[EmpireWF]

Well, will he? It seems like Al Davis and Shell have a love-hate relationship and the hate part is creeping its head back into the door. If he does get the axe, after one poor season, is there anyone who can right the ship?

Al Davis appears to be the problem here, he doesn't realize what's wrong with the team and that times have changed.

[Oakland Raiders News]

Up to the minute news about the Oakland Raiders from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Oakland Raiders news so you can chat about here.

Raiders Coach Ignores Job-Loss Reports
ABC News - 1 hour ago

ALAMEDA, Calif. Dec 27, 2006 (AP)— Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell isn't worried about his future despite reports he will be fired in the offseason after the team's dismal year on the field.

"I am the head coach of the Raiders until I am otherwise informed," Shell said Tuesday. "That's the way I see it."

Heading into the season finale at the New York Jets on Sunday, the Raiders are just 2-13 in Shell's first season back as the team's head coach. The 20-9 loss to Kansas City on Saturday was Oakland's eighth straight and guaranteed the Raiders would go winless in their own division for the second consecutive season.

Last Thursday, the NFL Network citing a high-ranking official in the Raiders' front office reported that Shell would be dismissed after the season ends. The Raiders quickly sent out a response denying the report, though Shell acknowledged he and team owner Al Davis have not yet discussed plans for 2007.

"There's an evaluation process. He'll go through an evaluation process, so will I," Shell said.

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:19:00 GMT

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[Lefty Noob]

Yes, he will be fired. But it won't make a lick of difference. Granted Shell and his staff seem to be out of touch with the game. He's made some terrible decisions, like playing Jerry Porter not to play and naming Randy Moss a captain. But as many of us have said over and over, Al Davis is the real problem.

I'm hearing Bobby Petrino's name as a possible replacement, as well as the defensive coordinator (forget his name) maybe getting promoted. Really, though, a coach would have to be out of his mind or in desperate need of a job to even consider taking over the reigns in Oakland. It's probably the worst coaching job in the NFL.

[azrael492]

I don't know if he deserves to be fired or not, but he probably will. How can you tell with the dreck he had to put on the field. Yeah, he had Moss, but it seems like he wants out and was not putting forth the effort. They got him a QB that was run out of New Orleans,and was almost instantly hurt. They have so many problems it is hard to put the blame anywhere except at Davis and Shell, and Davis is not going to take the blame.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Well, will he? It seems like Al Davis and Shell have a love-hate relationship and the hate part is creeping its head back into the door. If he does get the axe, after one poor season, is there anyone who can right the ship?

Al Davis appears to be the problem here, he doesn't realize what's wrong with the team and that times have changed.

YES. But both of you guys are right. Al Davis is the problem. And I don't think any head coach with any dignity will take the job.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Al Davis has nothing to do with how poor Art Shell has been. I am hard pressed to think of one smart decision Shell has made all year. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is the only reason that team has two wins.

While I like Bobby Petrino, I think it would be another woeful move by Al Davis. Rob Ryan has that defense playing at a high level. Why knock something down just to rebuild it when it doesn't need repairs in the first place? If Davis is smart, he'd promote Rob Ryan and look for a prolific offensive coordinator to solve their struggles on the other side of the ball, which begins with their lack of identity.

[Lefty Noob]

Well, the issue with promoting Ryan, and I've hear numerous people say this, is... the defense is playing so well, why take their coach away and risk doing harm to the unit? Ryan should stay with the defense and keep that unit going well, and the new head coach should focus solely on overhauling the offense. Of course, no matter what, they'll still need to primarily play Al Davis football, but some change is better than none, eh?

[kenman923]

Al Davis is the problem. Unfortunately, you can't fire the owner. Davis needs to sell the team.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, the issue with promoting Ryan, and I've hear numerous people say this, is... the defense is playing so well, why take their coach away and risk doing harm to the unit? Ryan should stay with the defense and keep that unit going well, and the new head coach should focus solely on overhauling the offense. Of course, no matter what, they'll still need to primarily play Al Davis football, but some change is better than none, eh?

If Ryan is promoted to head coach, I see no reason why the defense would suffer, so long as the defensive coordinator is taken from within the organization as well. The two would have identical philosophies regarding the defense, and Ryan could take a more hands on approach towards them while letting the offensive coordinator run that particular unit with little interference.

[kenman923]

You know, this may be a stretch, but I say that Art Shell tries to save face and quits on his own.