National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Oakland Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable was named the team’s official head coach today (he’ll be introduced at a presser tomorrow). Coach Cable went 4-8 after replacing Lane Kiffin last season, including winning his last two games against Houston and Tampa Bay. Apparently that was all the proof owner Al Davis needed to make his decision even though it comes over a month after those final victories and subsequent interviews with Kevin Gilbride (N.Y. Giants) and Winston Moss (Green Bay Packers).
This is not a surprise. I think keeping coach Cable is the only …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Apparently so desperate for a head coaching position is Jim Fassel, he resorted to sending a handwritten letter (nice touch) to Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis expressing his respect and admiration for Mr. Davis and his desire to obtain the worst job in the National Football League. Uggh. I can’t understand why anyone would want to put themselves through the torture of attempting to accomplish the seemingly impossible — which is making winners out of the modern day Oakland Raiders under 79-year-old owner Al Davis. If Coach Fassel is hired in 2009, he’ll be the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As anticipated, Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall was released by the team today. NFL.com reported “DeAngelo was practical, saying he understood and was not angry.” Of course he understands. My guess is he’s elated to get out of the black hole:
“This is a blessing. I have learned it’s not all about the money. I’ve learned now it’s more about the team. Ain’t all money good money. I took the bait. I went for the money and I didn’t research the situation. But I don’t think I would trade this for the world. Just to meet …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Former Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin had his chance to talk today. After Raiders owner Al Davis trashed his ex-head coach in front of the whole world during a lengthy presser yesterday, coach Kiffin was interviewed by Sirius NFL Radio today and refused to retaliate against Mr. Davis:
“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity and I’m not going to stoop to his level and start firing back. As crazy as it sounds, I felt bad for Al. I was embarrassed watching him up there. It was sad to see. But you have a real bad …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Oakland Raiders fired head coach Lane Kiffin today. That makes two head coach firings in two days as St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan was dismissed from his job yesterday. This marks the first time since at least 1970 that two head coaches have been fired before the fifth game of the season.
Coach Kiffin’s dismissal had been seriously rumored since the Raiders lost their season-opener to Denver. And unlike coach Linehan’s firing yesterday, this one wasn’t a friendly farewell. Raiders owner Al Davis not only brought the anticipated announcement in a presser today, …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Earlier today, FoxSports.com was reporting that Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin would be fired as early as today. Of course, these reports have been circulating since the Raiders’ Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos, so I took it with a grain of salt. And as it turns out, coach Kiffin was not fired today. And he was clearly agitated by the constant questions about being fired. In his Monday presser he said:
“Until I’m told by Al Davis that I’m not the head coach here anymore, we’re going to keep plugging away the same …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I wonder if Oakland Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden saved his head coach’s job today? As much as last week was tumultuous for Lane Kiffin and the Raiders after getting lambasted by the Denver Broncos, this week should be just the opposite. Darren exploded for 164 yards on just 21 carries (he also caught a pass for nine yards) and the heavily criticized Oakland defense held the Kansas City Chiefs to 190 total yards from scrimmage (and held Larry Johnson to 22 yards rushing) in a convincing 23-8 win.
Coach Kiffin and defensive coordinator …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
After being shredded by the Denver Broncos offense to the tune of 441 yards from scrimmage on Kickoff Weekend, Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin pretty much said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan runs the defense and consults with owner Al Davis on how to do the job. Apparently, Coach Kiffin has no say — which is kind of strange for a head coach. But Coach Ryan took full responsibility today and defended Mr. Davis:
“That’s all on me. I put the game plan in, I run the defense, and it’s all on me. I just want …read more