Tom Cable Judgement Coming Police This Afternoon

Way back in training camp of this year, word started leaking out that Raiders head coach Tom Cable and assistant coach Randy Hanson had gotten into a physical altercation. After much back-and-forth, with the story shifting depending on who was telling it, we’ve reached the point today when the Napa County District Attorney will decide whether to press charges against Cable. The decision is expected around 5 p.m. EST.

At first, Randy Hanson didn’t disclose what happened even after seeking medical attention. The early reports were that Cable had punched Hanson in the face after a verbal confrontation took a physical turn. Once the story became public, the Raiders had one version of events, Hanson had another, and he eventually told the Napa authorities that Cable had pushed him, he had fallen and broken his jaw on a desk. Now, the Napa authorities are deciding which story they believe and whether there is enough evidence to bring any charges.

Cable has denied the allegations but three other assistant coaches were witnesses. It will be interesting to see what their testimony was and how much it coincides with the head coach’s denials.

Beyond the legal ramifications for Cable, it’s a big decision for his career, as well as for the Raiders organization. If charged, Commissioner Roger Goodell will have little choice but to suspend Cable, lest he look like a blatant hypocrite. He’s had a quick trigger finger with the players; one would expect he’d handle coaches the same way.