Lane Kiffin: Trying to get Fired?

[kmonty]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders...241?source=rss

KIFFIN'S mission
By Cam Inman
staff
Article Last Updated: 08/17/2008 06:57:11 PM PDT

ALAMEDA

RAIDERS COACH LANE Kiffin's piercing quotes over the past month — including Sunday's latest installment — suggest he's begging to get fired.

So, is he?

"I'm trying to win," Kiffin responded Sunday.

Win what, exactly? Games, or his own freedom?

Probably both. But he's here now, so he's taking a daring route to shake up a franchise that's gone an atrocious 19-61 since a 2002 run to the Super Bowl, including a 4-12 mark last season in Kiffin's debut as Raiders coach.

It's not just that he's repeatedly critiquing his team and its high-priced players. Several comments are not-so-veiled taunts toward his boss, managing general partner Al Davis.

Kiffin insists he's become outspoken because "the other way hasn't worked around here for the last five years."

The latest salvo came Sunday. Kiffin again took dead aim at the roster Davis has crafted, one that features "borderline guys" who'd make the cut "because we don't have anybody else."

"You've got to be willing to release 'em and live with it, and pick other people up for more competition," Kiffin said.

This isn't the first time Kiffin has reminded everyone he is not responsible for this roster, or specifically, the ridicule that followed this offseason's spending spree. (Memo to Al: Your next trick should be to sign gold-medal sprinter Usain Bolt for that poor receiving
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corps.)

Because Davis has so many other coaches on standby to replace Kiffin, it bears watching just how far Kiffin can take this, how many blunt assessments he can give before Davis has had enough.

All this shouldn't be too surprising, considering the bizarre standoff seven months ago when reports surfaced of Davis demanding Kiffin's resignation.

But this is surprising, that someone in Kiffin's position, a 33-year-old NFL neophyte, would have the guts — or gall — to openly rip any aspect of a franchise so often cloaked in confidentiality, a franchise in which Davis demands loyalty and so often gets it.

"I don't know another way to do it," Kiffin said of his outspoken nature.

He's determined to do this (to go out?) his way, to speak his piece and control what he can control, which includes, (a) his vocabulary, (b) his opinions and (c) his trusty visor.

Even if his quotes indeed are meant to sway the franchise's direction, they double as what can be viewed as a nifty exit strategy: Tick off Davis, alert others that you're not to blame for this roster, get fired (and paid to sit out the season) and go coach elsewhere.

Kiffin's key quotes, thus far:

# Day 1 of training camp: "When you take this job you realize who the owner is and you realize most guys don't last really long, so that is what it is." (He added that he and Davis have a "working relationship" and a shared desire to win.)

# Day 3 of camp: After praising defensive lineman Tommy Kelly's potential, Kiffin noted: "He's got a lot to prove now with that contract."

# Last Monday, Aug. 11: Disappointed by the team's depth, Kiffin said: "It's been a situation that, unfortunately, we haven't brought guys in. I control what I can control. We come out every day and get our guys as good as we can. I'm pleased with the top of our roster, but we need to add to the bottom of our roster. We need more competition."

# Friday night, after losing at Tennessee: In terms of who might supplant punt returner Johnnie Lee Higgins, Kiffin said: "I really don't have anybody to look at, that's the problem. There isn't anybody there that's very dynamic with the ball."

# Saturday media conference call: Rightfully irked by wide receiver Javon Walker missing two catch-able passes Friday, Kiffin said: "... That's discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."

If Kiffin is simply looking to get outta here, here's how to take that exit strategy up another notch:

# Monday: Praise Mike Shanahan.

# Tuesday: Praise Marcus Allen.

# Wednesday: Praise Pete Rozelle.

As for those blunt (and entertaining) quotes he has said the past month, they indeed are a true assessment of the Raiders' plight. Should that cost him his job? No.

But if Kiffin keeps this up, and if the Raiders start losing games, Davis surely will have something to say, too.

[Paladin]

He's a damm fine coach.....

[elsid13]

I love Oakland. It make me laugh.

[Dagmar]

I hate the Faiders but Kiffin amuses me.

