Kiff’s big stand
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm in Oakland Raiders.
One thing I think I’ve learned about Lane Kiffin is he is not a spontaneous guy. He thinks about what he says, how he says it and has a good idea how it will be perceived.
So if you want to believe Kiffin isn’t taking veiled jabs at Al Davis over the personnel issue, be my guest. The 80-man roster is an issue all over the league, but when asked why the Raiders looked at so many more players last year, Kiffin’s response was clear.
“You’ve got to be willing to release people,” Kiffin said. “When guys are in the training room, they’re not out here practicing, you’ve got to be willing to release ‘em and live with it and pick other people up for more competition.”
Release people. The league doesn’t release people. Teams release people.
I’ve covered the Raiders for 13 years and one thing has remained constant. If you’re from a local newspaper, particularly one with an “Oakland” affiliation, and write something about the coach that puts him in a bad spot with the owner, there is a follow-up phone call from either the P.R. department, an administrative assistant or even the coach himself.
You’re inferring the wrong thing. That’s not what I (or he) meant to say. You’re way off base. It was a misquote. You took it out of context. You blew it way out of proportion.
If it’s from the P.R. department, it will be along the lines of, “No, what Lane meant was this . . . ”
It doesn’t happen some of the time. It happens every time. The Raiders are sensitive to how Davis is portrayed and believe, with some justification, he too often takes an unnecessary beating in the media.
Know how many phone calls have come from either the Raiders or Kiffin to say that “Rostergate” is a big mistake?
Zero.
I can assure you there are people in the building who are baffled and even a little disgusted with the way Kiffin is voicing his displeasure in the media. He hasn’t gone out of his way to bond with anyone who isn’t directly involved with the on-field operation.
I admit it is pretty interesting to be around. None of Kiffin’s predecessors have played it like this. You’d hear of some frustrations, but never on the record. Many people who work or have worked for the Raiders consider taking on Davis in public as the kiss of death.
Once Marcus Allen went on Monday Night Football and made their problems public, any chance of working out their differences vanished. Probably forever.
Also unheard for a Raiders coach, or most coaches in the league for that matter, is referring to the paychecks of highly-paid players such as Javon Walker and Tommy Kelly, and the performance standard that money represents.
At this point you wonder if this is even a battle worth fighting. I get the whole competition thing, you want to bring in new faces now and then to keep people on edge and aware of how precarious a roster position can be.
But what are you talking about, really? Bringing in guys who weren’t good enough for someone else’s team to replace guys who aren’t good enough for your team. There isn’t likely to be a difference-maker in the bunch.
After a flurry of camp activity when Kiffin had his training camp honeymoon as the Boy Wonder coach, he started to understand things move slowly when Jarrod Cooper remained on the roster for weeks with a torn ACL. This training camp, Greg Wesley came in with back spasms, John Bowie had a knee injury and Grant Irons pulled a hamstring in the first days in Napa. Mark Wilson blew out a knee yet remained on the roster for days.
Wide receivers with the exception of Todd Watkins and lately Chaz Schilens, have been a disappointment. You work with Walker, Ronald Curry and Drew Carter. You can see Kiffin’s point in not being able to ship out a no-chance receiver such as Chris McFoy, Drisan James or perhaps even Jonathan Holland simply to get some new blood for James Lofton to work with.
(Arman Shields does not a apply here. In the practices Shields participated in, Lofton was riding him hard, and it seemed clear he was doing it because the Raiders think he’s got some real talent. As stated before, I’d be surprised if he is not placed on injured reserve. Shields isn’t eligible for PUP like Michael Bush a year ago because he didn’t open training camp on PUP).
Whether borrowed or something he came up with on his own, Kiffin’s strategy for being the Raiders coach is similar to Jon Gruden’s. Stick with your philosophies and ideals in terms of running the offense. Do your best to bond with players and build a level of trust. Don’t let organizational quirks affect your ability to do your job.
Gruden, however, never set fire to a bridge while he was standing in the middle of it, which is why he lasted through two .500 seasons before the Raiders went 12-4.
Kiffin has only one way to make this right. If he wins, he turned around the Raiders. If he loses, the smartest 33-year-old head coach you’ve ever seen has a heck of a consolation prize. A potential in-season firing with pay while he looks for his next job, and a national perception that nobody can win coaching the Raiders.
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August 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Lets roll!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Finally a new topic. Thanks for the updates Jerry. Hopefully it will give us something new to chat about.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Finally!!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
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August 18th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Interesting article Jerry. What is Kiff trying to accomplish. Trying to get more scrubs? Is he trying to run himself out of town. It doesnt make sense, Seems pointless and is an unnecessary distraction.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Jerry sounds angry I wonder if he reads these blogs?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Damn… GOOD STUFF JMac…!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Good point RaiderTay!
Sounds like Kiffin is trying to destroy his career? Teams like it when you burn down you own house look at how many offers Dennis Green has got after his blow up in AZ.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Jerry, are you telling us that Al Davis has been served? Ah, snap.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
He’s trying to get in some healthy players, so the team can practice properly, and not run down his core players in the process.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Here’s a thought I had…
I think the simplest explanation would be that Kiffin sees a problem within the org. that he thinks should be changed… the scholarship issue.
He’s tried to go through the normal processes and has hit a wall. He’s using the media as a way of trying to bring this issue to a higher level of confrontation.
One of the problems with the Raiders keeping their issues in house so much, is that some of the internal problems that shouldn’t be happening remain as they are because it’s all internalized… hence no additional pressures for change. In my experiences in life in general, problems that are brought out into the light have a much better chance of being fixed as those being kept in the darkness(behind closed doors).
IMO, Kiffin just sees something that he thinks MUST be changed… and he’s using the media to try and bring additional pressure.
JMO…
August 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
If you don’t like it Al, you can fire me. And you can kiss off another season in your waning years.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
JR, I agree.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
As I said yesterday,I cant remember a Raiders Hc whining this much ,enough already! If he wants out,fire his young ass ,put GN or JL in charge,move on!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
People… Lane kiffin is trying to Win!! And if that means taking Al Davis out of his “chryo-conservation” chamber, go for it…
Give him the tools!
