A Kiffin miscalculation?
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 12:51 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Interesting sequence of events as reported by Ira Miller of The Sports Xchange, who said Lane Kiffin fired Rob Ryan before first consulting with Al Davis.
Ryan, Miller reported, went to Davis to thank him for the opportunity, with Davis telling Ryan Kiffin had no authority to fire him.
If true, it was a huge tactical error on Kiffin’s part _ the same error Mike Shanahan made when he attempted to fire Art Shell in 1989. Davis rehired Shell, and when Shanahan was fired during the season, Shell became the head coach.
(I’ve been told things didn’t necessarily transpire in this order, but it’s worth mentioning because I have a lot of respect for Miller).
People who say the Raiders don’t have a general manager are in error. They have a G.M., and his name is Al Davis. Davis doesn’t own a rubber stamp. He needs to be convinced a change should be made.
To make a change without his consent is to invite conflict.
Lofton in town
Former Chargers wide receivers coach James Lofton was visiting with Kiffin in his office Monday morning, according to senior executive John Herrera.
Herrera had no information regarding an interview with Al Saunders. The Raiders, Bay Area News Group beat writer Steve Corkran reported, have made contact with Saunders. Bob LaMonte, the agent for Saunders, confirmed the Raiders had talked to the Redskins about speaking with Saunders before he was fired but that to his knowledge no interview had been arranged.
There is a chance Saunders could be hired by the St. Louis Rams as offensive coordinator before anything transpires in Oakland.
There are no press conferences scheduled.
Millard an issue?
One of the rumors making the rounds at the Senior Bowl is that defensive line coach Keith Millard was told by Kiffin he should explore job opportunities during the week.
The Raiders had a story on Millard on their Web site Sunday which detailed his unique perspective as having been involved in the Senior Bowl as both a player and coach.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
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 12:53 pm
sorry for the repost, the truth can be seen here, we love this sh*t weather we like it or not…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
3rd!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Kiffin was in HIS office this morning. hmmm? Sounds like business as usual.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
yeah it’s fun to argue with people. but I’d rather have a winning Raiders football team with passionate debate
January 28th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
HMMMM! Well I wonder what the agreement on personal was between Kiff and AL? Did he over step his boundaries?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hobs that would be great “a winning Raiders football team”
January 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
If all this turns into nothng more than a bunch of bs and rumor mongering, I’m going to be laughing my ass off at most of us, and laughing most of all at myself for taking any of it seriously.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I wonder if AL put him in his place and thinks are better now? Might explain why Kiff didn’t want to talk about it if he was the one that jumped the gun. And Al smacked him down.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Rut roh, Lane. Appears you did a no-no. Bit off a little bit more than you could chew uh? Never, I say never, mess with Allen Davis from Brooklyn. He’ll put you in your place – the unemployment line.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
That Kiffin is in the buidling is breaking news in itself…
January 28th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I would love to see Saunders in over Knapp. Hope there is truth to him coming for an interview.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
From John Herrera, a personal spokesperson for Mr. Davis. Believe me if he says it, it’s probably as close to the truth as yu’ll get. He represents the org. So Lofton is indeed being interviewed by Kiffin I think that puts to rest any speculation of Kiffin leaving. His interviewing Lofton is to assess Lofton offensive phylosophy and to make sure that it’s a fit.
So there you have it no more need for speculation or rumors it’s a done deal. Herrers reported that there was never any issue as to Kiffin being in fired and this as much proof as anyone with a brain should require but you just watch, that would put a damper on the medias spin that Kiffin was in truble and things got patched up. Here we go.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Well lets hope this story is it. I can except this one. Anyone who knows anything about the Riaders knows you don’t crap in that building without Davis giving his consent. You would think Kiffin would know that even if he was told he could make decisions about the personal.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
im actually glad i have the flu so i can stay home and listen to this stuff!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Did you write your self a prescription?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
that’s what I mean guy’s how many outlets reported Kiffin being gone and here he is interviewing coaches.
Kiffin leaving Yeah right!! ……now you know why I don’t trust a word these jerks put out until it’s fact.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I see Kiffin as a naive young pipsqueak. He looked like he was about ready to pinch one off during the press conference when he was introduced. Big Al probably set him straight.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Al has lost it; 5 coaches is too much. I wish the league could step in and send this old fart to his dealth bed. Lane needs to stay in place for at lease 3-4 years so JR can get groomed. Oh that defense sucks and the Ryan boys needs to go. See the Raven would have won against NE if it wasn’t for Rex Ryan calling time out on that defensive stop by Ray Lewis and the gang. Ron defense is too vanilla. I live in San Diego and I’m tired of watching these fools rule the Raiders. Al, and Ron needs to go!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
What about the 3 pm press conference? Is it still on?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hines – Your spelling is flat out atrocious. “dealth bed”, “lease 3-4 years?” Was Kiffin supposed to lease a vehicle? Get off of here if you can’t spell.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Seems like this rift between Davis and Kiffin is real, but was way overblown by the media. My thought is that Al Davis did send a letter to Kiffin informing him of who he could and could not hire and fire this off-season. A few feathers were ruffled because of this letter, but nothing like what the media wants us to believe. In any case, Al Davis is still a crappy GM, and I hope that the response of the Raider Nation to this ’story’ will make Al Davis think twice about his role with the Raiders.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I am a political buff as well, sounds too much like war room spin. Too many years of this crap have taken the toll.
The real tell here will be to see if Kiff gets an his contract extended. If he truly only has one year remaining, Al can save his money and exact his revenge then and no one will know. I just don’t trust Davis anymore.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I don’t know anything about press confrences but I would like to. Where can you find out? Where can you watch?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Well, then, if this is the case, then Kiffin certainly invited this entire episode. If he wanted to fire Ryan that badly, he should’ve gone to Al Davis and at least get his consent on this. If AD said “fine,” so much the better. If not, try to convince him that cutting Ryan will improve the team’s chances of success. If he couldn’t convince AD, then move on in the off season work or quit. You don’t do it like this, and let it build into a frenzy … it lacks simple courtesy, respect, and professionalism.
It may be the reason why Kiffin said he hopes to be the Raiders coach for the 2008 season.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Jerry said there is not press conference. just more baloney being spewed by unresponsible writers.
thanks goodness for Jerry who shares his opinions with us but actually tells us its an opinion and not fact like other writers.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
and i don’t trust his moles
January 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
THERE IS NO PRESS CONFERENCE!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RAAIIIDDDDAAAAS FU@# THE HITERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Ek I agree.
Thanks Jerry for all you do for the Nation. If you can get around to it, let us know when there will be press coming from Raider HQ and where we can watch if broadcasting anywhere (TV, internet).
January 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I think someone said the NFL Network was going to carry the press conference at 3pm. I think it was on the other blog, something about Sanders and Lofton coming aboard.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
What’s a hiter?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’m just curious as to how long it will take for all of the Chicken Littles to change their tune. I’m bracing for the “I know that’s what I said but now things are different” or even worse “I knew it all along, I was just yanking your chain” and on and on.
To all of those that said this was the final straw and that they would turn in their season tix and Raiders fanclub card should do just that. If you can’t handle the heat get out of the kitchen. This is the Oakland Raiders for crying out loud. So many of you eat up whatever the media tells you as “fact” and are so quick to run for the hills. Most of you obviously don’t have the stomach for this kind of thing. Thankfully this is sports and not life, I would hate to see how some of you handle real adversity.
Props to all of those that stayed aboard the ship throughout all of this. You know who you are. For those that jumped ship, we will welcome you back as we always do, but just you can expect plenty of heat from those of us that know better than to take rumors as “fact”.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Why does Mr Davis do it to us each year? It’s Super Bowl week and all we can think about is our beloved dysfunctional Raiders. Forget the fact that the Patriots have an incredibly potent offense and the Giants are peaking at the perfect time. Who cares that this may be the one defense that can finally stop Brady and his freakish timing. No – all attention is on Al and the crap that is happening or not happening in Raiderland. We all get sucked into it each year. We scan, search, and wait for the next piece of gossip. What’s going to happen next? Each year it’s the same thing. What is Al thinking? What will Al do? How will Al’s next move affect our precious Raider team. The guy spins his magic and has us believing we are only one player away, one coach away. The guy is the ultimate in control freaks. Forget all other teams. Forget that there is a championship game this weekend. Another lousy season is over and all our attention is back on old man Al. Because Al has delivered us great teams in the past and maybe Old Man Al can do it one more time.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
RaiderDogg
AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
if kiff isnt the coach next season………we are screwed for 3 more years atleast
January 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Who’s to say that the Raiders offices were not flooded with e mail in support of Kiffin and threatening to pull their downs on season tickets which I don’t care who you are it will cause you to notice if your primary customer is unhappy. I know I e-mailed them my two cents worth. Maybe this was a way for everyone to save face and blame the media which we all hate.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
RaiderDogg, alot of us that are critical of AD have never considered bailing. We just believe the game has passed Al.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
shut up catt
January 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Why isn’t my post showing up???
January 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
maybe kiffin cant handle motivating men- just little boys- and wants out to coach college – along with a couple of million- and is purposefully making al fire him- who else would be so stupid as to not know to at least inform al before firing ryan????
January 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Funny how you try and turn it around I read most readers to say if Kiffin is fired they would not be returning as fans, Kiffin is still there dogg.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Why would a green 4-12 1st year coach, rumored to be interested in leaving the team, expect to make personnel changes without consulting a GM/Owner that has built 5 conference championship teams and won 3 league titles? How many GM/Owners have won more? After Kiffin wins a few playoff games, then perhaps the training wheels can come off a bit. Great coaches learn to work with team management.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
or maybe its all BS and ryan wants out
January 28th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
yeAH RAIDERDOGG!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
btw- why exactly do we have amy trask- isnt she supposed to fix all of this stuff- what does she do to deserve the title?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Davis wants to fire Kiffin and keep Rob Ryan.
That in and of itself is proof that Davis has lost it.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sorry I have to break this up into separate post. It won’t let me do it all at once.
Here is some email correspondence with a friend of mine. Who is a fricken Dallas fan. But it might be interesting to see what happens. You heard it here first!
Man, I don’t know what to really say to all this… I talked to the former linebacker coach at UNR yesterday at the barber shop and he got let go. He said Oakland was looking at him as possibly their linebackers coach. If gets the gig his name is Charlie Camp, I believe.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Longevity gives us wins and losses. How come when we are talking about Al it’s never his fault for the losses?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Yeah, no kidding huh. I don’t know if you recall or not but this is the same guy I almost got into a fist fight with this past summer. He says that him and the Raiders Head Coach Kiffen, go back about 3 years and Kiffen wanted to hire him but Al calls all the shots. He says he’ll know next week.
I only know this guy (Charlie Camp) from the barber shop that I go to. I’ve ran into him a few times up there while getting my hair cut. Like I said he was the one that I almost got into a fight with talking about Ohio State in comparison to UNR football. This guy was the D-lineman’s coach for UNR. Apparently he played a D-lineman’s position for the university of Arizona when he was in college. He also coached football for San Jose State, may of been a D-line coach there too. He coached for a some college up in Oregon too. I don’t know how good this guys is, apparently not great if UNR let him go. I’ll never see him again as when I talked to him yesterday he was either going to move to Oakland and get that Raiders job or he was going to move to Oregon and get back with his ex-wife and his kid. We’ll see if the Raiders head coach can pull off the job to hire him.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
she changes ALs diaper
January 28th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
[...] update on the Lane Kiffin situation was reported moments ago by Jerry McDonald. McDonald refers to an Ira Miller article from The Sports Xchange: Lane Kiffin fired Rob Ryan [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Kind of goes along with what they said about Millard.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
It’s just all so idiotic.
