When the season ended, the world looked pretty good for Raiders fans.
The team had just finished the season with a victory over the playoff-bound Kansas City Chiefs to finish 8-8, which was their best record since 2002.
In the past week, the franchise known for dysfunction has fallen apart again.
The news in the past seven days includes:
• Coach Tom Cable did not have his two-year contract option picked up by owner Al Davis.
• Davis agreed to let offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who spearheaded the second-best rushing game in the NFL, interview with the 49ers.
• And on Sunday, ESPN reported that star defensive back Nnamdia Asomugha’s contract had been voided because he didn’t meet key clauses in his contract, including games played, interceptions and sacks. The Raiders will be unable to put the franchise tag on Asomugha and he will become one of the most sought-after free agents of the off-season.
Besides, that what else could go wrong for the Raiders after such an optimistic season? Oh, yeah, their best quarterback under contract is Jason Campbell. He is owed $4.5 million next season after an injury-prone 2010 season that included an 84.5 quarterback rating in 13 games.
The head-coaching situation is the biggest worry. Jackson appears to be the leading contender, but, as usual, there is little information coming out of the Raiders camp.
It’s a quite a contrast from the rival Denver Broncos. New vice president John Elway is tweeting about nearly every interview the Broncos schedule. For instance, two days ago he tweeted: “Just received permission to speak with Jaguars
Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter. Previously was HC at Arizona State and Boise State.”
What’s the next move for the Raiders? We probably won’t know until we see white smoke from Alameda.
Until then, here’s something else for Raiders fans to ponder: Amid all of these issues, Oakland does not have a first-round pick this year. That went to the New England Patriots in the Richard Seymour trade.
