Where Lane and Al went wrong
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Update: Talking to reporters on the field following the Senior Bowl, Lane Kiffin sidestepped questions regarding his status with the Raiders.
“I’m not going to comment on that. That’s got nothing to do with this game, these guys’ last game here, and I’m real proud of the way they played and competed,” Kiffin said. “It was a fun week.”
Asked if he will be coaching the Raiders in the fall, Kiffin said, “I hope so.”
There are a lot of different ways Lane Kiffin could have shot down reports regarding his demise in the eyes of Al Davis, and reasonable people can agree that saying “I’m not going to comment on anything that transpired in the last three weeks” is not one of them.
Nor is coaching the Senior Bowl in a black Under Armour windbreaker, with the name “Raiders” nowhere in sight. The rest of the staff is adorned in Raiders gear.
It reminds me of the time Jon Gruden showed up to his season-ending press conference the day after a playoff loss to New England in a maroon polo shirt instead of his usual Raiders garb.
Not long afterward, he was on his way to Tampa Bay.
During Saturday’s Senior Bowl broadcast, field reporter Charles Davis said Kiffin told him he didn’t want to comment on rumors that Davis asked for his resignation, essentially the same thing he said the day before.
“He said he didn’t want to comment on anything that happened in the last three weeks to a month, but what I do want to focus on is this game today,” Davis reported Kiffin as saying. “We focused on these kids all week long and coaching them, we’re going to focus on them today in this game. We don’t want to cheat them at all.”
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said he believed the Raiders and Kiffin were negotiating a settlement of his contract, the end result being Oakland would be the first team since the Minnesota Vikings in 1984 (Les Steckel) and 1985 (Bud Grant) to have consecutive coaches who lasted a single season.
A year ago, Kiffin was hailed by Davis as superior to Jon Gruden, glossing over the fact that his first choice was actually Steve Sarkisian, the co-offensive coordinator along with Kiffin at USC. Davis raved about Kiffin’s grasp of the total game and his value as a personnel man because of his background as recruiting coordinator.
It wasn’t just Davis’ refusal to part with Rob Ryan that fractured the relationship, although that was part of it.
The fact is, it became apparent as the season went on that Kiffin and Davis differ philsophically, and many of the things Kiffin did and said no doubt rubbed the boss the wrong way.
Davis believes he has stocked the Raiders with enough talent to be consistent winners.
“We’ve got good players. What I worry about is injuries,” Davis said during a training camp press conference.
Kiffin, looking at the 15-49 record upon his arrival, never bought it. He admitted making final cuts wasn’t all that difficult because the Raiders didn’t have enough good players to make it difficult.
When the Raiders finished the season by facing Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Denver, Kiffin, when assessing how his team had held together, said, it was difficult “when you’re not playing anybody like yourself.”
While perhaps not meant as a jab at Davis’ acquisition of talent, go ahead and assume Davis felt that way.
The week the Raiders played the Colts, Kiffin talked with admiration about a roster stocked with the type of players Davis wouldn’t want.
“Their linebackers are 5-11. They’ve got a 5-9 safety, a 6-foot defensive end,” Kiffin said. “They get a lot of people later in rounds that other people don’t take because of size or because of what they evaluate. They see what other people don’t. In that system, tackling is one of the first things you evaluate, and you can see it. They take people, because they’re really good players, and they tackle real well.”
Davis made it clear during training camp that dealing Randy Moss was Kiffin’s idea.
“If Lane felt that was best for the team I was going to do it,” Davis said. “And we did it. We didn’t get near what we should have. Randy Moss, if he’s well, can still play, in my opinion. Our coaches didn’t think so.”
It couldn’t have set well with Davis when Kiffin blamed him for breeding the culture which Moss wanted no part of.
“Randy had made it very clear to me, his statement was, ‘Coach, this has nothing to do with you. I have already heard great things about what you are doing there already, but I am not going to play for that organization, and I don’t want any part of it. I don’t like the way I have been treated there,’ ” Kiffin told Minnesota writers on a conference call.
“It was out of my control. Randy wasn’t going to play here and he made it very clear, so it was a direction that this organization needed to go because he wasn’t happy and he wasn’t going to play here for whatever reason, the things that happened before I got here.”
Getting rid of Moss was a big part in another Kiffin belief not held by Davis _ team chemistry.
Kiffin made repeated references over the course of the season to “cleaning out the locker room” and ridding it of bad influences.
Davis is on record as saying he doesn’t believe in team chemistry.
Where Kiffin stood on the drafting of JaMarcus Russell is not clear. Leading up to the draft, I was told Kiffin preferred Brady Quinn, but I never heard it from Kiffin himself and misinformation is rampant where the draft is concerned.
When the season was over, Kiffin was no longer a Davis prodigy. He was a 4-12 coach, the same as Bill Callahan and Norv Turner in their final seasons. Kiffin was just two games better than Art Shell who had no right to ask for his own choice as defensive coordinator.
To make matters worse in Davis’ eyes, Kiffin did little to refute rumors which connected him to college jobs at Arkansas, Michigan and UCLA.
A Contra Costa Times poll asked readers “As a Raiders fan who would you rather get rid of, Al Davis or Lane Kiffin?
At last check, Davis had 1,112 votes to be shown the door and Kiffin 31.
When Kiffin accepted the job, he made it clear on several occasions it was on the condition that certain things were in place. He never specified what those things were, but implied it had to do with the makeup of the roster and coaching staff.
Hope he got that in writing.
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January 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
So who should we get for the next coach>?
January 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
first..this Suuuucks
January 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I suggest Amy Trask
January 26th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
The title should be “Where Al went wrong”.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I suggest Al Davis takes over. That’s the only way he’ll be happy. Plus maybe we’ll get lucky and, in all of his Senility, he’ll fire himself and free the RaiderNation of his dictatorial rule.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
How is it possible that Davis would reject the concept of team chemistry? While people who work together don’t all have to be best buddies, chemistry and a sense of common purpose and mutual respect is essential to the success of ANY organization. I find it hard to fathom that any owner or manager who hoped to “win” could really believe the things you’re saying. (Jerry, I’m not saying you’re wrong, I just find them indefensible concepts if what you’re saying is true.)
January 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Get ready for the next Raider Head Coach, Art Saunders
January 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Al*
January 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
My bad I just picked up the sarcasm. Excuse my feeble mind.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I’m telling you there are not that many people in Al’s court on this
January 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
The only thing more idiotic than posting first and saying “first” is being second and saying first!
January 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
More and more I fear two things:
1. That Davis has finally reached a state of senility setting in and has lost sight of what he is doing.
2. That with moves like this and Davis’ loss of sight, that the Raiders will skip town again after their lease expires after the 2010 season.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I simply cannot believe this.
That a giant like Al Davis would cripple his team’s rebuilding program to sate his own ego.
That he would take Raider Nation’s brightest hope in years and run him out of town.
That our Raiders would turn into the Los Angeles Clippers.
I am absolutely speechless at the thought of this.
What the hell is Al thinking??? Does he REALLY think more Musical Coaches will improve anything? Does he really feel James Lofton (or, Blanda help us, DENNIS GREEN) is the answer?
If this is true, congratulations, “FIRE KIFFIN.” You got your wish. You stated repeatedly that we’d be in the Super Bowl if only we had a “grown man” as the HC. Well, both Lofton and Green are at least a decade older. I expect to hear your rationalizing if we’re not in SB XLIII. Oh, wait. That’s Right. You won’t be around then to answer for your stupidity, will you? Waste-of-sperm-and-eggs trolls like you never are.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
ouch
January 26th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Here is what we need to have happen
1. Lane, AD and RR all have a joint press conference and discuss what they say and what they want to have happen next year. They should say (if true) there have been disagreements on how to get things done and tempers have flared at times but many of the media reports based on league sources etc… are overblown and at times outright not true.
Here is what is going to happen
1. We are going to have to sit around and have uncertainty while everyone remains quiet because if anyone says anything directly they risk losing their jobs. AD won’t address this because by addressing it he would be losing control and relevance. In the meantime any good FA worth his salt will not come here because of the uncertainty and turmoil.
I used to think AD just wants to win. I guess I do not beieve this anymore. I have watched the Raiders play since the mid 1960’s and between the Art Shell saga (twice) and this I have just about had it. I am just barely in and just about out. Maybe I am being myopiac and an enabler as some say. Maybe if we all just started not coming to games and buying jerseys and quit watching the games maybe AD would get a grip. To be honest we have not had a good situation since what happened with Marcus Allen except for a few years when Gruden was here and then when we had Bo for a short time. The rest was mediocore and worse. I am sick sick sick of it.
You know if he really fires Kiffin I am out, definitely out. There are better things to do than root for a team controled by a senile old man. Davis on the very low chance you are reading this… I have been a fan since 1965 as a five year old. I stuck with the Raides after the move and after the Marcus Allen incident and the Mike White debacle and the second coming of Art Shell and Tom Walsh. All I can say is I am sick of this you need to value head coaches you need to delegate. If I am about to check out just about everyone else is as well. Please stop this madness.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I don’t see who would possibly want to coach them except for another virtual unknown looking to make a name. As I said earlier, Denny Green said the Raiders situation was “treacherous” and that was before he was hired to coach the Cards. Of course there is yes man abound in the Raiders org so I am sure we may see a hire from within, but with the Raiders not only filled in with scholarship players but with coaches too, lets not hold our breath on a winning season anytime soon.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I wonder if there is a clause in any of the NFL agreements that can relieve an owner of control if there is cause such as malpractice. I mean this is a league and there have to be some standards even for the owners.
This really sucks! We are going to win probably 2 games next year with a new coach. God job Al just win baby. What an idiot! Even the Maimi Dolphins can’t top this…
January 26th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Interesting point about the Raider gear. Although in fairness, Nolan had on pretty much the same gear, but he did sport a 49r hat.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
It is a sad day for the Raider Nation. Al really thinks that he has enough talent to win in the NFL. That is why he can’t find a coach. He picks the players and expects the coach to win with them. There is no coach alive that can win with the crap the Raiders are fielding. Al Davis has missed on so many players the last several years that have became stars in other places. I know the system has a lot to do with players maturing and learning, but raw talent has to be there.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
As real Raider fans who obviously care more for this franchise than the senile, delusional old goat that runs the team, there is only one thing we can do. BOYCOTT. We have to hit him in the wallet. It’s all he cares about. Refuse to spend any more money on tickets, merchandise or on sponsors’ goods until he cedes control of the team. Our wallets are the only weapon we have that can make Al pay attention.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Something should come to a head with the Lofton interview. I can’t believe LK will be doing an interview if he is as “on the outs” as it appears.
I think there is truth on both sides of this debate. I think there is talent here to be a better football team then we have been. We find ways to lose games with penalties, turnovers, and missed asignments. Underachieving. It is the coaches job to get them to perform.
At the same time, you move players out who continue to make the same mistakes. A coach need to be able to make those changes.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Kiff was wearing the same under armour stuff that Nolan was…hat and all.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
If this goes down, even after being a fan since the 70’s…
I’M OUT!!!
I’ve had it with Al’s stupid decisions and lack of regard for the fans. I simply can’t root for a gang of idiots. This is so lame…
January 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
“At last check, Davis had 1,112 votes to be shown the door and Kiffin 31.”
Add one more vote to put Davis out to pasture.
This story just won’t die. I guess the feud is real. Al Davis should be ashamed. It is so embarrassing to be a fan of this team right now.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
What amazes me is we have to debate the significance of what gear LK is wearing because the Raiders front office is being so secretive that we have to speculate on everything. What a bunch of jackasses. Al it is time to retire!!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
[...] Fender52 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Fender52″Here’s ONLY a quick extractHow is it possible that Davis would reject the concept of team chemistry? While people who work together don’t all have to be best buddies, chemistry and a sense of common purpose and mutual respect is essential to the success of ANY … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
[...] Mistabrown wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Mistabrown”Here’s ONLY a quick extractThe only thing more idiotic than posting first and saying “first” is being second and saying first! [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Well, at least Kiffin and Ryan seem to be having fun on the sidelines, they were just shown giggling with each other after a play.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Whats the score … i dont get NFL network :/
January 26th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I wish I was giggling too….score is 16-7 North ahead.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
If Lofton is the next Coach of the Faiders. He has is phone ringing off the hook from other former players and coaches telling him “ARE U NUTS” for working for Alvin Chipmunk Davis !! Davis can’t make a solid decision at the top, you’ll never get solid decision making at the bottom
Just sell baby and so it is !!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
This article sums it up: http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080126/WIRE/801260345/1015/SPORT0502
January 26th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Update…………… The Raider defense coaches still can’t stop the run in the Senior Bowl. Did you read that Alvin !!!
Just sell baby and so it is !!!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
On another note, I heard Nancy Gay ripping the organization on KNBR yesterday (with Ralph Barbieri lapping it up, of course). Her criticism doesn’t bother me much, but what did is that she said she’s received death threats from Raider fans because of her past criticism.
That aint at all cool. Whoever is pulling that sh!t should get the hell out of RaiderNation. We don’t need punks and psychos like you. Freakin’ knuckleheads.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
It is funny to me that the populist view including McDonald’s is that Al Davis is cause of this problem. I read this blog and immediately think Kiffin has no sense. He appears as an ego maniac in this blog. Al Davis, writes the checks, he has more 4 decades of experience in the NFL and the AFL. Now Kiffin goes around implying that Davis doesn’t know talent (according to this blog). He then thinks the Arkansas job is more attractive than the Raiders job. He is getting about 8 to 10 times the salary here than he did with USC, but he has no loyalty nor common sense, nor manners. Talk about brash! I think Al Davis could learn a thing about being brash from Kiffin. The truth is if live long enough we will probably see Lane turn into an Al Davis like character. He has little respect for others. Maybe they are too much a like…but if you like the brashness of one, you should like the brashness in the other.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Vinous- Davis isn’t brash anymore, he’s senile.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I believe that death threat was at the begining of the season, God only knows what kind of e mails she’s gettin now.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Dyed in Wool
I do not believe anything Nancy Gay says – espeically something like that that can get her noterieity. Maybe she got something but I am sure she overblew it. In a real sense AD has created these media wanabees that make a career out of bashing the Raiders because the Raiders just go around dissing reporters.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Vinous name a player Al drafted recently let’s say in his 70’s that has panned out by making the pro bowl with the exception of the kicker
January 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I know people who have 4 decades of driving experience. That does not mean I want to ride in the car with them.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Moderator , FINALLY! Sweeeet.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
that is still on the team
January 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
We’ve come full circle once again. We’re interviewing a candidate next week who probably won’t sniff a HC gig elsewhere, an ex Raider, will work for cheap, and have his coaching staff intact. Just perfect
January 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I just added my vote to make it 1,113. My 12 year old son told me yesterday that I would be happier if I didn’t root for the most dysfunctional team in all of professional sports. Maybe he should start an infomercial and offer counseling to Raider fans.
I have been a fan since 1974. It’s hard to go on being a fan believing that things will change. At some point Al needs to look in the mirror and ask himself whether his decisions are resulting in anything positive anymore.
Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, were football players with talent and heart, yet all of them have similar opinions of this organization. If I were Howie Long, I would tell my son to not sign with the Raiders until the ownership issue is resolved.
Mr. Davis – Other than winning 3 Super Bowls, the biggest legacy you can leave Raider Nation is to step down and let the organization recover and regain its greatness. Don’t go down with the ship. Enjoy the memories and turn it over to a new set of capable hands. The fans will be happy, the coaches will be happy, and the players won’t go through another round of misery. Your media people will also thank you for not having to get in front of Raider Nation and lying to them like a Washington DC press secretary.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
amen and goodnight.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
[...] Raider Duck wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Raider Duck”Here’s ONLY a quick extractThat our Raiders would turn into the Los Angeles Clippers. I am absolutely speechless at the thought of this. What the hell is Al thinking??? Does he REALLY think more Musical Coaches will improve anything? Does he really feel James … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
show Al Davis the door and kick him in the ass
on the way out!!!
Radlady
January 26th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
The end of an era – until the Raiders rise again – out!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
O my goD!! please not again !! Changing coaches again? How can we win if we keep changing coaches. Al I use to defend you but not this time. You must be getting old like everyone is saying, I like Kiffin .Dennis Green ,,,,geez not him talk about embarrassing. Another old fart Please…NO!! Kiffin please don’t leave!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I saw a report that Raiders have asked permission to speak with Al Saunders
January 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Lane is gone. So off to another coach and another 3-13 season or worse in 2008. Unreal
January 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
nolan is only wearing under armour gear also
January 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
AL YOU ARE DEF LOSING YOUR DAMN MARBLES!!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
If this turns out to be true I will be very disappointed. I feel that the talent level is on the way up and with the third or fourth overall pick we have a chance to get another top player, but if we have another coaching change how will we be able to sell to the players that we are on the right track, and how do we attract quality free agents who want to have a chance to compete for championships, other than by overpaying them. If this is a bunch of bull%@#$ made up by the media then I wish they could be sued for the damage.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Als doctor needs to adjust his medications.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Al is God.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
jhill ua skull cap now
January 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Jerry, this is all very simple. It is time to take sides, there is no possibility of compromise, the only way forward is civil war.
The question for you and every Raider player, coach, administrator and fan is: Whose side are you on, Davis or Kiffin?
For me, Al Davis is now a mere prisoner of his ridiculous ego. An old man, cast adrift from reality, with only his pathetic delusions to sustain him. He has destroyed his reputation and he has lost his credibility. Even the Raider Nation, his own and finest creation, has abandoned him. He is lost, surrounded by only sycophants too scared or too brainwashed to tell him the truth. He has already brought five long years of miserable failure, if he continues, he will only bring about the end of this franchise. He is finished, he is a liability, he must be defeated.
We must all back Lane Kiffin. We must back our young coach who has shown enough talent, determination and professionalism to lead this franchise back to respectability. Davis offers nothing but dysfunctionality and failure. Kiffin offers hope.
Davis has forced the issue. Like King Charles I in 1640, he believes he has a divine right to behave as he so pleases, with no regard for the people and with no regard for the nation. Like King Charles I, Davis will this time find the people ready to fight, ready to face down the arrogant bully, ready to restore proper order and a sense of decency.
If Kiffin goes, civil war is declared. It will start with angry word, boycotts of merchandise and tickets, but it will grow and intensify until Davis is defeated and driven out of Alameda. Davis has treated the Nation with utter contempt and he will pay a terrible price.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Fire Kiffin, I don’t think that God likes being mentioned in the same sentence, let alone be compared to, the man who is running his favorite team into the ground.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
looks like were watching a raider game vanilla defense lead in the 4th quarter only to lose as the defense cant stop anyone when it matters
January 26th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Lane looks pissed at the D – again.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
kiffin has got to go period! That fool is accustomed to losing now.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Some one needs to put him in an retirement village and set him up with a T.V and Videos of the Glory days. So, he can relive them that way instead of messing up progress Slow but Hey, Rome was not built in a day! AL D BUTT OUT PLEASE!!!KEEP KIFFIN!! If u read these blogs LISTEN YOUR brain is gone …..Turn it over or you will not live to see another RAIDER SUPERBOWL the rate your going !! Quit playing musical chairs w/ the Coaches! O my gosh!! Not GREEN PLEASE!!!NO!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Wow see that safety too late to the play – just like raider safeties. It must be a trademark of Ryan’s defense. Stay way back out of the play and then when the ballcarrier is downed after getting the first down/touchdown or w/e go up and put your hands on em. Just like schweigert, who was dominant at Purdue btw.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
RR you go girl
January 26th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
A couple of things…
I have been a fan since 1974, and I’ve generally supported Al and his philosophies. I thought that if AL was smart enough to hire a young coach with an NFL pedigree, a very good college background, and extensive knowledge of the players coming out of school, that he must still be somewhat on his game. I neglected to account for his pettiness and myopic view of personnel and systems. I forgot that people, in general, don’t get more openminded as they get older. He is clinging to success, that for the most part happened two decades ago. Yes, we recently went to the Super Bowl, but Al hired the coach that put that team together, and the Raiders were thoroughly embarrassed. With Gruden, we win that game.
Al values loyalty in his personnel over all else, even winning. Marcus Allen, Gruden, and now Kiffin are paying the price for keeping their options open. Who wouldn’t in a highly disfunctional work environment?
Kiffin hasn’t helped the situation with some of his actions and words, but can you blame him? I can’t even imagine the garbage that goes on behind closed doors.
Why should Raider fans blindly support an organization that doesn’t support it’s coaches, players, or it’s fans? Raider fans think of themselves as a family, a veritable “Nation”. When a member of the family, especially the leader, treats the entire family like indentured servants, it may be time to reconsider and reorganize the family. Blind loyaly is ignorant, demeaning, and it simply ensures that the problems will not only continues, but they will get worse.
I would like to thank Jerry for doing a great job udating us. It’s painful, but I’d rather have the rational information that Jerry provides, than rely on ESPN or writers that revel in the numerous Raider controversies, and print unfounded rumors as fact.
I would also like to thank the moderator for cleaning up the site.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Al sanders ya what an oppertunity for him or lofton
January 26th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Does Al davis have an email address? Kiffin stand up to that old coot don’t resign!!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Can’t stop the run – again. Sound familiar? Who says were not consistent? RR is incompetent even at the college level.
Lane was not without fault – should have taken the three when he had it. Another rookie coach mistake. Nonetheless, he deserves to be treated better than AD is doing now. We have seen progress. We have seen a light at the end of the tunnel. We have realistic hope of returning to respectability.
Obviously, all AD wants us to see is him. It’s all about Al! Get over your self Al. On your best day nowadays, all you are is a senile old men with dementia. Cash it in Al. Maybe they’ll let you take it with you.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Well I think this is a sad day for raider fans. The Crypt Keeper just keeps setting this franchise back. Its one thing to go through rebuilding years and be a loyal fan but to have to have an idiot set back this franchise back year after year. Yeah next year we will all be having this same discussion about another new coach. Its time for the Crypt Keeper to own up to his failures and take blame for this joke of a franchise.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
If Al has any idea how much support Kiffin has, and how little he has, then Kiffin’s fate is sealed. If Al sees Kiffin as a threat, then forget it. Fan and media support for Gruden is one of the major reasons that Al shipped him to Tampa. Al needs to the 1st and last thing that anyone thinks about, or the problems gets jettisoned…
Kiffin has a bright future if he does a better job of handling this situation over the next couple of weeks.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How many of the players kiffin cut ended up playing anywher else 3 out of 53 maybe. This team was full of Als picks. Any coach needs to fill spots with his system players.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Dear Mr Davis,
You must make a public statement either denying or confirming these reports about coah Kiff…..I will cancel my season tickets if you change coaches AGAIN….I will not spend a dime for the product you are putting on the field every Sunday. You have destroyed the franchise…why dont you sell it?
Have someone else run the team……
This is insane!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Raidermaan Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
…Yeah next year we will all be having this same discussion about another new coach.
———————————–
I won’t.
If Kiffin gets fired I will not be a fool enough to root for an organization that I have defended time after time, even relying on the ol’ “Wait and see what Kiffin does next year…”
Now they spit in my eye with this? WTF do you expect me to do, eat a sh*t buscuit and then ask for another?
I don’t think so.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Interview with Kiffin after game when asked if he will be the coach in the fall said” I HOPE SO ‘ not exactally a confermation. Wheres thers smoke thers fire.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Sending e-mails is a waste of time. They are too easy to block at the distant end or to plainly just ignore.
Send your cards & letters to Al’s residence:
********************************************
Al Davis a.k.a. Mr. Oakland Raider
300 MOUNTAIN AVE
PIEDMONT CA 94611-3508
We may kill his mailman but a ton of snail-mail at your front door is hard to ignore.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
we vented for weeks on this site a year ago, hoping beyond hope we could find a bright, innovative coach for our raiders and that al would let him do his job. we got the bright young coach, and al can’t step out of the way and let him do his job. the poisonous old owner trumps the coach every time. it’s like a bright young business man trying to do the things necessary to run a sucessful business, but his crazy old aunt controls all of the stock in the company, and keeps over-ruling all of his decisions and embarassing him in front of the employees.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
to upset to type correctly
January 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
What I love is the “BIG” hint that Lane is gone is he isn’t wearing any Raider gear on the sidelines like the Raider Coaches. Someone pointed this out: Mike Nolan is wearing the exact same gear as Kiff!!! So what does this mean?????????? Let me tell you what it means: it means according to asswipe Adam Shefter Mike Nolan can never coach the Raider organization!!! Hope you guys get the joke.
Look head coaches are wearing under armour gear because of a sponsorship clause in the contract Under Armour has with the Senior Bowl and the NFL!!! You guys are such freaking knuckleheads!!! And no one more so than Adam “Denver Broncos rule” Shefter. Don’t believe me???? There’s the exact same clause in the NFL league contract for Head Coaches: they have to wear their team gear so the league can shill stuff. Still don’t believe me??? Ask Mike Nolan. He and Jack Del Rio had to get league permission this year to NOT wear that gear and wear suits instead. Sheeeeeesh. The sky is falling, the sky is falling….
January 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
RosevilleRaider very well put. I was just thinking that same exact thing… Why should Raider fans blindly support an organization that doesn’t support it’s coaches, players, or it’s fans? … Most of us have been fans since little and will be till death. This really makes us fans look like complete idiots. Its really a shame. How can you have a commitment to excellence when you cant even commit?
January 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Screw sending Al mail, does anyone know how to send mail to Kiffin? I wish I could let him know that the Nation supports him and wants him to be the coach that’s stubborn enough to fight back and turn this thing around.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Wow!
I thought my team (49ers) was disfunctional but after reading the latest in Raider Land I actually feel a whole lot better now. Let’s face it, Al’s been in a deep decline since he let Gruden go. Your best hope Raider fans is that Al somehow checks out & quickly!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Nice post Oakglenn, as usual.
I just caught the post game interview with Lane Kiffin on NFL Network. They asked him for a comment and he refused to say anything. Then he was asked if he will be the coach of the Raiders in the fall and he said “I hope so”. I rewound it a few times to make sure I heard him right. He sounded like he honestly meant what he was saying. But then again he could just be one hell of a liar.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Dear Al,
I’ve supported you through thick & thin. But no more, not as a GM. Hang it up now, bring in a GM to fix your mess or I’m through. Your seats will be empty.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Cedrick Ellis just got hired by the NFL Network; he is foregoing the draft to jumpstart his announcing career.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Mr. Raider, post 75, thank you…
I saw that but failed to listen to the exact question so I was waiting for someone else to post and confirm.
Yes, he said ”I hope so” and with a smile in his face too.
I don´t know what that means.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Mr Raider -
just saw your post #75 thanks to Bob. Sorry to step on your info bro.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Let me rephrase this: Kiff could easily be gone. he didn’t look good on the sidelines I will say that. I’m sure we’ll know by the end of the week. Clearly it would be a HUGE step back. Davis always likes to make a splash on Super Bowl week. Looks like a splash is coming. (please..no Denny Green, no Denny Green, no Denny Green)
January 26th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Will Al Davis fire me. I hope so
January 26th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I pray that what Herrera said was true…
“It’s all complete B.S.,” Herrera said. “It’s all absolutely ridiculous, beyond belief. Those stories are fraudulent. Everything is inaccurate. It’s unconscionable. (The writers) should be held accountable. We’re (angry) around here.”
If it ends up Lane is gone then we cant even trust our own people…that would suck
January 26th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Just dealing in what if’s. Who would be a good fit at coach (whos available?) more importantly who would take the job after the last 3 weeks?. Al and Kiff need to work this out.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
So Schefter’s big ‘actions speak louder than words’ is that LK is wearing UA gear instead of Raider gear? WTF?
This is cracked.
If this is BS, the league shoud take action against the producers that allow this dribble on to the airwaves, that many sheople believe to be reputable sources of info.
Pfft.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Another year and yet another self destructive hand grenade thrown for Senile Davis. I’ve also be a Raider fan since the early 70’s but I’ve had it. I’ve supported Al for years but not anymore I’ve had it. I’m sick and tired of the one and done merry go round with the head coaches, the stupidity in free agency, the ridiculously wasted draft picks, the lack of college scouting. Kiffin needs to stay and AL needs to go. The entire defensive line needs to be rebuild and a OLB & SS are desperately needed. But if AL fires Kiffin like it looks I’d say peace to the Raider Nation and that I’ve always got love for you but if AL is still sleep at the wheel …I’m Out!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Just a sin if this was to happen. Just a damn shame. When is it going to end. This will not bode well during the free-agent period. I’ve always backed Al in the past but it’s getting tougher and tougher. Maybe Raider fans need to boycott the first game next year to show our displeasure but Al would then move the team. We all are not getting any younger especially many fans on this board who have bled Silver and Black for years. I’ll always be a Raider fan but boy is this a rough period which seemed to have a bright upside this season. I’ve seen enough of Dennis Green and Coors Light does not need anymore footage for their press conference commercials. Who the hell is going to want to come and play here with the lack of stability? What other coaches would leave if Kiffin left or was fired? Do we really need another new offensive line coach next year after our success this year.? Smack in the middle of the Senior Bowl. Try and enjoy the night Raider fans.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Scottish you write so eloquently and there is so much veracity in your assessments. You make me proud to be 25% Scottish. If Kiffin is jettisoned, Davis will only be supported by his walker. Al needs to take it to the next level…the coffin. Sadly, he is attempting to the bury raiders further into the nadir of their football existence. If he fires Kiffin it will get so much worse then 19-61. Ineptitude will define the franchise more than excellence ever did.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
A Sh!iner started his rant with the words if its true covering his arse. and oakglen your right with his actions speak louder than words reference to Kiffs clothes he is truely pathetic with his little smerk when asked about herrens comment
January 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
[...] Raidermaan wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Raidermaan”Here’s ONLY a quick extractWell I think this is a sad day for raider fans. The Crypt Keeper just keeps setting this franchise back. Its one thing to go through rebuilding years and be a loyal fan but to have to have an idiot set back this franchise back year … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Sounds like Al is loosing his diehards. Ive been seeing it posted all over.. I wonder the count.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
[...] Bishop916 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Bishop916″Here’s ONLY a quick extractRaidermaan Says: January 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm …Yeah next year we will all be having this same discussion about another new coach. ———————————– I won’t. If Kiffin gets fired I will not be a fool enough to root for an organization that I … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Any updates from the Senior Bowl? Who won?
