Straight from the Sports Desk

According to the Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald and several other sources, Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin reportedly told Jordan during the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday the tailback would not be practicing and he is free to find a new home.

With a very crowded backfield (Oakland has Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Joe Echemandu, rookie Louis Rankin and soon-to-be added No. 4 overall pick Darren McFadden in the stable) backfield, Jordan by all intents and purposes is the odd-man out.

After suffering a lower back injury against Miami last season, Jordan was quickly pushed into the shadows by Fargas. The ex-Trojan took the starting spot and literally ran with it. Fargas' reckless running style lead to his first 1,000 yard season and new three-year deal with the Raiders. "Huggie Bears son" is locked as the Raiders starter as of now and with a plethora of younger talent behind him, Jordan is all but gone. His $4.7 million cap number surely doesn't help his cause.

Jordan was a popular free agent signee back in 2005. Inking a five-year, $27.5 million contract after playing backup to Curtis Martin during his tenure with the Jets, the ex-Maryland standout earned his pay in his first season in the Silver and Black. Rushing for 1,025 yard for nine touchdowns as well as grabbing 70 passes for 563 yards and two scores, Jordan seemed to be the solution at running back for the Raiders after Charlie Garner bought out his contract and left Oakland.

However, Jordan's penchant for injury quickly wore on fans and his subpar outing during the 2006 season (434 yards and one touchdown) didn't help matters.

But when Kiffin became the new Raiders head coach last season and he installed the zone blocking scheme, Jordan recaptured his form, even leading the league in rushing at one point. Then, it came crashing down -- he got hurt again.

With Fargas at the helm and Michael Bush and Darren McFadden looking to earn some playing time, Jordan is being shown the door. Oakland had Dominic Rhodes (who is now back in the Colts' stable) at one point and released him once Oakland selected McFadden in the draft.

But, like all things Raider, the man in charge makes the final decisions.

Jordan will be gone, when Al Davis says so.

There's still one major obstacle between Jordan heading out the door into free agency or another team via trade -- there are rumors Davis is deathly afraid his free-agent prize three season ago will end up with a division foe, the Broncos.

While one can argue Jordan will have a hard time finding work elsewhere, all a team has too look at was his early 2007 performance before he hurt is back. With Denver cutting ties with their No. 1 tailback Travis Henry earlier this week, Jordan may be appealing to the Broncos. Denver even uses the same zone-blocking scheme the Raiders do, and there's nothing more dangerous than a running back with a grudge.

But if Davis has confidence in his players and coaches, cutting ties with Jordan is surely the way to go. Having a disgruntled employee who is making beaucoup bucks ($4.7 million isn't chump change, it's way too much for a backup anyhow) isn't healthy for an organization. Davis can turn right around and use the money saved on inking McFadden to a deal.

While fans have been screaming for Davis to finally get rid Jordan, don't be surprised if the old man finds a way to keep him on the roster.

I mean, who would have thought Mr. Raider himself would go on a shopping spree during free agency and assemble what I like to call the All-ACL Team. (read up on the injuries of WRs Javon Walker and Drew Carter, DT Tommy Kelly, etc.)

Anything is possible in the Black Hole.