Carroll is high on Kiffin, Raiders
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CAM INMAN: TIMES COLUMNIST
Carroll is high on Kiffin, Raiders
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 06/11/2007 07:47:36 AM PDT
THE MORE USC football coach Pete Carroll talked, the more he reeled me in, almost to the point where I was ready to sign a letter of intent.
Not to USC, mind you.
But to the Raiders.
Carroll is gung-ho about the job his former apprentice, Lane Kiffin, is already doing as the Raiders' bright-eyed, determined coach.
What exactly did Carroll see when he stopped by the Raiders practice Thursday?
"There was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of movement out on the practice field," Carroll said the following day while at AT&T Park for the A's-Giants game. "It looked like (Kiffin) has captured a different spirit about the way they're preparing.
"That's really exciting. And it should be exciting for everybody who loves the Raiders."
You'd obviously expect Carroll to give a glowing recommendation of Kiffin -- Trojan Pride and all. But Carroll, an NFL castoff who's flipped USC back into a perennial powerhouse, sounded convincing that Kiffin has the Raiders on the right track.
They've been on the wrong side of the tracks since their 2002 run to the Super Bowl, presumably bottoming out with last year's 2-14 train wreck.
Step 1 (again) in the Raiders' recovery process is underway with offseason workouts, which resume today with their final three-day minicamp before next month's training camp.
"The energy at practice is different than most NFL teams. It separates them already," said Carroll, who coached in the NFL 16 years and took over at USC in 2001. "
Turn on
the NFL Network and see the (offseason workouts) from around the country."
They apparently paled into comparison to the Raiders "mock game" that Carroll said he watched Thursday in Alameda.
"They got a tremendous amount out of it. It brought a new energy to them," Carroll said. "It's exciting. You have to do that. You have to create change, and it's already in the works."
Kiffin, who turned 32 on May 9, doesn't preside over practices like a loudmouth Judge Judy. He strides between drills as if he's walking through campus en route to the Student Union.
There is no fedora, no whistle lodged into his molars and no silver-and-black jumpsuit. Just a white visor, a crisp golf shirt, black sweat pants and, of course, a plan.
"He's got such a plan, such a philosophy that can generate that new sense of urgency and attention to detail, the stuff it takes when you're trying to turn a program around," Carroll said.
At practice, Kiffin will lean into huddles and explain scenarios. He'll call over quarterback JaMarcus Russell for a one-on-one chat and further forge a relationship that could define their NFL careers. Kiffin and Co. will holler at anyone, when needed.
"There doesn't have be screaming and yelling," Kiffin said last week regarding practices, "but they've got to bring it everyday."
That falls in line with the Raiders' new motto: "I'm in!"
When reporters ask for his insights, Kiffin isn't brash, condescending or boring, and he's got what you and any caterpillar has -- more spunk than his predecessor, Art Shell.
"He's a really, really bright football guy," Carroll said. "He does have a real sense for how he wants this thing to go. He's already changed the environment, the culture around the team at an early going."
Because the offense was in shambles and in need of an overhaul, Al Davis' next hire had to be an offensive mind (cue Kiffin, as well as assistants Greg Knapp, Tom Cable, Tom Rathman, etc.).
Otherwise, if this were just another coaching change, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan deserved the promotion. But now, Ryan can fine-tune arguably the NFL's most promising defense, and he gets to steer clear of head-coaching headaches, such as sack artist Derrick Burgess' wish for the new contract he deserves.
It's also up to Kiffin to lay out the right path for Russell, this year's No. 1 overall draft pick out of LSU. That chore will determine the Raiders' long-term future.
Carroll agreed, though he said Kiffin doesn't need his blessing or confirmation.
"He's grown up with the NFL. This is not that new to him," Carroll said of Kiffin, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive guru Monte Kiffin.
When Carroll was Kiffin's age, he was an assistant at The University of the Pacific in 1983. The next year, Carroll made the leap to the NFL, so he certainly has knowledge to share.
"We've been so close for such a long time that we certainly talk," Carroll said. "But he knows what he's doing. Oh yeah. He's on it.
"He's very unique, in that he's so well prepared at such a young age and all. It's really exciting and I'm thrilled to see the way they've responded to the changes."
Apparently, recruiting season is underway for the Raiders. Are you ready to sign up to the Lane Kiffin Fan Club? More important, his players must become charter members, and the way Carroll talks, those applications are already being processed.
CAM INMAN: TIMES COLUMNIST
Carroll is high on Kiffin, Raiders
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 06/11/2007 07:47:36 AM PDT
THE MORE USC football coach Pete Carroll talked, the more he reeled me in, almost to the point where I was ready to sign a letter of intent.
Not to USC, mind you.
But to the Raiders.
Carroll is gung-ho about the job his former apprentice, Lane Kiffin, is already doing as the Raiders' bright-eyed, determined coach.
What exactly did Carroll see when he stopped by the Raiders practice Thursday?
"There was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of movement out on the practice field," Carroll said the following day while at AT&T Park for the A's-Giants game. "It looked like (Kiffin) has captured a different spirit about the way they're preparing.
"That's really exciting. And it should be exciting for everybody who loves the Raiders."
You'd obviously expect Carroll to give a glowing recommendation of Kiffin -- Trojan Pride and all. But Carroll, an NFL castoff who's flipped USC back into a perennial powerhouse, sounded convincing that Kiffin has the Raiders on the right track.
