I spoke with team executive John Herrera about an hour ago. He said there's nothing to the report by ESPN except that James Lofton will interview with Lane Kiffin on Monday about a job as an assistant coach when he returns from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Lofton was fired by San Diego and interviewed to be the team's head coach the last two years, losing out to Art Shell and Kiffin.
Herrera said the status of Kiffin and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are "non-issues" and that Dennis Green has not been contacted by the team.
This becomes a question of who do you believe.
It's not impossible that Davis, noted for his frugal ways, would ask Kiffin to resign to save paying him about $4 million.
Davis didn't like hearing Kiffin's name mentioned for the Arkansas job, though Kiffin said he was never interested in it. Davis might feel if Kiffin wants to be a college coach, he should go ahead and leave now.
I could also see Kiffin telling Davis to fire him. He talked about making changes and hasn't been allowed to make them. The proof is the staff he took the Senior Bowl is the staff he ended the season with.
Kiffin said he'd make changes quickly.
Meanwhile, Kiffin won't comment on anything that's happened the last three weeks.
But didn't Kiffin say he knew of no rumors from the last few weeks?
This is threatening to ruin all the goodwill Kiffin built this season. And if it keeps up, the Raiders will find themselves in a familiar position in January 2009, with a top-10 draft choice.
Several fans have emailed me calling the situation embarrassing. It truly is.
Fans are fearful of losing another good coach (that Gruden for Tyler Brayton trade didn't work out too well).
I guess this gives us all a reason to watch the Senior Bowl. Rob-O's dad, Buddy Ryan did punch a coach on the sidelines once.
Who knows what will happen this weekend?
--Jason Jones
@Nyx.CommentBody@