I imagine this note went out to quite a few fan sites today, but I'm going to post it here just in case.

This is definitely some conspiracy theory propaganda, but I do see some possible underlying truths in it. There's no doubt that Al is the black sheep owner of the NFL, and that ESPN and the rest of the NFL enjoy nothing more than to see his Raiders fail.

Give it a read...

Dear Raider Nation,

The Raiders are one of the best franchises in pro-sports; not talking about in the past or morally I mean they are literally as good as New England or Baltimore. Al Davis is being forced out and is involved in a battle with minority owners who side with the NFL is getting out the league. A mutiny of minority owners backed by the league and their corporate partners to take over the Raiders so they can relocate and join most other teams in brown nosing the league office.

Its' hard to accept that Al isn't to blame for the slump but its true and the losing is on purpose. To discourage fans from attending games. The NFL hopes Al will go into debt and have to sale more shares and the whole team by 2011; with lowered attendance the new ownership would have excuse to relocate the team. Its' not about only revenge against Al but cold business. The NFL doesn't want any family owned clubs unless the family are billionaires who can finance their own stadiums. So, the Raiders are in a bad place and have no support from the media or law enforcement (Feds).

It looks like they may lose hugely and embarrassingly against the Chargers - something the NFL really wants to happen and because of the people the league has inside the Raiders to cause it to happen. But what we can do is intercept them and show our support for Mr Davis and his/ our Raiders. If you know anyone attending the game tonight tell them to e-mail others and:

1. Make signs supporting Raiders regardless of losses.
2. Booing ESPN and NFL Network
3. Letting the NFL know the fans support the Raiders.

This won't stop any fixed games but it may stop them from doing it in the future by exposing their corruption. Let high morale dominate our emotions instead of anger at Al and the Raiders when they lose this season; understand the NFL is behind most of their problems.

Two of the Raiders' top players, and arguably the best in the NFL at their respective positions, are up for free agency in 2009. The Raiders' All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and All-Pro punter Shane Lechler are not likely to both be starting the 2009 season with the Oakland Raiders. One of them will almost inevitabley move on.

Asomugha has reportedly stated that he's interested in seeing what's out there, and it's been hinted that Lechler may want to explore greener pastures as well. However, it's certain that Al Davis is going to slap the franchise tag on one of these players. The obvious choice would most likely be Asomugha, given that he's not only the Raiders' top player in the defensive secondary, but perhaps the best corner in the NFL. While having a shut-down corner like Asomugha on the roster is a definite need for the Raiders, so is a punter of Lechler's caliber.

When it's all said and done, Lechler will probably end his career being recognized as the greatest punter in NFL history, and may possibly become the first punter in the Hall of Fame. Since entering the league in 2000, Lechler has already set five Raiders' regular season records, and holds the all-time record in the NFL for highest career average per punt (46.5 yds).

So how do the Raiders cope with this off-season dilemma of trying to retain one, or both of these players? Slapping the exlusive rights tag on Asomugha is most likely what will happen. Davis will either arrange a long-term deal or trade him to another team for some hefty draft picks. It'd be sad to see Nnamdi leave the Raiders, but it's unclear whether or not the organization will be able to afford the salary it would require to keep him in Oakland for years to come.

Lechler on the other hand, would be easy to afford. Both players would attract much attention from other teams, but even as good as Lechler is, he still wouldn't be as desirable as Asomugha. Unfortunately, Lechler is probably more than interested in leaving Raider land. If being the best player in the NFL at your position, while being stuck on a losing and dysfunctional franchise for the past five years wasn't enough, how about a nice sock to the face from teammate Terdell Sands? Sands, who's 6'7" and weighing in at 335 lbs., decked Lechler on the team flight home from Denver on Novemeber 23rd.

In an ideal world, the Raiders and Asomugha could agree to a long-term contract that would keep him in the Silver and Black for eight more years perhaps. Then, they could take Lechler out, get him drunk and throw enough money at him to keep him happy. However, the truth of the matter is, neither one of these guys is excited about staying with the Raiders. I guess it'll depend upon who wants out more.

