This Oakland Raiders situation has turned into a real mud slinging party. By the time Lane Kiffin’s firing disappears from the headlines, we will have heard from every former Raiders player, coach, towel boy, janitor and secretary about how [fill in the blank] Al Davis is as an owner. This is what happens when your coach-firing news conference turns into a public pimp slapping. People are going to have opinions.

Monte Poole of the Oakland Tribune points out that Davis seems to be learning from his mistakes and plans to hand over more football control. This franchise, the way I see it, isn’t light years away from contending. It just needs a little jolt, one that would come from Davis taking a step back from the football operations.

As long as we’re talking about firings …

The St. Louis Rams getting rid of Scott Linehan came with a little less commotion than Kiffin’s departure. Jim Haslett has been named interim head coach in the wake of Linehan’s firing, inheriting an 0-4 team that ranks dead last in the NFL in both scoring offense (10.8 ppg) and scoring defense (36.8).

Bill Coates of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Week 5 bye came at a perfect time for the Rams to lick some physical and emotional wounds. Things don’t get any easier, though, with consecutive matchups at Washington, vs. Dallas and at New England in the next three weeks. Still, this was a dead team walking after Linehan seemingly lost his players. There’s nowhere to go but up.

Haslett’s first order of business was to reinstate demoted quarterback Marc Bulger. This is the best thing for fantasy owners, especially the group that drafted Bulger early and the group that plucked Bulger off waivers after he lost his job to backup Trent Green. Give Bulger a little protection, and he can re-discover his Pro Bowl form. Keep losing the battle upfront, and no quarterback will get that offense going.

Injuries, as usually is the case, are a major story heading into Week 5 …

In Philadelphia, do-it-all running back Brian Westbrook is questionable with an ankle strain, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. After missing the last seven quarters of action, we highly recommend using Westbrook only as a last resort this week versus Washington. Once again, he will be a gametime decision.

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin is out at least this week after having surgery to repair a fractured sinus, the Arizona Republic reported. In his stead, third-year wide receiver Steve Breaston will line up opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Both figure to have big days against Buffalo.

Ben Roethlisberger, listed as questionable for this week’s matchup against Jacksonville, will start at quarterback, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, he will be missing guard Kendall Simmons, running backs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, and fullback Carey Davis. It could be another long, painful day for “Banged-Up Ben.”

Minnesota’s disappointing fantasy defense got another piece of bad news when the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that linebacker E.J. Henderson will miss the next month with two dislocated toes. Already soft against the pass, Minnesota loses a key interior defender and sure tackler in Henderson.

Some under-the-radar players I like to have big days this weekend …

The results haven’t been pretty thus far, but keep in mind that Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte has thrown for 200-plus yards in each of his two starts. If he can add two scores against New Orleans’ 29th-ranked pass defense, he’ll be a worthwhile start.

Green Bay running back Ryan Grant has to break out of this funk, doesn’t he? A hamstring injury has contributed to his slow start, but facing the Falcons at home should help him find some semblance of a rhythm. If results aren’t there again this week, consider hedging your bets and picking up Brandon Jackson as “demotion insurance.”

Dallas rookie Felix Jones gets most of his value from big scoring plays, something that should happen - by rush, kickoff or catch - Sunday against Cincinnati.

Just when we think Maurice Jones-Drew is down and out, he can surprise with a huge rushing day. This week, in the least likely of matchups, he can do it in an AFC slugfest against Pittsburgh. Not that most owners have a choice, but give him a starting nod.

Speaking of start/sit options, I’m not sold on Steelers default starter Mewelde Moore in his matchup against the Jaguars. A decent bye-week replacement and flex option, Moore shouldn’t roll up any more than 60 yards on the ground. And at the goal-line, newly signed Najeh Davenport could get the call.

Giants wide receiver Steve Smith will see a trickledown effect from Plaxico Burress‘ one-week suspension. While not one to draw red-zone targets, Smith is an appealing option in PPR leagues because of his ability to move the chains.

All or nothing isn’t something I look for in a fantasy wideout, but New Orleans receiver Robert Meachem is an exception this week. The guy is averaging better than 40 yards per catch and should find sneaking past the Vikings secondary an easy task.

You know, Miami’s Greg Camarillo is due for some kind of statement game. The Dolphins like what this guy can do, and if the offense can keep moving behind Ronnie Brown, Camarillo can find paydirt for the first time this season. I’m guessing he does this weekend against San Diego.

Greg Olsen has teased us with his immense ability before, but something tells me he’s officially arriving as a fantasy force. Three quality matchups lie ahead, including Sunday in Detroit, and there are few other legit pass catchers for QB Kyle Orton to target.

On the opposite side, look for Detroit wideout Roy Williams to get back on track against a banged-up Bears secondary. According to NFL.com, Chicago could be without cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher, who are both listed as questionable. Williams and running mate Calvin Johnson will be tough for a thin secondary to handle.