There are two stories dominating the news at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, and both are pertinent to the Raiders. But one clearly shapes up as bad news, while the other could be a blessing for the Silver and Black. The first tale involves Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith, who showed up overweight, informed people he wouldn’t be working out, then disappeared. He went home to Atlanta without allowing teams to interview him. Now the airwaves are abuzz with… Read More »

What were the odds of the Raiders signing both Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler without using the franchise tag on either? About the same as the chances of owner Al Davis getting caught by paparazzi in a lusty embrace with Lane Kiffin in a booth at Francesco’s restaurant. Even Davis himself admitted recently that it would be hard to retain both his punter and his shut-down corner. Signing each, without invoking the franchise by-laws, was a stroke of genius, the… Read More »

We challenge you to read the following sentence and NOT think about Nnamdi Asomugha: The Raiders have reached a long-term deal with punter Shane Lechler. It has been a long time since Asomugha and Lechler were on the field together at the same time, but the two men have become inextricably linked in the minds of Raiders-watchers. They were the team’s only Pro Bowl choices in 2008, and have been the most consistent achievers over the past three seasons. And… Read More »

When a federal judge recently sentenced Dana Stubblefield to two years of probation for lying to sports-doping investigators about steroids, it brought up memories of the strange 2003 season. Stubblefield is known primarily for his work with the 49ers, but he was a Raider when a positive THG test landed him in hot water in November 2003. On the day the Raiders earned a much-needed win against Minnesota, news leaked out via an Internet report that Stubblefield and three teammates… Read More »

There was no overhead projector this time, though Al Davis did get around to calling Lane Kiffin a “flat-out liar.” Davis introduced his new/old coach, Tom Cable, on Wednesday, saying that Cable and another, unnamed candidate were the finalists. Was Kevin Gilbride the other candidate? Davis wouldn’t say. But the owner did offer that Cable won the “competition” largely by assembling a better collection of assistant coaches. Some of those assistants were purely hypothetical. But the Raiders have hired several… Read More »

As most of the free world knows by now, Raiders owner Al Davis has ended his 37-day waiting period and made Tom Cable his head coach. Davis will re-introduce Cable at team headquarters tomorrow afternoon. As major announcements go, this one is only slightly more exciting than the Raiders’ noting one of their games will be broadcast in Navajo. Everyone has figured it would be Cable for at least two weeks now, and few are leaping to their feet to… Read More »