If Asomugha is bent on going to another team, Davis could put the non-exclusive tag on him and let Nnamdi shop himself around. The Raiders could seek a valuable trade for him or receive a couple first round picks, which they could certainly use for their rebuilding process. This would probably allow the Raiders to throw a boat-load of cash at Lechler and make him the highest paid punter in league history.

My early prediction is that Asomugha will probably be in another uniform next season. With all of the bad personnel decisions that have been made - throwing outrageous contracts at has-beens and never-will-be's, I don't see how they could pay Asomugha enough money to keep him happy in the land of silver and black. Personally, I'd like to see Lechler retire a Raider, so that wouldn't bum me out too much. I'd just be concerned that the Raiders didn't squander their compensation for Asomugha on more bad players.

This should be an interesting off-season for Oakland. Raider Nation... hold on tight... we could be in for a very bumpy ride.

The Raiders' search for a head coach officially ended yesterday when Al Davis and Tom Cable agreed to a contract that would remove his interim tag, and make him head coach of the Oakland Raiders. A press conference was held today at the Raiders' facility in Alameda, where Al Davis announced the appointing of Tom Cable as his head coach. Cable is now the 17th head coach in Raiders' history and the 5th since Jon Gruden left for the Buccaneers in 2002.

Cable was one of three people that Davis interviewed for the head coaching position. Davis claimed to have had considered someone else for the job, but Cable's heart and desire to bring the Raiders back to prominence finally won him over.

Here is some of what Cable had to say at today's press conference:

"As I said when this became an interim job in October, this is my dream, this was my team growing up. There's not anything in the world I'd rather be doing. I'm honored to have the opportunity. I'm very honored by what this football team did in the last six weeks of the regular season and where we have grown as a football team, and I know right now where we need to go to get to the playoffs."

In an endearing speech, Cable addressed the Raider Nation and said it was time to bring the glory back to Oakland.

"To the fans of Raider Nation, listen to me. It is time we came back to you with a team that you can be proud of every Sunday, so that everyone walks into that stadium with an energy and excitement like no other. You have been great fans in the past, and it is time for us to give you something back - a great football team."

Under Cable, the Raiders finished the 2008 season on a high note. They beat a team on the rise in the Houston Texans, and upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a surprising road win in the final game of the season.

Let's hope Cable can build upon that momentum and bring the Pride & Glory back to Oakland.

For the past couple of weeks it has seemed all but certain that Tom Cable will lead the Raiders as head coach beginning with the 2009 season. Cable is expected to have the interim tag removed from his job title as early as today, or possibly Wednesday.

Cable, who took over in week 5 after Lane Kiffen was shown the door, has already proven that he can lead the team. Although his win/lose ratio wasn't spectacular, he demonstrated good leadership qualities in the face of extreme adversity. Cable imbued the Raiders with something the team hasn't had in quite some time - Pride & Poise. He taught the players to believe in themselves and to keep fighting until the end.

The Raiders finished their season with 2 straight victories, including a startling upset with a road win over Tampa Bay, which ultimately led to the Bucs missing the playoffs and former Raiders' head coach Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen losing their jobs. Cable's influence in the second half of the season formed a solid foundation for which the Raiders can build upon in the 2009 season.

So if Cable seems so right for the job, why has it taken so long to promote him to head coach?

One reason may be that Al Davis wanted to wait until the Super Bowl fanfare had blown over. Al likes to be the center of attention and he didn't want the Super Bowl media coverage to steal his thunder. The other, and more tangible reason, is that Davis wanted to be very particular about the assistant coaching staff that was hired for next season.

The Raiders' past three head coaches were all allowed to assemble their own coaching staff, which Davis now sees as a probable contributor to the team's failure over the past several seasons. This time around Davis wanted to be instrumental in the hiring of assistant coaches prior to appointing the team's new head coach.

