If felt like Raiders week Wednesday during coach Mike Shanahan’s press conference at Broncos headquarters.
Shanahan talked — er, joked — about the similarities between he and Lane Kiffin, who on Tuesday was fired as the Raiders head coach. Shanahan was fired as the Los Angeles Raiders’ coach in 1989.
Both men lasted 20 games under Al Davis, and were fired four games into their second season.
“I’ll be honest with you, I was a little disappointed,” Shanahan said about Kiffin with a grin. “When you take a look at it, I was there 582 days. Lane Kiffin was there 616 days. So what it really means is that Al Davis liked Lane more than he liked me. I really don’t think it’s fair. I won three more games, yet he got 34 more days of work. It just doesn’t seem right.”
Turning serious, Shanahan talked about former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese, who on Sunday will lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into Invesco Field at Mile High. Shanahan said he speaks to Griese often.
“He’s such a great person,” he said. “(Looking at) what he’s accomplished on the football field and what he’s accomplished off the football field, with his charities … It’s fun to see his growth on and off the field. He’s a fun guy. I really respect him.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
