Oakland Raiders All-Pro punter Shane Lechler blasted the Silver & Black management and their handling of the Tom Cable situation. The six-time pro-bowl selection was shocked by Oakland not picking up the option on Cable’s deal on Tuesday night.
“I just looked at my wife,” Lechler said during the phone conversation with CSN Bay Area reporter Kate Longworth. “I can go through another head coach.”
He continued: “It’s not fun.”
Lechler was one of the many Raiders who campaigned for Cable’s return. Later in the interview, he was adamant about the possibly outcomes of this decision by Al Davis.
He said, “I think this is going to be a huge set back for us, to tell you the truth. Tom was good and how he handled the whole dealing with Al [Davis] and all that situation. He was one of the better coaches I’ve had that can handle that part of it and not let part of it bother the football team. And that’s what I enjoyed about him.”
Lechler even forecasted that some key players that also supported Cable may now be inclined to go elsewhere once free-agency begins.
“You’ll probably see people like Robert Gallery go on t another team, probably Michael Bush,” stated the 34-year old.
“I seriously think is a set-back,” he said after making a case for Cable and emphasizing the achievement of going undefeated within their division in 2010.
Arguably the best punter of this generation, Lechler even looked back to compare prior displeasures during his tenure: “The last time I was probably this disappointed was when [Davis] traded Jon [Gruden] to Tampa.”
He admitted that Cable, “…pretty much brought a no nonsense approach.”
As for Hue Jackson, “ It’s kind of hard for me to judge Hue.”
“Yes I do respect him,” said Lechler. “Whether he can call plays and pull off the whole head coaching deal and deal with Al Davis on the side, I don’t know, that’s a lot on somebody’s plate.”
Lechler said he attempted to call Davis and senior executive John Herrera, but was discontented with them not picking up his call.
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
