Taking the offensive
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, January 27th, 2008 at 2:36 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders made strides with their offense and regressed on defense in 2007, but in terms of addressing it with regard to the coaching staff, they’re starting out moving in the other direction.
On offense in 2007, the Raiders went from 12 touchdowns to 28, from 1,519 yards rushing to 2,086 yards, and from 32nd in time of possession to fifth in the NFL.
On defense in 2007, with less time spent on the field, the Raiders gave up 5,446 yards as opposed to 4,557, 5.7 yards per play as opposed to 4.8 and surrendered 46 touchdowns compared to 34.
The response?
The Raiders issue a statement saying Rob Ryan is still the defensive coordinator, and their first two interview subjects for the coaching staff are on offense _ James Lofton and Al Saunders.
The Raiders have confirmed Lofton’s interview. Bay Area News Group beat writer Steve Corkran and others have reported Saunders’ impending visit.
Lofton has interviewed with Al Davis on two occasions for the head coaching job, but senior executive John Herrera said it is for an assistant’s position and that interview will be with Kiffin.
Lofton coached wide receivers for the Chargers until being fired last week and has more NFL experience than Charles Coe, a veteran college coach who had his first NFL season with the Raiders last season.
The Saunders interview is another story. There are only two positions Saunders would be intereviewing for _ head coach and offensive coordinator.
Saunders, like Lofton, has a history with Davis, having interviewed for the Raiders head coaching job twice before removing his name from consideration.
But if Saunders isn’t coming in to talk about Kiffin’s job, then it means offensive coordinator Greg Knapp could be on his way out.
Saunders, as an offensive coordinator with the Rams, Chiefs and Redskins, called all the plays. Kiffin called plays for the Raiders, with Knapp, a play-caller with the both the Falcons and 49ers, taking the Raiders job only after deciding he and Kiffin were comptabile in terms of philosophy.
ESPN is reporting Saunders is also a candidate to be offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, where he would be the play-caller.
There is almost no way to interpret the interest in Saunders as anything other than an acknowledgement that Davis is preparing for the possibility that Kiffin either won’t call the plays or won’t be the head coach.
And if you take Davis at his word last year when he stressed the importance of having a play-caller as the head coach, it would most likely be the latter.
“One of the attributes was he had to have was the ability to call the plays,” Davis said when Kiffin was hired. “To call the plays, to me, that’s vital in professional football today. Some has to be accountable for calling the plays.”
Bringing Saunders aboard would also mean changes in the offensive system. A radical change would be a setback to JaMarcus Russell, who is only the most important person in the franchise who isn’t named Al Davis.
Raiders and PFT
Interesting to note that the Raiders are sending adverstising dollars to ProFootballTalk.com, the hugely popular rumor and information site which makes its living posting the very stories which the organization spends time trying to refute.
Stripped down the left side of the site is a “Raiders Image” ad, noting the stores are “owned and operated by the Oakland Raiders.
Under-Armour-gate
Yes, Mike Nolan wore the same coat Lane Kiffin did in the Senior Bowl. Nolan also wore a 49ers hat before replacing it with an Under-Armour skull cap in the fourth quarter when the sun went down and the temperature dipped.
Nolan was also wearing 49ers gear all week at practice and in interviews.
At no time when Kiffin was shown on television was he ever wearing a Raiders shirt or visor. According to PFT, the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter and Albert Breer of the Dallas Morning News reported Kiffin didn’t wear anything with a Raiders logo all week.
Kiffin normally coaches wearing a Raiders visor, although not always. He didn’t wear one Saturday.
I was also told Mark Jackson, Kiffin’s administrative assistant who would follow him out the door should he leave, was not wearing Raiders gear in Mobile and spent a lot of time with USC coach Pete Carroll.
Hard evidence that Kiffin is on his way out? Of course not. Just a subtle message that there are some problems to be worked out between the owner and the coach.
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January 27th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
1st……………….to tellAl to get lost.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
First?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
sigh
January 27th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
When will you accept Al as your personal saviour?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
damn so close.. retire Al.. your hurting this team rather then helping it…
January 27th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
If he turns water to wine, I’m in.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Fire Kiffin…if he walks on water or hires and sticks with a coach for more than one or two years would be a good start
January 27th, 2008 at 2:47 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.
PS: Al Saunders is another LOSER. Another old man whose time has long gone. He would be a cataclysmically bad hire for this offense. He has nothing to offer this franchise except as an irritant to Kiffin.
The Civil War is coming. Take your sides.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Goon you stated yada yada yada about being gung ho on Denny Green, I asked you after that if you were fine with a coach stating that working for Al was treacherous, but I guess in the process of getting your teeth bashed in by Huff and Cope you didn’t notice. posts 661 from you 671 from me
January 27th, 2008 at 2:49 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 2:51 pm
Al is to old, his brain not working like an owner of a NFL team should.He is making to changes that just don’t make sence. Its time for him to step out.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Al needs to let go of some of his control, lane is a good head coach, but only if you let him have some freedom. Please AL, let kiffin stay and Kiffin, please don’t resign
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 2:54 pm
Scottish my friend getting kind of late here on our end of the world, cheers to you.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Big Al’s goon, Edward T., Florida Pete and all the others who look forward to new leadership; you have restored my faith in Raider Nation.
Just win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Fire Kiffin – I look forward to new leadership as well. We need a new owner. Hows that for new leadership? If we had an owner who wouldn’t hire assistant coaches from college, maybe we wouldn’t have this problem?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Why don’t some of you like Kiffin. i don’t get it.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
One point in Jerry’s article made no sense to me… that a new system would be a setback in Russell’s development. He had no training camp, little time on the field this past year. How would a change at this very moment be so detrimental? Perhaps JaMarcus might prefer something that is not currently in place.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
We haven’t won a Superbowl for 25 years. How can anybody defend that?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
outta here tonight
January 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Davis, Saunders and Lofton. Sounds like a firm of undertakers, coming to bury the franchise.
I wonder if Saunders and Lofton realise that, if they do arrive, they will forever be linked to Davis’s pathetic scheming to oust Kiffin and will therefore never, ever be forgiven.
To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher: If you’re not with us, you’re against us.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Here is an Archive report from John Clayton from Jan. 2006
“Redskins coach Joe Gibbs upgraded his offense Thursday by adding one of the brightest offensive minds to his sidelines.
Gibbs hired Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, convincing him to sign a three-year contract worth more than $2 million a year. Saunders was considered the leading candidate for the Raiders head coaching job after their first set of three interviews but he had not been offered the job.”
Kind of interesting. I wonder if Al will say he made a mistake by not Hiring Al Saunders in 2006. He will say he meant to, but Gibbs stole him away.
Maybe Davis is trying run off Kiffin because Saunders was the one he wanted 2 years ago?
January 27th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Scottish Raider – It goes to show you that some people are more concerned about having a job than they are about the situation at hand. They ignore the facts and do what they are told until the sh!t hits the fan. Only then do they choose to open their eyes and deal with the problems at face value. They feel that they will worry about any problems when the problems hit them in the face, otherwise, they will go ahead and ignore the problems until that very day. Sad.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
anyone else’s head spinning yet??
January 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Thanks K-Rock that is very interesting
January 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Al is confused, you know how old people get. They just can’t make the right call. It’s not Al’s fault he is just to damn old to be his position.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
You know you guys, there is most likely a rift between Coach and Owner. As I’ve said, it happens. How deep, is it irreparable, probably even Kiffin and Davis don’t know at this point. AlisGod made a good post in that Davis requires loyalty. he took a coach no one had heard of, elevated him to one of the greatest 32 jobs in America and paid him enough that he probably doesn’t have to work for some time, if ever again. Wouldn’t you think that deserves some loyalty??? has Kiffin really showed him a ton of loyalty??
Let’s say the whole thing does fall apart. Davis is gonna try to bring some loyal guys in. That’s what he tried to do with Shell. That isn’t THAT crazy. I hope they all get it to work out. I hope they bring someone in to help Kiff with the passing game. And with the play calling. I don’t think that’s crazy, I think that’s smart.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Two final (probably) thoughts:
1. Don’t you think it is despicable that Davis is trying to get at Kiffin by picking on Greg Knapp?
2. Hasn’t anybody realised that if Knapp goes, the probability is that Tom Cable will leave as well?
The civil war is going to be brutal and bloody. But we can win, we can save the Raiders from Al Davis.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
K-rock…
at that time did the media also said Al Saunders was to inherit the redskins when Joe Gibbs re-retired. This year Greg Williams got more hot, and Al Saunders could see where the DC-show were hitting. Now none of the two is in play for Washington
January 27th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
M, Russell may have had no training camp, and little time on the field, but he isn’t new here, he’s been studying the playbook, and it’s not like he was asleep while sitting on the bench. He may be new to the team, but he’s not brand new, so yes, a new system would possibly be a set back.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Tom Cable HAS TO STAY!!!!
I could see Knapp as a QBcoach, it could be sold if we said Jammy is SO important to us that we need a OC to take care of Jammy full time =)
January 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
the Gilman/Davis/Coryell/Saunders lineage makes sense. If I was an OC I would salivate at the potential of joining a team with a running game in place and and the unlimited prospect of a talented young QB.
If I recall correctly, it was R. Gannon himself who had never entertained the idea of being a Raider because all he had ever heard was that the place was such a horrible venue. He came to find out that what he had heard was completely ill-founded.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Head games? Wouldn’t verble communication be better way pf getting the bugs worked out. Sending a letter for resignation rather than sitting down talking is not going make things any better.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Jerry – Your lead off statement describing the offense and the defense says it all. I just don’t get it. Why would Al want Kiffin out after so many signs of improvement? And standby a defense that gets its ass run over every freakin’ Sunday?
It doesn’t make any sense.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Raiders Rain, I agree. As you stated, it could POSSIBLY be a setback. Jerry wrote that it WOULD BE a setback. Quite different ideas. Depends upon Russell.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Terrapin….
Exactly…None of this makes sense
January 27th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Al is thinking ass backwards. He is to damn old to run a team regardless of what he has done inthe past. Time to stepaside Al.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Still no answer from FireKiffin, you are a fraud.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
JR is currently being taught a certain way of doing things. He’s being taught to master a certain offense – the USC offense. Bringing in Saunders to be the HC will set JR back esp if Saunders wants to change the assistant positions.
Just look at Gallery man. As a matter of fact look at the whole damn team. They have to stop this muscial chair coaching in Oakland. This sht is gettin’ outta hand.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Al is having a tough time relizing or admitting that the game of football has passed him by. He is in love with an offensive philosophy that hasn’t worked since the early 80’s. He is in love with drafting athletic specimens that have no concept how to perform in a team oriented sport and to his end surrounds himself with yes men (and women) who in the end add nothing to the organization. Even if Kiffin isn’t the answer at least it would have been refreshing to see something different from the Raiders rather than the self destructing unit we have come accustomed to for the last 5 years.
Three picks for Gruden, where are these three picks now?
January 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Solve the O-Line and D-Line deficiencies, add a receiver and away we go. The coaches, whoever they may be will look like HOF’s.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
If this isn’t the Last straw….If this ends up happening, I’m OUT! Al loves Ryan, because he’ll play Al’s Defense, Man to man, VERY little blitzing. It doesn’t work in today’s NFL. Barring Kiffin from meetings regarding the draft, free agents, or any other personel decisions would be a bizzare, immature, and stupid move for AD to make. Kiffin knows more of these future rookies than probably every coach in the NFL, and more about these young men than any of them. I guess changing the culture of this team is not something AD desires. I can’t ride this ship to the botton of the NFL. I don’t know if Kiffin is a great coach, he’s only been there for one season. I do believe we’ve seen enough in one season to say he’s the best we’ve had in years. I think most of would say he’s changed things for the better. Good luck, If there’s a new coach next season, I’m Out!
January 27th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
If Kiffin goes this year i am not going to anymore games and not buying more Raider stuff. wearing Raiders will out.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:40 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. STEP DOWN!
January 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
OakGlenn,Bob Marley
Thanks for stepping up and chiming in with sensible posts.
The word you used OG was “loyalty” in your post 27 is a large issue in this spat.
Trust is so important in any business relationship.
The posts have had a real mean bite to them today.
Some posters are just mad as hell.
Name calling is not going to change opinions or change the situation at hand.
I’m not real crazy about Saunders,I hope he selects the opportunity with the Rams as their OC.
To change the subject for a brief moment the franchise tags have been issued and the most interesting number for us regarding Namdi is if he is tagged his base pay will be $9.465 mil. Tremendous amount of money for one player at one position.
Let’s hope we can lock him up for a multi year contract instead.
I don’t know what’s worse the news Kiffin is staying or Saunders getting the HC job.
I’m hoping the adults at 1200 Harbor Way convince Al to move quickly for his HC search or have a press Conference soon rather than later.
Regarding the Raider gear, Jerry, was at many Monday press conferences during the year and Kiffin wore at times no raider clothers or hats with it’s logo on.
That one seems real ridiculous about the clothes.
I must not be a raider fan because my hat yesterday was Nike instead of Raiders.
Keep the faith all Raider Nation that’s all we have to lean on.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Terrapin
I should have included you also for sensible posts, my apologies.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Raider Nation – love it or leave it.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Still no aswer from FireKiffin………fraud.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Isn’t it possible that the Lofton and Saunders interviews are possibly rooted in the fact that both played for conference rivals? Both men were just unceremonially booted from their positions, and somewhat unexepectly, so neither one is exactly in the bargaining seat. Maybe that weighs in favor of them being willing to take Kiffin’s job and enter into working for such a f*cked up organization, or maybe it simply means they’re willing to take less than head coach positions. This is going to be one interesting week. Can’t exactly say the wide receivers tore it up under Freddy B’s replacement.
I for one, continue to hope Kiffin stays, and stays because he and AD work it all out.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
It was a run O. And we had no QB, not much at WR.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Yeah, Oakglenn you’re right about the loyalty issue. We don’t know if Kiffin has done something disloyal or beyond his purview as coach. If he did then Davis has every reason to be pissed off and that is not crazy.
Also, a lot of people have to realize that the Raiders have had a lot of unusually bad luck with personnel. Over the last decade there have been a surreal amount of injuries, unfortunate selections and even deaths. A lot of the players that people complain about ( myself included ) were highly regarded by the entire N.F.L. establishment. Gallery, Brayton, Fabian Washington, Napoleon Harris, Phillip Buchanon, Antaj Hawthorne, Chester McGlockton, Darrel Russell etc. And others slacked when they were here and didn’t pick up the pace until they left, like Randy Moss, Charles Woodson, and maybe Grady Jackson. That’s a lot of bad luck. True, Davis has made some bad decisions like Laroi Glover, Tory James, Sean Jones, Tollefson, Mike Jones, etc. But even if a couple of the guys who were paid to be stars actually performed like stars, then we’ would be in a lot better shape.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Fender52,
I agree, the only people who would take this job are desperate wannabe Head Coaches willing to interview with any IDIOT that’ll talk to them. Al needs to realize, He doesn’t have a S*%TLOAD of great, or even really good fotball players. Give this coach a chance to implement his plan. Don’t change coaches and systems AGAIN! Don’t retard the development of players such as QB JM.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Sloraider – I have been posting the millions of reasons why I think it would be in the Raider’s best interest to find a more suitable coach since the Texans game. So look it up.
Lane has displyed all the loyalty of a prostitute.
Just Win Baby.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Raider Dell, thanks for the input. There has been a lot of stuff flying through the ether to this site in the past twenty-four hours and a lot of it has been invective born of frustration and hostility. In actuality a moderator seems to have kept the useless name calling to a minimum.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I´ll say one thing, without buying the whole Kiffin is gone Saunders, Lofton as HC stuff…
That Charles Coe fella sure did a terrible job, Curry regresed and developed a bad case of the dropsies and Johnny Lee looked like he had never played football before, if Lofton were to be hired as WR´s coach that would be a positive.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I don’t have time to look at all your post. All i asked for were reasons.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
wow the crap continues, the fans getting killed thanks al u jerk
January 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Snake,
Not only does the crap continue, It keeps getting more bizzare. Al’s driving 45 MPH in the left lane of 880 with his left blinker flashing.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
M
Thanks, I know for a fact cable has one more year remaing on his contract, I don’t believe we will change that position coach whether Kiff stays or goes.
Let’s hope when this situation passes we can go back to the Fa’s available and the draft.
Some posters have said what Fa’s would come to Oakland, under these crazy conditions, there are only 32 employers and the money the last time I looked was green even in Oakland.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Jerry, do you wear a sun visor on a overcast day in Mobile Alabama?
No? I didn’t think you did! Me either..
Jerry, Al said “someone has to be accountable for the play calling” that doesn’t necessarily mean the OC couldn’t be held “accountable” in fact its very simple, you assign play calling to the OC and then you hold him accountable. So the notion play calling has to come from the HC & only the HC is just ridiculous.
Saunders for OC and Lofton for WR coach.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
One thing about kiffins loyalty….its been said many times he wanted other than jamaracus, and if he didnt make that choice and part of the deal was control of his own future such as players and coaches, THEN LIKE NORMAL Al lured a new fly into the web, some things never change davis cant let a hc run the team. An if that true, why would you expect any loyalty?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Fire Kiffin…
You really shouldn’t surround you with crack whores
January 27th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Yes Marley, adding Lofton, who as a player always was professional in his demeanor and approach (unlike many BSPN-celebrated WR’s who shall remain unnamed)is nothing but a positive.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
NO FA worth a crap would come to the raiders, why to kill his career? sure as hell wont come here to win a championship thats for sure. As a fan I know what a jokke the raiders front office has become, and actually been for a long time…so come on, 31 other team get the chance at the GOOD FA, we get the guys after the money, only the money.
I remember when reggie white went to the pack, and all of a sudden the became a team for FA to goto, we need to turn that corner to contend for the truly good FA’s…untill that time we ge the guys with only cash in mind.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Snake
Kiffin came out and said after watching JaMarcus at the LSu pro day was like watching him play Qb on play station game, he liked his arm strength and his mobility and all other intangibles that JM had.
I keep on hearing Kiff wanted Quinn, I believe that was a smoke screen to keep the press guessing and keep Jm guessing.
We all know Quin dropped 22 spots to Cleveland, I think that Kiff or Al or whomever made the right decision there.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Loyalty is a two way street. From the sound of it, Al reversed position on many facets of Kiffins authority. If you were undermined as HC for the Raiders, or any other job, wouldn’t you be keeping your options open?
It sure seems like Al tells people what they want to hear up front, and then changes his mind once he perceives that the HC is having trouble, or doesn’t adhere to Al’s philosophy. I think Al may be the biggest hipocrit in professional sports when it comes to loyalty. You can’t crap on your coaches and just expect them to keep kissing your nalgas…
I really doubt that Kiffin did anything, or made any decisions that he didn’t feel that he had the power to make. He’s not an idiot, or he wouldn’t have made it as far as he has. Especially with Carrol, who from all reports, has his staff’s back.
Al wants loyalty without giving it. When was the last time he consistantly supported anyone on the staff?
For instance, the whole situation with Moss was BS. There was no choice but to move him. He told Kiffin he wanted out, and wouldn’t play for the Raiders anymore. So it’s Kiffin’s fault that he’s playing for the Patriots? There was a potential deal with Green Bay in the works, and word is that Al killed it. If memory serves, he blew a 3rd round pick.
Al’s take on loyalty is absolutely ridiculous. You have to give respect and loyalty to receive it.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
yea I like jmarcus more also raider dell, was just a post about the loyalty, and if al got his hands in it that early kiffin may have realized his mistage along time ago, and frankly why would blame him. This all started with marcus allen on monday night football, they keep asking shell who made the decision to sit him, and he cant answer because we all know it was AL DAVIS, and it has never stopped. Im a big al is the raiders guy, but if kiffin leaves its because he did not get enough control of his own team and destiny, and new it and started looking right away for a way out. He is old enough to know what he got into with all the al cant keep his hands off in the past stuff, so why wouldnt he have a exit strategy.
I just hope he stays, its the first glimmer of a normal competitive team, that plays hard in years, and he brought it, good coach maybe,but good with morol…for sure
January 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Snake, your analogy of Reggie White is ill-suited. When White went to the pack Green Bay was a nowhere destination. He went anyway. They became excellent afterwards. He took a chance to go where no one else thought it wise.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
LMN – Crack whores are people too. As long as they’re Raider fans, I have no problem crack whores.
Long live Al.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
”Kiffin also wanted to fire about five other assistant coaches whom he had hired. Davis refused to allow that to happen because he did not want to pay off the year all of them had remaining on their contracts.”
Ira Miller, today.
Wait, so now Davis is refusing to fire Kiffin´s own people? and who exactly are those assistants?… what´s next?…Al Davis wanted to hire Monte Kiffin but Lane refused and told him to fire him?
Does anyone else get the idea that since this thing came up, most local writters decided to have a party and Al is playing the pinata role?.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Fire Kiffin…
haha, lol, good one =)
January 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
[...] Fender52 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Fender52″Here’s ONLY a quick extractIsn’t it possible that the Lofton and Saunders interviews are possibly rooted in the fact that both played for conference rivals? Both men were just unceremonially booted from their positions, and somewhat unexepectly, so neither one is … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
[...] Silver Blood … Black Veins wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Silver Blood … Black Veins”Here’s ONLY a quick extractAlso, a lot of people have to realize that the Raiders have had a lot of unusually bad luck with personnel. Over the last decade there have been a surreal amount of injuries, unfortunate selections and even deaths. … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Just as i thought FireKiffin is a hater, only here to disrupt th nation. Al needs to live the rest of his life at home in his wheel chair. To burned out to have control.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Snake
If you were Kiffin would you stay under the current conditions that appears to be happening. Kiff will be asked to fire Coe his WR’s coach and the guy he courted at last years combine Knapp.
I think that’s were were headed, if Kiff remains our head coach.
Also would you stay, stripped of your say in all personnel matters.
Kiff has some tough decisions to make, and this may be a result of Al having him prove his loyalty to the Raider Organization.
I know it sounds stupid, but think of father and son here.
There is no trust between the two at this time.
I agree with parts of your last post, 67.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Hmmm the Defense sucks….The offense improved….I think I’ll keep the D coordinator and Fire the Head Coach. No wait…I think I’ll keep the entire defensive staff intact and get some new coaches on offense…No wait, I think I’ll go with my first idea. Man…I am a genius. Hey…did I ever tell you how much you remind me of Paul Hornung?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
post 68 M….nope dead on, no one would goto the pack before reggie did, and right now the raiders are the black hole of the league, and untill the managent changes no one will come here, its the final choice destination just like GB was at the time, white brought a…why not GB mentality, and the FA at the time that signed there said it was because the wanted to play with him. Untill the raiders get something going, we are # 32 choice period, all about the green money not about winning at all .Lamont jordan would tell you as much
January 27th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
27 January 2008
Dear Raider Fans and Raider Nation:
We cannot believe Al Davis did not render complete control to Lane Kiffin. Why would you not turn over the reigns of a professional franchise to someone who had absolutely NO prior head coaching experience?? Why would you not let him fire the Defensive Coordinator and hire more college guys like Charlie Coe??? As the Raider Nation knows, NO GUTS, NO GLORY.
