FOR SOME COACHES, BYE WEEK MEANS BYE-BYE

(Sept. 30): Beware of the bye week if you are an NFL head coach skating on thin ice. It's the most logical time to make a switch, giving his successor time to make changes designed to turn around a team.

That's why, to no one's surprise -- including his own -- Scott Linehan became the first coaching casualty of the season when he was fired by the winless St. Louis Rams the day after a fourth straight lopsided loss.

And that's why the long-rumored firing of Lane Kiffin became a reality earlier today.

The Rams have been outscored 147-43 this season and have allowed at least 30 points in seven straight games dating to last year. Linehan was 11-25 in his first head coaching job, losing 17 of his last 20 after going 8-8 in his first year.

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who spent six seasons as a head coach in New Orleans will replace Linehan on an interim basis.

The 33-year-old Kiffin was only in his second season with the Raiders, but ran afoul with team owner Al Davis.

Oakland is off to a 1-3 start and has squandered leads of 12, 13 and 9 points over the past three games, dropping Kiffin's record in Oakland to 5-15. Offensive line coach Tom Cable is expected to take over.

All of which again proves that the bye week, for some folks, can turn into bye-bye week.

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