Al Davis: Monte Kiffin wanted to leave Bucs

Raiders owner Al Davis finally got around to firing coach Lane Kiffin today.

The move had been speculated for months, but he did reveal one surprise.

In describing the fallout with his 32-year-old coach, Davis said Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin wanted to join his son's coaching staff in Oakland.

"Monte told me that he wanted to come here...even though he is under contract with Tampa,' Davis said at his news conference Tuesday.

Davis said he the Raiders did not want to tamper, so he called Buccaneeers general manager Bruce Allen but ended up talking about Lane, "even though Monte wanted to leave.'

Monte Kiffin has been unavailable for comment.

Comments

[Jay]

Al Davis just got up on stage and lied about Lane, and now he just wants to stir up drama over on this coast to get back at Gruden for leaving him too. He's a vindictive, short sighted and arrogant freak of nature that makes the late Marge Schott look like the best owner in professional sports.

I'd be happy to see Lane come here and study under his old man. He's had two years of seeing what terrible defenses look like, now he can comes see what great ones look like too.

[Clad]

I'm glad Monte decided to stay. With our offense as sporadic as it is we need his steadying hand on D.

Hope you stay till your 75 Monte. No need to retire at your early age....

Clad

[Valrico Rick]

I don't believe a word that comes out of Al Davis' mouth. Gruden was one tuck rule call away from the Super Bowl, but Davis couldn't wait to get rid of him. He goes through 5 coaches in 7 years, but this one really deserved to be fired. Didn't Davis stiff Mike Shanahan out of some money when he fired him too? Davis is an embarassment to the NFL, and needs to be stripped of his ownership!

[Mike W.]

Who forgot to give Mr. Davis his medication?

[steve]

Yeah, right...let's believe Al Davis, the shriveled-up, senile troll and "dismantler" of once-proud NFL teams.....only executive decisions he should be making these days is when to change his DEPENDS...

[skp]

Al Davis went on to say, "THE METRIC SYSTEM IS THE TOOL OF THE DEVIL! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I likes it!!"

Al Davis = Grandpa Simpson....

[HJK]

Al davis should just d--. period.

[john]

Al davis is a lieing dumb azz?Even with his son there he wouldnt have went to that disaster of a team!Hes still pissed he trade Gruden away that teams never been the same.

[john]

That old man needs to d==!

[John]

Shame on you Al Davis for being such a rich as_hole and bad mouthing a good coach. He did more for your team than the previous four losers did. By the way, If Monty really wanted to go to you last place LOOSERVILLE team he would have made it happen. What goes around OLD MAN is what you get on the afterside. You PRESUMPTIOUS, looser rich guys all think alike. I hope you get what you deserve, which is last place and a continually losser ball club. I just feel sorry for the players that have to be in the middle. You have proven that you are not man enough to work out your problems with the coaches as you fire them all because they will not play your way.

[Drew]

I live in Milpitas, CA. and I can tell you right now he's a DAMN liar. I know some of the Raider players and the real facts are Monte Kiffin DID NOT want to come here.

I may live in Raider land, but I'm a diehard Buc Fan at heart.

[Drew]

Al Davis is the re-incarnation of Hugh Culverhouse.

[Tom]

Who cares if Monte said that he wanted to leave. He didn't and we're all glad that he's still here. No need to make a big deal out of this.

[John P]

Yeah, I'm sure Al Davis was the first guy on the phone asking a favor to two guys who he labeled traitors. Allen and Gruden both are dead to Davis - hell would have to freeze over before he'd be picking up that phone call.

Sucks to be a Raiders fan, I'd bet, knowing that you have a senile jack*ss running the football team.

[Ray]

I am sure even if there is any truth to this, Monte is probably happy he didn't go. My guess is Lane will probably end up here or will go back to college. All in all, instead of firing Lane, Al should have fired himself.

[Larry]

It would appear that Al Davis has more than physical issues. At one time he was smart and powerful, now he's just past his time.

The Oakland organization has been disfunctional for years due to Al's meddling and paranoia. It's a shame to see him dragging everyone even remotely connect to Lane Kiffen down to satisfy his bruised ego.

Take your walker and toddle back to the booth Al, your time is past and the sooner you realize it the better.

[GrudenHater]

Al Davis is just bad news except for the players he overpays. With him bad-mouthing Lane, he made sure that no credible coach will want to work for him.

