After the Oakland Raiders (1-3) agonizing 28-18 home collapse this weekend against the San Diego Chargers, the Lane Kiffin watch is back in full swing, especially with the team entering their bye week and recent reports that Al Davis has begun the process of replacing his young head coach.

According to a report by ESPN, a source close to the situation stated that Davis had scheduled meetings on Monday with staffers Greg Knapp, Tom Cable and Paul Hackett, in which discussions would take place regarding Kiffin’s future, something he has not himself been informed about.

During his press conference on Monday, Kiffin expressed his thoughts in keeping any and all communication he has with the owner private, stating, “I just feel we’re going to open up too many things, and those are conversations that I do or do not have with him that should stay between him and I.”

Just last week, after their breakdown on the road versus the Bills, Kiffin stated, “I’m going to kind of put it this way: Until I am told by Al Davis that I’m not the head coach here anymore, we’re going to keep plugging away the same way we have been. So I have not been told by Al Davis that I am not the head coach. Until he tells me directly, we’ll keep plugging away.”

With the rocky relationship in the front office and back-to-back weeks of heartbreaking play at the end of games, if any moves were to be made, they should come now.

It is apparent that the working rapport between coach and owner has been disintegrated.

The team has played admirably during this mess, but with the obvious change looming, why string out this soap opera any longer?

Why keep the team in limbo not knowing the fate of their coach from week-to-week, especially when all signs are showing that he won’t be here to see another season.

But with the Raiders again facing another losing season, and the team not being able to finish games, who is to blame for this year’s mess?

Kiffin can be critiqued for keeping the offense under wraps, the play calling that has no creativity and a team that looks nothing like the powerhouse he boasted about bringing to the Raiders during his introductory press conference.

JaMarcus Russell is still developing, but he has shown signs of being able to handle more than what the coach is presenting on his plate. They drafted Darren McFadden because of his explosiveness and versatility, but we have yet seen what the rookie can do minus one huge rushing effort in Kansas City partly due to the lack of imagination of those handling the offense. And who would’ve thought prior to the year starting that Johnnie Lee Higgins would be one of the team’s game altering talents?

Javon Walker has been non-existent, Ronald Curry looks nothing like the dependable target has shown to be in the past and Zach Miller, who could be the Raiders best offensive talent can’t be showcased due to the double teams he faces and the need to have him on the edge blocking.

The defense has also contributed to the tough start.

Rob Ryan was toyed with by Mike Shanahan in the first game, before altering his game plan when they faced the Chiefs, demonstrating more aggressiveness which helped the Raiders lock down a mediocre offensive club, but one who has a rusher that has mauled them in the past.

What has been troubling in second half performances for the defense are the blown leads, not being able to react to the opponents adjustments accordingly and the inability to close out games with big plays or stands.

So much blame to go around in only four games.

And now they enter the bye week with a coach still in limbo on a team that obviously has a lot of talent, many young players that need to develop which will influence their future and a disgruntled fan base that is sick of losing.

The owner burns for another winning season. But at this rate, is this situation salvageable?

Even if he promotes Ryan, or other rumored candidates such as James Lofton or surprise entrant, and current consultant Paul Hackett, will it be enough to keep the ship headed in the right direction?

The Raiders are fighting in these games. But internally, the body blows and battles that are occurring could wear down a team that is trying to learn how to win.

And at this point, with the team 1-4, missing out on opportunities to make a splash this season due to a tough start, more dissention and changes, even though it may appear that it will settle what has happened behind the scenes, may not be enough to patch up the leak this ship has.