Silver and Black Report

The 60^th annual Senior Bowl will be played Saturday, January 30 at 4:00 pm ET at Mobile, Alabama.

More importantly, the practices begin January 25. And there is where hundreds of NFL coaches, personnel directors, scouts and many other staffers from professional clubs go to observe and evaluate potential draft picks and talent that will be available in the coming months.

In the past, Oakland Raider coaches have spearheaded the staffs in charge of the squads. Here is a list of those that donned Silver & Black that were at the helm of a sideline during the Senior Bowl:

2008 – Lane Kiffin

2005 – Norv Turner

1999 – Jon Gruden

1992 – Art Shell

What will be interesting is whether or not the Raiders will send a large contingent to Mobile for scouting?

One team – the New York Giants – have already reportedly decided not to send their coaches next week due to varying reasons such as the economy, the new stadium and pending labor situation states the NJ Star Ledger. But I guess that is not a crippling thing, since they didn’t either two years ago right before their Super Bowl winning season.

Oakland still has a staff in place, and Tom Cable is technically still the coach of the Raiders.

Al Davis has not announced his fate, but at this point, isn’t safe to say that Cable is still the head coach until further notice? If there’s even a need to make that publicly.

Mike Waufle has been hired, Hue Jackson has been bantered about and Cable is still on board.

With the Senior Bowl work-outs around the corner, maybe things will become clearer over the next couple of days.

Oakland Raiders starting linebacker Kirk Morrison was on 1090 am sports radio in San Diego today with host Darren Smith and he talked about various topics.

Morrison briefly talked about how plays John Madden football on XBOX live and the host jokingly asked about JaMarcus Russell’s rating on the game. “I haven’t looked at that yet,” Morrison answered. He continued, “I run Wildcat.”

On the coaching situation with the Raiders:

I can’t worry about what happens within, who you bring in as coach or, what happens to the coach. Only thing I can control is my play on the football field.

On his pending free-agency:

Time is going to tell.

I’ve spent a lot of good time in Oakland. I played my heart out for that football team.

This is the NFL. This is a business. And people don’t see that side of it.

On Sebastian Janikowski:

I have to give my guy props too – Sebastian Janikowski. Who I felt should be in the Pro Bowl.

He’s just automatic.

On Lane Kiffin’s move to USC and his time with the Silver & Black:

No, it wasn’t a surprise at all. People are getting mad at Lane for what he did. I don’t fault the guy at all. At all.

We were a team that was rising. I think we started off 2-2 – his first year. And then we just kind of, went on a little slide. But we were still getting to learn Lane Kiffin. And then before you know it, a couple of games in, you know, he was let go.

Wherever he’s been, he’s brought an attitude, he’s brought a confidence, he’s brought a swagger and he just hasn’t had, let his plan fall all the way through.

Javon Walker has been subpoenaed to testfy in the trial of the alleged killer of former teammate Darrent Williams.

Oakland’s receiver will most likely testify in the trial of Willie Clark, who is the suspect that allegedly shot Williams after a nightclub altercation on New Year’s Day 2007.

Walker and Williams were members of the Denver Broncos and the wide receiver was next to Williams in a limousine that was showered by gunfire.

Jury selection for the trial will begin in February. Clark, 26,  is charged with first-degree murder, but has denied firing any shots on that evening.

Walker told HBO’s “Real Sports” he was haunted by that event and still had objects from that frightful evening in an interview August 2007.

“I still have those clothes,” Walker replied.

When asked about the clothing, he said, “It’s just something that reminds me every day of what could happen and this is what happened to my friend. And this is like … what’s left of him is on my clothes.”

Walker signed with the Raiders in March of 2008. The six-year $55 million contract that included more than $16 million in guarantees will go down as one of the biggest free-agent bust signings for the organization.

He then restructured in March of 2009, saving the Raiders a reported $22 million. “We are very happy Javon agreed to restructure his contract and be a part of what we’re building here,” senior executive John Herrera said. “This shows his loyalty and commitment to being a member of the Oakland Raiders and we’re excited about that.”