January 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Another question thats food fot thought If according to the LETTER Kiffin is not to have anymore interaction with the staff or personel why is he interviewing James Lofton?
January 26th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
WTF?! Is this still an issue or are they negotationg a buy-out? Just yesterday I heard both Davis & Kiffin will be interviewing Lofton, & everythings cool.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I really hope everything’s cool.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
like i posted a few times already…
“It’s all complete B.S.,” Herrera said. “It’s all absolutely ridiculous, beyond belief. Those stories are fraudulent. Everything is inaccurate. It’s unconscionable. (The writers) should be held accountable. We’re (angry) around here.”
Question is why did i only find this in one article
??
January 26th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
If Alice Davis asked Kiffin to resign, Ill be moving my atention to better teams for sure!!
Since I live in SD, I’ll be happy to see Chargers punk the raiders 2 times next season.
It will be nice to see Norv Turner collect 2 more wins on Alice.
I just want to see Al Davis face suffering.
Thats golden.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
JT!! Dude thats blashphamy! If its not true you should go be a charger fan anywayz thats just shameful.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Maybe she can take Al away on vacation with her for the next five years but that might be too cruel to ask anyone to do.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Dennis Green for new raiders Coach!! That would be sweet!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
if davis and kiffin are still sitting down together, they should interview gm candidates, and have al’s limo idleing outside.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
yeah real sweet…How many times will we let them off the hook?
January 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
With all due respect no thanks to Dennis Green.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Keep in mind that the whole clothing talk was started by Adam Schefter on air and pft.com online, I think it´s nothing short of ridiculous that we would discuss such a thing…but…
I saw a few practices and I had the game on, every assistant for both teams wore the official Reebok team gear and both Head Coaches wore Under Armour plain clothes, Nolan did wear a 49ers cap while Kiffin wore nothing on his head. It was the same deal on gameday, with assistants on the Reebok stuff and both coaches wearing black Under Armour gear.
I don´t see how this is relevant… but people that didn´t get to watch should know ”what everyone was wearing”…lol.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Well if you watched the Senior Bowl maybe Kiffin should be fired as our coach. How can he go for it on 4th and one when a chip shot field goal would have put the North up by 9 (i.e. two scores) with less than 3 minutes left in the game. That was a really really bad call by Kiff.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
REPOST
ESPN reports a rift between DAVIS and KIFFIN, so what.
I woke up a RAIDER fan today and will tomorrow. If some one in your family is hurt or ill do you not support them? You help them through it. Your resolve becomes stronger.
I do not like these reports either but I will not run and hide from them. I will support my team with or without DAVIS or KIFFIN.
The sun will come up tomorrow and I will still be a RAIDER fan.
If you do not like this team get a new one. Go out and buy your Patriot jersey and root for them.
I hate people who can’t deal with a little curveball thrown their way. Deal with it will pass.
I’m in and always will be will you?
January 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
how? Guy is trying to make the game exciting big freakin deal. Theres nothing wrong with having confidence in your men. I guarantee that he learned from his mistakes and it will look different next year.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
For everyone that are awaiting Davis to make the trip to the last frontier the OLD geyser has the team turned over to his wife and son !Just when you thought the sun might come out tomorrow!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
FROM PFT.COM………….NOTICE THE UPDATE..LOL.
POSTED 6:05 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:41 p.m. EST, January 26, 2008
KIFFIN SENDING MESSAGE TO AL?
Several members of the media, including Adam Schefter of NFL Network and Albert Breer of the Dallas Morning News, have noticed an intriguing fact regarding the behavior of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Or, specifically, his attire.
While all members of the Raiders staff coaching at the Senior Bowl are wearing Raiders gear, Kiffin is merely wearing black, with no team logos or names. Per Schefter, Kiffin has been doing it all week.
Publicly, Kiffin denies that there is any trouble brewing between himself and management. Ditto for the team. However, there are multiple reports that owner Al Davis has asked Kiffin to resign.
UPDATE: Several readers have pointed out to us that 49ers coach Mike Nolan is dressed in the same way as Kiffin, with no team name or logo on his outfit. We didn’t notice, because we can’t bring ourselves to watch college all-star games.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
THE NATION MUST UNITE NO CIVAL WAR UNTILL NEXT WEEK>
January 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’ve Been a Raider fan in cowboy country from the first day I saw the silver and black. Age 4, year 1983. Every one in my family considered me defective because I did not cheer for the cowboys. I guess you can call me the black sheep and I love to be portrayed that way. But talking about Al , I think the Raider Nation should protest . Not against the Raiders but against him(Al). Try to force him to step down. He is hurting the organization. He wants the Raiders to win a super bowl again before he steps down, but at this rate he’s going hit 110years because he keeps hurting the team.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Once-
I completely agree with you but as fans we do deserve answers and moreso stability. I will always support the Raiders as well, but if all is true it, it dosnt make it easy.
ALWAYS IN BABY!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Al, I know that one of your assistants has to read this site to get a consensus on the Raider Nation’s thoughts. With that said, you will lose your fan base if Kiffin goes. The only way to correct this situation is to fire Rob Ryan and give Kiffin a raise and a contract extension. Anything else makes you look real stupid for finding talent and then forcing it away due to your ego. Again, if Kiffin goes, then I don’t think you’ll have half of the seats filled next year.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
[...] the link to a really good article from one of my favorite Raider writers, Jerry McDonald. The Inside Bay Area article goes into far more depth than I could possibly attempt. Here’s a couple things I [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
49ers Coach Mike Nolan is on his way out of SF!!! He was not wearing any of his whinner stuff on the sidelines during the senior bowl. While all the other coaches were. Man WTF is up with these media people why must they start all this stuff with the Raiders? I caught some of the senior bowl updates during the week and Kiffin was sporting his Raider gear. Krowlz you only found it in one story because that’s not what they want us to see. Just remember Nation sheftler is a Raider hater and I believe he does this crap just to get under our skin. Kind of like what Tim K from the San Jose Merky news does. Sorry J. Mac no offence towards you I always enjoy your upfront comments.
Win,lose or tie Silver and black till I die.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Bob try the kush you missed some good prospects in the draft. Ellis is for real as is cromrte the db for the south as well as other later round draft picks.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Words can’t express how devastated I am about this. No one in that organization cares about it’s fans.
A copy of the email I sent the Raiders yesterday evening:
I have been an extremely loyal Oakland Raiders fan since I was 7 years old. I’m from Canada, but I FLY to Oakland every year to go to at least one game. I WAS planning on flying to Oakland for a month this season to go to 3 or 4 games. I watch every game. I buy merchandise. And I defend the Raiders vehemently when anyone says anything bad about them.
However, today I’m just totally devastated. The news about the saga between Al Davis and Lane Kiffin is just completely indefensible. I don’t know how I can go on supporting a team that’s upper echelons of management could best be described as elementary, and worst be described as completely psychotic and insane.
Mr. Davis has done a lot in his time with the Raiders, but lately none of it has been good. And that is one massive understatement. The ONLY fond memories I have of being a Raider fan are of the Gruden days, and Mr. Davis traded him, only to lose to him in the Super Bowl. I wept like a baby after that game. Since then there has been NOTHING positive to happen to this team. NOTHING. And you wonder why you can’t sell out games?
Lane Kiffin brought hope with him from USC, and he instilled it in this fan base (the one that I represent and the one that you desperately need in order to ever survive in this league) in flashes of competitiveness that brought back feelings not felt inside any one of us since the Gruden days. Jerry Porter’s catch going down the right sideline in the 4th quarter in Miami. The win in KC. The absolute destruction of Mike Shanahan and the BRONCOS.
And now, thanks to a senile old man who is too power hungry for anyone’s good, hope is once again leaving Oakland and in it’s place YOU are prepared to offer us PAIN and SUFFERING for the 6TH STRAIGHT SEASON.
Lastly, I want it to be known that I don’t ever feel good when anyone or any thing ever dies. But I find myself wondering when Mr. Davis’ time is going to come, and I regret to say that I don’t think I will be feeling that bad about it. At all.
I JUST WANT TO HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
The Oakland Raiders
1220 Harbor BayParkway
Alameda, CA94502
510.864.5000
Email us at feedback@raiders.com
Time to make your voice heard…..
January 26th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
New Mexico-
Reguarding that quote… I completely agree with you…it dosnt sell.
What sucks us that even if all of this comes out to be fabricated it still tarnishes the orginisation. Look at the rift it has already caused…
January 26th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Reading the game review on fox sports the defense sounded awful familiar to the Raiders this season..Long Yardage gains by the RB and a defense that cant hold. KIff Why u so insisting on going for 4-1. Nolan as bad as he is , has beaten kiffy twice this year and Nolan is one the worst time game managers!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
[...] Jim from New York wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Jim from New York”Here’s ONLY a quick extractMaybe she can take Al away on vacation with her for the next five years but that might be too cruel to ask anyone to do. [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I really don’t care about the outcome as much as how well the players the Raiders have a eye on performed. Enlighten me on that fellow bloggers. The Moneyman is grateful to those that assist me unlike Satan Davis.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Has anyone considered that none of this may be true? All year all we do is talk about how much the NFL and the media hates the Raiders. How do we know that this is not more of the same? Some of it just sounds absolutely absurd. It sounds like a bad soap opera. I want to actually see this Holy Grail that they are calling a resignation letter. I want to see actual proof that Kiffin tried to get work elsewhere. None of this stuff comes from credible sources, its always some unnamed source. Or how about the whopper about Kiffin running around Alameda throwing chairs and slamming doors because Petrino got the Arkansas job, a job no one can prove he interviewed for or was even interested in. Some of this stuff just sounds too far fetched. Now, I agree Al needs to step down last week, but a lot of this stuff sounds far fetched. Now on every website an media outlet they are mentioning how Kiff didnt have on Raider gear, yet not one of them state that Nolan wore the same thing. Al tells Kiffin to resign. Wheres the proof? Kiffin said he doest want to quit cause he still wants to get paid? Show me the proof. Kiff and Ryan hate eachother? Show me the proof. I saw otherwise at the Senior Bowl game, but the media would have you think that they are at eachothers throats. Kiffin will be interviewing Lofton. Why? Al needs to go but the media needs to be held accountable for blowing things out of proportion. Kiffin preferred Quinn? Show me where he said that. I have never seen him quoted as saying that EVER. But I did see Pete Carroll say that Kiff preferred Russell, and this was well before the draft. I just wanna see some proof. For all I know, this could all be a big joke by Kiff and Davis, or it could be the medias way of making the Raiders look bad, as usual. Who knows, maybe its all true, but let me see some proof. Give the names of the people who actually seen these things go down. You mean to tell me that there was really a secret meeting where Al dragged his walker and rounded up all of his players and asked them who they preferred between Ryan and Kiff? This really happened? I have a hard time believing that, sorry. I have an even harder time believing that the whole team chose Ryan hands down and so Davis decided to fire him. What player can confirm this secret meeting? And what masonic temple did it take place at. You mean to tell me Al was able to round up all his players after the season was over, when everybody is ready to go home and see their families, they all agreed to sit down in some basement and answer who they preferred? Get real. Until Kiffin, Al, Ryan, hell even one of the players, or just anybody with an ounce of credibilty shows me something, I will take all of this with a grain of salt. And to make us look even more like a laughing stock, the media suggests we will hire Dennis Green? Green said himself that he knew nothing about it. Get real.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Can we wait to see what happens? Rumors and sources this, sources that. Sources had anybody but the 2 guys hired in Baltimore and Atlanta as the next coaches of those teams. Sources had Ryan fired and being the DC for the Jets. Sources had Greg Williams as the next head coach of the Redskins before he got fired. Sources never had Kiffin being hired last year. Sources had all veterans including Sapp being cut in training camp. Sources had James Loften being hired last year. Maybe Kiffin will or won’t be fired but lets see if it happens first. I mean the attire reports are a perfect example of a non story being made into something significant. Nolan’s attire was the same as Kiffin’s no team logo and the gear of the sponsor. Please give me a break. Lets wait for some actual news to happen.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
son of a ^&%$$- f&^%- I just can’t believe all this
sh$%!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
90 days till the draft
McFadden Ellis Long or Dorsey bring them in we cant go wrong. The tail doesnt wag the dog.The machine will always work, with or without you me Davis or Kiffin.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
The Oakland Raiders
1220 Harbor BayParkway
Alameda, CA94502
510.864.5000
Email us at feedback@raiders.com
January 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I like how Kiffin and the Raiders are playing the press to keep the losing Raiders valid.
“Misinformation” is right. J.Mac.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I’m thinking Dorsey or Ellis though McFadden would be very very tough to pass up. However a team is only as good as the line on both sides of the ball. We have been awful against the run and need a big time player in the middle.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
do you guys think we will lose Knapp and Cable if Kiff gets the boot
January 26th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Kiffin lost a couple of Raider games this year by going for it on fourth and one instead of kicking the field goal. He’s not that good on strategy.
Al has lost it. Not because he wants to get rid of Kiffin, but because he wants to keep Rob Ryan. Five years of not being able to stop the run. No blitzing? Rob is a POS.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Great post once upon a time.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I have no sympathy for Kiffin. The only reason he was hired was Sarkasian declined. He was a second choice at best and had no qualifications to be an NFL head coach. Then he comes in with his childish idiotic games about who the starting quarterback will be. Then he builds a pathetic dink and dunk offense around Josh McClown. Just look at the box scores and you will see that in most games Kiffin couldn’t put any points on the board in the first half, maybe 3 or 6 in a few games. Then, during the season, he tries to parlay his opportunity with the Raiders into a job at Arkansas. Finally, at the end of the season pretends he’s a snowy angel and tries to lay all the blame on Rob Ryan, as if Rob Ryan was the one bedding up with McClown and putting up 3 points in the first half.
I think what killed Kiffin was his efforts to get the Arkansas job. That doesn’t fly with Al Davis. When you don’t have the qualifications to be an NFL head coach and somebody gives you an opportunity, you don’t repay them by trying to use your undeserved opportunity to immediately get another job.
The mistake isn’t getting rid of Kiffin, the mistake was getting him in the first place.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
If all of this is true, then Al Davis’ ego is definitely a liability. Every time a coach comes along who sticks to his guns in order to move forward (Gruden), Al Davis gets rid of them because they have nuts. You can hire any “yes-man” you want Al, but your ways are primitive, inefficient, and irrelevant in today’s NFL. You gave Gruden time and cut him short just 1 season before he would have handed you a Super Bowl victory. Since then, your retreads played your type of ball and produced nothing with it. Kiffin is your only meaningful hire since Gruden, and if you don’t give him time to implement his program, then winning is clearly not what you desire. I, for one, will no longer put money in your pocket in any way (even through T.V. ratings) if you once again let your ego get in the way of progress.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
The front office of the Raiders has been ona constant decline ever since BRUCE ALLEN left our team. Bruce was essentially our acting GM, while Al made the initial suggestions and final decisions. Even after the Gruden debacle in 2003, Al still came up smelling like roses because of the huge compensation TB gave for Gruden. Now, I don’t see ANY way Al will come out ahead here.
Of course Kiffin said “I hope so”. Dude wants to get paid. This, unfortunately is just a stepping stone job for him. I appreciate his professionalism. Kiffin doesn’t have Silver & Black blood & veins like the rest of us. GOD HELP US!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
If these reports are false and i hope they are the raiders are playing a dangerous game with free agency and the draft coming up. It cant be a team players are dying to play for. We will end up with players in it only for the money. Directly oppisite of the players Kiffin talks about wanting to rebuild our team with. This needs to be cleared up now if were going to have any success in the future.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Wow. Whole lotta venom rollin’ on hereabouts. Kiffin and Ryan, fine by me. Lofton and Ryan with Knapp calling the plays, fine by me. Denny Green and Ryan, why not? Kiffin ain’t so lordly if’n y’all recall all of your hating him for his McCown/Culpepper business. The running game was all Cable.
For all of you wishing death upon Al Davis I hope you reflect upon that and feel some appropriate shamefulness.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Pasting “Commitment to Excellence” on 100 buses in New Orleans in 1981 so that his teams would feel more at home is a sign of chemistry to me.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I strongly believe kiffin is more interested in a College head coaching career. Though Al Davis, has hurt the Raiders more than helped in recent years. Its time for the owning partners to step in. Here we go again Nation!
January 26th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Al Davis is insane. Kiffin brought hope. Everyone must boycott until Al resigns. Won’t happen, I know, because he is insane. Love Davis for all the good he’s done. But clearly, he belongs in a home with loved ones to care for him. It’s clear he is delusional. It’s clear he has no idea what he’s doing when he’s doing it. Goodbye Al thanks for the memories. Until the Raiders rise from the dead, I’m out.
LooneyRaider
January 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
this is crazy i been a raider fan for so long and stayed loyal after all the bad seasons just when things were turning around this shit happens this crazy old bustard brings it down and as much as it pains me i am going to stop supporting this team and i suggest that you all do the same maybe when he walks in a empty stadium he well get the point
January 26th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
The Oakland Raiders
1220 Harbor BayParkway
Alameda, CA94502
510.864.5000
Email us at feedback@raiders.com
contact them if your pissed
January 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
If this turns out to be true then I don’t blame everybody for their consternations, but before we all jump off The Nation, at least wait and see if there is any truth to it.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Whie Kiffin wasn’t a savoir i was hoping he would grow with the team and al least be a stabilizing force on our way to an afc west title.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
so, one day Al and Lane are going over something at headquarters and Davis says to Kiffin, “So, I heard that you don’t believe that the NFL and the national media have it in for me and the Raiders. Let’s do it like this. A rumor begins that there is a rift…now watch what happens.”
January 26th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I have questioned big Al’s decision making ability in player personnel since the last Superbowl because he has ignore or refused to fix the “O” and “D” lines, which are the foundation of any playoff caliber team. But one thing is for sure is that any sane football fan with half a brain cell knows that Al Davis is the owner and general manager of the Raiders. All decisions go through him period. Rob Ryan and the defensive coaches were on board when Kiffen was hired so Kiffen knew that as a head coach his authority was limited.
I believe that the head coach should have complete authority over his coaches and players but we know that is only true with some franchises. Look at the Chargers and what happened when Schottenheimer wanted to hire his brother and the GM of the Chargers, A.J. Smith said no. Schottheimer resigned over the issue of authority. How much leash do you think Soprano will get from Bill Parcells in Miami? The point is I believe the rumors are true in Oakland, that Kiffen did fire or try to fire Rob Ryan which I personnaly agree with, but the fact that Kiffen did not first clear his decision with Al Davis would make him a bigger idiot than AD.
So the logical conclusion is that Kiffen bit off more than he can chew as the head coach and wants out of Oakland. Kiffen then orchestrated his departure by firing Rob Ryan without clearing it with AD.
I still want to know who it was that mishandled the three draft picks in the 3rd round of the 2007 draft for the Raiders. If it was Kiffen,then good riddance.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Krowlz-
I agree with your post number 105.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
it seems like people think that just because a head coach is hired, the team has to hand over the entire organization to him. That might be true if you’re hiring elite coaching talent like a Bill Parcels, but not when hiring a 31-year-old nobody.
Just look at the Washington Redskins. They fired the OC and DC, filled the positions with new people, and are now looking for a head coach. A head coach doesn’t necessarily have control over who else works in an organization, even the coaching staff. He’s the head coach, but still only a coach.
Kiffin isn’t established enough to deserve full control. What happens when he fires all the coaches he doesn’t like, makes all personnel decisions and guts the team and fills it with his kind of player (read Josh McClown), then quits as soon as he gets an offer from Arkansas?
To hell with Kiffin. He’s a head coach, he should focus on coaching, not trying to have it both ways in being king of the Raiders while at the same time trying to score a college job.
Kiffin has no loyalty to the Raiders, none at all. This job is just a stepping stone to him. Al Davis knows that and therefore wisely isn’t going to give him full control. If not gone this year, Kiffin would just pal around with McClown and spend the next season focused on scoring a job with a major college program.
So I say to Kiffin, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. While you might have padded your resume with NFL head coaching experience, your demonstrated lack of loyalty is going to hurt you in the long run.
The whole “boy genius” thing was just an invention of the local media to sell papers.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
M…
I agree that those coaching combinations don’t sound that bad. That is not the point for me. It is not who replaces Kiffin, but the fact that he is being replaced.
Another coach, another scheme, and another season of “starting over.”
What happens next year if Green, Saunders, Lofton, or whoever doesn’t win 10 games with the SHIT talent that Al has givin him? Will we have another coach?
January 26th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
go Pirate Aaaaaaaargh
January 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Kiffin won four games period. He played the ugly dink and dunk system while he didn’t have the personnel and yet, he didn’t make any adjustments. Everyone is making like Kiffin made some great achievement in Oakland. Many writers are now saying Kiffin didn’t realize how bad the roster was, come on, all he had to do was ask the fans. If he couldn’t recognize the lack of talent then he is a problem. “Kiffin” offensive line was horrible and still is horrible. Robert Gallery and Barry Sims just plain suck and there is no way it can be said any different. What happened to young offensive lineman like Henderson, Seth Wand, or Mark Wilson, yet he continued to play the same left side that can not and never will be able to pass block. Sims has to have a tightend with him on most running plays and a tightend on every passing down. That is Kiffin coaching not Al. Why wasn’t players like Chris McFoy given more looks because the other w/r’s sure didn’t want to catch the ball, and the way Kiffin handled Andrew Walter was a crime after the disaster way Culpepper and McCown played, and we all know that Al was for Walter. Kiffin never gave him a look. Al may be the blame for many of the things that have gone wrong but Lane is not clean. I didn’t even talk about the defense side because we know the problems over there. I agree with Kiffin on Ryan. You read how Ryan is A “PLAYERS COACH”, that is the kiss of death. Ryan had no discipline and we saw what happened. One of Al’s major problems is he like’s nice coaches not coaches who believe in discipline. Al is going to bring heat and I am sure Kiffin heard all the Gruden stories and knew what was going to happen but Kiffin thought he could change Al. Hey Kiffin, its not going to happen. Until we correct the problem of drafting good players and signing smart free agents its not really going to matter who’s the coach. Without players you don’t win. Players win games not coaches and we don’t have the players.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Pirate…..
Using the Redskins to prove a point doesn’t work for me. They are just as screwed up as the Raiders.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Say Pirate_arrrrrrrrghhhhhhh:
Who the hell would get an NFL head Coaching position, gut all the previous coaches, make his own hires, get rid of popular players on the team and then leave????
Who the heck would do that???
Signed Your Friend,
Bob Petrino
January 26th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Jake…
How do you know he didn’t look at those players with the first team in practice?
Just because you didn’t see them in the game doesn’t mean Kiffin did not look at them.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
question?
if the senior bowl is an all-star game why are the 2 of the worst coaching staffs in the league picked to be the coaches?
January 26th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Pirate, I doubt he expected the team to be handed to him. When you hire someone like Kiffin I would imagine you want a fresh start and would expect anything to happen durring the season, hoping for the best expecting the worst.
I dont see anything wrong with the man wanting his own coaches, i thought that was standard issue on normal teams. He knew this was not a ‘normal’ team though and i bet he knew what he was getting into as far as controll.
He showed alot of promise last year and gave hope to 99% of fans. All we want is stability. I would rather fail with Kiffin for 3 years than fail with 3 different coaches. Its not so much a Kiffin thing as it is a stable coach thing.
Yay let the players can learn a new system every year. Atleast we are farming coaches for the next generation.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
They were not the worst.
Dolphins were 1-15 and Rams were 3-13. They would be the worst.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Guapo, they do that to give the “bad” teams first hand experience in evaluating the players. Not just working them out, but watching how they practice, going to dinner with them. It’s a huuuuge advantage for the draft.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
With the bowl being such an advantage and Lane reportedly being so good at finding talent why would Al let him go? The man probably has boatloads of valuable info on the players. It just dont make sense.
Im in.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Pirate…Much respect to you on your insights. I feel the same way. From Day 1, the kid never acknowledged the organization nor tradition. No matter how good you are no one guy is above an organization. He never appreciated his luck to coach an nfl team when other people like Dungy spent many many years before they get a shot.
The bottom line was he never embraced the Raiders the way us fans embraced him. Coaches and players come and go but the Raiders will always be the Raiders. That you can count on.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Yeah, K-rock but Miami did not have coaching staff in place and neither did Atlanta. You’ll have to ask Scott linehan why he didn’t take the league up on the offer. Foolish of him. So it fell to us and the Whiners. Notice how the whiners do it every year. Mike Nolan directly atrributed getting Pro Bowl Rookie of the Year LB Patrick Willis because of the Senior Bowl last year.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I heard Rambo is available! Maybe someone can hire Rambo to go to OAKtown and handle this!
January 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
the saddest thing about all of this is al is comp-letely distroying his once legendary legacy. no one, not even raider fans, will credit al as the genius who captured 3 SB trophies, but rather the over-bearing, senile owner who drove a once proud franchise into the ground.
i also love the notion that this whole thing is just part of al’s “big plan”, or that there is a vast media conspiracy against the raiders. PAAAAA-LEEEEEEZE. maybe it IS shotty reporting, but even so, it’s still out there. that fact alone just stokes the the belief that al and co are not only way out of touch, but also totally unprofessional.
if he indeed fires kiffin(or even if he doesn’t) what makes any of you al supporters believe that we’ll EVER have a stable franchise while al is still at the helm? who’s gonna want to coach, or better yet, play here??
i’ll tell ya who….not nfl caliber coaches OR players.
tis a sad day in oaktown, indeed.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Glad to read that everyone is settling down a bit and discussing trying times with a bit more restraint.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Why Al? You’ve lost your mind…. We need continuity. We are a joke right now. Al, throw your ego away and show you are not an old senile… You are not the reason for being a RAIDER fan, it’s the team… Go away, retire, your time is up. Let the Raiders win…
January 26th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I think we should all be patient til all the FACTS come to light. Believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear. Especially when it comes to the Raiders. Maybe this is all just a way for Al to be in the limelight the week of the Superbowl. And if not, then I think ithe next coach will be al saunders
January 26th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Well I have backed Al for so long and if this is true, I will be so pissed and that is it for me. No more Raider gear if Lane is fired. I had high hopes for our team with him and now this crap. Why do we consistently have to read this crap? I will still be a Raider fan, but I really don’t have to support them. Darn, WTF? I am pissed!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Al Saunders and James Lofton are on their way to Oakland to interview. If you are a HUGE Kiff supporter, it doesn’t look good. On the other hand I’ve heard that Greg Knapp may want out. Sooooo, could be that Kiff stays and all of this is a big joke, and Lofton and Saunders are interviewing for the soon to be vacated offensive coordinator position. Either way, it makes sense. Davis isn’t gonna bail on Kiffin without a replacement ready. And one reason he didn’t want Ryan replaced is he didn’t want another college guy to come in on the defensive side and have to learn the league. That would take years. So both scenarios make sense.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Oakglenn…
Nice way of looking at things. However, nothing in the media points to Knapp looking to get out. Where did you hear that?
January 26th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I don’t get the “we have bad players” thing. Were Elijah Alexander and William Thomas top picks? How about Randy Jordan and Terry Kirby? Gannon?
Now we have Namdi, who none of us thought was good, and definetely not worth that 31st pick.
How about Howard and Morrison? This guy Richardson can ball. A lot of teams highly coveted Gallery. Everyone congratulated AL after that draft because he got Gallery AND Grove, remember? Isn’t Michael Huff better than Marquez Pope or Anthony Dorsett?
There are plenty of teams out there who would LOVE to have Derrick Burgess on their D-line.
How about Fargas? The guy got 1,000 yards in seven starts!
Whoever says we don’t have good players is wrong. I guess maybe Kiffin is wrong about the players.
Just because AL probably would never draft freaking Bob Sanders or Steve Smith doesn’t mean he can’t evaluate talent.
Ever heard of Howie Long?
Al is insane and this sucks, but Kiffin shouldn’t blame losses on the roster. We should win anyway. Gruden just combed the trashpile and still got eight wins. And Kiffin shouldn’t have openly looked for another job in the middle of the season.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
i know all you “al sheep” are into history. al always wants to restore the past. well, he’s about to. can anyone say mike shanahan??? or jon gruden???
how many super bowl rings does big al have?? how many rings do gruden/shanahan have since being “let go” by AD??
now its kiffin’s turn….
January 26th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Interesting insights in this Nation. Glad to see it.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
K-Rock, I don’t know, ya pick things up.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
we better keep tom cable……
January 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
oakglenn,
I have seen that you have a good insight on the Raiders. WTF? I am just so pissed. Please tell me what you think is going on here.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I just saw Marty Shotenhimer and his son in Oaktown…OMFG is this who is gonna be the new coach????????????????????
January 26th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
if Dennis Green gets hired by the Raiders then i can see it already…
The MEDIA: Coach Green… the silver and black just lost in overtime to the Chiefs. It was an incredible come from behind win by the Chiefs. How do you explain that?
Coach Green: Darth Raider and I let the off the hook!!
If the silver and black do lose their coach! Please don’t get Greeen!! please!! Por favor!!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Gruden got a ring thanks to Tony Dungy and a bipolar center.
