Catching up with Kiffin
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Found a new office for a couple of hours Saturday _ a lounge chair in front of four elevator doors at the Indianapolis Hyatt Regency.
Lane Kiffin was nowhere to be found on what one general manager calls “The Gauntlet,” a long stretch between the media center and the RCA Dome at the Indiana Convention Center. After arriving Friday night, Kiffin took alternate routes from his hotel to the stadium and tried his best to stay underground.
But unless Kiffin wanted to find a stairwell, he was going to have to use an elevator at some point, and eventually I saw him rounding the corner and heading toward the elevator.
Predictably, Kiffin cordially and politely declined comment. No answers regarding the retention of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan or the hiring of James Lofton. Nothing on reports of being asked to resign and being stripped of responsibility. No light shed on his relationship with Al Davis and the possibility that he won’t last the season, if he makes it that far at all.
For those interested in his wardrobe, his silver shirt had an NFL shield, rather than a Raiders logo. Every other Raiders coach I’ve seen since arriving Wednesday evening has worn Raiders gear.
The Raiders’ company line has been that Kiffin simply doesn’t want to feed the fire and that he has no time or inclination to address every report.
When it comes to the published word, no one wants to comment on Raiders business although everyone is talking about it.
After speaking with a number of people both in and out of the organization over the past few days, the feeling here is Kiffin is no lock to be the Raiders coach when the season begins.
Those who side with Kiffin believe he has been stripped of his authority and that Davis is attempting to get him to resign. Either Davis’ words about Kiffin’s acumen with regard to personnel a year ago was just a lot of press conference bull, or Davis changed his mind.
Kiffin is viewed as being stuck in an organization where Davis is essentially the owner, the general manager, the personnel director, the scouting department and the defacto defensive coordinator _ all at age 78.
As things stand now Kiffin isn’t expected to have much input into choosing the 53 men he is supposed to coach. Is it a temporary punishment or something more permanent? Only Davis knows for sure.
The opinion was offered that Davis, strangely enough, did not respond well to the generally positive media reviews Kiffin received. In his mind, Kiffin was 4-12 and should have been more accountable for that record.
As for the Arkansas rumors, which Raiders senior executive John Herrera conceded bothered Davis, some thought it was a siginficant issue and others weren’t so sure.
There has been no documentation regarding Kiffin and Arkansas, but consider that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is an Arkansas alum and a close friend of Davis who wouldn’t hesitate to pick up the phone if he heard anything.
There are some who believe Kiffin will either be fired, reach a settlement or resign some time in March.
Davis isn’t without his supporters.
In some quarters, Kiffin is seen as an ingrate. Davis gives him the opportunity of a lifetime as a then-31-year-old head coach, and then Kiffin essentially trashes the entire organization, telling Davis it needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
Kiffin can at times be refreshingly blunt, but he has a reputation for not always having good people skills. He is not one to finesse an issue or paint a rosy picture if he doesn’t believe one exists. Marching into the owner’s office and telling Davis how to fix his tattered team might not have been the best way to get things accomplished.
As volatile as Jon Gruden was, he always seemed grateful for the opportunity to be an NFL head coach and simply persevered when he didn’t get his way.
Most important, Gruden never lost more games than he won.
Can things be repaired? At the moment, Kiffin is on thin ice. Whether it was symbolic or not, the sun came out Saturday in Indianapolis and the ice and snow on the ground were melting.
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February 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Man, will this stuff ever stop?
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
LET KIFFIN COACH!
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
thats it i give up,
thanks Jerry, my weekend was looking good.
(so much for sobriety!)
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
yes in August we’ll know for sure
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Blackholepriest Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Listen the facts are that Kiffin and Knapp interviewed Lofton. Those are the facts. I keep telling you guy’s this stuff is just the media trying to figure out the Raiders and it has nothing to do with what’s really going on in the front office. Jerry included. And that’s not a knock against Jerry it’s just that Kiffin got burned and is having no more of it. He has a team to run and that’s what he’s doing his responsibilities are to get this thing turned around and he just doesn’t have the time to deal with rumors wether we like it or not. He has to do his job and that’s it.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Did any body see Schefter reporting about the Raiders needs. He had a little twinkle in his eye talking about the A.D. vs. Kiff issue. I think I hate this guy!
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
OK did Al order Kiffin to go to the combines and do nothing?, is Kiffin on a paid vacation? Or is he there to look at future raiders he has no chance to coach? or is there just doing his job? you all decide for yourselfs
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I think this is just a sick state of affairs and it is high time Al lets his coaches coach.. I think he has lost it.. The biggest joke was he mentioned that he wouldn’t retire until he wins two more SBs. If he lets go of the only good move in the last few years by firing Kiffin, the org is not expected to even be a .500 team for a few years.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
yourselves sorry don’t want to be considered illiterate
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Repost from the last blog update.
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RaiderDell Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Bob
Let me piggy back to your post #66.
I don’t want to revisit the past, but as I recall the first we heard of Kiffin interest in the Arkansas job was on ESPN by Todd McShay, their college draft guy.
The story a few days later was on “around the league” by Adam Schefter, on the NFL network who repeated the story.
My memory has the story with stronger legs becomes large in the media when Chris Mortensen, ESPN cites sources of the situation and interest by Kiffin.
The story continues when the sources tell him “Kiffin” was overheard slamming doors and upset over the hiring of Petrino to the Arkansas job.
The media when the Petrino story died down and ended collabrated the story about Kiffin wanting to leave and we know how it grew and grew after that.
So today Schefter reports that Lofton was not interviewed by Kiffin.
Jerry Mac reports to us that he had sources as well as John Herrerra, reports the interview was conducted by Kiffin, and as you know Knapp was involved to.
Say what you want about Steve Corkran, he is a beat reporter for the Raiders and has better sources than most.
Schefter today with all eyes on the combine with the NFL ratings increasing throws out this rumor or truth for the many viewers watching.
The NFL cable network is only picked up by certain Cable providers, Direct TV others.
NFL network has a small subscriber base.
How do you create a story or mystery than bring up a report with no sources and promote the combine.
You hope other media outlets pick it up and write about the story and draw interest to your network.
Who wants to hear and see only big and small guys lift weights and run a forty without no gossip.
Draw interest and viewership all knowing that the Raiders will not comment as they have for years.
Has ESPN sourced out the story, or said as much.
Schefter receives always the credit for the Art Shell prediction of his firing, I got that one right to, that offense we ran and record, anybody could see that happening.
I have a response to why any company or in this case Raiders don’t respond at another time to rumors by the media.
Also a blogger said “Schefter get a lot right” what has he said to give him the title of “right”
Name other stories or rumors he got right and remind me please.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Kiff” I hope so too”
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I hate Schefter too but the real issue here is with Mr. Davis. I think it bothered him that Kiffin was credited with coaching a team put together by Davis to a 4-12 record. It was the opinion of many that the roster lacked much talent (a slap to the face of Davis who believed that the team had Super bowl potential). Al just can’t stand that Kiffin is given credit while he is being bashed. Let’s all pray for Al to take his dirt nap.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Say it isn’t so! If Kiffin really is gonna go , who’s the coach? Lofton? No one will want to come here with this much constant upheaval , Russell is rolling his eyes and collecting the money. It is disturbing , this coaching carousel. The only free agents that will come will be the grubbers. They’ll half-step , get hurt , etc. cauz they know we will lose anyway. If it happens , it’ll be hard to watch the Raiders next year. They’ll be blacked out at home , and they’ll have to compete with real football teams. Dark days in Raiderville. The once proud and mighty Raiders will be the biggest joke in the league. Doom & Gloom. I feel like I did after my divorce. Empty.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I guess I had my head in the sand as far as this Kiffin v. A.D. stuff was concerned. Maybe I wanted to believe that all the bad shizz has died down and everyone is on the same page trying to pull this team up to respectability.
