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Shanahan, Kiffin View Firing Differently

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2008

TAMPA - Denver coach Mike Shanahan and Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin took divergent approaches Wednesday when asked about the dismissal of Monte's son, Lane, as coach of the Raiders.

Kiffin said he watched "bits and pieces" of Al Davis' news conference Tuesday as Oakland's maverick owner detailed his reasons for firing Lane Kiffin only 20 games into his tenure.

Davis also released the text of a letter he sent to Lane, warning his 33-year-old coach that he was on the brink of being dismissed. In that letter, Davis also looked back at the offseason and referred to the possibility of Monte Kiffin joining the Raiders in January.

"Monte told me he wanted to come here, even though he's under contract at Tampa," Davis said in the letter that was delivered to Lane.

"It was a long day," Monte said Wednesday, referring to his son's dismissal "with cause," according to Davis, who doesn't intend to pay Lane for the remainder of his contract. "I really don't want to go there. I'd rather talk about Denver QB Jay Cutler."

Kiffin was asked what advice he gave his son throughout a prolonged ordeal.

"I've always said to take the high road - that's all you can do," Monte said.

"Don't you guys have any questions about Denver? I'm fired up about playing the Broncos. Let's go somewhere else. Yesterday was yesterday. Let's move on."

Earlier in the day, Shanahan, who also was fired by Davis after only 20 games as coach, treated a sensitive subject with levity.

"I'm a little upset because Lane actually lasted 34 days more than me, and that means Al likes Lane better than me," Shanahan said with a laugh during a conference call with Tampa Bay media. "You think about it, it doesn't seem fair. I was 8-12 and he was 5-15, but he got 34 days more pay than I did. I told people that the press conference speaks for itself. I don't have to say anything."

SPECIAL TANDEM: Bucs K Matt Bryant and LB Derrick Brooks were recognized by the league for their efforts in Sunday's 30-21 victory against Green Bay.

Brooks was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in his storied career after posting an interception and a forced fumble that was scooped up by S Jermaine Phillips and returned 38 yards for a TD. Brooks finished with five stops and got his hands on two other passes that were nearly picked off.

Bryant made all three of his field-goal attempts, only four days after the death of his 3-month-old son, Tryson.

Bryant was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, the second time he has earned the weekly honor with the Bucs and the fourth time in his career. Bryant has made all eight of his field-goal tries this season and has converted all 12 extra-point attempts.

"It was very special," Coach Jon Gruden said of Bryant's NFC honor.

INJURY UPDATE: S Sabby Piscitelli did not practice Wednesday because of a "sore elbow," Gruden said, and his status for Sunday's matchup at Denver is uncertain.

G Davin Joseph, who hasn't dressed through four games while recuperating from a broken right foot, said he continues to make progress. Joseph practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, but WR Joey Galloway (foot) and FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) were sidelined.

EXTRA POINTS: Ex-Buc Michael Pittman is thriving as a goal-line runner for the Broncos, with four TDs during Denver's 3-1 start, all from 3 yards or less. ... By beating the Bucs on Sunday, Shanahan would register the 150th victory of his career, including an 8-5 mark in the postseason. ... Cutler has been sacked only twice in 157 pass attempts.

Ira Kaufman

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