Lane Kiffin in the Land of Al

The Shadow · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 34

http://www.realfootball365.com

by: D.Laurant

Lane Kiffin is learning -- the hard way -- the primary difference
between coaching in college and the National Football League.

In college, the head coach is king. In the pros, he is, at best, a
knight. Especially in Oakland, where there is no question who sits on
the throne.

Al Davis made that quite clear this month when he decided to retain
Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan over Kiffin's wishes. By all
accounts, Kiffin didn't really want to make JaMarcus Russell the team's
No. 1 pick last season, either. Tough. In the Kingdom of Al, it's all
Davis, all the time.

After Oakland's defense finished second to last in the league in yards
allowed on the ground (145.9) and dead last in yards per carry (4. Cool

,
news reports had Ryan pretty much out the door. The San Jose
Mercury-News, which usually has a collective finger on the Raider pulse,
ran a story stating flatly that Ryan was history.

"I'd be out of a job for about two minutes," Ryan defiantly told the
reporter who interviewed him.

As it turned out, not even that.

But part of life is learning how to deal with decisions from above that
you don't like, and Kiffin really has no choice. It's too late to quit
and get another plum job, even in college (unless he wants to go to
Hawaii), and his team's 4-12 record wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement
of his stewardship.

In the Land of Al, a coach has to function with the players and
assistants he's been dealt, and win anyway.

Maybe Davis' affection for Ryan is because he looks like a Raider coach
out of central casting -- beard, long hair, radiating attitude. He could
step off the sidelines and join Raider Nation in the stands without even
being noticed.

The thing is, Ryan is a 3-4 guy, and the 3-4 hasn't worked. Nor, based
on the stats, has the 4-3.

In his own defense, Ryan has earned the loyalty of his players and
helped to develop some outstanding young linebackers and defensive
backs, notably Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard and Nmandi Asomugha. The
defensive line, however, was another story. Given the leakage against
the run and the retirement of the already over-the-hill Warren Sapp,
Oakland might do well to go after a D-lineman high in the draft.

If it's OK with AL.

Archived from group: alt>sports>football>pro>oak-raiders

Gary DeWaay · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

The Shadow's at miehls@bright.net wisdom:

> http://www.realfootball365.com
>
>
>
>
> by: D.Laurant
>
>
>
>
> Lane Kiffin is learning -- the hard way -- the primary difference
> between coaching in college and the National Football League.
>
> In college, the head coach is king. In the pros, he is, at best, a
> knight. Especially in Oakland, where there is no question who sits on
> the throne.
>
> Al Davis made that quite clear this month when he decided to retain
> Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan over Kiffin's wishes.

....except that didn't happen.

By all
> accounts, Kiffin didn't really want to make JaMarcus Russell the team's
> No. 1 pick last season, either. Tough.

And how does he know this?

In the Kingdom of Al, it's all
> Davis, all the time.

Well, except when it isn't, like when he allowed Madden, Flores, and
Gruden to call most of the shots.

>
> After Oakland's defense finished second to last in the league in yards
> allowed on the ground (145.9) and dead last in yards per carry (4. Cool

,
> news reports had Ryan pretty much out the door. The San Jose
> Mercury-News, which usually has a collective finger on the Raider pulse,
> ran a story stating flatly that Ryan was history.
>
> "I'd be out of a job for about two minutes," Ryan defiantly told the
> reporter who interviewed him.
>
> As it turned out, not even that.
>
> But part of life is learning how to deal with decisions from above that
> you don't like, and Kiffin really has no choice. It's too late to quit
> and get another plum job, even in college (unless he wants to go to
> Hawaii), and his team's 4-12 record wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement
> of his stewardship.
>
> In the Land of Al, a coach has to function with the players and
> assistants he's been dealt, and win anyway.
>
> Maybe Davis' affection for Ryan is because he looks like a Raider coach
> out of central casting -- beard, long hair, radiating attitude. He could
> step off the sidelines and join Raider Nation in the stands without even
> being noticed.
>
> The thing is, Ryan is a 3-4 guy, and the 3-4 hasn't worked. Nor, based
> on the stats, has the 4-3.
>
> In his own defense, Ryan has earned the loyalty of his players and
> helped to develop some outstanding young linebackers and defensive
> backs, notably Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard and Nmandi Asomugha. The
> defensive line, however, was another story. Given the leakage against
> the run and the retirement of the already over-the-hill Warren Sapp,
> Oakland might do well to go after a D-lineman high in the draft.

Gee, a paragraph with a little substance in it!!

>
> If it's OK with AL.
>

--
- Gary

Avant Grape · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 36

>Gary DeWaay wrote:

So Gary, do you believe that Kiffin actually wants to keep Ryan on
board? Just curious.