Better die fighting…
GO RAIDERS!!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
If I didn’t know any better I would feel like this article is talking directly to guys like me and BHP that have dome some digging into the fact that most owners want to change the 80 man roster back to 86.
Sorry I just don’t see Coach Kiffin as the kind of guy who would use the media to try and influence our owner. It just doesn’t add up. Maybe there are some things that are not working in our organization and coach wants them fixed the roster situation being one of them.
But using the media???
August 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Like I’ve said before; I don’t fully grasp Kiffin’s angle here - its a dicey one.
Off topic: So people are now talking about how bad the Patriots look in preseason. Well, I for one hope they STINK! Its only preseason, but I see the Patriots following the same road as the Raiders did w/ Gruden. That is, picking up a bunch of older vets to fill the roster.
That strategy inevitably came back to haunt us and haunt us badly. The more roster spots filled w/ older players the less you are planning for your future by developing your young talents. Its a balance that must the struck.
The Patriots are walking the same line we walked years ago. But what they do have is Tom Brady. That bastard wlll keep the afloat; however, they’re potency will fade away along with age.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I think Jerry post on these blogs.
I think he feels he was rebuffed too harsh on here. Sorry Jerry! didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
If what Kiffin wants is to be fired he’ll soon get it. I certainly don’t want a coach that doesn’t want to be here. If that’s the case get rid of his ass yesterday and bring in someone capable of coaching at this level. He aint the alpha nor the omega.
I think Kiffin is feeling the heat. an may be reacting to it. But his points are league wide and Big Al has caved in to him enough. That’s if Jerry is right. Which wouldn’t shock me either way frankly. It does seem he gets antsy when he can’t get his way similar to the great Gruden.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
That’s because you’re in denial
August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
He’s not whining. He’s bringing a sword!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
If jerry doesnt post another earth shattering post in the next 24 hours this thread will break a record….
August 18th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
This was first I think.
http://raidernationstation.com/exclusives
Kiffin doesn’t make mcuh sense other than maybe he’s saying some of the raiders have slipped back into the lazy, I got it made already mode Oakland suffered the past few years.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I agree with 666, Jerry seems a little angry and maybe it’s him making more out of it. Kiffin is Kiffin, he is what he is and he’s not going to change or adapt for kiss-ass status. The ace-in-the-hole that Kiffin has…is that he’s going to maximize our teams with the best he can get and those 53 players are going to win 9-7 minimum and that’s going to shut everyone’s pie-hole. If we go 3-1 into the bye, look at 10-6, if we go 4-0 into the bye, you’re looking at 12-4 or better. Buckle those seat belts, take out the cold beer and enjoy the ride.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Yeah BHP,
Maybe Shell/Walsh are available on short notice. I take it you’re ready to kiss the season goodbye in order to smooth Davis’s feelings.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I dont see anything wrong with Kiffin trying to get healthy bodies into camp. Its obvious Bowie sucks, Irons is just a tweener which will never make it, Mcfoy and Drisan james will be cut for sure. Why not bring extra OT, CB, Receivers and DT to practice? Hell one might end up as a practice squad player and then make the team in the midddle of the season (for ex. Alston)…..I dont see it as Kiffin whining he is just frustrated I guess..
August 18th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Seems like Al has quite a few flunkies in here. They obviously read this blog.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
The national perception may be wrong. The Raiders have been thru Coaches the last few years, but they are one of the winningest franchises in pro sports. Its been half a decade, but they were in the AFC Championship game consecutive years and had a super bowl appearance.
Seems a long time ago, but this organization will be back.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Kiffin wants to win, period. Calling out highly paid players that aren’t performing and even calling out the front office. If that gets him fired then we don’t deserve him. The players should listen to him if he’s even going after the office.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I wish I was dating Amy Trask then I would know the answers to all of these things!
Maybe Jerry needs a hug we have been kind of hard on him lately.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Good article Jerry. Just when you start to see things calm on that front, things like this go and stir crap up. I hope Kiffin is not just searching for a ticket out of Oakland and is really just interested in competition and is frustrated withthe crop of players he has.
Ah well, can’t wait to see how the first 4-5 games of the regular season go. They will help determine whether he stays or goes.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Thank you Jerry. The Oakland Raiders isn’t exactly the place for a Head Coach so even if Kiffin fails to stick…it will still be AD’s fault. For Kiffin, doing whatever he wants is a win win situation. Take the chance and take the heat. Its a tug o war. This team needs stability and keeping Kiffin keeps that stability going. You can all say that Kiffin is wrong in what hes doing but all the other coaches since 1995 did the opposite and got booted as well so why not do what hes doing? Its about time we have a David to face off against this Goliath.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Seems like we are playing the season in this blog, versus on the field……
August 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
We need continuity, If Kiffin bucks the system and we win that is a good thing. That is what we all want is to win. F being the doormat year in year out. We need to win and win now.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Kiffin is speaking up, publicly, to protect his own reputation. Letting everybody know Al Davis is calling the shots, and he ought to take responsibility for them.
Otherwise, Davis will blame Kiffin about drafts didn’t draft etc.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Wilson broke his left leg. Might’ve hurt his knee, but its been reported as a broken leg.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
If someone from the Raiders organization is monitoring this blog…I have one thing to say to you, “In Lane I Trust”. Lane Kiffin is the real deal and we (Raiders Organization, Raidor Nation) need to support him.
Seth
Raider Fan since 1982
PS: Great, article Jerry. You are on top of your game.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Well one thing Jerry agreed with me on was the comparison I did with Russell and Big Ben’s first year in the NFL. Where Pittsburgh ran the ball 40-45 times a game (Bettis and Parker) and kept Big Ben under 25 throws a game.
When I asked that question in online chat last week Jerry answered it and said yes that is exactly what Kiffin’s plans for Russell appear to be.
