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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:58 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2008

NFL: Cable takes over play-calling duties for Raiders

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Interim head coach Tom Cable has taken over the play-calling duties for the Oakland Raiders from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp in another move to spark the NFL's lowest-scoring offense.

Cable said Wednesday that he relieved Knapp of his duties before last week's 17-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers and would remain in that role for the rest of the season.

"I feel responsible for where we're at offensively," Cable said. "With that being the case and my nature and my personality I've got to find a way to do more and help where I can. I really haven't been active in that role, obviously as the line coach, but I feel that responsibility now and want to shoulder that responsibility so I'm more involved."

Knapp said Cable gave him the news last week, saying the switch was being made because of the offensive struggles in a 24-0 loss to Atlanta. Knapp added that "I know he does talk to the owner on a daily basis."

Knapp wouldn't speculate on whether he believed the decision was made by Al Davis, and Cable said he only consulted with the owner after making the switch.

"I was very disappointed because I really do get an enjoyment to help the team by calling plays and by putting guys in position to have success," Knapp said. "That's something that I've had success in the past and when you start from new here and you're going through changes on personnel, it takes a little time."

Knapp said the switch would be hardest on JaMarcus Russell, who is now on his third play-caller in his first full season as quarterback. Lane Kiffin started the season calling plays but was fired as head coach after four games.

Russell, in his first full season as the starter, has completed just 48.6 percent of his passes with six touchdowns, four interceptions and a passer rating of 69.0 that ranks 29th out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks.

"In order to build your foundation, and I truly believe your foundation is your quarterback, as much continuity as you can have around him both on the field and off the field the faster that will grow," Knapp said. "Until that continuity stays the same it will be hard for that guy to grow."

Russell did not play last week because of a bone bruise on his right knee and said Wednesday that he didn't even know about the change until he was asked by reporters.

Russell was limited at practice Wednesday with the injury but hopes to play Sunday at Miami.

"He's the head coach, so he decides on that," he said. "I'm going to try to go out and execute the best I can."

Knapp was replaced after the worst offensive output for the Raiders in 47 years, when they gained just 77 yards and had a franchise-low three first downs in the loss to the Falcons. Things picked up a bit in Cable's first game calling plays, with Oakland gaining 259 yards and making 17 first downs against the Panthers.

But the Raiders failed to score a touchdown for the third time in five games since Kiffin was fired and have gone nine quarters without a touchdown.

Since Cable took over as coach, the Raiders are averaging 228 yards per game, while scoring two touchdowns and 35 points. Under Kiffin, had seven touchdowns in four games, while averaging 19.5 points and 308 yards per game.

"It's time to start scoring points," Cable said. "That's why I made the decision that I did, because somehow, someway I can't stand there and feel helpless about that situation. I've got to do something about it."

Along with being head coach and play-caller, Cable is also the offensive line coach, although he is shifting more of the responsibility on the line to assistant James Cregg.

Knapp spent three seasons as offensive coordinator in San Francisco and three in Atlanta before joining Kiffin's staff in 2007. Kiffin called the plays for almost his entire time in Oakland, with Knapp sharing the duties in Kiffin's final game against San Diego on Sept. 28.