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		Shell's future is in Davis' hand By Stefani Rebekah Black January 3, 2007
	Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell paces the sidelines in this file photo from an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in East Rutherford, N.J. Shell's first season is now complete and the only direction the Raiders went was down. Oakland (2-14) set franchise records for losses and offensive ineptitude, while throwing in a good dose of turmoil and dissension in a season that was by far the worst in Al Davis' 44 years with the team. Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell paces the sidelines in this file photo from an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in East Rutherford, N.J. Shell's first season is now complete and the only direction the Raiders went was down. Oakland (2-14) set franchise records for losses and offensive ineptitude, while throwing in a good dose of turmoil and dissension in a season that was by far the worst in Al Davis' 44 years with the team. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
	Raiders Head Coach Art Shell talked on Monday, after the loss to the New York Jets on Sunday it was an emotional, tired, and reflective ending to a 2-14 season of football's worst team on record in the 2006 NFL Season. The season started on an optimistic note after the Raiders had a decent pre-season and the talent coming in looked like they were going to get things done but on opening night on Monday Night September 11th the Raiders started the campaign with a 27-0 shutout against the Chargers at the Coliseum. The Raiders chalked up five straight loses after starting with that opening night loss to the Chargers on national TV. The Raiders then won two straight on October 22 over Arizona 22-9 and then a 20-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders at that point looked like they could build or jell around the two wins and get the morale going again but it backfired with nine straight loses that concluded the 2006 season. After going 2-14 and amid reports that Managing Partner Al Davis might replace Shell after the season, Shell could barely speak after the loss to the Jets and the shock and awe of losing almost every game this season. On Monday at the Raiders offices he looked hard in the mirror and tried to put the blame where it should be, "If you're man enough, you always look at yourself first. Then you go look into other areas," said Shell. Shell was also blamed for the way Jerry Porter wide receiver was treated after Porter requested a trade during pre season. Shell immediately put Porter on the inactive reserve list where Porter sat the entire season minus a two game suspension which originally was a four game suspension which was reduced back down to two by a grievance filed by the Players Association. Porter was suspended for criticizing Shell during practice drills. Shell and the Raiders secured themselves for a number one draft pick with the loss on Sunday with the worst record in the NFL. Shell has a meeting with Davis and despite what was being reported that Shell will be fired, he believes that he'll be back in 2007. Shell was fired by Davis when he coached the Raiders in 1995 is entering the second year of his two year deal with Oakland. Shell would like to come back for a second year and believes he'll be back even after talking with Davis, "I expect to be here and I want to do this. I want to see this thing to fruition," said Shell. Davis who regretted firing Shell the first time may take a little more time to think this one over. Shell has made it clear he'd like to stay and if he does there will be a house cleaning and it looks like it'll start with the receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter. The next two months will be very telling at the Raiders offices. Stefani Rebekah Black covers Raiders football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: KTVU Fox 2 Oakland