Al Davis Won't Have Buffalo Fans Being More Depressed Than His Own

The news of the Buffalo Bills opting to hire Chan Gailey was met with utter bafflement and derision around the football world. How much of a surprise should it have been, given the recent history of that organization? Probably not much of one.

And so long as the Bills are staying true to form in swooping up retread coaches that nobody wants, Al Davis will be content to do the same thing in Oakland. Even though Tom Cable has yet to be fired, Davis is conducting interviews with several candidates for his replacement. Hey, Tom, see the wall? It has writing on it.

Two people on his interview list have been identified as former Giants coach Jim Fassel, who now coaches UFL champion Las Vegas, and former Raiders offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, the head coach of CFL champion Montreal. Several sources, including one within the organization, believe Davis may re-interview 2009 candidates Kevin Gilbride, the Giants' offensive coordinator, and Winston Moss, a Packers assistant head coach, if he hasn't already.

Add to that Adam Schefter's report that Ravens QB coach Hue Jackson is interviewing for the Raiders offensive coordinator job. A bizarre tack, or a revealing one if you want to think about how much power Davis wants to wield over his team, given the volatility of the head coach position.

If you're a Raiders fan, I would suggest pleading to your dark lord that, if Cable must go, the job should go to Moss of the candidates being considered. Fassel, Trestman and Gilbride are washouts-in-waiting as head coaches. Trestman is a career coordinator who has worked with seven clubs, never particularly for long. That includes a three-year stint with the Raiders early last decade. The Giants couldn't wait to get rid of Gilbride, whose stewardship of the offense is best described as an unproductive and rocky one. Before joining the UFL last year, Fassel entreated Davis via written letter for job consideration. Apparently that's how you get through to Al. Even with a Super Bowl appearance on his resume, Fassel is a decidedly uninspired choice.

But, of course, that's usually the point with an Al Davis coach hunt. It's not about making waves, it's about who will rock the boat the least.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.