How Media Relations is handled in Oakland. Is there any part of this franchise NOT in complete...

How Media Relations is handled in Oakland. Is there any part of this franchise NOT in complete chaos??

2 months ago TheSportsGuru Comment 29 comments 1 recs |

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Just the beginning

I am amazed at the chaos and total lack of any control there is over this team. We think of it as a football ‘team’ but it’s a business and if I were working for this ‘company’ I would immediately start looking for work elsewhere because it was going to collapse soon. I read Kiffen called the reporter to apologize for this guys actions, so it seems to the outside observer (me) he is the only one with any sense of right and wrong there. I also read (but have not seen) there is a petition going around to save his job and as tempted as I was to root for the seemingly good guy and sign it I had another thought; why not let him get fired so there is yet another coach floating around (hopefully the AFC) to torture Davis? It’s brilliant – Turner in SD, Shannahan in Denver and maybe Kiffen can go to KC and the Raiders will never win this division. It would take a decade. I encourage anyone thinking about signing said petition on the basis it might keep the Raiders screwed up please let me be the first to discourage that thought.

by Nitz on Sep 23, 2008 9:42 PM MDT 0 recs

Theres the problem

I am amazed at the chaos and total lack of any control there is over this team.

The Raiders are not out of control. They’re firmly in the control of Al Davis, who demands blind, rabid loyalty from the small group of cronies he’s surrounded himself with and who run the team. And they give it to him. In the article that Guru linked to in his other fan shot I think this answer from Kawakami sums it up best:

They have a head coach they don’t like, and tensions are high. (Raiders front office personnel) are thinking about their loyalty to Al, so tempers are on edge.

But hey! We’re still a half way talented football team. Maybe this finally forces some change and we can build around the players and coach we have now before they all leave.

by RaiderPete on Sep 23, 2008 10:00 PM MDT up 0 recs

But

Until Al actually lets a HC be just that this is going to be a circus. They were turning the corner last season, but he wont let Kiffin fire Ryan and be the man. I understand Al like football a certain way, but Gruden was doing that and when he “traded” Gruden in 2002 that team won 11 games with Callahan and lost the Super Bowl. Since then they have won 20. The faders need to let the 70’s die and move forward. I truly believe the AFC West is better and the AFC when its Denver/Oakland battling for the top spot and even throw KC in for good measure. (SD could fall off the face of the Earth and I would not care). I like the history of the faders but its time for Al to move forward, until thar does happen I feel for the good fans of the faders

Love is a razor and I have walked the line on that silver blade

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 24, 2008 12:15 PM MDT up 0 recs

Ok. No more Raiders bashing from me.

It’s way beyond that point now. I’m a lifelong Broncos fan and Raider-hater, but I have nothing but sympathy for that team – the coaches and players. Until this fiasco gets resolved, they’ll simply be an anchor on the NFL.

There’s just no fun in rooting against them when they’re not even really a functioning organization.

by hooper on Sep 23, 2008 9:54 PM MDT 0 recs

I will just have to.....

ahahahahahahahahahahahaa

That is as much sympathy as I could muster. ;)

Seriously though, too bad the NFL doesn’t have the power to step in.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

by Zappa on Sep 24, 2008 8:04 AM MDT up 0 recs

I have no sympathy...

for the raiders. They can live in their swirling black hole of anarchy and chaos for eternity for all I care.

I do, however, have sympathy for Lane Kiffen. He is the sole sane person in the entire organization, and on top of that he seems like a very capable coach. It is too bad that he will forever be known as a person who was fired by al davis. The only saving grace is that no one who knows anything about the situation should hold it against him, especially since he seems to be improving the only parts of the football team that he has control over.

by hai17 on Sep 24, 2008 3:18 PM MDT up 0 recs

That's basically where I stand, too.

As an institution, I don’t mind seeing the Raiders at the bottom of the division for all time. But at the individual level, I believe that Kiffin, a lot of the players, and probably a lot of the rest of the staff are genuinely alright people who just happen to be employed for a team I just happen to cheer against. Many of those players don’t have any choice in which team they play for (e.g. all the draft picks); it’s Raiders or bust. (D’ya think that McFadden would rather play in Denver?)

So at the personal level, I feel bad enough for those guys that I just can’t bring myself to bash anymore. To me, bashing is something I do in jest; here, it’s too serious because it’s all true.

by hooper on Sep 24, 2008 6:58 PM MDT up 0 recs

I agree with you but...

Its not fun but someone in network TV needs to get some cameras in there. Thats all I’m saying, they’d win an Emmy (is that for Tv?).

by Nitz on Sep 23, 2008 10:01 PM MDT 0 recs

The problem is

Excellent point RP, but why has Davis not fired Kiffen yet then? He sold off 20 plus percent of his holdings no? Although its not a publicly traded company investors still need to be satisfied. My guess is there is much more happening with Davis than is being reported.