The executive continued: “The guy can play, he’s proven that before. He was injured last year and didn’t get the chance to show what he can do. This gives him that opportunity.”

But Walker was a non-factor this season and was exiled on the inactive list all year, seemingly in the owner’s doghouse.

Walker stated in September of 2009, “I’m more than healthy enough.”

“I’m just going with the flow.”

Walker miffed the Raiders when he had a procedure done on his right knee that was a surprise to them during their camps. “We just found out about it,” Tom Cable said back in May. “Yeah, it is a little bit uncommon but we’re aware of it now and it was probably the right thing to do and get it cleaned up.”

It is expected that both parties will end their relationship with each other this off-season.

Oakland has a group of young players they like at wide receiver and at this point, there is no need to continue to keep a disenchanted bust on the roster that is ready to move on.

“That’s a done issue,” Walker commented in 2008 after reports circulated about the Raiders talking him out of retirement. “I’m not really sure what happened but that’s a done issue. That’s something that obviously people hear stuff. I’m here practicing, waiting, and [I] obviously can’t wait till the season starts.

“I’m in a great frame of mind. Why wouldn’t I [be]? I’m with a new team, a great bunch of guys. I’m looking forward to getting this season on the road and actually looking forward to going into next week and try to put everything together as a team and as an offense.”

That was just one incident after being called out by former coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape and after he was reportedly abducted, beaten and robbed in Las Vegas. Walker was found on the side of a street with facial injuries after he was robbed for thousands of dollars worth of money and jewelry.

Since Jon Gruden compiled a 40-28 record with the Oakland Raiders, the revolving door at head coach for the Silver & Black has been kept busy with constant change. SBReport will take a look back at the dreadful track record along the sidelines since his trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Bill Callahan (2002-2003)

He became just the fourth rookie head coach in league history to lead a team to a Super Bowl in his first year with the Raiders. A 15-17 overall record in two-seasons was unbalanced toward the loss column when Oakland piled up 12-defeats in 2003. What started as a joyous time for Callahan, ended with misery when his own team openly stated their dislike towards him. “I don’t think he was happy there, and I don’t think everybody was happy with him,” said Callahan’s starting left guard Frank Middleton at the time. “I felt like something had to be done, either with the players or with the coach.

“We’ve had that before on great teams”, commented Davis about locker room distractions during the 2003 season. “The thing with the coach [Callahan], and the players, that’s something that I don’t think we’ve ever had here, really to the extent that it went this year”.

His demise was a post-game rant in which he critiqued his team for being dumb.

“We’ve got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game!” Callahan yelled to reporters. “I’m highly critical because of the way we give games away — we give ‘em away! Period. It’s embarrassing, and I represent that. And I apologize for that. If that’s the best we can do, it’s a sad product.”

Norv Turner (2004-2005)

Turner tallied a 9-23 record during his two-year stint. Al Davis fired him with a year remaining on his three-year deal worth about $1.75 million. “I belong here,” stated Turner, upon his arrival. “When I got off the plane the other night, I felt like I was coming home. I feel like I’m home now.”

Oakland traded for Randy Moss and inked LaMont Jordan during his stay. But the crafty offensive mind was not able to ignite the offense for prolonged periods and his one-win against divisional rivals was his downfall. “I just thought it was the right fit,” said Davis, when he hired Turner. “Everything that we need at this particular time, we will rely on Norv to help us with.”

Players sympathized with Turner, as they knew the burden of all the losses and the misery during his tenure should be blamed on all involved. “I think he did what he could,” then starting linebacker Danny Clark stated. “Ultimately, everybody involved didn’t get it done. Unfortunately, this is a production-based business and if you’re not winning the weight falls on someone.”

Oakland at that time was the last of seven teams to fill their coaching vacancy when they inked Turner.

