Word on the Street Has Lane Kiffin Out of a Job if the Raiders Lose to the Chiefs

It's pretty much been decided that Lane Kiffin is a short-timer in Oakland. Owner Al Davis unsuccessfully tried to push him to quit this offseason, and following the Raiders embarrassing showing in the season opener, coupled with an uninspiring four-win effort a year ago, he'll probably be looking for work in the near future.

In fact, according to the Mercury News' Tim Kawakami, that could be as soon as next week.

It happened to Mike Shanahan in 1989 after four games. It could happen to Lane Kiffin in 2008 after two games. Gone. See ya.

I hear it could happen to Kiffin on Monday or Tuesday, if the Raiders do not put up a half-decent effort in Kansas City on Sunday. Wouldn't surprise me if people around the Raiders are all but planning the firing press conference–whether it comes next week, the week after or in two weeks.

Because it's coming. The Rob Ryan Blow Up on Thursday–dictated, I'm sure, by Davis himself and directed at Kiffin and Kiffin's supporters–told us all that things are at a boiling point in the Raiders offices right now and the only way to ease it up is to fire Kiffin.

Ah, yes, the Rob Ryan Blow Up. It's no secret that he and Kiffin have been at odds for most of their time together -- apparently, Kiffin wanted Ryan out last offseason, Davis refused -- and the latest example came in the wake of the Broncos beatdown last Monday night.

If the outcome of the Chiefs game will truly determine Kiffin's fate, Ryan has a moral dilemma of sorts. Earlier this week the defensive coordinator, in a profanity-laced, all-over-the-place press conference, promised his unit would "kick ass" in Kansas City. But if one more craptastic effort guarantees Kiffin's out come Monday morning, well, Ryan might be willing to push back the "m---erf--king commitment to excellence" till the Sept. 21 Bills game.

The bottom line, though, is that despite acquiring veteran playmakers DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker this offseason, and recent first-round picks JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden now in the backfield, the Raiders will continue to be the league laughingstock as long as Davis is in charge. Just ask Warren Sapp.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-14-2008 @ 10:34AM

ALAN said...

TRY SOMETHING NEW FIRE THE JERK OWNER

9-14-2008 @ 10:50AM

Elsquare said...

Does anyone really believe Rob Ryan had his say without being directed to do so by Al Davis? Al Davis is an alley fighter--has ever been and will ever be. Remember how he Signed the old NFC QBs to future contracts that threatened to ruin the NFC. Only Mike Shanahan beat him at his own game and made Al Baby pay through the nose for releasing him. Unfortunately for the Raiders, there will be no permanent improvement until new ownership is in place and the likes-of-Rob Ryan disappear from the NFL. Lane Kiffin deserved better. Al Davis: sad, sad, sad.

9-14-2008 @ 1:42PM

Elway's Teeth said...

Elsquare, You nailed it on the head. The genius has lost it. If he wants history to be nice to him, Al needs to go away. Hire a GM, and let him do his job. Let the coach do the coaching and have input to the roster. This is just sad. If Al fires Lane, I'M OUT! I can no longer support this travesty.

9-14-2008 @ 6:54PM

kRAzY Eddie said...

i for one came to my senses when the jerk owner stole the money from irwindale and went back to scumland now they are the laughing stock of all of football and thats what al davis deserves , no respect from no one , cause he doesnt respect the game,he for one thinks he is above the game ,well i dont think so ,i just wish he would hurry up and croak so that some one any one could rebuild that franchise thats what the true raider fans deserve a winner not a weiner hahahahahaha

9-14-2008 @ 2:32PM

Steve P said...

I BEEN A RAIDER FAN FOR 40 YEARS IN GOOD AND IN BAD AL NEEDS TO STEP DOWN IF HE WANTS TO WIN.HE WILL NOT GET A GOOD COACH THEY ARE FAR FROM PLAYING RAIDER FOOTBALL.HE HOLDS GRUDGES.

9-14-2008 @ 2:33PM

Theysuck said...

Its simple...the Raiders are the worst team in football. They have a scumbay owner...their fans act like ignorant idiots. They are abusive and rude. As long as they have this combo, then they will continue to loose... and it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of folks.

9-14-2008 @ 4:00PM

RAIDERLUVER said...

I might agree with you IF you weren't an ignorant and uneducated FOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-14-2008 @ 2:52PM

snyder said...

