blc2000's blog

Here are 10 things I'll take away from this weekend ...

So, during our weekly Raiders, 49ers office breakdown of Sunday's games, the first question I was asked was if Tom Cable would be fired.

Call me a contrarian, but I think Tom Cable keeps his job.

If you read reports the last few days, it appears his firing is imminent.

Outside of "sources," the reports are based on:

1. His benching of Al Davis favorite JaMarcus Russell.

2. His 9-19 record since taking over for Lane Kiffin.

3. The horrible offensive performance by the team.

There also was talk that because of his alleged fight with assistant coach Randy Hanson, Davis would have "cause" to fire him, which would allow him to avoid paying off the remainder of Cable's contract.

With all this going against Cable, I have a nagging suspicion that Davis keeps him.

before I get to my picks, which I'm sure nobody is waiting for given the last two weeks, I'd be remiss if I didn't offer a take on a couple of hot-button topics regarding the Raiders.

1. Will coach Tom Cable be fired? I think he'll remain as coach, as he should. I'm not particularly enamored with the guy, but for the sake of organizational consistency, I think he gives the Raiders the best chance to win in 2010. If the Raiders had the chance to bring in a top-flight coach, then I say can Cable. But, that won't be a reality in Oakland until Al Davis is gone. So, stick with Cable.

2. What's JaMarcus' future? He'll be given, and should be given, a shot to win the starting job. If he comes back in shape and focuses, I think he has a shot. But, if he comes into camp the way he did last year, can you say ... Gradkowski. If I'm a betting man, I'd take Grads. Russell has shown me nothing in terms of dedication.

Well, let's see ... the Raiders had a great win last week against a possible playoff-bound team.

Today, they're on the road against a team with three victories.

Well, I'm probably jinxing them here, but I'll pick the Raiders.

I know ... the way they followed victories over Cincy, Philly and Pittsburgh shouldn't be cause for confidence. But, this is Cleveland after all.

Hard to know how the Raiders will play this one. Will they try to grind it out on the ground in snowy conditions? Will they leave it in the hands of Charlie Frye, who hopes to beat his old organization?

If they Raiders can shut down the Browns' running game (a big if), today should be a breeze. We'll see.

Pick: Raiders

In the name of brevity, and time ... here are the quick picks ...

Buffalo at Atlanta: Stick a fork in Buffalo. Pick: Atlanta

Another intersting week for the Raiders and Tom Cable.

Let's see. The team falls flat on its face. It names Charlie Frye as its starter for Sunday's game against Denver. It signs quarterback J.P. Losman.

The first was surprising. The second was shocking. The third ... well, that could be a sign of Cable's potential short future with the team.

Let's connect the dots. Losman played for the title-winning Las Vegas Locos of the UFL. They were coached by Jim Fassel. You remember him. Former assistant in Oakland. Former head coach in New York. The guy who sent Al Davis a letter, I believe last year, saying how much he wanted to coach the team. The guy whose son is a current assistant coach.

Hmmmm ... Fassel to replace Cable? ... We'll see ...

Of course, if the above conjecture is anything like my Raider game predictions, Cable will probably be around for another 10 years.

While watching the Pittsburgh-Cleveland game on Thursday night, the NFL Network put up a graphic outlining the AFC playoff picture.

I can't recall specifically the language, but teams were separated into categories. The first were the division leaders, then wild-card leaders, then those on the bubble and a fourth that included teams with an outside chance.

That outside chance category had teams that were 5-7, which led me to think, "Hey, the 4-8 Raiders are only one game out of that category. Not bad."

As the Raiders head into Week 14 to start the last quarter of the season, I wondered during this seven-year slide if this was the earliest since the Super Bowl season that we actually won our fourth game.

So, the Raiders go into Pittsburgh and beat a desperate Steelers team thanks to our backup quarterback who threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, something not done since Ken Stabler did it in 1979.

Next, you'll be telling me it could snow in Modesto.

Hard to figure out this team. Look awful in a loss to Kansas City. Post a thrilling vcitory over Cincinnati. Look dreadful at Dallas. Score 21 points in the final 8-plus minutes to beat Pittsburgh. (Click here for highlights and Greg Papa's calls).

Here are my five takeaways.