Is "News" Of JH to Raiders Just Rank Speculation, Too?
SO WHATS WITH THE STORIES ABOUT THE RAIDERS. All this good vibe from UMland is being met with good vibe from RaiderNation. It's like Schroedinger's Box -- both stories can't be true at the same time, yet, they seem to be. This is one freakin' weird cat.
Our Public Enemy #1 -- er, well, Messenger of Public Enemy #1 -- is SJ Mercury News beat reporter Tim Kawakami. He's been mentioned repeately as the guy close to the 49ers linking Jim to the Raiiiiiderrrrs (in gravelly voice). He was the guy Mike & Mike mentioned this morning (I can't stand the one Mike but I'm ok with the other Mike). So I checked out his twitter, and saw this from just earlier today:
Tim Kawakami@timkawakami · 2 hrs2 hours ago
There is definite interest on the Raiders' side. There is curiosity (or more) on Harbaugh's side. From there, who knows what happens.
"Confident" is the wrong word. Just saying it makes sense... MT @WyomingRaider you seem pretty confident Coach Jim will be Raiders HC
OK, that's not a guy saying, it's a done deal and definitely going to happen. It's guesswork. It's an opinion.
I'm not saying ITS HARBAUGHING but I'm saying ITS NOT NOT HARBAUGHING.
Just trying to make sense out of this quagmire. DEC 29 CANT COME SOON ENUF.
Or is there something more concrete people are reporting about the Raiders?
December 17th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
"Is "News" Of JH to Raiders Just Rank Speculation, Too?"
"OK, that's not a guy saying, it's a done deal and definitely going to happen. It's guesswork. It's an opinion."
...You seem to have answered your own question.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
One huge difference is that the Raiders can't actually talk to Harbaugh or his camp without risking tampering charges, unless the 49ers have given permission and I think that would have been reported. Thus, there's no real information to report for NFL people with NFL contacts.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
They can't even request permission until San Francisco's season is over.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^
Have never heard about #2 or #3 before. That kind of changes the equation. There was someone yesterday who posted here that he had a "buddy in the Raiders organization" and that they were "close" to finalizing with Jim, or something to that effect. Basically that HAS to be BS, right, given those rules.
Or... is there an unwritten Rule #4, "but nothing stops a coach's agent from talking to a club, or talking to another club."
December 17th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^
No, the NFL takes this one pretty seriously. If there is even a whisper of contact between anyone representing the Raiders and anyone attached to Harbaugh, they will investigate and levy some penalty. They seem to have a tampering investigation every year.
The other twist to this from the NFL side is the Rooney rule. From what I understand, because "trading" a coach isn't actually trading him (the compensation is for the team letting the coach out of his contract), the Raiders or whoever would have to interview other coaches first, including an African-American coach before they can complete the trade for Harbaugh. Imagine how easy that is going to be when everyone knows it's a farce?
December 17th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
No chance, for several reasons.
1. If JH stays in the NFL next season, San Francisco still controls his rights. They can trade his contract as-is, or they can sign him to a new contract, then trade it. It is entirely possible that San Francisco is negotiating with Oakland on one hand to find out what they want the contract to look like, and with JH on the other hand to see what is acceptable to him, but the idea that they are playing intermediary is a bit far-fetched.
2. They could do a trade-and-sign with Oakland, but the risk that the Raiders assume there is absolutely massive. Harbaugh could walk away *after* the trade but *before* the signing. So unless there is a contract to sign a contract (unlikely, IMO), this option must be ruled out.
3. Oakland has separately negotiated a new contract with JH, requiring him to quit his job at San Francisco, without San Francisco's knowledge. In addition to the tampering violation, the Raiders would also be civally liable for tortious interference in contract, and would owe San Francisco a boatload of money, including possibly punitive damages.
4. 3. Oakland has separately negotiated a new contract with JH, requiring him to quit his job at San Francisco, WITH San Francisco's knowledge. This presumes that Oakland has, in writing, a covenant not to sue regarding tortious interference. That is seriously unlikely. In addition, it would still be tampering, which cannot be waived by the clubs (it's an NFL rule).