Lastly, what could a college coach do to destroy a franchise in just one year??? Seriously. How bad could it be???
Signed,
Nick Saban (formerly of Miami Dolphis)
Bob Petrino (formerly of Atlanta Falcons)
January 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
raiderdell…I just hope he stays man, and it would prove the loyalty factor to no end, this is the first season in along time that I as a fan can say….was looking forward to something that was improving and the future looked alot brighter. I thought that we would add a few 2nd tier FA, maybe if lucky get maybe 1 really good FA, then draft decent again, and next year we look alot stronger, and with kiffins handling, year 3 we compete for somthing finally. Something that was built not bought, and we would have contended for along time if true. I just hope its all a buncha hater media types and al and kiffin are laughing it up.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Bob Marley, you bring up the best point. None of this stuff the beat writers are saying makes any sense. What I love was the quote in the SF Chronicle of how Davis was going up the elevator with a flat screen TV monitor to the owners box in Green Bay. They watched Randy Moss catch a TD pass as they were going up. “Dammit! Why couldn’t he do that for us?” Davis yells. Look at that quote again. Davis doesn’t say, “freaking Kiffin, I should fire his ass.”
January 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
true oakglen, why give any control to the person whos head is on the line and gets the ax when it goes bad….why ever blame the company or the employees when u got the shift manager to fire huh..
Al needs to let this guy have a chance, the players played alot harder for him that the last 3 clowns, and it was obvious that the team wanted to go somewhere with him in charge, Al has had 5 years of turmoil, and hes never the fault???? Let the guy have a chance, 1 year with this roster is not enough
January 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Adam Schefter now says that Kiffin will return back to the raiders this year as he and Al don’t want to budge and so it will be an uncomfortable situation but Kiffin will coach the Raiders. Gosh, waht a joke, I hpoe the Raiders set things straight this week
January 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Fire Kiffin – You said, “Love it or leave it”. Is that the motto you stood by with your hate for Kiffin all year? You didn’t love Kiffin…shouldn’t you have left it by now? Let me guess…that phrase only applies to everyone else but you right? Dude…If you don’t love it…then YOU leave it. How can Kiffin do a good job if he doesn’t have the support of Al Davis or the people like you? How can you expect the guy to succeed?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Snake
I agree.
I just have one minor point left, do you really believe we are more screwed up than Atlanta, Miami, Arizona, Cinn, Forty Niners.
I will agree top flight free agents will look closely at our situation, but to say we won’t get any player that is good is not entirely true.
Money is an issue but playing time is equally more important and most athletes in any sport will always say that.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Snake, sorry, my bad. I guess I did not get the exact drift of what you were saying in the earlier post. Thanks for the clarification.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
fire kiffin is so obviously a hater, and you guys feed it by talking to him. Hes taking everything you ever heard about al and the raiders and became it, the slapstick just win baby mantra etc, ignore his non raider fan bs, a raider fan? no way, having fun…hell yea he has, you guys buy it time and again
January 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Right on…HUFF.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Vicky, where did you get this info from ?
# Vicky Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Adam Schefter now says that Kiffin will return back to the raiders this year as he and Al don’t want to budge and so it will be an uncomfortable situation but Kiffin will coach the Raiders. Gosh, waht a joke, I hpoe the Raiders set things straight this week
January 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
If Al stays in his current state of confusion we better see if they can make Black and Silver Grocery Bags, ala the aint’s fans of old.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Huff24
You took some heat from some nasty posters and you handled it well.
I may disagree with you on an occasion but you are a Raider fan and I think that’s more important than many issues have been said over the last two days.
Keep us up with the information highway around here.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I just heard it on NFL Network, Total Access a few minutes back on TV
January 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hey, anyone know what the Raiders cap numbers might be even if they have to franchise Asomugha?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I think the Raiders have more than enough money to even sign Asomugha to a long-term deal or franchise him and even get some top FA. I think I heard the Raiders hvae over $25M in cap space
January 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
M
At the end of this football season we were under the cap by 23 million dollars.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Snake jerks like him get me pissed, can’t help my self sometimes,plus all this other BS gets me going. I don’t like haters who claim to Raiders
January 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
It seems the only thing we all seem to agree on is that the Offense made improvement and the Defense under Rob Ryan was garbage. Excluding OakGlenn and BHP of course.
Why are we interviewing offensive coaches and leaving RR and his pathetic unit in tact ??????
January 27th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Ok Vicky thanks.
I thought on Sunday NFL Network was repeats of the week. Are they live today ?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
sorry if i came off rude M, and no problem man.
raider dell:
Atlanta…the owner says he will do what it takes to be the best franchise in all of sports, and hes trying really hard…so there better, just more upside.
Miami… obviously they are gonna be alot better with the tuna there, there are better, as a former employee of wayne huzinge though i hate him, period..not a close employee worked for one of his vast company holdings.
Cinn…im puzzled what went wrong, maybe they are falling back into there place, i thought there future looked bright, they are still a little better, good proven qb 2 great wr etc, they a further along that us
Arizona…are we that bad, they cant be better i’m praying, if they are we suck.
Niners…this makes my life worth living, they are worse I think, but things change quickly, and maybe the new changes they made make us worse
I think money and playing time are 1 and 2 yes and depending on the player, is whats #1…we want the playing time guys, then we are better.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Yes the NFL network is live this week because of SB. Adam Schefter’s segment was on Total Access. So if Adam thinks Kiffin will be back, I figure Saunders might be the OC and Lofton the WR coach with Kiffin managing the players and coaches and Saunders calling plays. Who knows but this whole thing has become a joke. I hope the dust settles this week.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
It sounds more like Shefter is trying to save himself bcause he screwed up.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Thanks Vicky, thanks Raider Dell. That is good news amid all of this much ado of listening to the ill-informed rumor mongers.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
It appears that Schefter is covering his a$$ up as well. Whatever the real situation is it is only kosher if Davis and kiffin have a press conf this week to clean matters up if Kiffin is returning as HC
January 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Mistabrown
I will speculate like Schefter or Peter King or any other media type.
Al is thinking,( like I know) if we have scored 7 or more points our record would be better and that’s why he is looking in that direction for help.
His thought being the defense held up well enough but the offense did not.
See I can be just like everybody else and get into Al’s mind, just kidding.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
maybe they are gonna add offensive assitants they already felt they needed, just fine tune, and the guys are available.
As far as rob ryan, man this guy has a pedigree, he cant be as bad as this???? Maybe, I hope, they finally see we need players, and then he gets a last chance
January 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Jerry is Steve Corkran a good friend of yours? Are you trying to clean up his mess ? Steve doesn’t mention in his article anything about Kiffin not wearing Raider gear during the week only during the senior bowl!
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_8092864
Jerry, is Adam Schefter and Rich Eisen good friends too because Rich didn’t mention during yesterdays Senior Bowl that Kiffin didn’t wear Raider gear during the week, he only failed to mention Nolan was wearing the exact jacket as LK during the game.
Jerry, I look forward to your comments, thanks
January 27th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Haven’t heard from Dakota in a while. Hope he is not too disappointed that Jones wants to deal with Parcells to pick his boy McFadden. The Raiders need a quality D-Lineman anyway and from what I have read this draft is supposed to be loaded with runing backs.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Snake,Vicky, Mistabrown M,
We post on a regular basis, let me say for an old Raider fan this has to be the worst weekend ever for me as an old die hard.
I hope this comes to an end soon.
Most of the other posters have cleared out, thanks for some needed sensible posts.
Have a great night.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Our D sucks, so why are all the mock drafts have us taking McFadden and not a DE or DT?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Al Davis isn’t making changes on defense because Al Davis is responsible for the makeup of the defense. He is responsible for the schemes and the ideas. If he were to fire Rob Ryan…he would be firing himself.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
M, we havent heard from a few regulars since they started moderating this blog. Im not going to speculate or mention names but it seems like people been posting under various names may have their IP blocked.
Jerry, can you shed some light on this ?
Prob not..
January 27th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
You as well RD
January 27th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
No free agent in their right mind would choose the Raiders over any other team in the NFL if the $$$ are remotely close. Did anybody hear Ray Buchanon call the Atlanta Falcons “Beverly Hills” and the Raiders ‘Section 8″. Let’s face it, we were once called professional sports winningest franchise but now we have been reduced to professional sports biggest embarrassment.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Al Davis is probably mad at Kiffin for keeping his defense off the field and making them look bad. Kiffin put our defense in a position to fail by sitting on the bench longer than last year and exposing them to offenses who actually attempted to score on us when they wanted to.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Basically, Vicky that’s what I have been saying over and over again. Kiff’s not gonna quit, Davis isn’t gonna fire him. Back to work on Monday AM. Saunders and Lofton do put in a wrinkle, but as I said yesterday, and this was just my quote, Knapp is probably the odd guy out.
Snake, while I like Kiff, and I do want him to stay, you don’t put the entire franchise in the hands of someone with no pro experience. You just don’t do that. Which leads to Mistabrown and Ryan. What Mistabrown believes is the defense has shown no improvement under Ryan. What the fact shows is the defense was dead last in defense and in 4 years the pass defense has improved dramatically. The run defense is terrible. I have never denied the run defense is awful. My point has always been, in the last four years what have we done to improve the run defense?? The answer-we got rid of Danny Clark, our best run defender.
If you go drive by drive last year, the defense played fairly well, all things considered. And if you don’t understand that, you don’t understand the game. Giving up a total of 14 points to Peyton Manning. Giving up 7 in the first half in Lambeau. Giving up one drive to San Diego at the end of the year, after Russells first pass is picked off at midfield. But, if you don’t understand the game, what can I tell you?
January 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
First time poster and long time Raider fan – way too much optimism on these blogs! Don’t you guys get it? The Raiders will not be successful again until Al Davis is six feet under – the game has passed him by! He is suffering from some form of dementia that appears to be heading to full blown Alzheimer’s.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
M… read post 575 from the where al and lane went wrong
January 27th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I hadn’t thought about that Mistabrown. Was it Snake who pointed out that if the offense had put one single measly touchdown more per game that the entire season would’ve been different and that the D would not be so vilified here. Adding Lofton and Saunders or whoever else to fine tune could make a world of change to the outcomes of so many close games.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Adding Lofton will probably help our WRs to run better routes and also catch the ball better
January 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
my guess is most of the regulars will stay here, Dakota, South Texas Radier, jeremy, Coach On Wheels, El Tato and so on..
I just think they grew tired of the last weeks talk =) The talks lately have been going in rings so they… the last 2-3 weeks have only had a handful of topics. Kiffin or no kiffin, McFadden or No McFadden, Ellis or dorsey, Long or Dorsey all in some combination agianst each other. But honestly the topics have been tiring…but thats what you can accept this time of year =)
January 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
oakglem…dead on the d man, seems they played really well minus a few situations, I’ve been all for the big nasty DT, 3 good to great players on d and they are top 10, or close, but that being said, rob ryan has had alot of time, and why dont we even run his D? thats whats killing me, his family is not about what we do, not one of them sit back and rush 4…why does he? We have a great corner, a good safety, add a safety, a run stuffing DT, and we are close, but why do we missuse the speed of out LBs? I just want the D to attack, and though ryan would bring that…sorta puzzled why he hasnt.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Yes Sloraider I did read that item, it did not offer a timeframe context nor specify who or what might be an item.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I see where you are coming from Oakglenn but I totally disagree. The team is in such disarray right now due to Al’s imcompetence. I think Ryan is a hell of a coach but the plain vanilla Defense that we run (dictated by Al) is an embarrassment. Keeping Ryan and Kiffin around for another year when it is obvious that they do not want to be here is sacrificing next season. All that just to appease Alzheimer’s ego? I am out until Alheimer’s takes his dirt nap.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I agree we are close to outscoring other teams minus a few stars on O… A WR or 2 some line men… But I would love to see the D impose there will on other teams as well…just dont want to be the next version of the rams score as much as you can, and hope to outscore the other team
January 27th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Snake, I love the Warriors brand of basketball and the old AFL wide open games, but you are right that it will be nice to have a crushing defense to stop somebody on occasion.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Losing games by a tight margin is what caused Al to waste a pick and draft the polish cannon in the first round. Total brain fart.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:19 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 5:19 pm
Snake, to me it’s really hard to vilify the defense when you lose two games one 13-9 and another 12-10. And I am positive that’s what Davis is saying to Kiffin. Don’t worry about Ryan and the defense, worry about your offense. If it was me, I would use the lst Round pick on a Dlineman and the 2nd round pick on a D lineman. But that’s me.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
would be nice to see the D take the field with the lead and stop the other team, seems so simple. For years now they never make that last stop that we are missing
January 27th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Amen, Raider1962.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
yes round 1 and 2 DT’s Im for it also, wish we could get a WR in FA, proven better than a prospect…a sold LB would be nice, and some depth at oline, and of course a LT…man im dreaming too much…waking up…Dts look good
January 27th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
nice post Oakglenn (127)
January 27th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Good D-linemen acquisitions and the secondary will hold its own. Now, how to get that extra 7 points out of the other side of the ball.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Lastly Snake about scheme, the NY Giants run the 4/3 with sometimes man, sometimes zone, the GB Packers run 4/3 man, and Jacksonville runs 4/3 man zone under, so it’s not like we’re running some archaic defense from the leather helmet days. Succesful teams run similar D’s, they just do it better.
I’ve said this a few times, so let me do it again here: Best Defensive line in Football: NY Giants. 2nd Best D line: NE Patriots. Almost all the Defensive line players on both those teams were high (lst and 2nd Round) draft picks. Us: Sands 7th Rounder, Kelly undrafted, Burgess 3rd Rounder by Phila, Richardson 5th Rounder. See where I’m going here???
January 27th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
This team is close, any real fan knows it by the amount of time we held our breath this year, hope kiffin stays, we add a few wrinkles ( I do agree he needs help) we draft at least a B grade and resign our good FA and add 2 good FA, we are gonna be a problem for alot of teams next year…this is a young team. Just am getting tired of the revolving door at coach and I think kiffin will grow into a very good coach, hopefully for our team and not the donkeys or the bucs. A few players year 3 were there…nite all, heres to hopefully normalcy now that the media has had there fun with us…
January 27th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
BTW, thank you for your elequence Raider1962
January 27th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I agree we havent taken a good DT in years,,,,was it d russel? and with all the crap he brought, he dominated at times…we need A bonecrushing DT, sapp was cool but way past his prime. I agree the 4 /3 is also my fav, but those 4 gotta get it done, and we dont at all…so thats why I mention the speed at LB, they are great in the passing game, maybe with a bad ass DT its all settled…nite all
January 27th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thanks all
January 27th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Recorded the Senior Bowl – just watched it. Players that got my attention.
1. Ellis – 1 game saving sack, 1 sack for a safety, and blew up a few plays. PICK ‘EM!! He’s worthy of Top 5 status.
Others:
OLT: Baker (he can pass block)
DT: Laws (this kid is good too – pretty damn good)
WRs: Caldwell (he’s gonna be good), Avery (I like ‘em, made a nice grab at the end of the game, another Steve Smith? – he’s lightning fast), Hawkins (he and Caldwell look like they’re gonna be real good)
Notables: Booty is gonna be a good QB in this league when he gets a chance – very accurate. He’ll be a perfect backup for JR. Bowman’s hands concern me but he can be really good – just not sure about his hands + he had eyesight problems – are they still cropping up?
January 27th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Lofton might help the WR, Coe certainly didn’t. Excellent job by Ellis raising his status on the draft boards, if he can keep it up through the combines, I’d expect him to be drafted by the Raiders if he’s available.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
BTW, M, appreciate your input.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Did you see Sedrick Ellis run down a play from behind like 18 yards downfield??? Grab that guy.
I was saying How much I liked Trevor Laws the DT from Notre Dame. Someone was saying Laws was only good because of Ellis, but in the game Ellis wasn’t on the field and Laws was very good. I also really liked Red Bryant the DT from Texas A&M. I would absolutely love to have 2 out of 3 of those guys.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
- Possible final transmission from inside a sinking Pirate Ship -
Monte,
This is a plea from an intelligent and passionate Raider fan.
I’ve been following and supporting this team since I was 6 years old. I’m now 38, living in Southern California. I’m a husband who works hard for his money. I still somehow love the escape of football, but to be truthful… as of late it’s a lot less an escape and more like a stretch in the brig of the HMAV Bounty – especially as an Oakland Raiders fan.
Back in 76′, my (then) new step-father (a carpenter and contractor, who used to build boats in Alameda and take apart his motorcycle in the kitchen) let me sit in the living room with him while he and his buddies watched the games. My dad did some construction with Don Mosebar – can’t remember whether that was in the Bay area or in the San Joaquin Valley. In those days, the TV was a beat up little thing in the middle of the living room – everyone had to gather around to watch. It was one of the first times in my life that the thought of “extended family” occurred to me. Everyone together.
I was a fan from the first game I watched. Raiders vs. Broncos (lots of cursing and cheering ensued) and I’ve remained one since.
I had pictures taped up on my wall from the SB against the Eagles all the way until we destroyed the Redskins. I was the only person inside my grandparent’s home still watching the game by the 3rd quarter.
I was there through the Marc Wilson years.
I was there through seemingly endless nightmare games where Ronnie Harmon burned us for crucial third downs.
I was there through all the L.A. years. The billboard with Lester welcoming all to L.A. and the birth of the truly ignorant and idiotic “fan” – haven’t worn a Raiders cap since.
I was there through the turmoil of Marcus (my very first “favorite player ever”) vs. Davis. It was hard to know what to feel when Bo Jackson came into the picture, but it wasn’t hard to know what to feel when Marcus signed on with the hated Chiefs.
I was there through the relief that Timmy Brown would not become a Bronco.
I was there through the trade for Eric Allen – when Steve Hartman on EXTRA Sports out of SD told him he’d been traded to No-Mans Land. I was also there through the redemption of that same trade working out.
I was there through through the redemption of the Gruden regime, and through the mesmerizing play of Rich Gannon.
I was there through the hysteria of Gruden being given the Baltimore Colts treatment – gone in the middle of the night.
I was there through the B.S. explanation that followed.
I was there through the “Callahan Coast,” as we rode the momentum that Chucky created.
I was there through the discovery that Barrett Robbins had gone A.W.O.L. and I was there through the moments leading up to the Super Bowl – the dread that something was wrong growing with every second that passed. And of course I was there when the wheels fell off.
You get the picture.
Who else has “been there” through all of this? Who has their fingerprints all over every move behind the Great Demise of the Team of The Debacles, sloppier and sloppier year by year? Who has been the one constant in so much change?
Al Davis, obviously. And… a “Nation” of fans just like me. I say the blame lies one or the other, and as Davis is famous for making clear: We the fans don’t dictate anything.
This is what I’m pleading for: Don’t let him off the hook. Make him answer the questions we’re all asking.
Questions like:
“Who calls the shots around here?”
and
“Does the same person who calls the shots take responsibility for the results?”
maybe even,
“How hard is it to attach the words ‘and a future conditional pick’ to a trade involving a future-Hall-of-Famer on draft day?”
We need someone to “touch” the nerve, because we are quite literally helpless. YOU’RE THAT GUY. Or… somebody else. Maybe Adam “The Rumor Monger” Schefter. Maybe Mort. Ah… hang it. Somebody get me Artie Gigantino on the phone!
Somewhere, high up in a Tower, there’s a sniper rifle attached to a walker.
That rifle is currently aimed at Lane Kiffin, and we’ll miss him dearly when and if ol’ “Once Great Now A Nut Job In A Sweat Suit” falls asleep with his finger on the trigger. Should he make his way down the stairs of The Tower and peek his skeletal grill out from behind the scope long enough to make contact, YOU might be able to save us AND him: Just, let Al know that the Nation is watching.
We want Lane to stay. Let Denny Green and Al Saunders remain the poor choices for head coaching vacancies that they’ve always been. Give the Kid a shot, and leave him alone. Further action against him shall be recognized as aggression, and shall be responded to accordingly.
Sincerely,
MrSalamander – The Black Pearl
January 27th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Sell team to Madden, Howie Long head coach,Tatum def coach, problem solved.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
sloraider Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Our D sucks, so why are all the mock drafts have us taking McFadden and not a DE or DT?
*******
Dude its easy to see that these mockers don’t know what the eff they are mocking about. I laugh at some of those mocks. They don’t know squat. All indications are that Miami is going with a 3-4 so why does almost all the mocks still have Miami taking Dorsey who plays in a 4-3? For him to play NT? Thats a BIG question mark. Those that have Miami taking Chris Long states outright its b/c Miami is going 3-4 and Long is a much better fit. But these mockers don’t know squat so they continue with the Dorsey #1 junk.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Saunders was never offensive coordinator with the Rams. He was wide receivers coach and associate head coach. Sorry, play again.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Great insight!
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders/archives/010201.html
January 27th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
The Air Coryall (spelling?) offense with Porter,Curry,and Higgins? ya that will work. LOL The reason we have so much cap room is no FA will come here
January 27th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
This is our team, lets make a difference.
Send an email to Amy Trask and express your concern for the state of our beloved team.
ATrask@raiders.com
January 27th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Ellis is for real. He and Dorsey are for real. I’m damn near close to crowning Ellis over Dorsey. But I’m weary of doing so b/c it’ll prob be biased towards recent memory – what have you done for me lately. Last I’ve seen Dorsey play was for the BCS title game.
Have to say though, Ellis may have looked better in the Senior Bowl.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
[...] az raider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by az raider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractSell team to Madden, Howie Long head coach,Tatum def coach, problem solved. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
[...] radraider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by radraider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractThe Air Coryall (spelling?) offense with Porter,Curry,and Higgins? ya that will work. LOL The reason we have so much cap room is no FA will come here. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
[...] MrSalamander wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by MrSalamander”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI still somehow love the escape of football, but to be truthful… as of late it’sa lot less an escape and more like a stretch in the brig of the HMAV Bounty – especially as an Oakland Raiders fan. Back in 76′, my (then) new step-father … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I appreciate Jerry’s reporting, but there are huge red herrings in his post. As M pointed out, how can it be a HUGE setback to JaMarcus Russell when he wasn’t even signed until week 1 and hardly has any experience in Kiffin’s “system”? It makes no sense whatsoever.