Hard to pick sides Between what I saw as a marked improvement by the team starting with the coach and Al Davis but plant me squarely on the side that wants the Raiders to get better on every level and win more games.
Right now I think that puts me on Kiffin’s side.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Jerry…thanks for the imput. One thing is for sure, no one person is more important than the organization and the Raiders will be there tomorrow and long after the owner or any coach.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
If you think that Mr Davis isn’t letting Kiffin coach you’re clueless. Wether you’re the media or not. Kiffin is trying to go about his job without the harassment of the media. There is nothing that he can say that straighten this thing out. They will spin it no matter what he says. So the best way to go about it unfortunitly is don’t comment. It stinks but that’s what it is. That way he can concentrate, they have huge decision to make and he is going to be held accountable for them so guy’s we just have to sit back and let things unfold there’s a lot of work to be dne in a very short period of time. Kiffin wants to win and he’s doing eveything he can to ensure that included dodging the media.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
if Kiffin were going anywhere he would be gone. This is my last comment on it. Kiffin is the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders………….. period
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Kiffin needs to man up and make some sort of statement.
here is my logic…..
1)If he is getting pushed out, why not bad mouth the owner and the organization and force Al Davis to settle your case. (Chad Johnson route.)
2) make a statement about what is going on, if he will get fired why would he care anyway?
3) We are making more to this than it is, and he wants to move on.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I respect Al Davis verry much. He is the architect behind the whole Raider image, the reason we all became Raider fans in the 1st place. But, I do beleive his ego is killing the team. He want’s so badly to win a superbowl, but he want’s to make sure he win’s it his way. He want’s the football world to no he still got’s it, he’s still the most knowledgeable man in football. Mr. Davis you are a brilliant man, an entrepreneur. No matter how the Raiders win it is still your team. So for goodness sakes, let your coaches coach.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Some fans say,
“We are a run stopper away from the playoffs.”
“We should sign Free Agnet X, and we are deep in the play offs”
“We are a QB away from the Superbowl.”
Raider fans say, “We are a dead owner away from the playoffs”
The last smart thing Al Davis did was hire Gruden and let him build the team. Any choice Al Davis has since then has been stupid or lucky.
raidermot
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Maaaaan! I come home from a night in the town, and this is what you give me Jerry! This sucks I blame Schefter, Davis and you Jerry! =) this walk in the desert seems to go on for some more years now. Sad Sad times for the NATION!
I’m In, I hope Kiffin still is! Night
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
In some quarters, Kiffin is seen as an ingrate. Davis gives him the opportunity of a lifetime as a then-31-year-old head coach, and then Kiffin essentially trashes the entire organization, telling Davis it needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
if this is true Al Davis need’s to be in mental hospital.
EVERYONE WHO WATCHED THE RAIDERS LAST YEAR THOUGHT THEY WHERE BETTER BECAUSE OF KIFFIN’S COACHING STAFF!
Just ask Robert Gallery
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Wow…it just won’t stop…this kind of dysfunctional operation doesn’t exist in ANY OTHER SPORTS ORGANIZATION…the closest sports organization in my mind that would come close would be Steinbrenner’s Yankees, but with one big exception…
they win more games than they lose, they’re competitive year in and year out, and they’re last championship wasn’t more than TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO…
it’s time Al…COACH THE TEAM YOURSELF…
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
The opinion was offered that Davis, strangely enough, did not respond well to the generally positive media reviews Kiffin received. In his mind, Kiffin was 4-12 and should have been more accountable for that record.
dito to post #22
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Jerry.
I’ll sleep better tonight.
Just win Baby.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
This all started with comments made by a sportcaster known as hostile to everything that is Raider.
CONSIDER THE SOURCE. SCREW HIM AND THE HORSE HE RODE IN ON. IGNORE THIS IDIOT AND EVERYTHING HE SPEWS!
Let’s get back to what the combine has to offer; what we need to do to improve; who should be picked and who’s not a fit. You get the idea, something productive.
It’s beyond me how we let little BS artist like Schefter hijack our blog. The horse he wants us to ride is already dead and been buried. There’s better things to dissect than his pile of crap. Enough of this Bozo. And, now a message from our sponsor…
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
JERRY HAS NO CLUE. I have inside information that contradicts everything Jerry says. For one, why does anyone need to address rumor? If something isnt true, why dignify it with an answer? The media wants a story. Noone in the Raiders organization will talk with Jerry. Its funny how 99% of most reports are incorrect. This is just another person trying to find a story, made up or not.
McDonald and Kawakami…2 mediocre writers
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
SECTION 247 Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
JERRY HAS NO CLUE. I have inside information that contradicts everything Jerry says. For one, why does anyone need to address rumor? If something isnt true, why dignify it with an answer? The media wants a story. Noone in the Raiders organization will talk with Jerry. Its funny how 99% of most reports are incorrect. This is just another person trying to find a story, made up or not.
McDonald and Kawakami…2 mediocre writers
Shawnraiders81:
Is your inside info raiderfans.net
Willis the raider sucks.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
What a load of crap! JERRY - No disrespcet, as I love this blog and appreciate your efforts, but there is no way you spoke with any kind of source at the combine that could suggest that Kiffin would be gone in March and/or have no input on selecting personnel.
Your sources are doing the same thing we are…speculating. Kiffin doesn’t seem like the type that would tell anyone what his plans are, thus nobody would know that he’s working on a settlement. As for Al Davis, there is no way in hell that he’s said anything to anyone that could possibly be at the combine.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I hope Kiffin stays. But why no shield on his Shirt? That bothers me for some reason.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
re post bhp i agree mr. raider Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
OK did Al order Kiffin to go to the combines and do nothing?, is Kiffin on a paid vacation? Or is he there to look at future raiders he has no chance to coach? or is there just doing his job? you all decide for yourselfs
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Gee Jerry, a little bitter Coach Kiffin wouldn’t answer any of your questions or even give you a minute of his time after you hide out in front of the elevators for hours. Nah you’re not bitter, are you?
We’ve already been told by Jerry that he’s not a fan. Maybe he’s now trying to piggy-back the Raider junk stories into becoming the next Adam Schefter. Schefter sure makes a name for himself dissing the Raiders all the time. Other fans love to hear about how bad we are and how much supposed turmoil we have in the organization. Why not grab the reins and get to go and report on a team you actually care about?
Sorry but I just get tired of all the Jerry articles that include “others”, “sources”, “people” or any number of other synonymns instead of an actual name.
Give us the facts man. Have enough fairness in your reporting that Kiffin might respect you enough to stop for two minutes and chat. So he won’t worry how the words he says are turned into some other meaning by you and the rest of the media.
Oh and to all the well don’t come in here then responses: I come here to read the great comments from fellow Raiders fans. This blog didn’t have many people commenting at all last year. The fans have made this the blog; plain and simple. It’s okay though, hate on me all you want, but this finally needed to be said.
