Raiders Blog and Q&A

ALAMEDA - Tom Cable has stared down the Raiders' losing ways and wants more.

Well, not more losing.

Cable would like to return as head coach.

But even he had to admit the losing culture that has infected the Raiders since losing Super Bowl XXXVII (23-72 record since that game) was more than he could have imagined.

"I thought it was a mouse when I took over and it really was an elephant," Cable said. "So that tells you how I think of it."

But Cable isn't running away from the job because of that. He wants a chance to run the team through the offseason and not have to get a handle on everything on the fly.

Cable would have to interview for the job because he was promoted during the season and teams are required to interview at least one minority candidate.

Cable said he hasn't discussed his job status with Raiders owner Al Davis yet but would have liked to have known his situation "yesterday."

"We have not talked about it yet," Cable said. "{I hope we will soon. I definitely hope we will soon."

Cable is 3-8 since taking over.

You can discuss whether Cable should stick around in the Forums section.

*It's on this weekend:

Raiders vs. Tampa Bay.
Raiders vs. Jon Gruden
Mario Henderson vs. The Kiffins

In case you forgot, former head coach Lane Kiffin's father, Monte, is Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator.

And one of Lane's favorite whipping boys this summer was Henderson, who will start at left tackle.

"I took it all as motivation," Henderson said. "I hadn't been through that before. I only started one year at Florida State. I had been through the roller-coaster ride. I was just learning that I can only do what I can do. I just go out there every day and work hard and leave it in God's hands because I believe in God. I can only work and do what I can do and hope things fall into place."

Henderson started two games with Kiffin as coach when Kwame Harris was injured earlier in the season.

Lane was complimentary after Henderson's first start but said he regressed in his second game.

Henderson was asked if he was looking forward to taking out some of the harsh criticisms he endured from Lane on the elder Kiffin.

"Yeah," he said. "Anything to help the Raiders get back at the Kiffin family I'm all for it."

Cable was asked if Davis expressed any extra motivation to see the Raiders knock Gruden out of the playoffs.

"No," Cable said. "Haven't talked about that."

*Another win Sunday meant a lot more game balls were distributed.

Offense
QB JaMarcus Russell - for what was probably the best game of his young career (18-of-25, 236 yards, two TDs),
RB Justin Fargas - for his physical running (22 carries, 93 yards)

Defense
DE Derrick Burgess - two sacks and three quarterback hurries
S Hiram Eugene - six solo tackles

Special teams
WR Johnnie Lee Higgins - 80-yard punt return for a TD
LB Marquis Cooper - One tackle and good kick coverage and blocking
LB Isaiah Ekejiuba - One tackle and also remained solid in blocking and kick coverage

*Cable loves the enthusiasm the young players. But he could do without seeing Higgins dance ever again.

In case you forgot, he broke out the "Carlton" from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the "Hooka Hooka" as a tribute to his people down south.

"That was bad," Cable said. "That was bad ... I liked the backflip (in Denver) better though."

*The players won't have Christmas off. They have to be in at 10:30 a.m., Thursday.

Cable said the schedule was done to allow the many players with young children to have the morning with their families but get them out in time for dinner in the evening.

Cable said there's no way the team would have been prepared to play this Sunday without practicing on the holiday.

*WR Ronald Curry (turf toe) and LB Ricky Brown (groin) are doubtful for the season finale.

CB Nnamdi Asomugha had tests done on his sore neck. Cable said the injury doesn't appear to be serious.

--Jason Jones