Second, he praises Kiffin for putting up better numbers that the Shell/Walsh disaster, as if that were the appropriate benchmark. *Of course* the team put up better numbers (though adding only 2 measly wins), but any coach in the league would have done that.
Instead of using the Shell/Walsh disaster as the benchmark, compare him to Norv Turner instead.
Team Rankings
Kiffin 2007: 23rd in points, 25th in yards, 4 wins
Turner 2005: 23rd in points, 21st in yards, 4 wins
Turner 2004: 18th in points, 17th in yards, 5 wins
Any big improvement? Not at all. Will there be big improvement under Kiffin next year? Maybe, maybe not. I can easily see Kiffin loading the team up with Josh McClown-type players, winning 4 games, then quitting as soon as an attractive college coaching job opens up. Then where are we?
I’m fine with Kiffin sticking as head coach, but he needs to understand that he’s only the head coach, not King of the Raiders. The truth is he’s the most inexperienced and unqualified head coach in the league. Bringing in an experienced OC like Al Saunders is probably a good idea.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Another retread in Al Saunders. Third interview? So HE’S leraned how to interview as well as Lofton and Shell. LOL. Comical. And boy, there are more “yessir” men ready to line up for Al Davis than any other dictator I can think of right now. And btw, really scintillating that Washington offense was last year under Saunders. Simply pathetic.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
“learned” I meant to say.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
And another great article, Jerry. Cheers.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Looks like we will have to wait untill tommorrow for the next episode of The Days of Our Lives
January 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Hey loyal RAIDER FANS stop giving FIRE KIFFIN any more props.Because,he’s burning the candle at both ends.He took that name to be safe if Coach Kiffin failed, then he would look good.But,if coach Kiffin did well in his first year as head coach of the worst team in the N.F.L. then he would say my bad and life would be golden.This however,doesn’t mean that he’s not a Raider fan.He’s just playing it safe,but how many coaches come into the N.F.L. and do well their first year especially taking over the worst team in the N.F.L. which I love dearly.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Mad Road Dog Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
“Kiffen…good riddance.”
……..
You might as well be saying, “whatever possibility we had of being a competitive team within 3 years, good riddance”.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
terrapin…
I haven’t watched the senior bowl yet, couldn’t find a feed.
Hope Laws finds a way to Oakland.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
the truth of the matter is, we have no idea who the sources of this information is, there IS NO PROOF THAT THIS IS GOING ON!!!!! I’M IN AND KIFFIN WILL BE BACK!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Rob, denial is no way to deal with a problem. Did you hear Kiffin’s comment? If this was bs, Kiffin would have come right out and said it. Instead, he just says he’s not commenting on anything that’s happened in the last 3 weeks. There is no godly explanation for him not just stomping the rumor out right then and there other than the rumor being true, and Kiffin essentially concurring to it in the most legally responsible way he can.
Those of you in denial of our current situation are right there with the “OJ’s innocent” crowd, and bordering the “Pro Wrestling is real” crowd. You’re doing it to yourselves.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
You guys should beat this dead horse a little more.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Imagine if every DA across the country just said to themselves, “there’s no proof of this”, every time a murder occurred with no weapon, witness, or motive, and just dropped the case. Imagine all the murderers walking the street today…Thank god it doesn’t work that way.
That’s the purpose of investigation.
Of course there’s no proof. So, you find proof, and you only need to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. Physical evidence is not necessarily a requirement.
One does not need to pry too far into Kiffin/Davis to see what the hell is going on. Kiffin has been vocal about wanting a new defensive coordinator. Al made him look like an absolute fool by instead keeping our current defensive coordinator who hasn’t coached his unit to any improvement whatsoever in his 4 years. A power play by Kiffin? Yes. An even bigger power play by Al? Hell yes. Kiffin’s request was reasonable. Al’s denial of his request is insane, and has control issues written all over it.
FF to this current story, Kiffin is asked about it. One simple statement would have ended it, forever: “Not true. I’m happy here, and looking forward to next season”.
Instead, mum’s the word. This is not good. If this were a criminal case, there wouldn’t be a district attorney in the land that would drop their case at this point. It would just be getting stared, because it’s clear as day that there’s smoke here.
We all knew this would happen in a few years, but it’s obvious it’s happening already. Kiffin’s not playing games. And guess what, there is no coach worth a crap in existence that is going to play Al’s stupid games when coaching here. Either they are going to coach, or they are going to walk.
Congrats, Al. You did it again. It’s not like we’ve just been racking up the Lombardis in recent years. A little in over our head with self importance, are we Al? Face it old man, you really need help.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Just Win Baby, we’re not beating a dead horse. That stallion is running, and we’re just now catching up to it. Snap out of your denial.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
from Jerry’s previous entry:
“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.”
……….
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
What I knew all along. The Al shills are actually outnumbered 3 to 1, yet they’re here in force. Multiple screen names, anyone?
January 27th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
MaddenRaider…OK, I believe the rift between AD and Kiffen is true and I do not want Kiffen hanging around if he is not goning to be loyal and perpetuate the misery. Kiffen knew the deal when he came in, the same deal every coach has had in Oakland, AD is the GM and all final decisions are approved through him. If Kiffen deliberately fired Ryan woithout selling it to AD first, then yeah, do not let the door hit you in the arss. In the mean time, Kiffen was only here for one year and though I personally liked Kiffen until this debacle happened other coaches will step in do at least as well as the inexperienced Kiffen. If I am wrong then I will be the first to admit it.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I just don’t get how some can discount Kiffin and point to the 4-12 record as evidence. Did you all not watch the same season I did? Did you not notice how every week we happen to play against the next FedEx Ground winner? New RBs tearing into this defense’s ass every freakin’ week? Oh, and did you not witness the piss poor QB play? Really, how many games do you all think can be won with piss poor QBs (both DC for the most part and JM always) and a piss poor run defense?
Yet, we could have easily been 7-9 or 8-8 if it was not for either the QB or the run defense or both. This subpar team was in almost every game in the 4th quarter despite piss poor qbs and a rank defense. This team never gave up. When was the last time you could say that about a Raider team at the end of the year? Even our nemisis Shanarat noticed a marked difference in Kiffin’s Raiders. Do you all even remember?
January 27th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
MaddenRaider – 3 to 1 doesn’t even say it. Its more like 10 to 1.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
As a Raiders fan who would you rather get rid of, Al Davis or Lane Kiffin?
Al Davis
1911 votes (87%)
Lane Kiffin
67 votes (3%)
Davis and Kiffin both
78 votes (4%)
Neither Davis nor Kiffin
133 votes (6%)
2189 people have voted so far
(These are the most current results)
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
And on top of that some of you completely ignore the development of the rooks. Kiffin’s rooks.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Since Al Davis lovers have said that if you don’t like Al Davis, you don’t like the Raiders. Are they trying to say that out of 2,189 people…1,911 are not “real” Raider fans or does that prove that most Raider fans see things in reality while there is a handful who grovel at Al Davis’ feet no matter what?
January 27th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I started following the Raiders when I was 9…I just turned 40
I watched part of Super Bowl 11 through my neighbor’s window because we didn’t have a TV.
I felt betrayed when the team moved to LA…but stuck with them.
I winced as I watched Al treat players like Marcus Allen and Van Mcelroy like crap
I winced again when he canned Shannahan
I rejoiced when they returned to Oakland and again when Gruden was hired and the team returned to glory.
I screamed when he was fired and started the downhill spiral
I spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to travel from Southern Cal to Oakland to sit in Sections 116, 105, 106, etc. so I could surround myself with the truest diehards and scream my brains out.
I spent over $4,000 to go to San Diego and see them get crushed by Gruden and the Bucs…
…but now I am done. That’s it. I can’t care about it anymore. No more flags on my 4Runner, no more Raider Image visits, no more games. I won’t start following another team…I just won’t care as much any more.
This isn’t like being the fan of a crappy team and watching constant mismanagement lead to one losing season after another. This is the Raiders. And I can’t continue to care as Al pisses away everything that made him and the team great. So long, farewell, and maybe the team’s next owner will restore them to glory after you have faded into the sunset.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Chris Webber could re-join the Warriors. The Bay Area news just keeps getting worse and worse. The only team worth watching anymore is the Sharks.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I have not been a supporter of the way AD runs the Franchise for several years so the AD haters would preaching to the choir with me. Kiffen was given his first opportunity as a head coach by AD and Kiffen owes AD loyalty and respect even if he does not get his way.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Sedrick Ellis hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Get McFadden right now. If Saunders is the OC then you need an all purpose back. Farglass sucks
January 27th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=34&url_article_id=11995&change_well_id=2
This talks about Kiffin and him coaching up the USC players at the Senior Bowl.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Kiffin took a job that nobody else wanted. Al Davis needs to return that loyalty and respect to Kiffin. If anything, Kiffin would have taken the USC job once Pete Carroll left. From that point, Kiffin could have eventually become a Head Coach. Kiffin likes challenges. I’m sure Gruden and Monte Kiffin told Lane what to watch out for but I think Kiffin wanted to take the challenge, regardless of the situation. I don’t think he was craving for the Head Coach spotlight as much as his desire to turn around a franchise from the ground up. Kiffin owes AD an @$$ whoopin for wasting his time by having his power stripped simply because AD is hard headed.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
[...] Mad Road Dog wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Mad Road Dog”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI have not been a supporter of the way AD runs the Franchise for several years so the AD haters would preaching to the choir with me. Kiffen was given his first opportunity as a head coach by AD and Kiffen owes AD loyalty and respect … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
[...] James wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by James”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to travel from Southern Cal to Oakland to sit in Sections 116, 105, 106, etc. so I could surround myself with the truest diehards and scream my brains out. … [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
[...] Brien wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Brien”Here’s ONLY a quick extractSedrick Ellis hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Get McFadden right now. If Saunders is the OC then you need an all purpose back. Farglass sucks. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Huff24 Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
“Chris Webber could re-join the Warriors. The Bay Area news just keeps getting worse and worse. The only team worth watching anymore is the Sharks.”
I have to disagree with you on this one Huff24. The Warriors are one of the most entertaining team to watch play in the NBA even if you aren’t a fan of the team. The Warriors are also a legitimate playoff team now.
All of this other nonsense isn’t even worth commenting on anymore, at least until all fo the specualtion ends and we actually get some concrete truth. I was out shopping today in my Raider gear and several people said things to me, mostly stuff like “what the hell?” and “hang in there bro”.
Have a good night everyone and hang in there Nation!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
As for the Def.. maybe they are gonna steal some of the Giants ast coaches after the SB?? Thats how I would play it out… plus, I dont think the Raiders are below putting out false info (good or bad) to get some air time and screw with the AFC west. I bet you Kiff went to Al and said “spread some rumors about me, get BSPN to look stupid again”…lol
January 27th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Alright, why do these weird football comment posts keep showing up for a few days now? Does anyone know?
Go Raiders.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
# Terrapin Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
And on top of that some of you completely ignore the development of the rooks. Kiffin’s rooks.
————
yeah, JaMarcus Russell (Kiffin stupidly wanted to waste the #1 overall on Quinn but thankfully didn’t get his way)
Zack Miller – good
Quentin Moses – great development :roll eyes:
Mario Henderson – great development :roll eyes:
Johnnie Lee Higgins – great developent :roll eyes:
Michael Bush – great development :roll eyes:
John Bowie – great development :roll eyes:
Jay Richardson – racked up sacks and stopped the run :roll eyes:
Eric Frampton – :roll eyes:
Oren O’Neil – :roll eyes:
Johnathan Holland – :roll eyes:
If you really want to give Kiffin full credit for this draft (”Kiffin’s rooks”), then he did an awfully crappy job. Between “Kiffin’s rooks” and Josh McClown, I say take personnel decisions away from Kiffin as quickly and completely as possible.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Huff24 – is that you? Mostly your posts are accurate. We HAVE won the Superbowl within the last 25 years. And we played in one 5 years ago. In the last 25 years, there have been 14 teams to win the Superbowl and of course the Raiders are one of those 14. Any way you cut it when you look at NFL history the Raiders belong with the elite. The problems are relatively recent.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I forgot to mention the other guy Kiffin brought in, Mike Williams. This guy’s got an eye for talent. Josh McClown and Mike Williams in one trade, yikes. And people are complaining about not giving him free reign over personnel decisions???!?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
As far as the polls there are a lot of people without much analytical ability nor knowledge of anything that happens outside their immediate environment. These are the same people that can not name their senators and congressman/woman who represent them. They do not know the history of the United States let alone the history of the Oakland Raiders, the AFL and the merger into the NFL.
I would say that if you hate Al Davis’ ability to run the Oakland Raiders, I can not understand why you are a fan of the team. You can’t change ownership. Al Davis runs, and is the primary owner of this team. If you distrust his ability to make decisions why spend your energy hoping that the team plays well…it seems nonsensical to me.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I don’t care what other teams have done and how we stack up. I care about our team and what we have done. Whether 1983 is 20 years ago or 25 years ago, it really doesn’t matter. Our team has not done what it needs to do since 1983. Period. You can mention 2002 but its obvious that was destroyed by the relationship of Davis and Gruden and that haunted us in the worst kind of way. I would have rather not gone to the Superbowl, then to go and get beaten down like a bunch of b!tches.
For whatever reason, Gruden had autonomy and free agents were happy to come here. The offensive system was great. The defensive system was similiar but we had some pretty good veterans role through here to play for us. There was for some reason, some type of discord between Al Davis and Gruden. You can site all the reasons why Gruden left but lets be honest…no coach in their right mind leaves a team that is so close to the Superbowl. Not only did Gruden leave but Bruce Allen jumped ship with him. That has to tell you something.
If some of you want to reason that we aren’t the Cardinals and some other crappy team, save it. I am not a fan of those teams. If they want to suck, fine..I don’t care but I do care very much for the Raiders and these years have sucked and that matters most to me. If you are content that we last won a Superbowl in 1983…you have some serious issues. Again…the hire of Gruden was AWESOME
January 27th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
…for some reason it didn’t work out. We have suffered ever since and it ALL starts with AD. Period.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Taking a chance on a 1st round WR for a 4th round pick was not a bad idea. Kiffin didn’t take long to pull the plug on it either as he was gone after 8 games. McCown took a beating behind a pass blocking line that wasn’t close to spectacular. Would you rather see JR take that beating? Remember Sims letting go of his guy and watching JR get slammed from behind a couple of different times? Imagine having that happen all year.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
That’s retarded Vinuous. Al Davis hasn’t won a Superbowl since 1983. I am and always will be a Raider fan because I was born in Oakland. They have had 3 winning seasons since moving back in 1995, all under the coach he traded. This would be the same coach who’s Buccaneers destroyed us in the Super Bowl. Since then the Raiders have been the worst team in the league. You can still be a fan and realize that the game passed Al by years ago and he has basically turned into the Fidel Castro of the NFL. I don’t expect them to win. I gave up my season tickets years ago, but I am still a Raider fan. I just hope they can get back to their winning ways before I am too old to care anymore.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Vinous – When Al Davis passes away. I’m going to guess that you will stop being a Raiders fan because without him, there is no Raiders right?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Also…how can you compare knowing the history of the US vs. knowing the history of the Raiders. Not everyone is a historian. Alot of politicians could give a rats @$$ about football. Alot of fans spend more time learning about the Raiders than they do about their governement while others know more about their government then they do about the Raiders or their favorite team for that matter. You can’t sit here and compare it all. Its vastly different. Intelligence comes in many forms and intelligence can be built on interest. Alot of people don’t learn as well about things they are not as interested in but they are incredible when they put their mind towards something they care alot about.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
To question anyone’s “fanhood” no matter what side of the fence that they are on is pointless and immature. Everyone has an opionion, and many more think that they have all of the answers.
From here it sounds like:
Poster #1 – “I’m more of a Raiders fan than you are because I love Al Davis”
Poster #2 – “No I’m more of a Raiders fan because Al Davis blows, why can’t you see that?”
January 27th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I appreciate history as much as the next guy but the game has passed Al by. The game has changed and Al’s ideas of how to play it haven’t. To suggest that Al gets all of the credit for past glories and none of the blame for the present short comings is not logical.
People tend to give Al all the credit for the Raiders past winnings and all of the losing is blamed on the coaches. Maybe Al needs to remove himself from making any coaching decsions if this is the case, because he must be a horrible judge of coaching talent.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
System Moderator…thank you, a registration system is long over due.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
This ancient, senile adult-diaper-wearing, curmudgeon is fading into the abyss of dementia. How can anyone with half a brain justify keeping Ryan’s scholarship in effect. Ryan’s defense was worse this year than it was last; and the “good stats” last year were not due to spectacular play but rather opposing teams taking their foot off the pedal once they got an insurmountable lead (one point). Why can’t Alzheimer Al admit that this game has passed him by. Why can’t he just sit back in his rocking chair and let the young contemporary coaches, of this era, bring his team back to respectability. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the exact same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That is the Al Davis/Ryan paradigm. You can’t expect a patient with Alzheimers to even remember last week let alone last year! You see it is Al’s decision making that stagnates development of this organization. Inconsistent leadership has lead to this severely dysfunctional disorganization. No FA player in his right mind should sign to come to the Oakland asylum. No coach wants to be a stooge for Al. There is no autonomy in this organization. Al will always have his nose in the pivotal decisions (ie. Ryan’s firing). Die hard Raider fans just have to hope that they outlive the old geezer because the Raiders will NOT go back to the playoffs unless Alzheimer Al allows his head coach to have total autonomy.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Al still has it. He must realize that Kiffin is the best thing to happen to the Raiders since his own glory days. If Kiffin isn’t coaching the Raiders next year, I won’t be going to any more games.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
MrSalamander
James
I’m right there with you.
Lifetime fan, ready to move my loyalty to the back burner.
If another change occurs, I will sadly turn away.
Raider for life.
Idiot no more.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
If Crazy Al is polling defensive players about Ryan, shouldn’t he also be polling the offensive players regarding Kiffin? I think you would find that if Crazy Al listened, he would keep both coaches.
Crazy Al doesn’t give a shit about the media and sometimes the fans.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Al Davis needs to retire and hand the organization off to someone who can wait to see this new Raiders team develop.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Mad Road Dog,
When you say your problem with Kiffin is his lack of loyalty, just how would you define loyalty? Should he be shining Al’s shoes? I really don’t get the loyalty thing; And hey, color me a soulless robot for it. Fair enough. But in this country, Lane is only obligated to abide to his contract. How much more loyal must he be? And, who sets these standards of loyalty? Al only? Shouldn’t it be a two way street? I’d say if one person must be more loyal than the other, then it’s no longer loyalty, it’s submission.
Lane Kiffin is a football coach, not a dog.
Loyalty’s an interesting concept. I think it’s the most noble thing in the world when it’s being done. But when one, on the other hand, expects it? It goes from noble to sinister.
Good luck trying to convince people that Al is some kind of victim these days of the modern day conglomerate of NFL and it’s corporate partners, with their bias game officiating and negative press, when you’re in the same breath telling people that Al’s employees must be “loyal” to him, as if they’re his slaves. Sounds like this Al Davis is a pretty s*#tty guy. Combine that with his record as of recent, and, well, you wonder if he’s really worth a damn, anymore.
I’ve been a fan of this team since ‘83 (at the age of 9). I didn’t even know who Al Davis was until the Marcus debacle. I’ve done some studying on him, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Ron Wolf had more to do with building the great Raider teams of old than Davis did. Our most recent success? It’s a no brainer that it was more Gruden’s work.
Nobody’s going to tell me that I’m not a real fan of this team because I refuse to be “loyal” to this sorry excuse for a general manager. I am a real fan, which is why I want Al Davis to recognize his personality flaws, which are seemingly beyond rehabilitation at this juncture of his life, and retire from at least football operations. From a Raider fan that wants this team to win, I would tell Davis to not let the door hit him in the as$ on the way out.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Sac Town’s getting hit by a massive storm right now. Sounds like my windows are about to blow out.
And no, I won’t blame Al for that. But global warming? Eh, maybe.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
System Moderator – It’s about time!!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Jerry wrote:
“Interesting to note that the Raiders are sending adverstising dollars to ProFootballTalk.com, the hugely popular rumor and information site which makes its living posting the very stories which the organization spends time trying to refute.”
……….
My goodness…
If he would just put this much effort into building a Super Bowl team.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
[...] I dress in black wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by I dress in black”Here’s ONLY a quick extractSystem Moderator – It’s about time!! [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Al is the man. Al does what he wants and I love it. I’m the same stubborn ass he is. You want to do it your way and go to grave buried faced down so they can kiss your ass when you die. As that funny looking Edgar Winter said, ” Why am I dying to live, if I’m just living to die?”
January 27th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
200 posts a day saying Al must go, Al retire, Al is senile, Al the game passed you by, Al take a dirt nap, Al this Al that..
Why dont you sour apples do us all a favor and jump across the bay and you can pump up John York, oh that doesn’t suit your fancy ok try the Bidwells in Arizona or what the hell the Skins just fired Coordinators and head coach resigned! Just a few options of course I left off the Jets, Falcons, Bengals…u get the hint!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
KoolKell, BHP, Dakota, SOULPATROL2, FIREKIFFIN !
System Moderator Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Some users have been pernanently blocked from their originating IP and will continue to be blocked when recognized. Those that access this site via wireless devices will be permantly blocked as well.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
How many of you are ACTUALLY going to boycot games next year if Lane is not our coach in 2008?? I’ve lost count on the number of posts I’ve read that made that statement. I only ask cuz at this point it seems quite likely.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
So how many more HC changes do we have to endure before you throw up your hands Mistabrown?
HC change, losing season, rinse/repeat.
HC change losing season, progress made, looking forward, yaddayadda. Fired.
HC change, losing season, rinse/repeat.
Maybe 3-4, or 10-12?
Its not that I quit being a Raider fan, its that I have had enough of the franchise delivering a consistently bad product.
I know – if I don’t like it I don’t have to watch.
I won’t.
This isn’t about being a fair weather fan either. It’s about realizing that no good can come of Al Davis’s decision making.
All this is predicated by any truths to the crap that douche Schefter over at NFLN started.
I tell ya what, I wasn’t in love with Kiffin’s decisions over the course of the 2007 season, but damn we have to know who the coach is year to year!
We have to maintain consistency.
Who wants to play for a team that might not have a coach in 2 weeks or 2 months after the season is over, year in year out?
January 27th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Bishop Im down with all that Id like to see Kiffin stay. Id like a new DC though.
