Raiders Fire Lane Kiffin

[thumper300zx]

See ya Kiff? Sorry for playing really well in the 4th.

[ChrisSoho]

See ya Kiff? Sorry for playing really well in the 4th.


Damn, you're fast Thump!!!:LightsOut:

[JCDavey]

See ya Kiff? Sorry for playing really well in the 4th.no surprise, and it wasn't us that got him fired

it was many things, with #1 being al davis , as always

this just means oakland is in for alot more sucking, unless somehow they can land a competent HC, and Al will mind his own business, but i can't imagine both of those things happening anytime soon.

[DanDiegoDuck]

I thought Kiffin was doing a good job myself , under the circumstances . Granny Al Davis told Kiffin he was doing it WITHOUT honoring the rest of the contract , same thing he did to shanny . This time , there is a coaches union , and he'll have to pay , but not without a fight . SO HERE'S THE QUESTION : seeing the way he treats his coaches , who in their right mind would even want that job ?

[LTfan4life]

Hmm...it'll be interesting to see the implosion of the Raiders' locker room. A lot of players were said to be proud and love playing for Lane. Sucks for the next Al Davis b****.

[peteshawtheman]

Now the burning question: who in their right minds would commit to a long term deal coaching the Raiders?

[DutchCheddar]

Chris Mortenson just reported for ESPN that the Oakland Raiders have fired Head Coach, Lane Kiffin this morning.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3617977

The inevitable became reality Tuesday when Lane Kiffin was fired by Oakland Raiders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=oak) owner Al Davis without pay via the telephone, according to team sources.
Tom Cable, the team's offensive line coach, was emerging as the leading candidate to replace Kiffin, a source said. Cable was among three coaches interviewed by Davis on Monday night; the others were offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and special consultant Paul Hackett.
Davis is expected to have a press conference later Tuesday to explain his decision to dismiss Kiffin.
Unlike the St. Louis Rams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=stl), who fired coach Scott Linehan on Monday, the news was not delivered by Davis in a face-to-face meeting. Kiffin was notified by a team executive Tuesday morning that Davis would call him at 9:15 a.m. PT to relieve the coach of his duties. The call came shortly after that time.
Linehan also was allowed to speak briefly with his players on Monday. Kiffin will not be afforded the same opportunity, a source said.
The news did not blindside Kiffin, who was informed by a team executive that he would be fired after the Raiders 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf) in week three. Even though Davis didn't act a week ago, as Kiffin was told, many team insiders expected the Oakland owner to fire the coach during this bye week.
The Raiders are 1-3, having blown leads in the fourth quarter to the Bills and the San Diego Chargers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg). During Kiffin's 20-game tenure, in which the team was 5-15, the Raiders took leads into the fourth quarter of 11 games.

Davis hired Kiffin, who was USC's offensive coordinator at the time, as the NFL's youngest coach at 31 years old in February 2007. Even though many observers questioned the hiring, Kiffin ultimately gained respect around the league for fielding a significantly more competitive team than the Raiders had displayed before he was hired.
Despite being competitive in the majority of games, Kiffin and Davis had a falling out on several fronts, starting when Davis believed Kiffin expressed private interest in the head coaching position at the University of Arkansas during the 2007 season.
However, it was well-documented that their relationship disintegrated when Kiffin attempted to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after the 2007 season. A source said Kiffin suggested to Davis that the owner had reneged on an agreement that the coach would have control over his own staff. Shortly thereafter, Davis sent a letter of resignation for Kiffin to sign, sources said. Kiffin declined.
Kiffin also opposed some of Davis' big free-agent signings such as wide receiver Javon Walker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3548) and, to a lesser degree, cornerback DeAngelo Hall (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5533), sources said. Kiffin also expressed public frustration that the team was not more aggressive in claiming other team's released players via the waiver process to strengthen the bottom of the roster.
However, a Raiders source said that Davis privately sent a letter to Kiffin after the season's opening-game loss to the Broncos, attempting to "document" that the coach approved of the offseason acquisitions. A source close to Kiffin described that claim as "fiction."

LONG LIVE AL DAVIS!!!
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/075xgdgd9Ygr1/610x.jpg

[chargerfan1978]

May be the successor . . .

