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Raiders open Cable era against Saints

Oct 7, 2008 - 10:25 PM OAKLAND (1-3) AT NEW ORLEANS (2-3), 1:00 pm EDT

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- The Oakland Raiders are hoping the Cable guy is an able guy.

The Raiders play their first game under interim coach Tom Cable when they visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Cable was tabbed to replace Lane Kiffin, who was fired by team owner Al Davis on September 30 after coaching the team for just 20 games.

The only other head coaching experience for Cable was at Idaho, where he compiled an 11-35 mark in four seasons (2000-03).

Despite the 1-3 record, the Raiders have been competitive, losing to the Buffalo Bills on a last-second field goal and holding a 15-0 halftime lead before falling to the San Diego Chargers, 28-18.

Oakland has been wracked by injuries to its running game, which churned out 300 yards rushing in its lone victory, a 23-8 win over Kansas City in Week Two.

Starter Justin Fargas has missed the last two games with a groin injury but has healed during the bye week and is expected to be back for Sunday.

"He was chomping at the bit to go and did a lot of work," Cable said. "We really pushed him Thursday and gave him the weekend to rehab. He did a great job and it's good to see him back out there."

Rookie Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick, tore up the Chiefs for 164 yards, but a turf toe injury has limited him to 62 yards combined in his last two games.

Cable has vowed to let JaMarcus Russell throw the ball more. The No. 1 overall selection in 2007 has his most productive game against the Chargers, finishing 22-of-37 for a career-high 277 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Tight end Zach Miller was Russell's favorite target against San Diego, hauling in five catches for a career-high 95 yards and a touchdown.

Oakland's biggest problem may be containing the Saints' high-powered offense, which was hurt by turnovers in a 30-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

Quarterback Drew Brees has thrown for at least 330 yards in four of his five games, but he was intercepted twice and lost two fumbles against the Vikings.

New Orleans' Reggie Bush was held to just 29 yards rushing, but he returned a pair of punts for touchdowns, becoming only the the 12th player in NFL history to accomplish the feat.