Davis and Kiffin were both deposed in the Bay Area Monday and Tuesday to prepare for a hearing on the matter before an NFL arbitrator. At one point both men were in the same room at the same time, although both declined comment.

Included in the letter was the accusation that Kiffin helped opponents prepare for the Raiders with inside information.

Replied Kiffin's attorney, Alan Lowinsohn:

"The Raiders will no longer be able to rely on unsupported allegations made in the media, as key Raiders personnel, starting with Al Davis, will finally have to answer questions under oath at their depositions, a process that coach Kiffin is confident will demonstrate that he was fired without cause and show that the continuing assault of allegations being made against him are false."

--At the Raiders press conference announcing the hiring of Cable as head coach, Davis told reporters gathered during a post-podium talk the Raiders would employ more of a "power" running game in 2009, and that the coach understood this was an area that needed improvement.

The Raiders switched from a strict man blocking scheme under Art Shell in 2006 to a zone blocking concept as taught by Cable by way of Alex Gibbs, the veteran line coach who has served as a mentor to Cable.

Cable, by way of clarification, says Davis wasn't talking necessarily about scheme.

"What he means by that is what you saw (in the season finale) at Tampa Bay," Cable said. "Two tight ends, that sort of thing. More power in the system and formations."

Cable, line coach Jim Michalczik and line assistant Chris Morgan were held in rapt attention watching Cal's Alex Mack work out at a Pro Day at nearby University of California.

Mack is generally considered to be the best center available, the Raiders are looking for a center, and Michalczik just happened to be the line coach at Cal last year.

Cable said he will first scout Mack as if he were any other college player before consulting Michalczik for particulars, the better not to cloud his judgment.

Michalczik mostly kept to himself at workouts, avoiding all conversations with media and other teams trying to get more information about Mack.

"I said "Hi' to him," Mack said of his college line coach."He came down late, I said, 'How you doing, coach?' He jeered me a little bit. It was fun. It was good to see him. He was wearing some Raider gear, and it was good to see him back at Cal."

Michalczik left Cal to take a job as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Washington under Steve Sarkisian. Before his contract was finalized, the Raiders stepped forward and made him their line coach.

--The Raiders remain of the opinion that Mario Henderson needs to be pushed. Praised by Davis for his play over the last three games after assuming the starting job from Kwame Harris, Henderson nonetheless finds himself battling with newly acquired Khalif Barnes on the left side.

Cable said there are no plans at present to move Henderson to the right side.

"You can't argue with what Mario did over the last three games but it's important to get competition in there," Cable said.

Having already secured the services of punter Shane Lechler and core special teams player Isaiah Ekejiuba, the Raiders further demonstrated their commitment to special teams by bringing back kickoff return specialist Justin Miller.

Miller, a waiver claim after being cut by the New York Jets, averaged 24.8 yards on 32 returns with a pair of touchdowns. He also stepped in as an emergency fill-in at cornerback in the season finale and held his own.

The acquisition of Miller allowed Johnnie Lee Higgins to focus on his receiving duties to go along with punt returns, resulting in improved production from the second-year receiver.

The Raiders didn't announce Miller's signing until after he showed up for the first day of the offseason program. Miller said he had been signed for at least two weeks.

"I guess they just haven't put it out there yet," Miller said.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "During the interview process Mr. Kiffin professed to know about the history and tradition of the Raiders, espoused it and said he believed in it. Yet, Mr. Kiffin's proclamations that he believed those things could not be further from the truth. Mr. Kiffin was found to be someone who broke NFL rules and made false statements that misled the media, Raider fans and the entire team." -- part of the letter sent by the Raiders to the University of Tennessee and released to the media detailing why Kiffin was fired "for cause."