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Lane Kiffin No Longer Interested in Keeping His Job as Raiders Head Coach

That headline is the only conclusion I can draw after his decision to march Sebastian Janikowski out to attempt a 76-yarder before the half yesterday. On paper, it sounds kinda funny. But when you watch the actual context in which the impossible attempt came to be, it’s just more pathetic than anything. Instead of using a timeout, running another play and trying to get into actual field goal range, Lane Kiffin decided to run the clock to one-second and let Janikowski do this:

Oonce Kiffin inexplicably decided not to use his timeout, the best play was to take a knee and avoid possible disaster, which could've resulted from this little newsflash: That kick was returnable. I’m not sure Kiffin understands that, based on his post-game comments:
"We gave him a chance," said Kiffin, who had Janikowski attempt (and miss) a 64-yard field goal in the same northern direction at the Coliseum last season. "There's really nothing bad that can happen."
No, no, nothing bad whatsoever has ever occurred from attempting one of these. Well, accept for this, of course:

Luckily for Kiffin (or, perhaps he was unlucky, assuming he really doesn’t want his job anymore), the Chargers were unable to return the kick for a TD this time. But regardless, Kiffin’s judgment still has to be questioned given both the way he handled the remaining seconds of the half and the decision to have his kicker essentially punt to San Diego, instead of taking a knee.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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Attempting a 76 yard field goal may seem crazy to you, but you weren’t there in Oakland obviously last year when Janokowski….who has a canon for a leg….attempted a 67 yard field goal, and it HIT THE UPRIGHT…..NEAR THE TOP. If it had been one inch to the left, it would have been good, and I remember Greg Papa, the radio comentator, stating that the distance would have made the kick good from 75 yards easily.

by MikeNelson on Sep 29, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions  

"Attempting a 76 yard field goal may seem crazy to you"

Yes, it does. And after watching him attempt that 76 yarder, it still seems crazy to me. He didn’t even come close — it was 11 yards short and wide right.

by cmottram on Sep 29, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Kiffin not caring about attempting a 76 yarder? If he did not really care would he have not the FG team to fan out and cover the potential missed kick? I do not get how you can compare the MIN-SD game to this past Sunday’s game. One of the main reasons why Cromartie was able to run the kick back was because the Viking FG team was late to react whereas the Raiders were treating the FG as a punt. 

by butterfingers37 on Sep 30, 2008 1:11 AM EDT reply actions  

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