Scatahan got two rings because the hated donkey faced Elway was one of the greatest QB’s in history who could carry a team on his back.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Kiff aint getting crap. He will go on to coach at Deleware State or Montana State.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
C’mon Jerry, we are not blind, the problem has and will be Al Davis. He is not sharp enough to run an NFL Team. Wea are losing a good coach in Kiffin. You can put that 4-12 record primarily on Rob Ryan and al Davis. Rob Ryan for our defense falling aprt late in games and not closing the deal and for Al Davis for drafting such shi**y players like Tyler Brayton, Fabian Washington, Terdell Sands and others. I don’t buy it, Kiffin just knows the modern game of football a hell of lot better than Al Davis. The Autumn Wind is a Moron!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
[...] M wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by M”Here’s ONLY a quick extractGlad to read that everyone is settling down a bit and discussing trying times with a bit more restraint. [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
[...] rich_gannons_love_child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by rich_gannons_love_child”Here’s ONLY a quick extracti also love the notion that this whole thing is just part of al’s “big plan”, or that there is a vast media conspiracy against the raiders. PAAAAA-LEEEEEEZE. maybe it IS shotty reporting, but even so, it’s still out there. that fact … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
that’s so sad you believe that andrew’s mom. what a bunch of really wierd coinsidences…how strange.
…by the way, leave MONTANA STATE out of this. fact is MSU would hang 30 on the raiders right now.
go cats!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hey Just sell, I think your chargers are circling the drain. LT is leaking oil, Jamal Williams is DONE. There goes your best offensive and defensive players. You don’t have draft pix in rounds 2, 3 AND 4 this year. Can you say, see ya!!!!!
Oh and By the Way, the reason Lofton got fired and is coming straight here is after that debacle of a loss where Brady threw 3 picks and YOU STILL COULDN’T GET OVER, the players all wanted Lofton to call the plays instead of Norv. So Norv shot him. You were 14-2 and ditched the coach, and you have more turmoil. And you think we’re dysfunctional?? eat crap dude.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Raider Nation – Love it or leave it.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Al’s suit…
You really think the Raiders have talent on par with teams like the Packers, Cowboys, Chargers, or Pats?
Really? I mean…Really?
The Raiders gave up 72 and 42 sacks the last 2 years, the defense sees more runs than a Mexico bathroom, and the QB situation is far from being stable. Russell has proven nothing yet and McCown is not the answer either.
Burgess and Sapp followed up good years by doing squat, and the WR group was sub-par at best.
There are 4 or 5 top tier players on this team along with 3rd stringers at every other position.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Pirate Arrrrrghh – You the man.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Fire Kiffin-
Whats your plan for next season?
January 26th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Pirate, Vinous and Jake are right on. What the hell is everybody so torqued up about? Kiffin did a great job as coach UNTIL the last week of training camp. He brought organization, enthusiasm, a coherent philosophy, a strong work ethic and some talented new assistant coaches to the team. That’s the positive. What he didn’t do was;
1. Get rid of the underachievers like Brayton, Schweigert, and McCown.
2. Get Jamarcus enough experience, (instead choosing to baby Jamarcus into irrelevancy).
3. Select a starting quarterback and stick with him ( instead he decided to play juvenile guessing games…..it should have been C.Pep )
4. Adhere to his own philosophy of playing the best players in pre-season. ( again C-pep and A.W. )
Echimandu should have stayed or Rhodes should have played a lot more Tollefson was released (but has played well since). We probably should have kept Boothe at Guard. Darius would have been better than Schweigert. The DT from U of Wisconsin was decent.
5. Bring an ounce of originality to the playcalling. ( The calls were often pathetic Run-Run- Pass )
6. Conserve his players ( He played Jordan and Fargas until they were permanently injured …….SSSSSSTTTTTUUUPPPPPIIIIDDDDD)
7. Inspire the team to play tough in the fourth quarter by constantly giving up leads.
8. Play with energy on a consistent basis. The wins over K.C. and Denver are perfect examples of how the team COULD play.
9. Get the defense to perform well. (He’s the HEAD COACH. All areas are ultimately his responsibility. If Ryan is screwing up, then he needs to set things straight and oversee what’s going on.)
10. Develop the offense into the “hybrid” offense that he claimed he would, opting for a cheesy, comfortable short-passing game that encouraged constant check-downs from the Q.B.
Most of Kiffins successes this year stemmed from him hiring Cable as the line coach and developing the O-line into a good run-blocking unit, and a much better ( if still marginal) pass blocking unit.
He’s hardly left any legacy or even any sized shoes to fill. The list above doesn’t take it account whatever deficiencies he may have in relations with the organization, like trying to fire Ryan before checking with Al…..DUH.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Old Raider Fan, your guess is as good as mine. I’m gonna repost my diatribe from earlier today, which I am sticking to as of right now. Altho based on what’s transpired in the last few hours my post #176 may at this time be more accurate. Davis ALWAYS likes to upstage the combatants during super bowl week, so we should know something shortly. As someone said, sit back, get some popcorn and enjoy the ride!
Repost from Today
Finally!! Seems like everyone has calmed down a bit. Death threats to both Amy Trask and Nancy Gay is NOT gonna get it done y’all.
Look, disagreements in an organization happen all the time, whether it’s Cisco Systems, your own family, or the Oakland Raiders. Look at the the SF Whiners: they are the freaking MODEL of ineptitude. Nolan just got his responsibilites taken away, and you don’t hear their fans calling in death threats to Denise York, for gawdsake now do you!!!
The thing about pro players and coaches and owners in all sport is their egos are huuuuuuuge. The reason they left the hole in the roof at Texas Stadium was so Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones egos could still fit in the stadium.
Just between you guys and me, I think Lane thinks he did a better job than he actually did. There was a power play, and the Godfather put him in his place. It happens. Nothing to jump off a bridge for.
Lastly, to everyone here who said they’re out, Dakota could you do all the real Raider fans here a favor and draft up a legal form announcing the rescission of their allegiances to the Raiders and the Raider Nation. They can pick up their happy little #12 Tom Brady charger at the effing door.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
“fire kiffin”….
i must give credit where credit is due. you’ve been calling this for a while, and most of us thought you were a complete idiot. it now appears you definately understand al’s thought process alot better than most. good call.
i have a request. could you please change your name to “FIRE AL DAVIS” or “BUILD A NEW STADIUM”?? “HIRE COWHER” has a nice ring to it.
al would never hire cowher though. cowher’s teams play disiplined, defensive-minded, hard-nosed football and that’s just plain dumb…..
January 26th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
fans getting kicked in the teeth, just seems normal for raider fans
January 26th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Alors, the linebackers are fine, just need to shed blocks better and tackle whoever gets near them. The Db’s except for SS won’t be a problem if there is anything resembling a pass rush. Need D-lineman.
O-line is where there is a need for continuity. The boys always get better when they understand what their teammates are doing on any given play. If Carlsle is gone to free agency that’s bad. A new Ltackle is a necessity. Tight end is set. QB is going to be excellent along with a stiff learning curve, running backs are going to perform whether they are incumbents or Dakota’s Love Child because of blocking schemes and fullback play, WR is a big ‘now what?’. Coach ‘em up whoever you are.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
oakglenn,
Ok I see what you are saying. Disagreements do happen all of the time. No big deal. I just don’t like that Kiffin may be fired. I had high hopes for him. It finally looked like we had a team who believed in us. No pathetic Randy Moss crap. Ok, calming down here. Thanks for the response.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
197, Great post Oakglenn
January 26th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Al DAvis is treating the Raiders and us fans, The same way he treated Marcus Allen He will put his (way) Above the team, his players, and the FANS. after 33 years of being a RAIDER fan this may be the straw that breaks my back.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Honestly Old Raider Fan, I’ll bet Al Davis and lane Kffin don’t know what’s gonna happen next. Seriously. Personally, I think everyone is gonna cool down, and we’ll go back to evaluating players and it’s back to business as usual.
The thing about Lofton and Saunders coming in doesn’t feel good if you’re a Kiff supporter, which I am. However, Davis has known Lofton for over 20 years, probably longer than Kiffin has been alive, and Al Saunders was literally A WATER BOY, when Al Davis’ first coached the Raiders. So, both being newly fired, he may bring both in just to talk. It also may be a show of force to Kiff that, you mouth off, I pick up the phone and Hall of Fame guys and solid NFL guys come running. It sends a message no doubt.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Why do you guys have to make up stories about Oakland–get over them, you know someone that got canned by them… like your whole staff???? Kiff is going nowhere. Report, dont fabricate –it gets old. Rellik30 (3 minutes ago) Ill remember you said this Matt.. ur as gay as Mort.. cause BSPN has never been right with Da Radahhhsss… NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I dunno… this month.. (Ryan’s Done!) Hahahhaha… Loser can never get in to the NFL CIA!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Oakglenn, I really dont think Kiff cares after seeing what working for Al Davis is like.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I cant believe that everyone here is buying into this propaganda by reports and “sources”. I am 51 years old been a raider fan since I was 8 years old and have been through this crap many times before. In two weeks it will be someone else, or something else. These guys have to have something to report on during the off season seeing how its going to be a crappy superbowl. With no news going on there is no blog and no news.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
It’s time to reach back to the greatness of the Raiders and hire Art Shell as coach. Al you know it was a mistake to fire him the first time…… and the second.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I hope your right Rellik!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Al Davis!! I pity the fool!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
My prediction for the raider nation: Pain! Lots of Pain!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I like Oakglenn’s perspective : )
January 26th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
What a crazy weekend, last week this time we were goin back and forth over draft picks and free agent’s now it seems that this offseason in which we thought was going to be full of enthusiasm is now a…..well typical RAIDER offseason.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Toocharp, the differences now are the ubiquities of both BSPIN and the blogoshpere. I agree, the same things have gone on before, but no one was bothering about it. Que sera.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
The senior bowl went just the way it was supposed to. The north coached just well enough to lose late in the fourth quarter, I think I’ve seen “those” coaches do that on a regular basis somewhere else.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
That was to BSPN
January 26th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
So, chef, go on about draft picks and FA’s, the bodies on the field ARE the team. Enthusiasm is an interesting word. It is derived of the Greek meaning to be filled with the divine. Be enthusiastic. It is a good thing.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
“Fire Kiffin” *IS* Al Davis
January 26th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Kiffin is average – he is just a rookie with a lot of growing to do. Al should not give more aurthority until there is more growth shown at the coaching level. Kiffin had an acceptable first year but not enough to let him take over decisions that will affect the next decade. Additional authority should be given to him as he grows – maybe next year if we are competitive. Go Raiders!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
oakglenn,
I hope what you are saying is true about just talking to Saunders and Lofton. We need some fricking continuity with our team for once. Man, this is maddening to me. I am getting more gray hairs by the minute. Thanks.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
M, I would love to, but in the state of flux that is the Nation how can we honestly be optimistic about any big time free agents or the draft (that Al is going to ruin).As far as the derivitive,thats how i felt before all this nonsense. I felt like we were on a road to consistency and discipline, I thought that the players were understanding that every thing they did counted. But even if Kiff stays through out atleast one more year of his contract that still makes him a lame duck.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
^^^^^ I agree SABC. My point exactly.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
We have here a whole generation of raider fair weather fans that want out, what the hell you gonna do follow the fortywhiners? I would rather be a loosing raider than a stinking fourty niner fan. How much press have the niners had or anyother non playoff team? At least we can read all the bullshit that gets printed and go on. Next we will be hearing about the draft and all the propiganda that goes with it, raider fans remain loyal it will all work out, Mr Davis isnt the man that is portrayed in the papers, half the crap they write is purely speculation at this point. If I worked for a paper or sports station it would be easy to start rumors.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
TC, I have seen it before and I agree. But this really bothers me to the core of my Raider Soul if we lost Kiffin. Just me venting.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
If the Raiders (Al) let Kiffin go he will be the next Mike Shanahan in a couple of years. My guess is he will probably be coaching the Chiefs and spanking the Raiders on a regular basis. He will have a chip on his shoulder and get his revenge on Big Al. That is if Al is still around in a couple of years.
Bob Ryan needs to go. Kiffin was right in wanting a new DC. How can you let the coach go when the number 1 pick is a holdout and misses camp? By the way Al Davis had everything to do with not getting JR into training camp. Al had the entire off season to think about if he was going to spend the money drafting a QB number 1. It’s crazy that they didn’t come to terms with him right away as he got what his agent asked for in the first place.
Looks like next year will be the same as they will start with a new coach and probably screw up getting the 3rd pick into camp on time.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Ian, You bring up a good point because who caught all the heat for not playing J.M sooner, Kiff, not Al.Really good coaches know when its time. How many people criticized Marv Lewis for not giving Carson any time in his Rookie season. Not to mention he had a full training camp!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Yeah f*ck that hack Adam Schefter. when he was asked point blank what he thought of Herrera’s vehement denial re: the Kiffin letter, his little smirk and ‘well actions speak louder than words’ bs was enough for me to want to change the channel. He didn’t answer the question, he started off his statement with the disclaimer ‘Well, if what they say is true….’
I am confident at this point that they have nothing.
It is more crap from the crap machine.
If Al Davis Lane Kiffin and Rob Ryan came out and said they werre suing the NFL Network, I would be all over it.
It was just a way for the Net to increase the talk about LK, and add some excitement to a normally pedestrian affair called the Senior Bowl.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I do not know who is being the impetuous and/or impatient one here if indeed there is a rift between Davis and Kiffin. I know from many years of remodeling old structures that it not always the first idea of how to approach and solve a problem which works. Usually it is the second go, but again, not always. If something born out of a whim of an idea does not quite fit it might be used as a template for the next go ’round, or it might be disgarded as not worth a damn. Other times it all works out just as was planned.
This is for Rich_Gannon’s_Love _Child, my sister and her family all live in Montana (Missoula) and all are bathed in Silver and Black. Donkey territory interrupts their viewing the games (my nephew even tried to date a donkey fan – she absconded with the rent money). They were all happy when I mentioned that there is a contributor to this blog who lives among them.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Heres the bottom line guys, New coach or not if we dont fix the offensive and defensive lines nothing will chang e in the won loss department. I dont care how many russells and Mcfaddens we draft it dont mean a thing without the lines being beefed up.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Point recognized TC
January 26th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hey I thought I would talk about some positives while all this other sh** none of us can control goes on. First of all after watching the Senior Bowl I have confirmed that Sedrick Ellis is a beast. This kid has a motor that doesn’t quit and at one point I saw him making a tackle fifteen yards down field. I would love to see him in Silver and Black; as a side note in an interview he said he got along real well with Keith Millard(defensive line coach) and learned a lot of new things. By the way I am with everyone in that I don’t want to see Lane Kiffin go and I don’t want Dennis Green but I started thinking about the offense’ that he has put together. Everyone knows all about the offense he had in Minnesota but look what he put together with Arizona. Larry Fitzgerald,Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson, Edgerin James, and Matt Leinart. Now I know that not all of these players have produced but I think he is a good evaluator of offensive talent. Individually all of these players have shown something in the NFL except for maybe Leinart. Just something to think about!
January 26th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Hell M Im in the middle of Seattle Seagull territory retired and moved up here 6 years ago. I wear my silver and black where ever I go up here and no one says shit cuz on the back of my coat are the three super bowl wins so they dont go there.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
If Kiffin Goes – I AM OUT!
January 26th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
toocharp,
I know the feeling man. I was in Colorado last year and wore my Raider gear and not much said. That was until I went to the Bronco and Raider game. Man, talk about horrible fans. When they got drunk, wow. Disrespect does not cover the crap I had to put up with.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
whats up nation brothers……
what the hell is going on, havent been here in a couple of days…..WTF!!??!!
January 26th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Chris, I understand your point on his ability to evaluate talent but if it doesnt translate, in the win loss coloum, which it hasn’t in his tenure then what good will it do for us.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
southtexasraider,
I will be in Killeen in a little while are you close to there? Apparently, Al wants Kiffin to resign. I don’t know if it is true or not. You know the media.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Toocharp, hope you are enjoying the lquid sunshine. I was coming through KC one time by bus. Decided to have a burger at the station and when the man behind the counter asked me where I was from I told him that he wouldn’t like me ’cause I’m a Raider fan. He looked at me and said, “Oakland’s cool,man.” Another time I was in Pittsburgh. Ridin’ around in a hard neighborhood, people’d ask my business and I would tell ‘em I don’t like the Steelers ’cause I’m from Oaktown. Every response from these people was positive. Seems that in the real world there are people everywhere who respect the Silver and Black.(Aguas Calientes railway station when there was such a thing, a sole vendor on the platform selling tacos, garbed in a Raider jacket.)
January 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
When are people going to accept the fact that Al Davis having done great things in the past for the Raiders is no basis on which to base an argument for his continued poor leadership of this organization.
His time is up. He DID great things, now he needs to step down and let someone else do something. I really hope by some miracle Kiffin stays.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
M, hey it is true what you said. I am not from Otown, but am a deep down Raider fan and travel alot too.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Jerry,
God bless you if you’ve read this far. Just wanted to say that this is the most insightful and cogent analysis of the situation. Well done.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
im in austin right now, its about an 1hour drive south from there.
man al wants kiffin out!!??!!
say it aint so…
January 26th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
S&Bchef
I was just looking for a little positive in a place where there wasn’t much. But you are right during his tenure in Arizona he never built a defense. I think our biggest need right now on offense is WR. A prospect to look at is Lavelle Hawkins, I personally think he is going to translate very well into the NFL. My bold prediction is that he will be a better WR then his teammate Desean Jackson. Hawkins runs great routes, is elusive and has underrated speed. He reminds me a lot of Chad Johnson and I realize that that is a bold statement.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
MemphisRaider, what is up man? I am from Nashville. You know the looks I get with my Raider gear in Titan town. LOL.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
[...] silver and black chef wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by silver and black chef”Here’s ONLY a quick extractChris, I understand your point on his ability to evaluate talent but if it doesnt translate, in the win loss coloum, which it hasn’t in his tenure then what good will it do for us. [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
[...] SouthTexasRaider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by SouthTexasRaider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractim in austin right now, its about an 1hour drive south from there. man al wants kiffin out!!??!! say it aint so… [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
southtexasraider, cool I heard Austin is a different kind of place. Should I visit there to see the sights? I sure hope the “rumors” about this rift are wrong. Kiffin gave me hope for our team.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Well im outta here nation, As always thanks, ya give me strength and lets hope we wake up to a better tommorrow.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Old Raider Fan, a couple of years ago my girl friend and I were down in French Polynesia. One morning we took a trip on a boat across the huge lagoon of Rangiroa with a few other people. There was an elderly gentleman from Belgium on the craft wearing a Raider ballcap. I do not know if he even knew what American Football is, but he wore the Nation with pride.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
silverandblackchef, peace out man. Cya tommorrow.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
old raider fan, the sites would be much better in austin rather than in killen.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
M, yeah I know what you mean. I was in Germany and have seen alot of the same. Raider Nation is world wide. I really, really hope this rift is just “rumors”.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
southtexasraider, thanks man. I have heard alot about Austin. I really have to ask man. Is it “weird” as they say?
January 26th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
hell yeah!
been living here for two years and i see weird shit everyday,good people…… tooo many bonghorn and cowgirl fans though, lol
January 26th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
LOL, that is funny. What is your college team that you follow? I am a Volunteers fan myself.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I would want to fire my defensive coord. if it were ranked 28-30 in the league. The raiders will never ever ever be good unless the good lord takes al up to him and maybe he can ruin their team up there instead of ours.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I want to say a thank you to all the persons who are cotributing to this site, including whichever he/she is moderating this blog now. It was tiresome to read through all of the third-grade invective to find what all of us true Nation persons are thinking. Tusen takk, merci beaucoup, muchissimas gracias et domo arigato.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Time for a boycott as long as Al is there…
January 26th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
im actually a miami hurricane fan.
its kinda funny, im born and raised in texas and dont like any texas teams. i cheer for the spurs in basketball….only cuz they are silver and black.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Cool man. The Hurricanes are on a down spin, I hope they start doing better. They were on top of the Football world for a while and then just dropped. My Vols keep hanging in there with Phillip Fulmer. That is why I am so frustrated with this situation here. We need continuity bad. Don’t fire Kiffin. If we have to fire someone let it be SOB. Our defense sucks point blank.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Anyone have one of those old electric football games where the players vibrate around the field? Maybe they can recreate Al’s luxury box at a nursing home and turn that thing on and convince him his watching the game.
Ok I tired! Votes are at almost 1600 to boot Al. Anyone consider taking out a full page ad in the paper down there calling him out on this? Or having a demonstration in front of the main office down there?
Rod ????? from I think they said KRNB was on ESPN radio today saying that Raider fans will eat what ever Al feeds us. The ESPN guy couldn’t believe that the fans would stand for this. And Rod kept saying we would back AL no matter what.
Well I will not. And I hope our brothers and sister of the Nation that are in the Bay will make some noise.
I’m out if Kiffins out. I may have a football signed by the entire Super Bowl XI team for sale if there are any takers.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
BlackHolepriest:……..Where are you? From reading your post, you areclose to the Raider org. What do make of this? Has Al lost it?
January 26th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
hellraiders, whoa man. I was quite upset with the whole rumor thing, but we are all hoping Kiffin stays. If not, well ok I am with you.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Like you said….I have been a Raider fan since the 70’s and just can’t take it antmore. I have defended the team and Al for years. And I just can’t take it anymore.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Trust me man, been there done that. I have followed our team since 1974 and seen alot. If this is true I am with you man. I am done. DONE! I just don’t know what to say. Frustration taking over.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
The sad thing is. People keep mentioning Art Shell. I had talked with Art a bunch of times after they had hired Norv. I really don’t think Art wanted to coach anymore. But I fell he did it to help Al out because nobody wanted the job. Now Art is a the punch line to most of these reports. Sad!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I here ya! I don’t follow any other sports really. If I don’t have the Raiders I don’t have anything. I guess I will have to go back to racing motocross on Sundays….Well in the old fart class now.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
truly is sad….
January 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
That is sad if you think about it. He had a good job with the NFL and gave it up to help AD. Thanks for informing me.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
A recap:
1.- The ridiculous report on air by Schefter that ”actions speak louder than words” about how Kiffin was not wearing Raiders gear at the Senior Bowl was quickly rebuffed when it was pointed out Mike Nolan was wearing the same logoless outfit from the brand sponsoring the game. (read about it, pft.com).
2.- The previous report that Kiffin and Ryan were no longer in speaking terms has been rebuffed as well, I´m sure I´m not the only one who saw them not only speaking but laughing togheter about something at the NFLN´s broadcast of the game today.
Will Kiffin be our coach next week??…I hope so and I wish I knew. But I do know that what´s posted above turned out to be speculation.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I hear you man. Us old farts are hurting. We love the “Old Raiders”, but are confused now by the product we see. Bad decisions left and right. It is like WTF. Can you see someone in the business world like Microsoft doing this and surviving? Hell no. Argh.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Marley
Good points. But I guess I’m just tired of guessing. Why would’nt Kiff just put this thing to bed instead of making the comments he made? Ryan did a better job trying to snuff this thing then Kiffin did.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
bobmarley, what do you really think is going on? I am really, really getting tired of drama. Can we finally get some continuity here?
January 26th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
You guys that say your gonna bail…. If and when the Raiders return to glory where are you gonna stand? Hop on the bandwagon and follow again? What better team can you follow? Hell yeah its frustrating and sometimes makes you wanna pull your hair out but it is the Raiders. Roll with the punches and stick with your guns you wont regret it when we comeback and you can say to yourself, ”even when things were at thier worst i stuck through it”. You dont have to buy gear or tickets or anything but dont loose your fanhood.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
i really hope kiff is the coach. we dont need another year with another new coach. the players haved seemed to take a liking to him.
please not another coach……
cant we go one f#ckin season with only getting new players and not anything else…..
January 26th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I live in the heart of Chargerland. For the last five years its been so hard to go to school everyday and be ridiculed for being a Raider fan yet I’ve never wavered in my support for this team. Sad to say if all this crap goes down and Kiffin is fired/resigns then I’m DONE BEING A RAIDERS FAN UNTILL AD IS DEAD AND BURIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(because thats the only way he’s leaving this joke of a team)
January 26th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Young… I agree with you how hard it would be…but dont give up on us brother. Remember people we are bigger than Al we are the RAIDER NATION! Sure hes pops but the kids are grown and can think for themselves, no matter what though hes still pops. Even if things get really bad they will get better.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Krowlz
Man I would’nt or could’nt ever cheer another team. I’m not talking about jumping on with a front runner or anytrhing like that. It’s sad to say that it ruins my day every Sunday to watch. And explaining to my kid why they are so bad and pumping him up that we will get better. I took him to his first game this year. It’s a 4 hr trip one way for us. Fortunately we beat Denver.
Man I’m just hurt I guess. I don’t know how long you have been with us but it’s got to turn around and if all this is true. I need a break.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Well I can tell you guys one thing you can tell the old time fans from the post L.A. fans the difference being we can remember the days when we always missed the sb by a game or so usually involving Pitt those were some disapointing games,espesially when we started to see stabler go, tatum, all the old guys had to go. Now you are lucky to see the same guy in uniform two years ina row. And I dont see too many wanting to jump off ship.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Think of it like this…when things get better itll be like one of those sports movies where the team is complete garbage and then finally wins. Those movies always make ya feel good. But for us it will be real life.
lol gotta keep it positive
January 26th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
24 years a Raider fan and i have never heard of anyone saying i am no longer a Raider fan. I will always be a Raider. Al has got to go. Bottom line.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Toocharp-
I see alot of people threatining jumping, here and many posts not to mention comments on many sites. Unfortunatly this will definatly hurt the fanbase. Alot of people are saying they wont come back till Al is not in charge anymore.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
DIE AD, DIE
January 26th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I just feel like we just lost one of those games in the final seconds. I’m just disappointed.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
We’ll win the SB next year and the one after. Then he’ll retire.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
krowlz, I know what you mean. But, WTF? Why would you fire the only hope for your team? Come on now, please explain. Me like hell raiders have been around for a long time and been with the team through the ups and downs. We bleed Silver and Black, but if this is true I am hurt in my Raider Soul man.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Russell is probably wishing he went back into the draft.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
LOL, that is funny.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Reading this post all season there have been some Al bashers, and AL haters. A lot fans came to his defense but after this, how can anyone disagree that it is time for Al to hang it up.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Since Oakland’s meltdown in the Super Bowl, the Raiders have won 19 games; New England, with a Super Bowl win, will have won 19 games this season.
Who is in line to be the next Raider coach if Kiffin is gone? Green, Ryan, Al Davis?
The definition of insanity is doing something the same way expecting a different outcome- Al, you are truely insane.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I know I definatly dont want Kiffin gone. I think it would be suicidal. Alot of people cant take it anymore, and Im having a hellova hard time, especially not workin for weeks, the constant rain, and now this :/ Im still clingin on to it being more hyped up rumors than anything… when its official then ill be pissed officially. At this point its screw ‘commitment to excellence’ i just want commitment.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
krowlz, that is what I have been saying here. We fricking need continuity. We finally have a coach. I said it. That knows how to win. He had hiccups, we know that, but he is a rookie. We understand and can accept that.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
You can’t defend him. If all is true Kiff has to shoulder some of the blame if he was looking into some of these other jobs. But if Al made this a good place to work Kiff wouln’t want to look else where.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Stop your whining! Al is gonna do whatever he wants, just because he can. My predictions for ‘08: Al hires the first female head coach in NFL history (you know he’s into making history), then he sues Donald Trump for stealing the phrase Al made famous “yu fiehd”, and finally he clones himself to ensure his iron fist will reign da raidehz for the next 100 years…
just win baby!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
krowlz, sorry about not working for weeks man. I hope it gets better.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
hellraiders, well what can I say. I like coach Kiffin. He is young and has to learn his role.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I honestly dont get all of the people getting on Kiffs back this year. I thought everyone expected alot of losses, alot of mistakes, alot of changes. I thought it was more of his feeler year and then it would really improve the following years. Like you said he is a rookie. If we keep him we atleast have a good chance of going .500, i dont see it happening without him unless its someone that keeps his system in tact.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Al’s middle finger
Now thats funny!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I’m in with Kiff. I think he is the answer. Or at least should get the chance to prove it.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Me too brother, wifey is on my back everyday :O
To top it off i got a sick infant
Lol Im a frickin pitty party… Thanks though brother need all of the positivity i can get now.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Ive never thought about a female coach…lol better chance of a female president.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
All summer long we travel the states by rv and I have a raider spare tire cover and a few stickers on the windows and everywhere we go we find raider fans, and Im talking all over the states. Every away game you see on tv there are always a stack of raider fans. They all tell me that if they lived in that area they would buy tickets. There is always something going on with them good or bad. If you werent reading this bullshit, there would be nothing to read on the raiders
Long Live Al Davis
January 26th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Old Raider Fan
Like I said, I wish I knew…
I just feel the wait and see approach taken by other fellow posters is the best way to go.
I have kept posting mostly because I can´t be quiet when some of these reports are so contradictory and make so little sense that I have to say someting.
But by no means am I just dismissing the whole thing as an outright lie or conspiracy and it´s not because of what the media says but because everyone knows Al butts heads and tests the limits of his people.
I mean, would any of us be surprised if this thing just went away and nothing happened?? and at the same time, would any of us be surprised if Kiffin is fired, quits or settles next week?.
Time has taught us, when it comes to Raiders rumors just wait until it actually happens.
You can see the local media rejoicing at these reports, pulling no punches and gleefuly saying I told you so, it´s hard to take as a longtime fan.
