Fry to start Raiders vs Ravens

[Over-Head]

RAIDERS

Cable move gives Davis clear choice



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPA31BCJA9.DTL


(01-02) 21:02 PST -- Raiders coach Tom Cable will make one last stand today. He'll do so without franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell, which is what could put the Waterloo in this stand of his.


By leaving Russell on the bench, Cable has given Raiders owner Al Davis a very clear choice to make after today's set-sail finale against the visiting Ravens: keep Cable for a second season, or keep Russell for a second chance.

It's one or the other, because at this point, it likely won't be both.
Cable has made sure of that by promoting the second- and third-string quarterbacks ahead of Russell and his $32 million guaranteed contract, all while calling out Russell for not working hard enough to live up to his raw talent.

Asked why Russell won't start an otherwise meaningless game, Cable reminded everyone why he benched the NFL's worst-rated quarterback in the first place.

"As I said when I made this switch initially, to give us the best chance to win right now," Cable said. "So it's all based on that."

Oh yes, Monday. That's when Cable said the Raiders would be in the playoffs next week if not for Russell's below-average play.

Davis was livid about Cable's comments, according to three anonymous sources within the organization. Absolutely livid.
He was already weighing a fifth coaching change in seven years before Monday. The reasons: Russell's stunted development, a Cable-driven offense with 16 touchdowns in 15 games, the entire Randy Hanson saga and assault allegations.

One high-ranking official called Monday's news conference "Kiffin-esque," saying Cable was warned beforehand not to say anything much. He surmised Davis may now consider firing Cable "with cause," just as he did former coach Lane Kiffin last year.
At the very least, Davis is prepared to fire Cable and blame him for Russell's poor play. Russell's 47.8 percent completion rate and 49.6 passer rating remain league lows, and he's about to become the first qualifying quarterback with a sub-50.0 rating since Ryan Leaf and two others in 1998.

Cable's defense is in the post-Russell numbers.
Russell started the first nine games, going 2-7. The offense scored 88 points with two passing touchdowns. They gained 1,998 yards and passed for 1,227 yards. They ranked last in passing offense, last in scoring offense and second-to-last in total offense.

In six games since, the Raiders have 96 points and seven passing touchdowns. They've gained 1,935 yards and passed for 1,366 with two 300-yard games - one for Frye, one for Bruce Gradkowski, and never one for Russell.

Indeed, the Raiders have won three of six games for the second straight year. No Raiders coach had done that once since the 2002 Super Bowl run. Win today, and they'll be the first Raiders team to not lose 11 or more games in that same span.

That, Cable thinks, is more important than playing Russell or anyone else just for the sake of justifying salaries or keeping people happy.
Cable calls it "changing the culture." He'll know soon enough if that, indeed, is what Davis wants changed.
"We want that sixth win," Cable said. "We want to win more games than they've won here since 2002."


Final word: Once upon a time, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was a wee little rookie, making his NFL debut. Nine tackles, two passes defensed, one interception and AFC defensive player of the week ... yeah, that 1996 season opener at Oakland was a sign of greatness to come.

I predict an even better day for Mr.Lewis