Kiffin says He is Not on The Outs W/ Raiders - The Postgame Pub

Raider1one · 04-01-2008, 10:28 AM

from espn.com

After a few warmup questions, Lane Kiffin was asked to describe working for Al Davis. The Oakland Raiders coach paused.

Kiffin

"I need a sip of water," he said, chuckling.
Kiffin has widely been reported as being on the outs with the Raiders' longtime owner and uninvolved in the many personnel decisions the team made this offseason. But the way Kiffin explained those moves Tuesday, from the re-signing of running back Justin Fargas to the additions of free agents Javon Walker, John Wade and Gibril Wilson and the trade for cornerback DeAngelo Hall, it seemed clear the coach was a major part of the transactions.
"It's very unique," Kiffin said of coaching for Davis. "He's an owner who is very hands-on, prides himself on his knowledge of football.
"It's not the easiest job. I know people have left because of that. Al is very demanding. At the same time, he is someone who has done a lot of things in this league -- coach, [AFL] commissioner, owner -- and has a lot of knowledge."
Only when discussing the retention of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan did Kiffin emphasize Davis' decision-making role.
"At the end of the season, Rob and I had a meeting and Rob felt it was in his best interest to go somewhere else," Kiffin said. "I met with the owner and expressed that with Al, we talked about a lot of things and a lot of different scenarios that could come up, and Al decided to stay with Rob. Rob has one year left on his contract.
"I've always had a strong and very good relationship with Rob."
And his relationship with the only person who really counts on the Raiders? That can only improve if Oakland's record gets better.
"Nobody was happy with 4-12, but it was a very valuable year for me and our staff to learn more about the team and see what we had," Kiffin said. "All that information helps for the future."

Raider1one · 04-01-2008, 10:32 AM

from espn.com

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
In addition to talking extensively about his own situation for the first time this offseason, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin riffed about several topics this morning during his media breakfast session at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.:

No go on McFadden? Because of a surplus of running backs, including the newly re-signed Justin Fargas, Kiffin said the team likely won't pursue Arkansas star running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick. Kiffin said the team's biggest need is at the defensive line, where Virginia defensive end Chris Long (the son of Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long) and defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey of LSU and Sedrick Ellis of USC are possibilities.

"[McFadden] is a phenomenal player .... But we really don't have a big need at running back," Kiffin said.

Trade down? The Raiders don't have any second-, third- or fifth-round picks so Kiffin made it clear the team, which is still very much in the rebuilding phase, will look at the possibility of trading out of the No. 4 pick.

Teams such as Carolina, at No. 13, or Chicago, at No. 14, or Dallas, which has the No. 22 and No. 28 picks, could be attracted by Oakland's top pick.

"[Trading down] is something we're looking at," Kiffin said.

JaMarcus' weight: It had been reported that second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, whom Kiffin believes in the future of the franchise, has tipped the scales at 300-plus pounds this offseason. Not so, says Kiffin.

The coach wouldn't say how much his prized player weighs, but emphasized that Russell is in good shape. Kiffin said he is fine with Russell playing in the 275-pound range and if Russell trimmed down to 260 or so he wouldn't be as effective because of his body frame.

Revenge is on tap: When it was announced Monday that the Raiders will open the season by hosting Denver on Monday night, Kiffin went straight to the motivation well.

He said he text messaged new receiver Javon Walker, who of course, was signed by the Raiders last month to a lucrative deal days afar being dumped by Denver. Walker quickly texted his coach back.

"I'm not going to say what he [wrote]... but let's just say he is ready," Kiffin said.

Darius Ali · 04-01-2008, 11:09 AM

I read this on ESPN.com. Thank god we are not going after McFadden. I want either Long or Dorsey.

