GILBRIDE PLAYS COY ABOUT RAIDERS 'INTERVIEW'

There have been reports on how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's interviews with the Jets and Broncos went. But little is known about offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride's conversation with Raiders owner Al Davis last weekend.

When Gilbride addressed the media Thursday -- three days before the Giants meet the Eagles in their divisional playoff game -- he was asked about the phone interview.

"I had a very enjoyable conversation with Mr. Davis," said Gilbride, the head coach of the Chargers in 1997-98. "To be honest with you, I know I got the interview because of the success we've had as a football team and particularly the players and coaches on the offensive side. And I think it would be disrespectful for me to go into anything besides what matters so much to these players and these coaches in this particular game."

While Gilbride said the Giants' recent success led to his interview, the Raiders have said publicly that Gilbride's agent called them to set up what they would only describe as a chat.

"It wasn't an interview, per se," Raiders senior executive John Herrera told the Sacramento Bee. "It was a 90-minute conversation."

Gilbride was given an opportunity to counter the Raiders' comments.

"Maybe I didn't speak loud enough. I thought I made it pretty clear I didn't want to speak any further about it because it would be a disservice to our organization," Gilbride said before reiterating the interview was a result of the "success we've had as a team."

Center Shaun O'Hara said Gilbride's interview hasn't been a topic of discussion this week.

"It's not talked about," O'Hara said. "We understand (Gilbride and Spagnuolo) are focused on winning this next game. ... You understand it's there, but you don't really talk about it, though you may tease him a little bit."

Raiders | Team could speak with Gilbride again
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:01:26 -0800

Steve Corkran, of the Bay Area News Group, reports the Oakland Raiders may speak with New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride again after the Giants were eliminated from postseason contention. When both sides first spoke by phone Jan. 3, Gilbride was promised he would receive an in-person interview if the timing worked out, according to a person familiar with the team's coaching search .