Raiders coach Cable rips Kiffin

Dec 16, 2008 - 7:22 PM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Lane Kiffin's ugly departure from the Oakland Raiders continues to hang over the franchise.

Interim coach Tom Cable on Monday lashed out after Raiders assistant offensive line coach James Cregg resigned abruptly following Sunday's game to join Kiffin's staff at the University of Tennessee.

"I'm all about honesty and doing the right thing," Cable said. "It is ridiculous to be quite honest with you."

Kiffin was fired "for cause" by Oakland owner Al Davis on September 30, which prompted Kiffin to file a grievance with the league seeking compensation for the remainder of his contract.

Cable was irked at the timing of Cregg's resignation, with just two weeks remaining in the regular season. He placed the blame on Kiffin, particularly since Tennessee enters a "dead period" as far as recruiting in the next week.

"Sure I am," Cable said, when asked if he was angry with Kiffin. "That's the wrong way to handle things. Anybody in their right mind would understand the college rules. ... It's wrong."

On Monday morning, Cable fired director of football development Mark Jackson - who was brought to Oakland by Kiffin - and office assistant Stephen Reaves, the brother-in-law of Kiffin.

The Raiders are 3-11 overall and 2-8 under Cable.