Raider1one · 04-01-2008, 05:20 PM

Dude i say get McFadden.. Our offense is offensive.. Our D is at least passable and will be better w/ D Hall At CB

04-01-2008, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Raider1one PGP PIMP Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WEST COAST Posts: 418 vCash: 2702 Donate Rep Power: 9	Kiffin says He is Not on The Outs W/ Raiders from espn.com After a few warmup questions, Lane Kiffin was asked to describe working for Al Davis. The Oakland Raiders coach paused. Kiffin "I need a sip of water," he said, chuckling. Kiffin has widely been reported as being on the outs with the Raiders' longtime owner and uninvolved in the many personnel decisions the team made this offseason. But the way Kiffin explained those moves Tuesday, from the re-signing of running back Justin Fargas to the additions of free agents Javon Walker, John Wade and Gibril Wilson and the trade for cornerback DeAngelo Hall, it seemed clear the coach was a major part of the transactions. "It's very unique," Kiffin said of coaching for Davis. "He's an owner who is very hands-on, prides himself on his knowledge of football. "It's not the easiest job. I know people have left because of that. Al is very demanding. At the same time, he is someone who has done a lot of things in this league -- coach, [AFL] commissioner, owner -- and has a lot of knowledge." Only when discussing the retention of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan did Kiffin emphasize Davis' decision-making role. "At the end of the season, Rob and I had a meeting and Rob felt it was in his best interest to go somewhere else," Kiffin said. "I met with the owner and expressed that with Al, we talked about a lot of things and a lot of different scenarios that could come up, and Al decided to stay with Rob. Rob has one year left on his contract. "I've always had a strong and very good relationship with Rob." And his relationship with the only person who really counts on the Raiders? That can only improve if Oakland's record gets better. "Nobody was happy with 4-12, but it was a very valuable year for me and our staff to learn more about the team and see what we had," Kiffin said. "All that information helps for the future."

04-01-2008, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Raider1one PGP PIMP Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WEST COAST Posts: 418 vCash: 2702 Donate Rep Power: 9	Re: Kiffin says He is Not on The Outs W/ Raiders from espn.com Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson In addition to talking extensively about his own situation for the first time this offseason, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin riffed about several topics this morning during his media breakfast session at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.: No go on McFadden? Because of a surplus of running backs, including the newly re-signed Justin Fargas, Kiffin said the team likely won't pursue Arkansas star running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick. Kiffin said the team's biggest need is at the defensive line, where Virginia defensive end Chris Long (the son of Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long) and defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey of LSU and Sedrick Ellis of USC are possibilities. "[McFadden] is a phenomenal player .... But we really don't have a big need at running back," Kiffin said. Trade down? The Raiders don't have any second-, third- or fifth-round picks so Kiffin made it clear the team, which is still very much in the rebuilding phase, will look at the possibility of trading out of the No. 4 pick. Teams such as Carolina, at No. 13, or Chicago, at No. 14, or Dallas, which has the No. 22 and No. 28 picks, could be attracted by Oakland's top pick. "[Trading down] is something we're looking at," Kiffin said. JaMarcus' weight: It had been reported that second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, whom Kiffin believes in the future of the franchise, has tipped the scales at 300-plus pounds this offseason. Not so, says Kiffin. The coach wouldn't say how much his prized player weighs, but emphasized that Russell is in good shape. Kiffin said he is fine with Russell playing in the 275-pound range and if Russell trimmed down to 260 or so he wouldn't be as effective because of his body frame. Revenge is on tap: When it was announced Monday that the Raiders will open the season by hosting Denver on Monday night, Kiffin went straight to the motivation well. He said he text messaged new receiver Javon Walker, who of course, was signed by the Raiders last month to a lucrative deal days afar being dumped by Denver. Walker quickly texted his coach back. "I'm not going to say what he [wrote]... but let's just say he is ready," Kiffin said.

04-01-2008, 11:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Darius Ali PGP HoFer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming Posts: 2,616 vCash: 29888 Donate My Blog: BallAboveAll-Basketball news and analysis PSN Gamertag: DariusJustinAli Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 57 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: Kiffin says He is Not on The Outs W/ Raiders I read this on ESPN.com. Thank god we are not going after McFadden. I want either Long or Dorsey. __________________ "Just Win Baby"

04-01-2008, 05:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Raider1one PGP PIMP Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WEST COAST Posts: 418 vCash: 2702 Donate Rep Power: 9	Re: Kiffin says He is Not on The Outs W/ Raiders Dude i say get McFadden.. Our offense is offensive.. Our D is at least passable and will be better w/ D Hall At CB