[chargerfan1978]

A 76-yard field goal with a Cromartie in waiting? Come on. That play called told the tale . . .

[Bolt Cola]

Kiffin is better off, IMO

[vheman]

Al Davis should fire himself and see if Dr. Kevorkian makes house calls.

[BoltNut2008]

Once again, it looks like Al Davis has discharged his side arm right into his Gucci loafer. LOL

Too Bad. Kiffen really didn't get a chance to finish what he seems to have started. Raiders defense looks pretty darn good. The young QB just needs some time to settle in. They seem to be much improved even though their record doesn't reflect it.

[daboltz]

I say we hire Lane Kiffen as an assistant NOW!!!!!

[DanDiegoDuck]

When I said he was doing a good job under the circumstances , what I meant was that he had no say in who was drafted , when he was unhappy with the way any of the other coaches were preparing their units , the other coaches would run to Al and Al would tell Kiffin to mind his own business . He was supposed to be the head coach , was given no power . Has been told he was getting fired for 2 weeks , yet still had his team prepared to play . I thought they were getting close to turning a corner and actually being somewhat of a factor again . Not now though . They were playing pretty well . Nice move Alice Davis , you're the ugliest granny I've ever seen btw

[Dojo]

http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=58757

[mromberg]

If only he would write a book to air the raiders dirty laundry....what a read. It'll never happen though........if he did, he'd never work in the league again.....even though it's Al Davis.

[ChargerChick619]

Couldn't see that one coming from a mile away. Poor Lame Kitten!

[JakeOrion]

I feel sorry for Kiffin. Al Davis is literally killing that team. May you find good fortune elsewhere Kiffin.

[HeadTrip]

Lol, that's great news. He really started to turn that group of ragtag misfits around. We can always count on Al. :)

[PicturePerfect]

I believe he will find work elsewhere. Either in the college ranks (head coach) or staying in the pros (assistant). Good luck.

[zackalacka]

so who takes over in the mean time?

[bharv86]

OH Al when will you learn...never i hope!!! its the best thing for kiffin i doubt any team looking to hire him will hold it against him he did a pretty good job getting the team back on track. Any chance of JRuss developing out the window. We all saw what good Alex Smith did having to learn a new system every year. At least we know commitment to 4-12 continues

[BoltFiend]

I just think it's messed up that he fired Kiffin WITHOUT pay. That's BAD Karma.

[charger1_sj]

I don't feel sorry for Kiffin. He knew what he was getting into before he took the job. He's not going to have any issues finding a job in the NFL. This stint was actually good for his career.

I thought I heard he was dissmissed without pay, which if true will bring about a law suit. Kiffin was still under contract and I'm sure he had some stipulation in the contract about getting fired.

[RAYRAY37]

Lane will find a job soon, it was a win situation for him. He was young when taking the job and he handled himself very well through all the speculation.

[matto0]

With out pay - what a dried up old turd.

All rivalry/fan hate aside, Kiffin put the best Raiders team on the field that they have seen in years, in most games they were competitive but needed to find that push to get over the top, why not help be part of the solution instead of undermining the guy at every opportunity.

[Chargersrmylife]

Kiffin can get hired by the Rams. lol

[JCDavey]

Now the burning question: who in their right minds would commit to a long term deal coaching the Raiders?marty


just kidding lol

[JoeMcRugby]

Al fires everyone without pay.

I hate to say anything in support of Shanarat, but Al did the same thing to him when he was fired.

The Rat took Darth Raider to court and won a judgment for the salary owed on his contract several years ago.

To date, the Rat hasn't seen a dime from senile Al.

Darth Raider continues to thumb his nose at the court's ruling that he must pay the Rat by the terms of the contract.

Someone's going to a very hot place once they leave behind their life on this planet, and as much as I'd like to - I'm not referring to the Rat. ;)

Congratulations to Big Al - with the Raiders finally on the right track to getting back into the ballgame, he sets them back several years by firing the head coach who has them playing hard & physical football the past three weeks. :Cheers:

[thumper300zx]

I thought Kiffin was doing a good job myself , under the circumstances . Granny Al Davis told Kiffin he was doing it WITHOUT honoring the rest of the contract , same thing he did to shanny . This time , there is a coaches union , and he'll have to pay , but not without a fight . SO HERE'S THE QUESTION : seeing the way he treats his coaches , who in their right mind would even want that job ?