But we don´t break, we´ll deal with it and we´ll survive this with or without Lane Kiffin and at some point with or without Al Davis.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
AL ! RAIDERS FANS GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO YOU FOR MAKING THIS ORGANIZATION THE WORST IN ALL OF SPORTS! YOUR THE WORST OWNER/GM OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
We need continuity point blank. Lane came in with all of the old garbage and cleaned out the best he could. If I am starting to get a feel now, I could be wrong. AD has his favorites and nobody can change that. Lane does what he can and finally builds a team. He has a lesser talent than rest and decides to run the ball and depend on the defense to help him to win.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Goodnight everyone. See ya tomorrow for the next wild ride…
January 26th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
AL YOU SUCK !!!!!!!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
krowlz, good night and cya tommorrow.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
oaklandfan, I do not agree with the first post. At least we have 3 sb wins. But maybe he is past his time. We just don’t know.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I TOOK A NAP AND WOKE UP HOPING IT WAS A NIGHTMARE BUT TO MY DISSAPOINTMENT IT ALL SEEMS TO BE A REALITY I GUESS THE ONLY THING TO DO IS FOR ALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS TO CANCEL THEIR TICKETS TAKE A STAND AND LET THE CRAZY OLD MAN KNOW THAT WE WOULD NOT SUPPORT HIS DELUSION I KNOW I WOULD BE GIVEN THE RAIDERS A CALL
January 26th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
It should be clear by now to just about everybody. Al Davis doesn’t care as much about winning as he does about proving himself right, or rather, doing things HIS way. And it’ll be that way as long as he’s in charge.
It’s really sad.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Good night all. Cya tommorrow.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Bob,
Thanks for the updates and keeping us from going insane.
I’m waiting to see what happens.
My father always told me to overreact is foolish until all facts have or actions have been decided.
It’s a busines model I use every day.
I will be patient and not let this story drive me crazy.
The wait is worth the time to sort out this mess.
I don’t believe next week there will be any subsantitive information.
I believe Al will make sure he has in place a new coach and coordinator if he buys out and settles with Kiffin.
I will just read and react in due time.
I will say if some of this is true, I will have a problem with Al, which is very difficult for me as a long time Raider fan.
I hope Trask with her wisdom will instruct Al to hold a press conference and settle this story or give his side and let us make up our own minds and move on.
I know there are two sides to every story, let’s hear Al’s and then we can judge his actions.
All raider fans have been demoralized, it just has to be a crushing blow when we have so little hope untill Kiffin arrived.
For a young guy, mistakes were made and progress was made also.
Also I’m glad we will finally have a registration on this blog soon, the multiple user names and the childish stuff will hopefully end.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
al davis, he must be blind because he can’t see the team losing, he’s killing the raider nation.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Hey Dell…
If this thing turns out true as it´s been reported then everyone should have a problem with Al, no matter how long a fan. Unless there is stuff we don´t know yet, I can´t see a good reason to let him go.
Night all…..
January 26th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Adam Schefter reports Al Davis has decided he will have a reality show to find the next Head Coach. He will tag team with Flavor Flav in order to leverage Flav’s experience in these matters…No info yet on the contestants
January 26th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
how the heck do the patriots manage to have the 7th pick in the draft? they got the pick from the 40winers but who got what?anyone?
that sucks the rich only get richer.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
raiders are done as long as we got a leader thats older than the NFL and the city of oakland. HE should of groomed someone else or let a young mind lead the RAIDERS.DON’T BE AFRAID TO LET GO!
January 26th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
This team belongs to US meaning RAIDER NATION !! AL BUTT OUT PLEASE!! ( I HOPE HE READS THIS )!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Did anyone manage to watch the senior bowl?
How did our prospective drafts play?
January 26th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
[...] RaiderDell wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by RaiderDell”Here’s ONLY a quick extractBob,. Thanks for the updates and keeping us from going insane. I’m waiting to see what happens. My father always told me to overreact is foolish until all facts have or actions have been decided. It’sa busines model I use every day. … [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
[...] from hawaii wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by from hawaii”Here’s ONLY a quick extractraiders are done as long as we got a leader thats older than the NFL and the city of oakland. HE should of groomed someone else or let a young mind lead the RAIDERS.DON’T BE AFRAID TO LET GO! [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Nolan didn’t wear any 49′ers attire either. I guess he’s gone too?
January 26th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
AD you should learn the aloha spirit and give up the team ,because the fans in hawaii wants to win and you can’t do it you can’t even walk or see mahalo bra!!!!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
AD your so old your brain isn’t thinking anymore, you should go to a old folks home and tell your stories to people that think NFL MEANS NOT FOR LONG, THATS HOW YOU HIRE YOUR HEAD COACHES NFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:18 am
For everyone abandoning ship Real Raiders don’t throw in the towel. They stand and fight.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:53 am
No one man is bigger than the Raiders, the Raiders were great before Lane and will be after him. That being said is it too much to ask for just one normal off-season.
One thing for sure, it is never dull in the Raider Nation.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:35 am
This just shows me again that getting emotionally involved with pro sports teams is a bad idea. Growing up in Oakland in the 70s, I will never be able to root for anybody but the Raiders, A’s and Warriors — yet look how I’ve been jerked around by these owners? Charley Finley sold a dynasty overnight because he was a cheap bastid. Al Davis ripped my heart out when he moved the team to LA. Chris Cohan, fergeddabout it.
We DON’T own the team, and that sucks. At least with basebally, your attendance matters to the owner — in football, it is all about national TV revenue. And for the Raiders, they don’t even have to sellout because of the sweetheart deal they got with Alameda Co./Oakland.
These last few years we’ve been sitting up in the East Side Club and feeling more and more like stooges — we seem to care about winning more than Al Davis. It’s not like we ever thought he was a Mother Theresa but we did think for decades that he knew how to run a football team. And, in his weird way, he did. But now he doesn’t. And his genius is not coming back.
The A’s turned it around because they found and held onto Billy Beane. The Warriors have turned it around twice because they found and held onto Don Nelson. The Raiders turned it around with Gruden.
Find a goddamn visionary and give him 5 years. This is bullsht.
The reason people are talking about bailing is because this situation might get worse and worse. Al could live another 10-15 years. We are not far from being the Clippers or football Cardinals.
I’ll never not be a Raiders fan. But I am not going to sell my kids hard on this team. And if the team doesn’t find a way to build some memories for them, they’ll find other shite to be into. And that will be fine.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:42 am
[...] Justin wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Justin”Here’s ONLY a quick extractNolan didn’t wear any 49′ers attire either. I guess he’s gone too? [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 3:38 am
[...] East Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child”Here’s ONLY a quick extractGrowing up in Oakland in the 70s, I will never be able to root for anybody but the Raiders, A’s and Warriors — yet look how I’ve been jerked around by these owners? Charley Finley sold a dynasty overnight because he was a cheap bastid. … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Can one person tell me why any Raider fan would want to see Dennis Green be the coach. What the hell has this guy ever done? He needs to stay in moth balls and Al needs to be packed away in some also!
January 27th, 2008 at 3:50 am
[...] East Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child”Here’s ONLY a quick extractGrowing up in Oakland in the 70s, I will never be able to root for anybody but the Raiders, A’s and Warriors — yet look how I’ve been jerked around by these owners? Charley Finley sold a dynasty overnight because he was a cheap bastid. … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Al Davis’ lack of response to this crisis is a testament to his total disregard for the Raider Nation and the people who pay the bills and support the team.
We’re not just irate because you have pulled yet another of your disfunctional powertrip moves on a coach. We’re also tired of LOSING! You keep changing the coach but continue to lose. And not just lose, but lose with a high degree of humiliation and without pride or poise. You set the standards yourself and now you can’t live up to them.
Just Win Baby? Forget about it. Al Davis must take repsoniblity for the losing ways of the Raiders. If it was about “Just Win Baby” you would have admonished Kiffin for any talk of taking another job, and told him to focus on the task at hand, or make it worth his while to get the job done. That’s you job! TO MOTIVATE YOUR COACH TO WIN………..if a coach fails, you have failed.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:35 am
I’m canceling my Direct TV NFL package. The only reason I have is to watch the Raiders. As a former coach having worked under a similar administration as the Raiders Al Davis control freak. I can’t take it any more. I feel any coach who works for the Raiders.
I defended most of Al Davis’s moves over the years but not any longer. His time has pasted. If he wants to be the coach then coach the Raiders him self instead of hiring another coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:04 am
[...] Ian Heiser wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Ian Heiser”Here’s ONLY a quick extractCan one person tell me why any Raider fan would want to see Dennis Green be the coach. What the hell has this guy ever done? He needs to stay in moth balls and Al needs to be packed away in some also! [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:13 am
I have been a fan since 1978,If kiffin goes i am out until A.D.is gone.If you can not see the raiders pattern since the mike white era of bad losing.The only bright spot was Gruden,He built a team, not a bunch of athletes and projects,I am so sick of hoping thngs will change.I really liked what kiffin was building here,he was like a new gruden(TEAM).I can not take Dennis green,al saunders,james lofton trying to win with the same losing raiders structure and culture!Good luck i am gone!
January 27th, 2008 at 6:21 am
[...] baseball » Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by baseball » Comment on …”Here’s ONLY a quick extractEast Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child”Here’s ONLY a quick extractGrowing up in Oakland in the 70s, I will never be able to root for anybody but the Raiders, … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:22 am
[...] Football » Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Football » Comment on …”Here’s ONLY a quick extractEast Oakland Child wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by East Oakland Child”Here’s ONLY a quick extractGrowing up in Oakland in the 70s, I will never be able to root for anybody but the Raiders, A’s … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:30 am
I am totaly hurt and done with Al. Ryan needed to go. The failure to put guys on IR when there seasons were clearly over and fill those positions with at least some special teams help was either Davis’ incompetence, (which I don’t really believe) or a way to show Kiffin who was the boss.
Al, read the Bible and let my Raiders go.
Pls stay, Lane, the Raider Nation knows its not you.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Raider Nation
I am as sick of this sh%t as everyone else. I will be letting my displeasure be known to the Raiders. I suggest everyone bombard their office with e-mails. I will.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Al, listen to my voice, walk into the light…walk into the light….
January 27th, 2008 at 6:42 am
EC Raider, what is their email, ’cause I will join you in this mission. I remember the year we drafted Marinovich… I kept screaming to take Brett Favre. Sometimes us long-time, true Raider fans know more than we are given credit for.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Maybe Lofton is coming in as OC and Ryan is staying. Al said resign if you do not like it. Maybe Al regrets giving a young kid so much power at first but that was the only way to at least hire someone with half a brain. Is THIS what Al regrets already? It’s sad. I thought Kiffin did enough good hiring a few good coaches and drafting a few good players. However, if he was looking to get out and go back to college Al will make it so miserable for him by taking away control he’ll quit. Kiffin’s not God but I thought he had a lot of promise. The development of Jamarcus Russell is at stake. Maybe I’ll have to go to church twice today.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I’m sitting here and am completely frustrated, angry and feel like I’ve been gutted once again by the team that I support no matter what, and have supported since 1976.
Let’s look at the things that Al Davis is displeased about with Kiffin:
1) Let’s assume that it’s true that Kiffin’s CV got floated out to Arkansas and UCLA and Al found out and saw it as a lack of loyalty. – Then you talk to your coach, confront him and ask him WHY he’s doing it. You don’t get a job in the NFL as a rookie head coach with no prior head coaching experience and then try to go back to college without a reason. Al must have been acting like a dick if Kiffin started looking around for a new gig. Well paid people with enviable jobs don’t go looking around for new jobs unless there is a problem with incompentent or poor management.
2) Al is angry that Moss was traded for a 4th and is now a superstar again. Well Al, you ruined Moss in Oakland with your poor management and a horrible coaching staff, no real NFL offensive scheme that would promote sucess for Moss, and a coach that benched the number two receiver for almost no reason at all. Of course Shell used the same tactics that Al used with Marcus Allen, maybe it was Al himself that ordered Porter on the bench?
3) Kiffin wanted (presumably) to fire Rob Ryan. Rob Ryan deserves to be fired as the performance of the defense was lousy. No fundementals, no scheme, and no urgency or fire. Sapp retired because he just didn’t give a rat’s ass anymore and was tired of trying to be a leader on a defense that had no chance no matter what talent they have.
So let’s face it Al. You’re punishing Kiffin for your own failures and misjudgements…….take responsiblity and pursue the course that you’ve committed to and support the coach who will turn the franchise around.
Why does the Raider Nation like Kiffin? Because he’s innovative, fresh, organized and committed to excellence. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in his belief in winning and changing the attitude of the team to winners and striving for a change in atmosphere in the sickest of disfunctional “organizations” in professional sports.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I have been a Raiders Fan since the days of Frank Youell Field. I broke down and cried yesterday over what has happened to this once proud franchise. I simply cannot take this anymore, if Kiffin goes, I go as well. I have supported Al Davis with every decision he has ever made because HE is the Raiders, but not this decision. Enough of the absurd!!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:07 am
hey, how bout lane lied to al about the following!!
#1 having monte kiffin in bag for 08
#2 no dante aint ready yet!, josh knows the playbook!
b4 game 1 vs detroit!
# 3 no i dont want arkansas,michigan,ucla they want me al, i’m so in demand, see how lucky you are to have me as your head coach al!!!
#4 well i fired rob b4 charger game,cause thats what my dad wanted to see! that i could make these decisons,cause he is still leary about all the crap gruden&allen are filling his head with! this way my dad knows that i am in charge here!!! even tho we both agreed to no moves till montes’ contract expires!!
#5 “the raider scholarship program” no, thats’not a snipe / slite toward al davis! even tho that is what ive been doing all year ! is sniping @ al giving the players the impression,that is the reasn why i cant get some things done here ! cause al wont let me!!!
#6 ” NO AL ” HE’S LYING! i am not a homo!
if it is true that AL put that resign letter in front of lane, then these are the reasns why !!! it is that simple ! lane is such a loser , he even makes rorbyan & al davis ( buisness owner) look like the VICTIMS!!! WHAT A SCUMBAG!! oh btw in cali&back home minny&tampa lane aint got no babeS!!!! btw humm!!LETS SEE!!!!
32-single,lives alone or with roommates! 2mill year! never out in public! no supermodels!! no strippers!! not even a amy trask claim that he hit on me!!! why aint there any stories about lane out late & carousing!!! cause he is GAY!!!!! ITS’ GONNA COME OUT!! YOULL SEE!! maybe thats why his dad monte didnt come here , or lane didnt go there ! he wanted to stay on west coast! even tho he is from minny!( no gays allowed) fresno- a gay capital ,l.a.calif- gay capital, @ usc- not one babe claiming this guy hit on me !!! now pete carroll,sarkasian, they all have been accused of this severeal times! why not “” KIFFY”" well women are the last thing on his mind!! that is why he cut BOOTHE( A IVY LEAGUE HETERO,BOOTHE WENT ‘CORNELL” THE SCHOOL!MAYBE THERE WAS A MIXUP) & CORNELL GREEEN THE STARTER CAN BE FOUND ON GAY PRIDE WEB SITE!BTW!!( HES BEEN A KNOWN GAY FOR YEARS, NO PROBLEM)
SO LANEY (his stage name) aint got no babes,stalking him! HEAD COACH-32 YRS OLD- 2MILL PLUS PERKS-ETC!! WHY AINT THERE WOMEN CAMPING OUT / STALKING HIM ETC!@!!!
CAUSE HE IS GAY!!!!! YOULL SEE!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I’ve been a fan since the early 70’s. I have an awful lot of black and silver stuff. Anybody want any? If kiffin’s gone, that’s the last straw–time to pick a new team. One that actually values excellence and winning.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:13 am
SoulPatrol…you’re nut and a biggot.
If Kiffin WAS gay, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass as long as he made the Raiders into a winner!
Maybe Kiffin is not into Night Life, super models and the like because he’s busy working 18 hour days?
January 27th, 2008 at 7:14 am
SoulPatrol..by the way, why are you aware of who is on the gay pride website? Surfing efter a “bear”?
January 27th, 2008 at 7:15 am
To tell you guys the truth, I have been a Raider fan for 20 years and I’m sick of al’s BS, if he doesn’t work things out with Kiffin I’m changing teams until he dies…..
January 27th, 2008 at 7:25 am
The TV guys mentioned the ‘attire’ first. So I made sure to check and sure enough Mike Nolan wore the under armour gear too. Probably just attire required by the sponsore. That at least is much ado about nothing, except a bit of poor reporting.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:29 am
hey nation,frett not i think we have a coach that is just as bullheaded as crazy al,and we will see what hes made of,if he quits he walks away with nothing,if he tells al to pound sand and stays he gets 4 mil and the worst coaching job in the league,why is it the worst job in the league?because al owns the team.all this said i am 48 yrs. old and have been a lifelong raider fan and i’ve seen al davis make the worst personnel decisions of any nfl owner,you want proof, ok,5 coaching staffs with different schemes in 5 yrs. to start with,no wonder the o-line cant grasp it,its a new deal every year.now this rift between davis and kiffin,and it starts with personnel,who stays who goes,al made promises he never intended to keep with kiffin and personnel decisions,and thats what the last 3 weeks are about.al has always been enamored with the tallest fastest athlete not the best football player,if you dont beleive this look at past drafts and offseason pickups.15 to 20 yrs ago you could win with a retread q.b. and a track star who could catch a little bit,not in todays n.f.l. kiffin understands how the game has evolved and wants the best football players,i.e.guys who can tackle,guys with football skills,al still wants that rocket arm q.b.and a track star who can catch a little.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:36 am
The Tibetans have a saying : if a problem HAS a solution, then there is no reason to worry about the problem. If a problem HAS NO solution, then there is no reason to worry about the problem.
Patience, let it play out.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Copenhagen……….
I think #2 is all smoke and little fire.
Al should blame Art since he supposingly already blames him for Huff.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
[...] mikeinny wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by mikeinny”Here’s ONLY a quick extracthey, how bout lane lied to al about the following!! #1 having monte kiffin in bag for 08 #2 no dante aint ready yet!, josh knows the playbook! b4 game 1 vs detroit! # 3 no i dont want arkansas,michigan,ucla they want me al, … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Al Davis has been kidnapped. Whereabouts unknown. Kidnappers are not demanding money but just have requested brain surgery. Recovery time would take 3-5 years . Kidnapppers would get off scott-free once it has been realized how good it would be for society and all Raider fans.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:46 am
[...] StowRaider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by StowRaider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI have been a Raiders Fan since the days of Frank Youell Field. I broke down and cried yesterday over what has happened to this once proud franchise. I simply cannot take this anymore, if Kiffin goes, I go as well. … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 7:49 am
If Al fires Kiff, it just proves he is an incompetent self-absorbed jackass, not to mention he is a retard when it comes to drafting.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Dammit
Now the autobot is spewing souls demented remarks
I hate the darn thing anyway. Shut it off
Football » Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by mikeinny Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
[…] mikeinny wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by mikeinny”Here’s ONLY a quick extracthey, how bout lane lied to al about the following!! #1 having monte kiffin in bag for 08 #2 no dante aint ready yet!, josh knows the playbook! b4 game 1 vs detroit! # 3 no i dont want arkansas,michigan,ucla they want me al, … […]
January 27th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Al is playing head games.
He has played head games with the media and the NFL since day one. He knows that all this will make Kiff work that much harder. Some men wilt under pressure and some men florish.
Al read Lane like a book in that first meeting and knows he is a thriver.
Thats my take and I am sticking to it.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:56 am
i don’t think Kiffin is that special… he was trying to turn the Raiders into any other team in the league…
but it’s his lack of commitment to the Raiders that I found particularly irksome…
several press conferences, even early in the season showed him not wearing silver and black… if you don’t have pride in your colors… don’t wear them at all…
this guy Kiffin is not a long term solution… he’s a temp… he doesn’t belong here… he will never have the pride of being a Raider in any capacity…
he’s just not that special…
keep Al… let Kiffin go where he wants…
we don’t need him…
January 27th, 2008 at 7:58 am
5 coaches in 7 years, now whos fault is that??
January 27th, 2008 at 8:01 am
No he’s not a long-term solution but he could steer the Raiders in the right direction before he took off for another job after his three years is up. Where are we going as a franchise if we have a new coach every year and how good will our franchise QB TURN OUT IF THERE IS CONSTANT CHANGE?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Andrew’s Mom…maybe the real reason Al is doggin’ Kiff is because your boy is sitting and pulling splinters out of his butt?
Flordia Pete…give me ONE viable coach who can replace Kiffin right now and turn us around?
And don’t say Bill Cowher….because it has to be a coach who is willing to be submissive to Al’s dominant mind games and sado-masocistic mentality.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I know that I made this comment before, but being a Raider’s fan is like having a beautiful young daughter who you love very much and she gets confused and trapped in a downward cycle and ends up being a jaded crack ho.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Al is the evil pimp making our beautiful daughter into a 10 dolla’ crack smokin’ tramp………..
January 27th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I already said that was the real reason.
: )
We know that my boy was is Al’s project and plenty people here were up in arms and madder then hell at Kiff for not letting him play over the pathetic undynamic duo of mcCown and Culpepper.
Now they are calling for Al’s head (which aint gonna happen, might as well piss in the wind) and adoring little Kiff.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:10 am
CopenhagenFan Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I know that I made this comment before, but being a Raider’s fan is like having a beautiful young daughter who you love very much and she gets confused and trapped in a downward cycle and ends up being a jaded crack ho.
JUST WIN BABY
January 27th, 2008 at 8:13 am
AL BUTT OUT!!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Raiderant
Go to Official Raider website,1st page,scroll down to bottom of page where it says contact us. E-mail and snail mail.Let them know how pissed off we are concerning the miserable running of this organization. It may not help,but we’ii feel better.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Andrew’s Mom…..if we were “just winning” we would not have an AIDS infested, pock marked, stinky, scraggly, crack ho of a franchise with droopy nylon stockings with runs in them.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I sent an E- mail to the Raiders head office. this will continue untill we get some answers. I am ticked off!!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Raider Nation – Suck it up.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Okay I am going to think outta the box here. Al and his minions obviously get the bulk of support is not his. Maybe he brings in Denny Green as GM? I would not mind that, he would be better suited to what we have now and that’s Al. As for Lofton? He is being brought in to rub Kiffs nose in it I’m betting
January 27th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Fire Kiffin
Why should we suck it up? To get motivated and pumped up again and jump on the bandwagon for a new lame coach that will just get dicked in the end and have no power to change anything or remedy the sickness that permiates the organization???!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:23 am
MIKEINNY..since when is hitting on Amy Trask a prerequisite for being hetrosexual? ha ha ha……..jesus christ….take your medicine.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:24 am
CopenhagenFan Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Flordia Pete…give me ONE viable coach who can replace Kiffin right now and turn us around?
My Answer:
Anyone on the staff right now that is willing to step up… Ryan would be a fine choice… anything that allows the continuity…
the defense had a coupla holes which can be easily filled: safety and a good DT…
offense needs some depth on the o-line, a new Left Tackle and a good wide out…
nothing that cannot be fixed quickly…
i do trust in Al… as for Kiffin… i won’t miss him… he treated this like a temp job… and that’s what it should be for him…
see ya, Kiff… don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya…
January 27th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Copenhagen – Love it or leave it.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Florida Pete is god.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Florida Pete…..Ryan?
How will Ryan ensure continuity? Will Cable and Knapp stay if he’s the coach?
The only continutiy Ryan will offer is a swiss cheese defense and a bunch of guys who eat snacks and come late to meetings, miss tackles and then are never held accountable for their mistakes, and failures.
The one thing I remember most about R. Ryan is him saying how great our defensive players were at the end of the season……..if we have great players and their performance was as crappy as it was any person able to grasp rudimentary logic would then place the blame on the guy who is responsible for the scheme or execution of a game plan and technique. That would be Ryan himself. It pains me greatly to see that the fate of an ineffective DC such as Ryan would be one of the reasons that our team is in turmoil. Very ironic actually!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Well FLpete, Kiffin is coaching in the NFL so he has to compete in the NFL…not once can I remember him bashing the fans.. IS it not about winning the games in the end! The losing mentality has been around for so long its become the norm! The Roster he inherited not even on Madden you could win with (unless u were playing a 2 yr old.) AL was like an alcoholic who in his mind wanted to quit but his heart betrayed him!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Fire Kiffin…love it or leave it? Let’s put it this way. I love the Raiders and will voice my opinion until they do it right.
That’s a ridiculous statement actually. That’s like, “eat the turd or go hungry”……
January 27th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I’ve moved to the states in 1990 since then with the exception of The Chucky era this team has been hanging on to the past… the past…the past like a freaking broken record. I mean seriously Marijuanivich,Schroder,klinger,Evans,Holas,Wilson,George So in almost two decades the Raiders had what TWO QB’S in Hoss & Gannon that were NFL caliber QB’s . The old Question which came first chicken or the egg? What has killed the Raiders BAD Coaching or QB’s?????????????????
January 27th, 2008 at 8:40 am
i own a business with 25 employees… so my sympathies are with Davis…
finding good, loyal management is difficult at best…
as an owner i need to understand the issues that confront my managers regarding production and employee performance…
nothing is more hurtful to an organization than a manager who is not “all in”… Kiffin has repeatedly during the season managed the business not to showcase the talent or the product, but rather to showcase his own perceived talent…
at this point i don’t care who manages the Raiders next year… so long as it is NOT Kiffin…
i’ve been a Raiders fan since 1966… i do trust Al’s judgement… even when it is apparently wrong… as was hiring Kiffin in the first place…
Raider for Life…
January 27th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Does anybody know the definition of insanity? Answer-doing the same thing over and over and expecting the result to be different.
From 1998-2001 I worked with Dick and Rob Romansky in the equipment room. I saw firsthand the organization and how it was run. Through the sheer force of will, Jon Gruden forced the team to operate on a funtional level. It was always a struggle because simular to what the old Soviet Union used to be, where repression and fear was always present everyone had to operate in fear of angering Al Davis.
The team is doomed to utter failure much like the NY Knicks, Arizona Cardinals, Cinncinati Bengals because a seriously disfuntional owner runs the team like a emperor without a clue. Not until Al Davis either passes away or is incapatiated will the Oakland Raiders ever win again.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Al could you please enlighten us as to which of the two QB’s or coaches (you would like to blame, since you had no input on either??
January 27th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Florida Pete is the ONLY sane person on this blog. Myself included.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Mike Nolan wore the same Underarmour gear that Kiffin wore…Is he leaving the niners?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:43 am
that a boy al. show lane who is boss just like you did gruden. you showed him didn’t you? i sleep so well at night knowing your old tired ass continues to make great decisions. thank you.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Jerry,
Please don’t publish this email.
My name is Kevin Scully. I coached Michelle and Linda in fast pitch softball in Hayward quite a few years ago. Please say hi to Michelle for me.
I read you religiously because you see what’s happening, you know what’s real, you make sense of it all and you write well. The bottom line, I guess, is that I believe what you report.
I’ve been a fan of this franchise ever since I can remember (1968ish). I used to live and die with this team. I was a season ticket holder from 1995-2006. I missed 2 games in 12 years. I gave them up this year. I loved Gruden and I like Kiffin a lot, but it’s clear that as long as Mr. Davis is as involved as he is, the team will stay mired in this downward spiral and will not recover…ever. It’s personally sad, but also sad for this tremedous fan base, to see this happen to a franchise that was one of the greatest in sports history.
Keep up the good work.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:45 am
1). Copenhagenfan has issues re: crack ho’s and his daughter.
2). If continuity is maintained within the departure of LK, I’d accept to take a look at that. Not completely overjoyed, but it is what it is. We shall see. If a new program is installed, the Raiders will become a weekly radio program for me. Something to listen to while I fish, spend time with family, not sit in front of TV cursing loudly. You know what I’m talking about. Greg Papa does a better job than most TV announcers anyways…
January 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am
WTF IS GOING ON? AL IS A COMPLETE MORON. I have been a Raiders fan since 1983, and since then AL has done nothing to better this franchise. He has done is absolute best to RUIN it!! I think this idiot knows his time is ending and wants to ruin the Raiders before he dies, so whoever takes over after will never have the chance to rebuild. Al’s legacy will certainly live on, as a complet Jack A$$.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Oh yeah, raegarding the UA gear, way to pick up on a very insignificant point as some sort of ‘proof’ – it’s sad that the update you provide only consisted of the ‘I hope so’ comment and the UA speculation provided by that f*ckface Adam Schefter. Why don’t ya go knock on Herrera’s door and have him spill the beans some more? He seems pretty pissed by the whole thing, probably a better bet than sucking up to the goddamn NFL Network.
Note to self: Jerry is part of the media crap machine; he doesn’t know any better.
I’m out!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Copenhagen so which one will Al blame I mean choose lol
January 27th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Hey morons, Mike Nolan had the EXACT SAME gear on as Kiffin. Adam Schphincter is a hole.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I’ve seen crack whore’s with more loyalty.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
FL Pete in your business did you provide management w/ chicken $h!t and tell them to make chicken Soup for ya?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:54 am
That’s fine if you guys who support Al want to take the rollercoaster of doom into the depths of Hell with a wacked out oldster that is plunging into the depths of insanity…go for it.
Think about this: Is any professional football player going to sell out 100% and give it all for a coach who is a mere puppet or whipping boy who gets his balls cut off at whim of Al Davis?
That’s why the Raiders suck. No player will play balls out for a coach who is not the ultimate authority. Take a look at Art Shell, Norv, Calahan etc.