The Bucs D needs to circle Dec 28th for the game against the Raiders. It will be paybeck time for Monte and the D...

[Ben]

I bet Monte couldn't wait to take that bust of a 300 pound Quaterback and stick him at DT. Jamarcus could be the next warren sapp!

[Ben]

BTW can't wait to Gruden and Kiffen stick it to Davis latter this season. Run the score up Pats style.

[marcus]

clad shut up

[Darren]

That dumb@$$ Davis just admited that he had contact with a coach under contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said it was harmless, but he just gave Monte Kiffin the power to harm the Raiders.

Monte can tell Bruce Allen that he has a different memory of the contact with Davis. Davis was undermining the Bucs by offering him a contract. According to this alleged version of events Monte would remember how Al Davis offered him money to break his contract with the Bucs.

Bruce Allen could then charge Al Davis and the Raiders with tampering. The Bucs would be shocked,... shocked and demand the NFL returns the draft picks they gave the Raiders when they negotiated Gruden's move to Tampa.

Who cares if it is true or not. Monte would force Davis to go through the expense of defending the Raiders' draft picks. Davis admitted that he had contact, now Monte has the power to inform us on his recollection of those discussions.

Monte my friend, Al Davis hurt your boy, but he was foolish enough to give you the power to strike back.

I say take it. Make Davis rue the day he screwed with the Kiffins. Strike back, and strike hard.

[Jay]

Darren,

Should he also sweep the leg? Maybe prepare a body bag?

[Michael]

I call BS on Al Davis. Monte was free to sign anywhere this offseason. Monte signed a new contract in January 2008. There weren't going to be any tampering charges since Monte's contract expired before the playoff game.

[OpieGruden]

Get back the draft picks from the Gruden trade?! you already have them... Phillip Buchanan. Gruden was probably funneling info to Lame thru Monte on how to push Al's buttons, after all he had the process down with all the Notre Dame alarm clock BS, then the Glazers canned Dungy to open the door for the "trade". Talk about classless moves. The Glazers rank right up there w/ Davis on that one. and how is it half of the Bucs roster/front office is made up of Raider-cast offs?! Sapp is the only player to go from TB to Oakland, you can't begin to count all the Raiders in Tamper bay.

[Ick]

I'd be happy is our staff found a spot for Lane. That would give Monte incentive to stay here for another decade-plus, and Lane is actually a hell of a coach. Maybe not a head coach, but he is very good. And if anyone could just slip right in on the Tampa 2, its the son of the man who created it.

[joe]

Al Davis just can't get over losing Gruden so he has the nerve to talk smack bout Monte. Monte is the face of the bucs. he created Tampa 2 not raider 2. Too bad we play em week 17, i hope we still destroy em with Lane on our sideline.

[George Bush #1]

I would not put it past Monte. By the way, how many fathers get an opportunity to coach with their son? Anyways, Monte signed with us after speaking to Al Davis and realizing that he would not let him run the defense the way he wanted. That is why I believe he backed off. Also, he loves being here in Tampa. He was only going to leave to be with his son. Not because he really wanted to leave the Bucs. Hope Lane signs with us as an offensive assistant. He was an offensive coordinator at USC. It would be nice to see Allen, Gruden, and both Kiffin's whoop their a%@!

[Erick]

I wonder if the NFL has any power to revoke a team if it feels it is damaging the NFL brand. The Raiders are just ruining potential talent and bringing a bad name the the NFL. Seriously. Force Al to sell it to someone in LA.

[vince]

I agree, most coaches would love the chance to coach with their sons. ANd then again, maybe they wouldn't, ha ha! Still, so what, he wanted to go, yet he stayed. A lot of great marriages could say the same thing!

[aaron]

What a couple of you guys dont understand is that Lane is an offensive coach. He cant "slip right in ont Tampa 2" Monte is defense.
But hey it would be fantastic to see him somewhere on the offensive staff.

[DR]

Al Davis is lying and is desperate. What a pathetic loser and just can't get it right.
On the other hand, Kiffen and Kiffen at offensive and defensive coordinator would be nice. The Bucs desperately need an offensive coordinator.

[bobbyd]

DR,
I almost got excited. For a second there I thought you said Al Davis is dying. Drat.

How much do you think Raiders players LOVE to play for that guy? I bet he has every coach in the league just dying (there's that word again) to coach there.