I heard on a sports radio show Kiffin would've been like a #220 on the list when he was hired...so they are gonna have to start looking at #220 +. After this, and Kiffin getting his team to play a bit better (but blow a couple big leads), you're looking at a 300-400 coach. If people didn't know Kiffin, get ready to learn a whole lot about the next coach they hire. I just don't see a well-known coach taking over for this team any time this decade.

[thumper300zx]

marty


just kidding lol

I'd take a long-term deal -- you know the team sucks -- they fire you the next year, you leave with several years of free pay. Sound exactly like Marty's kind of job (lol).

[Chargersrmylife]

Al fires everyone without pay.

I hate to say anything in support of Shanarat, but Al did the same thing to him when he was fired.

The Rat took Darth Raider to court and won a judgment for the salary owed on his contract several years ago.

To date, the Rat hasn't seen a dime from senile Al.

Darth Raider continues to thumb his nose at the court's ruling that he must pay the Rat by the terms of the contract.

Someone's going to a very hot place once they leave behind their life on this planet, and as much as I'd like to - I'm not referring to the Rat. ;)

Congratulations to Big Al - with the Raiders finally on the right track to getting back into the ballgame, he sets them back several years by firing the head coach who has them playing hard & physical football the past three weeks. :Cheers:

LMFAO hey Shanny really does look like a rat to.

[thumper300zx]

http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=58757

http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=58756

[JoeMcRugby]

I'd take a long-term deal -- you know the team sucks -- they fire you the next year, you leave with several years of free pay. Sound exactly like Marty's kind of job (lol).

Except Al doesn't pay the money he owes you. Ask Shanarat.

There is one thing that is certain on this planet - Marty will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever coach the Raiders. They stand for everything that he despises.

In fact, I bet that if anyone tried to place Raider gear on Marty, there would be spontaneous combustion with the gear going up in flames upon skin contact. ;)

[boltfan29]

I say we hire Lane Kiffen as an assistant NOW!!!!!


Lane Kiffen has WAY TOO MUCH CLASS to work for that hateful #%@@ Davis.
The man IS much better off!!:LightsOut:

"MAY THE FOOTBALL GAWDS teach Davis a lesson..."

Take your money, team and shove it...you mean !@#%!!

[Bolt Cola]

It sure feels good to be part of the team that broke the Camel's back, sending the Raider's Organization further into the pit of despair they have been in since their SB appearance.

[matto0]

Now the burning question: who in their right minds would commit to a long term deal coaching the Raiders?


Anyone who enjoys getting paid 6 mil to go fishing :p

EDIT: Even if it's held up in litigation for a couple years

[boltfan29]

http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=58757



GREAT SIG PIC !!!!:LightsOut:

[LightEmUp]

LOL x 10,000

Even if he did suck as a head coach...now is not the time.

Lemme guess - Ryan takes over as head coach?

[DanDiegoDuck]

I'd take a long-term deal -- you know the team sucks -- they fire you the next year, you leave with several years of free pay. Sound exactly like Marty's kind of job (lol).
Al wont give a long term deal , and he won't gaurantee pay to the next coach , he's telling Kiffin he's fired without pay right now . Al wants all the credit for the teams success , and even if a coach does well , he'll STILL fire him , because he thinks he is the sole reason for any success the raiduhs have ever had . Dude thinks he's more central to the team winning than any coach ( Gruden , Shanny , Kiffin , Norv ETC..... ) or player . Ask Marcus Allen , who was benched for saying they should run him more , by Al Davis .

[boltfan29]

I like it!

For some reason, my long time like a bro Faider fan friend...won't answer my emails!!
I have Sports Center on (ESPN)...hoping something will come on about Kiffen

[boltfan29]

OOPS...sorry for the mis-spelling.... KIFFIN. Fired by PHONE?!? Chicken %$#! Davis...can't even MAN UP and do it face to face...Buwaahahahaaahaa

ESPN will be talking about KIFFIN soon

Dojo..I do hope you know I meant "your fish taco" sig pic ...it's FABULOUS!!!