KNBR, Rod Brooks was just reporting that Kiffin isn’t in the interview with Lofton! LMAO! We should boycot any reporters who were willing to feed us crap during this whole experience as reported facts.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I wonder if Al Davis said to Kiffin during the season; ” Hey Kiff, you’re here to stay, but lets show that Adam schefter whos the bosses” “lets spin this, let that Adam say you’re out, while we both know you are not” “Lets see how many reporters we can fool”
Kiff: “i’m game”
January 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Kirt, we don’t know that. All we know is what the media tells us and they lie to us.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Rod was on ESPN radio the other day. When asked how the Oakland fans put up with the things Al does. He basically said we were all sheep. That we think Al does no wrong.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
first he he fires ryan, then millard behind Al’s back– i think kiffin is realizing its not so easy to impress/ motivate guys richer than you are- and trying to bail– hopefully he learns something and stays put- but maybe hes right about getting some dline coaching help- someone needs to motivate Sands- i think that was the biggest letdown of the year- instead of seeing the emergence of a giant monster runstopper – he got his paycheck and played with no heart or head or anything-
January 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Patriots | Moss restraining order extended
Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:53:36 -0800
The Associated Press reports lawyers for New England Patriots WR Randy Moss and the woman who accused him of battery, Rachelle Washington, agreed to extend a temporary restraining order she obtained against Moss. A court hearing was scheduled in Florida for Monday, Jan. 28, at Washington’s request for a permanent restraining order. The temporary order required Moss to stay at least 500 feet from Washington. “The restraining order will be continued by agreement of the attorneys,” Tim DiPiero, Moss’ agent, said in a statement. “The parties won’t be there.” Moss’ attorney, Richard Sharpstein, said he would appear at the hearing on Moss’ behalf and agree to the extension of the restraining order until both parties can appear in court or the matter is resolved.
….>>>>>>>>>>>>>>……………..>>>>>>>>>>……….Moss must of had a restraing order here in Oakland to, “it read to stay away from all thrown Footballs”
within 10 feet”
And never run any faster than you had to.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
knowing AL i wouldnt dout it
January 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Ocho perhaps on his way to miami..
January 28th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Raider Dell and drray -
Right on bros, sorry to hear that you have the flu doc.
KoolKell -
whats wrong? Have you been forced to use another name because you will be banned again? Don’t worry I always know its you no matter what name you hide behind. I would be hiding too after all of the nonsense that you have perpetrated over the last couple of weeks. It is because of you that they will be implementing a registration at this site. No more adopting other people’s name so you can slander them when they don’t agree with you. I wish that you could hear my laughter.
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
The Giants are going to buy Miss Washington a ticket to the Super Bowl. Her seat will be on the Patriots side 50 yard line.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Okay,
We really need some damage control here. If Kiffin is still going to be the Head Coach we need some verification of that other than a John Herrera statement.
Yeah, I know, why should the Raiders respond to a non-story or media BS? I’ll tell you why, because Lance Briggs, Dansby, Haynesworth, Faneca, Starks and every other free agent target and every Raider player watches ESPN. They don’t come to this blog to get the truth from Jerry, they rely on ESPN. So if this stuff is not true and Kiffin will be our coach next year, we need to see Al Davis and Lane Kiffin at a press conference holding hands and singing kumbaya. If not, most of those free agents and the agents of every college player coming into the draft will have no idea what the heck is going on in Oakland. We need a display of solidarity so that we do not ruin the little bit of respect Kiffin brought us in 07′.
Can’t the Raiders see that? Can’t the AD sheep see that? This story will not die until we hear from the Godfather. If they fail to address the issue it will grow into a monster that will break down the players and the Raider organization in 08′. Frankly, AD can’t afford to ruin any more years due to his ego.
Since they have displayed the ability to try and squelch an issue (see the Rob Ryan public announcement) they need to do so for Lane Kiffin. If they fail to do so in the next couple of days things are going to get worse and worse. The speculation will grow and no quality player, coach or executive will want to touch our organization with a ten foot pole.
PS: Kiffin is an idiot (or trying to get out) if he really tried to fire RR without consulting Big Al. Big Al, give your next head coach the power to hire and fire his assistants.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
i hear you catt
January 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
where are you guys getting all this from? links please?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
This is the silliest moment I can recall in the 34 years I’ve been a Raider fan. I thought the benching of Marcus Allen and Steve Beurlein was ridiculous and undermined a good team.
I like Ryan, but his defense has underperformed 3 of his four years. Personnel is probably more a problem than his coaching. Personnel is on Al. Can you say Marc Wilson and Jay Scrhoeder?
I love Al, but he may have lost it. His vindictiveness overcomes all the goodwill he has generated by looking out for old Raiders. It started with Marcus Allen and Steve Beurlein. Karma’s a bitch when you act like one for as long as Al has been acting like one.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
WHO THE HELL WANTS TO PLAY FOR RAIDERS, LOOKING AT AL DAVIS AS GM MAKES EVERYBODY SICK.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
agree Dakota, except Kiffin is not an idiot. With his connections he knew exactly what he was doing and how Al would respond if that was the case.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I think we should really focuse on geting some key players like mr “ocho Cinco” and stop thinking about these rumors that are going around….
January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I second that (post #62) RaiderDogg.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
AZ,
Basically it’s from BHP the mole feeding us our agenda
January 28th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/01/28/raiders.situation/index.html
Another perspective, interesting article if true about Lane pursuing other opportunities.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Dell, that’s funny.
I don’t know what to think any more, but I’ll admit all of the rumors and stuff drive me up the wall.
How would Rod Brooks know whether or not Kiffin was in the interview?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
You’re not going to hear from Mr. Davis anytime soon unless it’s a HC change he rarely gets involved, contrary to popular beliefs he’s not the media whore the media likes to make him out to be.
Coach Kiffin will hold the press conference and the maybe John Herrera. The media however would love to smoke Mr. Davis out because it gets ratings and sells the bird cage liners.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
If none of you guys believed the earlier rumours why do you believe that Kiffin actually fired Ryan without Al’s approval?
The inital rumours made it appear that Al was at fault and crazy.
The new rumours indicate that Kiffin is unpopular with the players and now pulled a fast one and fired Ryan without Al’s blessing.
The scales are now suddenly tilting and seem to be looking like evidence justifying Kiffin being fired.
What ever is happening there is a lot of crap flying around from both sides. Where does all this information coming from? To be honest it sounds like Al is fighting back and positioning himself quite nicely.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Sure hope Kiffin is able to stick with the team. I see flashes of an offense similiar to what the Broncos have had for years with deep threat potential with Russell’s arm and a new WR or two. Defenese can be decent with a few key players as they have shown ability to shut good teams down. Just not on a consistant basis. Seems like we either shut teams down or they run us over. More consistancy would be nice and will give us alot of wins.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
John S:
That’s exactly my point. how would Brooks know who’s doing what and where and when at the headquarters? Sometimes these guys seem willing to speculate on almost anything as if it were an established “fact.”
January 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
RAIDER_FAN,
It is very difficult to go back to talking draft, free agency and current players under these circumstances. We need answers to the large picture questions, like who the heck is going to be manning Al’s ship next year before we can focus on the little things, like players. =)
January 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
BHP…you’ve been holding back quite and bit and playing your “let’s see the evidence before we comment”. For real man, what do you think is really happening?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
RaiderDogg
Your a fellow Govt Mule bro.
I am not going to tell you what to do, just some advice
and by no means “I don’t blame you for your actions”
KK is what he is, and you are just playin into someone
goating you into his fantasy world.
Just to let you know, I believe your better than that.
It’ just not worth responding to anymore.
It’s up to you, as always.
As you can see I haven’t responded to Soul Patrol 2, Revenge of Moses and all the other user names he uses, it’s just not worth the time.
Just some friendly advice.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Around the Horn is doing a bit on who is more Clueless, Dan Snyder or Al Davis. LOL!!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
AL DAVIS for President 2008
January 28th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
JohnS
I got you to laugh, that’s good because I owe you about 50 more.
Thanks
January 28th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Cope,
You are positively right. It’s a push and shove, the “Al Bashers” v “Al’s God”
The nation is divided, who knew Al could be compared to GWB
January 28th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
hey dakota fanning. didnt know you liked the raiders
January 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
How many Superbowls does Snyder have?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Dakota -
I’m not as worried about free agents not being attracted to playing for the Raiders. The reason being most of these guys would play for the Timbuktu Terrors if the money was right. Unfortunately most athletes today are only loyal to one thing: MONEY.
“I know that the Raiders are dysfunctional and crazy but look at all of those zero’s!” – Albert Haynesworth
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Dakota -
Take a guess who “I Hope So” really is. Take a stab in the dark…
Raiders for Life…I’m In!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
He won’t tell you his real opinion, loyalty requires he remain sunny side up (BHP)
January 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Gnarly ..yeah BHP is pretty quiet and diplomatic these days ha ha
January 28th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
repost – Didn’t see new thread. Sadly, still applies
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.
Watch this: How long before some idiots start with, “KNBR is reporting that Kiffin was not in the Lofton interview” as fact? Why? Because Brooks throws it out and the lazy writers (they’re not reporters, they’re fiction writers) jump on it to fill space before the next deadline.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I was hoping to hear what you had to say about Post #48 and #50. Anyone?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Where is Oakglenn…he promised to be the one to unify the great Raider Nation schism?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
All of the Around the Horn guys talked just like the “Letter” was for real. The Host guy (The smug New York jerk) even said that Kiffin acknowledged the “Letter.” When did that happen? I still am not sure I believe anything involving the “Letter”.
They also praised the job Kiffin was doing in Oakland and believe he will be a good coach.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I heard that Lofton was wearing Raiders gear (and no Underarmour gear) and also ignored Kiffin in the hallway as he was heading down to Al’s office> Also, Ryan picked Lofton up at the airport. They’ve known each other for years.
(not really, but we know how these rumors get started)
January 28th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Sac Bee reported Saunder Interview Today:
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=842&line=112010&spln=1
January 28th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
HellRaiderrrrs
Seems like a good coach
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
Charlie Camp
Football
——————————————————————————–
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
Release: 10/11/2005
Charlie Camp is in his second season as a San Jose State University assistant coach. In 2006, he will be coaching the defensive ends.
Last season, he coached the outside linebackers. One of his players, junior Matt Castelo, is the top returning tackler among Western Athletic Conference players returning from the 2005 season.
Camp joined the Spartans after two coaching stints in the Pacific-10 Conference at Oregon State University and the University of Arizona.
In his 10th season as a football coach, he began his coaching career in 1997 at Sahuarita High School in Tucson, Ariz. His first collegiate position was as a graduate assistant at the University of Idaho in 1998. Camp was promoted to an assistant coach position at Idaho in 1998 and stayed through the 1999 season. He was an assistant coach at San Diego State University during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Camp spent the 2002 season at Arizona and before going to Oregon State for 2003 and 2004.
A member of Dick Tomey’s University of Arizona teams from 1991 through 1995, he was a starting inside linebacker and led the Wildcats in tackles as a senior. Arizona’s “Desert Swarm” defense was among the nation’s best ranking among the national leaders in total defense and rushing defense. As an undergraduate, he was a three-time winner of a “Bear Down Award” for superior effort and achievement. He went on to play the 1996 season with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
The 1997 Arizona graduate majored in ecology and evolutionary biology. He has furthered his coaching career serving National Football League summer internships with the Miami Dolphins in 2000 and the San Diego Chargers in 2001.
