Lane Kiffin's Biggest Fear: That He'll Be Stuck in Oakland All Season

I suspected things were pretty bad in the Raiders organization, but apparently it's worse than anybody not forced to work there ever imagined. Yahoo.com's Jason Cole has a revealing account of the absurdity of it all, and he makes what should be an obvious point about head coach-for-the-moment Lane Kiffin's situation.

The scuttlebutt has Kiffin getting canned any minute now, although the Raiders' convincing win in Kansas City last week may have bought him some time. Thing is, maybe Kiffin doesn't want the job as much as owner Al Davis doesn't want him to have it.

"That's the funny part about people asking if he's worried about getting fired," said a source close to Kiffin. "He's worried that he might be stuck there the whole season."

And then there's this revelation:

Or as former Cowboys and Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson, now a FOX analyst, said last weekend: "I don't know that there's a lot of people who would want to work there. It's a mess and it's been a mess for quite some time, I just don't know how anybody functions in that type of atmosphere. They do have some good young players and they showed that ... I think eventually this team will be one to be dealt with but as far as being a coach there, being an assistant coach, being someone in administration, it really is a mess."

And Denny Green readily agrees. But it's more than the head coach; it's all about Davis's insistence on living in the past at the expense of fielding a god-awful team in the present. Rich Gannon, the last Raiders quarterback to lead the team to a winning record, explains how things are much, much different in Oakland than anywhere else in the NFL.

"When I played in Kansas City, all I had to do was walk in the door. I didn't have to worry about guys showing up late for practice or meetings, guys being out drinking until 3 a.m. or missing curfew the night before games. In Kansas City, that stuff didn't happen. In Oakland, it was an everyday occurrence."

And that, people, is how an organization posts five consecutive 11-loss seasons, and a 20-26 record over that time.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-20-2008 @ 9:25PM

Dave said...

Well Rich....let's see, in that wonderful environment you had in KC you went to how many Super Bowls.....that would be a big ZERO! In Oaktown, with Al Davis apparently not knowing how to run a football team, you went to a Super Bowl, went to an AFC Championship game before that fat turd Siragusa sat on you and knocked you out of the game, and lost to the Patriots when the refs ruled Tom Brady didn't fumble.....hey Rich, the Raiders made you....nice way to show your appreciation.

9-21-2008 @ 1:05AM

Mondo said...

The Raiders tradition comes from players that were concidered misfits, trouble makers and outcast from other teams. That tradition has long been lost to the soft Hollywood types. Before with nicknames like, the mad stork, the man from mars, the snake, the mad bomber, also jack tatum,ronny lott, kenny stabler, dave casper, cliff branch, freg balintekoff and many others. They would put fear in their opponents. Just the reputation the had was enough. Just win was not a saying but a fact. Commitment to excellance will always be the Raider motto. Yes I agree that changes must be made in order to just win baby...The Raider Nation will always be true to the team, regardless.

9-21-2008 @ 2:57AM

Los Pedro said...

That record makes no sense. Not hating, just fix it. A five-year record should add to 60 games, not 46.

Go Patriots.

9-21-2008 @ 2:58AM

whoops, 80. typo.

9-21-2008 @ 3:22AM

Mario said...

All you fans of the Raider nation can sit back, pop a brewskie and shit-giggle about days of yesteryear, however, the fact is simple: 5 years of one of the worst NFLs loss record. Lane could do better elsewhere and leave Davis to his misery. Oh how Shannahan must be LMAO big time!

9-21-2008 @ 7:34PM

Kenny said...

How is Mike Shanahan laughing YOUR ass off?

9-21-2008 @ 7:46AM

brian said...

This the 1st time in decades i have seen the raiders rebuild from youth (oh god please not a todd marinovich) give them time and get rid of al davis he should fire himself go raiders

9-21-2008 @ 8:06AM

Larry said...

Davis could walk on water in Oakland, until he took Oakland's team to LA. Now then Davis , wallows in the past pride of some of his great teams. Kiffin was a mistake from the get go. A quarterback coach from a college team, is not ready to be an NFL head coach. Directing pros is different from college, and is tough on even great college head coaches who go to the NFL. Jimmy Johnson was the only great college coach to become a great NFL coach and he had lots of luck in a trade with the Vikings. 8 top picks for one running back.

9-21-2008 @ 9:58AM

john said...

only 1 thing is certain...AL DAVIS ISNT GOING ANYWHERE...unless he dies...lol..hey raider fan, it could be worse...al actualy has been known 2 put together good teams...it wasnt that long ago they were a champion contender...yall could have some idiot like jerry "the moron" jones trying 2 run the team...i know, dallas looks good now, but betcha they wont in 2-3 years...lol..maybe the game has passed davis by...maybe not...as soon as he gets some1 he trust 2 run things, i think they'll be fine

9-21-2008 @ 4:14PM

Raiderfan68 said...

unbelievable......

9-25-2008 @ 5:18AM

AL-DAVIS FAN said...

you all need to leave Al Davis alone. Since HE is the OWNER....he can pretty much do as he please!!! As a RAIDER FAN....we are in our down time. Don't worry, I DO BELIEVE we will be back at the top!!! Gotta let other teams win also..... BUT atleast, We are NOT CHEATERS!!!!