Lane Kiffin Admits He Doesn't Control the Defense, Warren Sapp Finds it All Funny

Posted Sep 11, 2008 10:30AM By Adam Gretz (RSS feed)

Going back to training camp and the preseason, I've made more than a few (bad) jokes about how Lane Kiffin is just a puppet on the sidelines, while owner Al Davis is controlling him from his lair high on top of Mt. Davis. Well, apparently, based on Kiffin's comments on Wednesday afternoon, that's pretty much true. At least as far as the Raiders' defense is concerned.

"I'm not going to get really get into if I was the defensive coordinator what I would do because that doesn't really matter," coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday. "I'm the head coach. I oversee everything and I control what I can control. Do I have the exact belief we do on defense? No, but it's hard to have the exact belief that we do. So, it is what it is."

That sounds like a young man just brimming with confidence in his defense. According to the article, the Raiders blitzed only four times on Monday night, while there's also that odd mention of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan being in constant contact with the owner - who, apparently, dislikes blitzing defenses. Is it normal for a defensive coordinator and an owner to always be in contact? I don't think it is.

Meanwhile, as the Raiders prepare for Kansas City in week two, former defensive tackle Warren Sapp had some less than flattering things to say about DeAngelo Hall, Tommy Kelly's new deal, and, well, the Raiders in general. Pretty much that they're going to suck.

"That was the experience I had in the four years I was there. They asked people to do stuff they were physically impossible of doing.
"They asked a guy who hadn't coached for 12 years to coach," he said of former offensive coordinator Tom Walsh.

"They're going to suck."

Actually, that may have been the nicest thing he had to say. Sapp then directed his rage to the calm, cool and always collected DeAngelo Hall, who, as Mike Ditka said on the Monday Night broadcast was, "turned into a yo-yo" by rookie Eddie Royal.

"DeAngelo Hall has been getting burnt since he was in Atlanta," Sapp said. "This is nothing new. DeAngelo Hall is the flashiest, burnt-up corner in the history of the game. He gets burnt more than anyone else, and he all of a sudden is this great Pro Bowl cover corner. I never saw that in DeAngelo Hall. He would gamble and do everything unsound on the corner."

In the history of the game! I just wish Warren wouldn't have held back and told us what he really thinks of the Raiders.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-11-2008 @ 12:01PM

guanaco said...

Raiders suck they are a very lousy team . There is not defense as well an offense. Al Davis need to sell this team .They are like a skunk.

9-11-2008 @ 9:01PM

Cindy said...

hello Guanaco!!

I'm sorry but selling the Raiders is not the solution!!!!!!

PMG said...

What kind a person is Kiffin. Is he all about the stature of the title Head Coach and the paycheck. The honorable thing would be to quit and go public with what is the Raider problem.

Namely Al Davis

9-11-2008 @ 6:06PM

Pitbull said...

Guanaco, Al Davis is THE reason this team is a skunk.

Hey Pitbull

When your right your RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

9-11-2008 @ 9:00PM

I'm was so embarssed for my Raiders on Monday night.

And i don't want to hear, anymore we are in rebuilding stage, that dosen't cut it, we have been rebuliding since 2002, Raiders have made changes, and have rebuilt, the only thing that hasn't changed is sorry folks.....................AL DAVIS!!!!!!

9-12-2008 @ 10:33AM

marc said...

Al Davis is the Devil.

I think Oakland is where payers who have sold their souls end up.

I'll always be a fan... but until the devil goes down to Georgia, we are gonna suck!

9-13-2008 @ 1:39AM

Mauhadeeb said...

There are two things that are consistent when it comes to the raiders over the past six years... One of them is losing, the other is Al Davis. There are only two members of the 2002 Raiders Superbowl team on the active roster and both are in back up positions. There is no rebuilding in place. There is no Raiders' "team". There is no hope for the Raiders until Al and his Alzheimer's have given up rights to someone mentally capable of making rational business decisions. Until then, the Raiders shall continue to wade through coaches and quarterbacks alike. Al Davis is a festering wound on the NFL's face to the public. This is only my opinion but if impeachment of owners,by the fans, were allowed, I believe Al would be tossed like a house salad.

9-12-2008 @ 11:07PM

Dave said...

He and William Clay Fraud, of the Lions.

9-12-2008 @ 5:43PM

C-real said...

Actually selling the team would help the Raiders because Al Davis won't let Kiffin coach the defense, that's why Lane wanted to get rid of Rob Ryan. Lane Kiffin is a damn good coach but Al Davis just won't let him coach!

9-12-2008 @ 11:06PM

B-Town Raider said...

It all comes down to putting pressure on the opponents quarterback and keeping Russel out of pressure...once we have a D-Line that can blitz and allow the secondary to capitalize off of hurried throws and an O-Line that can allow russel enough time to find the open reciever we will win games...running game wont work if your gonna run everydown and ocasianally throw it on third and long.

9-13-2008 @ 8:19AM

JIM said...

I have been a raiders fan for 35 yrs. I have to say in watching the game vs Denver ,I was like so embarassed. The mistakes of sitting their young quarterback last year is going to hurt them this yr. I felt like I was seeing a bad dream that you could'nt wake up from. Is there any hope!
Hey Al Davis, Don't you think it is time to step aside! give it up! Let the coaches coach
and not be nagged! Are there any of the old regime Raiders that want to step in ? Give AL some hot chocolate, a blanket and maybe some pudding.
Jim

9-13-2008 @ 7:19PM

Rob said...

We all know when push comes to shove the Guy at the top has to take responsibility for the misgivings of the team. That person is the OWNER Al Davis. Mr Davis's time is past and he is too old to handle the day to day operation of the Raider's. He need's to pass control over to someone who is younger and capable. Until that happens we will continue to see the Raider's lose and lose often.

9-13-2008 @ 6:42PM

s.pugz said...

Warren Sapp is right, their defense is attrocious, it could be average if they switched out of the cover 1 man to man coverage that they've been running since last year and played some cover 2, and cover 3 zone coverage, but obviously Al Davis is too scared to blitz even a linebacker (Most teams blitz safety's and corners every once in a while to fool another teams offense, in addition to blitzing linebackers)......i can see a team not blitzing if it had a great cover 2 defense like the Buccaneers or Colts, but the Raiders line can't stop the run, or pressure the passer with only 4 down lineman, like those 2 teams can.

9-14-2008 @ 2:25PM

house said...

the raiders were pathetic monday night !! it was an embarresment for the league and me .

9-17-2008 @ 10:48PM

James said...

Defense has always been the main problem on the field for the Raiders since 2002. No matter who they get as coach, they will always lose if they keep Rob Ryan. He seems to be real close with Al Davis because I don't see how he has kept his job all this time.

And yes, I agree with all the comments concerning Al Davis as well.

9-18-2008 @ 9:40AM

Clement said...

Ever since Al Davis traded coach chucky in 2002, it's been down hill.
Karma is a bitch.

9-20-2008 @ 11:36AM

jcoko said...

i have been a for as long as i can remember and the truth be told i will always be a fan wether it is with al runnin the show or not. but my question is, does the raider organizaation ever listen to there fans or visit this blog? becuase it seems to me that everyone of us is saying the same thing: Retire Al, just retire and hire a GM to do what obviously you cannot. stop getting these fancy recievers and million dollar feild goal kickers who have to get drunk and a dui before the game to make a feild goal. lets build a reptable off and d line so that we can both protect our qb and rush the passer. please... please listen and let the coach have control of his team that is why he is the coach..right. if not bring your recliner down to the field Al and coach the team yourself