So i am clear as well; I am unhappy about the state of our division. It used to be considered the toughest and now what? Before the Broncos showed up it was written off to SD. If the division is not strong than ultimately none of us will be considered that way. Just look at the NFC East.

by Nitz on Sep 23, 2008 10:14 PM MDT 0 recs

The speculation is

that Davis hasn’t fired Kiffin yet because he wants to wait for the bye week to make for a smoother transition and promote someone from within, likely James Lofton. I’m not sure if I buy that since Davis has wanted to get rid of Lane since January and Lofton has been on the staff for quite a while now.

It’s possible that the silent partners are pressuring Al to keep Kiffin around, but I’m not sure that makes much sense either. First, they’re silent partners, so they don’t have much say (hence the whole “silent” part), and secondly I don’t know why they’d pick that battle with Al (unless they’re closer to ousting Al than anyone knows, which might explain Herrera’s edginess).

My hunch is that Lane has bested Al at every corner in the PR battle they’ve been waging and Al wants Lane’s firing to be the cherry on top of some public humiliation. Do I have anything to back that up? Not a thing, but it’s what my gut tells me.

by RaiderPete on Sep 23, 2008 10:50 PM MDT up 0 recs

I was under the impression that it makes a substantial difference in how Kiffin is compensated if he quits or gets fired. Therefore, Al is trying to make his life a living hell to get him to quit…and Kiffin is trying to be as subordinate as possible (while keeping himself employable in the eyes of other teams) in order to get fired. If that’s true…it’s the perfect set up for a modern day NFL Shakespearean comedy. I love it!!!

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Sep 23, 2008 10:56 PM MDT up 0 recs

Taming of the Shriveled?

or perhaps…

As You Liked It

Als Well that Ends Well

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Sep 23, 2008 11:00 PM MDT up 0 recs

Two Gentlemen of Oakland

by RaiderPete on Sep 23, 2008 11:25 PM MDT up 0 recs

lol...how about...

Much ALdo about nothing?

I know I suck!!!

Almeo and Kiffiet?

Okay I’ll stop!!!

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Sep 24, 2008 12:06 AM MDT up 0 recs

Ok you guys...

Open up a new thread for these puns so it’s easier for the rest of us to join in.

Seriously. This could be fun.

by hooper on Sep 24, 2008 7:10 AM MDT up 0 recs

Oh gawd.

You guys will just go anon. And on and on and on…

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 AM MDT up 0 recs

I don't think it's about money

it may have been, but I’m pretty sure it’s just a pissing match at this point. As a Raider fan I wish someone would break out a ruler and end this whole thing already.

by RaiderPete on Sep 23, 2008 11:01 PM MDT up 0 recs

Maybe

Kiffin is trying to last longer than Shanny’s 20 games.
Plus as long as he isnt insubordinate Al will be forced to pay him. Too me thats the biggest thing here. Why else whould the PR staff circulate a negative article written by an ESPN.com hack?

Love is a razor and I have walked the line on that silver blade

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 24, 2008 12:17 PM MDT up 0 recs

Al hasn't fired Kiffin yet

because he is finding a way to do it without paying him his money. There is speculation that Al is trying to use Kiffin’s going to the media as insubordination and reason for termination.

by Raider76 on Sep 24, 2008 12:25 AM MDT 0 recs

If he is doing all this just to avoid paying him

then why did he hire him in the first place? I know teams want to win now, yet after a few games in his second season is a bit quick. Isn’t it?

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 4

by weazel on Sep 24, 2008 1:10 AM MDT up 0 recs

Al actually wanted

Steve Sarkesian from USC but Sarkesian talked up Lane to Al. I think what got Al upset was the reports that Lane was looking at the Arkansas job. Then it hit the fan when Lane wanted to fire Rob Ryan and Al vetoed it. Thats when he drafted a resignation letter for Lane to sign. To answer your question Al is old and wants to win immediately so his patience is real short.

by Raider76 on Sep 24, 2008 6:56 AM MDT up 0 recs

He isnt doing it the correct way

If he doesnt like Kiffin fire him, but if he thinks Lofton is the answer he is so wrong. Martty Schottenheimer said the other day on the radio that Lofton is not HC material

Love is a razor and I have walked the line on that silver blade

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 24, 2008 12:19 PM MDT up 0 recs

If Al Davis does fire Kiffen

it might happen after they play the Chargers because that is when the Raiders have their bye.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 4

by weazel on Sep 24, 2008 3:54 PM MDT up 0 recs

Al is mentaly ill.

No really. His paranoia is out front, and has been going on from the days of trivial lawsuits to today.

As long as he runs the team, and fans cling to his past, oakland has no prayer.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 24, 2008 8:44 AM MDT 0 recs

I happen to agree with you on that.

I work in the medical field and I see many forms of dementia and in certain cases it actually heightens certains behaviors. So his extreme paranoia is understandable.

by Raider76 on Sep 24, 2008 7:23 PM MDT up 0 recs