Despite Win, Raiders Expected to Dump Lane Kiffin As Soon As Possible

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Raiders will fire head coach Lane Kiffin as early as this week and name defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in his place.

The word on the street was that Kiffin would be fired if the Raiders lost to the Chiefs. Well, Oakland won that game, leaving the organization in a weird decision. A decision that may already have been made.

After last week's loss to the Broncos, there was a public war of words between Kiffin and Ryan over Al Davis' involvement in the gameplanning of the team. According to the Chronicle, once Kiffin fired on Davis and Ryan, Davis told Ryan to strike back ... which led to his public F-bomb laced tirade.

Davis has Ryan in his pocket (which he loves) and he's already drawn a letter of resignation for Kiffin to sign (which Kiffin wouldn't). It is quite obvious that Kiffin knows he will be fired at any time and is trying his best to facilitate it:

"We don't have a general manager; everything goes through the owner," Kiffin said Wednesday. "That sets up a difficult situation at times. Knowing who the owner is, you know from Day 1 there's no job security."

Of course, Davis may bite on his impulse ... but try to get out of paying Kiffin his salary.Word is that Davis would cite insubordination as a reason to fire Kiffin and not pay him the remainder of his contract. Davis would use the fact that Kiffin publicly questioned the owner's input into on-field matters as well as keeping Kiffin out of the loop on personnel moves.

And Davis could get his way. He did the same sorts of things when he fired Mike Shanahan nearly 20 years ago. He has never paid Shanahan the remainder of his contract, which leads to an extremely icy situation when the Raiders face Shanahan's Broncos.

Ryan isn't the only nominee for the job, but seems to be the leader right now since he showed loyalty to Davis. Nancy Gay of SFGate.com may have said it best:

Ryan would be the eighth coach Davis has hired since the franchise returned to Oakland in 1995. That doesn't make Ryan invincible. It simply means he's the next in line.

Latest NFL Photos

This photo released by the Gwinnett County (Ga.) Detention Center shows Atlanta Falcons veteran safety Lawyer Milloy, arrested on DUI and speeding charges. The 34-year-old Milloy was released from jail Monday morning Sept. 15, 2008 after posting bond of more than $1,600. (AP Photo/Gwinett Couty Detention Center)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Thomas Jones #20 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas Jones

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Matt Cassel #16 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the New York Jets on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 19-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Cassel

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the New England Patriots connects for an extra point against the New York Jets on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 19-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stephen Gostkowski

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 19-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Matt Cassel #16 of the New England Patriots hands the ball to teammate Sammy Morris #34 against the New York Jets on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 19-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Cassel;Sammy Morris

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets looks on against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 19-10.(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Cleveland Browns tries to go over the tackle of Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter on September 14, 2008 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jamal Lewis;Ike Taylor

Getty Images