-JC

Arkansan_Raider · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 38

Avant Grape wrote:
> >Gary DeWaay wrote:
>
>
>
> So Gary, do you believe that Kiffin actually wants to keep Ryan on
> board? Just curious.
>
> -JC

We don't really know, do we? FACT. Wink

---Jeff

Avant Grape · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 36

Arkansan_Raider wrote:
> Avant Grape wrote:
>> >Gary DeWaay wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> So Gary, do you believe that Kiffin actually wants to keep Ryan on
>> board? Just curious.
>>
>> -JC
>
> We don't really know, do we? FACT. Wink

You determine truth by reviewing the facts. The facts as are known
point to Kiffin wanting control over the coaching staff. Review his
final press conference dooooooooooood.

Based on what's known, who really *believes* Kiffin wants to keep Ryan
on board?

*crickets*

-JC

Gary DeWaay · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

Avant Grape's at avantnograpecrap@sbcglobal.net wisdom:

>
> You determine truth by reviewing the facts. The facts as are known
> point to Kiffin wanting control over the coaching staff. Review his
> final press conference dooooooooooood.
>
> Based on what's known, who really *believes* Kiffin wants to keep Ryan
> on board?

I don't think anyone is denying this. The point that is being made is
that there could be dozens of explanations why the Raiders simply didn't
fire him on the spot right after the season... but your mind is made up.
You think you know the reason.

Why do you think that is?

Before you answer, here are other reasons why Ryan might be still on
staff:

1. He is still under contract and if the Jets want him, they should do so
properly with negotiations... and thus Al would not have to pay his last
year of salary. If they fire him, Al pays, and the Jets get what they
want for free.

2. Kiffin is bringing his whole staff to the senior bowl, and maybe he
(embarrassingly) didn't want to show up without a DC, and Ryan wanted to
coach in it. They have a gentlemans agreement he will be let go after the
Senior Bowl and/or the end of the NFL season.

3. Al simply doesn't like to tip his hand.

4. A combination of all the above.

I think these guesses are just as valid as your "Crazy Al is meddling
again... and boy-howdee is Kiffin pissed" theory.

--
- Gary

Avant Grape · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 36

Gary DeWaay wrote:
> Avant Grape's at avantnograpecrap@sbcglobal.net wisdom:
>
>
>> You determine truth by reviewing the facts. The facts as are known
>> point to Kiffin wanting control over the coaching staff. Review his
>> final press conference dooooooooooood.
>>
>> Based on what's known, who really *believes* Kiffin wants to keep Ryan
>> on board?
>
>
> I don't think anyone is denying this. The point that is being made is
> that there could be dozens of explanations why the Raiders simply didn't
> fire him on the spot right after the season... but your mind is made up.
> You think you know the reason.
>
> Why do you think that is?
>
> Before you answer, here are other reasons why Ryan might be still on
> staff:
>
> 1. He is still under contract and if the Jets want him, they should do so
> properly with negotiations... and thus Al would not have to pay his last
> year of salary. If they fire him, Al pays, and the Jets get what they
> want for free.
>
> 2. Kiffin is bringing his whole staff to the senior bowl, and maybe he
> (embarrassingly) didn't want to show up without a DC, and Ryan wanted to
> coach in it. They have a gentlemans agreement he will be let go after the
> Senior Bowl and/or the end of the NFL season.
>
> 3. Al simply doesn't like to tip his hand.
>
> 4. A combination of all the above.
>
>
> I think these guesses are just as valid as your "Crazy Al is meddling
> again... and boy-howdee is Kiffin pissed" theory.

However you slice and dice it, if you believe that Kiffin wants his own
guy, and the Raiders keep Ryan on board, there's no denying that
Kiffin's power (if there ever was much to begin with) will have been
undercut. That would not bode well for the Raider organization. The
more power Al retains, the more chaos that will envelop the organization
as a whole. Kiffin clearly talked about changing the organizational
attitude in his final pres conference, from the office down to the
field. Maybe Al likes it as it is. We'll see.

-JC

Nuclear Waste · Joined: 23 Dec 2007 Posts: 50

"Avant Grape"
SNIP

So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
grassy knoll?

Avant Grape · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 36

Nuclear Waste wrote:
> "Avant Grape"
> SNIP
>
> So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
> grassy knoll?

*crickets*

-JC

The Raider on a Rock · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 20

On Jan 9, 2:30 pm, Avant Grape wrote:
> Nuclear Waste wrote:
> > "Avant Grape"
> > SNIP
>
> > So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
> > grassy knoll?
>
> *crickets*
>
> -JC

I heard a rumor that the Jackie Kennedy was overheard muttering IAAF
over and over again after the funeral.