December 17th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
There has been so much confusion on this topic. You should consider taking your last two posts and putting them up as a new thread. I think people will appreciate it. (Not being sarcastic - it really is a helpful summary.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^
On the other hand...
I'm sure Harbaugh has talked to people about loving Michigan. I'm sure he has also mentioned that he wishes he didn't have to deal with some of the locker room issues present in the NFL. People put that together with the fact that he's a previous college coach and that is how they come up with "Harbaugh is 90% to UM."
I don't think that anyone really knows anything at this point. It's just an echo chamber of speculation.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
going to the goddamn Raiders. He may not come here, but he is not going there.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
Welp, you just frickin' guaranteed that Jimmy Hairballs will be wearing black and silver next fall. Excellent work.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^
sorry. I temped the wrath from high atop the thing.
/goes outside, turns around three times, and spits.
There, we're all good now.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:34 PM ^
have to do it all over again if you didn't cuss
December 17th, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^
did everything.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
The Detroit News tagged Kawakami's story as "Opinion." There was no news in it but just his rationalization of why Harbaugh to Oakland makes sense from his perspective on the NFL ivory tower..
December 17th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
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December 17th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
TennBlue, your services are needed here.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
I believe the only two people who know or have a good idea where Harbaugh will be going is Harbaugh and Hackett. Other than those two, I don't think no one knows.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
Could he just decide his future already? We have things to do, Jim. Just end the suspense already!
Also, we love you. Raiders are stupid.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
My conspiracy theory about this divide between national and local guys: it all goes back to Brady Hoke. Harbaugh was telling people who told sources then, when hoke had the job, that he was not interested in respect to hoke. The local guys are getting the more recent scoop, while the national guys are getting info from sources who Harbaugh hasn't talked to in awhile. Harbaugh is not talking right now to NFL guys, because he doesn't want it to look like him talking to Michigan had something to do with the niners falling off. This is all speculation on my part.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
I read your post title and thought there had been an announcement that JH was going to Oakland. This is just more fodder to MSM clicks, it's just an opinion/speculation piece.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
What I worry is the longer Harbaugh waits to answer Michigan, the more it seems like he is waiting to hear what lucrative deals the NFL is willing to offer. Which they can't talk to him about till the season is over (tampering rule)
December 17th, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^
Yeah my guess is that all these people saying the 29th is a huge day are going to be dissapointed. Guy probably hasn't made up his mind yet and is going to take a week to see all of his offers before deciding.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:25 PM ^
I look at it like this, he isn't really chosing between job offers. He's choosing a lifestyle path. He can choose to either be a college coach at what has to be his dream college destination or he can choose to be an NFL coach and feel pretty comfortable that there's going to be a palatable option in the next two seasons. I think he cares enough about Michigan that he's not going to drag out the process so he can weigh individual job offers against Michigan. If there is still indecision I think it's because he doesn't know if he wants to give up the NFL, not that he doesn't know if the right NFL opportunity will be there this offseason. He has either told Michigan he is coming but he's not going to announce until this season is over or he is still making that decision.
Come the 29th, I think we'll know. He's either coming, or on that date Hackett will demand an answer. If it drags on past them I will be highly dissapointed in Jim Harbaugh.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
Or he could just want full control which currently only Michigan offers but if the raiders or dolphins offer full control it changes the dynamics. So yes while the bigger question is one of lifestyle Harbuagh will also not be working with completel information until after the 28th. If the Raiders offer him complete control on the 29th I think he has to consider it as an option and that is why I don't think we will have an answer that day.
The game will change the 29th but I don't think we will get an answer for a week after that.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
If I'm Jim Harbaugh, I think that one of these owners is going to be willing to give me full control, or damn near close to full control. I don't thik he'll need to wait to hear that as an actual offer to think that something along those lines will be on the table.