Art Shell (2006)

Oakland only managed two-wins in Shell’s second tenure. Again the Raiders were the last team to fill their coaching void that off-season, when they hired Shell,  after a search that included the courting of Ken Whisenhunt – who decided to remain on Pittsburgh’s staff – and offers to Bobby Petrino who stated he was flattered but wanted to remain in Louisville.

Raider quarterbacks were sacked 72-times that season, as Shell along with Jackie Slater and Irv Eatman attempted to work with the offensive line.

Shell’s feud with Jerry Porter made headlines, his handling of Randy Moss was atrocious and the offense was miserable (fewest points in team history – 168), while the defense played admirably under Rob Ryan.

“Everybody has a way of doing things. The Raiders have a way of doing things. We’re about winning. And we will win,” Shell said at introductory press conference.

Lane Kiffin (2007-2008)

During his 20-game tenure, Kiffin went 5-15. The then 31-year old was the youngest coach in Oakland’s history. Davis chanted to those loyal to his club when introducing Kiffin, “To the Raider fans, players, to the Raider nation, to the organization, that bleed and give their loyalty and skill to the organization…we will come back, and Lane Kiffin will lead us back!”

But a rocky relationship behind the scenes that included Kiffin’s reluctance to draft JaMarcus Russell and the notion that he wanted out and attempted to do so through insubordinate acts marred the marriage.

“I just couldn’t go on much longer with what I would call, propaganda, the lying that had been going on for weeks, and months, and a year, and time. And he had a few questions, he says ‘does that mean I don’t get paid’, I said that’s what I’m saying to you”, Davis said during a memorable press conference.

Kiffin was fired via phone reportedly and the official Raiders web site acknowledge the happening at the time, “Lane Kiffin has been released as head coach of the Oakland Raiders for cause.”

Per Davis, Kiffin complained, as he stated, “[Kiffin] complained he didn’t have this, and didn’t have that.” Remarks that peeved Davis which he in turn he stated to Kiffin, “If you don’t think you can win resign,” per the owner’s remarks in the almost 50-minute session which included an over-head projector.

Tom Cable (2008-current)

Cable joined the Raiders as an offensive line coach in 2007 and was the interim coach when Kiffin was dismissed.

He ended the 2008 campaign with back-to-back wins and all the players lobbied for his hiring. “I want to be the head coach of the Raiders, but it’s not in my hands. But I certainly know I put this team together and got it going in the right direction, and today proved that,” commented Cable after the win to knock Tampa Bay out of the playoffs.

But a tumultuous off the field in 2009 that included an alleged attack on Randy Hanson (Cable was cleared and no charges were pressed by the Napa police) and a story that aired on ESPN which exposed his history of violent behavior could be some of his downfalls this off-season.

Russell’s lack of development and Davis’ insistence that his quarterback is still a part of the team’s future could also lead to Cable’s demise.

Cable did surprise many by keeping his team competitive, pulling out solid victories against the Steelers, Bengals and Broncos in the second half of the season and giving this team some semblance of order after the Kiffin fiasco.

His record as coach: 9-19 and the extension of a NFL worst seven straight seasons with 11 or more losses in a campaign.

What did Davis say in hiring Cable back in February 2009:

Just listen to him. Just the fact what he did with the team at the end.

His excellence with the offensive line was never in doubt. He always did well with them.

He’s good, he really is. He really loves football; he has a passion for the goddamn thing.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS DURING THAT SPAN

“No coach has been hired. There will be a time period before a coach is hired,” stated Davis in January of 2004 when it was rumored that Sean Payton – then Dallas Cowboys assistant – could be a candidate to be the next Raiders coach. “Were this got started, was an assumption and it just carried. It seems like everything carries today, very, very quickly.”

“We have a coach with a very big ego, you know what I mean? He’s not listening to those veterans. And that’s what’s sad about it. When you get to a point, I think, in your life where you can’t listen to guys with the experience that we have on our offense, then I think there’s something very wrong”, Charles Woodson stated about Callahan early in the 2003 season, foreshadowing a lot of what would go wrong that season.

