JaMarcus Russell, in quarterback meetings all week even though he didn't play, said he had no idea the Raiders had a new play-caller in a 17-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Andrew Walter, who found out Sunday he was starting when it was decided Russell couldn't play, said he was aware of the change.

Welcome to the Raiders, where there is never a clear and easy explanation for what seem to be basic and obvious questions.

What does seem obvious is that after a 24-0 loss to the Atlanta Falcons the previous week, one in which the Raiders were an embarrassment on both sides of the ball, Knapp paid for a game in which Oakland not only had no touchdowns, but just three first downs.

In the first half, the Raiders actually had a minus-2 net yards and zero first downs. The Falcons had racked up 23 first downs before Oakland had its first.

At some point in the aftermath of that debacle, Tom Cable, the interim head coach who retained his position as the line coach, added "play-caller" to his list of responsibilities.

Not a word was said about the switch. In the locker room Wednesday after the Carolina game, players said they still hadn't heard of a change. Even Russell, a quarterback who ought to know, said it was news to him.

At a Monday press conference following the Carolina game, in response to a direct question about Knapp and the play-calling, Cable said he didn't think play-calling was an issue and never mentioned he was the one actually calling the plays.

Once the story became public Monday evening, the Raiders ceased with the cat and mouse game, with Cable confirming the change Wednesday when the team returned to practice.

"No one really asked me how we were going to do it last week," Cable said. "Last week I made a decision I'm going to take that over, put it on my shoulders. It doesn't need to be on anyone else's shoulders. This is my responsibility so I need to be accountable for it."

Owner Al Davis is on record of preferring a head coach as a play-caller. He said he hired Lane Kiffin, Cable's predecessor, for that very reason. Cable said taking over for Knapp was entirely his call.

Knapp wasn't so sure.

When asked directly where the decision came from, Knapp paused for a moment, measuring his words.

"Tom Cable is the one who told me," Knapp said. "I know he does talk to the owner on a daily basis."

Since Kiffin's departure, the Raiders have averaged seven points per game and 228 yards of offense. The running game, which carried the team last year, has been largely ineffective except for a 300-yard effort in Week 2 against Kansas City.

In nine regular-season games, the Raiders have scored nine touchdowns.

"I just felt like with where we were going offensively and the struggles we've had maybe a change would be in order," Cable said.

Cable said his decision doesn't minimize Knapp's role in the offense.

"I look to him for input in third-down decisions, red-zone situations," Cable said. "His role is tremendous. It always has been in terms of planning, organization during that week. All that won't change."

Cable downplayed the possibility that Kiffin's departure crippled the offense.

"We've got to get through that transition," Cable said. "It's time to start scoring points. I can't stand there and feel helpless about the situation. I've got to do something about it."

Even after Kiffin's dismissal and the Atlanta debacle, Knapp did not expect to be relieved of his play-calling command. As a matter of fact, in Kiffin's last game as coach, according to Davis and likely at Davis' request, Kiffin ceded some of the play-calling responsibilities to Knapp.

"I was surprised. Very surprised. I felt like we had a pretty good game against the New York Jets (a 16-13 overtime win), we were making strides with a young offense despite the fact that we'd gone through some personnel changes," Knapp said. "We came back against Baltimore after a tough first half. We were definitely frustrated at the Atlanta game. We just didn't play well enough as a group."

Cable seemed eager to dive into yet another responsibility after being a line coach last year. It's worth noting that the Raiders rushing attack, as well as the line play, has sagged this year -- and even more so since he became the head coach.

"I've given more work to (offensive line assistant) James Cregg. But I feel responsible for where we're at," Cable said. "With that being the case and my nature and my personality, I've got to find a way to do more and help where I can."

Asked whether his other responsibilities have taken away from the play of the line, Cable said, "It's not really taking away. I'm planning more for it, spending more time on it throughout the day, how I want to do it, and coaching the coach, if you will."

Cable said he already saw improvement with regard to pass protection.

"I think we've got some things solved," Cable said.

SERIES HISTORY: 29th regular-season meeting. Raiders lead 16-11-1. Miami has won six of last seven but Raiders won last meeting on Sept. 30 of last year 35-17, rushing for 299 yards as Daunte Culpepper returned to the team that cut him and passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two.