CHARLIE CAMP facts
Born: April 26, 1973, in New Orleans, La.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2005 San Jose State University outside linebackers coach
2003-04 Oregon State University linebackers coach
2002 University of Arizona linebackers coach
2000-01 San Diego State University linebackers coach
1999 University of Idaho linebackers coach
1998 University of Idaho graduate assistant
1997 Sahuarita High School (Tucson, Ariz.) assistant coach
January 28th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Kiffin has made mistakes, just wondering why he wanted out in November. He is right about concerns on defense, we could not tackle and players questioned the way the 4-3 was being taught. Kiffin was conservative and it costed him, the opening game included. i bought into it because it what we had and it was expected. but getting tired of building 3 year expectation plans. Year 13 of Raider return to oakland coming up. My daughter asked me over the weekend, “How many more 4-12 seasons am i going to see?”. Good question.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Charlie Camp played with Teddy Brusci then?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Ira Miller’s story isn’t credible. Loser Ryan was seen by millions of TV viewers saying goodbye to his players on the sidelines against the Chargers. Ryan knew then that Kiffin wanted him gone and there is no way, in the weasel infested world of Alameda, that Davis didn’t know either. Something changed after the Chargers game…..
As for not telling Davis, Lane Kiffin may be young but neither he or Mark Jackson are stupid enough to fire a coordinator without checking with Davis and Trask.
As for Bucky Brooks sermon on loyalty. He has no proof that Kiffin (or his mythical associates) approached any college – just more anti-Kiffin spin from the increasingly desperate Davis disciples. Al Davis loves these fawning sycophants. He doesn’t want loyalty, he wants blind adoration. The Brown-nose Raiders.
The die is cast. Davis is finished.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Can anybody tell me what the hell happen during the Senior Bowl that the South won? My DVR stopped recording after Ellis got the sack on the QB with a few minutes remaining in the quarter.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Yeah I think there was a letter too. Make no mistake the situation is still volatile. Both sides had to diffuse the situation but it can’t be good for Raider business needing to get done. We’ll see but personally if Kiffin does a good job this year and if he only has this year on his contract and he is not renewed either his choice or not, I will have my answer
January 28th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I heard that a copy of Al’s letter to Kiffin was being circulated around Raider’s HQ, so a copy should be available in no time at all.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
What coach or player would want to come to Oakland under these circumstances??
The Raiders have always been looked at as one of the toughest places to work, but this latest lunacy has probably scared off any shot we had at adding decent free agents or coaches.
Thanks a lot Al. Do us all a favor and get lost…even most Raider Fans think you’re a senile old jerk now.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Well I wonder if this talk about the D line coach going was Al giving him something. You can’t have Ryan but you can have the guy that coach the players that failed.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
raiderdogg says
Dakota -
Take a guess who “I Hope So” really is. Take a stab in the dark…
Raiders for Life…I’m In
Please keep my name out of your trap! By the way werent you were permanently humiliated by the Man you idolized and everybody else despises. Do you still have any respect on this blog. Go pick on some girl your on size.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Terrapin
The south faced a fourth and 14, pass was completed.
Two more passes were completed.Short variety 6-10 yds
Screen to south player down to the two yd line.
Rivers missed tackle three pass attempts for a touchdown failed.
Martz called for a Z reverse on fourth down, TD
D-end did not stay home went for the run fake.
That’s my account and I’m sticking by it.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Terrapin -
Kiffin foregos a chipshot FG to make it a 9 pt game because he wanted to test the players on both sides with a “game winning drive” situation he said. QB Angie led them down and Caldwell ran in on a reverse on 4th down with 8 seconds to play.
Raider fans recognized the two minute defense from last season and Jerry’s, “they score when they need to” echoed through Mobile.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
LMN, is Black Hole Priest the team chaplain or something? If so, he’s not allowed to comment on what he hears in confession, is he?
BHP, are you?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Hobs…
btw, i’m from Denmark.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
# 107 confirms that I Hope So is FIRE KIFFIN.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hell Raiderrrs
To be honest, if any of the rumours are true Davis wouldn’t concede anything to Kiffin!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
[...] RaiderDell wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by RaiderDell”Here’s ONLY a quick extractHe has furthered his coaching career serving National Football League summer internships with the Miami Dolphins in 2000 and the San Diego Chargers in 2001. CHARLIE CAMP facts Born: April 26, 1973, in New Orleans, La. … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Just got back Cope. Here, let me unify. Let’s start with Rod Brooks from KNBR. KNBR, the SF Phony Whiners flagship station. Rod Brooks, who does pregame for the Phony Whiners, just like Greg Papa and Jim Plunkett do for the Raiders. The Raider Nation is unquestionably the greatest single fan base in the known universe. The Boston Red Suck Nation wants to be the Raider Nation. Shoot when Edmund Hillary ascended Mount Everest two of his Tibetan Sherpas were wearing Raider gear. The Phony Whiners WISHES they have the unquestioned loyalty and passion of the Raider Nation. When I went into the stadium for the first game this last year, as the 2-14 Raiders came on the field, there were 65,000 lunatics all standing on their chairs, screaming their heads off!!!!! OVER A 2-14 team!!!!!!! Other organizations would do ANYTHING to have that kind of fan base!!!! And NO, this wasn’t 34,000 Detriot Liar fans that made the trip from Saginaw, Michigan.
Let me ask you all something, would the Phony Whiners benefit from the demise of the Raiders?? The Whiners want to move out of Candlestick and have someone else pay for it. Would the SF press plant something not quite right about the Oakland teams to benefit the SF teams?? Is Nancy Gay, Ray Ratto, and Ira Miller part of the SF Press??? Are the Kennedy’s freaking gunshy????
January 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Copenhagen, all I can say is what I’m hearing is nothing concrete. I don’t want to put my signature on anything that’s not factual that I know for sure. I think Big Al really likes Kiffin but he wants Kiffin to LOVE the Raiders. It’s just the way he is and I can’t explain it any other way. If Kiffin would make his intentions clear then Mr. Davis would relax. That’s how I know him to be he wants his coaches to be like Rob Ryan in love with that team. Then he knows he’ll get their best work.
You can’t describe the passion he has for the Raiders and if someone that he relies on doesn’t give him that it just doesn’t compute with him. That’s why it’s so tenuous. But my gut feelings are that Kiffin is here, Lofton is his insurance that if Kiffin is somehow gone that he has a capable replacement.
I just spoke with John Herrera and for a fact Kiffin is conducting the interview with Lofton. But things still need to be worked out with respect to what his responsibilities are. Now this was while I was writing this post so take it for what it’s worth.
And I never give info like this but something needed to be done. Hopefully it doesn’t bite me in the rear.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Al Saunders agent said Saunders has had no contact with the Raiders about interviewing for a job.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[...] Hell Raiderrrs wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by Hell Raiderrrs”Here’s ONLY a quick extractWell I wonder if this talk about the D line coach going was Al giving him something. You can’t have Ryan but you can have the guy that coach the players that failed. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Raider Dogg -
Where did you get that quote?
“I know that the Raiders are dysfunctional and crazy but look at all of those zero’s!” – Albert Haynesworth
January 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
JohnS
ahwhatnow? regarding what
January 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Kiffin was smiling after the game – appearantly pleased at reminding Al Davis and Raider fans why Ryan should be canned as his defense gave up a 4th quarter lead. That’s the rumor I just started of course but hey, it’s as credible as the “Letter”.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
yeah Scottish I agree Davis is finished. I have never seen so many against him.
Now imagine if he wants to move again.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
# 112 confirms that JohnS is KoolKell’s toilet paper
January 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Guy’s I just put my ass on the line for you. And you better appreciate it because it wont happen again.
Quite frankly I’m pissed at myself for doing something that stupid.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
wrong Dane…my bad.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
We appreciate it, Priest
January 28th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Like I said earlier, all we know is what the media tells us and they lie to us.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
BHP
We won’t tell anyone!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
John S…
LOL… though Copenhagen fan is an american..
January 28th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
BHP
Is john H aware of the hatred and spin during the last 96 hours.
Thanks for your input.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
” Shoot when Edmund Hillary ascended Mount Everest two of his Tibetan Sherpas were wearing Raider ge”
LOL How’d they score Raider gear in 1953? Seven years before the team began. Man those sherpa are crafty!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Aw he’s already caught, Al has moles everywhere, even in that light fixture in your room. Damn you _____ fill in your own blank.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Oakglen…oh..the old creating a common enemy approach ha ha….
Blackhole….:-)
I’m in agreement. I want and NEED any coach of the Raiders to LOVE the Raiders with a 100% commitment. This was the whole idea with hiring a young guy who wasn’t a retread. If Kiffin doesn’t love the Raiders and put everything into this team then he should be gone.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I just listened to Around the Horn and Pardon the interuption.
They did not have anything concrete. They just ragged on Al and the Raiders.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Dell it’s not hatred! Hatred is Charger, we are part of the nation, albeit one that is divided as to what’s best for it
January 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
BHP:
I’m relatively new to this site, but thanks for putting that out there.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
According to Rotoworld:
The Rams have begun contract talks with former Redskins assistant head coach Al Saunders.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Oh I don’t know about that. I want them to win, that’s all I care about. Who cares if it’s not silver and black blood in their veins, I will take it
January 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
John S..I’m no Dane…I’m just a “guest” here in Copenhagen according to Pia Kjærsgård
And yeah I wanted to hear what BlackholePriest had to say on the matter. His virtual silence was a telling piece of evidence that he had a good feel for the situation.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Coach on wheels you hit it right on the head with your blog, Ive been preaching the same thing all weekend, it amazes me how much havoc can be created by medias “sources”. No where did Lane ever say he wanted Ryan out it came from the media and now everyone is quoting Kiffin as saying it. and so forth and so forth. But you know what I love it. What other team gets this much hype during superbowl week!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
That guy Brooks on KNBR just dogged one of the members of the Raider Nation! He sounds like a smug prick.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thanks BHP, I didn’t know you were on the inside.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
lol we’re not supposed to believe that people who are payed to report the news are being truthful, but you will believe a blogger just spoke to john herrerra? this is comedy
January 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Copenhagen…
How much coaches bleed for their teams when they first come in? That takes time and history… Unless ofcourse he was a fan from the get go. You bleed it when it becomes part of you and that cant happen instantly… Give him his time and let him build more ties with the players and fans and he will die for the Raiders. Well that may go far but u know what Im saying.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Brooks dogged us all the other day. Saying we will sit back and eat what ever Al feeds us.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
CopenhagenFan…
Muhahhahhaha, yeah Pia is the main thing thats wrong with this country. I think she have to much influence, but she’s under control =)
January 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
raiderwill1980 it’s better than “source close to the team” ain’t it?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hobs
My hatred comment was the media, and please don’t tell me they love the raiders.
Most of the media grew up seeing their favorite team getting pasted by the raiders.
The grew up seeing Atkinson hurt Stingley with a clean hard hit and there is many more stories of raider players and events to be pissed about.
I come to this conclusion when I travel to other states and they let me kow why they can’t stand Davis and the raiders.
You don’t have to be a Rocket Scientist to see the age of Schefter,Mortensen, Smith, Clayton, King, and many others.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
LMN what about the weather? ha ha
January 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
BHP…
What about Saunders?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
it’s no better, if you could talk to anyone at raiders HQ anytime you wanted and get the story, would you be on here reading jerrys blog? does that make sense to you?
January 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Thanx BHP your risk is much appriciated. Its good to hear some sanity and truth.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
RaiderDell that was Tatum that put the hurt on Singley ha ha
January 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Folks face facts -
If you eliminate speculation, 90% of sports shows would be off the air. Since NFL games can’t be broadcast on-line, half the on-line sites including PRT and Footballsfuture etc would be gone. These guys live on speculation and speculating about speculation.