“I expect a whole lot out of myself,” Shell said as the 2006 season wound down. “I expected a whole lot out of this team. And when we don’t meet or come close to those expectations, then it’s disappointing.”

“I’m going for this job 100 percent,” stated Steve Sarkisian back in January of 2007. “I’m solely focused on this job with the Oakland Raiders.” He appeared to be the prohibitive favorite before bowing out. “The Oakland Raiders were not ready to offer the position and wanted to wait until after the weekend as the organization is still doing its due diligence,” the organization said in a press release prior to settling on Kiffin. “I thank them for their interest in me,” Sarkisian then commented. “While the job was never offered to me, at this time in my career, I’ve told them I want to stay at USC. I strongly believe that the Raiders’ job is a great opportunity for whomever their next head coach is going to be.”

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable denied reports that he punched assistant Randy Hanson in the jaw, which caused injuries that required a visit to the hospital.

According to other web sites, Cable hit Hanson on August 5 for unknown reasons. Then, a report filed with the Napa Police Department stated that a 41-year old coach was treated at the Queen of the Valley Hospital for an injury that was given to him by a member of the Oakland coaching staff.

Cable stated last night. “It’s an internal issue that we are dealing with, and that’s all I’m going to say. He continued, “I’m not going to comment on that.”

On Monday, at the beginning of the practice session, a few players began to hymn “Cable, bumaye, Cable, bumaye”, referencing the crowd chants in the 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

“I don’t even know what they were saying,” star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha stated. “I think there’s still some guys who don’t even know. I found out as I was coming out on the field. Guys were finding out here and there. It wasn’t like a big announcement, so the reaction wasn’t like a collective reaction. People were like, ‘What’s going on?’ — trying to find out, but no one really knew.”

In just a year, Hanson has made a name for himself with the Raiders. Last season, then head coach Lane Kiffin suspended Hanson for what amounted to five days, including their game in Kansas City.

“Randy had some personal issues going on,” Kiffin said Sept. 17 of last year when questioned if the defensive coach had been suspended. “Randy still did some work for us, but he spent some time at home to get some things straight in his personal life.”

Hanson appears to be a very boisterous coach. Critiquing the team’s effort after their loss to Denver in 2008 and now, reportedly, speaking unfavorably about a current Raider staffer, which may have facilitated the incident that led to his injury.

It will be interesting to see if the NFL takes action on Cable if there is any wrongdoing on his part. If so, the head coach is subject to the league’s Personal Conduct Policy and could face some sanctions.

As crazy as this story may sound, in my opinion, it’s a non-issue and just another chapter in the bizarre world of the Oakland Raiders.

No one is condoning an assault on another person.

But those that are ranting for Cable’s head and that are appalled by the happenings in Oakland should realize that this is an organization that built a reputation of being outlaws, renegades and their players made night’s their playground for debauchery and any thing that could be considered immoral by many.

If you are a Raider fan now, that was not around to see the teams of the 1970s and 1980s, and cannot accept the fact that ‘strange’ things happen within this organization, then get over yourself.

Many players then, that this organization built their legacy on would have never sat around eating crackers and drinking tea with you and your friends during your sewing circles. And none will now.

Granted they were winning titles and dominating football then. And a coach taking such a heinous act on another staffer was never ‘the Raider way’, nor it shall be accepted.

But it is what it is and when coaches are under a microscope and news is disseminated at a furious pace, situations like this occur.

I’m sure many coaches argue with other players and staffers. And behind closed doors, we may never hear about the confrontations that may be legendary within inner circles.

This cat was out of the bag…

And now the team that has built much of their history on renegade acts and ghoulish behavior on and off the field has another story to tell.

I for one don’t think this will influence one way or another where this 2009 version of the Raiders is headed.