I myself am excited to see McFadden get 20 plus touches a game this year!
This is something we can all agree on….I think?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Hes WHINING,someone please check out other teams statements to the media!The 80 man roster is a problem,EXPAND the roster back to where its been,ok This guy needs to shut up and COACH!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Even if Kiffin is dissatisfied with the second stringers and below, there would seem to have been enough upgrades to make for an improved year. So why would he already want to be “out of town?” I just don’t get why he’d be picking a fight at this point in time.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
SB666
Is Amy avaiable?
Not a bad looking woman and I always had a thing for women in power suits…
August 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
does anyone know the roster cutoff dates?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
“Kiffin is speaking up, publicly, to protect his own reputation. Letting everybody know Al Davis is calling the shots, and he ought to take responsibility for them.”
That’s a great way to get another job in the NFL blame the owner for everything that goes wrong. I can see the other 31 owners lining up to hire this guy right now!!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
August 3oth is the final 53
August 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Nnamdi21
I don’t know if she is single, do you want to have a contest and see who can get her number?
LOL
August 18th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Come On Al Davis, Trade Walker To The CARDINAL’S For An. Boldin. Boldin Is Requesting A Trade. Big Al, Plz Get On It. Don’t Miss out On This Trade!!!!!!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
anquan boldin renewed his request today for a trade
August 18th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Jerry, You quote
“Gruden, however, never set fire to a bridge while he was standing in the middle of it, which is why he lasted through two .500 seasons before the Raiders went 12-4.”
So it is your opinion that he is buring himself up while on the bridge?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I don’t know about trading Walter away for Boldin, that leaves us with what, Tui as our back up?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I still believe in Kiffin and Al, I think their relationship is better than advertised and I think this will all blow over when the season starts.
All coach has to do is win 9 games and he will have Al kissing his butt and offering an extension.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Az is set at QB with the contro they have right now.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
It’s tough to tell what Kiffin is up to because no Coach is going to enhance his reputation by angling to get get fired before the start of the season - that’s absurd. I just can’t see a coach betraying his team like that, and it violates his “I’m in” philosophy. At the same time, it’s hard to interpret his comments as anything other than a shot at Al Davis, because he IS the personnel department. The only logical explanation is that it relates to the 80 man roster limit and becauuse the NFL put out a memo that coaches and teams can’t b*tch about it, he doesn’t want to get fined. Perhaps Kiffin and Davis are working together on this issue by conducting covert PR??? That would be something, Kiffin and Davis doing something together!
This is a case where the media has a duty to ask Kiffin a direct question: “Are these comments directed towards Al Davis and if so, why?” At that point you’d get a straight yes or no, along with a more detailed answer that we can debate the truthfulness of on sites like this. Right now we’re debating a somewhat vague quote and using a lot of assumptions to do it.
But since that’s where we are, if I had to put money on it, I’d say Kiffin feels safe this year this deep into training camp, is sticking it to Al Davis for screwing with him over the offseason, and is going to continue to push right up to the line of his contract that says “…early termination of this contract without compensation is justifiable for conduct detrimental to the organization.” At the same time, because he’s keeping it vauge, he can’t get fired for cause without compensation, and it shows his team he has b*lls, and he doesn’t care if he gets fired, and between now and the time he does, the team does things his way. That’s where my money is!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Calling Al Davis out will only raise Kiffins credibility around the league.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
thec,Ithink he IS,unless theres something hidden,something that will come out,but I doubt it.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Kif’s just regrowing the pair that got cut off this off-season. Like a kid pulling mom’s apron strings…
I like the mindset– flip off the writing that’s on the wall. Chuck the baby, the bathwater & the tub. Torch the house. Plough the earth with salt. He is a true Raider. Al himself would approve.
Just load the wagon…
August 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
No, Al Davis holds grudges like a Mfer
August 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
If we trade walter for Boldin, I will NEVER say anything bad about Al Davis EVER AGAIN. Promise.
In the meantime, go Kiffin! The majority of the Raider Nation is behind you!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
ESPN has Marcus Allen as the greatest Raider of All-time.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Al doesn’t respect kiss assezs either. You might as well stand up to him.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Man, who care’s about what Kiffin and Big Al are fueding about now. Everyone know’s that Kiffin is the Best!! thing that happend to the Raider’s since John Gruden, Big Al, No dis-respect but listen to the man. BUT, In the mean-time plz! Plz! get on this “Boldin TRADE”!!!! From the Cardinal’s. Who’s with me , Come on Raider Fan’s, Get the message out. BOLDIN!!! BOLDIN!!!! Big Al, Al Davis, The Man, True Raider Himself- Whatever you want to be called, Mr. Davis, Walker is crapp!! Give the Cardinals WHATEVER They Want to take Walker off our hands. OakTownRaider4Life “JUST WIN” “COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE” All that Good Stuff. Let’s Go Oakland!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
RE: Amy Trask
She’s strong.
She’s attractive.
She’s a Raider insider.
What is there not to like?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Jedi Raider, I completely agree. Jerry ask Kiffin about this directly. That would be awesome. I’d give rep if there was a way to for that post Jedi.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Give it to em, Lane!!!!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Get Boldin Now…whatever it takes…
August 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Jedi, you’re probably right.
But overall this doesn’t strike me as a big deal, nation. So he kvetches a bit about a very legitimate gripe. Whatever. Seems focused on winning at all costs, including not playing it politically safe with his own job. Sounds like a certain owner doesn’t it? I don’t care if they don’t have a weekly lunch, as long as both are focused on winning above all things. And I think that’s what I’m hearing: plus some sparring via the media over how best to achieve that goal. Still: same goal. So I guess I’m thinking “damn right” now let’s move on with it …
August 18th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
post 56,I agree,as long as he shuts up and coaches what he HAS!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Nice post Jedi Raider.
KooKell call your boss out and see if that raises your credibility at the office?