Key words:
Reportedly
Allegedly
Speculates
Believes
Appearantly
It is all a way out for reports who have no sources to back up rumors and guesses. EVERY ONE of these stories contain these words and as such, carry little weight.
This isn’t Kinko’s. If Al wanted Kiffin to resign do you really think he’d send him a letter to sign? This stuff doesn’t even make sense.
Shoot WE, US the folks on this blog started the Ryan should go debate. Jerry Mac followed it up by questioning Ryan. Kiffin may not have a single problem with Ryan for all FACTS we’ve been told.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
raiderwill1980> It’s an entertaining blog that grabs you by the nuts……..that’s a pretty good reason in my book. Especially when’s there’s a crisis in the Raider Nation.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
”I spoke with Al Saunders’ agent Bob LaMonte and he said he’d heard nothing from the Raiders as far as interviewing his client.”
J. Jones, sac bee 2:27 pm today.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I’m signing off B4 I do something else. Because I do care that you guy’s are hardcore Raider fans and we get kicked constantly by the media and I just got tired of it. C ya’
January 28th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Marley there was a link earlier here to the Bee stating that Saunders IS meeting with the Raiders today. They can’t even get their story straight within their small organization.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I worked in construction before i retired. I would purposely tell someone that the raiders picked up a certain player and by the end of the week everyone was talking about it. I would also tell someone something about someone, and not to tell, by the end of the month Id be at another job and would here the story I started but spun into a different story, my point being media or not when shit gets going it can get spun any way the person wants. I just cant believe how many people take rumor for gospel.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Brooks at one time was a sideline reporter for the Raiders when the Raiders flag ship was the ticket.
Interesting he was a home boy back then. Always defended the team and players with an ocassional smack down of some.
Oh well he now is a home boy to the Niners, I guess your loyalty lies from your paycheck.
Brooks is loyal only to dollars.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Coppenhagen
My bad , thanks
January 28th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
i find it fascinatingly sickening that the only news people choose to belive is that which soothes their ears, I’m not so naive to think reporters tell the complete truth, they do speculate, but I’m also not going to sit here and belive they completely make this stuff up, and someone with absolute zero credibility who uses a ficticious blog name is bringing me the facts either
January 28th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
toocharp> when you weren’t spreading utrue rumours did you spend a lot of time making cat-calls to hot chicks in hotpants? ha ha
January 28th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
That’s the way it should be, Priest. Sure a football guy has to work, so he has to take the jobs he can get. And on one level it would be an honor to coach any N.F.L. team. But, if you don’t love the Raiders wholeheartedly, if you don’t bleed silver blood and think black thoughts than you’re just another mercenary nomad picking up a paycheck. On THAT score, Davis is absolutely correct. That’s not insane, that’s complete sanity. If you don’t respect the history, traditions and personality of a franchise, then you’re basically just a robot; an employee picking up a paycheck. The Raiders deserve much better than that.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
RaiderDell no problem….George gave Swan the forearm shiver that caused him to squeal in pain! And knocked Sammy White’s hat off………almost as good as pounding Stingely into submission!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
COW-
I totally agree with you. Thats the way it the media works they speculate. What makes me mad is why they always make the Raiders look so bad. Maybe they are unorthadox in alot of their workings, but thats part of what makes us so special.
I just think the media needs to be held accountable at some point, especially the bigger outlets like ESPN. Its not fair to us fans and is definatly not fair to Al Davis. He gets alot of flak alread. He has critics everywhere and now even more in the Raider Nation. I heard/read countless things of people giving up till he is gone EVEN IF IT PANS OUT TO BE LIES. Im sick of being picked on and portrayed in such a negative light…and I mean the team/orginisation/fanbase.
SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE…
January 28th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Cow-Kiffin also was asked why he didn’t kick the FG and part of his reply was”let the def win it”.Why should he be loyal when he can see that things are done in this org. that hinder winning?If AD cared about winning as much as he says,why is R Ryan still employed,just cuz he loves the Raiders?hell nobody loved the Raiders more than A Shell.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The spin is working and the tide in turning with the Media rearing it’s ugly head as the culprit.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Copenhagen…
Yeah, the same guy reported Saunders interviweing earlier.
The difference?….
1.- ”THERE ARE NOW REPORTS the Raiders would like to talk to recently fired Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders.”
J. Jones Yesterday, 4:58 pm
2.- ”I SPOKE with Al Saunders agent Bob LaMonte and he
J. Jones, sac bee 2:27 pm today.
That´s believable because the guys is quoting the agent and taking responsibility.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I got invited to a Gov Arnold campaign rally a couple years ago and a CBS guy leaned over my son and I as we shook Arnold’s hand to ask him about campaigning with GW Bush.
I watch CBS 5 that night to see my son on there and the whole news story was about Arnold not campaigning with GW. Something that was never mentioned the whole rally. The reporter didn’t tell voters anything about why Arnold should be elected or not, just went on about how unpopular GW was. That’s how the media spins things to suit their own agendas.
It’s Socrate’s cave and we’re all watching the shadow puppets baby!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Did alot of high rise work in hawaii, sf, and Oakland, the only hot chix were usually 100 to 300 feet below
January 28th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
As a die-hard, silver and black blooded Raiders fan since the late 60’s, I’ve seen it all. I’ve lived the good times, the bad and the transitional.
BUT, if these stories turn out to be just mere rumors with little fact behind them, and the armageddon sequence predicted on this blog doesn’t come true, that’s it. I’ll be done with this team!
If all of the following don’t transpire this season:
- Al fires Kiffin and then battles him over his due pay in courts citing abandonment of team loyalty and attempts to sabatoge team success
- Al gives Rob Ryan a 12 year contract extension that includes, in writing, explicit directions on exactly how to run his defense and what type of talent to hire
- Denny Green is brought in to be Head Coach. At the Press Conference announcing the hiring, Denny denies all rumors that he has been contacted by Al since 2003 but then states that, “Ahh, what he hell. Since we’re all gathered here anyway, I guess I’ll take the job.”
- James Lofton, Al Saunders and Art Shell are all brought to the team as Consulting Assistant Head Coaches. Their first act is to put in place a policy prohibiting wearing of anything that displays the Under Armour label in public.
- Al trades up to #1 to take the most athletic but unproven athlete in the draft. He then begins discussions on how he is better suited at the position furthest from his college experience and puts in place a 3 year plan to retrain him at his “natural position”
- Amy Trask is officially promoted to General Manager. However, her title also carries the phrase: Executive Assistant to God
- All players currently on the roster that have thus far only shown that they can play effectively and produce results but that can’t back it up by possessing freakish physical attributes and speed are released this off-season
- Jamarcus Russell’s development is intentionally stalled as he is required to learn four different offenses this offseason and told that he might be running one of them
- Ryan Leaf is brough out of retirement to bring some “real competition” into training camp for Russell
- Tom Cable is moved to Kicking Coach and Barry Sims is put in place as the Offensive Line Coach while also being promised the starting Left Tackle position for the duration of this decade
- Ken Stabler is brought on staff as the Assistant Trainer and tasked with pharmaceutical distributions and teaching how to play through hangovers
- All references to “Committment to Excellence” within the Coliseum and Raiders facilities have the last word X-ed out and replaced with “Mediocrity”
- Practice sessions are altered to begin with a session of show and tell and will have mandatory “nap time” breaks where mats are rolled out and milk and graham crackers are distributed to the players. Reportedly, players will also receive extra consideration for starting roles if they demonstrate exemplary skills in coloring their playbooks
- Al’s ego is given it’s own exhibition in the Hall of Fame
- All of the beat writers and national reporters that have ever covered the Raiders are given 15% ownership in the team and a vote in all aspects of management
- The team is moved to the new hotbed of NFL fandom, Juneau, Alaska where reportedly they can get guaranteed max box office receipts each game if they install heaters inside the luxury booths
- The Raiderettes are replaced by a troop of ‘mature’ dancers where they are selected from representatives of the Las Vegas Retired Show Girl union, from which Al is revealed as a private sponsor
Without all of the above moves that have been hinted at taking place, I’m done being a fan of this team. I just can’t take all of this information without the corresponding actions. I’m too worn out by reacting to each “insider” story and then having to go through the emotional roller coaster of dealing with the grief that is wasted on non-events. I’m going to throw out every bit of my Raiders paraphenalia and take up wearing a nice nuetral gray color to represent that blandness that was missing in my life as a Raiders fan.
Thanks for the ride Al, but it looks like I’ll be getting off at this next stop.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
scooby doo where are you?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
EXACTLY BOB
1) REPORTS (no source)
2) I SPOKE source named
Somehow the rumor got far more run than the facts though. Funny how that works.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I hope so…scooby doo is slurping his gonads right now…what are you doin’
January 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Bob
LaMonte was Gruden agent that started rumors about his interest also in College openings.
We found out later from Gruden himself he never sought those jobs, LaMonte just pushed his name out there.
The source that started the Notre Dame rumor was Mortensen, ESPN regarding Gruden.
LaMonte is the Agent for Saunders, let me guess who put Saunders name out there also as a possible interview with the Raiders.
Timing is everything, he just got fired the night before by Washington(Saunders).
What a load of crap.
Drive up interest for your client, maybe the rams will hurry and interview him quickly before the Raiders.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I went to the Walk for life in SF (pro-life walk) and there were 25-30 thousand people there. The media showed it like there were only a few of us there and then when they showed the pro abortionists they made it seem like there were thousdands of them when there were only hundreds. They definatly have an agenda to sell. Wording things a certain way and showing only certain angles can make anything look anyway you want.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Remember what I said yesterday you guys. Saunders was literally a water boy on Al Davis’ first Oakland team. Literally. Not kidding. He’s definitely here, whether he is here to interview, or maybe talk football, maybe talk old times, don’t know. I’m not in the room, but certainly he’s here.
I stick by what I’ve said the last few days, actually Jerry now has backed me up, that there was a power play and the Godfather put Kiff in his place. I posted that here what three days ago?? There’s more to it, but we’ll save that for some other time. Right now what has to be decided is, does Kiff want to be here for the long haul, and does the organization have the confidence this is the guy to lead the team??? I think as of right now, both those questions remain unanswered.
As for all of us here, the question is are you in or not, regardless of what happens???
January 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Give me a ticket on an airplane! I aint got time to take the B.A.R.T train. Schefter say im gone, im a goin home! Al Davis just wrote me a letter.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Im scratching mine. If my tongue was longer I might lick em once in awhile.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
bye bye Kiff
January 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
OAKGLENN I’m in and will always be in…as long as I can bitch about and ridicule when I observe incompetence.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Scottish is on the war path (post 101-Davis is finished). The other day he called for a civil war…I think we should take him very seriously.
“The limbs of the Highlander are strong and sinewy, the frame hardy, and of great physical power, in proportion to size. He endures cold, hunger, and fatigue with patience.” Source unknown.
You should not mess around with the Scottish. In WWI the Germans referred to Scotland’s Royal Highland Regiment as the “Ladies from Hell” due to their ferocious bayonet charges in their kilts. In the Napoleonic Wars Wellington used the Scottish Highland Regiments to help whip Napoleon all over Europe and through the battle of Waterloo.
When the Scottish get their blood up you better watch out…that’s all I’m saying.
Watch out Al Davis.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I might puke this week trying to watch NFL Network.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Just as long a Scottish doesn’t accuse Al Davis of being cheap then I’ll respect his opinion
ha ha
January 28th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
dakota… you read post #116?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
can we draft d.fanning?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Cope we’re a family here. A BIG family. Doen’t mean we have to agree on everything, but it does mean we look out for each other, and there’s only one way out.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
There’s too many holes to plug in this sinkng pirate ship…this is reported today on Yahoo sports;
Jan 28 – Jason Jones, of the Sacramento Bee, reports Oakland Raiders players have begun calling managing general partner Al Davis to express their displeasure with head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin’s insistence on wanting to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, defensive line coach Keith Millard, linebackers coach Don Martindale and defensive backs coach Darren Perry is considered a reason for the players’ displeasure.
