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Davis lays out case, promotes Cable
Inside The Oakland Raiders
In a memorable press conference that lasted well over an hour, Al Davis stated the Raiders case for firing coach Lane Kiffin for cause and his reasons for promoting Tom Cable to be the interim head coach for the rest of the season.
The next two or so hours will be spent sorting and organizing tape.
More to come later . . .
Letter from Davis to Kiffin
Inside The Oakland Raiders
A copy of the following letter was displayed on an overhead projector as owner Al Davis outlined his reasons for firing coach Lane Kiffin. Davis said the letter was sent following the Denver game and served as evidence as communication between the two. Kiffin said the two had not talked since before the Broncos game.
September 12, 2008
By Hand Delivery and Federal Express
Dear Lane:
Over the past months, you have made a number of public statements that were highly critical of, and designed to embarrass and discredit this organization, its players and its coaches. I left you alone during training camp in hopes that you would cease your immature and destructive campaign.
However, you continue to make public statements that are critical of the organization, its players as a whole as well as individual players. Such statements constitute conduct detrimental to the Raiders and I will no longer stand silently by while you continue to heart this organization.
Further, you rontract is quite clear that you work “subject to the direction and supervision of the General Partner’’ and that the General Partner has the “exclusive right to do all things, which in its sole discretion are necessary to maintain and improve the Club, the football organization and their activities.’’
I realized when I hired you that you were young and inexperienced and that there would be a learning process for you. Your mistakes on player personnel and coaches were overlooked based on our patience with you. But I never dreamt that you would be so untruthful in statements to the press as well as on so many other issues. Your actions are those of a coach looking to make excuses for not winning, rather than a coach focused on winning.
For example, with the exception of Gibril Wilson, you were involved in recruiting all free agents and determining salaries for them and you were explicit in your desire to sign Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall amongst others. All were a must to sign in your eyes, Hall in particular, because he played for Greg Knapp in Atlanta and Knapp gave him high grades. Do not run from that now.
I do realize that you did not want to draft JaMarcus Russell. He is a great player. Get over it and coach this team on the field, that is what you were hired to do. We can win with this team!
In regards to your recent fabrications about the defense, during the final cuts you made every cut on offense and every cut on defense except for Wakefield on defense and Wand on offense. Further more, during the game Monday night Rob played your Cover 2 defense and we got killed on an approximately 50-yard touchdown pass and approximately 70-yard gain that led to a field goal.
You meet every week with the defensive coaches to go over both the past game and to get a general feel for what will happen during the week in practice. You have the ability and authority to provide your input during those meetings and the preparation fo the game plan. I do not have weekly meetings with Rob _ you do.
During the week no one has ever gold you what to do on either offense or defense. In addition, no one has ever told you during a game what to do on either offense or defense and you call every play on offense. During a game if you want to blitz more, all you have to do is let Rob know what blitz you want and he will do it.
Although you continue to use the media to express your dissatisfaction with others, no one has publicly pointed out to you that in 4 preseason games and one regular season game played this year, your offense has scored one first half touchdown. That put tremendous pressure on the defense.
I know hta tyou wanted to bring your father in to run the defense and that Monte told me he wanted to come here even though he is under contract to Tampa. However, I did not wan to tamper with another team. In any event that was over seven months ago. Do not also run from the defense and your responsibilities.
This letter constitutes notice that if you further violate any term of your contract, in any manner whatsoever, you will be terminated for cause. I trust that this will not occur.
A.D. Football, Inc.
By: (Al Davis signature)
Video: Kirk Morrison on Kiffin’s firing
ESPN.com - AFC West - Blog
Video: Kirk Morrison on Kiffin’s firing
Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison reacts to the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin and talks about players’ attitudes moving forward.
Sands changing defense
Inside The Oakland Raiders
Quick hits from Monday’s press briefing with coach Lane Kiffin, who seemed to be undergoing a subtle shift in his public persona after three weeks of speculation regarding his job security:
Elway finds love in enemy territory
ESPN.com - AFC West - Blog
Elway finds love in enemy territory
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
John Elway is marrying whom?
Oakland’s Wilson fined after incident in Buffalo
ESPN.com: AFC West Blog
Raiders safety Gibril Wilson was fined $5,000 by the NFL as a result of play in which he was disqualified from Oakland’s 24-23 loss at Buffalo on Sunday.
