ALAMEDA, Calif. — Former Raiders coach Tom Cable filed a grievance to recover $120,000 that Oakland fined him during the final year of his contract. A person familiar with the fines spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. ESPN first reported the story.
The person did not say why the Raiders withheld the money from Cable. ESPN reported owner Al Davis was upset that the Raiders lost two days of organized team activities in June for violating NFL rules.
The grievance eventually will be heard by an arbitrator appointed by commissioner Roger Goodell.
Raiders senior executive John Herrera and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment.
Sources: Ryan heading to Dallas
DALLAS — Rob Ryan has agreed to become the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, two people with direct knowledge of the hire told The AP.
Ryan is the son of former NFL head coach Buddy Ryan and the brother of Jets head coach Rex Ryan. The Cowboys are scheduled to face the Jets next season.
Ryan became the Browns’ defensive coordinator in 2009, but his future there was uncertain after the team fired coach Eric Mangini and hired Pat Shurmur last week.
Welker sits for opening series
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots receiver Wes Welker sat out the start of Sunday’s playoff game against the Jets, and CBS reported on its broadcast that he was benched for mocking Jets coach Rex Ryan.
In meeting with reporters Thursday, Welker made more than a dozen references to toes and feet, a reference to recent foot-fetish reports involving Ryan and his wife.
Byrd inspires Jets.
Former Jets defensive lineman Dennis Byrd, who recovered to walk after breaking his neck in a game, addressed the Jets on Saturday at the team’s hotel and delivered what wide receiver Braylon Edwards called on Twitter “the most inspirational message of my life.”
Byrd’s career ended in 1992, when he collided with teammate Scott Mersereau against Kansas City, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. Three months after breaking the C-5 vertebra in his neck, he walked on crutches to a news conference at his hospital in Manhattan.
“As God is my witness, I have never been more ready to perform in my life,” Edwards tweeted. “Dennis Byrd, I respect, salute and honor you.”
The NFL Network reported Byrd presented Ryan with the jersey that was cut off him after the injury, and it was hanging in the Jets’ locker room before the game.
The Associated Press
