his duties before a Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers and would remain in that role for the rest of the season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3706260