The more Lane Kiffin talks, the more I'm convinced he has no real conception of what's going on around him. Maybe he's mailing it in and now just shows up to collect a paycheck.
I get that -- owner Al Davis has been trying to run him off for months now -- but Kiffin might want to consider just avoiding the media altogether because he often comes off looking like the senile old man. After releasing safety Stuart Schweigert earlier in the week, Kiffin offered these encouraging words:
"It was in Stu's best interest as well not to drag it out any longer ... With how this league works, you never know, he could be back here."I'm not NFL personnel expert, but I'm guessing Schweigert won't be back. Call it a hunch.
In the Saginaw News, Schweigert said of Oakland, "In all my years in football, I've never been around a more negative atmosphere. Nobody had my back, even when in the years before I had their backs 100 percent."Look, I don't expect Kiffin to subscribe to the Saginaw News, but good Lord, why even comment on Schweigert's possible future with the Raiders days after cutting the guy?
With all his newfound freedom, Schweigert took time to unload on defensive coordinator Rob Ryan too: "Some teams will use the cover-o (man coverage with no deep safety help) as a gimmick defense on rare occasions, maybe to blitz. But nobody uses at as their standard defense like the Raiders do..."
As the Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald writes, sour grapes might have something to do with this. But there's probably some truth in Schweigert's words too. I mean, the Raiders have won six games in two seasons. Of course, I suspect getting released from such an outfit makes the grapes even, um, sourer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-23-2008 @ 9:10AM
JC said...
As a raider fan, I think Stu was the weekest leak on the defense! Im glad he got released. Im sure Wilson will do a much better job. Cant be any worse
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5-23-2008 @ 2:34AM
ALBERT SOLTESZ said...
I Can't believe they finaly cut his soooorrrryyyy azzzz he could not arm takle my 80 year old grandma now just get rid of gallery and we will be back in it . AL please leave Lane ALONE Please I am tired of cheering 4 a loosing team.
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5-23-2008 @ 3:21PM
PacoGerte said...
I think the Raiders have a better chance of getting Marcus Allen to coach the team than to win more than 4 games this year. Shame.
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5-25-2008 @ 6:54PM
ALBERT S. said...
What do want to bet Pancho Gemir ? If J.Russ does his thing we will have 7 or better .
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5-26-2008 @ 1:57AM
Joe said...
"Look, I don't expect Kiffin to subscribe to the Saginaw News, but good Lord, why even comment on Schweigert's possible future with the Raiders days after cutting the guy?"
Answer Maybe Coach Kiffin was just trying to let Stu know they were maybe still interested in his services at some point (after the salary cap was a little less of a factor, i.e. some other higher priced players being traded or cut) so Stu wouldn't sign for like the min to stay on the league..maybe check in first. Kiffin is only stating the obvious: that many times players are resigned by a team he has been with previously because of loyalty, because the player may have a leg up on knowing the system and / or the capabilities of the other players.The Raiders re-sign ex=players, I believe, with greater frequency that most other NFL teams. Who is, for instance, this QB Tui, right?
Anyone can see why Stu feels the way he does. He lost his starting position last year, and accordinly, they bring in Wilson to improve a less than solid run defense (in which Stu recently appeared to be especially struggle. If a player doesn't perform, he loses his position and maybe his spot on the roster? Is that news? Sure don't think it is particuliar to the Raiders! Stu open his big trap and burned a bridge: the team that drafted him and made him a starter. Kiffin couldn't expect a player to be so short-sighted. Who would?
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6-05-2008 @ 7:26PM
Rudy from donkeytown said...
Thank You for showing "Stewie" the door. Mister half-ass Chuckie Woodson tackling got most of the RB's six points D'Angelo will show this clown how to make 'em pay for crossing the middle!!!
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