The most respectable writer covering the Raiders, in terms of actually having an idea what they may do, thinks Sark is getting the job.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/
Sarkisian closes in
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Saturday at 8:57 pm
At some point in the near future, possibly this week, expect Steve Sarkisian to be named head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
Call it educated speculation, which is better than an outright guess, but something less than an a multi-sourced news story stripped across the top of a sports page.
Sarkisian did so well in his interview Monday one league source told me he thought Al Davis offered him the job then and there, although he also told me I'd better check it out before going with it.
Another source has told me on two separate occasions this week Sarkisian was the leading candidate, after both the Jim Fassel and Rob Ryan interviews.
Neither of these sources have spoken directly to Davis, but their information is usually reliable.
Sarkisian, in recent days, has gone underground. There are people I've talked to in Southern California who rarely have a problem reaching him, but now can't get him to return a phone call.
Open and chatty following his interview Monday with Medianews reporter Steve Corkran, Sarkisian is now unavailable.
Call me overly cynical, but it sounds to me like Sarkisian is acting in a way befitting a coach of the Oakland Raiders. Someone told him to zip it regarding his candidacy. He may have even been told to save it all for his press conference.
I'm sure you'll all let me know if and when I'm wrong.
In theory, and in accordance with the league's "Rooney Rule,'' the Raiders are required at least one personal interview with a minority candidate.
You wonder how Davis feels about this. I'm guessing Davis is wondering who in the hell would ever have the nerve to demand that he interview a minority candidate. You can question and criticize Davis on many issues, but this is not one of them.
If the rest of the ownership was as enlightened as Davis in terms of minority hires, there wouldn't be any need for a "Rooney Rule.''
I did a lengthy story on former Raider Art Powell in training camp, detailing stands Powell took on Civil Rights issues, refusing to play in games in the deep south during the 1960s.
Powell got cut from the Philadelphia Eagles because he wouldn't stay in a hotel separate from his white teammates in Virginia. He refused to play in preseason games in the deep South in the American Football League.
Powell had run-ins with coaches and the white establishment. But Powell said Davis told him, "Don't let people try and put it in your head that you should change. There's nothing wrong with you.''
Davis said this in the 1960s, when it wasn't trendy or politically correct.
So for the league to insist Davis interview a minority candidate when he may have already decided on someone else is, well, a joke. Putting a coach through a dog-and-pony show interview when that candidate has no chance to get the job isn't fair to Davis or the candidate.
There were no rules when Davis drafted Eldridge Dickey, a black quarterback out of Tennessee State, in the first round of the 1968 draft. There was, in fact, an unwritten rule of sorts that blacks couldn't play quarterback.
There weren't any rules in place when Davis hired Shell, or the first Hispanic head coach in Tom Flores.
If Davis wants Sarkisian, I wouldnt blame him if he simply hired him and then dared the NFL to fine him. It's not like he hasn't fought the league before.