The press room incident
Raiders Blog and Q&A
Here’s a copy of the video with Raider executive John Herrera and San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami exchanging words. The Raiders never disappoint when it comes to drama. I’m told there’s a version of the video where I…
Read more.
The Raiders’ John Herrera vs. me in front of the cameras today: Well, THAT was fun
… I guess there’ll be some interest in that. I’m 1,000% comfortable with anybody seeing it and judging that moment for what it is. You take you best look at it and come to whatever conclusion you want. Raiders lovers will hate me more–I’d be disappointed if the Black Hole took my side. The more semi-sane sports fans might come to a different understanding.
Kiffin’s status
Raiders Blog and Q&A
ESPN and Fox Sports both reported late last night that Lane Kiffin’s firing could happen as soon as today. From what I’ve been told, it hasn’t happened yet. But assuming it does happen today the candidates to replace Kiffin would…
Read more.
Dirty laundry being aired out
Raiders Blog and Q&A
ALAMEDA - I’ve already received some email about what the commotion was during Lane Kiffin’s televised press conference today. Here’s the background: There was some mention last week of a Raider employee handing out a copy of an article to…
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Kiffin still here
Inside The Oakland Raiders
Reports by ESPN.com and Fox News to the contrary, Lane Kiffin appeared at his weekly press conference Monday, addressed the issue of his job security again and said he has no intention of quitting.
Kiffin said he will continue coaching the Raiders until told otherwise by Al Davis.
More to come later . . .
Warren, Carlisle hurting
Inside The Oakland Raiders
Aside from the continuing saga of coach Lane Kiffin, the most significant news had to do with injuries which could cost the Raiders two starters for their game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday at the Coliseum.
Kiffin stays until Al says so
Raiders Blog and Q&A
ALAMEDA — Raiders coach Lane Kiffin wouldn’t respond to reports that he’d been told by team officials that he’d be fired directly. The usually open Kiffin didn’t deny that a team official told him he’d be fired. “Until I’m told…
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Final: Bills 24, Raiders 23
Inside The Oakland Raiders
Scoring
Buf–Marshawn Lynch 3-yard run (Ryan Lindell kicks PAT), 7:59
Oak–Johnnie Lee Higgins 84-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kicks PAT), 6:23
Postgame wrap
Inside The Oakland Raiders
Quick hits from the Raiders 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium:
– Did the Raiders run out of gas on defense or become to passive?
New territory for Lane Kiffin
After the Raiders’ 24-23 loss at Buffalo, a dejected Lane Kiffin told reporters: “We went into the fourth quarter with two scores, but we weren’t able to hang on to it. It kind of reminded me a little bit of last year. We had a lot of these last year, so hopefully we’ll keep improving and finish better next time.”
Postgame notes
Raiders Blog and Q&A
Here’s some of what was said that was forwarded to me after today’s 24-23 loss at Buffalo. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin on why he didn’t try to save some time with timeouts on the Bills’ last drive: “I didn’t want…
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Quick take: Bills 24, Raiders 23
ESPN.com - AFC West - Blog
Quick take: Bills 24, Raiders 23
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
We will see what Al Davis really wants to with Lane Kiffin in the coming days. If Davis wants to take his twisting-in-the-wind head coach and fire him, this is a perfect situation.
The Raiders blew a fourth-quarter lead today and lost in Buffalo. Oakland is 1-2 heading into its home game, against San Diego next week and then the Raiders have a bye.
There were rampant reports prior to Oakland’s Week 2 win at Kansas City that Kiffin was likely going to be fired, win or lose. Now, after a loss, and a bad loss at that, Davis could very well fire his coach.
Kiffin not concerned about job status
ESPN.com - AFC West - Blog
Kiffin not concerned about job status
Posted by ESPN.com’s Tim Graham
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Perhaps he’s in denial.
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin took a business-as-usual approach after the Buffalo Bills scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Raiders, 24-23, with a field goal at the gun.
It could have been worse
Raiders Blog and Q&A
It didn’t take much for the officials to eject Gibril Wilson. Players have stayed in the game without a penalty for more than Wilson’s open hand push/slap. If Tyvon Branch replaces Wilson, his ability to tackle will be an issue…
Read more.
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| November 20, 2008, 5:00 pm | |
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