Go Raiders.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Pride and POISE.
Stop crying and get a hold of yourselves.
Ask yourselves one question- WHY would Jerry lie???
Just Win Baby.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I get it you guy’s just LOVE a story any story and you eat it up. So be it.
But I haven’t heard ONE word from Mr Davis regarding Lane Kiffin has anyone else. Did Jerry have a quote from Mr. Davis, it’s just the media speculating and reporting garbage. And all I read in here is how crazy Mr Davis is, what I ask has HE said or did that you KNOW about. IT’s all speculation but you guy’s react to all of it because you’re suckers for a story.
When Lane is gone or you hear something definitive you can blast Big Al all you want and there will be no response from me or anyone else. But you guy’s are really something to behold. However I’m not sure I blame you with the way the media is socking it to you.
Anyway we’ll see what really happens which I believe is a big NOTHING.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
While watching the combine today, I fund it humorous on how these BSPN types operate. They’ve been predicting that the Raiders will pick McFadden. It’s been their mantra. Then today, they arw listing all the team needs, 1st , 2nd & so on. They have the Raiders most important need being a running back! How much further from the truth could they be? I cannot believe how far out of touch they really are. they make crap up and they more crap to substantiate the first load of crap. It truly has become a science for them.
Hey BSPN guys, take note. We don’t need any more stinking RB’s. We need 2-DT’s, 1 or 2 OL, 2-WR’s, a SS who can hit and a MLB who can run stuff. There you have it. Once we fill our needs we’ll be a team in the playoffs vying for a SB spot.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Who gives a damn about the apparel Kiffin wears. It’s the combine, it’s dress casual, and he did this at the Senior Bowl and that talk died down just like this talk will.
I made the mistake of losing my cool the first time I heard these type of reports and realized I was only feeding Schefter/Mortensen’s bank account.
Certainly some of the smoke indicates fire, and both parties are probably pissed off to some degree, but this will take its course and Kiffin will be calling plays on the sideline next season.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
There’s this Center from Texas A&M , Cody Wallace , who was impressive today.Top performer in the Vertical jump , Broadjump , 3-Cone drill , and 20-yard shuffle.Smart & tough , would be a steal in the 4th.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
It’s not about Jerry lying, he’s giving you what HE thinks is going on. It doesn’t make him right.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Here we go again with these unsubstanciated rumors and wild speculation sighting unnamed sorces, just because it has a chance to make someone look bad. How many rumors have been pushed by the media that so far have not turned out to be true? I trust the media about as much as I expect my cat to start talking.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
What’s up Wolverine! Well said. Everyone comes here to debate the Raiders, which is healthy. FIRE KIFFIN has been adiment that Lane should be gone, I disagree, but I like reading his justification versus the board’s.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I just hope Ellis is still there at the #4 spot. Mike Mayock has moved Ellis into the #1 top DT ahead of Dorsey. I’m sure Dorsey would work for us but I’d personally rather have Ellis.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I like Cody Wallace too. I’d like to catch some game film. Remeber, these guys are in shorts. The film tells all.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Well, where there is smoke there is fire..I really would like Kiffin to stay for the sake of continuity, but honestly I’m not all up in arms about it if he leaves. There is this false sense of Kiffin being Grudenesque but the fact is he was no better than any other coach who came from college to the pros; the offense, save for the running game, lacked an aggressive passing attack. I don’t want to hear about the system Kiffin ran, I saw all the games like you all saw, and you know, this guy has professional players on his team. they can run deep routes, period. i didn’t see anything all year that led me to believe Kiffin would open it up or that he has an attcking passing offense. What we saw is what we’re going to get, and all that QB rolling out with a 6′6 265lb QB might not be getting the best return on your investment. His decisions on who to keep and who to cut when it came to the wide receivers sucked, straight up. He cut Doug Gabriel for weak ass Mike Williams?!?!? Gabriel had his detractors but I saw him do way better than Williams ever did at the pro level, but yet Williams gets in there because of his connections with Kiff and the trade that brought McCown..speaking of, do you all realize that JOSH FREAKIN MCCOWN was our QB last year? Yeah, the two wins he got last year were equivalent to his career wins total to me and epitomized what kind of QB he is: less than average. Everyone wants to see Kiff stay because they fear what’s next but I smell 6-10 with Kiffin, wheter he stays or not..he smells like an average coach to me at this point.. trading away Moss for a 4th, I don’t care how Moss underperformed, etc. was not a good look at all, period…, and then the pick of John Bowie, my gosh, at least pick someone we’ve got a slight clue on..then all the QB carouseling, the low scoring, lack of offensive production except the running game…why I ask, is Kiffin so worth keeping around for? he does deserve another year, because he is under contract, and it’s not right to have people’s family moving from here to there, but it can’t be surprising this man is on a short leash. He owes Al, and he owes him BIG TIME
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
ratbitw be cause he just got back from dinner and didnt want to be noticed while eating
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
guys it is weird that kiffin is not wearing any Raiders gear.
Just admit that is werid, it bug’s me and I know it bug’s everyone.
If im a head coach at the NFL combine I wear the Raiders gear.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hey Assassin, great to see you here again. I love the debate on the site and it’s why I read for over a year before posting for the first time during the season.
I’m off to start watching the three hours of combine DVR, but I’ll be back to defend myself once the haters come and blast off for questioning the article.
Go Raiders.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Well let’s take the whole Kiffin didn’t wear gear at the Senior Bowl. Not once did I see anyone in the media bring up the fact that Under Armour was the sponsor of the Senior Bowl. I’m sure they didn’t have anything in the contract for the head coaches to weird their gear since they’d be on camera so much. Oh wait Nolan wore the exact same thing, but did have a whiner hat on at times. Gee Kiffin must hate the Raiders then.
Today he wore a SILVER quote “Silver” shirt with an NFL logo. Here we go again. It was only silver so if he was going to be coach it would have had black in it and a shield, right? C’mon, it’s opinionated reporting at it’s absolute worst.
Go Raiders.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Settle down.
There are no news here, Kiffin said nothing.
Jerry basically gauged the opinion of some people attending the combine and gave us their thoughts on the ‘’situation”.
Considering the secrecy in which the Raiders operate and the fact that Lane Kiffin has taken that same approach to the extreme, I´m sure speculation will always be there.
For once, wait for the facts before you guys start with the lamentations, you have embarrased yourselves before with your pitiful remarks, it wasn´t that long ago either…and what happened? Last I heard, Kiffin is at the combine evaluating prospects.
It really looks like some guys actually want this ‘’stuff” to happen so they can come out of their shells and start predicting doom.
Better luck next time.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Well stated JB post #35.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Enjoy the DVR’d combine. I’ll be here. Keep an eye on our Center of the future: Mike Pollak
Also, I’m not sure i’m down with your boy Jake Long. Per our conversation yesterday, I don’t think he can bend for our scheme. He looked great and did a lot of things right, but he doesn’t belong on our line.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Cool, I’ll definitely pay more attention to Pollak and sad to hear about Long and the bend we were talking about. But I’d rather get someone on our team that will help rather than hinder, so best of luck Jake. I just hope he then turns into Greg Skrepenak for the Chiefs then.
Stay cool.