The thing is Al is the Raiders, he isnt going to sell the team he isnt going to step down he isnt going to hire a GM so I dont understand the rants its ridiculous if your that pissed off find a new team. I suspect most of these people are the ones that go to the games and spill beer, fight, yell obscenities and act like a moron.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Im not going to throw up my hands Bishop. Its AL’s team. It doesn’t make or break my weekend, my Sunday or my life. This stuff isnt that serious its entertainment its sports and people wishing the man dead is just plain sickening. Al has a wife, he’s a father, maybe a grandfather I don’t know and people go on a blog and wish the man death. Its out of hand, we were in the SB only 6 years ago. Its his team he can do what he wants.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Welp, Mistabrown, I don’t fight at games, I drink my beer, and I’m not pissed off. I would never wish the death of another man, especially Al Davis, a hero of mine for years.
It’s just that it might be that at this point I stop taking Oakland Raider football as seriously as I once did. If the Commitment to Excellence is not a valid goal of the organization, then it is easy to see where we as a most loyal Nation of fans are being taken for granted.
You might have seen my posts – I live and breath Raider football. I defend my team with stats, suppositions, analysis and a sharing of the vision of the organization; with information taken from this very blog.
How can I defend against this most heinous act of mismanagement? ~ (If its true that is – *shakes fist at Adam Schefter)…
If its not true, then I say that our most legally inclined members of the Nation implore the Raider organization and the NFL to trace this story back to its roots and sue the hell out of whoever started this crap.
If it turns out to be truth, then I will make the decision to take off the blinders, go out on Sunday (fishing anyone?) and tune in my trusty radio to Greg Papa’s broadcast. No more games. No more fuming in front of the TV. Out.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Huff24, No I do not root for the Raiders only because of Al Davis, but I believe he represents the persona of the Raiders. The Raiders had a mystic that no other team had…and I just appreciate that…I am not sure that the Raiders can get that mystic back ever…but it is very unlikely that that will ever occur without Al Davis.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
i’m not taking sides on the love Al hate Al debate,it does no good,plus i’ve already given my opinion.but a lot of Al haters seem to contradict themselves.they claim,&maybe rightfully so,that our team sucks every year because Al calls all the shots,and won’t delagate any responsibilty to his head coaches.usually in the same post,they refer to Gruden building the 2002 team.you can’t have it both ways.either Al controls everything or he lets his coaches do their jobs.i do find it humorous that all the talk is about AL & Kiffin and everyone has totally forgotten about the guy who should be fired-R Ryan.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:11 am
I just saw Kawakami on Sports Sunday. What a friggin idiot! “Al is alone in a dark room and hates the world”. Look, I don’t agree with what’s going on with Lane, but I would LOVE to see Lane stick it to Al and coach our team in 2008. I know Al is interviewing both Lofton and Saunders to be the OC, and trying to push Lane out by changing things around him. Lane, hang in there! Ride it out…Crazy Al will perish before you’re 3rd year is over!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 12:18 am
It’s not about loyalty. Who has Al been loyal too? Fred, Art, Marcus? It’s a one way street to him. You must be loyal to the mob, but the mob has no loyalty to you. To run anything on Loyalty just means your not honest enough to run on your skills.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Questions to the more senior bloggers out there:
Was Al always this controlling in the Madden & Flores years?
Did he always meddle and have control issues?
Why was he a coach for only one year?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:34 am
to ? 1&2-probably,but we were winning so it wasn’t an issue.to ? 3-he became commish of the AFL and helped force the merger with the NFL.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Lefty 12 – I don’t think its a matter of forgetting about Rob Ryan. The fact is…if Al Davis wants Rob Ryan to stay, then hes going to stay. If Kiffin wants Rob Ryan to go and Al Davis won’t let him, theres nothing anybody can do so thats possibly where we’re at. The problem we’re all having is…is Al meddling? Is he taking control away from the Head Coach? Is that why Rob Ryan is still here? I would agree that Rob Ryan should go but if Al Davis doesn’t agree…what can we do?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Wasn’t Al Davis a Head Coach for about 3 years?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Wikipedia.com
Davis compiled a coaching record of 23-16-3 in three seasons as head coach in Oakland. In April 1966 he was named the American Football League Commissioner. He immediately commenced an aggressive campaign against the NFL and signed several of the NFL’s top players to AFL contracts. Other AFL owners held secret meetings with the NFL, and in July the AFL and NFL announced that they were merging. Because of the compensation AFL teams were required to pay the NFL, and because he believed the AFL would be the superior league if allowed to remain separate, Davis was against the merger. He chose to return to the Raiders as general partner and head of football operations (along with seven other co-owners), rather than remain as commissioner until the end of the AFL in 1970.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Obviously I had too much coffee tonight; this is way too long.
I keep playing the reports of this week’s soap opera (as reported) over and over in my head. So much of it doesn’t make sense, even for those who think AD is so far past his sanity that he should be boycotted.
What are the purported reasons for the rift between Davis and Kiffin? Do they make sense?
Reason 1: Moss: So Davis is pissed off now because Kiffin (and the coaches) talked him into dumping Moss for a 4th round pick (after AD turned down a 3rd round trade from Green Bay)? And he’s pissed now when this happened almost a year ago?!? That doesn’t make sense. Of course it’s frustrating to watch Moss set records this year and to hear the press talk about his “reform”. And how can it surprise anyone that Davis would have said “why couldn’t he do that for us?” when watching Moss score a touchdown this year? (See Gay’s column). But who of us hasn’t said exactly that, including Kerry Collins, Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter, and Norv, and Shell? But under what theory of reality could anyone imagine Moss having had even a moderately good year this year with our quaterback situation as well as his for cr*p attitude. He was done with the Raiders. He would never have had a good year if he had stayed.
So it makes no sense to think that AD wouldn’t know that too. It’s too obvious. Frustrating as hell, but not something to hang on Kiffin almost a year later.
Reason 2: Fix the Defense and Fire Ryan: Can’t argue with the first point. To want to bring in a different DC also makes sense. It makes so much sense that most of the R-Nation saw it as an important next step and the local media and pundits thought it too. (so did the players apparently). Most of us know that the stats for the 2006 defense suggested a team that was better on paper than the product we saw on the field that year. So how could AD be pissed off that Kiffin wnated to turn to the defense this year? Maybe Kiffin was sloppy and premature about contributing to rumors about Ryan’s imminent departure, but the rumors didn’t have to come from him. MOst of the organization thought Ryan was over with the Raiders.
But then what? Davis overrides the decision? Ok, maybe. Who knows. Some folks thought that maybe it was just a delaying tactic until other coaches freed up. Probably not. Probably Davis insisted/convinced/ordered Kiffin to play better and get along with Ryan for next year. Ok fine. That happens in the professional world sometimes. Kiffin was probably (maybe) pissed off. But they went to Mobile, the Raiders put out the press release Ryan was staying, and Ryan and Kiffin all said the right things.
Is that enough to want to fire Kiffin? Cant imagine how it could be. Fire someone for getting pissed off? For wanting to improve the defense? Kiffin did nothing to embarass or challenge the boss in the press or public. So I dont’ see this one either.
Reason 3: College Job Talk: Seems like a pretty petty reason to risk disrupting and possibly derailling the team for next year. Especially when he saw how destructive some other coaches left mid season. More importantly, KIFFIN DENIED ANY INTEREST. So his response was appropriate.
This seems like the kind of “issue” the boss gets annoyed with, tells someone to caution the kid about it, and it’s history. Not worth firing.
Reason 4: 4-12 Season. Well, maybe that’s enough. But it sure felt from everything that was heard that Kiffin was an improvement, had the players behind him, and though not perfect or infallible by any stretch, was unwilling to accept losing or make excuses.
Bottom line: I haven’t heard of any good enough reason to justify letting Kiffin go (or drive him out).
So, late night (early morning) optimist that i am, i continue to hope Kiffin is here next year. And I hope that most of these news stories are just overhyped bs.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:39 am
fromR365
“Although the bomb that set the most recent developments in motion was Kiffin’s attempt to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, Kiffin and Davis began clashing on staff makeup a year ago over a contract for Mark Jackson, Kiffin’s top administrative aide,” a Sports XChange report on MSNBC.com read.
“Jackson got neither the money nor the length of agreement that Kiffin thought Davis had agreed to. By mid-season, Davis essentially had Jackson moved out of his office in the personnel department and rendered him a non-person.”
Now, it seems Davis wants to make Kiffin a “non-person” by getting him to opt out of his current contract, which has two years remaining on it.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:41 am
[...] Seriously wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Seriously”Here’s ONLY a quick extractHow many of you are ACTUALLY going to boycot games next year if Lane is not our coach in 2008?? I’ve lost count on the number of posts I’ve read that made that statement. I only ask cuz at this point it seems quite likely. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 12:43 am
The post was by Anthony Carroll on January 28, 2008 12:12 AM.
Had anyone heard of Jackson being moved out of his office?????
January 28th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Has anyone thought that AD doesn’t have the time to watch his team develope – he thinks he needs to win NOW. His age and competency (or lack thereof) compels him to make rash decisions to win today – even though his desperation is not the answer?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Fender52 – Very nice post. You should be writing about the Raiders in the local papers. It would definately be worth reading.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Crazy Al DID say publicly that he wanted to win 2 more Superbowls in his lifetime…
January 28th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Huff24: you are too kind. but thanks for the compliment. honestly, i blame the late night coffee…
January 28th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Raul good point I don’t remember and maybe because I was very young in the 70’s (I’m 40) but I don’t remember this type of thing until after Flores was gone. I have stated before that the fall of the Raiders was with Marcus and the way Gruden went down was when the fans started to revolt.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Also Raul, the fact that he is pissed of if so true at Kiff for trading Moss, why isn’t he mad at himself. He was the one who allowed himself to be convinced to do so, he should be mad at himself don’t you think?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:12 am
i’m just playing devils advocate-if Kiffin had a 3 year plan for the Raiders,why did he put out feelers for college jobs?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:19 am
AL tested the waters with moving out of Oakland and some fans left but the die hards were always going to be with him after that. Until now. Up until the first of this past season, Al could do no wrong. I began to believe he was pulling a Flordia Marlins on the fans. Remember how they would win and then quickly disassemble the team with a fire sell? The owner would rather make money than win consistently and spend that precious money on free agents and a winning product. Al is getting ready, for the Raiders to remain in his family after he is gone. If I am correct, the Raiders are his sole source of income. Maybe he would rather make money than win. Continually destabilizing the team with new coaching staffs and getting non prime FA’s and allowing your best players to leave in free agency says more than hollow words of excellence. Of course what we are seeing now with the tightwad approach of trying to force Kiffin out because he doesn’t want to pay him, nor did he want to pay Shell, has backfired upon him and only affirms my belief. The old Al would have fired him protests be damned. Let him try and recoup that money in a court of law or greivence. Nowadays Al spends his time telling the press at his press confrences that they are eating his food, geez.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Lefty12:
I don’t recall exactly when the rumors started, but I am pretty sure it was whe we still only had two wins under our belt. Regardless of the 2 more years, and a three year plan, maybe Kiffin was concerned Davis might dump him. At that point there was still no way to know if the players would be staying on board (as they did) even with the tough schedule at the end of the year. And maybe the media is just wrong; maybe Kiffin really didn’t put the feelers out there and it was all 98% gossip and wishful thinking on the part of alumni bloggers. (apparently football team blog readers can be a little obsessive, i’m told).
and what employee doesn’t like the boss to know that there are other interested parties out there….
Kiffin’s human too (and young at this game).
January 28th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Because like a cat he wants to land on his feet. “treacherous” to quote Denny Green
January 28th, 2008 at 1:34 am
wow
January 28th, 2008 at 1:34 am
or maybe he was given the advise to take the Raider job as a way to get his foot in the door and then take the first job he could land to get out.remember,his old man works for Gruden and Gruden has no love for AD,or the Raiders.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Well, it’s obvious Gruden doesn’t have any love for AD, but you think he is that cold to forget the fans connection that was had?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Frankly (looks like we’re the only ones up) i’ve never understood why college would be more appealing? More jobs openings and more money? Cheerleaders?
At the end of the speculation, I think Kiffin is a pro football guy, and the NFL is his dream job level. If he flirted with college (at all) it was only as a fall back position. If college was his target career level, he could easily have waited a year or two at USC and stepped into a nice college gig based on his record and his Pete Carroll connections. But because he wants into the NFL, he took one of the few jobs in the NFL available, and one that was offered to him in part because few else would take or consider it. I really think this is the level where he wants to be.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:51 am
College is where the truly big money in coaching is made. Long term deals prove to be the dream with iron clad contracts. Plus you don’t have to count on rich prima donnas to play when they want to. You can have players buy into what you are saying because if they want to play and go pro they have no choice. Your Athletic Director and you work better than a HC and GM because they have a common goal for their combined good and you don’t have a meddlesome owner who is impatient but rather a dean who has some intellect behind him. Pete Carroll wants his name to be out there in connection with NFL teams but he doesn’t want to leave the situation he has now does he?
Kiff needed to seperate himself from the pack and what better way to do it than with the most difficult team in sports.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:53 am
yeah it’s late for you I gather but, my day is just starting. I live in Europe
January 28th, 2008 at 2:15 am
i think Kiffin might be more of a college guy.he stated at the end of the year that the thing that suprised him most about coaching at the pro level was how unprofessional so many players are.by being a HC,it would be easier to get a top job than by being an asst. at the college level.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:27 am
I think your right and at the end of the day if he only has one more year on his contract as reported in an Ira Miller article for 1.7 Million, why is Al hedging on chump change like that? The old Al would have fired him by now, except maybe the old goat is having second thoughts and confusion.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Maybe the only thing dementia left him was his stubborness, lol
January 28th, 2008 at 2:40 am
he doesn’t have anyone else lined up right now.if he can find someone willing to work under his rules-Kiffin is toast and we have to start all over again.it is maddening but the old fart does control things so if we still want to be a Raider fans all we can do is watch and shake our heads.i’ve been a fan too long now to change teams.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:12 am
[...] I Hope So wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by I Hope So”Here’s ONLY a quick extractwow. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 3:29 am
I wish that Al Davis would just take over as coach so he could be held accountable for the failure of the Raiders in stead of having a puppet head coach that he can blow out of the water every other year as a scapegoat.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Oh I am still a Raider fan too, but something is gone from it now. These are only my opinions, take it for what it’s worth with nothing but my gut telling me. Better clarify that for the moderator with all the libel slander it’s been spouting. I have no malice towards Al, I just wish he would step aside. The Raiders need a GM and players need to be accountable just as the coach is. I stated months ago we should have the tuna, not an option. Maybe I will try and be an optimist, Green for GM? Has to be better than what we got, he does have an eye for talent
January 28th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Though I recall Green saying the Raiders coaching situation was “treacherous” a few years ago. If he can do the job, why not. In this day and age the loyalty issue of wants to be a Raider for life is next to impossible for any team really, unless you are an icon, not much of them around
January 28th, 2008 at 3:37 am
If indeed Kiffin has one year left, it is a reasonable assumption to think that it will be a wasted year, better to move on for the team, but I don’t blame him for wanting his money. It doesn’t make sense to me why Davis would hold on to him if that is the case. I mean if he has 1.7 million and one year left on his contract to why not just fire him? What’s holding Al up? He will be a good coach someday, he’s just learning now.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:50 am
MMQB Peter King :
This ineptitude has been going on for a half-decade now. To put some perspective on how absolutely horrible Oakland has been, consider that the run began the year after the Raiders went to the Super Bowl. You don’t go to the Super Bowl with a horrendous base of talent. There has to be some ability there. Yet, in the five years following that appearance, the Raiders have been significantly worse than every one of the four expansion teams of this generation have been in their first five seasons.
You can look it up. In regular-season records, Jacksonville (49-31), Carolina (38-42), Cleveland (26-54) and Houston (24-56) averaged 34 wins in their first five seasons of existence — 15 more than the Raiders have had in their last five seasons.
Seems more like twenty years to me besides the Gruden years we have nothing to show. What makes me think it’s going to be any different as long as chaos is envolved.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:01 am
He also states “tell me if you think Kiffin is the problem there”
I can’t say that I do, give him a chance Al. If he is as brass and smart as you were in the day, he is worth keeping.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:07 am
No way would I turn control of an NFL franchise over to a 32 year old rookie coach coming off of a 4-12 season. You guys act like he is getting rid of The Tuna..There are a thousand coaches out there that can coach Raiders to 4-12. Al is going nowhere, if you don’t like it, get a new team. That man owns the team, meaning he has a right to run the way he see fit. All he ask for is a coach to come in and coach and let Al and his staff worry about contracts, the draft and players. Kiff will be okay, but it appears this job was not for him. Simple, not the end of the world.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:07 am
I feel as though I am talking to myself, oh well. Here is hoping they draft Ellis with the pick, if he is not already gone.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:08 am
I’ve wanted Al Saunders to be our HC since we hired Norv. I’d love to see it happen, but not like this. I’ve never been a huge fan of Knapp, he’s alright, but I hope Al gets Knapps over Kiffins, or gets some goofy assistant HC title.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:13 am
I am so tired of people saying what you just said “don’t like it get a new team” It’s about this situation always happening and nothing coming from it. Nothing changes the Raiders still have the worst record in football since their last superbowl appearence dispite 4 coaches. What they need is continuity. Instead of focusing on the draft, they are focusing on denials and it appears petty games. No it’s not the end of the world and Al will run the team the way he sees fit, that is apparent to everyone. The buck stops at his table and most fans now realize this.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:14 am
interesting to say you would not turn over your franchise to a 32 year old rookie coach but in the same breathe say it’s not the end of the world and that there are thousands of coaches out there
January 28th, 2008 at 4:40 am
[...] Bill wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Bill”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI’ve wanted Al Saunders to be our HC since we hired Norv. I’d love to see it happen, but not like this. I’ve never been a huge fan of Knapp, he’s alright, but I hope Al gets Knapps over Kiffins, or gets some goofy assistant HC title. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Why does everyone make a big deal of 32 years old..its not like basketball where u have a 17, 18 yr old kid coming out! Kiffin is 32 MARRIED AND has TWO children! Everyone wanted to blame Josh but u think he got all those broken bones racing Routt?? The offensive line was still horrible at pass protecting therefore Kiff had to stick with the run and hope the defense held up! IT had nothing to do with his AGE but rather the inepptitude of the current roster.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Freak exceptions notwithstanding the model for success in the NFL is, it seems to me, conceptually at least, pretty straight forward.
1 Hire a good coach.
2 Give them multiple years to install staff, philosophy & systems.
3 Draft, trade and use FA well and specifically for your systems.
If by year 3/4 you’re not knocking on the door of a championship then rinse and repeat.
Lane Kiffin may or may not be a good enough head coach. I don’t get to see him work on the practise field, in meetings and in the war room. All I have to judge are the games the stats and whatever I pick up in the media. On that basis my personal opinion is that he did more than enough for the Raiders to let him do it his way for the next couple of years and see where we end up. (Incidentally by the criteria above I’d like to have seen Rob Ryan let go this year as well)
But my point isn’t about Lane Kiffin but about his boss.
Whichever way you look at it Al Davis is killing this team.
Whether you believe Al personally selects every draft pick, every trade, every FA signing, enforces what system will be played, what plays called and how they’re coached etc or that he actually cuts the coaches, execs and personnel people he’s hired more slack than that the fact remains he is responsible.
A hands on Davis has won an average of fewer than 5 games a season for the last 5 years.
A delegating Davis has hired staff who have won an average of fewer than 5 games a season for the last 5 years.
I frankly don’t care which is the real Davis the point is it isn’t working.
The environment he is responsible for creating and managing just isn’t conducive to winning football games. (reminder =< 5 wins for 5 years)
Take nothing away from his extraordinary achievements of the past but it just isn’t working today.
Events over the last few weeks make me wish sometimes that I had never crept downstairs in the middle of the night, aged 12, to watch the ‘84 Superbowl [I'm from the UK] . Had I got 8 solid hours instead of getting hooked on the Raiders I’d be able to laugh along with everyone else at the dysfunctional soap opera we’ve become.
I’m not going to start mailing my Raiders jerseys back to the facility. I’m not going to start following another team. I’m not going to stop tuning in on Sundays. In some ways I wish I could.
But I’m Raiders for life, a chronic condition with no known cure.
With parity, free agency etc I appreciate that any fan has to expect good years and bad. There won’t always be wins, titles and championships.
But dammit Al when you’re systematically taking away hope it’s time to go!
January 28th, 2008 at 5:40 am
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 5:54 am
FLPETE,
Who was Kiffin suppose to start CPEP the loveboat Daddy or let me race against a track star on one knee! So if you say the boss “AL” made and should make the decisions it was AL who wanted to teach J_RUSS and the rest of the NFL about rookie signings furthermore it was the GREAT AL that didn’t want to release the BUM Jordan or Rhodes to give bush a roster spot for fear that KC or Denver would sign them! Anyways if his butt-buddy Ryan was an NFL caliber coordinator he would know how to stop him cuz he’s seen him play for the whole time LJ has been in Oakland!
January 28th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Great post, Tolworth Raider and my story (I’m also from the UK) is similar to yours, save for the fact I was permitted to stay up and watch the Raiders kill the Redskins.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Al is pissed that Kiffen inderectly showed Ryan and Davis for the 11 returning starters on defense that were mostly Davis picks were average to below average!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 6:06 am
anyone who still wants big al running the raiders would also want a fox to run his chickenhouse.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:08 am
TIFF #1: WHO’S WRONG? AL
LOYALTY? IF KIFFIN WINS HE WONT LEAVE. IF HE LOSES THAN APPARENTLY WE SHOULDN’T CARE IF HE LEAVES.
TIFF #2: WHO’S WRONG? KIFF
KIFFIN SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT ITS AL’S DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY. IT HAS BEEEN FOR AS LONG AS I’VE BEEN ON THIS EARTH. THE FAILURE IS IN THE SYSTEM NOT THE DEF COORD. WHOEVER COMES IN IS GOING TO BE LIKELY TO BE UNSUCCESSFUL AGAINST THE RUN. IF THE SECONDARY IS CHASING THEIR MAN IN MAN TO MAN DEFENSE AND WE DON’T HAVE RUN STUFFING LINEBACKERS WE’RE NEVER GONNA BE GOOD AGAINST THE RUN. AND WE ALL KNOW HOW AL EMPHASIZES LINEBACKER PLAY. NOT A RYAN FAN AT ALL BUT KIFF SHOULD’VE KEPT HIS MOUTH SHUT AND LET RYAN DO HIS THING. I CAN REMEMBER WHEN GRUDEN’S OFFENSE WAS DISMANTLING TEAMS AND I WAS LOOKING AT CHUCK BRESHNAHAN LIKE HE WAS THE BIGGEST CLOWN ON EARTH. COOINCIDENCE?
