The Oakland Raiders fired Lane Kiffin on Tuesday 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, losing his final game 28-18 on Sunday to the San Diego Chargers.

The decision to remove Kiffin was as much about his frequent criticisms of Davis' franchise as it was the team's performance on the field. Those critiques 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' control.

However, during a news conference Tuesday, Davis also critiqued several 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.

The Raiders said Kiffin was fired for cause, meaning they probably will try not to pay him for the remainder of his contract. He signed a two-year deal worth about $4 million with a team option for 2009 when he took over last year.

Kiffin's agent Gary Uberstine had no immediate comment.

RAMS' BULGER BACK AT STARTER: St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger ducked the media last week, afraid of what he might say after getting benched by Scott Linehan.

Bulger got his job back Tuesday, the biggest development of new coach Jim Haslett's first full day in charge of the winless team. The highest-paid player in franchise history, who ran the scout team offense last week, also broke his silence.

PANTHERS SIGN PALMER: The Carolina Panthers have signed tackle Jonathan Palmer to the practice squad to provide more depth as they struggle with injuries on the offensive line.

Fullback Billy Latsko was released from the practice squad Tuesday to make room for 6-foot-5, 325-pound Palmer.

BENGALS ADD BENSON: Running back Cedric Benson signed Tuesday with the Cincinnati Bengals, who needed another runner and were undeterred by two alcohol-related arrests in Texas that prompted the Chicago Bears to let him go.

RICKY WILLIAMS FIGHTS OFF URGE TO USE POT: Ricky Williams says he was briefly tempted to smoke marijuana during the Miami Dolphins' bye weekend, an act that could have ended his roller-coaster NFL career.

Since 2004, the Dolphins running back has played only 16 NFL games, including three this year. If Williams were to smoke marijuana again, he would likely be out of the NFL for good because he has already violated the league drug policy four times.

McGAHEE HURTS RIBS: Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee has a rib injury, and his status for the game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday is unclear.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.