A season ago, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis took his time to decide coach Tom Cable's fate, ultimately retaining him. Time will be more of the essence this offseason.
However, according to the *Contra Costa Times* , Cable has a one-year, $2.5 million option in his contract with an expiration date of Jan. 18, and the second-year coach has led the Raiders to their best record (7-8) since they went 11-5 in 2002 and reached the Super Bowl.
Their young offense has thrived under first-year coordinator Hue Jackson. The Raiders have scored 200 more points than a season ago (379 in 15 games vs. 179 in 16), and they are 10th in yards per game (355.5).
That has put Jackson, who told the newspaper he has the "best job in football" but also that he aspires to be a head coach, squarely in the sights of teams looking for a new leader.
"I would say if someone calls, I'm not going to tell you I'm going to say no because it all depends on what the situation is," Jackson said earlier this month. "But I'm not going to tell you that I'm going to say yes, either, because I've really enjoyed my time here and what's happening here with Oakland Raider football."
So do the Raiders retain both Cable and Jackson, opt for one or the other or possible lose both? No one seems to know because Davis hasn't spoken to the Bay Area media in more than 15 months.