Just remember folks when you're all doing the b!tching and moaning thing.... Things could be WAAAAAAY worse for Tampa right now.

The current tally for the season:
2 Head Coaches
1 General Mangler

Any bets on who's next? (here's everyone's chance to yell GRUDEN!)

[bobbyd]

Question:
How do you know Al Davis is lying?

Answer:
He's not dead.

[RJ]

CORRECTION:

Al Davis is dead, his body doesn't realize it yet. I hope it does soon as he has destroyed the Raiders.

[Kurt]

Right DR, that #7 offense of ours really needs some help...tool.

[BILL H]

AL DAVIS IS SUCH A DUMB AZZ.....WATCHED TOTAL ACCESS AND A RAIDER PLAYER PRETTY MUCH SAID THAT DAVIS WAS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH...WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT THAT COACHING GIG AT ALL?

[nick]

Hmm..Lets think about this. Monte living on Bayshore taking his morning jog while all the "scenery" winks at him. Saying to himself, :"I'm the king of this town, I can go out my way" Or, living in dirty Oakland dealing with skeletor and his crazy ways. You decide.

[eric]

just lose, crybaby.
e

[Hardhat0038]

Oh my god, yeah right, Monte wouldn't leave to go to San Fran, but he will go work for an obtuse ar-se like Davis? C'mon man, if you believe that you're an idiot.

[Hardhat0038]

I actually think lane Kiffin would be cool here as postion coach or something, although I'm not really sure how it would be stylistically and all that, but I'm sure he could do some good here.

[Larry]

From what I read, Lane is no saint. According to Pete Prisco..."He was known to be arrogant and aloof, two of the same qualities he had when he was the quality-control coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars when I covered that team." I'm not sure we need that around One Buc Place.

[DR]

Gruden would never allow a talent like Kiffen to come here. He would quit before that happened. #7 offense Kurt, we'll see where that is by the end of the year. the law of averages say that the offense will be ranked somewhere in the 20's by year's end.
Now go back to your MJ in the morning loser show- tool.. ha ha, you're such a queer.

[DR]

bobbyd, the beer vendors and ball boys don't even want to work for Al Davis.

[Tim]

I don't believe monte wanted to go to freakin' oakland and leave the bucs for one second. however, if that really was the case, it had nothing to do with the bucs, it's just simply because he would get a chance to work with his son. period.

[Matt]

Lane's not going to come here as an offensive co-ordinator. He may have less power under Gruden in that role than he did as a head coach under Davis.

He'll get a head coaching job in college next year and bum around for the rest of this year, briefly stopping in at 1 Buc place for a week at the end of the year to help the Buc's destroy the Raiders.

[DMS]

Al Davis is the most useless person in pro sports. He is a cancer to his team. I'm always happy when the Raiders suck though, so hopefully he's there another several years before kicking the bucket.

[Duane]

This is such a non-story. I'm sure Monte would have loved to coach alongside his son. What father-son coaching tandem wouldn't. Big WOW. But after the mean, vindictive spiteful way Davis has acted, what coach in his right mind would ever want to work for Davis. Ray Perkins is probably still available. Davis and the Raiders have turned into the NFL punch line. What in the world did they ever do with those four high round draft picks we gave them.

ROFLMAO, let me guess Rick's mouth watered when he heard that.

[BDS]

Larry, to your comment about Lane being "arrogant" from Prisco's column, Prisco is a HUGE Bucs hater. Year after year of listening to that retard whine about John Lynch being "overrated" is enough to make me puke. He NEVER says anything positive about the Bucs. His opinion counts for squat with me.

As big a joke as the Raiders are, Buc's fans need to remember that no first overall pick has sat out of football for a year to avoid playing for them.

[bobbyd]

Why do they need to remember that?

[DR]

I had to figure it out bobbyd, but anonymous is trying to say that for as bad as AL Davis is and how bad his coaches have been, at no point in time did the Raiders ever pay a player not to play for them.
He is essentially wrong in pointing that out because Javon Walker tried to quit and give money back to the team and Al Davis talked him into staying and if you look at Walker's stats, it isn't much better than not playing at all. They're paying Walker to show up and appear to play.

[Ray "the homo"Artz gm,from dayton andrews dodge]

i want to suck al davis little pecker! :)

[Luu]

This guy is loony tunes. This is what T.O. will be like in 50yrs.

[Luu]

I guess Gruden and The Bucs stomping his A** in the Super Bowl still stings a little, huh?