TIFF#3: WHO’S WRONG? AL
FOR THOSE OF YOU YAHOO’S WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT STATS AND NUMBERS, GET A CLUE. IF YOU ARE GONNA GAUGE KIFFS SUCCESS ON STATISTICS YOURE AN IDIOT. COMPARISONS TO PREVIOUS COACHES #’S IS RIDICULOUS. THIS TEAM PLAYED WITH HEART DESPITE THE CIRCUMSTANCES. HEART AND ACCOUNTIBILITY ARE PRIORITIES. ONLY A COACH CAN INSTILL THAT THROUGH COACHING STYLE AND PLAYER SELECTION. THE STATS AND W’S WILL FALL INTO PLACE. SEE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.
TIFF #4: WHOS WRONG? AL AND KIFF
WHY DOES THE RAIDER NATION LOVE KIFFIN? BECAUSE WE COULD ACTUALLY SIT THROUGH AN ENTIRE GAME AND KNOW THE TEAM LOST BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST PLAIN INFERIOR. AFTER 5 DREADFUL YEARS, BILL’S CALLY’S “STUPIDEST TEAM” SEEMED TO FINALLY GO AWAY. ON THE OTHER HAND A FIELD FULL OF MCCOWN’S WILL ONLY WIN YOU MORAL VICTORIES. HOW BOUT A HAPPY MEDIUM ,GENTLEMEN.
TIFF #5: WHOS WRONG? KIFF
WE ALL KNOW HOW TIGHT LIPPED THE FRONT OFFICE IS. IT WAS KIFF’S CREW WHO TOOK THE LID OFF. A SIMPLE POWER MOVE. NOW THE MEDIA HAS US ALL BY THE BALLS WHICH DOES NO GOOD FOR THE ORGANIZATION. SELFISH MOVE BY KIFFIN EVEN IF IT IS IN THE TEAMS BEST INTERESTS IN THE LONG RUN. SHOULD’VE BEEN HANDLED DIFFERENTLY.
TIFF #6 WHOS WRONG? AL
ARE YOU ALL KIDDING ME WITH ANALYZING LAST YEARS DRAFT AND BLAMING KIFF. UH HAVE YOU BEEN AROUND THE PAST UMPTEEN YEARS? WHERE’S COLLINS, GIBSON, STINCHCOMB, HARRIS, BUCHANNON, RITCHIE, JOLLEY? GET REAL.
TIFF#7: WHOS WRONG? AL AND KIFF
WHEN YOUR 32 YOU WANT JOB SECURITY. AL DOESN’T ASSURE MUCH IN SECURITY VIA LONG TERM CONTRACTS AND KIFFIN KNEW THAT. SO HOW DID THIS RELATIONSHIP START? THEY BOTH COULDN’T POSSIBLY BE THAT STUPID.
TIFF #8: WHOS WRONG? AL
GROW A SET DUDE. IF YOU DON’T WANT HIM FIRE HIS ASS. I APPRECIATE A GOOD CHESS GAME AND THE WITTINESS BEHIND SAVING YOURSELF A COUPLE MILLION. BUT WHEN YOU BRING DOWN EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING YOUR ORGANIZATION AND ENTIRE FAN BASE IN SPITE OF IT, IT STINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THE NATION IS WORTH MORE THAN 2 MILLION.
TIFF#9: WHOS WRONG? KIFF
EVERY RUMOR HAS AT LEAST 10% TRUTH TO IT. KIFFIN’S NAME DIDN’T GET THROWN INTO THE COLLEGE MIX BECAUSE SOMEONE PICKED IT OUT OF A HAT. IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM HE HAD TO EXPRESS AT LEAST A SMIDGIN OF INTEREST AT SOME POINT IN TIME. AND I KNOW IF I’M GOING TO FORK OUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND GIVE A HUMAN BEING THE RESPONSIBILITIES A HEAD COACH HAS IN THE NFL, THATS A SMIDGIN TOO MUCH. ESPECIALLY ALREADY.
TIFF #10: WHOS WRONG? US
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO DISCUSS ANY TIFF’S OF THIS MAGNITUDE LESS THAT ONE YEAR IN IS NUTS. NOT MUCH ANYONE CAN DO THIS TIME OF YEAR EXCEPT SIT AND LET THE TRUTH SURFACE. THEN ONCE THE SEASON COMES WE CAN ALL VOICE OUR DISCONTENT OR OUR PLEASURE WITH OUR WALLETS. WHICH PROBABLY ON A LARGER SCALE STILL WON’T MAKE TOO MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE. STAY STRONG NATION ALL THINGS GOOD OR BAD EVENTUALLY MUST COME TO AN END.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Native…
IMHO, a healthy NFL QB is a better starter than an injured one… unless your name is Brady, or Manning, or Favre… a healthy and ready to go Andrew Walter had to have been better than McCown or CPep… but really this is just second guessing… it’s my personal attitude toward that subject…
yes, i really wanted to see what Michael Bush had… hopefully, we’ll get a pleasant surprise next year…
but you ignored the rest of what i had to say above in post 265…
i honestly do not believe Kiffin was “in”… not with the Raiders that is… i think he looked at this job as a stepping stone to something else… i do believe he was not loyal to the Raider brand… and i do believe he was promoting himself as a potential part of the NFL family of rotating coaches…
or even more likely… the head coach of a college program…
the kid was a Raider for less than a year… Al Davis is the Raiders…
January 28th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Yeah, Al Davis is the Raiders, but it must be killing him to know that the overwhelming majority of this is against him and for that kid with one year under his belt. His persona has taken a major hit in my eyes, pity.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Here’s the kicker: It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Much worse. Al will never relinquish control. When the NFL inevitably tries to step in, Al will tie things up in court for years. Oakland will remain the loony bin of the NFL. It’s no wonder that Adam Schefter reported Friday that Chris Long’s family — Howie Long’s family — doesn’t want the Raiders to draft him. What top pick will want to play for a new coach every year? I feel bad for JaMarcus Rusell….
January 28th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I just don’t get some of u’s thought process. What the hell has Rob Ryan done in 4 years as DC? Please give me a legit answer. (Just look up the damn rankings man – its been awful). Now IF Kiffin wanted him replaced I see NO reason for blocking this move. NONE!
And its even more mindboggling to do the opposite and keep Ryan, but fire Kiffin.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:42 am
[...] LA Dave wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by LA Dave”Here’s ONLY a quick extractanyone who still wants big al running the raiders would also want a fox to run his chickenhouse. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 6:42 am
[...] Florida Pete wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Florida Pete”Here’s ONLY a quick extracti honestly do not believe Kiffin was “in”… not with the Raiders that is… i think he looked at this job as a stepping stone to something else… i do believe he was not loyal to the Raider brand… and i do believe he was promoting himself … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I just don’t get it; therefore, Kiffin can’t be on his way out. Such a move will fly in the face of competence. Such a move defines incompetence. Man, just thinking about how that defense performed last year pisses me off. And to make it worse is the fact that the defense focused on run stopping before the season began – it was given major emphasis in training camp. The result – massive failure.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Al Davis has become the poster child for incompetence. I have come to expect anything.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Florida Pete is my hero.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I think we should draft ellis!!!
uuhhhmmm talking about Lane and Al???
thought that issue was covered 3 weeks ago…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Huff 24 says it all.” We haven’t won a super bowl in 25 years, how can you defend that?” Instead of bithcing here,send your gripes to the team, let them know your pain.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I heard Al Saunders got hired today as head coach. Is that true?
January 28th, 2008 at 7:54 am
BK – WHERE did you hear that?
January 28th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I’ve had it…!!!! I’ve been a fanatical devotee of the Silver & Black since 1967, the Great and the not so great. We’ve had garbage management and coaching efforts since Davis let Gruden go. FINALLY, we get a ray of hope, our offense makes a couple touchdowns and seem to be playing more cohesively and he wants to boot Lane out the door???!!! No more. If he does this I’ll burn everything I have associated with the Raiders. I’m no kid either. I’m pushing 48 years old and am prepared to turn my back, and my wallet to the team I’ve loved for almost 4 decades. Wake Up Al and MOVE ASIDE. Know when it’s time to hang up the clip board and just write the checks……………..
January 28th, 2008 at 7:57 am
My sister in Portland, OR told me. I live in Idaho and don’t get much Raider news up here.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Dark days in Oakland.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Here is what Al Davis looks for in a coach: Loyalty, devotion, submission, obedience, conformity, capitulation, acquiescence, obsequiousness, toadying, and sycophancy = Rob Ryan and losing.
Here is what Al Davis should look for in a coach: Leadership, direction, command, authority, weight (and not Rob Ryan’s kind of weight), guidance, management, organization = Lane Kiffin? = winning (not sure yet) = competitiveness (certainly).
January 28th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Are you a man of your word Fluffy?
Straight up?
Huff24 Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 1:59 am
I’m In with Kiffin and I’m Out with Kiffin. Straight up!
Going to bed. Peace.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am
http://silverandblackforever.blogspot.com/
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Dark Days In Alameda
I went outside to grab a cup of coffee at my local Starbucks. A couple things seemed fitting. First, it was raining outside with no hint of sunshine. Second, my local Starbucks was closed because of a power outage in the area.
So as I drove the few extra miles to another Starbucks, I began to contemplate all the ramifications of the current mess emanating from Alameda. After wading through all the “what ifs” the 2 conclusions that raised to the surface is simply the following:
Al Davis doesn’t care about the fans and Al Davis doesn’t care about winning. Prove me wrong on either count because I’m all ears.
Since the departure of Gruden, just look at how Davis has selected his next head coach. In each case, the process was a complete joke. The number of legitimate candidates was paltry. The final selections were dubious. The number of candidates interviewed and the foot dragging was appalling. The authority of the chosen Head Coach was extremely limited. When we finally struck gold with a charismatic, young leader like Kiffin, Davis found a way to ruin a good thing.
If Davis truly cared about his players and winning he would understand the importance of stability and continuity. 5 coaches (Gruden, Callahan, Turner, Shell, Kiffin) in 7 seasons later and we are going to be right back at the trough looking for our next head coach.
Holding the key leadership position in the organization, Davis should understand how critical it is to give his head coach all of the tools, resources, support, and authority necessary to lead his staff and players. As the key leader in the Raiders organization, Davis should also know how important trust & respect is to a healthy relationship. Neutering Kiffin in a public fashion was s a poisonous, vengeful act that has no point of return.
As a long time Raider fan, I will continue to follow the team. However, my support of the Raiders will be in spite of Al Davis not because of him. His meddlesome ways and need to exert his power is getting in the way of the one thing he craves, glory.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:15 am
While rumor mongering is fun, Kiffin has actually SAID he is going to up the offense this year. He SAID last year he was trying to basicly stop the bleeding and evaluate talent by going with a run and play D Ravens style gameplan.
Lofton has experience in the old pass happy Air Coryel style and has knowledge of AFC West teams especially the Dolts.
Saunders is more pass happy than Gnapp but if Gnapp goes, what about Cable? Of course, unlike Lofton, Saunders is nothing more than a rumor.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
If Alvin “The Chipmunk” Davis wants the Raiders to become winners I agree with an above posting. Bring in Tatum to defense, Madden GM and Long on offense. Put now coach K. calling the plays, until he grows up. Could you imagine doing some type of a mistake on the field, and waking back to the sidelines then getting an ear-full from Long or Tatum……….
If not “just sell baby” and so it is……………
January 28th, 2008 at 8:28 am
It cracks me up how you guys stll worship me after I completely destroyed the Raiders from the inside out.
What a bunch of LOSERS.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:30 am
This nonsense aside…
If Dallas trades with Miami to draft MacF at #1 that means at either 3 or 4 we are guarenteed to have C Long (DE), G Dorsey or S Ellis still available.
Long (DE) would make Burgess expendable and we could trade him for a 3rd rd or maybe even a low 2nd on draft day. Long, Kelly, Richardson, and Clemmons would be our DE rotation – not to bad. I’d still go after a guy like Smith of Cincy in FA in case Kelly isn’t his preinjury self.
Ellis (DT) – A HUGE Senior Bowl. Could provide much needed run support and pass pressure. Could you imagine Ellis and a FA like Haynesworth at the two DT spots? Scary – in a good way.
Dorsey – Is still a stud but injury issues are making Ellis look better.
2nd round
Laws (DT) Big Senior Bowl. Solid in run or pass. Could be around in 2nd if we get DE Long in the 1st.
WR – Guys like Caldwell and Avery will still be around at the top of the 2nd.
Forget RB’s. A front four of Long, Laws, Haynesworth, Richardson/Clemmons is the kind that wins championships. Or imagine Burgess, Ellis, Haynesworth, Clemmons on pasing downs.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:30 am
It’s Jon Gruden, not JOHN Gruden…you Moron
January 28th, 2008 at 8:35 am
let him be ATLRaider…
just an alterego of that guy… maybe he was abused when infant…
January 28th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Get one of those Dlineman and go from there. All 3 can make an immediate impact on this defense.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Al Davis is a disciple of Sid Gillman. He admires those who have followed in his footsteps, like Don Coryell, Joe Gibbs, Ernie Zampese, and most recently Al Saunders.
In other words: “The Vertical Game”. He has come to realize that while Lance is a nice kid, he has taken the Raiders down the wrong path to the point that they don’t look like the Raiders anymore. When Lance said that we were not the kind of team built to put up a lot of points, he lost a lot of points with Al.
Thats the writing on the wall.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:44 am
“NFL Network’s Adam Schefter says the “prevailing feeling” around the Raiders is that Lane Kiffin and the club will not part ways.
Both Kiffin and Al Davis appear unwilling to forgo their financial interests. While the staredown could continue a while, the situation seems to dysfunctional, even for the Raiders, to make it all the way to Week 1.
Jan. 28 – 2:44 a.m. ET
Source: NFL.com”
January 28th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I have a feeling that I will be the next head coach of the Raiders. I know the vertical game from Don Coryell. I can teach it. We will be great.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:46 am
An interesting note that Al “I’m on my deathbed” Davis ignores.
If he stopped trying to “win today” five years ago, he’d have a decent team by now. Instead of building a playoff team and sticking with a plan like Cleveland, the Giants, the Dolts, the Cowboys and other stable franchises have, Al went the 1 or 2 season route of teams like Arizona, post-Shula Miami, Washington, Detroit and other loser teams.
Cowher took 10 years to win a SB, Dungy has 1 SB in almost 20 years at TB and Indy. Coughlin 1 SB appearance now in ten years at Jax and NYG. These guys win along the way though.
Davis need only look at Madden. He was the Marty Schottenhiemer of the 70’s until 77. I’ll take losing on the Tuck or because Fat Goose flops on Gannon in the AFC Title game over going 2-14 any day.
Al – you can’t win the SB unless you get in the playoffs. That takes stability and time for a coach to build the program and players he needs. Lane has the team on track not because of YOUR great insight (Rob Ryan) but because of his insight (Gnapp, Cable) etc…
January 28th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Remember that day…
listen carefully, analize the images, make your own conclusions…
http://cbs5.com/sports/Lane.Kiffin.raiders.2.451617.html
If Lane Kiffin was looking for a HC position while he was struggling during the season to give us some wins, then he should go and Davis is right… if not, then I’m done with this team till Al Davis is in route to heaven(or hell)… I love this team and it hurts that this mess is repeating again, and again… Al Davis is responsible of this debacle, as I said before “The debacle of the Raiders is directly porportional to Al Davis Senility”…
Man! the Raiders are for sure the joke of the NFL… that joke that once were the pats, the bengals, the cards…
January 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am
[...] Coach on Wheels wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Coach on Wheels”Here’s ONLY a quick extractThis nonsense aside… If Dallas trades with Miami to draft MacF at #1 that means at either 3 or 4 we are guarenteed to have C Long (DE), G Dorsey or S Ellis still available. Long (DE) would make Burgess expendable and we could trade him … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 8:49 am
[...] JOHN GRUDEN wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by JOHN GRUDEN”Here’s ONLY a quick extractIt cracks me up how you guys stll worship me after I completely destroyed the Raiders from the inside out. What a bunch of LOSERS. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 8:50 am
FIRE KIFFIN is a bloody idiot, as are the few others who are too blind to see where the problem really lies. How much evidence can you choose to ignore? The constant coaching carousel ( It’s never Al’s incessant meddling at fault ), years of bad drafting ( Again; It can’t be Al’s insistence on having direct say regarding the picks ), the jettisoning of the best head coach the team had since Tom Flores ( I guess Gruden must have done something wrong, eh? ), the shameful treatment of Marcus Allen, the list goes on and on. Yeah; Must be all of them at fault. Couldn’t be Big Al.
Now what have some of these transgressors done since being banished from Looneyville? Sorry to have to bring it up but Jon Gruden did everything but suit up as his new team crushed us in our one Superbowl appearance since 1984. Marcus Allen went on to a have a few more solid seasons with our division rival Chiefs, racking up a few big games against us in the process. Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention Norv Turner. All he did was take a chronically underachieving Chargers team to the conference final, where they played the Patriots tough despite key injuries. We can also consider the Mike Shanahan ouster. Did that not lead to a long run of Broncos dominance over the Raiders?
Sorry Nation, but this stuff needs to be said. Emperor Al is definitely standing buck-naked, pissing into the wind while the franchise burns around him. If he fires Kiffin, which would likely mean the exits of Knapp and Cable as well, this team will be screwed for years to come. The Lofton situation clearly means Al wants another loyal toady in the ranks, but hey, he must be a great coach regardless of getting fired by a conference finalist. Teams don’t generally fire coaches after successful seasons ( excepting the Raiders of course ). As for Saunders; He’s a competent coach but his hiring would only mean more upheaval which this franchise needs like a hole in the head. Another radical shift in blocking philosophy will set our offensive line back at least another year, and necessitate the drafting of o-linemen to fit the new scheme.
Well, sorry to ramble on for so long but I’m totally disgusted and dismayed by this nonsense. Every time we see a glimmer of hope, that jackass starts up again and shows us that nothing will change until he’s no longer pulling the strings. If this deal goes down, my jerseys and jackets are going into plastic clothes-bags in the closet until such time as AD is gone. Even a 35+ year die-hard can only handle so much!
January 28th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Gruden, you did not destroy this team, Alvin did !! He could of kept alot of good players and coaches here. Tax breaks from the City of Oakland to the State of Kalifornei, 1/32 payday from the NFL. Still no winner!
I would love to have your autograph on a hat from the Bucks. I along with my friends have seats under Alvin The Chipmunk Davis’s window !! We are planing a few surprises for him. I know he would love to see me wear your colors on game day !!!
And so it is…………..
January 28th, 2008 at 8:55 am
This was on another board…
“Listening to the beat writer on the radio things are far from over.
The guy on the radio is saying now players are calling Al telling him they don’t like Kiffin and wouldn’t mind playing for someone else.
Some other coaches around the organization that have been around the nfl for awhile say he flat out can’t be a head coach right now.
Also stated that the choice to get rid of Moss was Kiffins. He said Moss was threw in the NFL and was done as a player.
I guess some of his decisions have been pretty questionable as far as the organization is concerned.”
_______________________________________________________
I don’t know what radio station or writer he was refering to. Sounds interesting though.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Lane will run a more vertical offense. He said as much. He needed a few things though:
A QB
WR(s) Still need a vertical guy
Blocking
Art Shell tried to run a vertical game with possession WR’s and crocodile arms Moss, and no pass blocking. In other words, Art acted like so many fans who think all you have to do to recapture “the old Raiders” is call deep passes. IT DIDN’T WORK!
Lane,being smarter than Al, Shell and your typical “I want the old Raiders” fan said, “Hmmmm, I don’t think Sims can block Jared Allen long enough for Porter to creep past a CB and catch a 60 yard bomb. Maybe I should try sdomething that actually has a snowball’s chance of working”.
Lane wants to run a vertical offense ala USC but he needs the right guys for the job. Look at what he said about deep threat Higgins. Higgins will be more suited to the 2008 offense. He plans on opening it up once Russell is fully prepped and he has someone to throw to.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Raider Nation, you be the judge. Does this sound like any Raider fans you know?
By the way, this was in the first quarter. The Raiders won.
Huff24 Says:
November 25th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
This team looks soft and weak. Pathetic. I’m off to church…so I can pray for this team.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am
When is the press conference? 3 pm PT?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Evidence mounting against Kiffin…
January 28, 2008
Lane’s losing his grip?
The Raiders will interview James Lofton and Al Saunders today.
Al Davis hasn’t fired Lane Kiffin and he won’t resign. So Davis is looking to add people to the staff that could step in as head coaches if and when Kiffin is gone.
Lofton has twice interviewed for the head job and Saunders was the offensive coordinator in Washington.
Kiffin’s less than proactive approach to getting JaMarcus Russell on the field didn’t win him any points with Davis.
Kiffin not only wanted to fire Rob Ryan. He also wanted to get rid of defensive line coach Keith Millard, linebackers coach Don Martindale and defensive backs coach Darren Perry.
What’s the common thread among them? They’re all popular with the players. It makes Kiffin look as if he’s running off anyone that might have more influence than he does.
And now players have begun calling Davis to express their displeasure with Kiffin.
As word has gotten out that Kiffin pursued jobs at Arkansas and Michigan, the players must feel like they’ve got a Bobby Petrino among them.
Stay tuned.
–Jason Jones
January 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am
If Kiffin was doing these things, eliminate him from the Raiders.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:09 am
What if Kiffin is demoted to Offensive Coordinator and Al Saunders is given the HC Job?
If Kiffin does not have language in his contract preventing this, then Al can demote him for the duration of his contract.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:09 am
You swine, You stole my identity.
But I like the message.