[bigmack2131]

you know, it's times like these, when we all need to sit back and be extremely thankful that we were born Charger fans. Think of all those poor sad raider fans. What misfortune!


i guess it's LT's fault? It could be said that he single handedly took apart the entire raiders organization

[boltfan29]

you know, it's times like these, when we all need to sit back and be extremely thankful that we were born Charger fans. Think of all those poor sad raider fans. What misfortune!


i guess it's LT's fault? It could be said that he single handedly took apart the entire raiders organization


I think I better stay close to Home...it could be ugly out in Nor Cal right now...LOL

ALWAYS Glad to have been born Blue and Gold!:logo

[ImpactBolt]

I say we hire Lane Kiffen as an assistant NOW!!!!!

I'm sure a college team will pick him up for a Head Coaching job.

[ImpactBolt]

Except Al doesn't pay the money he owes you. Ask Shanarat.

There is one thing that is certain on this planet - Marty will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever coach the Raiders. They stand for everything that he despises.

In fact, I bet that if anyone tried to place Raider gear on Marty, there would be spontaneous combustion with the gear going up in flames upon skin contact. ;)

+1

Marty in silver and black? HAHAHAHA. If anything he'd agree to coach em to make them tank even more.

[ktmjim]

. SO HERE'S THE QUESTION : seeing the way he treats his coaches , who in their right mind would even want that job ?

Marty.....................

[ktmjim]

A 76-yard field goal with a Cromartie in waiting? Come on. That play called told the tale . . .

If I were Al after that stunt I would have chained the locker room door at half and not let him in. Make him walk home through the stands.

[boltfan29]

Oh hell no!

Give it to that good looking shaggy gray haired guy
(sorry, don't know his name)...he's already STUCK there..LOL:LightsOut:

[elberte]

Highly unlikely. Like 99.9% highly.

Well, that eliminates 1 team in our division. I'm holding off judgment on KC for like another 2 weeks.

[elberte]

A 76-yard field goal with a Cromartie in waiting? Come on. That play called told the tale . . .

:D I called that right then and there. That was Kiffin's big FU at Al. And you know what makes it even better? That the players went out there and did it anyway. Because inevitably, those players have realized exactly what the rest of the league, the sports writers, and the fans realized long ago- no one wants to play or for Al DAvis and his decrepit ghost ship of a team.

[croco]

Kiffin deserves better and hopefully he will find job somewhere else soon. Raiders are going nowhere as long as Al Davis is in charge of everything.

[DutchCheddar]

Been checking out faiderfan.net and so far, here's the best comment from one of the non-bandwagon "Raider Nation" citizens.


wonderful now were 2 and 14 again http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif gratz al. im not buying a bit more of merchandise not going to one more game nothing. **** this. im tired of being the ****ing laughing stock of the nfl and being ashamed of being a raider fan. we have the talent. i even believe we've had the talent for years now but we always get this same old bull****. im tired of getting ****ing chuckled at whenever someone hears that im a raiders fan, Al, Rob. I'm sorry I will not be giving one more bit of support to the coaching staff at the raiders organization until you are gone.

[haw'nbolt]

Marty.....................

ART SHELL, THE SEQUEL:LightsOut:

[JoeMcRugby]

Lemme guess - Ryan takes over as head coach?

Al has never hired a coach with a defensive background to be the Raiders head coach.

It won't start now IMO.

[714CHARGER]

he should fire rob ryan.defense hasnt played well the last couple games.

[hambone]

Cable, o-line coach is now their head coach.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80b41921&template=with-video&confirm=true

[Jay21]

I heard on a sports radio show Kiffin would've been like a #220 on the list when he was hired...so they are gonna have to start looking at #220 +. After this, and Kiffin getting his team to play a bit better (but blow a couple big leads), you're looking at a 300-400 coach. If people didn't know Kiffin, get ready to learn a whole lot about the next coach they hire. I just don't see a well-known coach taking over for this team any time this decade.

What do you mean by a #220 and a 300-400 coach?

[hegor]

So what elite coaching talent would want to be the Raiders HC?

Someone like Tom Cable is about the best they could do, someone competent but not extraordinary in any respect. Look for more of the same, a tough physical team that shows flashes of greatness then gives it up in the end. 4-12 end of the season.

I remember somewhere someone asking Marty S. if he would coach the Raiders. His reply was muted and said to the effect that the HC has to be allowed to coach without interference.