I myself am going to work tomorrow and demanding publicly that I get more paperclips! I am calling my boss out on it and if he don’t respond I will take it to the media!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Marcus Allen, greatest Raider of all-time?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
EXACTLY:
“KoolKell Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
If you don’t like it Al, you can fire me. And you can kiss off another season in your waning years.
“
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
RaiderSith I Said Walker Our WR!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I said around the league dude. Is your IQ below 70
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Marv Hubbard Rules
I like the way you think I would totally date her if I could.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Yeah, sorry man, just picked up on that. I dont think anyone will want Walker after all the baggage he brings.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Yeah and I still say that dragging your boss through the mud doesn’t look so cool on your resume and does not command immediate respect from other owners. Do you think other owners would want to hire him if he has a history of throwing his boss under the bus?
Yeah that’s funny I seriously am laughing so hard at your thought process.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Marcus Allen is far from being the best Raider of all time. Ended up in KC for years and blamed the organized and Al for everything, even his unwillingness to play for weeks on end which led to his benching. Tim Brown and Jim Otto rate as the top Raider of all times, among others.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
But who would you guys say is the greatest Raider of all-time. ESPN has Marcus Allen.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Al Davis
August 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
The old timers here age not to be defined will remember in the 70’s and 80’s Davis was always getting heat from the press or some players would leak out info to create a team madness and we still won.
The results were and still are that matter. The victorys and it’s our way and screw you feeling was in all fans who followed the silver and black.
We had no problem with the Snake getting drunk, or many shenanigans from other players, because they won on our field and there’s away and did so despite others claiming otherwise, or mocking our hair, our uniform or bad boy image.
We have today a different set of rules, we have an owner who knows in his mind he can still run, manage and oversee an organization like he has done the prior 46 years.
The other organizations have formed from the Peter Drucker school levels of management,owner, VP, your GM your Head coach and assistants, (low level managers.)
Kiffin is stuck with a style of management he is trying to work throughand not acustomed.
How many controlling owners have their coaches call out the GM, or VP, more than you think.
We hear about this constantly, the media wrong or right(which is seldom) tries to find shades of truth and secrets in any situation belonging to the Raider organization.
There is a common commentator on this blog trying to convince us Raider fans Davis has just lost it, he needs to step aside, were reminded of 19-61, were reminded of 5 losing seasons, and were called kool-aid drinkers.
Yet we persevere due to our loyal following.
I can’t know for sure if Kiffin is calling out Davis, we can debate the issue ad naseum.
I do know we want Kiff to succeed.
Many others here can’t stand Davis, yet they still vent their frustration at him many times, and I don’t blame them.
We are stuck in a situation that has never changed, the book and philosophy was written long ago, the recipe is and has been good.
We have two sides to debate, it’s not even a debate, it’s one man’s decision, and one man’s to follow. Like it or not nothing will change.
Davis has been around a long time, the punishment he put on Marcus I’ll never forget, I still don’t know why, but I’m left with a team that has grabbed me as a youngster at age 8.
Debate all you want fellas or ladies, Davis is here to stay.
Final note to a long rant, this is Jerry’s blog, he may try to convince you the blog followers he is a Raider hater, I believe he want’s this team to do well.
Jerry shared whith us a great euology about his dad, from my angle Jerry’s dad was a fan of the Raiders, and so is he.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
AL DAVIS
August 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48560-oakland-raiders-all-time-defense
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
My first impression was to support Kiffin and his “we need more healthy bodies to compete” angle. However some of the guys pointed out that we have been as active signing guys during camp as any other team… I just read the Bears named Kyle Orton their starting QB, look at the QB situation in SanFran, compared to those poor bastards Kiffin´s got it easy, old Al would never start the season with Kyle Orton holding the reins.. Tough it out Kiff, preseason is rough even for coaches.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Post 72 SilverNblack666:
I have been married to the same woman for 27 years. She is all of 5′ 1″, 125 lbs, drives a Dodge Ram 1500 and could kick my behind if she chose to do so. The only thing lacking is that she is a Browns fan (We live in Ohio). It takes a good woman to make a good man. Amy, sorry, I am spoken for.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Lane is right about bringing in fresh bodies and staying on top of it if somebody is not contributing. I thought the same thing a couple weeks ago before any of this was said.
Al needs to quit holding the team back right now. Al, if youre reading this right now, please help us by getting a GM or player personal director who can dominate. We are not dominating right now and its not the Raider Way. Do I need to re-teach this to you Al?
Just take a look at the Chargers and their depth… they will be cutting people who could easily start for us. Get the clue Al. Please.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
666, makes the most sense. Gruden wasn’t the most congenial person either but he got the job done.
This really doesn’t make sense unless he’s talking about the league. Otherwise he would just say what’s on his mind. If he’s frustrated with Davis, hell SAY IT. He wont be the first coach or player to voice that sentiment.
Just say I hate you, I hate the Raiders and I hate working here and he’ll get fired soon enough. Why waste time.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Who is this Kid Kiffin?
Befuddled manner,
frat boy missing his beer cup.
Sarkisian laughs long.
I’m in! Mutiny abounds! Sailing the high seas of Heggenberger.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
No way is Marcus the greatest Raider.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
POST82,teach AL WHAT,EXACTLY!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Post83,BHP,on FIRE!RAIDERS!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Raider Dell I liked your post and I have always read your posts and enjoyed your opinions. If you say that Jerry is a Raider fan as was his father, then I can no longer accuse him of being a Charger fan.
Thanks for the enlightenment my friend.
Al Davis is the greatest Raider or maybe Howie Long or Jim Otto or even Tim Brown but not Marcus he played for the Chiefs.
What about Lester Hayes or Freeddy B (RIP Tracy)!
You guys remember dollar up for Tracy at the games!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I would feel bad if I pissed Jerry off he does give us our daily fixes!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Stabler….
August 18th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
C Branch…..
August 18th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Post 86
RE-Teach Al how to dominate.