Just Win Baby.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
A lot of the Raider Nation is so blinded by their longing for AD to step down as the GM of the Raiders that they failed to see the real point here. Kiffen is right in what he wants to do but he is WRONG by the way he handled his firing of Rob Ryan without first selling it to AD period. This is pure and simple a power struggle and if Kiffen is not smart enough to accomplish his goals without causing this latest explosion then he is not very smart and on the same level as the current mind of AD. The thing is AD was once a football genious and old age has taken him down. Kiffen has no excuse.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Don’t get all revisionist on the last 5 head coaches. Gruden would have been gone and Davis decided to take the money and draft picks that year rather than nothing the following year. He figured that everything was in place to win the Super Bowl and he was right. Except that he never figured that he’d be going up against Gruden and thereby have no chance since Tampa would know every play/audible/weakness the Raiders would run/have. So Callahan was kept to keep continuity and to win the SB with Gruden’s team. Turner seemed to be a good choice at the time but failed miserably and was fired well before any idea of a replacement was thought about. At that point, nobody would take the job and Shell took one for the team. Kiffin was eventually found and worked out great from an emotional standpoint but not so great for an X and O standpoint, but he is getting better. So of all the actual choices for head coach, Kiffin is the weakest, at the same time, he’s been the best choice. Assuming Kiffin did want a new DC, keeping Ryan seems to be a political choice and that *IS* a mistake.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Al will hire Al Saunders as head coach, James Lofton as WR coach and demote Lane Kiffin to offensive coordinator and Lane will then resign.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:14 am
THE OLD RAIDERS
For those clueless individuals that think the Raiders had a deep passing game in the 77 Super Bowl season and to recapture the glory we have to go deep -
FACT: Josh McCown had TWO TD’s of longer distance and Culpepper had one of longer distance than Stabler’s longest pass of 77 – 44 yards. The Raiders Long pass of 44 yards ranked them 27 or 28 teams in longest pass. Their 7.2 average was ranked 5th because they had a medium range passing game.
1980 SB Plunkett did a terrible “dump pass” hated by all Raider fans to Kenny King that King took 80 yards for a TD.
That’s the reality of “the old Raiders”.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Do you think Bill Belicheck is well liked by his players? The answer is, the love him becasue they win. Kiffin came in and said he was going to change the culture in the locker room. Sometimes it takes the removal of coaches and players that are popular amongst their peers. Give Kiffin a chance to win and no one including Al Davis will give 2 shits about whatever he does. Thats the nature of the business.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am
The Greatness of the Rah-Dahs is in It’s Future.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hey Fire…
I said that already. Post 312.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
COW, that’s the first post I’ve read that I completely agree with. Big Al is just too damn demanding and unrealistic.
While I dismiss the notion that he wants Kiffin fired I do think that he was too demanding of Turner. I don’t think Turner’s a great coach but he was good enough if Davis had been more patient Turner might have done a better job.
I honestly believe Mr. Davis wants Kiffin here but he wants Kiffin to WANT to be the HC of the Raiders. If he feels in any way that that is not the case he will put undue pressure on him to quit.
Kiffin had to reassure Mr. Davis that he was here for the long haul and now everything is getting back to normal but there definitely was accrimony over Kiffin’s courting other offers by way of his agent or otherwise. The media stretched the truth as usual but hopefully Kiffin is back in business of coaching this team and prepering for the draft.
Terrapin it seems to me that you want the defense to bare the blame for the 4 & 12 season. THe team went 4 & 12 not the defense and Kiffin’s offense was a major part of that. Thus the search for an OC. It seems Mr. Davis wants Kiffin to focus on the entire team and be more of an overseer than an OC HC. This may improve the aggressiveness of the offense.
WE’ll see what happens but we must be more aggressive offensively and get much needed help defensively. The offense wont change in terms of scheme just playcalling. Russell needs the continuity and they are making sure of that, that’s why Kiffin is conducting the interview.
The reporting by the media has been very irresponsible that’s why everything seems so chaotic but they are getting their ducks in a row and will make a statement in the very near future to clear things up
Stay tuned!!
January 28th, 2008 at 9:18 am
2sense (cents?) makes a lot of good points despite screaminig at us through caps-lock.
The thing is, I don’t know what to think anymore. I thought Kiffin was on the right track, but if Jason Jones is right, then Kiff is completely undermined and and Nancy Gay (and this kills me to say it but maybe Fire Kiffin, too) is right, and he was handed the job because nobody would take it, and he was ill-prepared for the job.
That said, I thought he went a long way towards making chiken salad out of chicken sh*t. And the problem of nobody but retreads and rookies wanting the position is not going to go away. If anything, it will be even worse; Al Saunders is Cam Cameron.
Dark Days in Alameda, indeed.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
We cannot trust Kiffin anymore. He flirted with Arkansas (Pig Sooey) and other jobs while he was here. Get rid of him stat.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Does the “Chipmunk” have any more money to sign a first round pick ??
January 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Fire Monte Kiffin’s son – I really hope you are correct. I would like to see Al humiliate lil Kiff as much as possible before he cans him.
You the Man.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:24 am
More from Jason Jones from Sacramento Bee on the Radio…
“Yeah that same guy was just on the radio in Sac about an hour ago. He said Russell was po’d at Kiffin from the Jacksonville game. Kiffin told Russell he was only going to play a couple sets and ended up playing the whole game.
Also that it was not JRuss’s ability to learn and run the playbook, it was Kiffin for not teaching him the whole thing becuase he didn’t think he was capable.
And yes the three college jobs he was pissed that he didn’t get. Al wasn’t going to let him run off coaches the players liked and so on and so on.”
January 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
If all the rumors are true than Raiders fans should be wary -
The Players wanted Shanahan fired
The Players liked when Callahan replaced Gruden
The Players liked Joe Bugel
The Players liked Norv Turner
The Players on a terrible D love Rob Ryan
Players dislike discipline guys when they’re playing for them but they don’t mind the results – Parcells, Gruden, Shanny, Cowher, Coughlin, Holmgren. Billick, Dungy, Bellicheck
18 SB appearances, 10+ rings.
Dick Vermeil is the only Players coach I know of in the post 90’s on to win a SB.
Yeah, the most penalized team around needs a player’s coach.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Let’s just start with some recent history:
1) Al hired Kiff under the auspicies that Kiff would have a greater hand in picking his own coaching staff (a fact Al eluded to during his “Kiff as coach introductory speech) and determining personnel moves (Kiff’s major mistake was neglecting to contractually bind Al to this promise).
2) As such, when Kiff “talked Al” into parting ways with Randy Moss (whom informed Kiff he harbored no personal grudge against Kiff and his nre regime. Contrarily he was “fed up” with the way things were run in “Raiderland.” Since there is but the monarch of the kingdom to annoint as the “decider,” he could only be referring to one Allen Davis) this was done to save Moss from Al as well as ridding the team of a potential malcontent whom would not “be in.”
3) It was Al whom vetoed releasing Lamont Jordan and/or Dominick Rhodes, malcontents whom underachieved and, until the injury to Justin Fargas practiced with a negative attitude. Thus Buhs’ report card is berift of a game time grade. Thus prividing a question mark as how to approach the offseason running back wise.
4) It was Al whom ignored all signs leading to a protracted holdout and drafted Jemarcus Russell. It was Al whom wasted the entire offseason and training camp, thus only allowing a modicum of playing time to evaluate his coveted future QB.
5) Thus Al allowed Kiff to become distracted by overtures (real and/or imagined) via the college football world regarding HC vacancies. Loyalty begins @ home.
Now onto history 101:
Today’s history lesson chronicles the nature of a Phyrric Victory. The nature of this historic event is referred to in military victories (the origin of the event itself), hostile takeovers (business), politics (see present day republican parties or how cannibals eat their own), las (fallout of Roe V. Wade), literature (Henry Miller, the Tropic of Cancer, et. al)& sport (see Raiders, Oakland, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Norv Turner, marcus Allen, Randy Moss and, coming to a college coaching staff near you, Kiffin, Lane).
Wikipedia defines a “Phyrric Victory” as one errived @ via devestating cause to the victor. The phrase is an allusion to King Pyrrhus of Epirus (Whom, if Shirley McClane is right must be the predecessor to one Allen Davis, whom thinks of onesself as a deity)whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans (can you say juggernaut. Did they ever go undefeated?)@ heraclea in 280 BC and Asculum in 279 BC during the sptly named Pyrric War. Following the latter battle Plutarch relates in a report by Dionysius (presumably no relation to Deon Sanders);The armies separated, it is said, {yrrhius relpied to one that joy of his victory that one more such victory would undo him (a fact Davis, Allen would never allude to). For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him (see Raider season ticket holders, loyal Bay area fan base and alumni of Raider greats), and almost all his particular friends (disgruntled Raider nation) and principal commanders (coaches and key front office personnel dropping by the wayside on the way to future successes); there were no othersthere to make recruits (quality free agents and legitimate draft picks, and he found the confederates in Italy (remaining candndates0 backward. On the other hand, as from a fountain continually flowing out of the city (fertile talent pool, young, articulate, energetic coachs, imaginative executives. At least Amy Trask is still on board), the Roman (NFL franchises) camp was quickly & plentifully filled with fresh men, not @ all abating with courage (Randy Moss does not come equipped with alligator arms) for the loss they sustained, but even from their very anger (Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Marcus Allen)gaining new force & resolution to go on with the war (their football careers).
In summation I quote from Winston Churchill. In this particular quotation he could be referencing Al’s “grasp on the past” to spin his Alfred E. Newman (see Bush, George H)state of the franchise; “Never in the (football) field of human conflict was so much (”Committment to Excellence,” “Team of the Decades” black shrouded SuperBowl trophies)owed by so many (appreciative fans, privelaged coaches, great athletes whom contributed their future quality of life. See Otto, Jim, Tatum, Jack, Smith, Steve, Matuzak, John, Marsh, Kurt, and Alzado, Lyle) to so few (the aforementioned monarch, Allen Davis I.God Save the Franchise ! ! Viva la Revolution!).
This report, in its entirety is drafted from exercepts from Wikipedia. In maintaining a totally fair and balanced objectivity (unlike Fox News, in general, and Bill O’Reily, in particul) the following is derrived from the hallowed pages of Wikipedia in reference to Al Davis, our beloved (save him from himself! And all those he touches!)
Davis hired Lane Kiffin in Janyuary 2007. Protoge to offensive master Norm Chow, whom
coordinated the USC offensive juggernaut. At 31 he is (was?!) the youngest HC in the NFL and youngest in the modern NFL era. Lane Kiffin is the son of Monte Kiffin, DC of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Raiders offense, particularly the running game, improved significantly under Kiffin, and although the team managed a 4-12 record, Davis’s young defensive draftees, in addition to rookie QB Jemarcus Russell, gave Raider fans something to look forward (lament potential unrealized success) to in the future.
(In conclusion, on a negative note) In 2007 Davis sold a minority stake in the Raiders for $150 million and said he would nor retire until he wins two more (unlikely not to occur in my lifetime) super bowls.
Gotta be true. Ya’ can’t concoct such fiction.
Well, I’m in. No matter what. History proves a worthy precursor to the future (if you can manage to bypass the present).
antispy3
January 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
blackholepriest!!!!!
where the hell have you been???
January 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hey Fire Kiffin, you didn’t told us who is the ideal HC for the Raiders from your point of view… Here is one question:
Are Al Saunders and Lofton the right ones?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Are you in Kiff?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:31 am
BHP – I am shocked that you think Kiffin has ANY chance of returning as the head coach of the Raiders next season. I thought you were an “insider”???
Oh,… I get it.
You’re good man, you’re good.
Just Win Baby.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:32 am
DLine coach – Howie Long
QB coach – Rich Gannon
WR coach – James Lofton
DB coach – Rod Woodson
January 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
The last time Crazy Al did this to a young coach was not Gruden, but more so Mike Shannahan. If Kiffin stays in the pros, this one could hurt even more.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Nicely done, Antispy3…
January 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Press conference at 3 pm. PT
January 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Charger Hater – I personally would like to see Al make a run at McDaniels but…….
ANYONE BUT KIFF!!!
Just win baby.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
If you are so informed tell us what’s the topic of that press conference?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
The topic of the press conference will be Al Davis telling all the fans to kiss his ass. He will tell us that this is his team, that he built the Raihhhhdaaaahs and he will run it how he damn well pleases.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
The Rah-Dahs will hire the best person available to lead this great franchise into the fuh-tcha. He will be able to make decisions swiftly and correctly, with my input of course. I will be in charge. That will never change as I am The Rah-Dahs.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
thank you antispy can you now explain the JFK assassination conspiracy to us?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Al Davis Suffers From:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dementia
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Blackhole – I agree that Al wants Kiffin to “kiss the ring.”
“Yeah that same guy was just on the radio in Sac about an hour ago. He said Russell was po’d at Kiffin from the Jacksonville game. Kiffin told Russell he was only going to play a couple sets and ended up playing the whole game.”
WTF? If this is true we’re screwed at QB. NO PLAYER gets upset about getting too much playing time. This smells like BS because I find it hard to fathom and athele of JR’s caliber complaining about playing.
It sounds as if “some guy on the radio” is just that – he has no direct knowledge. It could be friggin’ Charger calling in.
This whole thing smells like a farce. I wouldn’t be one bit shocked to see a press conference for Lofton as WR coach and Lane saying “WTF are you guys talking about?” when asked about all this stuff.
So much of the stuff we’re hearing is unsourced you have to wonder. When they say “Kiffin will stay because of money” you have to wonder if they know it’s bs and they just want an out when nothing happens. Like Al would hesitate to fire Kiffin with 1 year on a contract – PUHLEEESE ask Art Shell, Norv, Callahan, Bugel and so on if a contract would save the coach’s job.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
My contacts tell me that the substance of the press conference will relate to the greatness of the Raiders and how the media is full of BS. The sheep will eat it up.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I once knew a great man by the name of Sid Gilman. He said Al, you have to hire a man who can be a leader of man. I thought I had that man in Lance Kiffin. But he let me down, looked for a job at Alabama (psst Al, it’s Arkansas), yes Arkansas. You have to be committed to the Great Raider Way, like Upshaw, Otto, Willie Brown and Tom Flores did before them.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:43 am
McDaniels should be a very nice improvement… but here is the deal…
he comes from a very good organization in terms of owner-HC relationship, stability and any of those topics every modern football team in the nlf has…
He would NEVER be a Raider as long as Al Davis is in charge… another one and out? I don’t think so…
January 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Coach…
The guy on the Radio was Jason Jones.
Find him here…
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders/archives/010207.html
January 28th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Antispy – LOL Too funny
The Al – GW connectin is hilarious.
Team of the Decades vs. Weapons of Mass Destruction – This week on Great Farces in History
January 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Why is it that Jason Jones can talk to the coaches and get inside scoops, but Jerry can’t?
What’s up Jerry? Are you on this story or what?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
K-Rock Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
The topic of the press conference will be Al Davis telling all the fans to kiss his ass. He will tell us that this is his team, that he built the Raihhhhdaaaahs and he will run it how he damn well pleases
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
i gotta say … that was too damn funny…
January 28th, 2008 at 9:50 am
kiffin was a problem from day one- insisting on his quarterback for clearly personal reasons, had zero personality, and even tried to take another job!!!! LANE KIFFIN IS A SPOILED 32 YEAR OLD, Al just wanted to give some advice- after the last years mess when he gave up all control and we went bed and breakfast- he wanted soem input- instead he got subordination— enough of this whiny coach making 2 million a year—– we will get someone else if needed
January 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
FIRE KIFFIN REMINDS ME OF THE STUPID POSTS WHEN GRUDEN WAS TRADED FOR TYLER BRAYTON….¨GRUDEN IS A TRAITOR FOR BEING MENTIONED FOR THE NOTRE DAME VACANCY¨ ¨GRUDEN SHOULDNT BE HERE IF HIS NAME IS MENTIONED IN SOUTH BEND….BALH BLAH BLAH…TURNED OUT HE WAS NEVER INTERESTED AND LOOK WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE…NO FREE AGENTS WOULD WANT TO PUT A FOOT IN OAKLAND….I MEAN REALLY HOW MUCH PER POST IS AL DAVIS PAYING YOU???
January 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thanks K-Rock. I’m no longer concerned about the coaching situation. If we sunk a #1 pick and 30mil + into a QB who is upset about getting too much playing time to learn like the reporter is implying – we’re screwed.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
NOW WE HAVE DRRAY AND OTHER NUMBNUTS POSTING AGAINST KIFFIN….HOW MUCH IS AL PAYING PER POST….GET A LIFE RETARDS
January 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
i love how all of this is starting to turn on kiffin….priceless.
kiffin will be villified, and yet again, al davis will not be held accountable for his dismal managment style and or “skills”.
nothing is EVER al’s fault. EVER. between league/media conspiracies and vendictive players and coaches al davis is the unluckiest man on the planet. give me a break. i’m not a conspiracy theorist, but rather a behavioral theorist. there is no conspiracy against the raiders only behavioral changes brought on by al odd, rouge behavior.
al loyalists always bitch how the league’s out to get him. the refs are out to get us. the media’s out to get us. al brings this all on himself by his intimidating, meglomaniac behavior. he picks fights and then crys foul when someone fights back.
this crap may have worked in the 70s or 80s. not now.
ps…to all of you who rip on kiffin and can’t get enough of big al, keep in mind WHO hired kiffin. any shot at kiffin is a shot at the godfather.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Bottom Line… The Raiders will continue the Tailspin as long as Al Davis & Amy Trask are running things.
Nobody in their right mind would want to work for those Two Losers! Davis & Trask are responsible for this mess.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I’ve just been taking it all in from a distance. I’ve been waiting for something from the org. not the media. But I knew it wouldn’t happen until after the senior bowl.
Now we’ll see what the org. has to say Kiffin had phylosophical differences and that was probably the only real issue other than maybe Kiffin will hire an OC.
Let’s see what happens.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
i don’t have a problem saying Mr. Davis made a mistake hiring Kiffen… none at all…
the kid took this job as nothing more than a big billboard onto which he could post his resume…
smart move on the kid’s part…
i’m sure Mr. Davis learned something too…
January 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Is this press conference at 3 for real or just something someone made up?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am
K-rock
I think Jerry only prints things he feels he can put his name under
January 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Love Child…
Remember this as well…
Spurier, Petrino, Saban, and Holtz. All college coaches that were supposed to be the future of the NFL. All were shown to be incapable of handling the job. Kiffin would not be the first. Norm Chow was also fired from the Titans. Haven’t heard a lot of people screaming for him either.
I am holding off judgment until all the evidence comes out.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Allen Davis must answer that…
January 28th, 2008 at 10:05 am
BadMoodGuy…Why do you think Gruden was “going to leave anyway”? Could it have had something to do with a meddlesome owner who constantly inserted himself into personnel decisions, to the detriment of the team? Was it a matter of being underpaid? Either one of those scenarios points the finger of blame right at AD. I’d love to hear any alternate theories regarding Gruden’s desire to leave the Raiders. Head coaches don’t generally want to leave a team that’s close to winning it all.
As for you, FireKiffin…I have been a die-hard Raiders fan since I first saw an NFL game on TV, over 35 years ago. This continuous bs is even more frustrating to us longtime fans because we actually lived through the glory days of the ’70s and ’80s. Thus we suffer immense pain witnessing the laughing stock this franchise has become. We are the truest fans because this crap cuts us the deepest. Having played tackle, then played and ran elite touch-football teams for over 20 years, I understand this game and what it takes to win. Everything runs from the top of the organization down. Good owners hire competent staff and let them do their job sans interference. Chemistry plays a large part in being successful, and constant undermining of coaches destroys that chemistry, not to mention meddling in draft proceedings by insisting on the selection of track athletes and physical specimens who either have no football instincts or are total flakes.
As the late Jim Morrison said…”WAKE UP!”
January 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Very smart on your part K-Rock. All this we should’ve gotten this guy and that guy. Well mpost of those guy’s have been fired. So it Let’s you know that this is a very tough business and winning SB’s is extremely difficult. Everything must go pretty much right and still you might not get the ring.
So this is going to take smart moves and hopefully those smart mves pay off. But there are no gaurantees.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I still think Al Davis is crazy though!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
big al’s got another lesson on the horizon: NO ONE WILL WORK FOR OR WITH HIM.
the validity of this does not matter only the perception of it. until al realizes that he’s WAY past his prime, we as fans, not to mention players, will have to put up with the al saunders, joe bugels of the world. there is a reason those guys are not head coaches. the perception of al through the media, extraordinary or not, eliminates a lot of great people (player AND coaches) from even considering joining the raiders (ie–see sean payton, ken whisenhunt) because of al, we have to tolerate someone nieve enough to take the gig, not someone necessarily qualified to be an NFL coach…ie, lane kiffin.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I am having some serious trouble imagining what if anything Kiffin could have done to justify Al D. wanting to get him to quit or firing him and risking (no, ensuring) further disruption to the team’s players and progress.
Does any one remember what the coaching search has been like the past several years since Callahan was canned? The only guys who were willing to interview were either undesireable over the hill retreads, or worse, promising guys who simply used the interview with Al D to get a raise and a better deal where they were. Remember what it was like hearing about all those guys pull their names out of consideration? Remember, we ended up with Norv and Shell.
Sure Kiffin was a risk. But in my opinion he justified the decision. But even if you’re glad Kiffin might be on the way out, let’s not fool ourselves to think that the guys we’re going to be considering are top drawer choices. Lofton and Saunders just got canned from winning programs. And Denny Green is the answer? If he’s being considered, that just shows you how nutty the decision makers are.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I wonder if Al has learned anything from this? It’s obvious the majority of fans were against him on this, overwhelmingly so. He needs a GM, desperately.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I doubt his ego would take this, but making kiffin the OC, and getting someone else to be HC makes a great deal of sense to me, Kiffin instead of being professional, was simply too much like AL: stubborn and committed to the players he wants- regardless- we need an objective HC who filln authority over time, not starts arguing with the establishment right away, and NOT inuic by hinting they might leave- any of us with real reponsibility and a dedicated team know that the last thing you need is someone hinting they might bail any time
January 28th, 2008 at 10:18 am
hobs gnarley—
there’s a better shot of al being caught in a broncos jumpsuit than him hiring a GM.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Those guys didn’t work out because it’s all about team chemistry!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am
If players are “calling” AD (as if he was standing bya phone just taking every player’s phone call) to fire Kiffin (I HIGHLY doubt it) then those players need to be let go cause they are showing that they’re not winners imo. purge them.
BHP – No brotha. I’m not being too harsh on the defense. If I left out the O, it was just a product of responding to someone else’s post crucifying the offense and leaving out the defense. Just balance here. However, I did point out that both the run defense and the qb play killed this team last year. Look up both JM and DCs stats and they threw as many INTs as TDs. Thats unacceptable. They were playing like rookies. Oline play was incosistent too which did help matters but thats to be expected given their state.
Regardless, the design of the Offense in 2007 was part of a intermittent plan: Run the ball, control the clock, keep TOs low, and rely on the Defense – which was suppose to be our backbone – the hammer if you will. Thats why the O was so conservative. Kiffin hit 2 of his 3 points but the defense for the most part failed for most of the season. The QB and the Defense killed 2007. In 2008 the Offense will be more dynamic. Its part of the plan.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I thought we had an OC, Knapp
January 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Rich Gannon if you think that Big Al can’t get a quality HC for this team you’re as mistaken as the media. Sure there are certain coaches that don’t want the job but He has head coaches on the staff. There so many capable coaches that he could go another lifetime getting coaches. Listen that is one of the stupidest things that gets repeated over and over again.