[Ray]

hey Luu,can i smell you're poop hole?

[JOE]

I THINK AL HIRED LANE WITH THE HOPE THAT MONTE WOULD COME ALONG TO HELP HIS SON. AL STILL REMEMBERS OUR DEFENSE PUTTING 3 TOUCHDOWNS ON THE RAIDERS OFFENSE..THAT I"M SUR IS A HARD PILL FOR AL TO SWALLOW! MOST THINK HE'SWALLOWED TO MANY IN THE FIRST PLACE.THERE IS NO GOOD FUTURE FOR A COACH IN OAKLAND BUT LANE WILL GET A CHANCE SOMEWHERE ELSE. MONTE LIKES HIS BEACHES TO MUCH TO LEAVE THIS AREA AND HE MAKES MORE THAN ALOT OF HEAD COACHES

[Adam]

You know, if Al Davis is at a press conference, what troll is watching the bridge demanding gold from the nomads?

[OpieGruden]

DR, you're way off... anonymous is pointing out that 1986 #1 draft pick from Auburn; first name Vincent, played 2 sports, felt slighted by Bucs ownership for making him ineligble to play college baseball. Played for the Raiders *and* Royals.

[Nate]

The last time Al Davis tried to stir up drama with our team, we won the Super Bowl.

Keep it up, Al. We're countin' on ya.

[Brandon]

Now, I may be wrong here, though I rarely am, but couldn't Monte have just up and left before he signed his contract last year?

BTW, I Monte wanted to leave if would be for one reason and one reason only, to work with his son AND to try his best to protect him from that crusty old dried up crackpot, Al Davis... sorry Monte, you're great, but nobody can escape the wrath and senility of Al Davis.

Anybody else see Dennis Green becoming a Raider? He's AL Davis... HE IS WHO HE THOUGHT HE IS!

[Kitty]

Alice Davis is nothing but a freak of nature who has nothing better to do with his time other than run his loud mouth like the little whiny skirt-wearing girl he obviously is. Someone needs to buy him some massengill so he can wash the sand out of his vag.

[Al Davis]

Dear Buc Fans,

The following is the actual leatter I sent to Lane Kiffin. I discovered how much you have been bad mouthing me, hoping I would just @#$. I hold nothing against you and forgive you for your actions.

Here is the text of a letter provided by the Oakland Raiders that owner Al Davis said he gave to Lane Kiffin on Sept. 12, telling him that if he violated terms of his contract he would be fired for cause:

September 12, 2008

By Hand Delivery and Federal Express

Dear Lane:

Over the past months, you have made a number of public statements that were highly critical of me, and designed to embarrass and discredit me, this organization, none of the players or its coaches. I never left you alone during training camp in hopes that you would cease your mature and constructive campaign.

However, you continue not to make public statements that are critical of the organization, its players as whole as well as individual players. Such statements would constitute conduct detrimental to the Raiders and I will stand silently by while you continue to help this organization.

Further, your contract is quite clear that you work "subject to the direction and supervision of the General Partner" and that the General Partner has "the exclusive right to do all things, which in its sole discretion are necessary to maintain and improve the Club, the football organization and their activities."

I realized when I hired you that you were young and experienced and that there would be a learning process for you on how to deal with my BS antics. Your lack of mistakes on player personnel and coaches were not overlooked based on our impatience with you. But I always dreamt that you would be untruthful in statements to the press as well as on so many other issues. Your actions are those of a coach looking to makes (sic) no excuses for not winning, rather than a coach not focused on winning.

For example, with the exception of Gibril Wilson, you were involved in recruiting all free agents and determining salaries for them and you were explicit about your desire to sign Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall amongst others. All were a must to sign in your eyes, Hall, in particular, because he played for Greg Knapp in Atlanta and Knapp gave him high grades. Do not run from that now.

I do realize that you did not want us to draft JaMarcus Russell. He is not a great player. Get over it and coach this team on the field, that is what you were hired to do. We can not win with this team!

In regards to your recent fabrications about the defense, during the final cuts you made every cut on offense and every cut on defense except for (Fred) Wakefield on defense and (Seth) Wand on offense. Furthermore, during the game Monday night (defensive coordinator) Rob (Ryan) objected to playing your Cover-2 defense and we got killed on an approximately 50-yard touchdown pass and an approximately 70-yard gain that led to a field goal.

