Raiders owner Davis cans Kiffin, then fires some shots

The Raiders yesterday fired Lane Kiffin just four games into his second season, ending a public feud with owner Al Davis that had been simmering since the start of the year.

The Raiders promoted offensive line coach Tom Cable to interim head coach.

Kiffin had a 5-15 record since being hired last year.

His frequent criticisms of Davis's franchise 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's control.

Yesterday, Davis critiqued many of Kiffin's coaching and personnel decisions. Among other things, he said Kiffin objected to the Raiders using the first pick in the 2007 draft on quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

"I didn't think it was any one thing, it was a cumulative thing," Davis said. "The pattern just disturbed me."

In detailing more of their differences, Davis called Kiffin a "flat-out liar" and a "professional liar" in his rambling address, during which he appeared angry at times. Kiffin told ESPN's "SportsCenter" Davis was presenting only one side of the story, and that he was "embarrassed" for the owner.

The Raiders said Kiffin was fired for cause, meaning they likely will try to not pay him for the remainder of his contract.

Bulger back

Marc Bulger is the Rams' starting quarterback again in one of Jim Haslett's first moves as their new coach. Backup Trent Green started Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bills in Scott Linehan's final game as coach . . . Cedric Benson signed with the Bengals, who needed another runner and were undeterred by the two alcohol-related arrests in Texas that prompted the Bears to let him go.

Steelers hurt

With Rashard Mendenhall fracturing his right shoulder during Monday night's game and Willie Parker already out, the division-leading Steelers are down to one healthy running back for Sunday night's key AFC game in Jacksonville - Mewelde Moore, who had only one carry in their first three games.

"We live week to week and day to day," coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday, barely 12 hours after a 23-20 overtime victory over AFC North rival Baltimore. "We're going to Jacksonville this weekend and we need somebody to tote the thing."

First-round draft pick Mendenhall needs surgery and will miss the rest of the season. He was hurt when hit by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Also, Steelers right guard Kendall Simmons ruptured an Achilles' tendon in the game and won't play again this season.

Ravens running back Willis McGahee hurt a rib in the game and his status for Sunday's gave vs. the Titans is unclear.

Williams tempted

Ricky Williams told the Miami Herald he was briefly tempted to smoke marijuana during the Dolphins' bye weekend, an act that could have ended his roller-coaster NFL career. Williams has been in the league's substance-abuse program since 2002 . . . Giants backup running back Danny Ware was arrested in Athens, Ga., and charged with an alcohol offense.