By JOSH DUBOW
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders fired Lane Kiffin on Tuesday just four games into his second season, bringing finality to a situation that had been simmering for eight months. Kiffin had a 5-15 record since being hired last year, losing his final game 28-18 on Sunday to San Diego.
The decision on Kiffin was as much about his frequent criticisms of owner Al Davis' franchise as it was the team's performance on the field. Those critiques reached a peak when Kiffin distanced himself from the defense after a blowout loss in the season opener, saying that was under coordinator Rob Ryan and Davis' control.
Raiders fire coach Lane Kiffin after 4 games....
Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame player who was the longtime executive director of the NFL Players Association, has died.
He was 63.
Upshaw had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to several reports.
An NFL Players Association official confirmed Upshaw's death.
The union posted a written statement on its website that said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of our leader, Gene Upshaw. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Terri, and their three sons--Eugene, Justin and Daniel. Gene learned he was sick just this past Sunday and he died with his family at his side. We ask that the media respect our need to begin the process of dealing with this unexpected tragedy and to begin the grieving process."
Upshaw Dead at 63....
Associated Press
One man was arrested and a second was sought Tuesday in a robbery and beating that left Raiders receiver Javon Walker unconscious on a side street after a long night of partying at Las Vegas nightclubs.
Police said Arfat Fadel, of Las Vegas, was accused of multiple felonies, including kidnapping, robbery, battery and conspiracy in a June 16 robbery. Lt. Clinton Nichols said Walker lost about $3,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of jewelry in the robbery.
The loot has not been re- covered, Nichols said.
"Mr. Walker was in town to have a good time, as many of our visitors to Las Vegas do," Nichols said. "As he will readily admit, he probably had a little too much to drink and he did not pick up on the clues that Mr. Fadel was someone he probably should not have been with."
Police released a booking photo of Fadel, 30, and a black-and-white surveillance videotape image of the other alleged assailant who they believed was still in Las Vegas.
Police catch Walker suspect....
Bryan Chu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was beaten, mugged and found unconscious off the Las Vegas strip early Monday morning, a Las Vegas law enforcement official said.
No arrests have been made, but police have some leads.
"We don't believe this is a random act," Las Vegas police Lt. Clint Nichols told the Chronicle. "They knew who he was and (Walker) presented a target.
MORE....
Oakland Raiders have signed running back Darren McFadden, their top pick in this year's draft.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but SI.com reported that the deal was for six years and $60million, including $26 million in guaranteed money.
The Raiders will hold a press conference at 2pm EDT on Friday to officially announce the signing.
McFadden, the number four overall selection and a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up at Arkansas, is the third first-round pick to sign this year, joining overall number one Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins and third pick Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons.
Long, an offensive tackle, signed a five-year, $57.5 million deal prior to the draft, while quarterback Ryan inked a six-year pact for $72 million.
STORY....