But it really makes for some interesting banter. And NO; this is not the end of the world for a team that has far more important matters on the field to deal with.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

It seems like the never-ending saga of Lane Kiffin and his relationship with Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis takes turns for the worse instead of fading away.

On Friday night, the now head-coach at the University of Tennessee fired back at Davis after a letter sent to the program by the Raiders became public. Per a report on ESPN, Kiffin will give a deposition next week for the grievance he filed against the Silver & Black in which he will seek two months of pay for the time he was unemployed before being hired at Tennessee.

“Starting with Al Davis’ nationally televised press conference publicizing the firing the head coach Lane Kiffin last fall, the Raiders have continued to attack coach Kiffin in the media,” Kiffin’s lawyer, Alan Loewinsohn said in a statement. “That assault continued today, long after he left the Raiders, when the Raiders issued a statement and ‘leaked’ a letter, a letter they wrote months ago to coach Kiffin’s new employer, the University of Tennessee, in which the Raiders again attacked coach Kiffin’s character.

“Starting next Tuesday at a hotel in Oakland, the Raiders will no longer be able to rely on unsupported allegations made in the media, as a key Raiders personnel, starting with Al Davis, will finally have to answer questions under oath at their depositions, a process that coach Kiffin is confident will demonstrate that he was fired by the Raiders without cause and show that the continuing assault of allegations being made against him are false.”

Kiffin was terminated in September by the Raiders, and during a press conference in which Davis detailed Kiffin’s reluctance to draft JaMarcus Russell, the rocky relationship between himself and the former USC staffer and the notion that he wanted out and attempted to do so through insubordinate acts, the seeds of contempt on both sides were planted and in full bloom which has led to continued unnecessary jabbing.

In September, Davis stated during a press conference, “I just couldn’t go on much longer with what I would call, propaganda, the lying that had been going on for weeks, and months, and a year, and time. And he had a few questions, he says ‘does that mean I don’t get paid’, I said that’s what I’m saying to you”

He later continued, “It was after a short period of time that I realized I didn’t hire the person I thought I was hiring.”

The Raiders will have a full round of ammunition when they battle Kiffin and one-complaint will be how Kiffin violated the league constitution, which was amended in March 2008 to require coaches to communicate with, respect and not embarrass ownership.

Davis continued his candor in February when he talked about the former coach’s reluctance to go younger with the roster stating, “[Kiffin] wouldn’t do it. Yeah, he wouldn’t do it. That’s why he got fired.”

He continued, “I tried to reason with the guy [Kiffin]. I thought we could get something out of him. And I wanted to push it through to see if I could push it through. I guess it was my stubbornness too. But he was bad, He was a liar – flat out. Which I told you. I’m never broken away from it. They know it. The players know it.”

Davis has not let up with his bashing of Kiffin in the media. It has gotten ugly. How much uglier can it get though? With Davis making statements like, “All he wanted to do is get out of here and get his money,” back in February, we can only sit back, grab some popcorn and let the drama unfold. 

 

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

SBReport.net was in attendance when Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis opened up to talk about varying topics at the team’s facility in Alameda. Here are some quotes from the session:

Davis talking about the team going younger:

[Kiffin] wouldn’t do it. Yeah, he wouldn’t do it. That’s why he got fired.

Tom [Cable] tried to start breaking it in. But there was resistance from certain assistants, and their not here.

The idea was to go young, because we were young.

Someone the other day said we had to go get a receiver. We should’ve drafted Calvin Johnson instead of JaMarcus Russell. He continued, “But their record was 0-16 last year with Calvin Johnson.”

Then [someone said] we should’ve drafted Larry Fitzgerald. But the year we didn’t draft Fitzgerald, we drafted a guy that was considered the best offensive lineman in the draft. We had as I said, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Jerry Porter; who everyone had thought had greatness in his future.

What kind of effort you made in trying to keep Rob Ryan around?

I like Rob Ryan a lot, but it was time to make a change.

