INDIANAPOLIS — Tom Cable told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday that he never believed he wouldn’t be back as the Raiders’ coach — the team never made a statement saying he definitely would return — and he’s preparing for the 2010 season.

“I was never told I wasn’t (coming back),” Cable said. “I was just going to work everyday.”

Cable also said that for the last two years he has been actively involved in contract negotiations. Cable, when probed on this subject, said he was at times in the room, along with Raiders owner Al Davis, while kicker Sebastian Janikowski worked on his recently signed contract.

“For me, it’s nothing new,” Cable said of that process, which is unorthodox.

Cable also spoke about the development of QB JaMarcus Russell, who struggled and lost his starting job last season despite being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007.

“I know he’s working,” Cable said, “and I’m anxious for our offseason program to get started so we can see him all the time.”

Posted in: Jason La Canfora  | comments  |