Izzy_ · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

On Jan 9 2008 4:27 PM, Nuclear Waste wrote:

> "Avant Grape"
> SNIP
>
> So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
> grassy knoll?

JC might be skeptical, but X is convinced.

----
: the next generation of web-newsreaders : http://www.recgroups.com

R. J. Salvi · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 26

"Nuclear Waste" wrote in message $Ux2.8344@attbi_s22...
>
> "Avant Grape"
> SNIP
>
> So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the grassy knoll?

The third gunman. There was a third gunman. Al was it. The year was 1963 and
right after Al got paid for the hit, he invested the blood money in the
Raiders and, and, and...well, there you have it.

Because of his role during the grassy knoll incident and its subsequent
historical significance, Al has PTSD coupled with the onset of dementia.
Experts believe this is why the Raiders are no longer an elite franchise.
Rumors are circulating that Al Davis will eventually leave the team to Marie
Osmond in the hope that she'll follow in Al's footsteps (and walker
imprints). FACT v2.0

--
RJ

Nuclear Waste · Joined: 23 Dec 2007 Posts: 50

"Avant Grape" wrote in
message $lD6.1216@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> Nuclear Waste wrote:
>> "Avant Grape"
>> SNIP
>>
>> So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
>> grassy knoll?
>
>
> *crickets*

HAH! I KNEW YOU DID!

NW
--
The leap was as logical as yours.

Circular, that is.

Nuclear Waste · Joined: 23 Dec 2007 Posts: 50

"R. J. Salvi" wrote in
message $se5.6320@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
> "Nuclear Waste" wrote in message
> $Ux2.8344@attbi_s22...
>>
>> "Avant Grape"
>> SNIP
>>
>> So, JC, do you believe that Al was the second gunman on the
>> grassy knoll?
>
> The third gunman. There was a third gunman. Al was it. The
> year was 1963 and right after Al got paid for the hit, he
> invested the blood money in the Raiders and, and,
> and...well, there you have it.
>
> Because of his role during the grassy knoll incident and its
> subsequent historical significance, Al has PTSD coupled with
> the onset of dementia. Experts believe this is why the
> Raiders are no longer an elite franchise. Rumors are
> circulating that Al Davis will eventually leave the team to
> Marie Osmond in the hope that she'll follow in Al's
> footsteps (and walker imprints). FACT v2.0

Fuck, that DOES explain a lot!

NW

Gary DeWaay · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

Avant Grape's at avantnograpecrap@sbcglobal.net wisdom:

> Gary DeWaay wrote:
> > Avant Grape's at avantnograpecrap@sbcglobal.net wisdom:
> >
> >
> >> You determine truth by reviewing the facts. The facts as are known
> >> point to Kiffin wanting control over the coaching staff. Review his
> >> final press conference dooooooooooood.
> >>
> >> Based on what's known, who really *believes* Kiffin wants to keep Ryan
> >> on board?
> >
> >
> > I don't think anyone is denying this. The point that is being made is
> > that there could be dozens of explanations why the Raiders simply didn't
> > fire him on the spot right after the season... but your mind is made up.
> > You think you know the reason.
> >
> > Why do you think that is?
> >
> > Before you answer, here are other reasons why Ryan might be still on
> > staff:
> >
> > 1. He is still under contract and if the Jets want him, they should do so
> > properly with negotiations... and thus Al would not have to pay his last
> > year of salary. If they fire him, Al pays, and the Jets get what they
> > want for free.
> >
> > 2. Kiffin is bringing his whole staff to the senior bowl, and maybe he
> > (embarrassingly) didn't want to show up without a DC, and Ryan wanted to
> > coach in it. They have a gentlemans agreement he will be let go after the
> > Senior Bowl and/or the end of the NFL season.
> >
> > 3. Al simply doesn't like to tip his hand.
> >
> > 4. A combination of all the above.
> >
> >
> > I think these guesses are just as valid as your "Crazy Al is meddling
> > again... and boy-howdee is Kiffin pissed" theory.
>
>
>
> However you slice and dice it, if you believe that Kiffin wants his own
> guy, and the Raiders keep Ryan on board, there's no denying that
> Kiffin's power (if there ever was much to begin with) will have been
> undercut.

How do you know this? Al is a business person first... what does Kiffin
know about the business of NFL football???

> That would not bode well for the Raider organization.

How do you know this???

The
> more power Al retains, the more chaos that will envelop the organization
> as a whole.

How do you know this????

Kiffin clearly talked about changing the organizational
> attitude in his final pres conference, from the office down to the
> field. Maybe Al likes it as it is. We'll see.

If Kiffin was smart he would make JC in charge of all Raider
organizational decisions. Why don't you just say it?

--
- Gary

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