The only coach that has had success in recent history was Chuckie and he kicked the players asses and gave Al the finger.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:55 am
The whole gear thing is besides the point Kiff is as good as gone we all know it we just try to tell ourselves otherwise!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
This is how I think ‘08 will play out: (1) Kiff won’t get fired by the beginning of the season (2) Lofton will get hired (3) Kiff wont have ANY input as to the NFL Draft – Al will make the pick(s) with the help of Lofton (basically, a “yes” man) (4) Al will make it clear to everyone in the organization (players included) that Lofton is the heir apparent (5) Kiff will lose credibility immediately with his players (6) the Raiders will finish 1-15 or 2-14 (7) Kiff gets fired at the conclusion of the season
I agree with the previous posts regarding boycotting. I am DONE. Thanks Al, for losing a fan you had since the “Holy Roller” days
January 27th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’m surprised none of the networks have called Sapp and ask him to share with the world what he thinks of all this.. ?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Bishop > Herrera is a former waterboy who grew up dealing with jockstraps for Al and is a mere “yes man” and minion of the Evil Pimp.
Al has forced him to make these statements and then will hang him out to dry later when Al makes the move to get rip of Kiffin.
Al should make a statement himself.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:57 am
- you think! It was the UA Senior Bowl by gawd; the coaches were wearing the gear because they were contracted to by UA and not because the are giving some sort of innocuous message? Wow that is revelation. I thought it was because they were both getting fired. Just like that time when Gruden showed up at a press conference in a polo shirt.
Signed -
Jerry McDondald
January 27th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Kiffin will not coach for the Raiders again.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Good because he sucks
January 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Native !!! SHHHHHH
January 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Native Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
FL Pete in your business did you provide management w/ chicken $h!t and tell them to make chicken Soup for ya?
My answer:
No, i hire the best people and i do the firing… some people just don’t work out… we turn out a great product… a lot of that is due to the managers… some of it because of me…
all of it because of the people who work for us…
we have a system in place that works well… we adjust as needed with the conditions presented to us…
occasionally, we have a problem that needs to go… and go they do…
think of this: when players leave the Raiders, they usually get new jobs… why do you think this is so???
if Davis is such a poor judge of talent, why are there so many former Raiders around the league???
good managers know how to manage under even the worst of circumstances…
in my opinion, Kiffin wasn’t so special…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I wished i lived in Oakland I would protest!! I ‘m sure I’m wouldn’t be alone!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:04 am
If Al is upset over the Moss deal then he’s like an altar boy who tried dating a striper and it didn’t work out and he’s hung up on thinking of all the wild things he could be doing if only he still had her. GET OVER IT old man move on!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:04 am
No decent coach will EVER coach the Raiders as long as Crazy Al is still running errr ruining this team. Get used to it folks, times are only going to get harder.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Al has lost his mind!!! Al Davis took credit for building the great Raider teams of the past. Credit should go to Ron Wolfe. The Raiders have gone from the winningest team in sports to the laughing stock. Thanks Al Davis for letting your lunacy ruin a great thing. I bleed silver and black but have never respected crazy Al. Let the coaches coach and let people that know talent make the decisions on personnel. When Marijuanavich and an inconsistent kicker were first round picks made by Al that was the first step in Mr. ego making the personell decisions and funny enough that is when we began to suck. Do all us loyal Raider fans a favor and go to a retirement home where you belong. Kiffin is going to be a good coach when given the time and a chance. Al just die baby!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
AD HAS TRULY LOST WHAT BRAINS HE HAD LEFT!!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Copenhagen…….
Its not so much what I want or dont want.
As our next future ex coach is fond of saying
IT IS WHAT IS!!
and I have no power over those decisions, so I choose of my own free will to support my team no matter what.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:06 am
A glimpse of the Raider franchise right now. The senior Bowl………2 Minutes left the South drive 80 yards to win the game against ROB RYAN’s defense……Hhhmmmnnn sound familiar?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I agree 110% Joel!!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:10 am
FL Pete says:
all of it because of the people who work for us…
we have a system in place that works well… we adjust as needed with the conditions presented to us…
I respect your and everyone else opinion ..in your statements above you sounded pretty much like what successfully winning NFL teams do! Yes those same players go to teams with systems in place!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:11 am
TO ALL THE RATS JUMPING SHIP:
If the thought ” I’m done with the Raiders if…” has EVER crossed your mind, you were never a Raider’s fan to begin with.
Once you’re in,
no one gets out alive.
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Myopic – Good point.
The fact that Ryan couldn’t get it done with 11 of the brightest talent available should send a message straight to AD that he needs to go. But it won’t. AD is off sipping Geritol with Buddy Ryan, reminiscing on the good ol’ days, waiting for Amy Trask to deliver a new coach that he can abuse.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Bobby Cummer:
Nobody is jumping ship. We want mutiny!!
Not defending Lane Sniffin, just tired of Crazy Al and his crazy decisions.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:14 am
If Al is such a senile old man and totally incompetant why was his choice of lane such a good move?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Where’s Captain BARBOSA @?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Davis has beaten down this Raider fan once and for all. It seems any form of hope we ever have to improve and sustain some sort of chemistry,consistency and improvement is always taken away by this senile old @#%$^&!. If Lane Kiffin is shown the door then he might as well be showing the Raider faithfull the door also because we have been through enough frustration and pain to continue to believe he has any concept of what a football team should be and how to put it together.
There is always a learning experience in everything in life and he has shown us over and over that in his derranged mind that leadership,team chemistry and the sum of the parts is bigger than any one individual isn’t in his vocabulary or heart.
Al if you happen to read this, take your old butt and whatever fools will continue to come here to suffer humiliation and pain where ever the hell you want! I’m checking out as a fan if Lane Kiffin is shown the door. You have a talented young coach with a team consept and a vision on how to get us back where we belong and are ready to destroy it. You have the best and devoted fan base in the world and don’t care, so if Lane leaves then find another city because the city of oakland and its fans are to good for you!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Lane was a GREAT MOVE AL got a pass cuz he hired a rookie . Dirt NAP can you point to all the other coaches who were distraught that they didn’t get the job and threw chairs thru their office windows?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Dirt great post. I just assumed that if alot of fans are willing to give up thier season tickets and\or boycott the games if Kiffin is fired they must of thought he is the answer to the raiders problems.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Ya whatever, the writing is on the wall. If you think I am going to waste my time while AD pisses away the progression of this franchise every 1-2 years, then you are dead wrong. All you diehard hardxxxore Raider fans that try to bust on the rest of us for doing something better with my time are complete idiots. You have become conditioned to the culture of loss, and accept that going 2-6 against the AFC West is progress. You are willing to let that ride to the next coach and his system, hoping for maybe another win or 2.
That is not how champions are built.
Keep wishing, along with AD, for the ‘just win now’ magic button. It won’t happen.
See ya on the flip side.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Dirt Rat Al – I’m glad to see you’ve admitted you’re a rat with not one loyal bone in your body.Acceptance is the first step in recovery.
Munity is not loyalty.
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Ralph Miranda:
Well said my Raider brother, well said.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Andrew’s Mom…Hey man, I support the Raiders. What I don’t support is a Evil Pimp Grandpa Goon who undermines all respect and continuity for the Franchise I love, just because he needs to rule with an iron fist in order to feel glimpses of fleeting glory from his past.
But I look forward to Dennis Green saying AL IS WHAT WE KNEW HE WAS……as he stands at the podium in two years in a maroon polo shirt and announces that he’s being canned.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Booby Cummer: Post 429
And the captain shouldn’t be loyal to his crew? Where is Al’s sign of respect for the Raider Nation? He is doing his best to sink this ship. I, unlike you, don’t feel like drowning.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Right now I know that Al is busy driving in the countryside scouring bed and breakfasts for a new head coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:27 am
your welcome dirt apology accepted
January 27th, 2008 at 9:28 am
WAIT didnt Chow get fired in TN maybe the evil pim can bring him in I hear him and Kiffin got along REALLY well!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Mutiny happens. If the inept captain is hell bent on sailing into the storm of all storms for some legendary fool’s gold, you betcher ass the crew will mutiny.
In this case, AD is wailing the good ship Jolly Raider right into the heart of a hurricane. All of the promise of success that AL HIMSELF delivered with the signing of LK is being stripped away. We are in our cabins right now, whispering of mutiny. It will happen. Feel free to stay on board and go down with the ship.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Evil Pimp Granpa Goon, lmfao, that’s some classic stuff there mang.
Sorry Radraider…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Cope Fan – that is Classic!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Bishop said…….
All you diehard hardxxxore Raider fans that try to bust on the rest of us for doing something better with my time are complete idiots.
Why are you in here bitching and whining if you are going to move on to bigger and better things.
Go root for the cowgirls and leave us myopians alone.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Bishop,
Im not whispering and I sure as he!! not in my cabin. I am walking up the stairs to lower the plank…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Dirt Nap Al -Your name indicates a certain lack of class and respect. Your sentiments indicate that your are a panicky little b!tch. For god’s sake man, get a hold of your self. Try to maintain some level of self respect. Your sniveling is intolerable. Al is the Boss. Al does not answer to anyone. If you don’t like it, LEAVE. Your whining is making the rest of us look bad.
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
…and before any of you point me to the 49ers or b*tch Chargers and growl to GTFO, I’ll stand here to say that I am through with the NFL. The games are hampered by bad calls, and my favorite team has a witherbrained GM,
Nothing going on here folks.
Keep moving along.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Al Davis should be ashamed of himself. I don’t believe in the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. I do believe in team chemistry. Look at yourself you silly old man. You’ve taken a proud franchise and made it the laughing stock of the NFL. Shame on you.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I am done with Al Davis and his irrational judgment regarding Coach Lane Kiffin and our Oakland Raiders. Those of you who are season ticket holders and want to voice their concern and help our team prosper without this crazy old man, I am taking names for a letter that will be sent to Raider exec Amy Trask, my ticket rep, the NFL Commissioner’s office, and the SF Chronicle and the Oakland Tribune. I am done with Davis and many loyal fans are done with him too! Season ticket holders: send your name, seat number and an email address to be part of this grassroots protest of this crazy old man screwing out beloved team. email to : stopdavis@yahoo.com PISSED OFF RAIDER FAN!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Andrew’s mom -
Didn’t you spend most of the season making 12-year old comments while the rest of us were doing pro-level analysis of the games, personnel performance etc?
STFU
January 27th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Bobby Comer…George W. Bush is also the “Boss”…do you agree with everything he does? Should people that disagree with him and his policies “leave” the United States?
As John Locke stated, “the citizens don’t just have the right to overturn a tyranical govnerment, they have a duty to do so”……
The Raider Nation is exercizing their right to oust the Tyrant Evil Money-grubbing, Jive Talkin’ Pimp.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:40 am
oh yeah..The Raider Nation is not a democracy…I’ll shut up now.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Bobby Comer -
Who the hell are you? Don’t come in here acting like you own the place – I’ve never seen you post a damn thing of worth. Just because the rest of the Raider diehards see the writing in the wall doesn’t mean that you inherit the keys to the castle.
Go back to your ESPN and STFU.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:40 am
were all just frustraited with the rumors and losing year after year. hopefully Al or Kiffin will conferm or deny these rumors before long so we as fans can either move on or support our new coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am
More of the same…someone said where there is smoke there is fire and I believe Kiffen will not be here long. Once again this whole circumstance with the piece meal Raiders coaching staff was a big turd when Kiffen came in and he knew it.
I am a die hard Raider fan and no longer a big fan of AD remaining as the GM but lets put the blame where it lies. Kiffen is responsible for taking this situation from stinky smelly farty to shitty shitty shitty.
I am having a real hard time believing that Kiffen did not know that he had limited authority when he came in. Ryan was already entrenched as the DC and obviously an AD favorite. I believe that Kiffen became disinfranchised with the Raiders somewhere along the way, probably because he bit off more than he could chew and now wants out. He had to have known that firing Ryan without AD’s permission would make the turd stink bad enough to send him down the road. Now he wants his money too! Unfooking believable, you can kiss my rosy red arss Kiffen and do not let the door hit you in your arss on the way out.
I now believe that Kiffen’s decision making is as bad or worse than ADs’ and I now also believe Kiffen was responsible for mishandling the three picks in the 3rd round of 2007. It’s these kind of bad decisions that hurt the Raiders most.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
It’s not about winning anymore for Davis. It’s just a pathetic attempt to show people that he is in “control”.
Our fellow fans in the Bay Area need to picket in Alameda and let the guy know this will not be tolerated any longer.
As I posted yesterday, this is sad.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Stop it Bishop916. I just pissed myself. “Pro level analysis of games, personel preformance ect. You are one delusional MOFO. You must seek help immediately.
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Florida Pete you are exactly right. Sure seems to be a lot of hysteria over a 4-12 coach about to be dumped. “Lance” really looked in his element coaching the Senior bowl.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Its obvious Bobby that you have no idea of what you’re talking about. Most of us don’t just show up here at a time of crisis to tout our loyalty to Da Raiduhs – we are here during and after every game telling it like it is.
Move along son, you know not of which you speak.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:46 am
You got me there bish. I rooted for the Raiders while everyone else was repeating pro-level analysis of the games, personnel performance.
A lot of good it did on both our parts.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:47 am
PS you are still a whiny bitch who reminds me of my ex.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Bishop – Stop crying.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Mike Shanahan and Carl Peterson must be getting a real laugh out of this. Another 5 years of kicking the Raiders’ ass. Even gentleman Norv Turner is probably smiling. Al Davis should have to handle the press conferences next year to explain each loss — instead of making his defenseless coach (whoever it is) take the podium…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Andrew’s Mom, Will you marry me?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Does anybody know the email address for Steve Corkran ?
He wrote a piece about Kiffin wearing a jacket that didnt have the Raider logo during the senior bowl.
Mike Nolan had the exact same jacket as Kiffin. What a complete BUFFOON you are Steve Corkran, you obviously didn’t even watch the game and got word about Kiffins jacket and started writing.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:51 am
[...] radraider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by radraider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractwere all just frustraited with the rumors and losing year after year. hopefully Al or Kiffin will conferm or deny these rumors before long so we as fans can either move on or support our new coach. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 9:51 am
As fans what if we all returned our season tickets I know that if this happens mine are gone. Maybe that is the only that senile will get it. We have to take action together, the other shareholders will have to take a look at it.
Let’s call Marcus Allen he may have some pointers…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Where was it confirmed that Kiffin fired Ryan? Just more rumors based on actions speak louder then words.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:53 am
3 words… What a debacle!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:54 am
lol Bobby I like you too but marriage does not agree with me.
How about we get together at the black hole, get drunk and scream insults at fly by night fans who think they are better then us because they do in depth probing analysis of personal while all we do is get drunk and root for the Raiders no matter what Al does.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:56 am
If al this media BS is true…One word…
…..BOYCOTT!…..
till there is some stabilization. We will get no coaches or FA’s worth signing after all this crap!
Who the hell would want to come play for the OAKLAND FAILURES?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:58 am
What a mess!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:59 am
If i were a ticket holder MO i would, instead i emailed the Raiders @ feedback@raiders.com and expressed my opinion……. keep Kiffin down with Davis
January 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Andrews mom Says:
November 30th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
It really doesnt matter what I think but here it is anyway.
Lane Kiffen = gets paid the big bucks to coach the OAKLAND RAIDERS
You, me and the rest of the Nation = Yahoos who could not coach pop warner, let alone high school high school ball.
If I wasnt 100% behind Kiff I would have to root for a gay team like the dolts.
That said. My boy must really really really suck to still be stuck the yahoo McCown
_____________________________________________
Andrews mom Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I already said that was the real reason.
: )
We know that my boy was is Al’s project and plenty people here were up in arms and madder then hell at Kiff for not letting him play over the pathetic undynamic duo of mcCown and Culpepper.
Now they are calling for Al’s head (which aint gonna happen, might as well piss in the wind) and adoring little Kiff.
——————————————-
Andrew’s Mom – this is the best you got?
How you change perspective so easily.
Mistabrown -
Corkran go that from Schefter.
They all feed off each other.
Blind leading the blind.
Put a ‘inside source’ on sale on Ebay and make millions off of NFL Network, ESPN, and ANG/Bay Area News Group
January 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Being a Raider fan since Blada was our kicker I cant think of any other team to support in these trying times. It just wouldnt feel right. My favorite team would be any playing the Raiders doesn’t sit right with me. so as bad as it gets I’m in even if Kiffins out. I can’t change now to old.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I could dig up more idiotic comments you have made re ‘not playing your boy’ or w/e, but I don’t have the time to mess with it. Its all there. You are a hindrance to this forum, most likely a troll. Take your new friend Bobby ‘New’ Comer and go fondle each other in the empty Black Hole.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Sorry Blanda
January 27th, 2008 at 10:06 am
If your organization actually fires Lane Kiffin I will return my season tickets, not attend any game or purchase any item from the raiders until Al Davis releases control of the team. I have been a Raider fan for more than 30 years and have been a fierce supporter of the most stupid decisions that Mr. Davis has ever made (John Gruden) but I am sick of it. I am looking forward to the rest of my RaiderNation friends to do the same. I hope this hits you where it really hurts…in the pocketbook. Our team sucks, no receiver, no D-Line, major upgrades on the O-line etc. we need more players and a long term commitment to the team!!!
AL THE PLAYERS YOU HAVE SELLECTED ARE NOT A GOOD TEAM!!!
You have disappointed me for the last time!
Please forward to Al Davis
January 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Oakglenn,
Remember a few weeks ago we talked about how the Raiders have “bottomed out”??
Well, I guess there is a trap door that only Crazy Al knows about!!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I will never back another squad then the silver & black. but if they have another coaching change i will finally put my money against them every week. If they r gunna tear my heart out every week might as well get some finacial gane.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Raider Nation: No one gets out alive.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Wow. You took the time to go back and dig that up. I am impressed at your in depth probing skills.
I still support Kiff because he is the coach and I hope he stays but if Al fires him we get another coach and the team moves on with me.
Besides I dont get worked up over rumors.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Bishop: Show Andrew’s mon a little respect. I love you, Andrew’s Mom. As for you, I don’t think anyone will mind when you jump ship like the RAT you are. My one request is that you try to show a little dignity while doing so.
Just win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Maybe I should go to another forum. One for Raider fans who dont think their in deep probing skills make them better then a longtime wisecracking fan such as myself.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am
THIS NIGHTMARE NEVER SEEMS TO END….OH MY GOD…A BIG SUPPORTER OF DAVIS OVER THE YEARS I’M SICKENED BY THIS….WE WILL BE DOWN FOR 25 YEARS. THE CARDINALS OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Onr thing I have not done is fight and argue and bitch with others like you do.
Congrats on being a more deserving Raider fan then me.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I’m done too. I agree with everyone who says boycott. Not that it will necessarily work, but we have to do something to get the pathetic senile old man to even begin to question himself for one minute. No merchandise, no season tickets, nothing until the organization does something to win back and to deserve our loyalty.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hey I just picked an old thread and there it was, nothing to it. There are plenty of examples of you shoving your (foot) in your mouth, and basically making as ass of yourself.
That being said, I apologize for targeting any one individual here. I am just stating that until we start putting a more quality product on the field I will delegate my time to Greg Papa on the radio and not spend countless hours rooting for a team who’s progression is compromised by its owner year after year.
I’m not sure if you would call that jumping ship. The promise of success (that Al made in his press conference when hired Kiffin) is the only thing that kept me interested in the NFL anyways. Now that I see what is POTENTIALLY going on (madness, idiocy) – I will simply move on until the franchise rights itself. Fair weather fan – hell no. I’ve been here through the thick an thin. And again am I an idiot? No. Why waste my hard earned leisure time watching a product that is intentionally caused to be inferior?
Ask yourself if you agree with what is POTENTIALLY transpiring, and look at the damage this has done to this offseason and any chances of obtaining class talent by FA or the draft, and go from there.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I woke up this morning hoping it was all a dream, So much for a good day.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Please Andrew’s mom, Please don’t go. I love you. We all love you and look forward to your humorous takes on the State of the Raiders. Don’t pay any attention to that little b!tch, Bishop. He is a Rat who is about to abandon ship, he does not speak for the Nation.
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:24 am
New reports have us interviewing Saunders.Norv Turner part 2!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I am beyond disgusted with the current state of the Raiders and blame all of the futility and losing on senile owner Al Davis….the game passed him up years ago yet he still calls all the shots. Whenever we do end up with a quality, Al meddles and they end up going somewhere else and having success (Shananan & Gruden). Lane Kiffin inherited a mess which dated back to 2003….nobody has instant success in the league; nobody. Al Davis undermines any coach he hires and interferes in affairs that should be left to the coaches. I don’t care what type of talent the Raiders get on our roster…it will not make a difference without a consistent, quality coaching staff in place. We will never even get to 8-8 as long as Al is in the picture……..I LOATHE THAT MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I have gone from 12 year old to funny.
woohoo!!
I understand your frustration Bish. I just dont get worked up over it. It seems like theres been BS about Al and the Raiders for the past 45 years. So its nothing new to me and I just roll with the punches.
Best wishes to you and yours always.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Saunders may be too smart and technical for Americas “dumbest team”
Maybe Kiff realized that right off the bat and thats why we were vanilla ice cream all year long.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:34 am
shawn81 i just e-mailed this website to feedback@raiders.com hopefully they look at them.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:36 am
After all the interview requests that have been turned down by numerous coaching candidates would indicate to Al that nobody wants to work for him.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Way to go Raider fans….I am reading alot of your comments. Looks like most of us have finally seen what the problem is with the Raiders……….their owner. I haven’t seen anything like him in all of professional sports……..we fans deserve better but Al is getting everything he deserves in the form of the Raiders being such a losing team…..he is to blame for everything that has gone wrong since the mid 80’s…….everything. If I was Kiffin, I would stay on and do a mediocre job and collect my $4 million from that senile old S.O.B……I would then spit in Al’s face and walk out!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:38 am
My bad, didn’t see your 488 post. Sorry
January 27th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Everyone should email feedback@raiders.com
The only way to be heard is … to be heard!
Hey Hobs, I defend my right to move the raiders to the back burner until the franchise rights itself. This is not my blog, but you can betcher ass I’ll come after you if you call me out.
So, you can GFY too.
Lawlz.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:39 am
tariq I saw someone post that if you spit in Al’s face he looks up in the sky and says it’s raining. I don’t know about you but that would pretty much wanna make me choke him to death. He is pretty spiteful that man
January 27th, 2008 at 10:40 am
No offense taken, I have been a bit aggressive today but – whaddeva.
Sorry I told ya to go f*ck yourself.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I wonder what Philoshopical beliefs Bob Kraft has, We’ll never know because they dont interfere with those of his coach, Who by the way is coaching another super bowl. Get off your f%$king high horse OLD MAN!!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
no man, I agree with you. I just hate to see people try to be bullied for disagreeing. But I won’t back down either, this can only end in tears
January 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Im wathing the senior bowl on Dv-R jesus Christ what is wrong with these people ?
Rich Eisen making a big deal about KIffins jacket not having a Raider logo and this could be the end of Kiffin and the Raiders, and then they have Nolan mic’d up and he has the EXACT same jacket as Kiffin !!!
All you folks that think the media isnt biased or just plain stupid need to wake the hell up this is absurd. How can you believe any of these rumors about the Raiders if they are going to report stuff like this when you can see with your own eyes both coaches wearing same jacket ?
Laughable.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
So what if he brings in Denny Green to be GM? Just my own speculation trying to think what if Al comes to his senses and retires
January 27th, 2008 at 10:44 am
mista if only it was just a jacket. The signs are there for all to see.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Hobs, your missing the point!
The media thinks you’re so stupid they can feed you anything and you eat it, and YOU do! A 5 year old could recognize this garbage.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Would Al fire Knapp just to spite Kiffin? Why else would he sit with Saunders? Crazy old bat
January 27th, 2008 at 10:49 am
No I got the point Mista, but when Kiff is saying he hopes to be the coach next season that tells me something is going down.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hobs do you think Eisen and Schefter were not aware that Nolan had the same jacket when they commented on Kiffin?
Of course they knew you cant NOT notice so what does this say to you?
January 27th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Yeah, but Nolans owner publicly backed him and said he is secure for another year. The Raiders deny everything, the press reports everything, got only my eyes and ears and gut to make sense of it all
January 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
McDonald does a great job of exposing quotes in perfect perspective. I love what Al has done in the past. Despite the last five seasons, the Raiders still are among the league leaders in Super Bowl and playoff appearances and for that matter wins and winning percentage. Great times. But as Al would ask, what have you done for me lately? He thinks they have good players? Maybe but not nearly enough. They need a stud reciever (There’s no way Moss would’ve done here what he did with Brady. Although, a fourth rounder seems a bit weak in exchange for a record season. Unles Bowie turns into a stud. Could happen.) They need three or four d lineman. A hard as a brick strong safety. And the weak special teams are clearly a sign that all around team speed and depth are lacking. So, Mr. Davis? Kiffin isn’t good enough? Maybe he isn’t. But what are you going to do about that and the future? Give me an excuse to continue wasting my Sundays on a team that is all about the past! I cherish those memories too but I would like a few new ones!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Where is BlackHolePriest by the way?
January 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
My point is this Hobs, if you are so brazen to make a point on TV where the audience can see Nolans jacket and see Kiffins jacket being the same with no sense of shame or professionalism what do these guys do behind cosed doors with a pen or computer?
Its frightening how ridiculous the media is and they will say anything regarding the Oakland Raiders. Doesnt that make you a little uncomfortable? Its a direct shot at yours and my intelligence.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I this is a non story let’s hear from the Raiders or Al himself saying Kiffin is not going anywhere, instead of denying the story or that version of the story.
Gotta go watch a movie, later
January 27th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I wouldn’t read too much into the “I hope so” comments from Kiffin. I believe those comments are a negotiation ploy for the rumored buyout negotiations.
If Kiffin appears to be disgusted with the situation – then AL would just give him a lowball buyout offer, but if Al is made to believe that Kiffin would truly attempt to come back and coach them the buyout offer from Al will need to be higher.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I have been a die-hard Raider fan for the 24 out of my 33 living years and over the past 5 seasons I have been subjected to a great deal of ridicule from non Raider fans. My only comfort was the genuine belief that we were on our way back and that Al Davis was going to get us there. I defended Al on the Gruden deal, terrible draft picks (i.e. Brayton, Buchanon, Huff over a QB) and our coaching merry-go-round over the past 4 seasons. Finally, I believed we had seen the light at the end of the tunnel after Kiffin’s first season. Now Al has let his pathetic ego ruin any progress we had made. I am cancelling my season tickets on Monday and will no longer support the only NFL team I ever loved. I’m done until Al rides off into the sunset. There is no defending him on this one.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:57 am
The coaches the Raiders have been contacting: Lofton, Saunders, Fassel etc are HEAD Coaching candidates – make no mistake about that. Al has interviewed these guys in the past – for HEAD Coaching openings.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Jesus Hobs, who cares about Nolan and by the way they didnt back him they stripped him of power and basically gave him 1 year to either make it or break it.
The point is the media dont give a rats ass about facts when reporting the Oakland Raiders, if you couldn’t see it before its right there in living color regarding this jacket non-issue!
Hobs, what if that game wasn’t on TV and you had no idea Nolan wore the same jacket? You and me and everybody under the sun would be saying WTF is up with Kiffin fire his ass! The media didnt care that you could see with your own eyes….wakeup Hobs
January 27th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Davis is doing so well selling “Raiders gear” to gang members that he don’t need to “Just win baby” no more. And he won’t.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Al Davis is the George Bush of the NFL! Thick headed and will take everyone else down with him!
January 27th, 2008 at 11:07 am
boycotting¬ going to games won’t do any good.it will just give the old man a better excuse when he decides to move again-which he will try to do!
January 27th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Coach Kiffin don’t quit, let him fired you
so at least you can get the salary you have
coming to you. The Raider Nation will see what
a jerk he is. Good Luck
Radlady
January 27th, 2008 at 11:10 am
In Al we trust.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Al is the captain of the Titanic
January 27th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Chappy – Al is God.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:24 am
i’m really surprised at the depth of support for Kiffen…
the kid did okay… not special… sometimes immature, sometimes not…
the experience he gained this year HCing the Raiders was immeasureable… and will help him in his future endeavors…
the problem with me was he was polishing that resume starting in week one…
my perception of Kiffin was that he was more anxious to prove that he can be a Head Coach in the NFL than he was in proving that he can be the Head Coach of the Raiders for the next decade…
let the boy go where he wants and let’s get someone in here who really wants the position of Head Coach of the Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Florida Pete – the problem is that because of the constant meddling by Al and his string of fired Head Coaches – the Raiders HC position will never be anything more than a place for promising young upstarts to “polish their resume” and “prove they can be a head coach in the NFL”. Otherwise you end up with an old retread who has been fired and is desperate for one last shot. People are more upset at the constant change and lack of continuity, then they are upset about seeing Lane in particular go.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Pete you are so wrong, he does want to be
the Raiders Coach, but that won’t happen as
long as al davis is alive. Enough said.
Radlady
January 27th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Al Davis has been a liability for several years. He’s lost his touch with the game and his ego now runs the show.
I’ve been a Raiders fan since 1974. If Kiffin is gone, so am I. When Davis dies of old age, sorrow, and continued failure, I’ll consider coming back. It has become too painful to watch his stupidity.
Last year: Hire a coach that has no business coaching who has in tow a bed and breakfast owner for an offensive coordinator.
This year: Bring in a young gun who could be brilliant with a few years of on-the-job training and fire him after his first year when every member of the team is saying good things are coming and who want play for Kiffin.
Al, you stupid oaf, you can’t have an elite coach that can turn around a team in a single season because you are a freakin’ loon that nobody wants to work for!
I am disgusted by the news leaking out, I will be sick to my stomach when Kiffin is fired. I just need to figure out who my new team will be…gawd, I hate so many of them this is going to be tough.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I know it´s yesterday´s news but still…
The whole Kiffin ”attire” deal is meaningless, there is obviously something going on here.