[31cromartie31]

About time too.

[JoeMcRugby]

Here's an important nugget in regard to Kiffin should he seek to get the $3.5 million he is owed under the terms of his contract:
_____________________________________

However, Mike Shanahan, who was also relieved of his duties as the Raiders coach after 20 games -- 19 years ago -- has yet to be paid fully by Davis what is owed to him.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-318/Kiffin-fired-for--cause-.html

[Jyoti]

I think anyone that wants to get a hand in the door as HC should take the job with the knowledge that whatever they do, they will get fired. Use that time to prove to other teams how capable you really are.

[boltfan29]

Supposedly that $@#! Davis is going to hold a press conference?! I bet he friggin' chickens out..LMAO! 2pm, HMM??

LMAOOO ...this is gonna be GOOD!!

I'd like to See Kiffin stick it to that mean %%# of a..a....ummm OWNER

DAVIS..expecting BOOT-LICKING shouldn't be in ANY employment contract!

[sdcsp95]

i wouldnt mind if UNLV hired Kiffin to be the coach here, i think he is a good coach, it wont happen though :(

[Illyria]

^ I heard that he might land the coaching job at Syracuse.

[Haldol]

Al is making me laugh right now with his news conference. He acts and sounds like a mafia boss. Looks like Monty Burns from the Simpsons.

I cant decide who is more embarrassing to watch Al or Pajama Hef.

[ktmjim]

Highly unlikely. Like 99.9% highly.

Well, that eliminates 1 team in our division. I'm holding off judgment on KC for like another 2 weeks.

I would not count them out yet. Remember what happened when Coryell took over a talent laden under achieving Chargers team. I shudder to think what could happen in Oakland with the right coach. Only thing going for us is that big Al is still driving the bus.

[TurnerThaBurner]

Kiffin deserves to breathe a huge sigh of relief right about now! His firing could be the best thing that's ever happened to him!



*On a side note: I was just watching the press conference with Al Davis on the NFLN, and by looking at Al's decrepit appearance, I was wondering when the morticians were gonna inject him with some more enbalming fluid! :eek:

[IpiCk31]

the raiders will pick up marty shot

[JoeMcRugby]

Al is making me laugh right now with his news conference. He acts and sounds like a mafia boss. Looks like Monty Burns from the Simpsons.

I cant decide who is more embarrassing to watch Al or Pajama Hef.

From what I understand, you may be onto something more than you realize.

"Rumors" are that Al grew up with quite a few interesting "acquaintences" in Brooklyn - and it's interesting how Al got controlling ownership interest in the organization with a relatively little small monetary investment.

His official title with the Raiders is "President of the General Partner".

Something mighty shady in my book. ;)

[TurnerThaBurner]

the raiders will pick up marty shot


HAHA! No way in hell that'll happen! Marty hates the Raiders with a passion!

[Chargers Fan]

The Chargers would be insane not to hire Kiffin now that he's on the job market.

We need somebody with his considerable skills to collect money for stadium parking.

[ESD Bolts]

Kiffin chose the wrong division to play in. The Bolts have just ended his career in chokeland.

[JCDavis]

HAHA! No way in hell that'll happen! Marty hates the Raiders with a passion!


Hahaha...even though it's true about Marty's Raider hating, I can't think of anyone qualified enough to wipe the crap off the butthole that is the Raiders organization than good ol' Marty.

[Charger Dodger]

Damn, could somebody put more formaldehyde on Al Davis, and give him another glass eye. That guy looks terrible. Looks like he just got up from his casket.

[Charger Dodger]

Death approaches. Just because Death isn't at your door doesn't mean your door isn't on Death's list.

By all means, I don't wish death upon anybody, but when that old ******* croaks, it'll be like a fart in the wind for me. :rolleyes:

[kaedingfan10]

5 coaches in 6 years. That's a real committment to excellence. http://www.webwaymonsters.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

I think a part of me wants to feel sorry for the Raiders, but my soul is telling me better.