Go Raiders.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Just saying if he is there repersenting, than he should be wearing the logo.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Just read on Rotoworld.com that the Lions prefer to trade Shaun Rogers out of the NFC. The suspected teams are us and Denver. The staff at rotoworld are speculating us and Denver, not the source who said that the Lions would like to get Rogers out of the NFC.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Jerry post below has no credibility at all.
I went to Raiders.com and went to their archive section for “THE BEHIND THE SHIELD SHOW” and viewed all his press conferences following the Monday after their games Sunday.
This press event has all the bay area media there as well as our own Jerry Mac.
If you view the conferences Kiffin has on at least 11 occasions had no hat or Raider shield as he spoke with the media.
This is to ironic to that statement below, doesn’t Jerry remember his clothing decor.
Also his clothing of no shield and hat started at the beginning of the season, before this crap that started in late November, Arkansas rumors.
His “Behind the Shield” reports after practices would sometimes have him wear a hat and t-shirt or sweat shirt with the logo.
Check out his Monday press conferences and you will see.
His press conferences after a game he was always wearing a hat with a logo and wind breaker or sweatshirt or shirt.
The rumors of no Raider logo at the combine reflects his clothing choice, also a big hubbub was made at the senior bowl about no shield also, even though “UNDER ARMOUR” was the sponsor and the head coaches wore their clothing line, Mike Nolan of the Niners wore only a Niner hat, Kiffin does not wear hats, check out “Behind the Shield” after many practices when there is no hat on many occasions.
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For those interested in his wardrobe, his silver shirt had an NFL shield, rather than a Raiders logo. Every other Raiders coach I’ve seen since arriving Wednesday evening has worn Raiders gear
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
If you were there you’d see several coaches wearing casual gear but they don’t comment on them. For instance Herman Edwards is in street clothes so is coach Reid. But where is the speculation on them?
It’s nothing, trust me.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Wouldn’t it be great to see Scheftner try to interview Kiffin and have Kiffin knock him out. pay per view at its finest. Or at least blow him off and leave him standing there with that stupid smerk on his face. maybe tommorrow?
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
BTW I’m really high on Ellis right now and Long as well, I can’t wait until the pro days so we can really get a feel on a few fuy’s that interest me that are not at the combine.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
a few guy’s
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Thanks RaiderDell - I was just going to point that out. Kiff is a casual guy, I hate to get into his wardrobe description because then the blog would be more suited for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. This has become hilarious and it’s pathetic that media types only have this to comment on. Wait until Lane is seen in the stands holding a clipboard with a red shirt that has no Raider logo…It will make front page news.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I agree bhp the only difference is thier fans know for sure they will be coaching thier team this fall
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Schefter vs Kiffin would be similar to Everett vs Rome.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Lane Kiffin must be feeling some serious pressure to avoid the press at such lengths
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Assassin
Amazing it only required 15 minutes of my time to check out the facts of his wardrobe.
I know Jerry is doing his job, and I know it’s tough to get info from the Raider organization, but a few minutes of time on his lap top could of spun his blog report to a concluded message of lanes dress code now and was in the past a non issue.
That would be good reporting as a rational or reason.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I don’t think it’s pressure, it’s more of an annoyance that he doesn’t want to waist time with. He was praised for his personnel ability by Al when he was hired, and with recent (potential) turmoil, he understands that he has to shine in the war room to gain his credibility back. Unlike other coaches, he has first hand knowledge/notes on players that are in this draft thus he has twice the knowledge to digest. Other coaches have the scouting department already doing this for him. Our scouting dept. sucks and Kiffin understands that, that’s why he want’s to put the time in and review his own evaualtions on these guys.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Listen for the last time If Big Al wanted him gone he would be gone, If Kiffin wanted to be gone he would be gone. Anything else is just garbage.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Dell - From now on, I’m directing all top secret, inside organization, speculation to you. Apparently you are the only one able to find such info on the public web. Jerry should be embarassed.
Keep up the good work!
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Draft Related news- Sorry if posted earlier
Injury to Clady ends his Combine experience - Idaho Statesman.com
Ryan Clady’s NFL Scouting Combine didn’t last as long as the former Boise State left tackle was hoping.
Clady, who was prepared to participate in every drill at the combine in Indianapolis, suffered a pectoral injury during the bench press workout, according to the NFL Network and multiple Internet reports.
Clady did not participate in the rest of Saturday’s offensive linemen workouts. The NFL Network televised much of the offensive linemen workouts and showed Clady in a sweatshirt sitting out the drills.
The same reports indicate that Clady did 24 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press. Michigan’s Jake Long, considered the top offensive tackle in the draft, led all linemen with 37 reps.
Clady, expected by most to be picked in the first half of the first round, will get a chance to work out for NFL personnel at Boise State’s pro day in March.
Wonder what this will do to his stock? I hope the Raiders send a scout/ coach to his pro day
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
assassin are you talking about Jim Everett and Jim Rome when he kept calling him Chrissy. LOL
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Lol…I can´t believe clothing items are being discussed here again.
Good night folks.
BHP…you are correct, I saw Herm and Reid wear regular clothes while at the RCA dome, I also saw Holmgreen and Coughlin wear team jackets…
There, do you guys feel better?.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Steppin’ out for a few minutes. Not that anyone cares.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
James Lofton is the Head Coach of the Raiders, it just hasn’t been announced yet. Once Al & Lane are done playing their high stakes game of chicken and Lane quits or Al fires him. James Lofton will be introduced as the new head coach of the Raiders. Al doesn’t need to interview Lofton, he already has twice. The reason Kiffen & Knapp interviewed Lofton was for Lofton to get to know his offensive cordinator and to twist the knife in Kiffen’s back one more time to get him to quit.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
no wonder doctors cant find out why my blood pressure is high. they don’t know im a raiders fan.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Catching up with Gossip
Jerry really give this garbage a rest. Unless you have a bonafide source that will go on the record with this BS this is no better than the garbage the NYT recently tried to pull on McCain.
According to hot air just does not cut it. I know the Raiders and the way they do business feeds this crap but your story is the biggest bunch of rumor mongering I have ever seen.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Here we go again with the bull manure. Does anyone remember Hererra being quoted as saying that Al is pissed over the Arkansas job. I dont but that dont mean much. Never read or heard Kiffin say he wanted Ryan out either.
I guess there isnt much to write about at the combine.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Oh and lets all speculate on this story made up out of thin air…. Loften is doing this and Kiffin is doing that and they are playing a high stakes game of chicken all because a reporter is miffed that Lane won’t talk to him…. Jerry you are about one notch higher than N. Gay at this point and maybe there is a place for you at BSPN.
It ticks me off that the Raiders/Kiffin won’t hold a press conference and clear the air on this but the bay area press corp on sports has got to be one of the sorriest excuses for paychecks I have ever seen.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Kiffin was on the field at the combine, I saw him on the 5 yard line watching Jake Long run the 40, so its a farce
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
since when has any Raiders HC have a say on the final roster? Kiffin isnt any different then any other Raider HC…
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I would rather hear about other goings on at the combine than the same old crap about al and kiffen. Some of these sports writers remind me of seagulls, they come in, crap all over the place, and then leave.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
BHP is right. If Kiff was gone, he’d be gone by now. Why do we have to keep addressing this????? But just so you all know, when you read this article, and I like Jerry, notice the absence of any quotation marks.