But it does prove that some in the media will say just about anything in regards to the Raiders, even if it doesn´t make any sense and even if the facts are staring them in the eyes (Nolan´s wardobe).
This was not just some obscure blogsite or journalist, it was the NFL Network´s Insider wrongfully citing Lane Kiffin´s wardrobe as some sort of evidence.
Of course, pft.com picked it up and posted it only to have to post and update later where they just put it under the rug and moved on.
But like I said, that´s meaningless in the big picture, we still need to worry about just what the hell is going on and how is this gonna end, just be careful to fall for everything you hear or read.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:38 am
that is why i suggest we bring up people from within the organization… someone who has bled silver and black for a while…
i think this team can turn it around very quickly, but they won’t do it with Kiffen… certainly not now…
the only mistake Mr Davis made in hiring Kiffen was failing to accurately gauge what the boys agenda really was…
we had our best success bringing up someone from within… Madden, Flores… that’s my suggestion to Mr Davis… this is a family business… let’s get someone from within the family…
oh, and draft Chris Long…
January 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Now I’ve gotten over it. I’ll just accept it. Kiffin’s gone and Grampa Goon Pimp will just replace him with another jaggoff who will battle the same battles.
Let’s face it. It is irrelevant who the coach of the Oakland Raiders is, because Al is the Owner, the GM and the Coach. Fine with me.
Let’s just make it clear from now on that AL DAVIS is responsible for the fortune of the Raiders. EVERYTHING, the draft, free agents, the schemes, and the results.
You guys who support Al are right. It’s his team and he runs it his way, win or lose. Just Win Al. The Raider Nation expects results now and holds you accountable for everything that happens.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:46 am
After reading some of the above posts, I have two other observations:
1. The NFL would never step in because this another nail in the coffin of Al Davis and the NFL. NFL front office and most of the owners will have a BIG, quiet, party when Al Davis is gone.
2. The fastest way to get Kiffin fired is for the public to come out and favor Kiffin over Davis. Davis does not stand for being upstaged or more liked by anyone in his organization. Just as Marcus Allen.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Speaking of PFT. They are now saying Jerry wants to trade up with the fins so Jerry can steal Dakotas Love child. (no offense meant Dak)
January 27th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The NFL may not like AL but the other owners love him because he has huge cajones and is always willing to spit in the face of the NFL brass.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Andrew’s Mom
What owners love Al Davis? Jerry Jones? Who else?
January 27th, 2008 at 11:52 am
The other owners are probably laughing their asses off right now and calling Al a buffoon !!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 11:52 am
The Aints and the dischargers play in the London Bowl
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080126-1632-london.html
January 27th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m actually enjoying this whole fiasco. Mainly because watching a bunch of knee jerk reactions from fans ith their panties in a bunch over unproven rumors makes for some pretty humorous reading. Like Mistabrown mentioned just above abut Kiff’s gear at the Sr. Bowl — you can read anything that you want into any detail. Did anyone stop to ask whether there is a sponsorship deal with UnderArmour that explains why BOTH of the head coaches are wearing that gear? Perhaps there’s a clause in there to not wear their po team colors so that it won’t dilute the marketing value of a pure UnderArmour outfit?
As to Kiff’s no comment statement, once again everyone reads the orst possible scenario into it. But guess what? The Raiders modus operandi has ALWAYS been “no comment” Do you think it’s possible that Kiff is told to answer that way? Naaa, that would take away all the so-called proof of the doom and gloom.
Now even hopping over to the other side to play Devil’s Advocate, let’s say that it is true. Kiff has the option to resign right now but he’s choosing not to for financial reasons. Well, that seems to fly in the face of the opinion here that he is a reincarnation of Gruden, Parcells and Madden all rolled into one. If he really were that hot of a coaching commodity and was so assured of landing a top job elsewhere, why wouldn’t he walk away? His money guarantee only lasts until he signs his next coaching gig, so according to you all, he’d be picked up in about 14 seconds, keep his salary and get to move to a less dysfunctional family. But did he opt for that route when supposedly given the option? Nooooooo.
And here’s another point that people seem to be overlooking. Clearly, the largest improvement on this team from ‘06 to ‘07 was the offense. The system that was put in works better and the play of the O-line was the most notable part. Funny thing is that the Raiders brought in proven successful coaches in Knapp and Cable to run the offense and put in place the zone blocking scheme. Yet Kiffin gets all the credit for this? Even if Kiff walks, those two are also under multi-year contracts and can’t just walk off to different jobs (unless offered HC positions) so I’m not sure that there would be that drastic of a change in swapping out the HC.
Right now, this fan base, but not too many others, are over-valuing Kiffin. He’s got a lot of potential for a bright future, but this last season wasn’t exactly a home run. I’ve yet to see single poster in here back his handling of the 4 headed QB situation. And it appears from this article that he was ultimately responsible for allowing Moss’s wish for a lopsided trade and helping to hand the Patriots a Supe Bowl berth. If I were calling the shots and Moss didn’t want to play, I’d say, “Fine Randy. Either play 100% for us or you’re suspended for the year with no pay. Enjoy your NFL Ticket and watching the games this season.” The message that this sends to the team and the ret of the leage is worth far mre than a 4th round pick in a weak draft!
So lighten up people. As of right now, the team is not nose-diving into the bottomless cellar. They have all the same talent that people on here like, the same draft picks to address those that they don’t, the same key coaching assistants that made the offense tick, and yes, they still even have the same HC until we hear otherwise.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Check that…the other owners maybe love him because he makes it so easy to win over the Raiders….
*Shiiiiiiit…Al Davis just took a kicker in the first round, damn I love Al Davis*
January 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
copefan……..
I am of that opinion because Al is the one always sticking his neck out and leading the charge as a owner.
Its why the NFL hates him so much
January 27th, 2008 at 11:56 am
What owners love Al Davis? Jerry Jones? Who else?
let’s see:
owners of the Rams, Cardinals, Colts, Ravens…
that’s just for starters…
the owners of every single AFL team…
there are probably others…
January 27th, 2008 at 11:56 am
the whole point of this is NOT the greatness of lane kiffin, but rather the ineptitude of al davis. are there better coaches out there than kiffin? absolutely. however, what this franchise needs is stability. how can it ever have stability when its completely vain and selfish owner fires/hires a new coach/staff every other year, or in this case, yearly? say what you will about lane kiffin, but he probably, at least, had this team pointed in the right direction. now, he’s been publicly nuetered and shown his way to the door. i’m sure there are some “loyal optimists” who think this will all just wash over and kiffin be in mini-camp this spring even though the writing on the wall says it way too late. even if kiffin stays, it’s over and it’s sad, not to mention completely frustrating.
think of the players that have been with the “team” for 4-5 years now. they’re probably about to see their 4th different head coach, 4th different philosphy, 4th different training camp. think about it. how would you perform at your job if your “boss” kept changing?? al is the only “football mind” on the planet who thinks there is such a thing as a “stop-gap” head coach.
as of today, and maybe 15-20 years prior, al davis would struggle to run a mcdonald’s let alone a professional football team. and to be honest, right now, micky-dee’s is putting out a much better product than what al is offering.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:58 am
While there is no doubt Davis is a doof who can’t deal with reality or even understands it, I’m not sure how valid some of these reports are.
“Nor is coaching the Senior Bowl in a black Under Armour windbreaker, with the name “Raiders” nowhere in sight. The rest of the staff is adorned in Raiders gear.”
MIKE NOLAN WAS DRESSED THE EXACT SAME WAY, is he being fired? NFL Coaches have their gameday attire provided. Nolan had a beef when he wanted to wear a suit on gamedays. That is the kind of wild speculation we’re dealing with.
If kiffin was on the way out Lofton wouldn’t be interviewing him – period.
As for talent Jerry, Davis made a big deal of the fact that Kiffin KNOWS talent first hand. If Davis actually thought the team had talent that wouldn’t be an issue.
Remember: Davis likes attention (he’s getting it) and he wants mystique (even if it is bad) and he wants disagreement within his staff. He reportedly butted heads with every coach he’s had except maybe jellyfish Joe Bugel and the useless Art Shell (both were one and done).
We’ll see what really happens.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:58 am
[...] Crunch-N-Munch wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Crunch-N-Munch”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI’ve been a Raiders fan since 1974. If Kiffin is gone, so am I. When Davis dies of old age, sorrow, and continued failure, I’ll consider coming back. It has become too painful to watch his stupidity. Last year: Hire a coach that has no … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I’m a RaiderFan since 12 years old, I love the greatness of the past, but I think we should see to the future, this is not the 70s any more, its time to change this stupid Ad ideas of control, we need a general manager and a head coach that have control over his staff and personel. I think AD will fire Kiffin and when that happen I’ll quit Raiders. Good luck Lane Kiffin you are a great coach.
I’m out.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Florida Pete & Fire Kiffin must be drinking the same flavored Ensure that Al Davis is.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
COW said……..
Remember: Davis likes attention (he’s getting it) and he wants mystique (even if it is bad) and he wants disagreement within his staff.
Al has always had turmoil and chaos leading the charge. I am of the belief that Al thinks it keeps people from becoming complacent and people work harder when they are under stress.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Chappy…..
dont forget me
January 27th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Al Davis prides himself at being a very savvy business mind. He speaks of loyalty as though he wrote the only book on it. I think the biggest problem with Al Davis is his loyal fan base. He has repeatedly shown us that he could care less what we think or how we feel about being devoted fans to such a dysfunctional football organization. He raises prices, we pay. He hires Art Shell, we accept it. He polls crappy players with underachieving ways for their opinions on whom should be coach, we don’t care. We continue to show our undying support by attending the games and buying the sports gear. We are the ones at fault. Al Davis does not show loyalty to his fan base, his customers. What kind of business man is that? As conscientious consumers we should all turn our backs on the faulty, dysfunctional product called the Oakland Raiders. You know, it’s funny, we’d rather not waist our good time and money, yet Al Davis has been selling us empty promises and crappy football teams made up of crappy “AL DAVIS-PICKED” personnel for a long time now and we still buy his product. So why should he change. If he can defy sound business ethics(give the consumer something of value in exchange for hard earned cash) then why should he care? Why should he improve? We are the blame. Like junkies looking for a fix we keep money in his pocket while in every other kind of business it’s crucial to satisfy the consumer with sound, good, useful product. As long as we keep paying he’s going to keep thinking he’s a great football god and in the end it’s we the loyal fans that are made to look downright STUPID in the eyes of our peers. If Al Davis had any decency he would get out of the way and hire a good general manager, retire somewhere and try to enjoy the few years he has left on this planet. When he does kick the bucket, I promise you, will remind one of the scene in the Wizard of OZ after the wicked witch was melted. “Ding-dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the mean old witch … ding dong the wicked witch is dead …. dadadadadaaaaaa! That Mr. Al Davis is the real shame of it all.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Andrews mom Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The NFL may not like AL but the other owners love him because he has huge cajones and is always willing to spit in the face of the NFL brass.
One main reason why was the handling of JRuss’s contract demands. Al refused to allow the runaway trend of first overall picks dictating to the league that they will get a massively escalating guaranteed payment each season. This fact alone diminishes the value of a top pick due to long term ears about cap damage if they are anythin other than superstars.
Where every other owner wet themselves and signed on the dotted line, Al stood up and said that this is wrong. He proved that he was willing to slow the learning curve of his top pick as a long term investment towards protecting the salary cap. That’s not “Win Now” mentality folks, that’s strategic reasoning for the long haul.
Where you are going to see the difference this year is in how the negotations go with the ‘08 first overall pick. You know damn well that Parcells and the Fish (or whoever they trade that pick to) are going to point at the Raiders as the precedent for not paying whatever is demanded.
And don’t think for one second that the other owners are laughing at that!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Zymurge- Decent and coherent post. Here’s my rebutal:
1) If the Raiders’ (Al Davis’) media philosophy is to remain silent and secretive, that’s fine, but it’s stupid because being silent and mysterious in this case is detrimental to the franchise, especially because no free agents want to come to a team with a bunch of chaos and power struggle issues.
2) Keeping Randy Moss and punishing him in the way you suggest is ridiculous because of his 10 mil. a year salary and because it would only create a superstar malcontent that would talk smack constantly and influence the young players on the team, and possibly undermine the coach.
3) It was Kiffin who brought in Cable and Knapp and it is his system that they have implemented.
4) Maybe Kiffin’s first season was not a total mindblower, but he had R. Ryan’s defense that lost almost every lead that we had in the 4th quarter and stopped nobody when it counted. They ran over us, and this is despite that fact that our offense was in the top 5 in time of possession.
So Kiffin was on the road to making his system work, we saw that the Raiders were in every game except for Green Bay and Jacksonville, and to a lesser extent the 2 Charger games. So in reality we had a chance to win 12 games. Much better than last year. I call that progress on a major scale.
Kiffin wants to better the team and put the final pieces into place and fix the hole that caused at lest 6 loses by dumping Ryan who was a failure and Al stands in his way and now he’s out?
Think about it rationally and tell me that Al knows what he’s doing?
January 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
kiffin is the one with the ego problem- you guys are being brainwashed by the media
January 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
You guys are having a knee jerk reaction, basicly saying that Al is an idiot for forcing Kiffen out. What is it isn’t true. What if it is a bunch of bull started by some media types to stur up interest. Then is Al still an idiot. Some of you would say so just because that is your oppinion of him, but he was the one who hired Kiffen to begin with, so why not wait and see if there is any truth to is before blasting Al and threatening to to quit The Nation.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
OH PLEASE GOD FORGIVE ME.. BUT I WANT YOU TO TAKE AL DAVIS FROM THIS EARTH TO YOUR KINGDOME.. THAT´S THE ONLY WAY RAIDERNATION WILL HAVE SOME PEACE ON EARTH.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Raider fan no more or never were
Yes please leave you are not a fan and Lane Kiffin “GREAT COACH” open your eyes you definetly do not know what is great.Hey Atlanta needs you they have a GM and 3 head coaches in the last three years, and Washington needs you also, hey Miami neeeds you also three head coaches in three years and two GM’s in the last two years.
GM’s dont equla success,just leave and call that Medium gal to look in your future.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Come on Koolaid, this subject surfaced even before the season ended and Al Davis has done nothing to stop it in its tracks.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Andrews mom Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Al has always had turmoil and chaos leading the charge. I am of the belief that Al thinks it keeps people from becoming complacent and people work harder when they are under stress.
yeah, al’s teams have been woring EXTREMLY hard. so hard in fact, they get rewarded with 2-4 per year.
it completely blows mind that people still defend this invalid. the proof of this man’s complete lack of vision has been evident every sunday september through december the last 5 years. the proof is on the freakin field!!! we could tolerate it if the team was finishing 7-9, 6-10 every year, but they’re not. they’ve completely and utterly pathetic and ALL paper trails lead back to the man a lot of people will support until his demise, which is hopefully sooner than later.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
yeah, al davis is sharp as a knife.. yeah sure.
i knew it right away when he fired Gruden. Then it was even clearer when he hired Art Shell.
Now that the Raiders see light at he end of this tunnel, i`m completley sure that Al Davis is a mastermind… and wants to fire Kiffin, and hire…. Lofton..
oh my!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
How is it a “knee-jerk” reaction when the shit storm has been brewing for serveral years? This is an accumlation of garbage from since Marcus Allen became a cancer, through the Gruden thing, to the Bed and Breakfast “Turd on Toasted Rye” offense and now “The Demise of the Prodigy Acclaimed by the Blood Sucking Jive Talking, Vampire Pimp Goon”.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
2-4 wins, i mean
January 27th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Al Davis wants Kiffin out of Oakland, because Al Davis is furious about his team’s fans keeps spelling his HC’s name incorrect =)
January 27th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
“Good luck Lane Kiffin you are a great coach. I’m out.”
wow…
“a great coach”???
your choice of adjectives is amazing…
ordinary, stubborn, self-conscious might be better adjectives…
Kiffen was “out” when he was still trying to get others to say “i’m in”…
see ya, Kid, you got more than you gave…
January 27th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Raiderkoolaid
I’m just wondering the resignation letter was sent to Kiffin 3 weeks ago, why is the news coming out in the last 72 hours. Who released the info?
Did Kiffin representatives leak out the info or is Kiffin pushing the info out to save his reputation for future jobs.
Loyalty is respect by both parties involved and word of truth is an agreement between the two Al and Kiffin.
Why then does Kiffin send out feelers towards the Arkansas job and never come out publicly and dispute the rumor the first hours of the nonsense.
Believe me you dont want to let any boss know your looking for another job until you have one and then you give two weeks notice and leave.
Kiffin was looking for another job, and this will come out and his loyalty will be questioned.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
rich_gannons_love_child yeah I hear ya brotha…before Kiffin came we couldn’t even win a divisional game. WOW Al’s great vision awarded us with 2 wins over opponents in our division. God he’s a genious!
Al should be our official coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
like i’ve said, “lance” kiffin might not be the next lombardi, but the raiders have a better chance of success over the next couple of years with him than without him.
what’s gonna happen when al saunders or dennis green or mike kramer lead the raiders to a 3 win season?? what’s the braintrust do then?? hire a new one?
January 27th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
The greatmess of the Raiduhs is in their futuh !
January 27th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
By keeping Kiffin and Mark Jackson out of meetings for free agents, the draft, etc., not allowing fellow employees to have any contact, sounds an awful lot like my daughter’s eight grade class.
Way to show your maturity Al.
This is sad.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
rich_gannons_love_child > yeah I’m with you again. No retread coach is going to make it happen for us.
The big gig with Kiffin was that he was young and fresh and should have been able to grow into the position and be a Raider for life.
We need a young guy who is not bogged down in all the bogus NFL retread mentality. Coaches who will never have been great and never will be! We need a diamond in the rough who will emerge into a superstar coach. That’s why I was so optimistic with Kiffin.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I just hear on BSPN that Lofton the new OC and saunders the HC….nice mr davis u piece of sh**
January 27th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Copenhagen Fan…
yeah, I still hope Kiffin is so stubborn that Al lets him take another year =)
But hey at least we are European Champs in Handball
January 27th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Thank you La Milicia Negra for your help in getting this squared away. These loosers don’t even know how to spell the name of the coach they’re trying to save. Oh yeah you spell it LOSER, I’ve been reading this blog so long I’m loosing all my english skills.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Another possibility is that yeah Kiffin perhaps WAS illoyal and floated his CV out there and got busted. If he did do that then it was most likely that he realized that Al was totally wacked and started looking for something new.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
La Miicia! yeaaaaaaaah European Champs in Handball is allright. Our coach reminds me of Chuckie ha ha
January 27th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
What a bunch of crybabys you all are, the raiders and Al dont need any of you anyways.
The raiders are the best team in the leaugue, just the coaching was the problem, your a buncha idiots.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
the only comforting thing about all of this is that support for al davis is in the minority.
this is really the only place i ever see ANY positive things said about the man. the law of averages say that the man has completely lost it, unless it’s just a huge coinsidence that 9 of 10 raider fans i talk hate the guy.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Now that I have got my way, lets start locking out the fans dressed like clowns on sundays, this is the problem with the fans, they look stupid anyways, and im tired of being embarassed by the dumb idiots anyways.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
KoolKell..are you The Evil Grampa Pimp himself? ha ha
January 27th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
rich_gannons_love_child ..I don’t hate Al Davis! I love Al Davis…I just find his behavior inappropriate!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Howiedoin…
LOL
then don’t read my posts, my grammar is not that good, but I usually spell players and coaches name correctly.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Yea I saw that also, new HC already, and cant disagree with locking out the idiots dressed like its holoween either. No respect for the game idiots.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
ja Howie..I’m loosing my marbles here
January 27th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
575…I guess that explains no BlackHolePriest, and no Huff24? ha ha
January 27th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
we need al davis as the head coach. This way he´ll fire himself after 1 or 2 years. Then….and only then teh raiders will rise.
As long as Al is alive.. the Raiders will be dead.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
If Kiffin was trying to get a college job, he should be out. I don’t see him as a Petrino, but if you believe Al is senile you have to believe Kiffin was trying to get a college job. Kiffin definitely brings more enthusiasm than competence, but that is exactly what the Raiders need right now. He is learning on the job and the Raiders organization is learning to win again. I don’t care how much Al/Ryan/Kiffin fight as long as Kiffin is in place as the HC for the next few years at that point he’ll be competent and the organization will be cooking again.
If Art Shell was the only person that would take the job 2 years ago, who would want it if Al does force Kiffin out? You might end up with a ‘better’ coach, but you will loose all the enthusiasm that Kiffin brought.
In any case, there should pretty much always be coaching changes on a 4-12 team. I though it’d be Ryan. I’ll flip out if it is Kiffin. I won’t jump ship, but I’ll still flip. Unless I find out, for real, that Kiffin was trying to go to college, then I’ll just cry for all involved.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
KK & FK,
Al & son?
Sounds like it.
Insane ramblings!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
bout time mod, we need to clean house here is getting to be all charger fans im sure
January 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
hey Jerry,
I just talked to a scout that was at the Senior Bowl all week and said that Kiffin was noticeably staying away from all the Raiders staff and was side by side with his Dad most of the time.
Don’t you think you could let us know this stuff?
I have more contacts than you?
Do some reporting for your next blog, not just guessing.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Copenhagen-fan…
yeah that was so great, for 15 years the ladies have been in top 4 worldwide – And the Men, LOL, its been 41 years since they were in a finale. Never won any Metal, the ladies are stacked with Metal
finally some heavy metal, finally =)
About chuckie… haha, good one. When he screams his a red as a danish postbox =)
January 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Davis believes he has stocked the Raiders with enough talent to be consistent winners.
“We’ve got good players. What I worry about is injuries,” Davis said during a training camp press conference. ”
Thus proving just how out of touch and delusional this guy really is. What a friggin joke this franchise is now. And once again, the truth flows directly from his majesty, the untouchable one, Al Davis. No wonder fans of other teams are feasting on us right now. LOL.
Heaven help the Raidah Nation for Satan resides around us.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Any updates today fellas? Havnt heard anyting new today suprisingly.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Florida Pete – First of all, You are a genius. Second of all, trying to talk sense to these Kiffin lover’s is a complete and utter waste of time. They all fell in love with him at his first press conference (fast and happy) and since then he can do no wrong in their feeble brains. I suspect that they’re all actually just spurned Chuckie lovers who have now projected they’re man crush’s for Grudy on to Kiffy.
But don’t worry Florida Pete. Raider Nation hasn’t gone soft.
Just a few of the lunatic fringe.
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Badmoonguy..I believe that’s the deal. Al is crazy, Kiffin saw this and floated his CV out there for a college job. He got busted and now he’s done. Fair enough. But that doesn’t make the situation any more comforting to know that Al is so crazy that Kiffin went to those lengths to escape.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
The situation between Davis and Kiffin is pathetic and embarrassing. I wish Lane Kiffin the best, and I’m betting he will be successful in his future endeavors. The Raiders, with Davis pulling strings, seem destined to continue losing. I first bought Raiders season tickets in 1995, but I decided not to renew them after Art Shell’s laughable second stint. At Christmas, my wife put a deposit on Raiders tickets for the 2008 season. I’m calling tomorrow to cancel them. I’ve had enough of Al Davis’s insanity, and I don’t plan on coming back until he is removed from authority.
Sincerely,
Matt Crawley
San Jose
January 27th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Funny the mods gonna lockout people when you could honestly say he spreads as much disinformation as anyone, and his normal subjects are unproven thoughts or simple lies and overheard rumors. Gotta admit it raider fans all the media is biased, and now you could say most the fans are also…its official, almost everyone hates Al Davis
January 27th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
When the Arkansas job came up at that point Kiffin had eveything he was promised, hired all of his asst offensive coaches, refigured the facility, cut and released all scholarship players, was able to hire Jackson his guy to oversee player development, also was part of JaMarcus negotiations.
Davis ate 4 million dollars in salary at this point paying those former coaches from the Shell regime.
The Arkansas job comes available and we see the issue with Jordan not released the speculation was why? Let’s look at Michael Bush, was he not ready or did that dirty Al Davis get info to his feelers for the other College coaching jobs.Why cut him if you dont know for sure if Jordan is really not a good system fit
if your head coach is planning to leave.
We are wondering that maybe Jordan would go to the Chiefs or Denver, just maybe that was not the reason.
Why let go Jordan if your head coach is planning to leave also. Many fans think Jordan is a bust, but that’s when Al finally put his foot down and said wait a minute.
There are others, like waiting to IR Cooper, that’s Al holding up the process, but why again.
Also his constant berating of Walter as a Qb was stupid, how do you trade someone if your head coach thinks your worthless.
Many questions will come out soon, and some of you may have to change your opinion or may be justified.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
i don’t hate al davis either. he WAS once great, however, like former players, he is no longer great. he IS the raiders and that’s fact. what is also fact is he destroying what he is because he can’t let go. he’s trying to hold on to that last shred of relevance.
big al should step down for the same reason ken stabler is not our QB anymore……he can’t go anymore.
the great ones know when to call it quits. al is definately screwing with “great one” tag line. it’s getting to the point where no one will remember the great owner that wears 3 rings, but rather the feeble, old man who destroyed an iconic franchise.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Amyyyyyyy Traaaaaaaask, pleeeeeaaaaaasssseeee Heeeeeeellllp Uuuuuuuus……
January 27th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
LMN this Howiedoin from post 566. I have great admiration for all of the languages you work with. I speak only English and I have a hard time figuring it out myself. I enjoy your many posts as I have been reading here awhile. Kiffen and loosers just feel like fingernails on the blackboard.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Fire Kiffin…yeah the 90% of us who are backing Kiffin are the lunatic fringe while you guys are real Raiders fans.
Fire Kiffin, let me ask you this….
Does it seem rational, or sane for that matter, to you that Al selects serveral head coaches that he must believe to be competent and them dump them because they are idiots?
Either he’s EXTREMELY lousy at picking coaches or he’s crazy….either way he has to pay the piper and take responsiblity.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Fellas…
Din anyone happen to catch espn´s sunday NFL countdown special edition this morning??.
pft.com is quoting Mortensen on a McFadden-Dallas-Miami report that was on that show.
What I wanna know is what Mortensen said, if anything, on the Raiders situation today??.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Here we go again this morning with more bullshit. Here is another good example of a sports writer steve corkran with nothing to do. This morning i read in the tribune about Kiffins under armor coat with no raider logo, so hes gone. It was already established that niner coach was wearing the same coat with no logo for niner, so i guess this is the new way of showing that you dont care about the team. If anyone remembers last years north south the coaches wore blank coats also nobody said a word. although it makes for good reading and takes up space till something better to write about happens. Its all propaganda made up by the sports writers and “sources” that never pan out.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Almost forgot to thank you, Jerry. This was a very blunt and insightful article.
And I agree with Kiffin’s assessment of this team. But didn’t the 4 years previous to Kiffin’s arrival provide enough evidence to back his take on the situation? And Kiffin’s admiration for the Colts ability to draft, develop, and PLAY football players over work-out wonders is shared by me. As well as by the best teams in this league. Which is why the Raidahs don’t share that sentiment- we are one the dumbest and worst teams in the league.
Al Davis has no clue. And the results of his player assessments PROVE that. Go Faidahs!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
All this has done has made Kiffin an even bigger name tha he would have….he has potential and I would have loved to see him have some time to see what he can do….unfortunatley we will be mediocre at best until Al Davis can relenquish control enough to let someone establish control and continuity. SAD SAD SAD….I will always be a Raider fan….however, until Davis is relieved of his control….I will not get my hopes up just to have them crushed. I had some hope for change and progress…now I am just ….. I don’t even have the words….
I do agree with the last couple posts by CopenhagenFan and Gannons love child…
Fire Kiffin and Florida Pete….I respect your opinion and admire your love for the Raiders….I just disagree about Davis…Kiffin is by no means the savior….but it would be nice to see if he could have turned into one!
Just my thoughts…
January 27th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Maybe Kiff got some bad advice… I don’t blame Al for being pi$$ed if those college rumors are true! The players aint gonna fight for you if they think you are leaving! I still want Al to give Kiff an ext & more control of the team. Let him fire Ryan’ a$$.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
No way am I saying that Kiffin is the greatest coach in the NFL but he is certainly is an upgrade over the post-Gruden garbage we have dealt with. Regarding Randy Moss, does Al Davis belive he would have put up the same kind of numbers as a Raider? He threw in the towel last season (does anyone remember him half-assing on the last play in KC when we had a chance to win the game?) and it would have been even worse this season. Let’s not forget Al passed on a QB in the draft and though Aaron Brooks was the answer. We are destined to be bottom feeders as long as Al calls the shots!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
The Dublin Bottom Feeders
January 27th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Copenhagen – With all due respect, stick to handball.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
If somebody promised you something to get you to sign a contract then refused to honor his word wouldn’t you want out too? Al needs to step away and hand this once-proud franchise off to someone who can run it competently. This is the only way Al can repair his severely tarnished image. As far as I am concerned he will not be remembered as a 3 time Super bowl winner but rather as a dylusional old man desperately trying to prove he is still relevant.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Fire Kiffin> I don’t see you making any compelling arguments to contradict any of the statements being said about Al Davis. All I hear is whining about how people who oppose his leadership are not real Raider fans. Tell me what Al has done right during the last 5 years, other than hiring Kiffin?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
we need a GM period end of story
January 27th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Good morning Raider Nation!!! Please, whoah, everyone, put down your sabres, let’s put out those torches, and would someone please take that flaming effigy of Al Davis down from the main mast. Jesus. Thank you.
First off, the media reports don’t make sense while the Raider reports DO make sense. Let’s look at all the “smoke” you guys claim precedes “fire”.