Now that many of the important pieces are in place and the Super Bowl has come and gone, expect the Raiders to make a formal announcement within the next 24-48 hrs.

At least that's what ESPN and other league sources are saying. The media reported on Wednesday that Al Davis is planning on removing the interim tag from head coach Tom Cable's job description. Raiders' senior executive John Herrera denied the imminent hiring of cable and told reporters that "no decision has been made yet". Cable's current contract expired January 13th and the Raiders have yet to renew it, but he still remains working at the team's facility.

Cable is considered to be the leading candidate for the Raiders' head coaching position. Coupled with the fact that he was recruiting staff members at the Senior Bowl and has not interviewed with any other teams, it appears certain that he and Davis are close to an agreement. In addition to Cable, Davis interviewed New York Giants' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and Green Bay assistant coach Winston Moss for the head coaching position. It was also reported that one of the other candidates for the job was informed that Cable had been hired. Again, no official stament has been made by the Raiders.

Although the Raiders have been dragging their feet a bit in the pursuit of a new head coach, interim head coach Tom Cable looks to be the guy. Unfortunately though for Cable, Al Davis' reluctance to move forward with the promotion isn't going to help his confidence any.

Cable should be a shoe-in for head coach because unlike the majority of the other available coaches, he wants to work for Al Davis. He can be Davis' yes man, while also commanding some respect from the players. After Cable had a few weeks to semi-adjust to his new role, the team responded to their new coach and began to show some desire and promise. If he's able to put together a decent staff and have a whole off-season to prepare, who knows... maybe the Raiders will show us something different next year.

Apparently Cable could be very close to a deal with the Raiders because it's been reported that he is presently interviewing people for his staff while at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. It could be that he just likes to be prepared, or he and Al may know something we don't.

Tom Schefter of the NFL Network writes:

"Tom Cable is a prime candidate, and quite possibly the prime candidate to become the Raiders' head coach. Cable and Raiders owner Al Davis have talked regularly, and Cable must feel pretty good about his chances. His actions say as much. Cable is at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., interviewing assistant coaches for his staff in the event that he does land the job. It could be that Cable is just being prepared and thorough - or it could be that he and the Raiders are getting closer to a deal."

Al Davis promoted assistant coach John Fassel to special teams coordinator this past Saturday. Fassel, who joined the Raiders organization 2 years ago, is the son of former Giants head coach Jim Fassel. Jim is also a candidate for the Raiders' vacant head coaching position.

Along with Brian Schneider who left to join Pete Carroll in USC, John Fassel co-piloted what was a standout special teams unit for the Raiders in 2008.

The Raiders' linebackers coach Don Martindale was interviewed yesterday for the vacant defensive coordinator position. According to ESPN.com and the Contra Costa Times, the five hour interview must have impressed managing general partner Al Davis, because he has decided to add Martindale to the list of prospects for the head coaching position.

Prior to interviewing Martindale on Saturday, Davis had interviewed interim head coach Tom Cable and Giants' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for the head coaching job. In addition to Cable and Gilbride, Packers' assistant head coach Winston Moss has spoken to the team, and Giants' former head coach Jim Fassel has expressed interest as well.

Davis is also expected to talk with Jeremey Bates, the quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos. Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator Todd Haley is another name being tossed into the head coaching mix.

Probably not, but one can dream. With the recent firing of Jon Gruden by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it does add an interesting possibility to the Raiders' search for someone to fill their vacant head coaching slot. After all, Al Davis is well aware that the most success he's had in the past two decades was when he was working with Gruden. Al has even expressed regret for letting Jon go.

The bridge isn't necessarily burned either. Gruden was fairly diplomatic when dealing with his departure from the Raiders. He wanted a change and was very forthwith about his desire to be close to his family in Florida. Gruden never publicly criticized or insulted Davis like Kiffen had done.

Although it's a long shot, one never knows. If Al Davis is anything, it's unpredictable.