By Adan Vasquez
Daily Titan Sports Editor

For as long as I can remember, the Oakland Raiders have been the most consistent joke in the National Football League. Whether they win or lose, you can always count on some sort of drama with the one-time prestigious franchise.

Over the years, we’ve seen Raiders owner Al Davis bring in players with questionable backgrounds and make suspect coaching moves. Does Davis ever put much thought into anything he does?

Not since Jon Gruden (1998-2001) and Bill Callahan (2002-03) have the Raiders found any success with their coaching staff. Both managed to drive the franchise to AFC title games, with Callahan taking them to Super Bowl XXXVII in his first season as head coach, where he suffered a lopsided 48-21 defeat to Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Since then, the Raiders have been a joke when it comes to making front office decisions. Norv Turner (2004-05), the man with the San Diego Chargers, went 9-23 in two seasons. In 2006, Davis turned the clock back to 1994 and brought in former coach Art Shell, who posted an embarrassing 2-14 record, and was fired by Davis for a second time.

Next to strike out was former USC Trojan assistant Lane Kiffin. What was strange and shocking about this move was the fact that Davis hired a man who had no head coaching experience, not in the NFL, and not in college. Heck, the guy shared play-calling duties with fellow former assistant Steve Sarkisian.

Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable answers questions following the August 17th incident. Photo courtesy MCT.

After Davis cut Kiffin loose four games into the 2008 season, assistant Tom Cable was pegged as the next laughing stock to roam the Raider sidelines. He sure hasn’t disappointed.

On Aug. 17, reports leaked out that Cable had allegedly punched assistant coach Randy Hanson in the face and fractured his jaw.

On Oct. 11, Yahoo Sports reported that following a two month investigation, Cable could be facing felony assault charges by Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein.

Hanson has gone on to say that he feared for his life when being confronted by Cable, who he said told him, “I’ll f***ing kill you. I’ll f***ing kill you.”

Regardless of whether or not this incident occurred or not, is anyone really surprised when it comes to there being controversy with the Raiders? Didn’t think so.

The issue here, though, is that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell needs to step in and make a stand. He punishes players for their on and off the field behavior. It’s time he plays fair and takes it to coaches stepping out of line as well.

Should Cable be charged? Goodell should at the very least suspend the Raiders coach, but that might not be enough punishment.

Players get suspended all the time for their behavior. Michael Vick was banned from the NFL for nearly two years and did time in jail due to the dog-fighting scandal. Plaxico Burress will spend the next two years behind bars for illegally carrying a gun and shooting himself accidentally.

The same treatment should be given to Cable. He does not deserve a free pass.

If he is guilty of the accusations, then fire him immediately.

If the NFL doesn’t have room for players with drama and baggage, then the same should go for coaches.

Don’t leave it up to Davis to make any decision in this whole mess. We all know he’s as terrible at making coaching decisions as he is on draft day – no offense Darrius Heyward-Bey, but you really should not have been on a top 10 pick.

Davis needs to hire someone with grade-A character for a change. Or better yet, step down and let someone finally take over and help this once proud franchise.