Al Davis is old enough to fart dust it's time for him to go I feel sorry for the Raiders and I don't even like them There is no coach that is going to make Davis happy because he won;t let them do their job I wonder how many will be fired this year Al Davis has Alheimers retire him and get a team going You can fire the whole team staff it won't do any good it's Davis who has to go So all you Raider fans should be waving signs to get rid of Davie not the coaches

9-14-2008 @ 2:46PM

GeraldR5 said...

Al Davis has turned the Raiders into a joke, a laughing stock. If he fiires Kiffen, me might as well kiss his team goodbye. No one in his right mind (or at least no decent coach) would work for a man who meddles to the extent he does. The game has long passed Davis by, and he's unable to recognize it. What a shame to see the team of John Madden and Tom Flores turned into what it is today! I bet Marcus Allen is laughing his -ss off!!!

9-14-2008 @ 2:50PM

Stop firing the staff and get rid of Al Davis he's old enough to fart dust he blames the coaches for not winning and he's the one who doesn't let them play the game the way it should be played The Raiser fanes should be waving signs to get him out of there how many good coaches is it going to take to open your eyes I'm not a Raiders fan never have been but feel sorry for them don't know why any one even wants to play for them let alone coach for a fart duster

9-14-2008 @ 2:54PM

John t said...

Coaches can't go out and play for the Million Dollar players.

9-14-2008 @ 3:26PM

Dean Erwine said...

Time for the league to show some spine. DAVIS still owes SHANAHAN back pay and the league sits on their thumbs.. Davis should GO not Kiffin!

9-14-2008 @ 3:31PM

ohmeohmy said...

I wont' recant my fan-ship to Oakland...I love the players, the history, and my pity is for them, and also a little for the coaches. I realize Kiffin is very young, and needed to start somewhere, but If I was a coach posting my resume, (or player for that matter) I would BLACKLIST any offers from Davis, and maybe everybody should...this way Al Davis will be FORCED to step back

9-14-2008 @ 5:11PM

pete puma said...

as an old-school raiders fan...i think rob ryan is 100% right...when you lose games by scores like 10-7...then it is not the defensive cordinators fault...i think kiffen is overwhelmed by the job...rob ryan shoulda been named head coach when norv turner got canned, he is the only person that seems to care around there...

9-14-2008 @ 4:07PM

Ez said...

True, get rid of the sleezball owner ... but evidently Oakland fans like / are stuck with him. If you don't get along with the owner, your tenure will be short as the coach. Time to find another job ...not worth the grief.

9-14-2008 @ 6:16PM

Ron said...

Al needs to let the Head Coach, "Coach". He thinks he can buy a team, that has not worked yet. Back off, Let Kiffin coach or he can go to TB and win Super Bowls.......

9-14-2008 @ 5:02PM

44yr_raider_fan said...

hey al -i was 11 when i became a raider fan
give Lane a break-remember in pre season wheb the radio station said either lane or al davis goes
the fans answered 2 to 1 to get rid of u
al let him coach-don't you want to get better

9-14-2008 @ 6:29PM

first ofi love the way raiderluvr is calling everybody ignorant and uneducated, ha ha hahahahah poeple like you make us laugh look whos calling everyone else basicly what you yourself are ,fist i think the doctor should perform surgery on your hemroids before he can pull your head out of your ass hahahaha thatway maybe you can go back to thinking and come to a realization that your team SUCKS AND ITS DUE TO YOUR OWNER NOW GET THE OPERATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-14-2008 @ 6:45PM

Gerry said...

I'm tired of walking around all season with a paper bag on my head. I have nothing to bragg about or defend for my team. I hope the Raider- Nation can put enough pressure on AL Davis to do the right thing to get this team turned around, even if it means for AL to step down and give up coltrol.

9-15-2008 @ 12:08AM

Collin Funesti said...

bottom line:
Al Davis should go die and be buried face down for making the raiders the laughing stock of the NFL for the past 6 seasons.

Lane Kiffin should remain the coach of the raiders because the players of shown more production under him than any of the other coaches in the "after gruden" era. (callahan, turner,...etc.)

He is an exact replica of Jon Gruden and the fact that we have a second chance at a gold mine with a coach such has Jon Gruden should not be overlooked.

If Kiffin gets fired you can kiss all progress earned over the last year and half goodbye....yes the progress of holding NFL star Larry Johnson to 12 carries with 22yrds....3 years ago he would have had 150 yards and 2 TD's.

Keep Kiffin.