Once Bruce Allen left - we have sucked.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I say Marcus Allen or Jim Plunkett
August 18th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
The real problem is that Lane Kiffin is being a grown man and voicing his honest opinion, but also telling the truth and people dont like to hear the truth, they like to hear what sounds good. See the TRUTH doesnt always sound good, but its always the truth. The truth is recievers are dropping catchable balls, starters are getting hurt, players released from other teams (for whatever reason) arent getting a sniff by the Raiders. Players who couldve made significant contributions are getting released for camp bodies who have no shot of making the team. Meanwhile he cant do anything about it because he was stripped of personell decisions. So really the only thing he can do is man up and say what really is on his mind. But with that said he still has to find a way to bring out the best with whats been given to him. And the media should stop trying to keep this circus in circulation. The Raiders actually have a chance to become a good team again and the only thing they can spew out is how much Kiffin hates Davis and how much Davis wants to fire Kiffin. Sad. YA KNOW?!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
The reason I say Marcus is because he gave me some of my most favorite memories of being a Raider fan.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Haven’t read too many of the posts yet, but I am now truly convinced that Jmac is one of the bloggers. I’m not going to go as far as naming him MR, yet, but he’s definitley in the house.
This whole entry could have been one of the posts from the last thread, but it just would have been toooooooooooo loooooooooooong.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
two issues a real lack of depth at certain positions like d.e. and d.b. and the elephant in the room is russels training. Kiff wants to log the time with him with as close to a real offense and defense as posible. However his starters and others are going down with injuries and vis a vis morale.. He needs not just better guys but more bodies.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
POST 92 ,a solid point!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
He was never stripped of personnel decisions because he never had them. All he ever had was the ability to coach the talent. And he still has that. Sure they all have a say in what they want or who, but he never had final say. So things are just as they have always been. When cut downs come he will have his say and so will the position coaches but the final move will be Al Davis. Just as always.
As Kiffin has said when you come into this organization you come in very aware of WHO runs it. So if he’s soured on it. So be it! Goodbye!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Post 94
Just to take your point regarding personal decisions, is Al Davis doing a J.L. Higgins by fumbling the personal decisions on the goal line… not staying on top of it is pissing Lane off and myself.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Kool, think your take on this one is right on… Alot of it is kiff staying viable for the next job, this won’t hurt him and I think his dad told him to not put all his eggs in the basket.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Dell …
You are one passionate dude!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
fire Higgins.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Rick The Hunter Nice post.
BHP can you think of a modern day coach other than Holmgren that handles coaching and personnel decisions?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I wonder if Johnnie Lee drops the soap as much as he drops the ball?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Jhill
Great point and I agree with you 100%
August 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
As good as Holmgren is he still couldn’t handle both responsibilities.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
BHP
What’s more important to you personally, winning, or protecting Al Davis’s reputation?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
post 105,dont care to know
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Sure you don’t garthraider, sure you don’t.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Outstanding article, Jerry. You’ve managed to get right to the heart of what’s going on with Kiffin and you did so by citing your experience with the organization’s damage-control department, and what you perceive to be the current, tentative status quo. And from everything you’ve described, Kiffin does seem to be needlessly (”belligerent” is too strong a word) critical in his personnel/managerial assessments. Being frank is great, but he’s liable to rock the boat before it’s had a chance to set sail. I believe in Kiffin, and I want him to be given a fair chance to realize his vision for this team, but he has to realize that WE ALL have to play the game with our employers. It’s not enough to just speak the truth, one has to weigh the consequences of their words.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Jedi …
What ??!?!?!?!!?
You caught me off guard with that one. How much $ do you have on it?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
While I can understand “Lance’s” frustration here, I am sure there is not ONE head coach in the league right now that would say, “No, we’re good. Don’t need one more guy. I have a perfect roster right now.”
Lane needs to understand his job description better. Lane’s job is to take the roster that he is given, develop those players and win with them. Not moan, not bitch, WIN. He is not the guy who makes personnel decisions. He makes personnel recommendations. Not decisions. His job is to be the field general out there with his soldiers and win. If for whatever reason he does not feel he can win with his soldiers, we need another field general.
If Lanes Dad Monte took over as a head coach of a franchise right now, I would bet Monte would not be given a ton of authority over personnel. And Monte has had 26 years in the league. Lane hasn’t had 26 months.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Even Bill Walsh couldn’t handle it neither could Bill Parcells.
This is a tough league and an even tougher job. He knew that coming in. We make no excuses but he has the talent and an owner though extremely demanding that will get him more talent to win with.
But he can’t run the organization and these guy’s just don’t understand that. He IS THE COACH not the GM or the owner, the coach. First figure that out before you want to run the personnel dept.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Overheard at Raider’s HQ today:
“Get Arthur Shell on the phone, asap!”
August 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
# SilverNblack666 Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
As good as Holmgren is he still couldn’t handle both responsibilities.
Exactly 666. Very few guys can.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
No Kevn,
Al Davis calls the shots, if he wants to fire Kiffin that’s on him. And he can face the consequences.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Stop acting like you’re stupid. He never asked to be GM, only more camp bodies. You guys aint that stupid.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Bill Parcells always wanted to pick his own players now that he is the GM in Miami he can. That’s why he left the Patriots. He had 2 Super bowl wins under his belt and he still wasn’t allowed to make personnel decisions.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Jhill,SNB666
Thanks!
We all have our differences, some choose to beat the same message, which will never change until there is a new owner.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
sith,like Sis?squirrel?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
OK back to this argument “only more camp bodies”
And where are these bodies going to come from, a division AA draft, Arena league players now that their season is over?
Don’t you think that the other 31 teams want bodies too?
