Kiffin update
September 29, 2008 by Lee Tremblay
Filed under NFL Football, Raiders
An NFL coach was fired today, but it wasn’t Lane Kiffin.
St Louis fired head coach Scott Linehan, in favor of Jim Haslett. Although this news is not suprising, it does however make us wonder why nothing has been done yet, out in Oakland.
If Kiffin is to be fired, whats the holdup?
The Raiders are two weeks away from their next game, which will be on sunday October 12 @ 1pm ET against the New Orleans Saints, in New Orleans. That would give a new head coach two full weeks to prepare this team. Yet, it’s currently 8pm ET, on Monday September 29th and nothing has been done yet.
This makes many of us start to build hope that Lane kiffin will not be let go.
Is this idea that far fetched?
Maybe not! Al Davis has always lead this team through fear. He likes to keep his players and coaches guessing as to whether or not they will live to see another day, in the Raiders uniform. There were many times when it was speculated that Davis was going to fire Jon Gruden when he was the head coach, but he never did. Instead, Gruden made the decision to leave for greener pastures out in Tampa Bay, where he won a Superbowl in his first year (against Davis and the Raiders).
Now we all sit and wait, much like the NHL waits for Sundin, and Green Bay waited for Favre every year for the past 4 years. And yet, when it seems the most likely time to hear the news………..nothing!
Maybe, this whole thing was a way for Davis to get his team to fight harder, in hope that Kiffin (who is well liked by the players) will stay on as head coach.
It could be that Davis just doesn’t want to pay Kiffin the type of buyout that it would cost him. Although, money has never been a factor for Davis, aside from not having enough to spend more!
Then there is the thought that Davis just hasn’t found anyone that is willing to take over the job. Even though, I would bet heavily that defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan would jump at the chance, as well as wide recievers coach, James Lofton.
Chances are that Davis fears that Kiffin will end up being the next Shanahan, which is one of his biggest regrets.
Maybe Al Davis has been reading my blogs and has decided that I am right, and it would be wrong to let Kiffin go……..Ya, that must be it. I have to go with this one, because it makes the most sense!
The fact of the matter is that there are not to many, if any, that can get inside of Al Davis’s head and truly know what he is thinking. He has done things out of the blue that make you wonder what the heak is going on. Then there are the times that you expect something from him, and he does nothing.
Trying to understand what Davis is thinking, is like me, trying to figure out what my wife is thinking. It is just too complex, and way beyond my comprehention.
So we sit, guess, wonder, and wait!
Tremblay
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September 29th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
If I was Kiffin I would just quit. Sure it looks horrible but I would walk out with me leaving on my own terms, not getting fired by the crazy Al Davis. I mean to be dragged through this every week by the media is not worth it. I would just resign and wait for a better opportunity with a good ownership group.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
The sad part is that the are interviewing candidates as we speak. Why would anyone want a part of Al Davis is beyond me?
September 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Agreed! I wouldn’t work for that guy for all the money in the world.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I would say quit to, but thats what Davis wants him to do so he doesn’t have to pay Kiffin the rest of his salary. Stick it to him Lane, make him fire you and then tell him to shove it.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Sorry Lee, but Davis has made your team a joke of a franchise.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I feel bad for the Raiders fans, this team certainly has the potential to become a contender within a couple years if Davis would just stay away.
we all know that won’t happen though.
between the ownership of the Raiders and Athletics, it really is a depressing time for sports fans in Oakland.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:05 am
I would stay on. I know that it would be tough dealing with the reports, but Kiffin loves this team, and he is doing a great job showcasing his ability to coach under pressure. So staying on, and getting payed, to me, is the right choice.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:07 am
A chance to be an NFL coach is reason enough for me to want to be there.
Plus, you pretty much kow that you only have to invest a year or two, show other teams what you have, and then you will get fired anyway, so you don’t have much to loose.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:08 am
I agree.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:09 am
No doubt on that one. Although, I would like to see this flying circus start to get enough wins to at least keep me cheering.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Who knows, maybe Davis will have a change of heart and try something different, Or maybe he will go senile and forget altogether what he is doing and that would leave the Raiders to do what they want. The second is more likely.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Fox is reporting that it is done. News conference to come this evening….
September 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Nice of Al Davis to do it over the phone and not in person. I’m sure there is a cold place in hell awaiting Davis someday soon.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Here is the link…………..another in a line of bad moves by al davis
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3617977