It was time for him to move on.

What about Brian Schneider (special teams coach)?

Well, Brian did well. John Fassel did real well and you have to remember, one of the things that hurt us on special teams for a short period in the middle of the season was when we lost probably the best special teamer we’ve had in a long while [Tyvon] Branch.

We were good on returns, no question about it. But [the opponents returns], against us, we were not great.

[Schneider] wanted to go, and young Fassell is a young talent that we think is pretty good.

On Tom Rathman

The only coach that left, that really we probably would’ve kept at his position was Tom Rathman. And he wanted to go over there, we understood that, that’s where his history was made…

Whether Davis’ old offense works in this new era of football:

They certainly don’t say it now.

When we started 2000, 2001, 2002; I thought we had chance to run this decade. We didn’t do it. It slipped away from us. And we became mediocre.

In every decade, as I told you before, in every decade that started since the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, we’ve played in the championship game at the start of the decade. And the vertical game, you got to throw the ball deep. There’s no one around who can win without doing it, Whether it will be Arizona, or Pittsburgh.

If a coaching change at the start of the 2008 season would’ve made a difference:

I tried to reason with the guy [Kiffin]. I thought we could get something out of him. And I wanted to push it through to see if I could push it through. I guess it was my stubbornness too. But he was bad, He was a liar – flat out. Which I told you. I’m never broken away from it. They know it. The players know it.

All he wanted to do is get out of here and get his money.

Greatest needs in terms of player personnel:

We’ll let you know in a little while. I’m interested to hear how they evaluate our players and what they think of them.

We have a general idea; we’ve got a tough problem with Nnamdi [Asomugha] and [Shane] Lecher. That’s a tough problem. Both are un-signed and we only have one franchise [tag].

On hiring Cable, finally deciding on him:

Just listen to him. Just the fact what he did with the team at the end.

His excellence with the offensive line was never in doubt. He always did well with them.

He’s good, he really is. He really loves football; he has a passion for the goddamn thing.

On Mario Henderson:

We took a left tackle and didn’t play him the whole season because he was my pick. And then when he got in the goddamn game, in the couple games he played– he dominated the game.

On the stadium situation:

I like this stadium right here, I like this location right here.

Sharing a stadium:

I would have to think about that.

Can the Raiders succeed with the current stadium lease and revenue generated:

It’s very difficult. Yeah, it’s very difficult. Succeed? Yeah, it’s very difficult. Because when you talk to me about free agency and things like that, off-course its difficult. It’s ridiculous not to say. You have to have the finances to compete with other teams.

I’m not used to building stadiums.

Do you expect a playoff run next year?

No.

I do like to win Super Bowls, but I’m also realistic. We can win the division. But winning Super Bowls – No. I don’t think this team is ready to win a Super Bowl. We may be a year away from putting a good group together.

On Paul Hackett:

Number two [JaMarcus Russell] – that is a formidable thing. I really think Hackett can handle him. I really feel good about that.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

We all have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Of course, with the Raiders sitting at 3-8 in Year Six of their ongoing slump, the Silver & Black may not be one of them.

But even in Oakland, there are things we can all be glad are taking place, and things we can look forward to enjoying in the near future.

So as we all prepare to sit down with our friends and family over turkey and stuffing and share love and laughter, let me share some of the things in Raiderland that will make me smile when I think of them.
Read more…

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Alameda regarding Lane Kiffin’s departure and the happenings around the organization during the young coach’s era.

A livid Davis spoke about Kiffin’s reluctance to draft JaMarcus Russell, the rocky relationship between himself and the former USC staffer and the notion that he wanted out and attempted to do so through insubordinate acts among other hot topics that surrounded both parties since the Raider owner hired him in January of 2007.

“I just couldn’t go on much longer with what I would call, propaganda, the lying that had been going on for weeks, and months, and a year, and time. And he had a few questions, he says ‘does that mean I don’t get paid’, I said that’s what I’m saying to you”, Davis said of his conversation with Kiffin early on Tuesday.