Where and WHO are these so called bodies we could bring in?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I think Kiffin is frustrated because he just came out of the college game and has seemingly had little to no impact during the draft. He knew Zach Miller from the Pac-10, and that seems to be working out. But I’m guessing he wasn’t entirely on board with burning picks on Quentin Moses, Mario Henderson, Johnnie Lee Higgins and John Bowie, all of whom were over-drafted. When these guys prove during training camp that they can’t play (or in Bowie’s case is always injured), then it sets Kiffin off. Everything being even, Al will take size and speed over guys who might not have the measurables but excel on the field, thinking his coaches can coach up the workout warriors. When that doesn’t work, Al blames the coaches and fires them. Kiffin is heading him off at the pass.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
You’re no personnell man 666, only a Al kiss assz. If Kiffin thinks there’s bodies out there, I’ll take his word for it
August 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Raiders!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Not getting on you here Jerry just trying to make a point.
Just a GUESS, but my guess is there are things about your job that you don’t like, OR, your boss or your bosses boss does not like, yet, they don’t go crying to other papers about it dragging your boss and their employer threw the mud.
That’s called being tactful. What Kiffin did is classless and that’s the truth and I like Kiffin.
He needs to seriously shut up.
Here is something that someone else wrote that I read somewhere else and this REALLY needs to be said here and hopefully Kiffin will read it and learn from it…
Al counters with “Son show me what you have done ever as a head coach? Don’t forget I’m the one that saw something in you, no one else. I didn’t hire you to hate you. Who else offered you this opportunity? Oh yeah that’s right no one. Tell me your problems again?”
August 18th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Al davis’ rep is well respected and protected if you want to say that.
I want to win and Kiffin aint going to gaurantee that. Or can he?……..as soon as he can gaurantee that he knows how to win more than Mr Davis then i’ll side with him. But so far I haven’t seen it
All the Gruden freaks think he is the greatest coach ever to coach the Raiders, what’s his problem in Tampa?? I suppose he’s got everything he wants? where’s his string of championships. he was lucky to get the one he got, the most overrated coach in the NFL.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
This whole Kiffin/Davis drama is lame. Way lame.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Lane Kiffin is publicly holding Al Davis accountable, nobody else is.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Are we really this desperate for a topic?
Why is it even an issue if the coach says that he doesn’t agree with some personell moves? Some bottom of the roster moves at that? Kiffin saying that McFoy and James (guys who will be cut) should be released for some backup Olinemen (more guys who will be cut) is not something that is going to put his job in jeopardy. My goodness!
He is absolutely correct to “remind” Javon Walker that he is being paid to be like a top 5 receiver, and should be making plays like a top 5 reciever. What the heck does that have to do with AD?
R-E-L-A-A-A-A-A-X-X-X-X ….
August 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I seriously doubt that any other team has made more roster moves since February than us.
Please show me another NFL team that has had as many roster changes as we have during the last 9 months.
What else can a guy do besides bringing people in off the street like in that Vince Papale movie?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
The Raiders have no deep threat and the best WR on the team plays TE.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
PW-
Correct, pardner. He’s heading him off at the pass and fixin’ to serve him a steamin’ plate of huevos rancheros. Quick thinking, Kiffin. An ace up his sleeve and his girl’s hankie hanging round his neck.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
That was my question triple 6. Who is out there?? Who are you going to bring in???? Luke Pettigout??? So……….even if Luke could pass a physical which is a HUGE IF, you are going to take practice time away from Harris to see if he can still play???? And what if he can’t??? Now you have a LT protecting your franchise with very limited practice time. That’s not a huge gamble, that’s flat out crazy.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
BHP
Al is 19-61, a loser the last 20 years, currently. So I guess losing is fine with you as long as Al Davis is revered as god?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
# Samhain Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
This whole Kiffin/Davis drama is lame. Way lame.
Gotta agree with that.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
the other side of the coin… how many other owners in the league make all the personal decisions on their own?
Post 113 Oakglenn, lets get on the one person on the Raiders that is in charge of those personal decisions, in your fair assessment, is Al dominating the task at hand?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
camp bodies argument …
Again, keep in mind you’re talking about guys who will be cut anyway. Fred Wakefield got moved to Oline because there was not another “camp body” to fill the spot. Eugene had to slide over to Corner in practice because there wasn’t another “camp body” to fill in when Nmandi and Hall were out at the same time.
Meanwhile, you have a surplus at WR and TE, for example. One or more of the surplus guys, should be cut.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
We live in an age with complex contract’s and salary cap hits. The days of having a stacked roster are long gone. As I have said before some teams even have lawyers on staff to help sort through this kind of thing.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
There´s a misconception out there that every other team is shuffling players in and out of their rosters while the Raiders sit and watch.
So….once again:
In order to judge the Raiders front office activity or inactivity we need to compare it with what every other team in the League has been doing over the same period of time.
So, let´s take a look a player movement around the league for the month of August, considering training camps started around July 25, it seems like a good parameter:
AZ– Signed 4 players
ATL- Signed 3 players
BAL– Signed 5 players
BUF– Signed 2 players
CAR– Signed 3 players
CHI– No players signed
CIN– No players signed
CLE– Signed 2 players
DAL– No players signed
DEN– Signed 3 players
DET– Signed 3 players
GB– No players signed
HOU– Signed 3 players
IND– Signed 3 players
JAX– Signed 4 players
KC– No players signed
MIA– Signed 1 player
MIN– No players signed
NE– Signed 5 players
NO– Signed 2 players
NYG– Signed 3 players
NYJ– Signed 1 player
OAK– Signed 3 players
PHI– No players added
PIT– Signed 5 players
SD– No players added
SF– Signed 2 players
SEA– Signed 3 players
STL– Signed 1 player
TB– Signed 1 player
TEN– No players added
WAS– Signed 2 players
From NFL.COM
- After looking at those numbers, it´s evident that the Raiders are no more active/inactive than any other team in the League.
If anything, the Raiders are more active than most.
One more thing to note..
