Now in the fast Lane, Kiffin's steering like a pro

Any coach who takes the Raiders job understands that getting along with owner Al Davis -- OK doing what he says -- is a must. The joke around the NFL is that Davis, who is here at the meetings, is the team's defensive coordinator, which is why he always hires coaches with offensive backgrounds.

No decision in Oakland is made without Davis getting the final word. That's why the job is viewed as being unattractive in coaching circles and why men like Bob Petrino and Ken Whisenhunt have turned down a chance to coach the Raiders the past two years.

It is, though, one of only 32 NFL head-coaching jobs. When you're 31, how the heck can you possibly say no to that?

"Al's been great," Kiffin said.

He repeated that several times during his session with the media. But Kiffin insists that Davis has given him everything he asked for when he took the job, including free agents and the ability to pick the staff he wanted.

In the next month or so, the tough part will come for Kiffin. He will have to build relationships with his players. With eight players on the current roster that are older than him, it could be a challenge.

Not only that, but he has the combustible Randy Moss to deal with on a daily basis. The word is Moss had some not-so-nice words for Kiffin when he called him shortly after taking the job.

Asked how he would handle Moss, Kiffin was succinct.

"Like everybody else," he said.

Moss has a reputation for sulking when he doesn't get the ball, but Kiffin seemed understanding to it. He cited one game last year where Moss was thrown to just two times.

Maybe he had a right to sulk.

"I saw a player at times who made some very talented plays," Kiffin said. "I also saw a player not playing to the standard I wanted him to play to."

Oakland is coming off a 2-14 season, which is why it has the top pick. Kiffin would offer no hints as to who the team would take on draft day, but he did break down Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in great detail. The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, and most have Russell heading to them with the first pick.

"We're pursuing all options at this time," Kiffin said. "If we do pick there, we'll pick a guy on offense or defense."

That brought chuckles all around. See, The Kid has a sense of humor, too.

Whoever they draft, that player will be getting a coach who is driven to make him, and the team, better.

Unlike most coaches, Kiffin said he thinks he knows the secret to making players better, and it has nothing to do with drive.

"What motivates them?" he said. "What motivates them is money and winning. Let's be honest, money is more important than winning with a lot of them. So how do you get them more money? You get new contracts, you play well."

That's candor. In a league of coach-speak, that's refreshing. It was also somewhat of a surprise, but Kiffin seems oblivious to the coaching rule of say nothing. That could lead to more scrutiny, but he seems OK with that.

The age issue certainly will bring more eyes. But history shows that it's not always a bad thing. The Raiders had success when they promoted 33-year-old John Madden to head coach in 1969. Bill Cowher, who resigned this year as Pittsburgh's coach, was 35 when he took over the Steelers.

To put Kiffin's age in perspective, the last time the Raiders won a Super Bowl he was 8.

"I don't know and I really don't care what that (his age) is going to do," Kiffin said. "Whether there is more focus on it or not has nothing to do with me going to work every day. There are enough things to concern myself with."

If he has the same success on the field that he had Tuesday with the media, the Raiders will be fine.

The Kid was impressive.