1) Davis sent resignation letter to Kiff, Kiff replies by saying fire me. You know this probably DID happen. Funny thing, it happens all the time in sports organizations. Read my posts from yesterday. So what’s the result???? We KNOW the result. Kiff said he ain’t quitting, Davis said he ain’t firing. Story is over right there. Back to business as usual.
2) Oh wait, there’s a letter stripping Kiff of all his duties. This was Patently completely denied as a flat out lie by none other than Herrera AND Trask. Again, Trask is an attorney, and she knows something about contracts. If this were true Kiff could IMMEDIATELY FILE A GRIEVANCE with the NFL and win. There is NO WAY the Raiders would do that. Doesn’t make sense, legally or structurally.
3) Lastly, Kiff wasn’t wearing Raider gear at the Senior Bowl. Hold on. Kiffin wasn’t wearing Raider gear at the Senior Bowl!! Well run for the hills Ma Freaking Barker!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. The only smoke I see there, is coming out of Adam Shefter’s ASSSSSS! Kiffin was wearing Silver and Black Under Armour gear per the sponsorship contract with the Senior Bowl Asswipe.
Sooooooo, one of the wisest things ever told is the expression, “consider the source.” The first story broke from the SF Media, Ray Ratto and Nancy Gay. You guys it would take me weeks to break down how many times the SF press has “broken” bad false stories about Oakland teams, just to demoralize the fans. This has happened sooooo many times it would take weeks to document it. As a matter of fact this happens NON-STOP. The next source is Peter King and Chris Mortenson with ESPN. Oh Shit, they’ve never broken a wrong story about the Raiders now have they????? 3 weeks ago, they both said Ryan was gone, where I came on THIS SITE and told all of you, Ryan ain’t going nowhere, and some of you LAMBASTED ME for that. Well, 3 weeks later…
Now, we come to Adam Shefter. Adam Shefter. A former Denver Bronco team reporter. Do we need to say more? Shefter got his national credibility by saying last year, Art Shell would be fired, three days after the season ended. Wow. 2-14 Art Shell, whose team quit on him after week 9. What a great piece of journalistic foresight. Shoot Shefter should’ve won the Pulitzer Prize for that!!!! I KNEW Shell was gone in Week 4, for gawd sakes. The reason the Raiders denied that story was they wanted to give Shell some dignity by NOT having it spilled all over the national press before they had talked to him. Shefter is an ass wipe.
Now at all of you. Raider RR, hang your head in shame. Thank God Black home Priest isn’t here to see this. Look at you others over there, dumping your Raider gear over the side. I mean what the fooook???? This is EXACTLY what all those screw heads wanted-to get the Nation divided. To destroy the greatest Fan base in all of sport by rumours and innuendos. What is wrong with some of you?? You cannot destroy the Raider Nation!!! You can’t divide the Raider Nation!!!!! Everyone that is still left, I want to hear NATION on three. Ready, one, two, three, NATION!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
i don’t think ANYONE in here is hailing kiffin as a genius. again, that’s not the point. kiffin by no means is an upper-tier coach, well, not yet at least. point is, a team needs a consistant purpose and vision; a common theme. if we keep changing coaches, that will never be achieved.
do you think jack del rio a great coach?? how about tom coughlin?? no way. their players, however, do buy into what they do and say. christ, it took longer than 2 years for bellichek to build the patriots into what they are.
but keeping a coach for longer than 2 years would be rational, and these days, there haven’t been too many rational things going on in alameda.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
This whole thing is getting very boring, and I hope it dies by the end of this week one way or the other.
If Al wants Lane gone then fine be a man you old coot pay him his money and part the ways. Even though I think brining in yet another head coach yet again would be a mistake.
Then since doing this will perrty much seal the fate of next year as another loosing one why not just make Rob Ryan the new head puppet.
The team is going to suck so lets make things entertaining and we can watch Ryan and his crazy hair stom up and down the sidelines cussing at anyboddy and everybody as his team finds yet another way to lose a game.
It would be like watching John Madden if he had been coaching a crappy team.
They may not win but it might be fun to watch Ryan go through a melt down every week. 
Al though that being said if he was smart if Lane leaves Ryan should walk too why stay on a sinking ship?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Sorry Oakglenn but the writing is on the wall. The only reason Kiffin is still the “head coach” is because Davis does not want to pay him off. On three-Al Davis is a pathetic old man!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Oakglen> I respect your post and it seems coherent enough, but if the Media is spitting The Nation apart then It’s Al Davis’ job to make it right. He ain’t done that yet.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
The statements from fans today is a far cry from what people were saying last off-season. IF this information is true regarding Al Davis, I told ya so. You just have to admit that Al Davis does business in his own way and like no other. He also tends to do it the wrong way with his beliefs that don’t add up to today’s game. With or without the current news, this is how Al Davis is and the media is using what they know about him to broadcast this stuff even greater. If Al Davis is going to win, its going to be on his terms because in his mind, he is right. Thats all that matters to him.
Regardless of the truth in the recent news, I would really like to see Davis go. I don’t know how it can get done but it needs to get done. I don’t know who to replace Davis with but I don’t think his family is the answer. Anybody who has a father like Al Davis HAS to be screwed up. I can’t imagine his son being any less insane. Its nice to see so many people have a wakeup call and at the same time…I feel really bad about it because I admire everyones love for Al Davis. I just don’t agree with it.
I have seen the light a long time ago and many people fought for AD but blindly. If you want the Raiders to win, you just have to open your eyes and see the true light of the man that has run this organization into the ground. Can he pick some amazing coaches? Sure but he has also gone away from picking amazing coaches by instead picking coaches who will do what HE wants instead of what THEY want. Madde, Shanahan, Gruden and Kiffin are examples that Davis knows a great coach when he sees one. He just lacks the patience and the ability to see the future by the way of a plan.
AD doesn’t care about chemistry. He doesn’t care about control. AD is like the Raiders. Out of control and full of penalties. Al Davis moved the Raiders away from us. He brought the Raiders back but with the PSL crap. We hardly get any Raider coverage as the San Francisco Bay Area has DOMINATED the air waves over anything Oakland. Isn’t that sad? I wish to God we had a station that we could listen to that had more to do with the Raiders but no…we’re forced to listen to a station that bags on the Raiders day in and day out.
Thats AD’s fault. There is no other way to think about it. This sh!t has to stop. A few catchy phrases, a team that never tackles, always commits the most amount of penalties, always goes against what the teams around the league are doing…etc. I would like to wait for more concrete news to the stories listed above but this information stinks of Al Davis in that its typical. It is too much like Al Davis not to believe. This is who he is and this is who he has been and while most have ignored that fact…its about time we wakeup from this nightmare and find a way to oust the man you have all loved because it is obvious that the game has passed him by. Don’t let the game pass you by as well.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Drama sells and business is good.
Way to go OG!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
A question for System’s Moderator (post #575)
Did you mean to infer that anyone who accesses this sit by wireless (as I do) will be permanently banned or merely those who are on the “exclude” list?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Al is God. Al is a legend. Al is an icon.
Al doesn’t need anyone to defend him. Al has forgorren more about footbal than ANY of us will ever know. You can all say negative things about him if it makes you feel better, but deep down you all realize that NONE of you know anything about football, myself included relative to his knowlege and expertise. If Al thinks Kiffin isn’t the right man for the job, than I trust his judgement.
Al is God.
Kiffin’s a fraud.
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Wow 600+ odd posts on this blog entry. My apologies but I’m sure u understand that I just couldn’t go through all of that. At the same time I don’t have to.
The vast majority of Raider fans are of the same accord on this one. This situation, if it is one, is just beyond comprehension. Its unbelievable to be sure.
The one thing I’m not gettin’ is these coaches wanting to come to Oakland for an interview. Do they not see the situation as it stands or is everything being reported by the media speculating lies? If I were a coach I would not want to coach here. I don’t care how rare the job is. They’ll put themselves in an absolutely horrific situation.
What’s scary is we have no statements or PC from the organization willing to explain what happened or is going on. From the outside looking in this is chaotic.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Yeah Al is kinda like God…an old outdated fictional character that is vengeful and judgemental ha ha ha
Just win baby??? Al’s not winning, he’s gotta live up to his own motto and cut the cord because he’s not delivering the goods. It’s the same logic that he uses with his coaches. You don’t win, you get shown the door.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Can we trade Al for a 4th rounder?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
John Clayton just mentioned that both Al Saunders and James Lofton will be interviewing this week and so hopefully we will know about Kiffin’s state this week one way or the other. Also, there is an article on MSNBC.com that Al and Kiffin have clashed from the start. Al Saunders is unlikely to get the job because he commands big-time money and I think Al is cheap
January 27th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Chaos is a friend of mine.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
On a slightly different note…
Does anyone else hate the Corny A$$ way Raider shows are presented? The Raider Report and Behind the Shield… They even have guys who normally tell it like it is spewing the company rhetoric. Guys like JT The Brick…Papa….Plunkett…I really like those guys, but it is hard to watch…it insults my intelligence. And I LOVE the Raiders, and I can’t stand to watch it….I still watch it, but it annoys me.
Does anyone else feel this way?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I have been a Raider fan my whole life and will be until the day I die. Here’s the thing though, I’m only 24 years old. I was 9 months old when the Raiders crushed the Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. In the 24 seasons since we’ve only played in one other SB and got spanked (I’ll get into that more later). Here is a quick summary of what I’ve experienced in my Raider lifetime so far:
1. During the last 6 seasons in L.A. with Art Shell as coach we won two playoff games (but one of those games only brings back the painful memories of Bo Jackson). The farthest we advanced was the AFC championship where Buffalo beat us by a million points.
2. In the 13 seasons the team has been back in Oakland we’ve made the playoffs 3 times… 3 times!!!! The season we finally make it to the SB we face the coach who built our team and we were still using his playbook. We’re on our 7th head coach, and that may go up to 8 this offseason.
3. Terrible draft after terrible draft. Rickey Dudley, Matt Stinchcomb, Derrick Gibson, Napoleon Harris, Phillip Buchanon, Tyler Brayton, Robert Gallery, Teyo Johnson, Langston Walker, Fabian Washington, etc. The one that kills me the most is Sebastion Janikowski with the 17th pick in the 2000 draft. A kicker in the first round, and an inaccurate one at that!!!! The latest blunder being using the first pick in the 3rd round last year on Quentin Moses only to cut him. The highest draft choice in NFL history to not make the team that drafted him. Sustained success can only come through building your team through the draft, which is why we have sucked for so long. Who’s the head scout for the Raiders? The one and only Al Davis
I could go on and on, but my point is that the one constant in all of this is Al Davis. For as brilliant as he was before I was born I’ve only seen him make stupid mistake after mistake, and these last five years have been a nightmare. Aside from Jon Gruden, none of the coaching hires he’s made have agreed with me, including Lane Kiffin. He’s made the environment so bad that no highly touted coaches want to work for him (Sean Payton, Jason Garrett, Ken Whisenhunt). Even Bobby Petrino turned us down. Our front office continues to be understaffed and overmatched, and as a result the depth of our roster will continue to suffer.
What’s happening now is not about Lane Kiffin with me. It is totally about Al Davis and the way he’s run this team. The difference between Lane Kiffin and the rest of the garbage hires like Norv Turner, Shell 2.0, and Callahan is that the difference in the product on the field was obvious. We only won two more games, but we we had a chance to win 9 to 10 of the games we lost, and that’s a huge accomplishment considering the roster Kiffin took over. Adding more good players to the roster will turn those close losses into wins, but the old man is senile enough to think this team should’ve made the playoffs… UTTERLY RIDICULOUS & UNREALISTIC.
At some point I’d like to brag about a SB win that I’ve witnessed, but with AD running things I’m pessimistic. Boycotting is an admirable idea, but in the end he’ll never change. He’ll probably just move the team again. Getting rid of Lane Kiffin now after a positive year is a mistake, even if he was interested in other jobs. The bottom line is that if AD hadn’t turned the franchise into a joke we wouldn’t have these problems.
GO RAIDERS… SILVER & BLACK FOR LIFE (I just want this nightmare to end)
January 27th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
what is the saddest part of all this??
AL Davis doesnt give a damn what we, the media, his family, his staff, God and The Devil think.
He just listens to his ego and maybe, Michael Jackson.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Bo’s Hip- I concur.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
i love the fact that he can no longer throw around the most winning team in all of sports, and no more…the greatest monday night team, by the time hes done non of these things will be true, hes ruined his own legacy
January 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
What do u guys think about Al Saunders? He is supposed to be an offensive mind and his playbook is supposed to be over 700 pages. he also follows the “vertical game” rather than the west coast offense
January 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Matt Crawley,
I feel you. I have been a season ticket holder since I could afford them back in the late 90’s. Also, I travel from the LA area up to Oakand for the home games. I’m not just spending hard earned money on tickets, it’s costing me travel also. For what???? I’m a die heart Raider Fan….that is questioning the direction the organization is heading in, again??? Yeah, these are only rumors…but hell, why do they continue when I thought we were heading in the right direction….Yeah Al Davis, we were only 4-12…but atleast it was fun attending games at the end of the season. Last year, the month of december was horrible. The team was lost…This year, Kiff kept the squad together and battled in every game. Thats the big diiference and why I felt we were heading in the right direction. With the addition of a few good players and a good draft, we will contend next year. But all this crap of firing the coach and Kiff not getting along with Al….enough already…
Yesterday questions should have been, who are you looking to draft?, not will you be back next year!!!!!
ENOUGH!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Behind The Shield, The Raiders Report, Raiders.com, and anything that is raiders’ official, is the same as the team: It has to be approved by AL Davis. So it all will be sh*t
January 27th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
People here have been praising and hailing Kiffin as genius since he was first hired. And for what? Because he coached at USC. Kiffin has done nothing to deserve being compared to the great Raider coaches of the past, yet it was and still is being done. Kiffin comes in talking all that absolute crap-ola, cutting players left and right and brings in basically an entirely different fails during the season and does nothing but make more excuses and threaten how he’s going to cut even more players blah-blah-blah. Kiffin you won four lousy games you deserve nothing but the door. And for those that think we should blindly continue on with this guy Kiffin for the sake of continuity, please. Can we at least hire a coach with some NFL coaching expereince and know how. Someone with a proven track record. Kiffin failed and badly.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Same old, same old. Nothing to see here, move it along.
The Raiders nor Al will be baited into making any press releases or conferences just to satisfy the media’s speculation. This has been like this for years and has made the Raiders a very easy target for local media who know that they can say pretty much anything they want without any return fire.
The media wants a dialog with the Raiders badly and Al will not give it to them. He is in the business of football, not explaining what someone heard thru someone’s sister’s cousin’s boyfriend. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS!!
I think Kiffin enjoys it to be honest with you.
So they get their 2-3 stories a week with hopes of maybe someday breaking the Raider nut!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Reading on whats going on with the Redskins it looks like we have company in the world of chaos!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Al Saunders?
The Dumbest Team in American can’t handle a 700 page playbook, especially with a rookie QB.
The vertical game? Yeah let’s do that….no recievers who can actually get deep and an offensive left tackle who will get our multi millionare untested QB killed.
Al Davis is a genius.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
This topic has brought out some of the best creative writing I have witnessed on this blog. Wonderful. Story-telling at its best. Unfounded rumors and widespread speculation have put words in everyones’ minds.
Let’s see, Dennis Green as head coach might bring along Larry Fitzgerald. I’d take that in a heartbeat over the current circumstance.
A question for Gannon’s_Love _Child. You are a football coach correct? Now, with no NFL experience whatsoever would you, as a new HC of the Raiders be expected to be handed complete control over all decisions regarding coaches and personnel from day one of your tenure? Even if you were not given complete control immediately, would you expect your control to be elevated after winning a very modest 25% of your games?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Fire Kiffin – Firing another coach isn’t the answer. How many coaches do you want to go through? If you’re mad about the choice of coaches we have had, then blame Al Davis because hes the one that makes all of these decisions. I’m just happy to see a coach finally put his foot down and fight for himself unlike Joe Bugel, Mike White, Norv Turner and Art Shell.
The coaches who have fought Al Davis have gone on to win Superbowls while we have continued to lose. Shanahan fought for himself and later won 2 Superbowls. Gruden fought for himself and won a Superbowl against us. Kiffin is fighting for himself and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win a Superbowl somewhere else. Joe Bugel? Never mentioned. Mike White? Never mentioned. Norv Turner…It took a GREAT team to make him look good but he had about 8 years to make a winner out of Washington and 2 years with the Raiders. The Chargers were already good but not good enough. Art Shell? Only the Raiders would be dumb enough to hire him as Head Coach TWICE.
Bill Callahan was right when he called this team The Dumbest Team in America. The truth hurts. I don’t think he was only calling the players that…he was focusing on the organization as a whole. John Fox…a former Raider Defensive Coordintor who “supposedly” had a feud with Al Davis which I believe to be true has gone to a Superbowl. Our Superbowl team was built by Jon Gruden and taken away by Jon Gruden.
Also, you want another coach? Who the hell wants to coach the Raiders? Do you realize that Kiffin is here because nobody else wants the freakin job? It doesn’t matter who coaches the Raiders, Al Davis has the final say anyways so you have your coach. As long as Al Davis is here, he will be coaching this team. You would know that since you called him a God, a legend and an icon. By the way, even Gods, Legends and Icon’s get too old at one time or another.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Stop whining. Suck it up. Suffer in silence.
Lane Kiffin is a used car salesman.
Some of you bought his act hook, line, and sinker.
Thankfully, Al does isn’t so easily hoodwinked.
Just win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I totally agree that unless we get about 10 new players, Al Saunders will be another failure. Read this about Al Saunders and you will know that the Dumbest Team in America can’t handle him
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Saunders
“The Al Saunders offense, an Air Coryell offense, requires a quarterback with a very accurate sense of timing and trust with the receiver”
I don’t think we have the accurate sense of timing and trust with our current QB/receiver duo
January 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Vicky > Air Coryell only works when you have Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Chuck Muncie, Wes Chandler and John Jefferson…….or Mel Grey, Terry Metcalf and Jim Hart.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Al’s Goon…
I disagree.
It was clear that while we only won 4 games, we were a much better product on the field. We looked like a real team for a change.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
So it appears that AL Saunders will be another classic move by Al Davis. I think the old man has lost it.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
The only direction Kiffin is leading the Raiders in is in the direction of yet another losing season filled with more excuses and blaming everyone but himself. I knew AL wouldn’t sit back for to much longer and watch Kiffin further destroy the Raiders. As usual AL will find away to get us back on top not some Monte Kffin want to be that has never headed anything let alone a professional football team. Send Kiffin and his four wins packing AL, Denny Green will do just fine.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
My point is Kiffin may be gone, Kiff may not be gone. Al Saunders was a WATER BOY when Al Davis FIRST coached the Oakland Raiders. Al Davis has known James Lofton for longer than Lane Kiffin has been alive. He’s known both these guys for an awful long time. Both would be extreme assets to our coaching staff. Let’s see what happens.
Let’s look at San Diego for a second. 14-2 GM and Head Coach have a knock down, drag out, resulting in the HC getting bagged, and a retread being brought in, and let me tell you guys something. They should’ve won the last two years. Fights in organizations happen. But it is RIDICULOUS to have huge fights when you’re winning
We are 4-12. 4-12. Let’s do that again 4-12. When you’re 4-12 changes HAVE to be made. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying Al Davis hasn’t made mistakes, believe me. Davis has made plenty of mistakes. What I am saying is I’m not gonna let the SF press, ESPN, and Adam Shefter destroy the greatest fan base in the history of humanity. I am not gonna allow that. Let’s settle down and see what happens.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Vicky as far as I know, Al is pulling the same thing he did when he hired Art Shell if he hires Saunders.
The Air Coryell offense (as far as I recall) originates from the old Sid Luckman offense that Al Davis has always loved.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Huff24 always talking about “I told you so”. Give it a rest blowhard! The Dumbest Blog Poster in America. The truth hurts…
It’s tricky
January 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Vicky
Al Saunders is another retread, he is 60?
As the offensive coordinator during his tenure at KC they had a dynamic offense when Vermeil was the coach.
He had Trent Green in his prime , Tony Gonzales as a TE
and Priest Holmes as a RB, with a very good and solid Offensive line. During his time there KC was an offensive juggernaut, but defensively they were terrible and thus could never get over the games played
in wich the scoring was high.
When Vermeil left why wasn’t Saunders promoted to Head Coach instead they hired Edwards from the Jets.
He moves to Wash to be paid the highest dollar as and Offensive Coordinator. His two seasons in Wash were he was the OC they never were a high powered offense and were routinely ranked towards the bottom in all offensive categories.
Players and coaching have and will always be given too much credit and to much blame when things go bad or good.
A 700 page offensive play book is not a reason to think anybody is a reason to hire somebody and his previous record at Wash is also a reason to be cautious.
Al of Snyder’s money in Wash never produced a great offense, when Saunders was there.
Why didnt Al hire him last year or Petersen the Year before.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
*screw these friggin’ kids with their dump and dink and west coast schemes, what we need is Al Saunders to get us back to playing vertical Raider football*
Al Davis………..
Bed & Breakfast number two coming right up.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Yes that’s true about the Air Coryell offense and i totally agree that we don’t have the personnel to implement it nor am i sure if we can ever do that in today’s NFL in the first place.
I read this article on MSNBC where Kiffin wanted to replace 5 assistants that he brought. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22865702/
So wishful thinking of me says that he wants to replace Knapp and WR coach with Saunders and Lofton and he remains
Just kiddding, I think we are back to being the laughing stock like it was under Shell. Gosh I can’t bear to see Gallery and his flat feet get beat million times again
January 27th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
OG -
It appears that you are mostly falling on deaf ears with your rational perspective. Not to worry they will all be back eventually, saying that they never left and we’ll still be here. Keep up the good posts bro.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I’m with Huff24…I tried to “joust” with him a couple of times on the side of Al Davis. I give Huff24 his props now.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Much better product than what? The dolphins? Failure is failure. How people can put a rating on failure is beyond me. 4 wins out of 16 regular season games is a failure. KIffin failed. The experiement hiring a young, unknown, and unheard of failed. Time for more conventional moves. Time to bring in a real coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
big al,
Denny Green said two years ago before we hired Shell and before he took a position with the Cardinals that the Raiders coaching situation was “treacherous”. He will do for you? Figurues.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Does it really matter who the offensive coordinator is? Al Davis wants his Head Coach to call the plays or has he already forgotten that due to his bad attitude? Is Al Saunders going to replace Greg Knapp? You can’t blame Knapp for this year because he didn’t call plays so why would you replace him? What is Saunders going to do as a position coach? How much influence could he possibly have? This whole situation is twisted.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Fluffy24 – You are not a Raider fan.
Exhibit 1 -In the first quarter of the Raiders victory over KC, Fluffy 24 posted some negative nonsense about the Raiders chances in the game before letting Raider Nation know that he was off to church.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER!!!
Exhibit2 – Three weeks ago you announced that if Kiff was “out”, Fluffy24 was also “out.”
Be a man and honor your word.
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
CopenhagenFan Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
“I’m with Huff24…I tried to “joust” with him a couple of times on the side of Al Davis. I give Huff24 his props now.”
Sucker!
My Adidas
January 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
The Raiders should be thinking along a singular line of reasoning, if such is possible, and that is the development of one JaMarcus Russell. He gets ten times the money of the head coach and he is to be the franchise. Whatever it takes to find the right HC to allow him to flourish is fine by me. A year under their belt with Cable’s supervision, the O-line can begin to get it together better all the time. An Air Coryell offense via Al Saunders, what’s the problem? Does anyone hereabouts think that JaMarcus was greatly benefitted by the four-headed QB monster of the past season?
Oh, just read that the Feds are going to be giving rebate money to everyone in May, just about the right amount to buy, for free as it were, season tickets.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Reverend Run – Aaawwww. Did I strike a nerve? Maybe I am the Dumbest Blog Poster in America but that still didn’t stop you from reading my posts. Obviously you had enough itch in you to take the time to read the dumbest post EVER! I am happy to have made you dumber than you already are. Thank you.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
M…good point. But what’s the use of changing the system to an Al Saunders scheme when he’s just going to get fired after one or two years anyway?
Al should be the coach!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Lets just hire a new coach every year until we get it right….thats what most of you are suggesting…..right?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Al’s GOON….Kiffin did not fail. It was a 3 year plan.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
CopenhagenFan…
Aren’t you a US citizen, just living in DK? or am I totally out of bounds ?
ignorant post of the day..
_____________________________________________________
# FIRE KIFFIN Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Copenhagen – With all due respect, stick to handball.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Big Al’s Goon – Time for more conventional moves? The only way we’re going to get that is by replacing the guy who makes the moves. Al Davis.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Gnary,
If Denny want’s the job you can bet your life we’ll be better than this past year under the Kiffster. Four freak’in wins and people are defending his crap. And if Denny doesn’t want the job there are plenty of others that will. Besides AL can always go back and look up under another rock and find another Kiffster.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
La Milica…yeah I’m a US Citizen. But one’s citizenship has absolutely no bearing on intelligence or the validity of an opinion. I don’t even watch handball, but Fire Kiffin has no legitimate documentation to refute my argumentation so he resorts to petty insults and telling me I’m not a Raider fan.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Hey everybody…….We should win the Super Bowl every year….we have the best players at every position….when we don’t succeed it is the dumbass coaches fault….at this rate we need to start firing coaches after the first four games…we could have 4 coaches in one year.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Damn…like Scottish said, it´s looking like civil war in here, let´s all put down the guns for awhile, I´m sure we´ll get to the bottom of this soon enough.
Copenhagen…It´s Sid Gillman, not Sid Luckman.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Oakglenn: In response to your post 641 wher you state a couple of times that you are not going to allow the media to destroy the Raiders fanbase.
Oakglenn “I an not going to allow it.”
My question is, what are YOU going to do about it?
Go Raiders
January 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
It takes at least 3 years to get a winning program. So Al Davis has lost it if he fires Kiffin and replaces him Saunders, Lofton, Green or whoever incl. himself
January 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Fire Kiffin – Is that all you got? Your biggest arguement is that I am not a Raiders fan? Oh no…Fire Kiffin of all people said I am not a Raiders fan. You mention things I have said without a single post to back it up? Now you’re just spitting what you “think” I said. You’re saying that I said something in the 1st quarter of the first game while you’ve been Fire Kiffin from the start? So….You were ready to fire the Head Coach before he ever had a chance? You must not be a Raider fan. Ooohhh…that was creative wasn’t it?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Al’s Goon..strangely enough I felt that we were lucky to win 4 games this year. We even beat two teams in our own division!
January 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Vicky, the Air Coryell offense that Saunders runs would require a great set of offensive coaches to bring the receivers (especially a new corp of receivers) up to snuff. If you are gonna bring in Al Saunders to run the O, you would HAVE to have a great receivers coach to teach the timing and routes. Someone, I don’t know, maybe someone like James Lofton, if he were available.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
LMN
Fire Kiffin may have noticed a stuck up kid with no chance for succeding in todays NFL
Maybe he just used his gut for his observation and decided he was not a good fit.
To say he is ignorant after the last 72 hours is like telling a lottery winner that picked the correct numbers, was stupid to pick those numbers.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Big Al,
That wasn’t my question to you are you fine with someone who thinks the Raiders coaching situation is treacherous? It must be this great friend of Al’s whom you so dearly love might not be gung ho for him as you are. Besides maybe Denny has some sense in him, after all he’s turned Al down how many times? I am sure he wants control of his staff as well, sorry Al you can’t hire my assistants!
January 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Marley…I got my Sid’s mixed up!
thanks for the help. Was that an official “marley” I got there or a friendly helping hand?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Fire Kiffin – BTW, If I was unable to finish a game because I was off to Church…thats because my love goes to the one and only true God. You spend too much time worshipping a person whom you believe to be a God. Good luck with that. I’d say, “See you in Hell” but it looks like you’ll be there alone.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Bobby, watch and learn
January 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I think that SoulPatrol should be our coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
OakGlenn, I totally agree with you. i don’t think we have the personnel ready for Al Saunders offense i.e. speedy receivers, good pass blocking O-Line, receivers who can catch balls. the jury is still out on the QB. I am not saying AL Saunders will do wonders and i think it is a bad move to replace Kiffin at this stage and bring another new system for JR.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Huff,
You’re kidding right? Get rid of AL? AL is the guy who hired Mr.USC assistant coach that so many here have a man crush on for absolutely nothing. AL has done way more to help than hurt the Raiders. AL stays Kiffster goes. Raiders continuing moving forward towards consistent winning. We can’t stay with a coach that has proven he isn’t ready. Many here admitted that Kiffin was learning how to be a head coach last year. What a horrible statement to admit. Let him go to some other team and learn how to coach. There are plenty of teams in the NFL that have never won and will never win because winning is not the most important thing to them. Winning is everything to AL. Kiffin can go learn elsewhere.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Vicky – I skimmed through that article from MSNBC and whoever wrote doesn’t know what the hell they are talking about.
If all some of you see in Kiffin is a 4-12 product then you are surely blind.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Copenhagen..lol, there´s no such thing. common mistake.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Edward T – Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
You the man.
