ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Rich Gannon, the 2002 league MVP for the Oakland Raiders, is offering his help to his former team.
Gannon said on Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday that he called Raiders owner Al Davis the previous day to offer whatever help he can to the organization.
“I did something yesterday that I can’t believe even I did,” Gannon said. “I picked up the phone and I reached out to Al Davis. So I called Mr. Davis, I have not spoken with him yet, but I’m happy to help out in any way I can. I’d love to help JaMarcus Russell if he wants help. I’d love to help Tom Cable and that organization. It’s important. Listen, seven straight seasons where they’ve lost 11 or more games? Something’s not right.”
Raiders senior executive John Herrera said Davis would not be accepting the offer and questioned why Gannon made it public.
“Maybe it’s Rich that needs the help,” Herrera said.
Earlier this season, the Raiders tried to ban Gannon from coming to the team facility for production meetings before a CBS telecast of a Denver-Oakland game because of his frequent criticism of the organization. The Raiders relented but Gannon didn’t show up anyway because of travel problems.
Herrera did respond to a report that Russell was at a Las Vegas casino the day after being excused from an end-of-season team meeting for personal reasons. Herrera said Russell’s absence was excused for legitimate reasons and the team had “no issue” with him being in Las Vegas.
The coaching staff is spending this week evaluating the team following a 5-11 season. Cable will meet with Davis next Monday to discuss his fate as coach.