They've been on the wrong side of the tracks since their 2002 run to the Super Bowl, presumably bottoming out with last year's 2-14 train wreck.
Step 1 (again) in the Raiders' recovery process is underway with offseason workouts, which resume today with their final three-day minicamp before next month's training camp.
"The energy at practice is different than most NFL teams. It separates them already," said Carroll, who coached in the NFL 16 years and took over at USC in 2001. "
Turn on
the NFL Network and see the (offseason workouts) from around the country."
They apparently paled into comparison to the Raiders "mock game" that Carroll said he watched Thursday in Alameda.
"They got a tremendous amount out of it. It brought a new energy to them," Carroll said. "It's exciting. You have to do that. You have to create change, and it's already in the works."
Kiffin, who turned 32 on May 9, doesn't preside over practices like a loudmouth Judge Judy. He strides between drills as if he's walking through campus en route to the Student Union.
There is no fedora, no whistle lodged into his molars and no silver-and-black jumpsuit. Just a white visor, a crisp golf shirt, black sweat pants and, of course, a plan.
"He's got such a plan, such a philosophy that can generate that new sense of urgency and attention to detail, the stuff it takes when you're trying to turn a program around," Carroll said.
At practice, Kiffin will lean into huddles and explain scenarios. He'll call over quarterback JaMarcus Russell for a one-on-one chat and further forge a relationship that could define their NFL careers. Kiffin and Co. will holler at anyone, when needed.
"There doesn't have be screaming and yelling," Kiffin said last week regarding practices, "but they've got to bring it everyday."
That falls in line with the Raiders' new motto: "I'm in!"
When reporters ask for his insights, Kiffin isn't brash, condescending or boring, and he's got what you and any caterpillar has -- more spunk than his predecessor, Art Shell.
"He's a really, really bright football guy," Carroll said. "He does have a real sense for how he wants this thing to go. He's already changed the environment, the culture around the team at an early going."
Because the offense was in shambles and in need of an overhaul, Al Davis' next hire had to be an offensive mind (cue Kiffin, as well as assistants Greg Knapp, Tom Cable, Tom Rathman, etc.).
Otherwise, if this were just another coaching change, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan deserved the promotion. But now, Ryan can fine-tune arguably the NFL's most promising defense, and he gets to steer clear of head-coaching headaches, such as sack artist Derrick Burgess' wish for the new contract he deserves.
It's also up to Kiffin to lay out the right path for Russell, this year's No. 1 overall draft pick out of LSU. That chore will determine the Raiders' long-term future.
Carroll agreed, though he said Kiffin doesn't need his blessing or confirmation.
"He's grown up with the NFL. This is not that new to him," Carroll said of Kiffin, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive guru Monte Kiffin.
When Carroll was Kiffin's age, he was an assistant at The University of the Pacific in 1983. The next year, Carroll made the leap to the NFL, so he certainly has knowledge to share.
"We've been so close for such a long time that we certainly talk," Carroll said. "But he knows what he's doing. Oh yeah. He's on it.
"He's very unique, in that he's so well prepared at such a young age and all. It's really exciting and I'm thrilled to see the way they've responded to the changes."
Apparently, recruiting season is underway for the Raiders. Are you ready to sign up to the Lane Kiffin Fan Club? More important, his players must become charter members, and the way Carroll talks, those applications are already being processed.
Sounds good. This is the most boring time of year for football news...all you get is the good stories.
I mean this time last year Shanahan had nothing but good things to say about the Texans and how Kubes was doing a giid job and he expected them to turn it around....we all know how that turned out.....so I wont bash this article I will just say let's wait and see.
But I do have 1 request...Can we stop getting these damn fluff pieces already? You notice no other fan of any other team is posting them except Radier fan...it's like you all are baiting someone to say you know...you are all right, this season will be different......lol
I mean every nfl team has a ton of these type of stories coming out right now...the only difference is all the other fans know where thier team stands and dont try to down play it just yet.
At least wait until training camp as started or better yet at least halfway over.
I mean this time last year Shanahan had nothing but good things to say about the Texans and how Kubes was doing a giid job and he expected them to turn it around....we all know how that turned out.....so I wont bash this article I will just say let's wait and see.
But I do have 1 request...Can we stop getting these damn fluff pieces already? You notice no other fan of any other team is posting them except Radier fan...it's like you all are baiting someone to say you know...you are all right, this season will be different......lol
I mean every nfl team has a ton of these type of stories coming out right now...the only difference is all the other fans know where thier team stands and dont try to down play it just yet.
At least wait until training camp as started or better yet at least halfway over.
August -
"The overally hyped Russell has shown his true colors only competing 2 of his last 46 passes. He claims it is due to his "fat ass" he cant shake." - media
"Fuck this motherfucker, I knew he was a bitch" - typical Siccness raiders fan
"Told Ya'll" - Thascary1
"haha, suckas!!!!!!" - JLMACN
5000
"The overally hyped Russell has shown his true colors only competing 2 of his last 46 passes. He claims it is due to his "fat ass" he cant shake." - media
"Fuck this motherfucker, I knew he was a bitch" - typical Siccness raiders fan
"Told Ya'll" - Thascary1
"haha, suckas!!!!!!" - JLMACN
5000