We can only hope Captain AD goes down with the ship.
Thanks for nothin’ AD…YOU SUCK
January 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Krowlz,
I am not going there.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Oakglen
I’m in as a fan and always will be. My name is on the PSL Wall of Shame
BUT
Over the 2003-2006 seasons a funny thing happened; missing games became no big deal. The blackouts proved I wasn’t alone.
Raider fans love their team but Al has made us into a bunch of fools who refuse to leave because we think 1) he loves the fans back and 2) it’ll get better. After the move to LA I knew #1 wasn’t true. In recent years Al has shown things will only get better if he can take credit for it.
Al demands loyalty but he has never learned the simple truth: Loyalty is a two way street.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I dont even listen to Jason Jones.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Dakota…Just wonderin… put you in mind when i read it. If true I think its cool of him to do.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I’m telling you guy’s it’s that former donco beat writer from BSPN. Adam Sehfter has no inside info on the Raiders. He and Al Davis don’t like each other. Just like that stuff he started during the senior bowl about Kiffin not wearing Raider gear. But none of those other idiots said nothing about coach Nolan not wearing niner gear.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
SEE? Now the Bee’s friggin’ rumor is on Yahoo. It never ends.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
a raidermutt was purchased from vick’s doghouse
January 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I think that Jason Jones is turning into a drama queen who’s trying to get the scoop a bit too quickly for my taste…….I prefer Jerry who tells the facts that he knows and adds his OPINION as to what he feels is taking place.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I’m having some trouble with this talk about “loyalty” being the issue here. Let’s say Al is concerned about Kiffin’s Loyalty (and I have no reason to doubt this). I still think it’s a misguided way to run a team. Who is more loyal to the Raiders than Art Shell and Tom Walsh? They were a disaster. Their loyalty plus $1 will get a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s. Rob Ryan is “loyal.” Great. Our guys can’t tackle anyone.
And that’s not even getting into the “loyalty” Mr. Davis has shown his fans. Look at how much we’ve forgiven him, moving up and down the coast is just the start.
Someone who didn’t want to be here for the long haul isn’t going to try to hire and fire people, and go through the effort to “Remake the culture.”
I don’t want to be one of those “Chicken Littles,” but this is weird, even for the Raiders. Why do we need all this drama?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I cant even read his blog all the way through..every time i try i cant finish an article..It feels like listening to speculation by any joe blow and a joe that dosnt have much love if any for the Raiders….theres just no soul to it.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Coach your name is most likely next to mine on that wall.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I Hope So ain’t Fire Kiffin, thats all I’m going to say about that. I Hope So makes me laugh though.
this quote is the best one I have seen in a while, thanks COW -
“This isn’t Kinko’s. If Al wanted Kiffin to resign do you really think he’d send him a letter to sign? This stuff doesn’t even make sense.”
I literally laughed out loud.
AZ Raider -
I made that Haynesworth quote up. See how believable it is that athletes care more about money than team loyalty?
BTW Thanks BHP
January 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
excellent post john s. very well said.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
COW-J.Jones also has a raider blog and i try to read it daily.He is usually pretty right on.he doesn’t just make up crap and throw it out there,and he usually gives his sources-not an inside source but so and so said this or that.the guy is pretty creditable,plus he’s one of us-a fan.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Will this be the answer to the Al Davis problem?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/26/world/main3755365.shtml
Personally, I would rather see him just step aside.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Jerry,
Miller is worthy of respect, but he cites too easily as fact things which are widely believed by not documented. Of particular note, his reference to Denny Green being contacted by the raiders have been refuted by Oakland and laughed off by Green, in a rather uproarious fashion. Big oops there.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Thanks will.
Jason Jones:
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders
I agree w/lefty, etc. He’s pretty good.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
any publicity is good publicity, especially during Super Bowl Week. Are there any other AFC West teams in the news as much as the Raiders are right now? Yes it has all been negative but it will all work out in the end. In the meantime people won’t stop talking about it. This has been bigger than Tom Brady’s legjob!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Food for thought It would seem Al should be happy Moss was gone unless he thought Moss was a loyal Raider
January 28th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
The physically frail, mentally arthritic fool has to go. Just sell baby!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Well said, John S.
Loyalty is a very interesting sentiment to introduce into this discussion. Fans are loyal, and I mean really loyal, because we are around win or lose. We are around through good and bad decisions by the organization. We are around through trying times.
But the days of loyal players and coaches seems to be long past. Loyalty doesn’t extend any further than success and production. Kiffin can be as loyal as Shell, but doing a bad job and losing gets you shown the door and loyalty doesnt’ matter an ounce. Same for the players.
Kiffin did nothing publicly to embarass the team or the organization. He in fact came out and said he wasn’t a candidate for the college jobs. But i don’t think you can fault anyone for (quietly) finding out what options are out there.
And John S’s best point: loyalty is a two way street. It seems like Al has mostly been loyal only to those old time raiders who ended their careers with the team. But who recently has received Al’s loyalty?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Fender52,
Brayton, Sims and Stu can only be on this team due to Al’s loyalty! They sure as heck are not on the team due to talent…
January 28th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Rad-post208-great post!!Al can take his so called loyality and stick it.where was his loyality when he moved our team when at the time we had the longest consecutive sell-out streak in the NFL.the Whiners couldn’t put anybody in the stands-we sell out for years and he moves.so much for loyality.and he’ll probably do it again if given the opportunity.loyality my ass.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
JohnS, not really and let me explain. Shell was a disaster. Davis probably hired loyalty over smarts in that one. Davis doesn’t want to have Gruden II here. That Davis forced Gruden out is flat out wrong. Gruden had an opportunity in his home town, where his wife and family and wife’s family are from, and they wanted to take it. Davis just doesn’t want the same thing to happen again. You remake the team, the coaching staff, everything, for the team leader, the team leader goes, and now what do you do?? You have to rebuild again. The point I made is if Kiff is gonna be gone in 2-3 years anyway, you might as well get someone in here, who’s gonna stick it out. I am positive that’s being discussed right now as we blog away.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Dakota,you shouldn’t knock anyones ability to judge talent.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Left,
Speaking of loyalty, how is that Webber/Nelson/Warriors thing going to work out? I see trouble with a capital T in GS.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Lefty,
Oh yeah, I forgot, you think McFadden is talentless…his 41 tds beg to differ, but who is counting.
That being said, Ellis does look pretty damned good.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I’m not a big NBA fan,but you’re probably right about that.Webber is washed up anyways.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Sorry, I thought you were one of the GSW fans here.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
gimmicky off.but since you’ve changed on Ellis-peace!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Oakglenn, Gruden took that opportunity because davis wasn’t willing to give gruden a top dollar contract, when he clearly deserved it. I believed gruden then and belive it now that all he wanted was a pay raise and more say over personnel, davis wouldn’t give him either, so he packed up and left
January 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Frankly, I don’t see the Stu, Simms and Brayton issues as loyalty as much as (probably) Al’s stubbornness. (and i concede that while we fans suspect it’s Al’ input that keeps those guys around, we don’t really know that). We also see that Stu isnt’ the starter anymore. So if Stu is Al’s pet, Al and Kiffin were able to work that issue out.
So maybe there is hope.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Lefty,
After watching the Senior Bowl, I may have to alter my DRAFT MCFADDEN stance. It was draft McFadden if Dorsey and Long are off the board…I may have to add Ellis to the qualification of Drafting McFadden. Maybe. I can’t wait to watch the combine, I hope they all show up for it.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
COW, loyalty is a two-way street. Amen, brother.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
As a die hard fan it hurts me that the team is in such a disarray with all the rumors about changing coaches…IF KIFF GOES IM GONE>>>>Buh bye Mr Davis and thank you for RUIN one of the best Franchises in SPORTS.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
John S….
If things really are going down that alley then…
I think the issue is not loyalty but trust.
How could any owner, let alone Davis, trust a coach who was giving mixed signals about what he wants to do?.
It´s just like you said, Kfiin came with more power than any coach before him and any college assistant will ever get and kept talking about the future here…
But at the same time they (Davis) get hold that he´s putting his name out there for ucla or whatever when the season isn´t even over yet, how can you give that guy whatever he wants when he may bolt at anytime?.
Yeah Al values loyalty, who doesn´t?. Loyalty got Shell another chance but it didn´t do him any good after 2-14 right?.
If the organization ran on loyalty Rob Ryan would be the head coach, he´s loyal and has the players loyalty, right? Well, he isn´t and a new guy with no ties or up to that point, any loyalty owed to Davis was hired.
I’d say, provided this angle is really the issue, that it is more about trust than loyalty.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dakota -
You’re just mad because Webber didn’t want to be a Laker. Lord knows they could use him.
Are you actually waffling on your McFadden stance? I can’t believe the words that I just read!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
This hot off the presses:
“An unnamed source within the Raiders organization is reporting that there’s been a lot of subterfuge with the James Lofton interviewed. While originally reported to be interviewing with Kiffin about a potential assistant coaching role, some claim that he’s really there to interview with Al Davis about a role as either the new head coach or about coming on staff to eventually replace Kiffin.
Apparently, Lofton was seen entering the office of Amy Trask, Chief Operating Officer of the Raiders, and spending ‘considerable time’ talking with her. The buzz in the team hallways is that he is secretly interviewing with Trask for the role of President of the Managing General Partner — Al Davis’ current role. It is also whispered that Kiffin is the behind the scenes puppet master in this coup to usurp power from Davis.”
Read the whole thing here:
http://www.wildassrumors.org/I_just_made_this_shit_up.htm
I expect that we’ll see this copied on other sites within the hour and then the likes of Dickey, Gay, Mortenson, Sheftler and co. reporting it as if it were fact.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Simms, Brayton and Stu Schwag wouldn’t start for most Arena League Teams. The only logical reasons that they are on the Raiders is because of Al’s dementia.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dakota…
thank you! Ellis or Dorsey either one! but if we take C. Long trevor Laws in the middle rounds looks really good too! as interior help
January 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Nice post Bob
January 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Dakota-I get ya.they better show up.I’m tired of these prima-donnas who will only work out at there pro days-home field.if you’re that good show up an show it against other prospects.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
LMN -
Good call on Trevor Laws, I think he raised his stock quite a bit at the Senior Bowl. He may be a mid to late second rounder.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
mutts love to laugh and play. Repeat, you have no respect on this blog because of your cravenship. I will remind you of that everytime you bark.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Al Davis is and wants to be in complete control. Al Davis has hired an innumerable number of coaches over the last 10 years and only one of them came close to meeting his standards (Gruden-and he ran him off).
If he is in charge, why does the “Raider for Life” fan contingent, who want to blame everybody else, not hold Davis accountable for this disaster?
So yet again we have a young coach, who AL DAVIS HIRED, knew would go through growing pains and publicly stated couldn’t be expected to turn things around in one year, on his way out the door in less than a year because he made poor Al angry. Isn’t he the one who brought Kiffen in and should have known what he was getting? Oh, I forgot; he never had met the guy before, was introduced to him as a potential ASSISTANT COACH by another coach who then turned down the head coach job Davis offered and presto Davis hires this potential assistant coach as head coach a couple of days later, I guess because he came from the great offense at USC. What a great diligence process by the genius!
I give Kiffen credit for waiting until the end of the season to look for another job. I suspect Davis fed him a line when he hired him and then screwed him when the time came to do what he told Kiffen he would let him do.