Kiffin was fired this morning via phone, without pay, and the Raiders official site acknowledge the transaction with a one-sentence release stating, “Lane Kiffin has been released as head coach of the Oakland Raiders for cause.”

Davis himself commented during the conference, “This morning I called Lane, and told him he was no longer the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.”

During his 20-game tenure, Kiffin went 5-15, but the team did show signs of improvement since his arrival with the change in roster, influx of young talent and just as recent as this off-season, the big money spent by Davis to bring in big name talents.

In 6-seasons, the Raiders have gone through four coaches with the team compiling a .238 winning percentage during that span. And when Davis hired the then 31-year old, it appeared that the Raiders had an innovative coach that would work hand-in-hand with the passionate owner. Davis stated, “I knew it was a bold attempt – calculated. But I always had great success, or at least I thought I did, with young people.”

He continued, “It was after a short period of time that I realized I didn’t hire the person I thought I was hiring.”

Davis also accused Kiffin of lying to the press about several incidents. “I wasn’t going to do this, but I am going to, give you the letter that was giving to Lane on the Friday before to going to Kansas City.”

The letter, which was recited by Davis started:

Over the past months you have made a number of public statements that were highly critical and designed to embarrass and discredit the organization its players and coaches. I left you alone during training camp, the implication when you were doing these things, in the hopes you would cease your immature and destructive campaign. I wanted to make this work.

During the reading of the note, Davis echoed this statement that was relayed to Kiffin, “Your actions are those of a coach looking to make excuses for not winning, rather than of a coach focused on winning. “

Davis detailed many aspects of the bad marriage stating that Kiffin was not warm on the idea of drafting JaMarcus Russell. Davis, while reading the note stated to Kiffin, “I realized that you did not want to draft JaMarcus Russell. He is a great player. Get over it.”

He continued, “That was the battle at the draft. He didn’t think we should draft JaMarcus. He had other ideas.”

Another situation that irked Davis was Kiffin’s insistence of purging the roster of Randy Moss, who was traded for a 4th round draft choice. Moss compiled 23 touchdowns last year, while the Raiders drafted John Bowie, a player who recorded 1 tackle in his rookie season and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2008 campaign.

Davis also declared his wanting to treat long time Raiders with more regard, something he claimed Kiffin did not do, citing Zack Crockett’s release in 2007 and how he felt players that have helped the Raiders win in the past should be treated differently. “I didn’t like his attitude towards people….”

Something Kiffin possibly wanted to change due to the fact that the team has been mired in poor football and the need for a change in direction.

Kiffin complained to Davis per the owner, as he stated, “[Kiffin] complained he didn’t have this, and didn’t have that.” Remarks that peeved Davis which he in turn he stated to Kiffin, “If you don’t think you can win resign,” per his remarks in the press conference.

In one of the most riveting events in Raiders history, the owner covered almost every topic in detail and showed emotion when talking about the end of the relationship with Kiffin.

The almost 50 minute session was stopped for an intermission before followed by the introduction of the new head coach of the Raiders, offensive line coach Tom Cable.

The Oakland Raiders have finally done what everyone has expected for several weeks and fired head coach Lane Kiffin.

The team issued a one-sentence statement that reads:

Lane Kiffin has been released as head coach of The Oakland Raiders for cause.

Kiffin had a record of 5-15 in two-plus seasons as head coach, including 1-3 thus far in 2008.

ESPN is reporting offensive line coach Tom Cable may be in line for the interim head coaching job, along with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and scout Paul Hackett. Earlier this season, S&B Report sources said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was the favorite to take over when Kiffin was dismissed.

The only previous time Al Davis fired a head coach in-season, Mike Shanahan was dismissed with the same 1-3 mark in 1989. Offensive line coach Art Shell replaced him and led the Raiders to a 7-5 record the rest of the season.