I’ve told you all a million times, these things go on in organizations ALL THE TIME!!!! The San Diego Dischargers were 14-2 and they fired Shittenhoimer last year. The Cowgirls won the World Championship and they fired Jimmy Johnson. The Phony Whiners just stripped Mike Nolan naked and left him dangling in the driveway until Mike Holmgren is out of his contract. You want me to keep going???? Let’s look at the other side. How does Matt Millen still have a job??? Look at what just happened in Washington, look at the debacle in Atlanta. Disagreements happen all the time in these organizations and believe me, things get ugly.
But I’m gonna let all of you in on the secret within the organization, and remember you all heard it here first: Kiff is the Head Coach, Ryan the DC, Davis still majority general.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
The story that just won’t die. Fire Kiffin or keep Kiffin….whatever!
I am so tired of hearing this crap. The Raiders kick off the 2008 season in Sept regardless of who is on the sidelines.
I just want a good team on the field.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
kiffin is the most celebrated 4-12 coach there will ever be! If he would’ve went 8-8 you bloggers would start a war over him.
Losing has ruined many people perspective of what winning really is.
I say let the 33.3% percenter go camping with dad. Lets get somebody who isn’t thinking about school!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
OK so we got the bs out of our systems lets talk football. I know the big talk is about our needs at the moment but I just read an old article about Andrew Falter. This guy has never been behind a pro line that has ever been a shit, and now he doesnt fit kiffs offense. But I tell you what, Big Al is going to keep him for the time being, because he will come back to kill us some day in the right offensive set, and when he does get rid of him, if he does, he’ll have a little more value because there are some teams out there that need qb’s and I dont think any qb from the draft is starter material this year. Am I all wet or what?
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
F**k Al Davis…that OLD son of a b**ch needs to step down or just die. F**k that old piece of sh**! He is ruining everything! Go to Hell Al Davis! Just Go to hell!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Its amazing that Walter is only known in Oakland. It seems that everybody that has a horrible year is championed here.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
BHP
Their are 2 million reason’s why Kiffen isn’t gone yet. Al doesn’t want to pay another coach 2 million bucks to sit in his living room. He’s desperate to force him out to save face. If he fires Kiffen between Shell & Kiffen that’s 8 million in two years for six wins. Not good business.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Jerry Mac you give a whole new meaning to the word Stalkerazzi! Hanging out at the elevators, holy crap.
I agree with BHP, Bob, Oakglenn, Dell and Unknown. Preach on my Raider brothers. Some people need to be told things a few times before the truth seeps in.
Have a good night all!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Great work Jerry! Did you have to pee in a bucket or did someone watch the hallway while you drained the lizard ? I cant imagine why you didn’t see LK until he decided to call it a day and go to his room. Jerry what time was it that you caught up with Kiffin?
Feel free to get near the field where the players and coaches might be Jerry!
“There has been no documentation regarding Kiffin and Arkansas”
“There are some who believe”
“In some quarters”
“the possibility that he won’t last the season”
“Nothing on reports”
“No light shed”
“Kiffin is viewed as”
“For those interested in his wardrobe”
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Still waiting to hear what kind of cologne Kiffin was wearing and if it was a Raider fragrance.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
It probably is called “no control”
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Dogg, can you hijack the elevators @ Oracle and ask Nellie why Brandon Wright cant have Pietrus’s minutes ???
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Jerry, quit taking it personal when Kiffin avoids you. I know it makes your job hard,…but do it without resentment. I would love to hear who your “sources” are. You have no new info so you speculate (of course negatively)… careful, your ignorance is showing.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I ran into Nellie down at Scott’s but he avoided all of my basketball questions and wouldn’t shut up about Hawaii and his place there. That dude can really put back jumbo shrimp!
Kiffin’s cologne is called “Speculation” by Calvin Klein
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Al,
You decrepid, old fool, you should be glad we have a 4-12 record for if we did’nt we would’nt have a chance to draft Howie’s boy. So cut the crap old man, let lane do what you hired him to do and sit your old ass in your luxury box and let lane take us to the playoffs.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Deep Throat,
Forcing him out wont save face buddy. He’ll look even worse. Big Al couldn’t give a damn about saving face. Nor does he care about 2mill if he REALLY wants the kid gone. If he really wants him gone he is doing himself and the team a lot of damage because FA is starting the senior bowl the combine. These are very important events for the next Head coach. And I know you’ll say it’s Lofton. But let’s say you’re right, how does waiting and losing all this time help?
I think if anything happened it was the 4 & 12 season and the Arkansas rumor but since that there is nothing stoping him from firing Kiffin and if he doesn’t want Kiffin I really don’t believe that Kiffin would still be here. I guess you think they’re trying to wait each other out? Well that doesn’t speak well of either man. So we’ll see
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
kiff cologne is called “Bad Decision” by himself
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Mistabrown - Spot on about Brandon Wright. That boy is long and can get some boards. Unfortunately he was the only one that could rebound last night.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
LMAO at post #87 Mistabrown. But you are right on the money!
“After speaking with a number of people both in and out of the organization over the past few days, the feeling here is”…
WTF does that mean? I have respect for Jerry and his attempts to keep us informed, but he dropped the ball big time on this one. This is irresponsible reporting once again, and definitely something that I don’t expect from a reporter that’s supposed to be on the side of the Raider Nation.
1)What possible RELIABLE insight can be gleaned from sources “out of the organization”?
2)You would have thought that Jerry would have learned from the last report that was being spewed forth from ‘Media World’ about Kiffin having no say so on Lofton being hired and all of that crap, just to have to basically retract that statement when it came out that Kiffin actually INTERVIEWED Lofton and was involved in the entire process.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Assassin, glad you agree. Its time to unleash that kid!!! What about Pietrus? He is a waste of oxygen!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Glad the surgery will take a couple of weeks to heal. This allows Nelly to see what Wright is all about. I know Nelly doesn’t want to play him because he’s so damn skinny but the kid can bang. Look at what Camby does each night. Let the kid play. I’ve had it with Pietrus (a.k.a Bob Fitzgerald’s love affair). Talk about soft.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Biedrins surgery aside BW should come in for Harrington at the 4 spot even when AB comes back and air france can take a vacation..I like O’Bryants game too Nellie is a stubborn as$ OX but we wouldn’t be anywhere without him.
sorry for BBALL folks
Jerry, keep up the bad work!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
It sounds to me that Jerry was so frustrated with sitting in front of elevator doors all day that when he got the no comment resonse he decided to dredge up the nations most hated topic!!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Kiffin and Knapp interviewed Lofton for the WR Coaching job. Adam the Donkey is full of crap & if Kiffin had no say in the transactions of the OAKLAND RAIDERS how and why would Fargas have been signed for $12 million and $6 million guaranteed. It’s just a bunch of BS just like that loser Beach, nothing more nothing less. Al Davis is maybe pissed that the kid had his name out there and if the kid put his name out there then he deserves his fate, period… Bottom line is the changing of a losing culture is not easy and the kid is willing to put his name on the line and Al Davis will let it play out for 2008. If the RAIDERS don’t improve by a double or triple amount in the win column than Kiffin will be free to entertain any job offers because his A$$ will be fired. So before the NATION gets all stir crazy by the BS media reports take a wait and see attitude.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Good news Jerry,
Tomorrow KoolKell will relieve you in the hallway and the word is inside & outside the catering Dept that he will bring you a submarine sandwhich & iced tea.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
lmao
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
349 other credited reporters at the combine and our very own is the only 1 stirring up s…!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Sorry he wouldnt talk to you Jerry.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
not this crap again. get over it or report something thats solid. jesus christ of ladder day saints. we need to be positive. this crap drives me f-ing nutz.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I see most of you people are still in denial. You all think nothing is wrong, everything is just hunky dory in Raider land…whatever lets you sleep at night. I am sure you are all waiting with bated breath for John Herrera’s next assurance that everything is just great in Oakland…keep buying it guys, but don’t be surprised when RR or Lofton is the head coach in 2008. These are the same people that only a few years ago said everything was fine with Gruden and the media was full of it then too, but a couple of weeks later he was traded to TB.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
LMAO it just occurred to me the title of this thread is “catching up to Kiffin” and Lane just blew right by Jerry like Bo Jackson through the Seattle defense on MNF!