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
The passion of the fans here is what makes this Nation unlike any other. The calling out of so and so by so and so is a bit detracting but hey, that’s passion. Marley and Oakglenn seem to settle y’all down with reasoned thoughts. Very nice.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
in response to your question “M”, my answer is yes. kiffin, or any other head coach, should should have total control over who his coaches and players are. i understand this is not SOP in oaktown. al davis should only be signing checks. his constant meddling and underminding of his head coaches sends a clear messege to assitant coach as well as players: the HC is not in control. this is what causes discord.
this a complete mess. if kiffin stays, he’ll have no control and no say in anything. players and coaches, especially those who are “al’s boys”, will get away with whatever they want. no one will be held accountable. that is except for the guy with no power: lane kiffin. he is a no-win situation, just like the unlucky sap will replaces him.
this is how al’s rouge leadership hurts the organization. all reports of al’s reputation, true or untrue, eliminate A LOT of great players and coaches from even considering oakland as a new home. as long as AD is around, we’ll have to tolerate other teams tablescraps in terms of free agents and coaches.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Oakgeek: I’m waiting…
January 27th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Don’t let Fluff push you around Fire Kiffin. He is always playing both sides to a fence garbage and then tells us he was correct. Anybody can be do that like a politician, or he’ll get out his encyclopedia info and prove how smart he is.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Big Al’s GOON – Do you realize that Al Davis is the one hiring these guys and giving these guys 3 year contracts only to turn around and not give them 3 years? What does that say about Al Davis’ mind? Does he not even trust in his own decision? Does he forget why he hired him? Does he change his mind? What does that do for a franchise in dire need of consistency? I believe in Kiffin more because I have agreed with most decisions he has made. Lets be honest, without Kiffin we wouldn’t have Tom Cable, Tom Rathman and Greg Knapp.
We wouldn’t have the #6 Rushing attack and a better prepared Jamarcus Russell for next year. Fargas would have never been great this year. This team would have been Art Shell #2 this year and we would have been lucky to win 2 games. We would have had another poor draft. We wouldn’t have had Zack Miller, Oren O’Neal, Justin Griffith, Cooper Carlisle, Jeremy Newberry, a new Robert Gallery. Kiffin is getting rid of alot of bad players. Some players he brings are temporary players but they are needed until this team can be turned around and thats alot of work.
Why would Al Davis hire Kiffin and say great things about him? If you trust AD so much, you would trust AD’s decision making. Period. What will AD do now? Hire Sarkisian? Will you then blame Sarkisian for being a bad coach?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Coppenhagen,
Where is it written that it takes 3 years to have winning program? It didn’t take Gruden 3 years to have a winning program. It didn’t take the Pittsburgh coach Tomlin 3 years. Sean Payton didn’t need 3 years. etc., etc.,etc. The list goes on and on of coaches in their first year doing well. That 3 year plan crap is just that crap. If you can coach you can coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Thanks for the response Gannon’s_Love _Child. I figured that you would give a well thought out response and you did.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Bobby
OAK is like GOD on this blog he is always right so bow done and listen to his almighty.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Did you see Daunte trying to line up with the fins again?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Edward T – I’m sorry. Who are you again? I don’t recall seeing you until now. Now you have something to say? Please. Don’t kiss too much Fire Kiffin @$$ now. He’ll soon change his name to Fire Green and then maybe Fire Shell once again. After that…who knows? If we’re lucky, we just might be the first team to have 10 coaches in 10 straight years.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Oakgeek: You just explained how you were going to school me on how to keep Raider Nation together and all you have to say is that I’m gay?
Is that what you were referring to when you said “Watch and learn.”?
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hey Huff I think Edward T is Bobby Comers gay lover.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
you know what I don’t get his why people who were in the “know” stated that Al listens but it’s up to that person to sell him the plan. Well, Kiff sells Al on trading Randy and now he is mad at him for what? Being fooled?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
GOON…there is no official rule that it takes 3 years to win. Kiffin was given a 3 year contract and the Raiders were the worst team in the league when he took over. I see 3 years as being reasonable.
You cite 3 coaches in your argument. Tomlin inherited a team that had just won the Super Bowl 2 years before and was coming off an down season because their QB was nearly killed and was screwed up the entire year.
Gruden took over a team built by Tony Dungy and pushed them over the edge to the Super Bowl. If Gruden is so great why did Al Davis fire him?
The list goes on and on? You only have ONE single example of a one year turnaround, Sean Payton. Is that all you got? Do your homework or stay out of the kitchen.
I think that Kiffin CAN coach. He showed that as he vastly improved the worst team in the league and made a disaster into a season where we were in most of the games, only to be thwarted by our Defense that gave up points on the ensuing drive after we took the lead in the 4th quarter on countless occassions. As the good coach he is, Kiffin tried to rid himself of the coordinator of the failure of a defense and is getting canned because of it.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
OAKGLENN…it seems as if Soul Patrol is gay. He has “gaydar” if he can identify them so well.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Big Al’s GOON – As a matter of fact…it did take Gruden 3 years to build a winning team. Going 2 years at 8-8 is not a winning recrod. 9-7 would be a winning record. He went 12-4 in his 3rd year.
As far as Tomlin goes. He took over a winning team because the Head Coach retired. Most of the assitant coaches, including the Defensive Coordinator were mainstays so there was alot of consistency and chemistry left over the the past regime. A Winning Franchise.
I would agree with you about Sean Payton and the Saints. They were incredible in their first year. Did you notice they missed the playoffs this year? Not everything always pans out the way you expect.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Nice Cope
January 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Im tired of all the B.S. that goe’s on with the Raiders!! I really am!! Al Davis is really starting to make it a drag to be a Raider fan. But rest assured, I blame Lame Kiffin as well as AD!! They both leave a lot to be desired as owner and coach…….Any one who believes that Kiffin was not looking to get hired in Arkansas or UCLA is a fool. He wants no part of the Raiders!! Not anymore. It was always a short stop just to get some leverage!! But I am tired of defending Al Davis! And his STUPID decision making!! This entire organization has become a FARSE!! A real NFL laughing stock!!! HOW PATHETIC!!!!!
P.S. So, Who do you guys think will be our next COACH???? LOL!!
GO RAIDRS!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Oakglenn – I’m going to have to agree with you on that one.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Al sent the letter for resignation to the wrong coach, it should have been Ryan. the D sucked this season and the O improved and headed in the right direction. Al is thinking ass backwards.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
i’m sure all this nonsense al has created will do wonders for his young franchise quarterback. a new HC, OC, QBC will set jruss back yet another year or two. it’s a good thing he was in training camp last year. oh wait……
i’ve always been a critic of al davis. there are some guys on here (bob marley, BHP, ect.) who have made me try to be objective in terms of AD. the fact that this story is even on the news wire gives it a little bit of truth, which in turn, completely destroys ANY objectivity i’ve tried to muster when speaking of al davis.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Man Goon you are getting ya butt kicked here and you still haven’t answered my Denny Green question
January 27th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Fluffy24 – Would you like me to look up the post where you proclaim that Fluffy 24 is out if Kiffin is out?
Or would you prefer to let sleeping dogs lie?
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Huff,
Signing anyone to a contract that they don’t live up to and then firing them is sound. Look he gave Kiffin a chance. Kiffin failed, badly. Time to move on. Fargas running well is no surprise neither is Fargas being injured. Our draft was not great. We got JR who is still a big ? and Zack Miller who is a decent TE. That’s it. OO is nothing to write home about and JLH is garbage. Henderson is a project and so is Bush. The O-line was better than last year but, that wasn’t hard to accomplish. Believe me just like AL found Mr. Kiffin he will find another coach, a better coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Actually…I’ll have to apologize to Bobby Comer because I have nothing against him. I saw Edward T and Gay in the same sentence and immediately replied. Sorry to Bobby Comer. You didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I am angry because Al Davis hired a punk with no experience and sells him to us as a boy wonder with a 3 year plan to get us back on track and persuades us to buy into it and then pulls the rug from under us.
I see this as screwing me over and manipulating me as a fan. This is where my anger towards Al Davis is derived.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Glory, it will be Saunders but Lofton has a shot. Saunders has no where else to go, well Lofton doesn’t either but both will be cheap that is the main thing. Kiff will get his settlement on condition of his silence, so Al can say nothing went on as usual.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I wonder if anyone ever asked Russell what sort of offense he would prefer to run? What he feels most comfortable with. That seems to work for Roethlisberger and his OC.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
FIRE KIFFIN – You’re still blowing smoke out of your @$$. All this talking and no action is starting to bore me. You don’t really have any credibility anyways. You won’t even put in the work to prove your point. You’ll probably create something I said before you’ll even look it up because you want to be right….just like Al Davis.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Well, according to Ira Miller it turns out that Kiffin has only 1 year left on his contract for 1.7 Million.
He say´s all the other reports claiming he has 2 years and 4 million remaining are wrong, of course a ”team source” told him.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Fluff24
My job does not give me the chance to post 50 or so comments a day like you. I know you live in the Bay Area and every night I scan this sight.
I ‘m to busy to post and just read with fun your typical rants over this past year.The final straw for me was your total disrespect for BHP.
He has been on many radio stations and has better insight to the Raiders than you, you just cant stand that ,your just a jealous punk.
So that’s who I am.Just because you post doesnt make you better than anyone else here.
You seem like a boring guy here posting all the time, get a LIFE!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I will give you Kiff is a project, but Al loves projects and what is the difference in having him stay for the sake of continutity? Changing coaches every year hasn’t done them any good.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Kiffin failed? Did expect a a 12-4 season this season?
You got to be crazy.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Point being…..misinformation everywhere.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
uh, Gannon’s_Love_Child, the WMD in Iraq made all the media outlets as well.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
what IF!………FK is…..Al Davis?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
BHP is on the Raider payroll, whether he receives money or not the guy is being used as a propaganda tool. He too can’t stand a change from cleaning house and getting rid of the dead weight around the Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
dude, Al doesn’t have that much energy
January 27th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
RaiderDude..Al Davis must be more eloquent than Fire Kiffin…….
January 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Before the playoffs, i believed Al Saunders was the next HC in Washington, because everybody said so when they hired him, that he was to inherit Joe Gibbs team. I know Greg Williams was the hot name all year, but I still kept my believes that Saunders would be the man, now it looks like none of them will be there next year..
Al Saunders was a great OC in Kansas. In fact our entire coaching corp would have more merit with Lorton and Al Saunders. But I still feel and think that Kiffin would have/will do a better job had he been/is he allowed to finish the plan he had/has intended.
Saying that gruden didn’t need a 3 year plan is foolish in my mind, Gruden got a team with players that had had winning seasons once in their career. Many of Kiffins players never had a winning season. This was supposed to be a long fix not a small one that would end quick.
My perfect scenario, though its a not going to happen is, HC: Kiffin, OC: Al Saunders, QBcoach Knapp, WRcoach Lofton, O-linecoach Cable, DC Ryan, D-linecoach Orgeron, LBcoach Sean McDermott, DBc Raheem Morris and Darren Perry
January 27th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
This is like a Shakespearian tragedy. I just can’t figure out whether Al Davis is the King Lear character, the demented and delusional dying monarch surrounded by treacherous courtiers and a dysfuctional family, or is he Shylock, the bitter old miser who has just struck the devil’s own bargain and is now watching his world collapse around him.
I appreciate that many posters retain a nostalgic fondness for Davis – the swashbuckling rebel, the great anti-hero of profootball. I also fully accept that Kiffin is not yet a coach in the Dungy, Belichick class. But, the inevitable end of this sorry saga is the fall of Al Davis. Irrespective of whether you think that he is or isn’t competent, relevant, honourable or any other of the adjectives scattered thoughout the 600+ posts before this one, the most damning label that Davis cannot remove is a small, five-letter word:
LOSER
We could forgive his quirks, his idiosyncracies, his media games, his arrogance and everything else if this was even close to being a winning franchise. But it isn’t. This is the worst performing franchise in the NFL over the past five years. Players have come in, failed and been cut. Coaches have come in, failed and been sacked. Schemes have been tried, seen to fail and replaced by something equally unsuccessful. The only consistent factor in the Raider’s abject mediocrity has been Al Davis. His hires, his fires, his total responsibility.
That is why I have given up on Davis. He is a loser.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Big Al’s GOON – Honestly. What kind of expectations did Al Davis have for Kiffin to turn around a 2-14 team? You said Kiffin failed badly…compared to what? The last 5 years? The O-Line was better than last year but that wasn’t hard to accomplish? I can understand being better than last year…but #6 in rushing? This is the NFL. Do you realize how much better that truly is? Thats an incredible number when you consider the players on that line. You say that Al will find a better coach. Who? No big name coach wants to come here. Why do you think that is? Seriously…tell me why? Its because Al doesn’t give them the power they need to succeed. Thats why.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Huff,
I’d take 8-8 over 4-12 anyday and check out Pittsbugh’s record the year before Tomlin took over. And as usual you can make up as many excuses for other coaches success and Kiffin’s failure all day. The fact still remains Kiffin failed and should be fired just like all the other failed NFL coaches who were sweating at seasons end waiting for the “your fired” hammer to drop.
Gnarly’s
Get a clue, the only butt getting kicked around here is the KIffster’s right out of the Raiders organization. Also,I answered you Denny Green question. Keep up Hobs.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Bobby Comer – Ouch. I even apologized to you. Nevermind. Yes. Church is more important than the GAME of football. Notice this is just a game? Church is real life and I base my priority in life on my family and my true God. You can keep on making a game a priority while ignorning the most important things in life. Thats fine. Its your life. You’ll pay the price for that later.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
for any of you here who have complained about ill conceived drafting over the years. Something I read a while back pointed out that the “genious” Shenanigan had all of ONE of his draft picks from the years 00 – 04 or 01 – 05 on his squad. I can’t recall the exact span of years, but it regarded the fact that those draftees should now be in their absolute primes. Only DJ Williams remains. Gentlemen, and ladies, the draft is a crap shoot, blaming AD or anyone else for their failures of prognostication is a stretch.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
sorry – “genius”
January 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Edward T – Your wonderful life has brought you here where you’re now argueing with a young punk. What do you have to say for yourself now? Hypocritical maybe?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
very true, mr. M, very true. i just don’t see any scenerio where this turns out any good. if the reports are untrue, is al trying to motivate kiffin?? is the vast “anti-raider” media trying create a schism between a great young coach and an owner?? have i wasted a beautiful montana winter afternoon pining over a 4-12 football team??
January 27th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
yes to all three love child
January 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Huff why waste your time on people who can anonymously come in here take cheap shots at others and then gloss themselves? Anyone who does that has no life, by definition.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Big Al’s GOON – You can blame all the coaches you want but what excuse do you have for Al Davis? He’s an owner who hasn’t won a Superbowl since 1983. How can you explain that? How can you defend that? You can bring up 2002 but you can’t even defend Al Davis for that as well.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Oakglenn – True. We’re all screwed.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
new blog guys
January 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Big AL’sGOON…
Kiffins team was full of players never experienced a winning season. Sapp was probably the only one. Mike Tomlin inherited a team that just won the SuperBowl so I don’t think the squads and coaches situations can be compared
A turnaround that we need takes atleast 2 years, I thought this was year one in a 3 year plan…
Big AL’s GOON Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Huff,
“I’d take 8-8 over 4-12 anyday and check out Pittsbugh’s record the year before Tomlin took over. And as usual you can make up as many excuses for other coaches success and Kiffin’s failure all day. The fact still remains Kiffin failed and should be fired”
January 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Nice post Oakglenn. I guess what bothers me the most is that Davis would even consider wanting to have Kiffin resign after laying the ground work for a successful future. No matter what he will be out in 2 years and more than likely end up with a divisional foe. Shanahan is at the end of his career and the Chiefs management will soon lose patience with Herm. The best we can hope for is AD resigning, dying or his family and partners does a intervention.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] sloraider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by sloraider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractKiffin failed? Did expect aa 12-4 season this season? You got to be crazy. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] La Milicia Negra wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by La Milicia Negra”Here’s ONLY a quick extractBefore the playoffs, i believed Al Saunders was the next HC in Washington, because everybody said so when they hired him, that he was to inherit Joe Gibbs team. I know Greg Williams was the hot name all year, but I still kept my … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
[...] BOBBY COMER wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by BOBBY COMER”Here’s ONLY a quick extractFluffy: You went to church in the middle of a Raider game??? Sorry dude, that makes you a little b!tch in my book. Go Raiders. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
SCOTTISH- That brought a tear to my eye. Al and all his greatness must step down. We LOVE YOU AL, but you must let new blood turn the ship. WE, THE NATION, are loosing the grip to the proverbial rail of this modern day TITANIC. SAVE US AL.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Lane Kiffin was wrong from the beginning. He reminded me of a new college grad just coming in to a sales organization with salespeak and catch phrases. Look at his moves: Trade Randy Moss for a fourth round pick to NE when they have two first round picks. Says Moss is a distraction. RM played hurt and did his best in an archaic offense with no QB help. Kiffin instead patches things up with Porter who everyone knows has nowhere near the talent of Moss. What gives? Drafts Quentin Moses with a 3rd round pick. Then cuts him. Where is the evaluation expertise we heard so much about. Signs Rhodes, never plays him. Says the O-line needs to be rebuilt but drafts no one of consequence. His offense was horrible his decision making was suspect and he blew games with his inexperience. All the while blaming the player. Saying he had nothing to do with those players, intimating who ever brought them in didnt know what they were doing. Thats a shot at your boss! How do you come into a dream job at 32 never having been a head coach in the NFL and now want to tell your boss what hes been doing wrong? A boss who has won 3 Super Bowls. I dont get it. Lane cast his own fate.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
one of the things that i find curious is the notion that Kiffin should be given carte blanche with respect to hiring and firing coaching staff, signing free agents, and handling the draft…
um, maybe if your name is Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy,or maybe a half dozen other “proven” head coaches…
otherwise you are not going to get that kind of carte blanche from any organization…
young Mr Kiffen needed to do the best he could with what he could get and work with that… earn the right to call the shots in additional areas…
Kiffen’s rookie year was not so impressive that he could start dictating terms to Mr Davis…
and, again, i saw a firm lack of commitment to the silver and black… but i did see a firm commitment to putting “Lame” Kiffen in the best possible light in search of a “better” gig…
this kid was not going to stick… he was looking for his next job when he took this one…
see ya kiff… move on…
January 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
This is a copy of a letter I sent to feedback@raiders.com. Unfortunately I’m afraid it will fall on deaf ears and blind eyes.
I have been a loyal Raider fan since 1970. I have cried with joy in our greatest victories and cried in sadness in our most tragic losses. My first son’s name is William Raider, his middle name being my nickname. The Raiders have been a tremendous influence in my life. I never thought the time would come where I would lose faith in the team but that time has come.
The last 5 years have seen the Raiders become a rudderless ship. A laughingstock of professional sports, where once they stood as the envy of sportsmen everywhere. I believe the fault lies with the principal owner, Al Davis.
In my opinion, the Raider organization is at a crossroads. The wrong path to take would be for Mr. Davis to continue his policies status quo. Hiring and firing at will, bad personnel decisions and football philosophy that is 3 decades old. The correct course to take would be for Mr. Davis to step back, hire a competent general manager to make football decisions and to allow a coach and his coordinators to mold a football team. This is the only way that I see the Raiders reversing their present course which is akin to a piece of lint spiraling down a drain.
Thank you very much for your time.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Just got back from 10 days out of media touch in Mexico.
If Kiffin gets run out I am done with season tickets until we have new ownership.
So sad, I felt really good about Kiffin & where he seemed to be taking us.
Dark days.
Ian
January 27th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
So many good front office managers, coaches and players. Have found better employment elsewhere. Most are on winning NFL teams or soon to be. Chipmunk Davis is surround by “yes” employees. None will talk about offering Davis a few insights to taking a different direction. Lets face it, it’s his way [which is a loser way], or the highway. If Coach K. did get into the playoffs on his ending year of his contract, he will demand more money, as anyone else in the position. Chipmunk Davis will let him go just as he did to you know in Tampa Bay. The Faiders will never be consistent winners with so many coaching changes………..And so it is !!
January 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I would be against getting rid of Kiffin, but it seems like the first good college job that he gets offered he’d be out the door anyway. Al Davis wants someone that lives the Raiders. Chucky didn’t always agree with Al, but his commitment to the Raiders was never in doubt. Al gave Kiffin a big chance at a pro job and to Al it looked like kiffin was ready to jump ship when the Arkansas job opened up. Much like when Jim Mora Jr. joked about his desire to coach a college team and was let go in Atlanta.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I was born and raised in Illinois, and have been a die hard Raiders fan since 1965. All I can say is My God! When will the bleeding stop for the Raiders. Al Davis at one time commanded respect among NFL owners, but has allowed this great franchise to laspe into the cellar. In order for the Raiders to return to their glory and dominance, Al Davis has to let Lane Kiffin,or whoever he decides upon, to build a winner with no interference. I am tired of seeing the hearts of the Raider Nation faithful ripped out year after year! Please wake me whwn the nightmare is over!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
when kiff was hired,all us raider faithful hoped for the second coming of chucky.. instead this situation is remaniscent of the mike shanahan era with the raiders….let us hope in 5 years or so ,kiffin is not in charge of a division rival and kicking the raiders buts twice a season…
January 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Since 1967, when I met Clem Danniels and Dan Conners at a cub scout meeting the Oakland Raiders have been THE only team I have cheered and cried for.
The deal with Lane Kiffin is the last straw. I could go on and on about how Davis interferes in all aspects of the head coaches decisions and takes no blame but you out there already know it all too well.
Mr. Davis, fire Coach Kiffin, get someone else, and call the shots again, I don’t care because you will be doing it with one less fan. Who will I root for? No one else. I have bled silver and black since I was a little boy.The NFL just died and you killed it for me Davis.
One last thing Mr. Davis, insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.
Good luck Raider fans, I’ll miss you.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I am in the process of finding another team to root for. This is totally stupid what is going on with the Raiders. The problem is simple – Al wants someone who he can control and Kiffin isn’t buying it. At this rate, the Raiders will be as comical as the Knicks are now.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
First of all im a huge Raider fan ever since i could breath. I never really understood why so many people hated on Al Davis…..Then he released Jon Gruden, we went to the superbowl the next year so i wasnt mad, then i realized that it was a huge mistake since we havent won more then 5 games in a season since then. Now this, huhhh……I dont know how Al could be so stubborn and not go with the rest of the NFL and modernize his club. Kiffin’s got it, all we ca do is hope for a miracle that Lane stays, because if he dosnt we wont be seing a competing team until the day Davis passes on to a better place.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I only hope and pray that during home games next year that the fans start chanting “Davis Sucks”. I am also hoping someone flashes a banner “Davis Must Go”. The shareholders need to know that the fans are ready to walk. I have been a raider fans since the “Sea of Hands Game”. I am about done.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
[...] Jim McCreery wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Where Lane and Al went wrong by Jim McCreery”Here’s ONLY a quick extractFirst of all im a huge Raider fan ever since i could breath. I never really understood why so many people hated on Al Davis…..Then he released Jon Gruden, we went to the superbowl the next year so i wasnt mad, then i realized that it … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
one of the things that i find curious is the notion that Kiffin should be given carte blanche with respect to hiring and firing coaching staff, signing free agents, and handling the draft…
um, maybe if your name is Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, or maybe a half dozen other “proven” head coaches…
otherwise you are not going to get that kind of carte blanche from any organization…
young Mr Kiffen needed to do the best he could with what he could get and work with that… earn the right to call the shots in additional areas…
Kiffen’s rookie year was not so impressive that he could start dictating terms to Mr Davis…
it seemed to me that Mr Davis gave young Kiffen quite a bit of latitude… quite a turnover on coaches last year…
and how many of you groaned every time an injured McCown was trotted out to start the game… same thing for an injured Lamont Jordan… Kiffen seems to have the same disease a lot of coaches have… a belief that his number one guy is so good that even at 75% he is better than his backup…
and, again, i saw a firm lack of commitment to the silver and black… but i did see a firm commitment to putting “Lame” Kiffen in the best possible light in search of a “better” gig…
this kid was not going to stick… he was looking for his next job when he took this one…
see ya kiff… move on…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Al Saunders…James Lofton…Denny Green
This is bad….reaaal bad. I wonder if Al Davis is so far into dementia that he doesn’t realize what a fool that he’s become.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Other than the fans, the people I feel bad for are good young players like kirk morrison, zack miller, and especially jamarcus russell. how is a franchise QB supposed to develop if he has a different coach every year. how is kirk morrison supposed to make the next step to that elite level if he doesnt know what kind of defense he’ll be in year to year. its really just becoming pathetic. As you can see from my name im from NY and am also a knick fan I never thought an organization could be in worse shape than the knicks but AD has certainly proved me wrong
January 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
#747 ken bagan, just so you know the broncos didn’t kick our butts twice this season. The first one we shoulda won the second one we one marginally. Thanks.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
one = won*
January 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I have to agree with NYRaider fan. The young players suffer, and Russell will have to readjust to Al Saunders, Dennis Green or whomever else is coming on.
I think they were on the brink of at least competing and were on their way to making the next step which is an influx of players that suited what the coaching staff was attempting to do. There were obvious improvements, but I know that offense gave the Raiders the lead going into the fourth in a few of those losses.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
“So who should we get for the next coach>?”
Tim Kawakami said Jim Harbaugh is a longshot for the coaching job.
Al Saunders could at least be the offensive coordinator.
The bottom line on this is Al laments the fact Randy tore it up for New England and wouldnt do the same in Oakland.
Kiffin tried to stress team chemistry, which Al didnt quite believe in.
I have to admire his stubborness and dont think that other teams arent watching to see how he reacts to this.
Some league insiders thought that Dennis Green is better equipped to deal with Al Davis, and that hire in 06, wouldve kept Moss, but it didnt go through, and Shell was hired.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
“The title should be “Where Al went wrong”.
No, both are to blame. Kiffin should have consulted with Al first, and was very heated following the San Diego game – he shouldve been far more circumspect and exercised the discretion to go to Davis with his suggestions about coaching changes. When he went to Ryan first, that was a mistake.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
When can this place start to have consistency. Move from installing new systems to tweaking based on future schedules. The ability to add new wrinkles not having to install systems.
How we expect to maximize and become effecient.
Tired of the land of Distractions. if we can learn anything this year, look at the focus of Patriot players. and organization.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Shanahan…Gruden…Kiffin – where will it end? This is beyond ridiculous, even in a day when fan opinion seems to count for very little. How much more of this BS should the Nation put up with? Pick a coach and give him a chance, Al – your version of winning football has been out of date for a couple of decades – let go a bit so the Commitment to Excellence can try and make a comeback, or else the Raiders can have my season tickets back…I’ll join Darth Raider in retirement.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Big Al’s GOON – You can blame all the coaches you want but what excuse do you have for Al Davis? He’s an owner who hasn’t won a Superbowl since 1983. How can you explain that? How can you defend that? You can bring up 2002 but you can’t even defend Al Davis for that as well.
———————————————————
AL is an owner that has built one of the winningest franchises in pro sports up until the last few years. There are plenty of owners around the NFL who haven’t won a freak’in thing. The Chargettes, the Detroit Lion cubs, the Seahumps, Ariz., ATL., etc. Many things have occurred since that 1983 Championship. We have endured; players have been killed, Stacey Toran. Players have sustained freakish career ending injuries, Bo and Nap McCallum. Pro-bowl players have gotten addicted to drugs and eventually died in car crash. Players have lost their minds before the night before the Superbowl, B.Robbins. We have been cheated by the officials, Tuck Rule. We have been cheated by players from other teams, fat Goose of the Ravens. These are just some of the hardships the Raiders have had to endure since 1983. And you blame AL? I know we got blown out in the 2002 Superbowl, but the fact still remains we were there and along the way we picked a few AFC West titles and an AFC Conference Championship. How many teams can say that within the last 5 years?
January 29th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Kiffin took the job with “conditions”, we all knew that (or you should have if you followed the story when he was hired). Al knew it too. To now say that Kiffin should just go along with Al, didn’t show him respect, etc is ridiculous. Does anyone want another bobble-head for a coach (see: bugel, white, etc), or another independent thinker (see: gruden)? I will take a coach who will get this team out of the funk it is in. Hmmm, wonder who got this team in this position? If that person thinks this roster is “stocked” with enough talent, that guy should get his walker on the sidelines and just be the damn coach then.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I’ve followed the Raiders since the Frank Youell Field days of Clem Daniels.
Al has been an icon. But frankly, now he is just…. a “has been”.
We long for the “greatness of the Raiders”… but look at what has led up to the present mailaise…. back to Al shunning Kenny Stabler; treating Marcus Allen the way he did… and up to the present with Jerry Porter and all the mess in the locker room.
Even more telling is the drafting protocols. We’ve had top choices for years and absolutely nothing to show for it. Mike Huff? We could have Lienart last year and a great receiver this year….
I’m shocked at Al dumping on Lane Kiffen.
We’ll all vote with the dollars….and quite frankly, I still enjoy the tailgate parties, but we’ve trimmed down to 2 games per year and will most likely not go to any games next year.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Some good points. Davis needs to take like 1,000 steps back and let the coach coach for once. If he keeps this up NO FA are going to want to go there when there is a new coach every other year. Davis needs to let the coaches draft and let the coaches coach!
The game has passed him by!………….I hope he stays for about 10 more years…..
January 30th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
this sucks. the raiders and being a fan has been horrible since that blow out in the super bowl. what the hell?? this team will go nowhere until al davis is put in a nursing home.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Will someone please make Al take a psychiatric evaluation!He has tormented the raider nation for a long,long time.Letting Kiffin go would be equal to losing Jon Gruden all over again.And none of us die hards want to experience those emotions of anger we all felt when the nation lost “Chucky”.I think Al Davis enjoys watching the fans suffer in some sadistic way.If he really loved the “raidas” as much as he claims then he should do the right thing and step down.At the very least he can regain some of his respect back before his time runs out.And everyone but Al realizes TIME IS RUNNING OUT.He said he wants to see the raiders win two more super bowls,thats never going to happen with him at the helm!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
No one knows what Lane implied in conversation with Al Davis behind closed doors.
Please stick to the delusional politcs of politics.
Raider fan longer than you’ve been alive.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Tamiflu for prophylaxis….
Avian flu and tamiflu. Tamiflu recall. Tamiflu. Tamiflu chemicals*….