The Raiders also find themselves in the unlucky situation of having both Kickers injured, that´s 2 spots that could have been available for new position players if they weren´t currently occupied by replacement Kickers.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Kiffin’s only asking for camp bodies so he can run a proper practice. Would you rather see your core players run down in camp?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Raiderraider I would say Al HAS dominated the task in the past. I would say Al certainly has a huge say currently, but he appears to be delegating somewhat. I think what Davis has done recently is take a page out of the Brian Sabean GM book, which is trade future prospects for bona fide professional players. Sabean did well with that philosophy for awhile.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Kiffin just needs to win. Thats the bottom line. If he wins Al will be more and more willing to give him what he wants. In that respect Al is no different than most influential owners in this league. They won’t turn over the keys to the franchise unless you prove you are a winner.
Look at Dallas - another influential and “involved” owner in Jerry Jones. He basically handed Parcells more power than he did since Jimmy Johnson b/c Parcells had proven himself to be a winner.
Kiffin wins and he gets what he wants. Until then - he’s going to keep bitchin and moanin about it, until one of them gets fed up with it. Its a catch 22 I know - how do you prove you can win if you can’t get everything you want - but thats the way of the world is and its no different in the NFL b/t involved owners and their coaches. They give you rope here and there to see if you catch hold of something or you hang yourself.
I suspect Kiffin will get more and more of his way as time passes b/c he will be a winner in this league. IMHO Jam will make him into a winner - he will deliver.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Some teams even have lawyers!?!?!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I love my Raiders, and I totally respect Al Davis. I honestly think we got the s*** end of the stick with the Javon Walker deal. Mr.Davis probably flashed back to that Monday Night game against Green Bay when Walker lit us up. Well, what has Walker done since then? Not a damn thing. Get mugged in Vegas? Yeah, I give Coach Kiff a lot of credit for voicing his opinon. If we are 4-4 at the halfway point of the season, I bet Al fires Kiffin and give James Lofton the job.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
So Marley,
Kiffins just misinformed, or lying?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
He’s not talking about stacking the team. He’s just talking about having an even distribution of players throughout the positions.
In other words, why go 10 deep at WR and 10 deep on the Oline?
Shouldn’t it be more like 14-15 Olinmen and 7-8 WR?
(Note: remember we’re talking about guys who won’t make the 53 man roster.)
August 18th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
In the end its the owners who are left standing with the end result of those decisions not the coaches. Coaches come and go - owners are stuck with the mess. (I distinctly remember Jerry Jones saying exactly that during the draft right in front of his coaches with the cameras on)
August 18th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I cannot think of one reason Kiffin is still here. Is it simply money? Kiffin is a fraud. His next gig will not be a high profile job in the NFL. He will return to the college game, quite possibly replacing Chow at UCLA at some point as OC.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Oakglenn Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Raiderraider I would say Al HAS dominated the task in the past. I would say Al certainly has a huge say currently, but he appears to be delegating somewhat”
So Al’s not running the show, who is then?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
#144 ever hear of a guy named Carmin Policy? (Lawyer)
Look it up if you doubt me.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Good post Marley!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Post 139
Let me enlighten you SilverNBlack666 on the San Diego Chargers… they have a stacked roster and are our main competitors down south, how is it they can do that? Its because they have a player personal man in AJ Smith who has dominated during drafts and obtaining free agents Now thats how they got it stacked… so my point is Al Davis has slacked on the job since Bruce Allen left and we need a guy who can concentrate on it full time and dominate doing it.
The one person I wish this point could enter into his thick skull is Al Davis.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
UnKoolKell
“Would you rather see your core players run down in camp”
I cant wait for the day when you get rundown in chat!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
KK, read that back. I said, he has a huge say, but appears to be delegating somewhat. I never said he’s not running the show. The past Raiders had a one man personnel department. That is no longer the case.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
666,
It won’t be by you, that’s for sure.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Who would’ve thought a multi-billion dollar business would commonly employ lawyers?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Never a one man personnel dept, until now. With the college lackey personnel guys he hired.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
And what’s up with Higgins? Looked like a pimp against the Niners and pulls that crap against the Titans? Will the real Johnnie Lee Higgins please stand up? Any word on how long Tyvon Branch has to wear a cast? I wanted to see him take some punts back.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Oakglenn,
Who’s in charge of the Raiders?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Ha !!!
The Bengals are laffs for bringing Chris Henry back. What happened to them cleaning up their act? Zero Tolerance?
Oh yeah, CJ got hurt so they need a someone!
What a joke!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Terrp, Post 143 is Good Bro……
August 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
AJ Smith has done a great job in fact so much so that he could even get Schottenhiemer fired, if he wanted to.
But seriously we are talking about a Norv Turner coached team they can have all the talent they want, he will run the team into the ground.
If you want to look at a roster stocked with talent look at the Dallas Cowboys (as I have used as example in here many times on this exact subject)if you think for one minute that Jerry Jones wouldn’t want another 6 players on his roster your brain dead.
There will be a rule change soon if enough guys like Bill Pollian and Robert Kraft etc. keep pressuring the commissioner.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Thanks for calling it as it is, Mr. McDonald. It seems the internal feuds that have been simmering have broken out into the open. Kiffin’s words were quite clear and borderline dangerous in terms of team chemistry and owner pride. He risks damaging player-coach trust by dragging his beef with the owner into the open and onto players. He risks, and I believe it has already happened, splitting the team into pro- and anti-Kiffin cliques. Once that happens, we can be looking at 4-12 or 2-14 yet again.
There is only one good solution to this problem and that is for Davis to back down. If his ego is about building a tough first-class organization, he will need more people like Kiffin who have spines and can rock the boat to improve the team. It is true of all businesses and corporations.
If Davis’ ego is the same, and I believe it is, then he will conduct a mid-season firing leaving the Raiders in the hands of our defensive coordinator. What will this serve? It will preserve Davis’ ego and dignity but it will once and for all sealed the Raiders’ fate. RYan will not stay long and will likely leave at the end of the season. So on one season, we will have lost a competent head coach and a decent defensive coordinator. After Kiffin’s firing, no competent coach will ever again take on the job until Davis is out. THe Oakland Raiders, as we know it (35+ years for me), will be gone.