Jerry, your skills at catching people have you perfectly suited to play in Rob Ryans defense! Your attitude is great and your motor is relentless….lol
Jerry, will you be here all week your killin us !
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Until the hammer drops Dakota, and it wont happen unless we have another 4-12 season in 2008. Ryan, Lofton or Green will not be the Head Football Coach of the OAKLAND RAIDERS-look for Knapp to be appointed the man..
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Fine, anyone but Green!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I’m with you on that one my RAIDER Brother, OUT!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Who will replace Knapp in 2010? And who will replace Knapp’s replacement in 2011? The madness will not end until Davis steps aside…thank gosh I am only 31…hopefully I will live to see the day the Raiders stabilize as a franchise.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Dakota,Gruden was gone in January, were headng into March with a soon to be ex coach at the combine evaluating talent. Do you think AL would let anyone at the combine evaluating talent that would not be coaching said talent the following year. Or maybe your happy with AL’S pick. Fab Washington or Stanford Routt because they ran the fastest 40. Remember routt stretching out for that pass that was 10 yards ahead of him in that green bay game.But atleast he ran the fastest 40 in the 04 combine!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Dakota, have some fun let it play out dont get too high or low, you know ? Sports is entertainment, its Al’s money Ef it! I used to get all silly and throw shit now I just shake my head and tuen the TV off, or radio.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I just witnessed Schefters comments about Kiffin not interviewing Lofton..
How does this guy stand himself?
I cant imagine following any other NFL team. I mean imagine being a fan of ANY other team and the season ends and you hear crickets for 6 months! We got it good man…WE GOT IT GOOD!!! Enjoy the ride Dakota theres no other like it.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Chef,
There is not a doubt in my mind that Al Davis is stubborn and crazy enough to have a standoff with Kiffin over his contract that could go through the entire off season. Al Davis may feel that Kiffin “cheated” on him by flirting with Arkansas and that Kiffin should resign so that Al does not have to pay his contract. We are not dealing with a normal person when analyzing Al Davis. Come on, this is a man who benched HOF running back Marcus Allen for two seasons for personal reasons and replaced him with Roger Craig!
Al Davis has no qualms about putting his personal agendas ahead of the best interests of his franchise.
Mista, I am not stressing over this information, I just want to understand how some of the people on this site can just pretend everything is just fine and swallow Herrera’s BS hook line and sinker…it blows my mind.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
If Kiffin is gone next year, I am cancelling my season tickets and bashing my TV with my raider helmet!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Dakota, the way people are swallowing Herrera you can almost say Jerry has you swallowing too. I dont mean that in sexual way or even dissrespectfull Im just sayin who do you believe ?
Im just ignoring everything and waiting till I see something with me own eyes.
Your looking ahead already to 2011 what other NFL fan is doing that ? lol
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Imo, if Kiffin’s gonna act like a child then if Davis is truly ’sending him to his room’ then that’s how the situation should be treated. Kiffin’s pouting would be like an ultimatum, and he’s in no position or right to be making ultimatums.
My speculated scenario…
Davis might not even want to fire Kiffin. He’d just be dealing with a situation where the HC is acting childish, making demands that are not his to make. Trying to say…”when you start acting like a man, like a HC, then I’ll give you back the power you HAD. But you’re not getting any more power until you prove you deserve it. Ie, if you want the job, it’s there for you, if you continue this ‘hunger strike’ then I’ll have Lofton/Ryan there to do the job until you come out from your room. And if you dont, then you’re still under contract to me, and I’ll find something useful for you to do like fetch coffee for the HC watching film”.
Kiffin is still pouting because Ryan and other Raider coaches at the combine are acting normal, taking their spare time out to conduct interviews etc. Only Kiffin is hiding out, fleeing from the media, etc.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
when i saw the title of the new blog i got excited, now im pissed that i read it. I thought this whole hatchet was burried. Al Davis is a stubborn old fool.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
C4,
Cancel your tickets but leave your TV out of it, lol…you have suffered enough with this insanity, don’t cost yourself more money man.
I wouldn’t blame anyone for cancelling their season tickets, or for not buying Raider gear or all that monetary stuff, but just because our franchise is currently in the hands of a dilapidated old man doesn’t mean you should stop being a FAN of the team. Support your team through thick and thin, but save your money if you think it is being run into the ground. Why spend your hard earned money on a crap product?
Not saying that you said this, but I just hate when people claim they are going to quit being Raider fans because of all this crap…you can’t abandon your team no matter what! Things will get better someday. But it is okay to save your money for a period of time while waiting for the product to improve.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I believe Kiffin doesn’t want to resign because if he does, it will make him look bad with other teams in both college and nfl think that kiffin is a guy that quits if things don’t look good. That’s the reason why i think Kiffin will remain head coach, though he is complaining about being stripped of some power to control his coaching staff. So yea, Kiffin is going to be the head coach, also if Al didn’t want him, He would have fired him earlier this year, maybe in January. Most teams fire their coaches in January so they can have time looking for a replacement. It would be to late to be finding a new coach now, most coaches are already preparing for the next season.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Jerry, it’s against Bob Marley and Oakglenn’s rules to discuss team management issues, so I suggest you take it to another blog.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Dakota Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
The word is “DIE-HARD” fan. And i agree with you, if you don’t want to be a raider fan anymore, then fine, but don’t ever claim you were ever part of the raider nation. RAIDER FAN OR DIE HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Mista,
I don’t believe everything reported by Jerry or any other reporter, but I have to believe that there is something to these stories. Both sides are in spin mode and so there is a lot of misinformation out there, but the simple fact that there is information coming from both sides about what is happening to Kiffin means that there is in fact SOMETHING going on. If there is something going on it is not good news for Kiffina and the Raiders. Al Davis is not a forgiving man, if Kiffin either 1) has been too pushy and tried to fire RR, or 2) flirted with Arkansas, his days in Oakland are numbered, right or wrong. There is something going on or there would have been a press conference/release squashing these rumors ala the RR press release. Can’t you see that? John Herrera’s spin doesn’t count…we need to hear something from AD or Kiffin.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
i hate the hush hush policy in alameda. it kills all us fans
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I just witnessed Schefters comments about Kiffin not interviewing Lofton..
