After weeks of speculation about its arrival, the start of a new coaching era for the Oakland Raiders will begin, at last, on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome.

Tom Cable, promoted from offensive line coach to interim head coach last Tuesday, takes over for Lane Kiffin, deposed after months of reported bickering with team owner Al Davis.

Kiffin lasted just four games into 2008, fashioning a 1-3 record that was identical to the one that Mike Shanahan recorded under similar circumstances way back in 1989. Like Shanahan, Kiffin lasted one season plus four games before being shown the door.

And like Shanahan's successor, Art Shell, Cable was promoted from the o-line in the hopes that he might salvage something from a season already on a downward spiral.

Shell went 7-5 in his interim season and parlayed that into four more mostly successful seasons at the helm of the then-Los Angeles Raiders.

Unlike Shell, Cable comes into his newest gig with head coaching experience, having guided the University of Idaho from 2000 through 2003. Cable fashioned a 11-35 record in his four years with the Vandals.

Prior to their Week 5 bye, the Raiders were 28-18 home losers to the San Diego Chargers, falling despite carrying a 15-3 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Raiders enter Week 6 in third place in the AFC West, behind the Broncos (4-1) and Chargers (2-3).

The Saints aren't seen as being nearly as dysfunctional as the Raiders at this stage, though their record in 2008 is only slightly better.

Sean Payton's club sits in last place in the NFC South at the moment, with a discouraging 30-27 loss to the Vikings this past Monday night helping to cement that status.

The Saints outpaced the Vikings in almost every statistical category, but also committed four turnovers (including a Reggie Bush fumble impacted by a blatant face mask penalty that went uncalled by the officials) and missed two critical field goals.

On the positive side, Bush tied an NFL record by returning two punts for touchdowns on the night.

Bush currently leads the league in receptions (38), punt return average (29.0), punt return touchdowns (3), and is tied for No. 1 in the league in overall touchdowns scored (6).

At 2-3, the Saints are two games behind first-place Carolina (4-1) as Week 6 commences, and a game back of current second place co-occupants Tampa Bay (3-2) and Atlanta (3-2).

SERIES HISTORY

Oakland holds a 5-4-1 edge in its all-time series with New Orleans, but was a 31-26 home loser when the clubs last met, in 2004. The Raiders won the previous meeting, taking a 31-22 decision at the Superdome in 2000. New Orleans last won a home game in the series in 1991.

The Saints' Sean Payton and Raiders' Tom Cable will be meeting each other, as well as their counterpart's respective franchise, for the first time as head coaches.

WHEN THE RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL

Returning to his college roots this week will be Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell (668 passing yards, 4 TD, 1 INT), the former LSU standout who has shown flashes of coming into his own in his first tentative steps as an NFL starter. Russell posted his best statistical performance as a pro in the Week 4 loss to the Chargers, completing 22-of-37 passes for 277 yards with a touchdown and an interception but also suffering six sacks and losing a key fumble. Russell has a solid passer rating of 84.9 on the year, but is completing just 54.5 percent of his passes. Tight end Zach Miller (11 receptions, 1 TD) has been Russell's most productive target this year, and Javon Walker (4 receptions) is among the Oakland wideouts trying to get untracked. In the running game, heralded rookie Darren McFadden (272 rushing yards, 1 TD, 7 receptions) is questionable due to a toe injury, but Justin Fargas (140 rushing yards) is probable to return after missing time with a groin problem. Michael Bush (193 rushing yards, 1 TD, 8 receptions), who had 128 yards on 21 total touches versus San Diego, should merit significant time with the offense as well.

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