ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden is dealing with more than just pro football this week.

When Notre Dame fired coach Bob Davie on Sunday, Gruden immediately was called a leading candidate for the job. Reports swirled that his agent, Bob LaMont, has already held conversations with Notre Dame officials.

"Bob LaMont has not talked to anybody," Gruden said Monday. "Who said what, I don't know. I don't want to account for every conversation that's taken place."

Gruden's father, Jim, now a regional scout with the San Francisco 49ers, once served as an assistant coach for the Irish. Gruden's boyhood home featured a replica of Notre Dame's stadium in the basement.

"It's natural for that kind of talk because he has a history there," said Raiders receiver Tim Brown, a Notre Dame alum. "But we have enough on our brains."

Gruden said he is flattered by all the attention, but would rather discuss more pressing matters -- such as getting the Raiders, who lost 34-31 in overtime Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, ready for Kansas City this week.

"I appreciate anyone being interested in me. It's a great feeling," said Gruden, who has a year remaining on his contract with the Raiders. "But I really like it here. The last thing I want to do is speculate about every rumor. I love the Raiders.

"I'm very sensitive about this profession. I grew up in it. My philosophy is to never discuss another job. I've got a job. If I worried about every rumor, I'd never have time to look at tapes or figure out how to win another football game."

Gruden said he would let his players know if something was happening with Notre Dame.

"I think I have enough of a relationship with the team that they would have confidence in me that I would tell them if indeed there was a reason to be distracted," he said. "I'm not one to enjoy the rumor mill. There are no facts to report. There is no discussion other than let's get ready for the Kansas City Chiefs."

To complicate matters, Gruden also is dealing with reports that defensive tackle Darrell Russell faces a one-year NFL suspension for testing positive for the drug Ecstasy.

"I have no information officially in regard to that matter," Gruden said. "That's a confidential policy between the league and the player. Of course, I'm concerned, but I don't want to indict anyone or say anything other than it was brought to my attention."

Gruden said he would talk with Russell, who reportedly will meet with league officials Thursday to appeal the suspension.

"We'll have a contingency plan for a situation like this," Gruden said. "But we've got to get information that's concrete. Until we do, we'll proceed as we should. If something happens, we'll deal with it. Nothing has occurred other than a report."

Gruden also said Monday that receiver David Dunn will no longer return punts. Dunn fumbled a fair catch in overtime Sunday, leading to Arizona's winning field goal.

Cornerback Charles Woodson is the top choice for the job, but he's been restricted the last few weeks because of turf toe. For now, Brown will handle the duties. Brown was the Raiders' regular punt returner from 1988 to 1996.

"Charles Woodson is option No. 1. There's no controversy there," Gruden said. "If we can get this doggone turf toe out of the way, you'll see him return punts. We're going to get it going."