I can’t see how Schefter comes up with this stuff, i personally think he’s just making shit up. There’s always bad shit going on with the raiders according to every goddamn reporter out there.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
And, I’ll tell all of you right now, Kiffin will be gone by next year, easily. There’s no way he’s going to stay here now after being showed up with Rob Ryan, aka, the NFL’s craziest looking cheerleader.
If Al buys out his contract earlier, than so be it.
I don’t blame Kiffin one bit. This man wants to win. Al Davis wants to be feared. Power trips preside over all else.
Kiff will be gone, Lofton will be our next HC, and the Culture of Losing, the true signature of Al Davis in the post Ron Wolf era, will continue.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Mista,
Have you watched the Warrior’s/ATL game yet? Can we discuss it now?
Lakers won again…
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:00 pm
where did you all whitness this report?
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Dakota, yes I have we can.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Logic dictates that if all these reports were BS and everything between Kiffin and AD is fine then they would want to correct the perception of what is going on in Oakland by addressing the issue head on. It is the only logical, sane thing to do if everything is really okay. They have not done so…hmmmm, maybe there is some fire behind all this smoke? It really does not take a genius to figure this out.
Why would an organization allow these rumors to spread like wildfire through the media, which affects the perception that current Raiders, free agent’s, player agents and other franchises have of the Raiders. It makes good business sense to nip this in the bud if there really is nothing behind it…am I right about that?
If there really is nothing wrong and they fail to address the issue, well, then that is another different issue…and a scary one at that!
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Mista, I guess I can’t give you much crap about the ATL game because the Lakers lost to them recently too, lol.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Al has his new head coach, he is waiting to fire Kiffin when he is sure there isn’t any good jobs left.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
hey dakota…. everything is great in oakland !
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
The W’s took them lightly and didnt start playing till the 3rd quarter and it was too late. The bright spot is rookie Brandon Wright saw some playing time and he is a baller!
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
RT, with all undue respect THERE ARE NO JOBS LEFT…AT ALL! I mean they are ALL filled, go sit in the corner face the wall & think about your actions!
good grief
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Me gramur is suferring thes lait at knight…me beter go sleap.
knight felas.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:17 pm
nite all. im going to get some then roll over and dream of a superbowl win for the raiders
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
When I heard the Raiders were going to interview Lofton I kinda thought to my self it was a good move at his position. But when I heard Kiffin was doing the interview I kinda wondered if maybe he wasn’t interviewing his replacement?
Personally I only believe half of what I see or read! any ways…these guys(writters bloggers ESPN) HAVE to have something to write about. Maybe there is something to the fact that there was miss communication between Al and Lane…maybe Lane being the kid student is being schooled by the teacher/mentor..but I don’t think and that Al Davis is going to fire him..he wanted him to begin with.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
The Raiders held a press conference and said what they are in the process of doing it didn’t help.
Rob Ryan just spoke to the media saying he had no idea what the talk was all about. Didn’t make a dent.
Lane kiffin said at the senior bwl he doesn’t have time to squelsh every rumor that comes out.
This stuff has taken on a life of it’s own.
Everyone knows Lane Kiffin interviewed Lofton and Shefter comes out and says he didn’t.
The is a football team that’s trying to get better and compete for a championship in the near future that’s ALL they care about. We can argue the point until we’re blue in the face. THEY DON”T HAVE TIME FOR CRAP!!! it’s that simple…….like it or not.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
kiffin didn’t stop to talk to Jerry because Jerry has been a perpetuator of some of the same gossip based, irresponsible,devisive reporting as BSPN and all of the other anti Raider press out there. So rightly Kiffin chose not to waste his time addressing the gossip and the devisiveness.
If Jerry had stayed away from the rumors and the groundless gossip, I’m sure Kiffin would have been gracious enough to grant him an interview.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:09 am
BHP,
The Raiders holding a press conference doesn’t mean squat. Unless the team representative was hooked up to a lie detector.
Same goes for Rob Ryan, but note what Ryan did say on the subject, that Al Davis is the boss, and that’s who he answers to. That’s not a ringing endorsement of a head coach.
I don’t understand your point on Lane Kiffin. He says he doesn’t have time to squelch every rumor? Uh, is that a denial of the story? No, it isn’t.
This story has not taken on a life of it’s own.
Lane Kiffin openly told the press that he wanted to switch to a Tampa 2 defensive scheme. If that’s not a call for Ryan’s head, nothing is. Because Ryan knows about as much about the Tampa 2 as he knows about hair clippers. Heck, dude, Ryan knows about as much about any defensive scheme as he knows about keeping his disgusting shag well groomed. His father’s a great coach. But little Robbie was born to be a freaking plumber, not a football coach in the National Football League.
Everyone does NOT know that Lane Kiffin interviewed Lofton. To grab a trick out of your bag; Were YOU there when Kiffin interviewed him? Have audio or video? If not, then you have no more proof of your claims than Shefter or McDonald have of theirs. But who needs standards, the goal is to defend Al Davis to no end, right?
BHP, when is it going to sink in through that silver and black helmet you wear to sleep at night just how bad this football team has sucked over the course of the last 5 years?
Do you not get it?
This team needs a makeover from top to bottom. I’ll tell you right now, and I know I’m not alone, in fact, I’m certain I represent more than half of the Raider Nation when I say this;
IF LANE KIFFIN IS NOT TRYING TO REBUILD THIS TEAM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, WITH OR WITHOUT AL’S BLESSING, THEN I DON’T WANT HIM AS OUR HEAD COACH.
I don’t want a coach that even confers to Al, on anything, anymore. This geezer is 78 years old and when you read up on his history, it’s likely he never really did build a football team. Now he’s 78, completely nuts, and goes through the day on a constant power trip that would make Fidel Castro consider democracy….
I hope Lane Kiffin completely tunes Al out every time Al opens that stinchy layer of false teeth with some half witted football advice that the game had already passed by 2 decades ago. That’s why I like Lane Kiffin. And, I read the polls the week of the resignation story, and I know I’m not alone. I represent the majority of Raider fans.
Al had better get it together or he’s going to go bankrupt and his team will be disbanded.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am
I think Jerry is doing a great job. Its all about entertainment like someone mentioned before. It amazes me how many of you guys are loosing sleep over this media wetdream. They know that all they have to do is start this shit and then sit back and watch the flys show up to nibble on the turd, until someone thinks up more fly feed or some real news pops up. I wonder how many of you guys are old timers, by that I mean someone who is old enough to remember all the past bull, since this team belonged to al it has been this way, It started with the way he aquired the team, then the move didnt make him anymore popular, but when he wins superbowls everybody loves al and goes out and buys raider coats and jerseys. Boy what a genius al is, you guys know who you are, writers included. Sell your season tix and go join the fourty whinners
February 24th, 2008 at 12:13 am
great post madden
February 24th, 2008 at 12:19 am
# Blackholepriest Says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
“This is my last comment on it. Kiffin is the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders………….. period”
………….
Funniest post of the day, and possibly the week ^^^.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Point One: I don’t care whether Kiffin is blunt, insensitive, arrogant or whatever non-PC characteristic he is supposed to have.
All the great sports coaches, from Vince Lombardi to Sir Alex Ferguson, have been blunt, insensitive and arrogant. Except that their biographers call it ‘focused’ and ’single-minded’ and ’self-confident’.
Vague, touchy-feely, politically correct-types don’t make good coaches. Name one top NFL coach without some serious character defect? Coughlin? Belichick? Gruden?
