The annual Al Davis coaching search is under way. Another abysmal Raiders campaign means someone must fall on their sword. That person should be Al Davis, but as long as the feeble-minded skeleton has breath in his lungs, he’ll remain the silver and black shot-caller.

Rumors continue to swirl throughout the Bay area that Tom Cable could be booted to the curb. Cable’s 9-18 record over the last two seasons hasn’t exactly conjured memories of John Madden and Tom Flores. Personally, I think Cable is safe. If Davis were going to machine gun the guy, he would’ve done it by now. Besides, Cable beat the piss out of a geeky assistant last summer, which had to bring a smile to Al’s leathery face.

What the Raiders really need is a miracle worker quarterbacks coach who can mold tub of guts JaMarcus Russell into a lean mean Stabler-like machine. Well, Al has had his eye on someone who might be up to the task. He’s one of the hottest names in coaching circles and has a sterling reputation for turning wide-eyed signal callers into winners.

Who is this mystery man? Eric Taylor, former coach of the 2006 Texas State Champion Dillon Panthers, and current coach of the rising East Dillon Lions.

Sure, he may be a fictional character, but that won’t stop Al from luring him inside the black hole.

Taylor took the timid, inexperienced Matt Saracen and transformed him into a proficient passer capable of leading young men to greater glory. He’s doing the same for Vince Howard right now. Under Taylor’s tutelage, Howard is becoming one of the top dual-threats in all of Texas.

If anyone can pull JaMarcus from the abyss, it would be coach Taylor. Al Davis is completely insane, but this might be crazy enough to work.