[BigTrouble]

He actually said Norv was a good guy , some interesting comments after the camera was shut off.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2008/09/30/al-davis-after-the-cameras-were-off-kiffin-conned-me-like-you-conned-all-you-people/

[Air Fouts]

The best part of the whacky Al Davis press conference was when he is having a conversation with his people about who is going to introduce Cable as the new raider coach. The mic is still on and he is asking who is going to do introduce him and when hes told that he should or he can do it himself. Al Davis replies "Well I dont think I should do it I dont know much about the guy what do you expect me to do" NOw this would not be as bad if there was an apparent GM in place or somebody else made the decission to bring in Cable. But there is none he choose cable he interviwed cable and he alone made all the decisions yet he doesnt even know the info to introduce him. I mean comon 90% of the crap they say when introducing a coach is the same thing we hear all the time anyways. Yet after all this Al Davis runs a professional NFL team. If this was my grandfather I would not even let him drive or go to the bathroom by himself yet he makes all decissions in Oakland. I love it go Raiders 10 straight defeats to us and by the looks of things more to come. I personaly would donate blood to keep the Crypt Keeper aka Al Davis alive for 20 more years.

[Totally Bolted]

5 coaches in 6 years. That's a real committment to excellence. http://www.webwaymonsters.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

I think a part of me wants to feel sorry for the Raiders, but my soul is telling me better.


I am not conflicted at all.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Looks like the chargers and everyone else in our division can count on two wins for the next 5 years.
What a sucking Joke
HA HA HA HA
ROFLMAO

[B-TOWN BLAZER]

I personaly would donate blood to keep the Crypt Keeper aka Al Davis alive for 20 more years.<<<<thats too funny Mr. air fouts!

[JoeMcRugby]

I have to say that Rich Gannon was one of the few Raiders over the years whom I respected when he played on "the dark side":
______________________________________

GANNON CALLS OAKLAND AN “IMPOSSIBLE PLACE TO WORK” (http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/10/01/gannon-calls-oakland-an-impossible-place-to-work/)
Posted by Mike Florio on October 1, 2008, 4:57 p.m.

Rich Gannon, who won a league MVP award while playing quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, spoke about the situation in Oakland during a visit with Bruce Murray and Gil Brandt of Sirius NFL Radio.

Echoing recent criticisms of the team (http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/09/21/gannon-goes-off-on-raiders/), Gannon elaborated on his perceptions of the environment there.

“From a guy that has been in the organization, that’s been around it, I know just how difficult a place it can be to work,” Gannon said. “And they have problems, there’s no question. It’s an organization that is going through a very difficult period. It’s an organization, in my opinion, that is dysfunctional. They have a lot of issues.

“This is not something that I haven’t discussed publicly and privately before with the owner. I’ve talked to Mr. Davis at great length about our philosophical difference of opinion. I believe that you need to have discipline, structure, a system in place, organization. He is a guy that is not a big believer in having too many rules and that’s one of the reasons why that team, in my opinion, hasn’t had any real leadership and hasn’t had any real direction.”

Gannon was then asked by Brandt whether the tendency of owner Al Davis to make strategy suggestions makes it difficult for the coach.

“I always said it’s not a tough place to work, it’s an impossible place to work,” Gannon said. “I left there on a high note. I went to four straight Pro Bowls, was league MVP. I don’t have any bad feelings about the place. I just know how difficult it was for me and I just look at the people that have left. Mike Shanahan leaves and wins two Super Bowls. Jon Gruden leaves and wins a Super Bowl. Norv Turner is having success in San Diego. To let people like that leave, particularly a guy like Jon Gruden who really worked and really threw every ounce of energy he had into the place. To let him leave the way he did was just a mistake.

“And what happened is, in my opinion, people say, ‘Why have they had the big fall-off since the Super Bowl and stuff?’ I think that it’s about six people who have left the organization that really were the heart and soul of the whole group and really kept it going. Guys like Jon Gruden, Bruce Allen, the general manager, Bill Callahan, who was our offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. You lost quality people and some players and they’ve never been able to recover.”

“This guy, Tom Cable, the poor guy, does that he think he is more equipped and better prepared than his predecessors? In other words, if Gruden couldn’t make it there and Bill Callahan couldn’t make it there and then if Norv Turner couldn’t make it there and then Art Shell couldn’t make it there and then Lane Kiffin couldn’t make it there, why does he think, all of a sudden, he’s going to make it there? I don’t understand.”

We wish Gannon wouldn’t be so bashful about stating his opinions.