Any fool should be able to see where the problem is and who to hold accountable for this disaster. Has it now been 7 or 8 head coaches since the Raiders came back? Who is hiring these obviously incompetent coaches and why is his head not on the chopping block?
Oh, yeah he owns the team and we are his stooges who are expected to continue to dance on the end of the strings he pulls because he won 3 Super Bowls, the last one 24 YEARS AGO. Wake up people. He lost it years ago and he is made our team the laughing stock of professional sports.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Brayton doesn’t start.I’m beggining to think alot of you don’t even watch the games.FYI,Brayton made some very key stops and plays this past season,but you guys hate so bad you don’t see them happen,or you just like to ignore them.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Thanks Jerry for validating my blogs and may AD get back the repect he deserves from the Raider Nation fence dwellars.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
IT’S KIFFIN not Kiffen.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Lefty12
Your on fire here today.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I Hope So,
You’re obviously new to this blog but I destroyed raidermutt not KoolKell. She’s in the pound right now having surgery on her knees.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Bob, That’s a good argument. There could very well be some trust issues.
If the “wildass rumor” thing is true, that would be the most Ironic thing in the history of Irony. Where have we heard that story before? Young (early thirties) former USC Assistant becomes head coach of the Raiders, etc, etc.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Dell-sometimes you just have to let go,know what I mean?I love this blog but sometimes….
January 28th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
RaiderDogg…
yup…
When my eyes came across trevor Laws some time last week, I believed he hoped to be a 4th rounder, now I believe he’ll be disappointed if he slides down to the 3rd round
January 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Good work, Zymurge!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Sorry-Jeremy I didn’t know you were culpable. Answer this for me please, why does it keep talking?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
whats the hardest part to understand for a raiderfan…?
The Al factor….?
NO, its kiffen, fargus, Nandi and dante
January 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
marley, good point, now here is my question…why won’t davis trust a coach to build a team? although people want to sit here and reserve judgement on the kiffin ryan situation,it seems pretty odd that there is all this turmoil over the lack of power to chose a defensive staff. that says to a coach”you do what i tell you, and i’ll fire you if it doesn’t work my way” how can a guy be the head coach of the team, but have no say so over the defense?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I know Brayton doesn’t start, and he did have a nice hit on Rivers during the final game – but overall, he is a below average player. Simms and Schwag are two of the worst players at their positions in the entire league…
January 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hey Dogg..thx,
JohnS…my fantasy team for the blog league next season is gonna be called ”The Letter”.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Will, that’s actually not true. Gruden had a ton of input into personnel, and took guys he wanted with him, like Stinchcomb,Buchanon (I think was one year later) and of course $$$ is always an issue with Davis. The Glazer family fired Dungy to force Gruden, cause they knew Gruden wanted the job, when Davis wouldn’t budge, the went after Tuna, and of course the rest is history. Bottom line is Davis didn’t force him out, I think the Glazer’s forced Gruden and Davis’ hands.
Bob Marley discusses this above, maybe “loyalty” isn’t the right word, trust maybe, I think the word I’m looking for is “commitment”. Commitment to getting it done.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Lefty12
glad you didn’t mind my akward humor.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Kind of nice how all of the factions are settling down on this site. The only time I ever watch BSPIN is if a game is on. The slobbering man love they spew over Bostonians and Big Applers is intolerable, as is their unadorned scorn and hatred for all thing s to do with the Raiders.
I do hope that Kiffin learned a lesson in this. No, not the one of messing with the man, but learned that it is no myth that the billionaire’s club NFL owners/media owners will do or say anything to denegrate the Raiders and their Nation.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
It seems to me that Kiffin, at least in how it is being reported, wants full control of everything. His staff, the personnel, the cafeteria menu, and so forth.
In the past, such amount of control was reserved for luring the best and most proven NFL head coaches, such as Parcells to Dallas and Holmgren to Seattle.
But since when does a completely unproven, inexperienced, virtually unknown and unpursued 32 year old make such demands? How in the hell is that warranted?
The reality is that he is very fortunate to have this opportunity, period. He has no right to expect better nor to get his panties in a bunch when he doesn’t get this full control. Maybe after he’s done it for several years and has a Super Bowl ring or two to sport, then he can act this way. But right now I say to Kiffin (again, only if all this is true) “STFU and do what you are paid to do! And that’s to coach the Raiders football team within the parameters that the owner sets.”
January 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
[...] lefty 12 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by lefty 12″Here’s ONLY a quick extractDell-sometimes you just have to let go,know what I mean?I love this blog but sometimes…. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
woof woof
January 28th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
[...] raiderwill1980 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by raiderwill1980″Here’s ONLY a quick extractmarley, good point, now here is my question…why won’t davis trust a coach to build a team? although people want to sit here and reserve judgement on the kiffin ryan situation,it seems pretty odd that there is all this turmoil over the … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
January 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
System Moderator, again I ask, as I access this site by wireless does that mean that I shall be blocked simply because it is my mode of entry to the site? The wording is unclear as it follows reference to those who have been deemed ill-fit to be allowed access.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
zymurge… that is exactly the problem with getting a proven coach or getting things turned around with this team, you don’t hire a coach and then handcuff him to changes he can or cannot make, if you feel he isn’t competant enough to handle running the team and getting assistants that can do the job, you as a GM shouldn’t hire the guy. the limitations and accountability demanded on these coaches don’t add up
January 28th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
So; the head coach did a no-no and pissed off the owner. Because of this a new offensive assistant coach is being brought in who wants his job so bad the saliva is dripping off his chin. This same assistant just got fired by his last head coach because he was so popular with the players. Plus this head coach has to now work with a defensive coordinator that he tried to get rid of. Oh, and the defensive players were upset because their 20 minute breaks after 10 minute work-outs were going by-by(OK – an exageration). Just one happy family! The pieces are going to roll into place. 14-2, 15-1, believe it. Lane, Lane; what a mess. How did you manage to do this. You don’t go behind the boss’s back -especially this boss.
Of course; tomorrow will bring a whole new segment of drama in … “Raider nation; AS THE COACHES TURN”
January 28th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
to many posts to catch up…
January 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
The offices in Alameda are sounding more and more like campaign headquarters for any of the candidates for President…all of the characters involved are putting on their spin for Raider Nation…it’s all about semantics and word choice
Oh well…it wouldn’t be the Raider front office if it were running like other NFL franchises…nothing really to write about or comment on until the draft…we can’t even fire a guy in a normal way… people in the other 31 NFL clubs simply put out a statement at a press conference, “He’s fired,” and move on…we leak it out first, then deny it…
We have more leaks than any President’s administration…
January 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
M……..
thats a bot and Jerry very rarely replies to anything here. Maybe you can email Jerry at the newspaper he works for.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Why the hell would we want Loften…He just got fired from the … “San DEE-AY-GO…..SUPER-CHARGERS!!!”
January 28th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Andrews Mom is right about the moderator. It’s a bot that is probably triggered by either a banned user or one that is being banned. That’s my guess anyway.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Thanks Andrew’s Mom, I did not realize these things.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
M…
I cant see how wifi can be a problem. you still get an IP. If you use your laptop home on or at work, you still use only a few ip’s…
If you got a dynamic IP, and a stationary PC what then? half of the users would be removed then. I guess thats not their intentions.
I see the Mod post as an eraly warning, until they find a suitable solution
January 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
January 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
They edited just a piece of my last post….how did they do it so fast?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Testing, Testing, one, two, three, testing…Houston, have I been banned yet?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I was making reference to the Chargers theme song…have you guys heard this?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Here Will let me repost something I wrote earlier today:
Repost:
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 5:01 pm
Jerry…thanks again for bringing understanding with this new post. It was one heck of a sedative for the misinformed bloggers.
BHP…special thanks for going out on a limb. Yours is one of the few post I like to read.
System Moderator…thanks again for the upcoming infusion of sanity.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
HERE’s a link to it….they still play this crap…at least they did the last SD-Raider game I went to.
http://tberman.imeem.com/music/5bAKlLZC/sports_san_diego_chargers_fight_song/
January 28th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Oakglenn, I will never understand that logic, he’s the head coach, either he’s qualified to make changes to the staff, or he shouldn’t be the head coach.Last time I checked, the head coach wasn’t there to make sure the offense ran smoothly and that’s that…His job is to make sure the entire team is going in the same direction. If he feels the defense needs to go in another direction, that should be his call. His job is on the line based on what the entire team does. If the feeling is he’s not qualified to make such a decision, then why in the bleep is he the head coach?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Good question. Lets ask Mike Nolan and about 26 other head coaches that question
January 28th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
And another thing.
If Al D has such a thin skin when it comes to matters of loyalty, how is it possible that he was so enamoured of Randy Moss? The guy tells the world he only tries to make his plays some of the time, he never produces for us, and he clearly disses the whole organization?? How is it that Davis can think of the guy as his prize possession (as previously described)? And why wouldn’t Davis say, good riddance to bad rubbish.
Tis a puzzlement!?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
i hear you andrews mom, but i’m not concerned about the wellbeing of any of the other 31 teams in this league, just the raiders. this doesn’t make any sense to justify a head coach not having the authority to bring in a defensive scheme he feels will better serve our team,then you question his loyalty? who in their right minds wouldn’t look elsewhere when they don’t have the authority to make changes they feel are necessary to produce a better team?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
will1980…
I can´t answer your question in a way that would satisfy you. In the Ryan issue, I´m dumbfounded myself, I questioned him before this season even with our ”high”ranking and I have proof, I didn´t just turn on Ryan a couple of months ago.
All I can give you is a very simplistic observation, in fact, call it a dumb one, but it´s one that I saw with my own 2 eyes, I saw Kiffin and Ryan joking around in the sidelines during the Senior Bowl.
You rightfully will say, so friggin what?? exactly, I said it was dumb, but if Schefter and Co. can make a national issue of what Kiffin wears or doesn´t wear, then why can´t I post an observation in my favorite blog?.
Allright, I was rambling…point was, it was hardly the kind of ”body languaje” that 2 guys engaged in the type of serious conflict that a firing implies would be likely to enjoy. Not to mention that reports from that same week claimed they were no longer in speaking terms, So, I can tell you that much, they speak….lol.
In other words, I don´t know what to make of it.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I have not seen any proof that Al is pissed off at Kiff about Moss. Its just another rumor started by a two bit reporter who was under preassure to make a deadline.
Its my opinion that Al would have Marcus Allened Moss like he has done with Lamont but Kiff talked him out of it because he did not want a cancerous piece of low life crap drinking hateraid in the lockerroom.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
okay while im not saying the media is always right,but for some of you guys to just think the media made this all up for shits and giggles thats just crazy. So if if lane doesnt get fired that means this whole story was all made up? Ill use this analogy so lets say you and your wife get in a huge fight and she says i want a divorce and then a week later you guys make up and stay together does that mean she never asked for a divorce? If there was no issue at all and all of this was made up, why when the media asked lane if he would be coaching the raiders in 08 would he say i hope so?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
if there was no issue he would say ofcourse i am why wouldnt i be?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
More grist for the mill. You guys are hilarious. Did you hear that Lane Kiffin is the real father to Jamie Lynn Spears’ unborn child? 80% of you probably just put your hands over your mouths and sighed, “Oh my gawsh…”. What a pathetic joke.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Andrews Mom:
I think you’re right. but if that’s the case, how in the world could Al blame kiffin for that?
and Ira Miller seems to have Al blame kiffin for Turner and Moss doing well in the playoffs? How is it Kiffin’s fault?