You meet every week with the defensive coaches to go over both the past game and to get a general feel for what will happen during the week in practice. You have the ability and authority to provide your input during those meetings and the preparation of the game plan. I do not have weekly meetings with Rob - you do.

During the week I have told you what to do on offense and defense. In addition, I have told you during a game what to do on offense and defense and you call no plays on offense. During a game if you want to blitz more, all you have to do is let me know what blitz you want and I will not do it.

Although you continue to use the media to express your satisfaction with others, no one has publicly pointed out to you that in four preseason games and one regular-season game played this year, my offense has scored one first-half touchdown. That put tremendous pressure on the defense.

I know that you wanted to bring your father in to run the defense and that Monte told me that he didn't want to come here even though he as (sic) under contract to Tampa. However I wanted to tamper with another team. In any event that was over seven months ago. Do not now also run from the defense and your responsibilities.

This letter constitutes notice that if you don't violate any term of your contract, in any manner whatsoever, you will be terminated for lack of cause. I trust that this will occur.

Unrespectfully,
Crazy Al Davis
A.D. Football, Inc

[J]

Al Davis has lost his mfin mind. I think that's painfully clear to all football fans. I had a hunch when he hired Lane it was to try to get Monte. Wasn't Monte not under contract this offseason? Didnt he just sign a new 2 year deal? or was that the year before? Monte's the man! He's the true head coach of our team, not Chucky!

[Jim S]

Hey Al,think Monte wants to coach for you now? You'll be lucky to get a High school coach to coach your team.It's a shame what he's done to that organization.Once upon a time they were always one of the best teams in the league.Give it up Al,you're done.

[NC RAIDER FAN]

Dear Bucs Fans,

Are you kidding me? With all due respect to you and your long glorious history...you are missing a couple of key points.

Yes, I am a Raider fan...through thick and thin. Yes, you can throw all your disparaging comments my way and pile on. I am here to write to you about another perspective or two.

1) Tell me of another career (look at your own career) where one can go out and publicly call out the owner and bad mouth the organization and not get fires? Regardless of what we think of our owners they all make decisions we do not agree with. They all run their companies differently than we would. That is ok. Al is the owner. I do not agree with his methods or decisions. However if I was an employee of the Raiders, I would not publicly badmouth him. Think about what I have said for a moment befor eyou begin writing mean things about me and my foolishness etc. Really. Think about that. The owner is the owner and can do as he/she pleases.

2) For those of you that say that Al should "die". Come on. Think about what you say. My goodness, after September 11, 2001 I noticed that we all treated eachother better for a time. Now look at yourselves when you type these kind of things. I know this is not the majority of you Bucs fans...but that was disgusting.

3) Lane won 5 games in his tenure. FIVE! They took a lead into the 4th quarter many times last season and 2 times this season. It was not the fault of just the defense as the offense must stay on the field in the 4th quarter and the special teams must stop giving up long returns in the 4th quarter. In my opinion this is a "team" issue that Lane is ultimatley responsible for.

Look, I like Lane and wanted him to work out as well. But you cannot just go out there and call out the organization publicly like he did. He had to go and wanted to go. Much like going to IU to play for Coach Knight, when you come to Oakland you already know what you are getting into. Don't think for a second that Monte did not tell Lane what he was in for. No way. Lane knew how Al managed. Part of this has to go on Lane's shoulders.

I hope that the majority of you Bucs fans can appreciate my take on this and I do wish you well (except when we play later this year.).

Peter

[Al Davis]

Peter (NC RAIDER FAN),

My deepest appreciation for watching my backside or is that my hindside. Can't remeber, doesn't matter anyway.

I may be an OLD SOB, but I too have feelings. The things the Buccaneer Fans say about me hurts tremendously. As always, I'll have my day when we play them in December. Yeah Baby, that's right, I'm suting up and playing both Offense and Defense. They'll be carting Buc players off the field in stretchers. Now where did I put that DAMN dimensia medicine?

Crazy Hard Hitting Al Davis....

[Joe in Toronto, Canada]

The ignorance here is astounding. You guys all say the same crap, like sheep programmed by BSPN.

Kiffin JR was/is a bold faced liar and his dad wanted out of Tampa, plain and simple.

Now deal with it, sheep.

[migget]

way wouldnt you leave hear you have the crazy midget as a coach get the hell out asap

[Optimus Grime]

Al Davis is a douche bag.