There’s just too many qualified coaches to even make that claim. I gaurantee you Cam Cameron probably wishes he took this job instead of letting Marty talk him out of it.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
K I looked up that link and Jones doesn’t say that radio stuff about JR and all. He just does the Ryan is well liked bit which is hardly news that Jerry hasn’t said. All Jnes is doing is speculating ala Adam S and Nancy Gay. No quotes, no sources – speculation.
As for the anti- Kiffin crowd questioning credentials – You are the same geniuses who thought Chow was the real deal – Chow who just got fired as OC?
You think a fired WR coach like Lofton is any more qualified? Remember the Dolts have developed ZERO WR’s under Lofton.
Saunders is a twice fired OC with fewer credentials than Norv Turner.
Madden and Flores had no credentials.
As for the Howie Long, Gannon, Tatum coaching nonesense – ARE YOU RETARDED?
2006 Raiders (2-14) Art Shell, Freddy B, Jackie Slater, Irv Entman, W Brown, on the staff.
Fact: in 2007
Kiffin given control of two areas Offense and Special Teams – both areas saw dramatic improvement.
Al Davis dictated one area – Defense – stayed pathetic or got worse despite better field position ad time of possession.
Kiffin 2
Al 0
January 28th, 2008 at 10:22 am
K-Rock ..please stop with all this Kiffin misinformation. Its slanderous.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hey Terrapin…
What else would old Al be doing besides sitting by the phone?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Does it not disturb you that Al was petty enough to lock Kiff out of meetings and such as was reported trying to get him to quit? Please don’t say that didn’t happend. The first line was there was nothing going on, then Kiff obviously leaked his story and now the Raiders are on mop up duty to contain the backlash by trying to say the players don’t like him. Of course some players don’t like him and those are the ones he is targeting, the ones that would not be on any other team in the NFL except the Raiders. Truly, you think Al would have learned with Bugel and Callighan and Shell (though I myself still love Shell the player and man)
January 28th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Coach and Terrapin…
He was heard on the radio saying some of these things. Jason Jones was ON THE RADIO in Sacramento.
Some of the stuff in the article, some from the radio through another board.
I am just putting stuff out there that is being said elsewhere.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Terrapin, point taken. Kiffin has to own up to that record. And he threw Ryan under the bus. That wasn’t right. But he is IMO going to be an outstanding HC and I think Big Al shares that opinion contrary to popular beliefs, I just think he’s trying to convince Kiffin that he’s trying to help him by hiring experienced OC to take the weight off him.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:28 am
NO BHP we just can’t get the ones we fans want, capable ones with proven results. Yeah any unproven will jump at the chance, even to work for Davis because that puts them on the map, no shortage of ambition there. That is a silly point to make.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Slanderous? LOL! Are you serious?
Really??
January 28th, 2008 at 10:31 am
BHP…
i totally believe that al won’t be able to nap a great coach. that is unless your idea of a great coach is a puppet or a talking head.
al likes coaches that know their place, that don’t make waves, with no backbone. that’s not a great coach, that’s a pet. when you have a coach like that, that’s when you get players who play by their own rules, not the coaches.
i know you like and respect al davis, i did to at one point, too. i always respect what you have to say, but i’m gonna have to disagree with you on this one. al doesn’t know when to say when.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:31 am
BHP -
Welcome back and thank you for providing a voice of reason and rationality. Everybody and his brother is calling for Al’s head on a stick all based on what the media says. It’s called reserving judgement until the TRUTH comes out, not some media speculation to sell papers. I’m not saying that some of this can’t be true, who knows really, except the people involved? What I am saying is that everyone is so quick to make up their mind based on pure speculation. How many decisions do people make in life based on pure speculation? Personally I get all of the FACTS straight before I make a rational decision.
What really kills me is that when the Raiders start to show signs of life again, the very same people saying that they will no longer be a fan or support the Raiders will be back talking about how they never left.
We’ll still be here when they get back to remind them of their past trangressions. That’s the beauty of the archive, it’s all there for reference to show those that contradict or lie about previous posts will be dealt with accordingly.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:32 am
For the record…
As long as the Raiders are getting better and winning, then I don’t care who the coach is. If Kiffin stays, fine with me. If Al hires my grandmother and the Raiders go 13-3 and win the Bowl, then that will be great too.
I just want to see the Raiders win. PERIOD.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:33 am
It seems like there is some Al Davis spin in the air….suddenly Raider players are calling around saying they don’t want Kiffin??! It sounds like damage control spin to me.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Incredible throwing Ryan under the bus? Everyone knows the D we had two years ago was inflated because all anyone had to do was sit on the ball, the offense was that bad, so any stats on the D two years ago were misleading. What has Ryan done other than capture the hearts of certain people?
You are just spouting the company line man, a yes man?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Terrapin – Dead On
“Just give us 17 points” the D told Kiffin. He took them at their word and did that 9 times. Instead of being 9-7 the D only secured 3 wins. Let’s face it the D lost the Cleveland game – a special teams block bailed them out.
The pathetic D blew 5, 6 fourth quarter leads?
Playing a safe, vanilla offense the Raiders should have been 8-8 minimum based on 4th quarter leads, points scored etc…
The one area we “stood pat” in the off season because of Al’s meddling cost us 4 games easy.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
whoever coaches the raiders- as HC, i hope we do keep the rest of the staff kiffin brought in- he did a bunch of really good things- motivating Al through pressure in the media may actually help kiffin in the long term- as someone mentioned earlier- his stock has shot up tremendously- this raiders gig really is a posting board for his resume- unfortunately it seems Al is aware of this- I think Al is thinking if Kiffin is going to leave in two years anyway- might as well let him leave now ….
January 28th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Rich that’s your opinion and Ralph Barbieri’s I don’t share that opinion. He wants a coach that gets results ………..period. He has very little respect for those that don’t no matter how much of his ass they kiss it’s on record. Ask Joe Bugel.
If you win you can pretty much call your own shot.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:39 am
K-rock don’t worry about slander. The party in question would have to prove you were malicious in manner. Plus, the laws are different in public figures. One can always say that it’s their opinion and not fact.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I also do not know if Jason Jones has integrity or not. I don’t know if any of these guys are telling the truth or not and unlike others, I DON’T PRESUME TO KNOW.
I am just passing along info that I find interesting for others to see. Kind of like food for thought.
If you don’t like what is being said, then take it up with Jason Jones at the Sac Bee.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:39 am
How can anyone honestly say Lane Kiffin doesn’t know how to coach in the NFL? Have you already forgotten the mind-boggling fiasco of 2006? Leaving the upstairs nonsense aside, Kiffin came to a team loaded with subpar players and malcontents, and fielded a squad that actually looked professional. The running game improved astronomically, despite the lack of a topnotch QB, no speed at WR, and a couple of weak links on the o-line. How much more could he improve this team now that he’s had a year to evaluate the players, enabling him to further weed out the deadwood? The regression of the defense can be blamed on a few weak spots ie: DT, FS, and lack of a stout MLB. The scheme was too vanilla as well.
As frustrating as their logic is, I must admit the “Al can do no wrong” crowd have provided a bit of illumination. I now see how GWB can get elected for two terms and charlatans like the late “Reverend” Falwell can rake in millions. Some folks just don’t get it and likely never will. Interesting and scary at the same time…
January 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am
[...] Blackholepriest wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Blackholepriest”Here’s ONLY a quick extractTerrapin, point taken. Kiffin has to own up to that record. And he threw Ryan under the bus. That wasn’t right. But he is IMO going to be an outstanding HC and I think Big Al shares that opinion contrary to popular beliefs, … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I agree with your last statement BHP, but how can a coach be expected to turn 5 losing seasons around in less than a year. Especially with the talent (or lack there of) in Oakland.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Right on K-Rock on posts 385 & 392! Is your grandmother available for an interview? Be carfeul though someone might think its true and then “Chris Mortensen of BSPN is reporting that K-Rock’s grandmother has been summoned to Oakland to interview for an undisclosed job within the Raiders organization” and it will be taken for the gospel of truth!
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
NorthernRaider, everyone has different opinions.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
is this 3PM press conference today for real? I can’t find any mention of it anywhere. Anyone?
If it is in fact set to go, it could go all manner of ways…who knows. We can only wait for the real story.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
BHP I agree that the more you win, the more Al gives you power. West Coast Gruden is proof. BUT on the flip side it is hard to win with talentless “Al” guys like Whitted, Jordan?, and lazy guys like Moss. It is also hard to win when Al forces an overrated DC and Defense in general on you and they cost you a .500 season.
It’s a Catch-22. Win to get the power you need to win.
Meddle less, win more. Dan Snyder is learning it, why can’t Al?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
the way i see it, kiffin could have easily finished 7-9, 8-8 with virtually the same team that finished 2-14. as you stated earlier, BHP, al’s sets unrealistic goals. i think kiffin did an admirable job this year. he made more than a few rookie mistakes, but you have to expect that.
it was al/ryan’s defense that was the difference between 4-12 and 8-8.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:47 am
maybe kiffin should have been an OC first for a few years, figured out what players were like, and owners- completely different than atheletic directors- he was thrown into a tough situation- but he decided to do it- is getting paid for it- in the end his boss is the boss. AL is at where people worked for one company for 20 years, union jobs still existed, and your neighbors left their doors open with lemonade on the table- kiffin is Play Station, posting resumes on Monster, text messaging make the best deal…..but kiffin showed some Al like traits as well- young brash USC guy- stubborn… I hope these guys do work it out … i think if Kiffin had just a few more years he would have the wisdome and patience to have been able tomake the needed changes without pissing off the boss— in the end however- he did piss him off- and hes going to have to be the one to make up…
January 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
WE NEED TO STOP AL DAVIS FROM SCREWING THE RAIDERS MORE, WE ALL NEED TO CALL AND LET THEN KNOW THAT WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF GOING THROUGH A COACH EVERY YEAR. LIKE PETER KING IN SI SAYS: RADIERS HAVE THE WORST RECORED SINCE 2002 AND THE WAY I SEE IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Listen I didn’t say he could turn it around in one year. I said get results. RGLC was saying he doesn’t let his coaches coach I disagre. They better coach and they better do it well. His phylosophy is his phylosophy that wont change, but he hired Kiffin for kiffin’s abilities. I think he did a good job but made some glaring mistakes and they were expected, even by Mr. Davis but now he knows Kiffin and Kiffin’s weaaknesses and he’s trying get him the help he needs. But the media is turning it into he’s taking away his power. That’s their opinion and you have mine.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am
i agree with the excellent posts above by COW, BHP, and k-rock — i hope we get out of this mess- and i hope it doesnt mess up J Russell
January 28th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Cope,#386
your right this is counterspin coming from the Raiders. Al took a major hit in his “God” status among fans now it’s damage control.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:53 am
on the subject of kiffin throwing ryan under the bus…so what!! ryan’s defense was piss poor and ryan NEVER owned up to it. all you got out of ryan when asked about his defense was confused shoulder shrugs. at least kiffin addressed the shortcommings of his offense instead of sugar-coating everything like ryan did.
when you hold players accountable for poor play two things happen: they take it personally and they want to prove you wrong.
well, this is what good players do anyway.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thanks for the clarification BHP. I see where you’re coming from now. I agree with you. None of this really matters until we find out the truth. However, even if the majority of these stories are false, I still think the fact that Ryan is still on the staff shows that Al is not letting Kiffin do what needs to be done to win.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:56 am
No COW ..don’t give Dan Synder credit brotha…thats the wrong argument to make. Synder just fired his DC and Washington has a damn good defense. He fired his OC …so on and so forth after Joe Gibbs was preachin’ continuity when he retired. Synder is almost as bad as what Al Davis is currently being perceived.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:56 am
BHP I have direct question for you. You said to the effect that coaches have to convince Al on their plans. Kiff convinced Al that Moss was not going to be a player for them and I really think there is no question that was the fact, now he is pissed for being what suckered into trading Moss? Moss was a liability. No one was going to trade for a player that had been in trouble with the law and admitted he plays when he wants to play with a possible substance abuse (mary jane) to boot. Why does Al repeatedly have to place blame somewhere else? The buck stops at the big desk and he is the Raiders, God knows
January 28th, 2008 at 10:57 am
yeah Gnarly Dude! Al’s seen the poll on the San Jose Sun maybe? ha ha
Check out this by Ira Miller. Notice how he writes WAS in past tense.
“Kiffin WAS the team’s fourth coach since Gruden, following Callahan, Turner and Shell. The Raiders have had seven coaches since returning from Los Angeles to Oakland for the 1995 season, and only Gruden lasted longer than two years.
Ira Miller is a senior NFL writer for the The Sports Xchange”
January 28th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Snyder reportedly fired Williams for bad mouthing Gibbs
January 28th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Al would’ve One and Done Jimmy Johnson who was 1-15 in his first year in Dallas.
If people like JR’s potential and raw talent and want to see him grow to be a solid QB, why are people so dumb when it comes to seeing a talented young coach grow out of his rookie mistakes and become a solid head coach?
Three rooke coaches were handed sorry teams in 2007. Cameron, Kiffin and Patrino. Kiffin outperformed the other two easily. The great Wisehunt and Tomlins were handed teams in far better shape and did nothing to improve them.
Coughlin and McCarthy coached in the NFC Title game. Two coaches fans wanted out (and some players) when they had rocky starts.
It takes time to turn the worst team in football around. The Ghoast of Vince Lombardi can’t make Curry stay onsides, Morrison tackle, Jano hit the second FG in Denver, or the 2007 a playoff team.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:01 am
There is truth and lies in every story. You just have to weed it out with what actions are being done not the lip service. At least some people are no longer denying the story
January 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
They need a GM. Anyone is better than what they have. I have read so many stories it’s hard to pinpoint where I read it but a “insider” states it went down hill with Bruce Allen leaving, who was a good GM even if that wasn’t his title.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Three sides to every story. Yours, Mine, and the Truth
January 28th, 2008 at 11:08 am
RaiderNationPA…I hear what you say. I’ll try to exhibit more tolerance with the anti-Kiffin crowd. I’m just totally frustrated and dismayed at having the rug yanked out from under us every time things start to look up. Professionally run franchises don’t display this constant turmoil. What was once a flagship of the league has now deteriorated into one of the most dysfunctional organizations in league history. All sports teams go through non-contending periods, but this is needless, self-destructive garbage. Even if the rumors turn out to be false, which seems unlikely right now, any truly professional organization would have held a press conference to quash said rumors. Silence speaks loudly.
Anyway, my apologies to FireKiffin, etal. I totally disagree with you but you have as much right to express your opinions as I do.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I Dress in Black (but not in the dark): The CIA invented this ricochetting bullet that could only be fired by an antiquated bolt-action Italian piece of hardware by a mob hitman that had been to the Soviet Union and had a penchant for Dallas area strip clubs. Now, it had to be done on the Secret Service’s day off with a guy carrying a long stemmed rose box overlooking from a grassy noll.
Quoted from Antispy3’s book on fiction, 101. A work in progress.
antispy3
January 28th, 2008 at 11:08 am
you know what they say, opinions are like aholes and everyones got them, except some stink more than others
January 28th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Ok Terrapin, Syder is an extreme example but sadly, Al is closer to the Snyder model than the Kraft model.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:12 am
John Madden on KCBS radio this morning said that he can;t believe the rumor that Al Davis sent the letter and all that. He thinks that they will address the situation soon and though there might be some issues because of a losing season, he doesn’t think Al will do what the media has reported. He also thinks Kiffin will be back as HC. So we gotta wait for the press conf
January 28th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Argh!
I misspelled “Shirley MacLaine (among other words). Betrayed by my sources once again! The trolls!
antispy3
January 28th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Dr Ray brings up a good point. If this job is just a stepping stone for Kiffin, and it most likely is, he should be gone now.
There’s no 3pm presser scheduled. Sheeesh.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Thats a damn good point referencing Petrino, Cameron vs Kiffin. Cam was definitely given sht for a team and thats exactly what he delivered. Petrino had more talent on the Falcons squad but failed big time. Kiffin made a massive overhaul, cut players (who were once starting but are now out of football – that should tell you about the talent level they had) and delivered a respectable product. Could’ve been a lot better (maybe .500) if we had a better QB and run defense.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:14 am
what’s this talk of a press conference i keep hearing?? is this actually happening?? when?
January 28th, 2008 at 11:15 am
It’s curious that the local print/internet media have been pretty quiet this morning. You’d think Jerry would start a new post if for no other reason that we didn’t have over 400 comments tied to this latest article.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Oak
There is no such thing as loyalty in the NFL anymore. It’s a business and unless you are an icon the grass is always greener somewhere else.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Northern Raider – Apology accepted.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
This morning on the Sirius NFL channel, Adam Schefter repeated that he believe the Raiders staff will be intact this year (ie both Kiffin and Ryan there). They all pretty much agreed that the coach should be able to pick his own DC and that the Raiders were a dysfunctional organization. No argument from me on that one.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Northern Raider….it has never been a good franchise. It has been a winning franchise that has had a bunch of disfunctional people with incredible talent in an age when only talent counted.
The problem now is that great athletes are popping up everywhere because of great workout ethic, performance enhancing drugs, good nutrition etc. What the Raiders have not comprehended is that to win in the NFL now, you have to be smart, play as a very well disciplined unit with tactical superiority and on the cutting edge as far as new developements (including scouting) to win.
With so many great athletes improving themselves constantly and knowing that this is now a REAL business with millions of dollars to win, it just doesn’t cut it to have 4.2 speed and be huge, or have intangibles like the great Raider teams of the past. Mystique doesn’t cut it. A team has to be run like a Fortune 500 company like the Patriots.
Al doesn’t run it like a Fortune 500 company, he’s a micro manager that knows a shitload about old school football, but is not a genius as a businessman. Just look at the net worth of the Raiders in comparison to other teams. Al Davis was a true football visionary and an innovator, but now it’s a different game.
You can’t be a micro manager and be sucessful in a giant corporation. You have to delegate authority. Al needs an MBA.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:17 am
The press conference cannot come soon enough. Just been reading throught the past few hours of comments. The internal politics of the Raider organization are unbeknownst to me. I do not assume that each participant in the goings-on in Alameda is competely right or totally wrong. As I posted yesterday I would be interested in how the franchise quarterback feels about the situation. Regardless of COW’s assumption per an unsubstantiated “Russell pissed off for having to play against the Jags”, I think it most important for the young man to be comfortable with whoever is guiding his offense and development.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Tomlin was given a Championship contender – they did real good – but may have underachieved in the end.
Wisenhunt was given a damn good squad and they didn’t go anywhere.
Kiffin looks to be the best outta this bunch. imho.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thanks Vicky, it is always good to hear what John Madden might have to offer.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Reply to MaddenRaider post #204…loyalty is a simple concept, Kiffen should have been grateful enough to AD that he work within the system. Prove yourself first and AD would eventually give him more control, hopefully the kind of control as head coach that Kiffen wanted. Kiffen knew when he fired Rob Ryan without running it by AD that AD would not like it. I wanted Kiffen to succeed because I am a Raider fan and we need stability in the organization. But AD is AD, nothing has changed from the early Raider days except his poor evaluation talent over the last several years. It looks like Kiffen as HC is another poor decision by AD.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:23 am
When Parcells took over in 1983, the New York Giants were a team that had posted just one winning season in the previous ten years. In his first year, he made a controversial decision to bench Phil Simms in favor of Scott Brunner. The result was a disastrous 3-12-1 season during which the Giants seriously considered bringing in University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger to replace Parcells[3].
- Source wikipedia
In 2000, New England went 6-11. Their first and last losing season under (the unabomber).
- wikipedia (modified slightly)
Kiffin is doing just fine. Give him time. This team stank BAD.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Vicky….
thats what i’ve been saying all the time, but the more reports that came, the lesser hope i had.
Some days ago, I said the best scenraio would be. though I didn’t quite self believed it, but hoped that Kiffin would stay, Saunders as OC, Knapp as QBcoach because Jammy is the most precious commodity on our roster, so let a OC and former qb coach take care of jammy thats okay. Let Lofton be the WR coach.
Then our Caoching Corp would have tons of merit
January 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Cope
Interesting enough you make several good points, however Al has set himself up pretty good. He has no overhead, only rent on the stadium. He was cruicial in negogiating the bargining argeement (same one that Bowlen in Denver is complaining about) that shares revenue with smaller market teams. He just got an infusion of money by selling part of the team and he is approx 25 million under cap. I would say his business skills are good. He is just past his prime on what todays NFL which you sited spot on, in my opinion.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:26 am
What’s different about todays game?
January 28th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Wow!
I post a report of Jason Jones on the Radio and get accused of slander, Vicky reports a Madden radio interview and get’s a lot of thanks from people.
I am hurt.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Nice post LMN
January 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Mad Road Dog
Why should Kiffin just do what he’s told and not exert his own will to create his own destiny??
If he just did what he was told he’d just lose and get fired anyway? Better to create your own destiny and get the ax than appease Al and get whacked anyway.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Just kidding!
January 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Many of the folks on this site are falling into the same trap of the writers and stating as “facts” rumors they’ve heard.
For example, it’s been suggested that Kiffin “fired” Ryan. Maybe Kiffin wanted Ryan fired, but that’s a completely different dynamic. And we don’t know (at all) who it was that “leaked” the fact that Ryan was going to be shown the door. Could have been Ryan for all we know, or some self important employee.
I’m pretty confident that regardless of how much power Kiffin might have had, Ryan’s contract would have been with Al D, so Kiffin would never have that sort of direct power. I’ll wager a round of drinks to anyone who can “prove” Kiffin fired Ryan. Didn’t happen.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am
K-Rock, I did not accuse you of anything, as a matter of fact I enjoyed reading that which you reported upon. A new set of perspectives to be digested. So, thank you and my apologies for not saying so without prompting
January 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Adam S is a friggin’ joke when it comes to the Raiders. He started the Under Armor nonesense. He goes on everyday about Kiffin being out. He started the Arkansas rumor. Now he backpedals and basically says all the crud he’s been slinging isn’t true and everything will stay the same. BS!
Everybody on hear who holds Kiff, Al, Ryan etc accountable should e-mail NFLN and call for some accountability on Adam Schleprock.
Those of you who moced my rant about the rumor media and me keeping score – Adam S isracking up points big time.
To quote francis aka Psycho from the movie Stripes – “You just made the list.”
January 28th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Been a Raider fan for 30+ years.
I’ve put up with a lot of bs over the years.
