The difference is, the play the quarterback hears won't be Knapp's call. He'll just be relaying a message from interim head coach Tom Cable.

Knapp, a former Sacramento State quarterback and assistant coach, had his duties as play-caller taken over by Cable last week before the Raiders played the Carolina Panthers.

And with that, Knapp learned last week why continuity and the Raiders rarely are in the same sentence these days.

"Wish I could still be doing it in defense of a young quarterback (JaMarcus Russell), trying to help his growth," Knapp said. "I think it's important that there's as many constants as you can have for a young quarterback's development. So he'll be going through his third play-caller now when he gets back on the field.

"I'm frustrated because I'm trying to help this guy develop and become a very good quarterback in this league."

Cable joins Knapp and fired head coach Lane Kiffin as coaches to call the offensive plays. Knapp was told the Raiders mustering just 77 total yards in a 24-0 loss to Atlanta on Nov. 2 was the reason for the decision and said he was "surprised" and "disappointed" by the move after only four games in charge.

Cable said he didn't mention the change last week because he wasn't asked specifically if he'd take over Knapp's duties.

Likewise, not every player knew of the change, either -- such as Russell, who watched from the sideline with a knee injury.

"I hear Knapp in my head," Russell said, referring to the headset quarterbacks listen to as plays are sent in, even if they aren't in the game.

Knapp shared duties with Kiffin against the San Diego Chargers in Week 4 and received public compliments from owner Al Davis for the offense's improvement. The Raiders scored 18 points in that game but haven't topped that total since.

The Raiders have scored 35 points in five games under Cable.

"It's time to start scoring points," Cable said. "That's why I made the decision that I did, because somehow ... I've got to do something about it."

Knapp, Atlanta's offensive coordinator when Cable was the Falcons' offensive-line coach in 2006, had running back Darren McFadden healthy for just one full game, in New Orleans.

The Raiders had 344 total yards and 16 points in their overtime win over the New York Jets on Oct. 19 but have just one touchdown since.

It hasn't helped that the offensive line has regressed lately, either.

"Tom has said publicly that we have struggled with protection lately," Knapp said. "That was something we had to concentrate on, and so we've changed some schemes in order to give our quarterback more time to throw the ball."

Cable said Knapp still would be involved in weekly planning and that he'd consult Knapp in the red zone and on third downs.

Cable added that he talked with Davis after the decision had been made.

"It doesn't need to be on anyone else's shoulders," Cable said of the offense. "This is my responsibility, so I need to be accountable for it."

Now he is.

Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/ Raidersblog.