Maybe it's naive, but I just don't think that Harbaugh is going to put Michigan through the ringer that would be a couple additional weeks of waiting through the entire NFL process which is complicated by being under contract with the 49ers if the decision comes down to which NFL offer to weigh against a Michigan offer.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
His tweets seem like Oakland is interested and Harbaugh party is open to listening to them. Probably true and doesn't seem ground-breaking.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
writes int the bay area, right? He's just trying to get clicks and readers by writing about something 100% of the fan base in the Bay Area find relevant. Harbaugh to anywhere other than the Raiders or the NFL isn't too interesting outside of Michigan. LIke someone said he hasn't talked to the Raiders, can't do so, so all of the talk is just rampant speculation click bait. Even if this guy GOD FORBID breaks Harbuagh to the Raiders, he just got lucky. Nothing more.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
Couldn't you say the exact same thing about the Michigan guys and trying to get clicks from Michigan fans. These guys all make money off people clicking in to see what they say and every person covering Michigan knows that posting a Harbuagh update gaurantees clicks so maybe Michigan guys are just throwing shit around for clicks. Its certainly working.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
I'd guess he probably has a contact close to Harbaugh, from some of the stuff he has put out there this season. But, I'd also be willing to bet that Harbaugh's camp is pushing the Raiders idea as a jab at the 49ers front office. Just like the stunt where he went and shook hands with the owner when they played two weeks ago. Seems likea good way to piss off management would be to make it look like you want to go to the team right across the bay, where the 49ers will have to hear about him every day.
May be a good way to help push the 49ers toward working out an exit to Michigan...
December 17th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
I like this Machiavellian ploy. I hope it is fact rather than theory.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^
I've covered this before--Ray Ratto should eat him.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
Anyone remotely close to Harbaugh has said he hasn't shared anything. The interest from the Raider is obvious and does make the most sense... from the Raiders perspective.
This jackass is just like any NFL related person... in his mind, you don't willingly leave the NFL. Everything he writes is pure personal opinion, he just makes it sound like its sourced.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
There is speculation from the Bay that JH will go to Oakland.
There is speculation from our side that he will come here.
There is very little actual hard information in either direction. I'm not even sure Harbaugh has decided yet. All the speculation is fun, and somewhat maddening, but most of it is weightless.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
The correct answer is: both Mikes are bad.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
to figure out a way to stay in the NFL. Raiders/trade/moving to LA or not/GM powers/bad experience at SF...it's not going to be easy.
Coming home is very easy. Just say yes!
December 17th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
So he basically goes from "it is happening" to "well, it would make sense because...reasons(?)" in two tweets.
Man, these next 11 days can't pass quickly enough. Lots of middling reporters and no-name internet "personalities" are making a killing off of this circus.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^
There are a few outlets now parrotting Kawakami's sentiment - his revised sentiment - that it simply makes sense for Harbaugh to end up in Oakland. I sort of enjoyed how Mike Florio handled it, however, by saying that it does but then for what Oakland might have to give up, you take over a team still tied down by using picks as compensation. Not an ideal situation for Harbaugh at all, I would think.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
I'm sure his agent is back channeling to get him the best deal possible. Every time the Raiders are mentioned Michigan adds to the pot and vice versa.
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December 17th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
He seems to delight in pissing people off, maybe just not in as much of an obvious asshole way. But he's getting to Sharp-like levels of disgust in my book.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:48 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
I read an article earier today from NFL Pro Rumors and got the impression after reading that the NFL was backing off a little on the nobody leaves the NFL position.
They actually mentioned Michigan in it and gave some thought as to why Jim Harbaugh would not go to the Raiders. It was a light read, just got the impression they were backing off a little.
Harbaugh is happening!
If anyone wants to read: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill
December 17th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
The 49ers will be working with Jim and all interested NFL teams for a trade. No way they are going to fire Jim. I think Jim will just leave the 49ers at the end of the season if he is truly interested in being the next Michigan coach. I don't think he has made up his mind and if there is a NFL team like the Raiders or Miami that he is truly interested in, he will probably agree to a trade deal. That's why if we don't see Jim here at the end of December, my hopes will be dashed. I just hope they will go after Miles and Mullens who both seem to be off the Michigan coaching radar. This could all blow up on Hackett if he brings in an unproven Hoke 2.0 type coach.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
I can't wait for Kawakami's response, when Harbaugh takes the Michigan job.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
December 17th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
Bagheera's sister's maid's brother's wife in the Raiders organization?