[watermock]

Pitifull, Didn't anyone know that Walker was damaged goods with a broken will even BEFORE he got rolled in Vegas?

[Broncosfreak_56]

# Saturday media conference call: Rightfully irked by wide receiver Javon Walker missing two catch-able passes Friday, Kiffin said: "... That's discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."

[Bronx33]

He want's out from under crazy ALs thumb just like every other coach that took the job.

[Goobzilla]

Here's to Al living another hundred years. Rock on you crazy bastard!

PS Kiffin will be fired before the end of the season, try to look surprised.

[Killericon]

If he gets fired, bring him in to work with our offense. I like the guy.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by kmonty

(Memo to Al: Your next trick should be to sign gold-medal sprinter Usain Bolt for that poor receiving corps.)

Actually...the Raiders pretty much tried to do this in the early 90s with James Jett and the Rocket etc.

I like Kiffin. I think he did pretty well for them last year despite their record they were alot more competitive. They beat us down in OAK and pretty much had us on the ropes at the end in DEN. Hopefully Al brings in another incompetent crony like Art Shell, again.

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by Rusty Shackleford

I hate the Faiders but Kiffin amuses me.

i wouldnt mind to see him brought on to Denver's staff when he is inevitably let go.

Shanny would like a young offensive mind like his.

[spdirty]

wow...I kind of like him.

[Bronx33]

The latest salvo came Sunday. Kiffin again took dead aim at the roster Davis has crafted, one that features "borderline guys" who'd make the cut "because we don't have anybody else."

That right there says crazy AL still has his boney fingers on decisions that should be up to the coach and only the coach the guy just can't help himself AL is the raiders worse enemy IMO.

[Meck77]

The raiders should be demoted to the Arena league until they can get on their feet.

[cambrad8085]

Snatch him up immediately after he gets fired.

[DenverBrit]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

He want's out from under crazy ALs thumb just like every other coach that took the job.

Kiffin had that "I'm so screwed" look from the beginning.

[bpinna]

Kiffin will get a head coaching spot. He's done a great job and there are a lot of owners who will hire him just to piss Davis off.

[Kaylore]

Kiffin knows the crap Davis brought in is just that: crap. Walker has yet to catch a pass and the other guys are garbage. People criticize the guys we brought in, but it's not like we dumped 30 mil on each one. Dwayne Robertson could potentially cost nothing. Jackson signed for the minimum. Same with Stokely before his extension.

Al Davis is the reason that franchise is the way it is and yet for some reason the Fade fans don't just not mind, but they love him and thinks he's actually doing a good job.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by kmonty

# Monday: Praise Mike Shanahan.

# Tuesday: Al Davis says, "Pack your **** and get the **** out of here. You're Fired!"

[Fedaykin]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan4ever

# Tuesday: Al Davis says, "Pack your **** and get the **** out of here. You're Fired!"

More like

# Monday (9:00) Kiffin: Praise Shanahan
# Monday (9:01) Al Davis: GTFO! (calls armed security personnel)

[enjolras]

I hope they get rid of him, he's way to classy for that organization. That and there is nothing more amusing than a Fader head-coach hunt. Maybe they can break the record and go through 10 candidates before they find one willing to say 'yes'.

[Atlas]

After he is fired Shanny should bring him in on his staff!! Besides Shanny wouldn't have to pay him much since he is still getting paid by the Raiders.

[Raidersbane]

The Oakland Raiders are not really a football team anymore but rather a new and unique carnival act where instead of folks paying to view the freakshow it is the freaks rather that pay to come and take a gander at Big Al's three ring circus....(Que the calliope music...)

[FireFly]

I think he's really good value. I would love to see him on our staff, even as an eventual successor if it ever gets to that point for whatever reason. I'd appreciate his candor and honesty rather than the same tired old company line.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by Fedaykin

More like

# Monday (9:00) Kiffin: Praise Shanahan
# Monday (9:01) Al Davis: GTFO! (calls armed security personnel)

Or knowing the Cryptkeepers aging and deteriorating state of mind, he calls Shannahan to fire him thinking it is still the late 80's and he is still the Raiders head coach.