Some 15 weeks after the Raiders attempted to ban him from their Alameda facility, Rich Gannon has taken what can be perceived as A) the high road or B) imbibed in a publicity stunt.
The 2002 NFL MVP-turned-broadcaster today on his SIRIUS NFL Radio show told his audience that he has reached out to Al Davis in an offer to help the foundering franchise "in any way (Gannon) can." Talk about things that make you go, hmmmmmmmmm.
"I did something yesterday that I can't believe even I did," Gannon said on his show. "I picked up the phone and I reached out to Al Davis. So I called Mr. Davis, I have not spoken with him yet, but I'm happy to help out in any way I can. I'd love to help JaMarcus Russell if he wants help. I'd love to help Tom Cable and that organization. It's important. Listen, seven straight seasons where they've lost 11 or more games? Something's not right."
The Raiders took offense to Gannon's oft-critical view of the franchise. Raiders senior executive John Herrera shredded Gannon at the time.
"He's repeatedly said that they should just blow up the building and start all over again," Herrera said in September. "He hasn't done that once or twice, but has done that repeatedly. He continually attacks the owner, he continually attacks the organization in every way that he can. After listening to all of that for the last several years, why would you want him in your building when all he does is attack the organization that made his career?"
League rules would not allow the ban, though Gannon reportedly did not attend the production meetings in question before the Raiders game against Denver on Sept. 27.
"Rich Gannon had been a journeyman quarterback in the NFL for years, and we gave him the opportunity of a lifetime to be our starting quarterback," Herrera said at the time. "We're the only team that ever afforded him that opportunity.
"He was one of the least popular players with his teammates that we ever had here and he still can't seem to get over the fact that he played the worst game in Super Bowl history."
The ball is in Al's court, now...
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