But if Al Davis sees fit to fire the only decent coach the team has had since Gruden, then I’m ready to wash my hands of the Raiders.
ie, I’m OUT.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’ve been a Raider fan since I can remember – remember the glory years of being an East Bay sports fan in the 70’s? The A’s winning 3 Championships in a row, the Raiders seemingly always winning the West and in the playoffs every year, the sweet victory in SB XI, even the Warriors win a championship! As a young boy witnessing this, my team allegiances were cast in stone and I’ve followed these teams all of my life. But there’s something seriously wrong with your ability to reason if you don’t believe that Al Davis is the cause of the embarrassing nature of being a current Raider fan.
Its like this – AD is like the WWII veteran who absolutely deserves recognition, loyalty, and respect for what he’s done in the past to build the organization and leading it to become the most dominant sports franchise in sports history for it’s first 25 years of existence. Every Raider fan should give this man his due, and rightly so. But is this the guy that you want leading today? Stuck in the era of P51’s and battleships, when the world is now full of laser guided bombs and cruise missiles? The world is a different place. I can only feel pity for the guy – unfortunately I’m convinced that this team has no hope of returning to its prior glory until Al is gone. I’ll always be a Raider fan, but the pain is real, and impossible to ignore.
The only constant in the death spiral that this team has been in is Al Davis. It’s his team and he needs to be held accountable for the disgrace this organization has become. There’s no other way to see this – even for a diehard Raider fan.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
the fact that the team is ranked in the bottom in terms of value is a moot point, Al never plans to sell.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:35 am
K-Rock
It’s not slander, if it’s in print it’s libel.
- Spiderman’s boss
January 28th, 2008 at 11:37 am
One thing I am sure of…
One day we will see the Raiders champions again and become one of the elite francises in the NFL…
And Al Davis won’t be with us to celebrate that!
January 28th, 2008 at 11:38 am
No Chargerhater – but his ghost will try to take credit for it.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Coach…
That was J. Jonah Jameson.
Thanks for the clarification.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Is there really a press conference set for today, or is someone just yanking people’s chains?
January 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Here is what more or less what John Madden said this morning:
John Madden: ”It doesn´t make a lot of sense…I would kinda think Lane Kiffin would still be the coach of the Raiders and they´ll get back on track somehow…
”I don´t know that there is a letter…some of the things that they said that you can´t be in meetings and you can´t do this …I can´t believe that Al would have ever written that, I really don´t, I haven´t read or saw where anyone saw that latter…I just have a hard time believeng it”.
”I think there´s trouble that needs to be sorted over and it starts with only winning four games and however they did it, the Moss thing and Turner winning and there you have the Raiders only wining 4 games…that leads to frustration…turn that record around and see how it all smells??…everyone would love everyone”.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Maybe Madden makes the most sense because, unlike “reporters” like Shefter who have to create news and have something scintilating to say, Madden really has no agenda on all of this. He’s saying what makes sense, even based on his relationship with AD.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Regardless of how each of us feels or thinks-believes…is nice to finally hear someone with a sound reputation weigh in.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
M, true, maybe it is a trait of the older generation, the Dungys, Cowhers, Shanahans. Maybe it is a mistake that Davis keeps making. He wants a coach here who’s gonna be a Raider for 5-10 years.
And for you knuckleheads who say Davis is not gonna let that coach do anything, well, he let kiff make his own offensive hires. kiff wanted a mobile QB. kiff wanted Jeff Garcia. Davis told him to go out and get him. When Garcia wouldn’t come here because he knew we were drafting Russell, Davis let him get McCown and Mike Williams. Davis let him draft Zach Miller cause he needed a tight end. Kiff wanted a fullback so he Davis gave him J. Griffith and O’Neal. Davis let him get rid of Randy Moss, Davis’ prized possession.
I think they have to address the issue of whether Kiff is really here for the long haul. And personally, I don’t think Kiff did enough to justify taking over the defensive side of the ball, at least not until the end of next season. As I’ve said, I think this whole thing is gonna settle down and it’s back to business as usual.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Excellent insight Oakglenn.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:51 am
well said OAKGLENN
January 28th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Gnarly ok I buy your point there. I went overboard, but I still think Al is a micro manager.
BHP..how has the game changed?
First of all the players have changed. Almost every lineman is 300 pounds and they can run. You have guys like Roy Williams, T.O., etc at receiver and it’s not like there’s only ONE Harrold Charmichael anymore. They’ll all huge and fast.
My point being is that it’s tough to just assemble a bunch of guys who outmuscle or outrun the other team. It’s also tough to outsmart the other team. I’ve heard your points about how the West Coast offense has been around before the 49′ers and the Cover 2 has been there before. I won’t argue with you there, other than to say that these conceptual schemes get tweaked a bit and are repackaged in new ways.
The crux of what I’m saying is that the Raiders have always relied on DOMINATING the other team with power blocking and playing man to man coverage and you just can’t do that anymore, because EVERYBODY has the physical tools. In my opinion, today’s football player has to be a highly intelligent, highly motivated cog in a machine. Getting wasted with Jimmy Buffet and then showing up and throwing 3 TD’s to win the game don’t cut it anymore.
I’ll use Tony Dungy’s teams as an example, and I already cited The Patriots.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:51 am
And Marley, thanks for furthering the scoop on what John Madden had to say.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Wheels…..
Don´t forget about Mortensen, he actually started the whole thing on friday and then apparently went mum on the sunday NFL countdown show on espn about the whole thing.
Someone here posted that Mortenses said on Sturday on the radio that he thought Kiffin would coach the Raiders in 2008. I couln´t confirm that.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I would love to be a fly on the wall at HQ. The old guy is probably pretty pissed his nation backed the kid. If he only has one year left on contract he will serve it out and then Al will extract his revenge. Maybe then we’ll see Saunders as HC if indeed he is coming in to be OC. I am still confused as to if Saunders is OC what happened to Knapp
January 28th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I would tend to give Madden the benefit of any doubt. He deosn’t qute what he discusses because he doesn’t want the media driving him crazy for raider news but anything he wants to know he can find out in about 2 minutes. He’s a god in that facility.
So it’s a vitual lock Kiffin will be the Raiders coach for 2008. And it sounds like that letter is just a crock of you know what. If there was a letter at all. He probably wanted Kiffin to know what he thought would be under consideration in upcoming meetings as to the offense and possible changes. But I would think that Davis wanted Kiffin’s entire focus on the senior bowl so there more than likely wasn’t a letter at all.
Boy today’s media is totally out of control. It knows no bounds.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:58 am
What we really need is the inside scoop from Kiffin’s haberdasher. Then we’ll know everything right?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Hobs, Mr. Davis rarely reacts to any of this stuff. He knows the media owns the fans. It’s not even a concern.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
CopenhagenRaider….
Good point… Al Davis is a micro micro manager, no doubt about that… We need a real professional manager, as Al gets older this will be more obvious to Al and everybody around him. Some day he’ll have to take a rest when the business doesn’t allow it.
We need a man or a woman that can think outside the box. Amy Trask has been a crucial piece in our franchises survival, but we need one more…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Cope,
no doubt about it, he is a micro manager. And schemes have been around and recycled, the tampa two or cover two was something the steelers did in the 70’s so I don’t know where Tampa gets credit for that. But it’s all about chemistry and getting the right players to create mismatches. Some schemes are just so old that it’s easy to spot from a mile away as to what your going to do and what you have a penchant for. Where Al is wrong is assuming that chemistry doesn’t matters and you have to respect your coach as an authority otherwise players aren’t going to play as if they have consequences.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
BHP I am sure that is the case. Davis doesn’t care for the fans at all, just a prop and a “tool” for making money
January 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I’m sure that if your polled Raidernation, and asked who you support in this latest drama:
99.9% Lane Kiffin
0.1% Al Davis
That must surprise even Old Man Davis, with all his dementia.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
hobs gnarley..
If Knapp stays he will become the QB coash no doubt about that. He’ll will become the highest paid QB coach and Al can sell that because everything good to come will be associated with how Jammy will strive…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Another bad move on Al Davis’ part was keeping Amy Trask over Bruce Allen. Trask is a Loser.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Gnarly…exactly….all these guys are pumped and skilled. They need to play as a disciplined well oiled machine…A TEAM where each guy does his job and doesn’t make mental errors and does what the coach says.
It’s obvious that our guys would rather have a nice coach who let’s them do what they want. Like Rob Ryan who places no blame and tells them they’re great when they get bowled over by 3rd string runnning backs.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I keep hearing press conference !! When? I still back The kid !! Kiffin!! Kiffin!! Kiffin!! Al sit back and take a chill pill!
January 28th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Perkaps Madden will provide his services as a mediator in all this chaos. Not sure if he still has Allen Davis’s ear. However, he has been considered a “loyal” footsoldier.
Stranger things have happened. . .
Rod Serling
January 28th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
ATLRaider…
What!!!
Bruce gave us old overpaid players, we was constantly just under the cap. Bruce gave blackout after blackout.
Trask, got in the face of the Alameda so she could control ticket sales, and suddenly no blackouts.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
NO the city of oakland and that psl gave you blackout after blackout. Bruce allen was exec of the year the year before we went to superbowl and during his prominence we went to teh superbowl. Yeah I will take him
January 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
The one thing Trask has done well was taking over control of ticket sales.
Say what you want about Bruce Allen, but compare the winning percentage for the Raiders when he was here compared to Trask.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Amy and Bruce do very different jobs they don’t overlap at all. Bruce is a personnel guy, Amy is in the legal dept. they have nothing to do with each other. The Raiders kept Lombardi over Bruce Allen.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
moving the team out of Oakland couldn’t have helped either as far as blackouts. Davis simply lost some fans
January 28th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Thank you BHP for saving me the time.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
my pleasure
January 28th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Amy trask has nothing to do with the sport side of things, she handles the business. that thing bruce allen didn’t understand, and thats why he was almost fired in tampa this year.
Bruce Allen had the opportunity to get the power of ticket sales, but didn’t. AMY DID!
Look in one of my preious posts i say we need one more like her… that one should take care of personel and personel salary
January 28th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Some say Trask was instrumental in getting Gruden and Allen out.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
BHP exactly
January 28th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
How much of the sell outs are Trask? Does the Raiders and the TV station buy up tickets to remove the blackouts?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Hobs gnarley…
well then she did a good job… Look how much she gained in that deal then. picks and money. Those picks wasn’t use wisely, but that wasn’t her doing
January 28th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Bruce could not do anything until the psl’s and the thing that sold the tickets (can’t remember it’s name) expired. That did so this past year and now you see sellouts, with a little help
January 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’m confused to what your saying LMN
January 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Excellent corporate analogy,CopenhagenFan. A smart CEO hires good staff, lets them do their jobs, and insists on honest feedback, whether positive or negative. I read a fascinating article awhile ago about how yes-men and ruthless ladder-climbers are undermining so many companies today.
Another, scarier, analogy can be found in Hitler’s command of the Wermacht throughout WWII. By purging any of his Generals who dared to contradict his often flawed strategies, he turned a highly efficient command structure into a confused mess (Thank God for that, eh?). The book, “Hitler And His Generals” (The actual transcripts of strategy meetings from 1942 to ‘45) offers a fascinating insider’s view of a madman being undone by his own paranoia and thirst for power. Sound familiar?
P.S. – Thanks for your reply,FireKiffin.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Lombardi was a weasel if you believe shell and Allen did the better job
January 28th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Neither of them are there anymore and I would still take either one of them instead of Davis doing it.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I cant believe Raider fans turn their back on Amy Trask, what she’s done for us is fantastic. what you see on telly on sundays has nothing to do with her, her job is keeping the business going through off season. Raider image, facilities etc
January 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Bruce Allen had a lot to do with getting Bruce Allen out. It was a power struggle between he and Lombardi and Lombardi won. Bruce was a good salary cap negotiater and Lombardi was more of a personnel guy and Bruce wanted both. Bruce hired and fired a people and had somewhat of an undefined role and wanted the GM role pushed for it and lost.
Amy has a lot of power in that org. so she probably had a firm hand in the final decision.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
NorthernRaider….
totally agree…
regarding the CEO part, i said that some month ago, when we had a conversation about our management.
regarding, Hitler, somebody here said on the past days that Al Davis loves chaos, and that he think his folks works harder that way… I immediately thought about hitler and his generals. Nobody knew who the favorite were, and everybody worked for him to get on his goood site
January 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Is the Lofton interview finished? When will Saunders be there?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I am a nurse. One day a older lady with alzheimers comes into the ER. We need a Urine sample on her and her daughter exhausted doesn’t want to go into the bathroom and help her so I go. This lady did every nutty thing you can think of before I finally got her to sit on the pot. I mean she is standing on the toilet with her top off. Finally I say okay now pee for me. She looks at me very seriously and clearly says but I don’t have to. Sometimes things get confusing and you do every crazy sh*t in the book that has people saying wtf and then sometimes you understand clearly what’s happend but don’t have the capacity to do it. My little metaphor for you to figure out.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
God …you guys are literally “OWNED” by the media!
You fall for every bit of their crap. How sad.
Explain it to me….why would a fired coach be interviewing a new offensive Coordinator?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
to Reiterate: As my post #422 says there is NO 3PM presser scheduled!!!!!! Sheeeeesh.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
BPH,
While Al sat back and ate popcorn watching the power struggle and reveling in it? Allen had connections, I don’t see where that can hurt a team. I am a fan of Allen
January 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I for one am sick of this uneccessary soap opera of Al Davis. While other teams are revamping and preparing for the draft and free agency the Raiders are going through yet another coaching carousel. If Kiffin is gone I am no longer following this team. Its like being in a relationship with a woman who has all the baggage and drama to go along with it but you come back hoping for the better. I for one rather be looking at draft prospects like Adrian Peterson. Not wondering who the next head coach is. I was very upset when Gruden left but the Raiders responded by going to the Superbowl only to get blown out by Gruden so I was hoping Al would at least learn from that. Sure Kiffin was in his first year but rememeber he gave us the first division win in what was forever and the first road game win also. Plus beating Shanarat is always priceless. Why cant Al see this? So sorry Raider Nation but like Timmy Brown if Lane leaves I am cancelling my season tickets. I am not wasting my time & money on this football team just like I will not waste my time and money on a dramicidal female. Im out!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I know there is no press conference. Just wondering what times these interviews were taking place. Might give a time for when to expet news.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hobs Gnarly,
If you’re trying to say, A senile old man (AD)doesn’t know whether to piss or take his shirt off, I get your metaphor. Al’s still heading south on I-5, tooling along in his Model T at a stout 37 MPH in the left lane with his Left turn signal blinking away.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
“Bruce was a good salary cap negotiator”
yeah, when we was over the cap, he found away to get us just under, which would spiral to us being more over the cap next year, which he solved with getting us just under, which resolved a even higher rate over the cap.
It would escalate, its like solving your debt with acquiring a new credit card.
the worst thing Allen did was giving so much money to old players. the way he did it, was so wrong, when the players retired, we still owed them money against the cap.
If you are a good negotiator, you get us way under the cap, not just under. btw Kiffin and Mark Jackson did that this year.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hobs Gnarly…The outfit behind the cursed psls was OFMA – Oakland Football Marketing Assn.
La Milicia Negra…Good to hear from a fellow student of history.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
sorry K-Rock that wasn’t directed at you, there were just some posts wondering if and when a press conference was scheduled for today.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I have 15min of power left and nowhere to plug in.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I believe players will play with more enthusiams if you negotiage with them in good faith. Those players had legit contracts and Allen helped to lower those number so that they could remain Raiders and give them how many straight western div championships and a AFC confrence champ and superbowl appearence. All of these things working in harmony did it, not just al
January 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
K-Rock Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
“I have 15min of power left and nowhere to plug in.”
Thats what she said! Time to get one with a kick start…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
NorthernRaider…
I didn’t dare to post it though, because i would hate to be banned, i don’t know yet what you can and cannot write in these american forums…
things we think is harmless is way offensive to some americans… its a fine line, and im still learning =)
ex. I said ‘boy’ to koolkell (or somebody here), and he was very offended by it, because he found it very offensive, I of course just meant ‘male kid’ because the level of the arguments at that time was like a kindergarten. We never think of colour so it wasn’t on my mind. Now i’m very careful, i everytime think about how an american can misunderstand me…
I didn’t dare to compare Al and Hitler management styles, because i was afraid of people here to think i said Al Davis was a Nazi…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
[...] NorthernRaider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by NorthernRaider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractExcellent corporate analogy,CopenhagenFan. A smart CEO hires good staff, lets them do their jobs, and insists on honest feedback, whether positive or negative. I read a fascinating article awhile ago about how yes-men and ruthless … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Hey guys, I don’t think there is a press conference today.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Where you at LMN? I just moved from Germany to UK, though I am born and raised in the states
January 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
#497
Explain it to me Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
God …you guys are literally “OWNED” by the media!
You fall for every bit of their crap. How sad.
Explain it to me….why would a fired coach be interviewing a new offensive Coordinator?
And you’re not “OWNED”? Where did you hear Lane is actually the one doing the interview? Outside of seeing it with your own two eyes you’re “Owned” like the rest of us.
Love it or leave it, there’s two sides to every story and then there’s the truth and the truth is only seen not told.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[...] Oakglenn wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Oakglenn”Here’s ONLY a quick extractsorry K-Rock that wasn’t directed at you, there were just some posts wondering if and when a press conference was scheduled for today. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
new post up
January 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
AL DAVIS NEEDS TO RETIRE! THE TEAM HAS NOT BEEN PLAYOFF CONTENDERS SINCE THE RAIDERS AND BUCS SUPERBOWL! THE OLD MAN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO LET HIS COACHES BE COACHES! ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND DOMINATING FOOTBALL DYNASTIES, HAS BEEN A TOTAL LET DOWN DUE TO THE IDIOT(AL DAVIS) ACTING LIKE A COACH! THE DEMISE OF THIS TEAM IS BECAUSE OF AL DAVIS! IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT WHAT TOP NOTABLE COACHES WANT TO BE A PART OF THE RAIDERS ORGINIZATION? IF AL DAVIS WOULD JUST LET HIS COACHES DO THERE JOB, THE TEAM WOULD WOULD PROBABLY BE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS AGAIN! THE TEAM HAS ALOT OF TALENT AND IT SHOWED LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE DURING THE SEASON, THE RAIDERS LOST THEIR SEASON GAMES BY A TOUCHDOWN OR LESS, IN EXCEPTION TO THE CHARGER’S AND PACKER’S GAMES! IF THE RUMOR’S ABOUT DENNIS GREEN AS HEAD COACH FOR THE RAIDER’S ARE TRUE, THEN THE RAIDERS MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE AS PLAYOFF CONTENDERS THIS SEASON IF AL DAVIS ALLOWS HIM TO DO HIS JOB! I DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM KIFFEN. HE’S A FINE COACH BECAUSE HE BELIEVED AND GAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAYERS ON THAT TEAM TO PROVE THEMSELVES TO BE STARTERS SUCH AS JUSTIN FARGAS WHO MADE HIMSELF VERY NOTABLE IN THE NFL AS A STAR RUNNING BACK. LIKE I SAID, THE TEAM HAS ALOT OF TALENT AND IF AL DAVIS WOULD JUST ALLOW HIS COACHES TO BE COACHES THEN THE RAIDERS CAN AND WILL BE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS AND MAYBE CHAMPIONS AGAIN ONE DAY!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Ray Ratto said to effect that too many people have brought up the resignation letter for it not to be true but the problem is that too many media people is meaningless.
To Wit:
Adam S comes up with the Under Armor “scoop”
Maylock, Dilfer and Charles immediately repeat it
Jerry Mac mentions it here
Profootballtalk mentions Adam S saying it
Cockran picked it up in the Times
Ira in the Chron mentioned it
It was mentioned several time on this blog, on the radio and add the Sac Bee
Now, since Adam S came up with pure speculation to fill time during a halftime show they knew Raider fans would be watching, it has been “reported” by no less than 10 media members.
It must be true then. Right? Wrong! It has no more credibility now then the moment Adam S (who has admitted fueding with Davis) pulled it out of his a$S during the Senior Bowl.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
SacBee update, sounds like the Saunder’s rumors are BS.
===========
Saunders update
I spoke with Al Saunders’ agent Bob LaMonte and he said he’d heard nothing from the Raiders as far as interviewing his client.
A source familiar with all the details said Saunders was scheduled to meet with the Raiders today.
Saunders was most recently the Redskins’ offensive coordinator.
The Raiders expressed interest in Saunders before hiring Art Shell.
Saunders has also drawn interest from St. Louis.
–Jason Jones
January 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[...] Sierra Raider wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on Taking the offensive by Sierra Raider”Here’s ONLY a quick extractI spoke with Al Saunders’ agent Bob LaMonte and he said he’d heard nothing from the Raiders as far as interviewing his client. A source familiar with all the details said Saunders was scheduled to meet with the Raiders today. … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
al doesn’t respect the HC position. plain and simple. he doesn’t believe in its importance and never will. Jim Rome said it best on his talk show today:
“if davis held any respect for the head coaching position, he would have never hired a 31 year old with no coaching experience in the first place. Bring on the next lame duck.”
January 28th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
This insanity must stop. Might as well urge George W. to launch Operation: Oakland Freedom. Sack the Alameda HQ, hunt down and capture Al Davis and his cronies, prosecute them under the ‘crime against the RaiderNation’, process them through a tribunal, sentence them to capital punishment (sounds too harsh?!?
), then finally carry out the sentence.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Huff said:
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 since 2002?
January 29th, 2008 at 6:11 am
LMN said:
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…
———————————————————
Kiffin came in the door cleaning house. Kiffin got rid of the players he didn’t want and replaced them with his own. I’m speaking offensive players. Look at the offensive roster from 2006 in comparison to 2007. Almost two totally different teams. Tomlin took over a 4-12 Pittsburgh team and turned them around. Anything else is an excuse. Who said it takes 2 or 3 or 5 years? Where is that written? Where did this master 3 year plan crap even come from? This obscure master plan crap is just an excuse for multiple years of failure.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Gnarly said:
Goon you stated yada yada yada about being gung ho on Denny Green, I asked you after that if you were fine with a coach stating that working for Al was treacherous, but I guess in the process of getting your teeth bashed in by Huff and Cope you didn’t notice. posts 661 from you 671 from me
—————————————————————–
What are you one of those internet gangsters with all the teeth bashing comments. Funny, but inaccurate. As I explained before “If” Denny doesn’t want the job I’m sure AL will find another candidate. Besides he always go look up under another rock and find another Kiffster. However, Kiffin is toast hopefully AL will hire an actual NFL experienced coach.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT KIFFEN I DONT TRUST…CANT PUT MY FINGER ON IT BUT I FELT IT SOMETIME IN OCTOBER.
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