I believe this is a pivotal year not just for the team but also for Davis. Davis has to decide what sort of organization he wants to run, who he wants to hire and whether his ego is more important than the team and the paying customers. If he takes it personally, then the Raiders are done until he transfers control to a more effective manager.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
KoolKell…146
I don´t know, I´m giving you facts and numbers about player movement in the NFL. Nobody is doing much, it´s that simple.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Eric from Emmaus
Yeah where there is a ton of money there is usually a ton of lawyers.
Kind of the way things work in this country.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
EVERYONE needs to read post #140.
Including Kiffin…
Thanks Marley.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Amy Trask is the team lawyer…her little sidekick Jeff handles courtroom crap,..but believe this, Trask is THE team lawyer.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Raiderraider have you noticed the roster lately? Kiffin didn’t put those players there but he will benefit from their play, so where’s the problem?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
# Oakglenn Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Raiderraider I would say Al HAS dominated the task in the past. I would say Al certainly has a huge say currently, but he appears to be delegating somewhat. I think what Davis has done recently is take a page out of the Brian Sabean GM book, which is trade future prospects for bona fide professional players. Sabean did well with that philosophy for awhile.
_________
Lets all pressure Al Davis into doing a better job if he is going to continue running the player personnel dept. or find someone highly regarded that is capable of doing it. Raider up, Al Davis!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Actually RaiderRaider, AJ Smith took over a team that had LaDanian and Drew Brees already on it. Now While Smith’s first draft did well, with Eli Manning, Hardwick, Shaun Phillips and Michael Turner, the Chargers really never did ANYTHING until they had two overall number one picks. One they traded Mike Vick and one they traded Eli Manning. Manning who would not go play in San Diego for any reason, ended up winning a Championship before Smith. As I posted up above, AJ took a page out of Brian Sabeans book and essentially traded his 08 draft for Billy Volek, Chris Chambers, among others. I hope it works out for him. Now we have a couple of very high picks. Let’s see what happens for us.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
F the dis chargers and all the bolt fans that support that suck team….Cant wait til they move to LA, or TJ
hahahaha The Tijunna chargers f them
August 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Bob Marley nice post! I thought your post was timely and should have shut up a lot of folks in here about the subject.
You at least showed facts about what is really happening in the league instead of speculating and forming uneducated opinion.
I do that, I use numbers, articles and stats to back up my posts but it doesn’t matter people will debate the color of the sky in here.
Thank you for digging that info up for all of us.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
16 to 88, these guy’s don’t want facts they want to whine and cry. And blame Davis for something or anything.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
BHP see post #170
August 18th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Who’s in charge of the Raiders? and how does his/her performance stack up with the rest of the league?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Post 168, Hey james how as walkers workout today. Is he making more progress. Jim rumor has it JRUSS balls are to hot to handle, any truth to that?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
19-61 and you losers are happy as clams?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Yeah they drafted Ryan Leaf!!
Enough said.
The draft is not a perfect science and we could pick any team in the league and digress about the history of bad draft picks.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
# KoolKell Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Oakglenn,
Who’s in charge of the Raiders?
Jeez, KK after all these years you don’t know who runs the Raiders????? I thought you said you were a fan!!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Show me a contented loser, and I’ll show you a loser.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
And..
August 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
BHP post #174
You pretty much summed it up right there!
That’s about as accurate of a statement as I have ever seen in here.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Oakglenn,
you’d rather obfuscate?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Show me a guy that pisses and moans all day in a blog and I will show you a 60 year old virgin with an aggravated hemorrhoid.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
KK, stop chasing your tail man. We all want the same thing. keep it moving.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
hey koolkell. what you’re saying needs to be said. i haven’t seen you post anything here that isn’t true. only by honestly/objectively facing the current state of our team can we hope to have the kinds of discussions that may lead to an improvement. i’m an old timer; i sense you’re much younger. well done.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I like that Kiffin’s showing a little fire. Hopefully that doesn’t get him fired with the team looking pretty good and the season only a few weeks away.
I also wonder if some part of Al Davis respects Kiff for showing some backbone. At least, enough to give him a chance to pull off a winning season before canning him.
If Kiffin does go the next coach will be either Lofton (likely) or Jim Fassel. I don’t think it will be like the post-Shell situation where supposedly nobody qualified wanted the job. Head coach in the NFL is too awesome of a job for many people to turn down. I don’t care what the media perception of the situation is.
Unrelated prediction: Johnnie Lee Higgins will singlehandedly cost us at least one game this season with a fumbled punt. It’ll take about two years of that guy not dropping one before I trust him not to choke in a big spot back there.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
ed moretti
Why don’t you stick your tongue right down the back of his trousers.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Ed,
All I want to do is win. I take a beating, but if we can get someones atention it’s worth it.
I started Raidering in 64′. But spouting the same ole rhetoric about the good ole days doesn’t do us any good now.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Dear Raider Nation,
Never before in the National Football League has there ever been strife between a head coach and the personnel staff.
Signed,
Marty Shottenheimer
Jimmy Johnson
Mike Nolan
August 18th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Mmmmm, good sandwich.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Chris, there something I haven’t said. whenever Shields is healthy it will spell doom for JLH. That’s why Kiffin is so frustrated, he can’t see what the kid has and they love is talent. It certainly doesn’t suck that Watkins and Schilens are developing. I think were much better off than what’s being debated in here but you know hgow it goes in here. The sky is always falling.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Men are human beings, so is Al Davis. But now he’s a fraile 78 yr old man trying to hold on.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Just wondering. If the Raiders still stink three years (and three coaches) from now; does should Al Davis still be running (and ruining) the team because of the past glories of the Raiduhs?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Patriots sucik now because belicheat can’t videotape anymore. Now we get to see his reaol coaching ability and them old ass patsys for what they are.(:<
August 18th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Chris in NY, Higgins will only cost us ONE GAME??? Thank God.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
So BHP,
You’re more familiar with Arman Shields than Lane Kiffin?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
What’s your point KK?
August 18th, 20