95% of this makes no sense at all which again weighs against the media’s take on all this.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Wherever I am travelling I enjoy getting onto this blog and hearing about Raiders football. Often I do not have the ability to see nor even hear the games let alone computer access to anything. The Nation came caling via my father in Frank Youell. (Hell, my mother even owns an original bobblehead from 1960 in the Black and Gold colors. How many of those are around?) I enjoy reading the passion of the fans here but I must say that the hating of Davis or Ryan or Kiffin or whomsoever is a bit hard to take. I suffered through loss after loss in the playoffs during the “glory days” and I am disgusted when the Raiders have been non-competitive, but they are my boys. They have had their flaws over time, but I am not going to run and hide because of that. The fickleness of many a so-called Nationer has reared head in the past few days. As I urged persons to reflect and feel appropriate shame when they have recently called for Mr. Al Davis’ demise, I would also ask them to be quite contrite in their wishing to abandon the Nation because of a rumored departure of Kid Lane. What do people do when the going is a bit rough…?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Raiderwill……
I think that is just the way Al is and he has never changed. He use to get it right more often then not and that has not been the case lately.
All one can do about it is talk about it in here and write letters but I doubt Al cares.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
In my opinion, if Kiffin were given 5 years to do it 80% his way…we would be in such a better place. Can the Kiffin haters please give me FACTS to discount this? From what I saw this year alone….being a very young 1st time NFL Head coach…the progress was amazing.
I’m not saying the Super Bowl….but I gaurantee we would be playoff caliber.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Fender…..
We dont know that Al is blaming kiff for that.
It sounds like Kiff MAY have put out feelers for a college job and Al MAY be mad about that and things MAY have snowballed downhill from there.
I agree with Oak when he says……….
“As I’ve said, I think this whole thing is gonna settle down and it’s back to business as usual.”
Thats what I am hoping for.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Who hates Kiffin?.
Besides Fire Kiffin of course.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Not me.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Saw this on Silver and Black……..
Al Saunders Is An Upgrade Over Lane Kiffin:
By saint
Posted on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 03:47:10 PM EDT
Putting your LOVE for Lane Kiffin aside, let’s take a look at what may be in store IF He and his BFF, Mark Jackson, are shown the door.
FORMER TROJAN, Al Saunders, is interviewing in Oakland today. This is the same Al Saunders who put together the highest rated offense in the NFL in 2004 and put together the 5th best passing offense in 2007 with the unproven Jason Campbell and “Journeyman” Todd Collins under center.
He believes in getting the ball DOWNFIELD and would be a great tutor for JaMarcus Russell.
Al Davis is a 100% believer in offensive coaches being Head Coaches. Al Saunders would fit the bill perfectly.
Dumping Saunders was a HUGE blunder by the Redskins, perhaps as large as the Falcons dumping Cable last year. Now, let’s hope that IF Kiffin is gone Al and Tom will be working together to get the ball downfield with McFadden, Bush and Russell.
Oops, did I say McFadden???
January 28th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
kiffin broke against the cardinal rule: putting the team ahead of al davis. god forbid he try to win football games with HIS guys. if you want to win, you better do it with al’s flunkies. hey lane, why don’t you take your guys and go win games somewhere else. winning games your way is certainly not the raider way, or more importantaly, the al davis way.
how dare you try to what’s best for the franchise you selfish prick……no one outshines big al.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
yeah ok that sounds nice… but let me guess JP will be gone for sure… besides butter finger higgins who will have the speed to go downhill to catch those bombs?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Warning:The is not for the faint of heart.The big boys upstairs are slugging it out( big boy business stuff). People that suffer from irregular heart beats, fainting spells,and high blood pressure, should reframe from any reports pertaining to the Raiders organization until the 2008 season commences.
AL is the owner. All decisions should and will be examined by Al before preceeding with operations effecting the Raiders. I personally approve of Kiffin and all he has done for the Raiders so far,but Al gave him boundaries when he signed on as head coach; those boundaries he must maintain with good results. I’M IN. Raiders be with you
January 28th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Lane is out; it’s just a matter of time. Divorces sometimes drag on and on, but we might as well prepare for the aftermath. Even if there is only a scintilla of truth to these rumors the damage has been done and the relationship is likely irreparably damaged.
If Lane was staying these rumors would have been addressed via a press conference ala Rob Ryan’s press conference.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I hear ya marley, I actually remember your posts questioning Ryan, it made me think about it too. I guess I’m just the guy who doesn’t understand Davis’ two way street of hiring coaches. I belive the guy needs to have the authority to make decisions reguarding personell and assistants.I’m sure the media has taken some wild guesses and stirred the pot a little also, but this is deja vu yet again. It’s the same old song with every coach
January 28th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
why is it so hard to believe kiff was shopping around for a new gig? I appreciate what he did for the team but let’s be honest – in today’s coaching climate – he’s got no loyalty to the silver and black. It takes a special person to bleed these colors and lets face it, he was a nobody given the opportunity to be somebody. Can you say with 100% certainty he would stay here if given the UCLA, Arkansas gig? Petrino, Saban -> they exemplify what football coaching is today. You go where you think you can make the most money and be the most successful. I’m not saying he definitely fishing, but can you honestly say he wasn’t?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Dakota
“Scintilla of Truth” You do have an expanded word knowledge. Like that!!
Oh, also agree with you.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
1980 says:
“zymurge… that is exactly the problem with getting a proven coach or getting things turned around with this team, you don’t hire a coach and then handcuff him to changes he can or cannot make, if you feel he isn’t competant enough to handle running the team and getting assistants that can do the job, you as a GM shouldn’t hire the guy. the limitations and accountability demanded on these coaches don’t add up”
I think that you are mixing up the responsibilities of the Head Coach and the GM. Which is easy to do these days because there are several teams that basically give both hats to one person.
But that person usually has to be VERY qualified to manage two jobs and in my opinion (and many others I’d venture) the guy is way too green for that yet.
The Head Coaches job is to run the football part of the team as it pertains to the actual games. Game planning, adjusting to game situations, running practices, etc as well as getting the final vote in all things roster based when i comes to cut downs and starters. The assistant coaches and coordinators run their assigned pieces and report through to the Head Coach. He oversees their work and ensures that they run the program to the expectations of the team management.
The General Manager runs the team top to bottom. Through the Head Coach, as his direct report, he gives the marching orders for how the football side should be run. He also owns all things personnel including the ultimate selection in the roster, contract negotiations, etc.
When all is said and done, the GM is the HC’s boss. He can manage at the micro, macroor any level inbetween. If that includes overriding the HC’s wish for things like who his sub-managers are (i.e. DC, OC, etc) and who the non-managers are (ala the players) that is his prerogrative.
I’m a middle manager and my life is exactly as above, where I play the role of HC and my boss is the GM. I know who I want to hire and fire as the managers under me, but ultimately I have to clear those decisions with my boss, just as they have to clear their personnel decisions with people on thier teams with me. Like the above scenario, I do varying degrees of macro to not-so-macro depending on the experience level of the managers underneath me. I tend to trust the judgement of those that have proven to be good business decisions makers more than those that are more junior.
So Al is the defacto GM. He is Kiffin’s boss. Given Kiffin’s lack of experience, he is managing him as he sees fit. He gives him a lot of rope on the offensive side, because that is his area of known experience. He gives him less defensively because that’s where he his little experience. Al has not given Kiffin the luxury of total say on the team and is in fact treating him how a traditional Head Coach is treated based on his experience.
Why people expect Al to treat him as an equal to Bill Parcells is beyond me. When he attains that level of experience then he can be annointed with the GM hat to wear with that of Head Coach. Until then, he works for a GM that has some overriding philosophies that dictate his decisions.
Just like in my business and pretty much every other one. Why would we expect otherwise here?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Fukn’ A Dell.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Dakota
You and I along with Jeremy were hoping for DMAC in this draft.
What happened? Are you out of this derby? What changed your mind.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Dell,
I still want McFadden, but I would not be devastated if we got Ellis…still, McFadden would be a great pick for us. I still have the man-crush, don’t worry.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Like I say all the time. Long after this coach and that coach are gone I’ll still be a Raider fan. So I never buy into thier BS like “I’m in”. Long after that saying is dead I’ll still be and always have been in. I don’t need a college cheerleader to get me motivated. I’m pissed with losing and when we start winning something else will piss me off like not getting to the superbowl. Just how I am.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
zymurge says
The Head Coaches job is to run the football part of the team as it pertains to the actual games. Game planning, adjusting to game situations, running practices, etc as well as getting the final vote in all things roster based when i comes to cut downs and starters. The assistant coaches and coordinators run their assigned pieces and report through to the Head Coach. He oversees their work and ensures that they run the program to the expectations of the team management
dude, if he feels the defenisvie coordinator isn’t holding up to his end of the program expectations, he should have the say so to get someone in who will meet the expectations, because his job is to manage the football operations, this is my point
January 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Dakota…
see post 55. =)
January 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I think I’m starting to agree with CoW’s assessment of whats going on. Why the hell would Al send a letter in the first place? He would call Kiff himself and tell him to pack his bags, or call him into his office and dismiss him the same way he did it to Shell…. No letter required.
And there is no confirmation that Kiffin wanted Ryan out… Kiff took the position knowing Ryan was going to be here and would want to run a man-coverage unit. I presume he still plans on running a man-cover defense because he said Aso (a pure man-to-man cover corner) would be here next season via franchise tag or new contract…. You don’t franchise a corner for if you want to switch to a Cover/Tampa 2 defense (see Colts, who let both starting CBs walk after 2006 season)…
January 28th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
LMN,
Nice thought, who the hell knows, it could be true.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Why wouldn’t Lane consult with or make a recommendation to Crazy Al before firing Ryan??
It just doesn’t make sense!!
I have observed that ever since Lane came aboard, that the Raiders have actually been MORE secretive than ever. Lane plays that role perfectly. In fact, this is the first year I can remember where reporters have made stuff up out of thin air. In the past, quotes always came from “a source close to the team” who was usually Allen, Lombardi, or a coach. With Kiffin and Trask, things are ultra-secretive now. A part of me doesn’t believe ANY of the crap I’m reading these days!!
January 28th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Dakota
Wait a minute, did OakGlenn,Terrapin or Marley talk you out of this.
I observed at the Senior Bowl/East West Shrine game enough position players that we can find a DT to help our D-line out.
Do we draft a game changer or rotate in every 56 plays a DT to help stop the run.Let’s also considering the cap charge for a d-lineman.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Will I don’t know why it’s so hard to understand. With Kiffin you’re not bringing in someone with ANY type of track record in the NFL. None. No head Coaching experience at any level. None. No final Personnel experience. None. You’re gonna entrust this guy with the health of the entire franchise for possibly decades to come??? If Davis did that, he WOULD be senile and crazy. It’s not like you’re bringing Jimmy Johnson in here and Al Davis won’t let him make an outside phone call. And as I said, while I like Kiff, and I want him to succeed, he’s made TONS OF MISTAKES, that right now at least, I would’t flip over the keys to the franchise. JMHO.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Kiffin hired most of his own staff, Kiff hired Mark Jackson, Kiff got Lombardi out. Why would Davis regret all these decisions? The 4-12 record? Davis himself said “it may take some time, but Lane Kiffin will lead us back.”
Kiffin for all we have seen, is on the right track. He hit a few bumps his first HC year (play-calling and game managing), but I think we all agree that he got better as the season wore on. Look how we played the Cheifs and the Broncos the 2nd time… Progress was made, despite injuries.
I think Kiff needs one more year before we can judge him. If he goes 4-12, 5-11, maybe 6-10, then fire him.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Dakota..
i doubt it, but it could be funny though…
January 28th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
glenn, if Davis weren’t this pushy with all his coaches, we wouldn’t have to hire a college assistant with zero experience.It’s tough to watch coach after coach come through here with the same old song
January 28th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
RaiderDell Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
RaiderDogg
Your a fellow Govt Mule bro.