Even the blessed Dungy will be going around purgatory a few times before St Peter lets him in.
Point Two: If Davis thought Kiffin’s conduct regarding the Arkansas job was reprehensible, he should have sacked him in January. If Davis thought that the 4:12 record was unacceptable and down (in no small part) to Kiffin, he should have sacked him in January. If Davis thought Kiffin was not the right man to lead the Raiders, he should have sacked him in January.
Either Davis didn’t think any of the above or he is the most spineless, dithering fool ever to own a football club.
Point Three: Even if BHP is right and this is basically a media storm based on bias, prejudice and mischief, then those responsible for PR in Alameda should be fired. Never in the history of pro-sports has an organisation allowed itself to be so discredited, so damaged and so open to ridicule as the Raiders in early 2008.
Doesn’t anybody in Alameda care about the reputation of this franchise? Doesn’t anybody in Alameda care one jot about the feelings of the fans?
Obviously not.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:55 am
“Ron Wolf was one of the greatest personnel men, one of the best GMs football has ever known. And he is an even better person and friend, with great loyalty. He did a phenomenal job of drafting for Al Davis and the Raiders and was the key behind many of the Raiders’ successful drafts. It’s interesting that when Wolf went to Tampa Bay as GM, during that period the Raiders’ drafts fell off. And they also fell off after (he left Oakland a second time and) he went to the Jets as player personnel director. Wolf built the great Raider teams along with Davis.”
http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives/features_2000/spin_020101.asp
February 24th, 2008 at 1:14 am
thats funny- because the organization does/did need to be rebuilt from the ground up - been saying that since the long drive home from that not so Superbowl in San Diego and everyone thought I was nuts… we still havent recovered from that!
February 24th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Agree, J. And, like I said earlier, I don’t want a coach that ISN’T undermining Al and building the team bunker style behind Al’s back. Thats’ the only way we’ll ever win again.
I want Lane Kiffin to be as loyal to Al Davis as Al Davis was to Wayne Valley.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:35 am
why do you think al has never taken a vacation and goes to the olympics like valley. My dad worked for valley at singer homes later to be citation homes, and he said valley was never the same after that
February 24th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Hey Guys did anyone hear read the drug induced dribble I wrote last night or should I say around 3 am ???
I just read a few of the comments here tonight and what Jerry had to say in his notes…
I also watched the combine today on NFL Network and was super pissed off and wanted to have a contract put out on Shithead I mean Shifty Shefter after hearing him make up more of his BS to undermine the Raiders organization during this very critical period of free agency and the draft.
Why ???
As A Donkeys fan he is freaked out by the prospect of the lowly Raiders getting it together quicker than his beloved Broncos and gearing up for a run at becoming the AFC WEST Champs !!!
This is my take…First of all…I keep hearing people worried about Kiffin not wearing the Raiders logo…
PLEASE…at least half of the head coaches I was able to see today were in street clothes and weren’t even wearing team colors for god sake !!!
Secondly, after everything that has gone down I woudl eb trying to maintain as low a profile as possible especially if I were so busy evaluating my existing roster, looking at FAs and evaluating them as well as 300 guys looking for a job. Also…ya think he may be a little more interested in talking to Coaches…Owners…Gms and the like about potential trades and the like…rather than talkin gto an weasel press that have been constantly spewing false rumors ???
C’mon guys…
even if the worst is true..and he is on his way out…SO WHAT !!! WE have been thru this crap before and we will get thru this messed up situation just like we always do…supporting our team and bewildered by the goings on in the front office.
So…now that we have all that behind us…let’s hope nothing crazy happens before we get to sign a couple decent FAs and Draft the 5 or 6 guys that are gonna get us back to respectability.
Now…
how about all those Linemen available guys ???
I noticed last night that the DT slot was only about 10 deep….while DE was well into 20 +
Man we are stoked if we can draft a DT, 2 DEs,a couple of OTs, and a WR here…I still stand by my ideas of earlier posts and will throw out an exact draft order next time…
with the deepest draft in 10 years at quality O-line we had better grab while the grabbing is good this year like everyone else or we are gonna get screwed for the next decade !!!
February 24th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Exactly, Toocharp. Al’s fanatics always cite coaches for not being loyal to Al. Who the heck was Al ever loyal to? This may be the only franchise in all of professional sports where disloyalty to the team’s ownership is the remedial requirement for winning. Kiffin knows that.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Tom Flores, we have not yet “gotten through” the Gruden situation. It was his team Callahan took to the Super Bowl. We’ve sucked ever since. So, I just don’t quite read you when you say that we’ll get through this Kiffin situation even if it’s the worst case scenario. If the last 5 years are an indication of anything; No, we won’t.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:48 am
BTW
I think that everyone that has anything to say about the BS coming out of Shefter’s ass on NFL Network should all email NFL Network and cite the actual quotes from John Herrera regarding th einterviewing of Lofton…
We should not let Shefter get away with defaming the Raiders like this..its disgusting !!!
February 24th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Maddenraider
I for one dont believe any of this garbage in the press…I agree that it is nearly paralyzing to think Al Davis coudl let Kiffin go right now with our current situation…but what else can we do about it…??? Crying isn’t gonna solve the problem…we can protest at the Alameda offices…demand Al Davis sell the team…or hire a GM…thats about all our options…
February 24th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Madden Raider said,
“The Raiders holding a press conference doesn’t mean squat.”
So the official statement concerning the organization, from the organization itself doesn’t mean squat…but Jerry, BSPN and Jerry’s sources, whom he refers to anonymously as “a number of people both in and out of the organization”,should be taken seriously. Yeah that really makes alot of sense.(insert sarcasm here please)
The bottom line is that we don’t know what is going to happen. We just have to wait and see. But all of this groundless, baseless, reporting just for the sake of stirring up controversy is irresponsible and needs to stop. And those of us who foolishly feed into and fuel this crap, are just as guilty as those who invent and print these stories.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:54 am
I admit that the whole situation with Gruden still has me confused and utterly dissapointed…
There is no excuse for what has gone on the past 6 years here…but what are we as fans supposed to do about it…except.. accept the fact that things are completely out of our control.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I’m torn on this issue. When the “rumours” started at the end of the season I blasted Al Davis and placed my loyalty with a future led by Kiffin.
I posted yesterday complementing the “Organization” for keeping everything within the team and getting to work and signing Fargas and locking Ndamdi in an securing him.
For all intents and purposes there is no new news! Just the Raiders focusing on the business of the team. There are no new revealations or new facts that have emerged since the first rumors. No Kiff did not have a Raiders sweatshirt on. OK…..B.F.D.!
By the way, Shefter is a pompous jerk. Just see the way he talks to Jamie Dukes on NFL network!!!!! When Jamie makes his statements, Adam follows by saying…”Now this is how it’s really going to pan out” etc. What a creep!
February 24th, 2008 at 2:01 am
I wonder why somebody hasn’t kidnapped Schefter or something. He needs to be scared in life
February 24th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Scottish Raider
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD !!!!
Al Davis needs to sack his Public Relations Manager or VP and find someone with some nerve to get out there and say something….anything …rather than sit around letting Al Davis…and worse the entire Raiders organization being defamed by a squeaky little mouse like Adam Shefter and the retard Chris Mortensen.