Raiders notes: Kiffin is linked to Arkansas job

ALAMEDA – Lane Kiffin doesn't remember much about his time in Arkansas for a simple reason.

"I was 3 years old," he said.

But that hasn't stopped numerous reports from Fayetteville, Ark., that Kiffin is interested in the University of Arkansas' head-coaching job.

Two weeks ago, before the Raiders played Minnesota, Kiffin said he was glad he didn't land the University of Minnesota job, for which he'd interviewed, last January because he later took the Raiders job.

Kiffin went to high school in Minnesota, and as evidenced by how young he was when he lived in Arkansas, there aren't the same sentimental ties to school.

Kiffin, however, was short in his responses to questions Wednesday about his reported interest in the Arkansas vacancy, which was created by Houston Nutt's resignation Monday.

When asked how he responded to numerous reports he was a top candidate for the job, the detail-oriented Kiffin claimed ignorance.

"That's news to me," Kiffin said on being a candidate.

On whether he had been contacted by Arkansas: "No."

On whether his agent (whom he didn't name) had been contacted: "No," Kiffin said. "You can call him and ask him."

He then jogged off after declaring how old he was when his father, Monte, was hired as the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator under Lou Holtz in 1977.

Monte Kiffin spent another year as the defensive coordinator before becoming Arkansas' assistant head coach in 1979.

The elder Kiffin left Arkansas to become North Carolina State's head coach in 1980.

Lane Kiffin signed a three-year contract in January when the Raiders made him the youngest head coach in the NFL's modern era at 31.

Dealing with tragedy – The Denver Broncos have a unique perspective on the shooting death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Denver cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed early New Year's Day, hours after the Broncos' season-ending loss to the 49ers.

During a conference call, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said that stories such as Taylor's, in which he was shot by an intruder, make it "almost necessary" to keep a gun at home.

Bailey wouldn't disclose if he does.

"I definitely don't condone just driving around with guns or anything like that," Bailey said. "But if you need it for protection, I'm all for it. Some people need it more than others."

Bailey said athletes sometimes are targets when their associates are involved in altercations because they have big names.

"If somebody's in your face, you know you're not doing anything wrong, so swallow your pride and walk away," Bailey said. "That's probably the best way to avoid confrontations. But if somebody wants you, they can get you. It's unfortunate that you can't really do anything about it."

Injury report – Raiders safety and special- teams leader Jarrod Cooper underwent knee surgery Wednesday and eventually will be placed on injured reserve.

Linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba (ankle) and defensive end Derrick Burgess (Achilles') were limited in practice.

About the writer:

• Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.