I am not going to tell you what to do, just some advice
and by no means “I don’t blame you for your actions”
KK is what he is, and you are just playin into someone
goating you into his fantasy world.
Just to let you know, I believe your better than that.
It’ just not worth responding to anymore.
It’s up to you, as always.
As you can see I haven’t responded to Soul Patrol 2, Revenge of Moses and all the other user names he uses, it’s just not worth the time.
Just some friendly advice.”
Raider Dell -
I appreciate the sage advice. You are right. The thing is KoolKell and I have an agreement. I acknowledge his existence and he lives on. It’s entertaining. You’re right though.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5608078&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.3.1
January 28th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Glenn
So is Saunders coming in for an interview or was that another rouse.
And what media guy gets credit for spreading that rumor.
So as of today, kiff is HC and Lofton is where?
Just curious about the placement of coaches.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
”Former San Diego receivers coach James Lofton met with Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp today.
He wasn’t hired today, but will continue talks with the Raiders.
Kiffin wasn’t happy with the play of the receivers this season, which is why Charles Coe’s role could change in 2008. Lofton is a former Raider, Hall of Fame receiver, and did a good job with the Chargers’ receivers, I thought.
That he’s been a candidate for the head job with the Raiders apparently wasn’t an issue for Kiffin.
How this plays out remains to be seen. Will Kiffin quit? Will he be fired? Is Lofton the coach in waiting? Who really knows.
As of now, Kiffin is still the coach.”
J. Jones, sacbee.com, 5:56 today.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
[...] Oakglenn wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by Oakglenn”Here’s ONLY a quick extractWill I don’t know why it’s so hard to understand. With Kiffin you’re not bringing in someone with ANY type of track record in the NFL. None. No head Coaching experience at any level. None. No final Personnel experience. None. … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
[...] Michael wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by Michael”Here’s ONLY a quick extractKiffin hired most of his own staff, Kiff hired Mark Jackson, Kiff got Lombardi out. Why would Davis regret all these decisions? The 4-12 record? Davis himself said “it may take some time, but Lane Kiffin will lead us back.” … [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
see new post
nothing definitive on Lofton except that Kiffin was part of the interview process.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Tim K. was on KNBR – he thinks they are negotiating a buyout (around 2 million)& the next head coach would may be Saunders or Lofton. Hope that’t not true! AL, you need to keep Kiffin & sign him to ext.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
RaiderDogg,
You provide some sanity around here, I rather here your take on issues than deal with others.
Although, your right it is entertaining.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Will, believe me I’m with ya. I’m more tired of this that you can imagine. Gruden wasn’t the best personnel guy, and I don’t think he’s that good a coach based on what’s been happening in TB the last few years. I think we’ve righted the ship here with Kiffin but there are clearly some rough waters we’re gonna have to navigate.
Dell, Saunders is here, I’m not in the meeting rooms unfortunatley so I don’t know. They might be dicussing old times, current league trends, might be interviewing for head coach. I honestly don’t know. This I do know tho. K-rock picked up on my post yesterday and remember you heard it here first, the rumour I’m floating out there is Greg Knapp isn’t happy here. So Lofton could be receivers coach, which would be an upgrade or OC. Knapp is a SF guy, and as OC I’m sure he wanted play calling duties, which Kiff took.
Honestly, what I think is gonna happen is Lofton comes in as receivers coach, Saunders as OC, and Kiff gets Millard out as DL coach as a compromise. At least on the offensive side that would be a BIG upgrade in my mind.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Just like I tell my own dad, who will be 76 in July, somebody NEEDS to tell big Al, comes a time when old people do what they are told, period, end of story.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
If we keep changing coaches and playbook each year…we will:
1. Ruin Russells career
2. Continue to be ineffective offensively
3. No Free Agents will want to come here…
Think of all the good offensive teams…they have been together for awhile….they have trust in each other and they know the playbook inside and out…the new players come in and buy in to the system.
SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS!
The more you win, the more players want to join you. They don’t want to join a team with no direction and never knowing when their coach is going to get fired.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Yeah let’s all speculate as to what the Raiders need in the way of a draft pick(s). You name it and they need it, and don’t get to excited because it probably won’t be what you want and if it is the player that you’re jazzed about he probably won’t play til the middle of the season because they can’t figure out a fricking contract!! This whole team blows.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
parameters…
that is my word of the day…
if Mr Davis allows young Kiffen to stay, Kiffen must understand that word and make it his own…
no one is going to hand the reins of a billion dollar corporation to an unknown without parameters…
like:
you may not fire management employees without consulting the General Partner…
you may not sign a free agent for more than X for longer than Y without consulting the General Partner…
you may not draft anyone that would command a signing bonus of greater than X without consulting the General Partner…
et cetera…
parameters…
i own my own business… and all of my managers and supervisors have parameters…
it let’s me make the important decisions… and i like making the important decisions… because it is my company…
if a manager came to work for me and i gave him free rein of the place… and he fails… it is I who will pay the price…
he’ll just go look for a new job…
this is Al Davis company, we are his customers… we do have a choice whether we want to continue…
for me, i do have faith in Mr Davis… and i am anxious to see how this plays out…
Kiffen needs to pledge his loyalty to the silver and black… earn the respect he needs… earn the priveleges that are usually bestowed on favored and trusted management…
personally, i would tell the kid to take a hike… and find someone who understands the privelege of working for a legend… and for the silver and black…
parameters…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Florida Pete nailed it perfectly. This is a business just like any other, and the GM, Head Coach, Coordinators and Assistants are part of the management infrastructure. In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t run any different.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
If Kiffin leaves i am done with the Raiders and the NFL (the NFL because i am sick of shallow, greedy, imature, classless, characterless, etc etc people like Randy Moss)until Good Ole Al passes away and takes his proper place “down below”. I have been a fan since the 60s and am so sick of Al’s idiotic moves and narcasistic personality. Have any relatives or limited partners tried to have him declared imcompetent? God knows there’s an unlimited amount of evidence to support it!
If anyone on this site was serious, we would hurt Good Ole Al the only way possible – his pocket book:
BOYCOTT ALL GAMES IN 2008 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
First and foremost learn how to spell for Christs sake,some of you people make us look like a bunch unedjucated presidents. Some of what is reported may be inaccurate to some degree, but this is a symptom of a greater ill. Al Davis!. If anyone who cannot see through rose tinted frames, may he be blind in his own vision.
Al is a dinosaur, and for him to be unable to realize that his best success is appointing a individual with vision, strength, vitality, fortitude, and focus,is a telling tale as to how far he has fallen grace. It is not my intention to belittle a man so devoid of substantive issues in regards to Raider successes, but rather to see him realize that his greatness and legacy must now be orchestrated by the achievements of those he would surround himself with.
I hear remarks about Kiffins youth, arrogance, and his audacious behavior. Then lets look at what he is trying to do for our Raiders. A. creating a offensive philosophy that inflicts it’s will with a dominating running game, while trying to save Robert Gallerys career(62 mil)and starting Barry (turnstile)Sims at the all important left tackle posiiton. Remember Gallery has had 5 position coaches in four years.
B. Attempting to devise an areial attack with moderately talented recievers.
C. Developing continuity on a roster with A level and D level talent, and few B’s & C’s inbetween.
Lane is not being a smartass, he is trying to win. Als interferance is evident every game we watch as a nation; evidence in Rob Ryans inability to run the 46Zone or the multiple zone 3-4 he would like to run with the defensive philosphy in which he was raised(buddy Ryan). Al does not like to blitz!. 1976,1980 and 1983, Raider Super bowls won with the 3-4 defense. Al seems to have forgotten that pressure breeds fear, and fear breeds losing. Were any of you happy watching Alvis Whitted catch 1 in 2 passes, he was a Al guy, Tyler Brayton is a Al guy, Fabien Washington watch his 4.3 speed chase down his assignment into the end zone or for a first down, another Al pick. Other Al decisions to be noted; Mo Collins, Matt Stinchcomb, Sebass, Darrell Russell(RIP), Dennis Gibson, Phillip Buchanan, oh! let’s not dismiss TODD MARINOVICH!!!, a pick that put us back 5 years.
As much as I think Chuckie was a prick, he was a good coach for the Raiders, maybe Lane can be as well, or maybe not, but let’s at least give him enough rope to hang himself. What was a better descision, Al wanting Jeff George or Grudens choice Rich Gannon.
We all need to look a the reality of the situation, and the state of the Raiders. Al has alienated a vast number of Raider players, why?. Why not hire a young phenom, let write his own song singing your anthem. I will kill someone if Kiffin goes to coach the Skins, Rams or the Lions and becomes the great coach that got away.
Al is 78 right now, and I hope The ESPN’s of the world are wrong as to the depth of this rift between Al and Lane, but Lane must stay! and that is final. I phoned to Commisioners office in regards to the leagues possible interference in this matter. The commissioner backed by a 2/3rds majority can suspend Als power if it is deemed detrimental to the state of the NFL. No one in the Nation wants to see Al brought to this fate, mad at him or not.
If you believe i’m an A-hole so be it, But I am a Raider Bleeding a silver and black death. We deserve better than the treament and torture we are getting.
We deserve winning, for the loyalty we have shown this team. Al is not the Raiders, players come and go, it is us the RAIDER FANS…RAIDER NATION…WE ARE THE RAIDERS!!!!.. we pay the bills, and without US! the RAIDERS are nothing!!!.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Love Lane Kiffin but Al does own the team, should consult befoe you fire anybody. If it’s my car you ask before you take it out for a spin.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
[...] shawnraiders81 wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on A Kiffin miscalculation? by shawnraiders81″Here’s ONLY a quick extractLove Lane Kiffin but Al does own the team, should consult befoe you fire anybody. If it’s my car you ask before you take it out for a spin. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
if you give the keys don’t tell me how to drive!, or tell me who’s riding shotgun!.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Jerry, I love ya, but stop being a wuss, man. “Tactical error”?? More like ballsy move that needed to be done.
By doing so, he put Al in a position to either get him the DC he wants, or make an ass out of himself by firing a coach everyone knows the team needs.
It was a revolutionary move. Al is exposed, now. He has to buy out Kiff’s contract and he is now officially the undisputed dunce of American pro sports owners. Bidwell, step aside.
Kiffin is going to be fine. Al and his team are going to suffer for years for not letting Kiffin get a real defensive coordinator. Watch. I’m serious. Someone here let me know when this team breaks the 8 win mark in a single season. I guarantee you it’s not happening until at least 2012.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:57 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 getting addicted to drugs and eventually killed in car crash.D.Russ. Players have lost their minds 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 6:54 am
JUST GO DEEP!
January 29th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Last!
January 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Dear RayDr 4 lyfe before you jump all over us about our spelling, check your own post. You mispelled “uneducated” in the first sentence, and there’s several other words in your statements that are wrong. Also learn when to use “a” and “an”. It must be embarassing to screw up during your English lesson. Other than that I thought you had some interesting topics that true Raider Fans should be aware of.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:49 am
The Raiders are the biggest joke of the NFL.Al Davis is running your team into the ground. The last 15 years, the game has passed him by. The one good move he has made in the last 15 years was hiring Gruden…then when Gruden turned things around Davis trades him because Gruden was recieving the credit and not Davis(you can spin it anyway you want,Davis ran him out of town for petty reasons). Nice job with the draft picks you got from Gruden trade too. As long as Al Davis is running this team, you can count on being the joke of the NFL.
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[...]A Kiffin miscalculation? – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…
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[...]A Kiffin miscalculation? – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…