Kiffin takes the Receivers to Task

by Paragon SC on Sep 11, 2006 7:05 PM PDT in USC Football Comment 1 comment

USC Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin had some harsh word to say about the USC receiving corps. In an interview with the Lincoln Journal Star Kiffin gave the receivers an "F".

Kiffin

From the article:

Kiffin said he "called out" his wideouts in practice last week. He gave them an "F." He demanded improvement. Rode them hard, he said.

Most notably, Kiffin singled out preseason All-American Dwayne Jarrett, who made 91 catches last season.

"He might be living in the past, and that doesn't do us any good right now," said Kiffin, in his second season in charge of the Trojan offense.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Jarrett caught five passes for 35 yards in Southern Cal's 50-14 triumph over Arkansas on Sept. 2 in Fayetteville, Ark. The Trojans were idle last week, though in this case "idle" might be misleading, at least as it applies to Kiffin.

It's hard to read where Kiffin is coming from. I understand if he's not happy with their production but I'm not sure if publicly `calling them out' is right thing to do. I understand that he has high standards and that he is pretty demanding but I'm not sure that this is the best way to motivate them.

My impressions of Jarrett during the Arkansas game were that Arkansas CB Houston was jamming Jarrett at the line. Jarrett is going to see a lot of this as the season progresses so he better get used to it. I realize that he missed valuable practice time during training camp due to injury but he's a very experienced receiver who knows the territory so he knows the drill.

It is also important that Jarrett doesn't buy into his own press. He is a great receiver but he can't fall into the trap of believing all of his own press clippings. That can only hurt his and the teams future. All in all this is probably just a blip on the screen but it is better to nip it in the bud now and get back on track before thing get out of hand.

0 recs | Comment 1 comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I like his approach

I'm assuming Kiffin used that opportunity to remind his receivers that they are part of a team and need to step up and carry their weight. It was just the first game, but the receiving corps (especially vets Jarrett and Smith) was supposed to be the offensive weapon for USC, while the rb/tb situation was being sussed out. I trust that Kiffin's choice to make that call in an interview with the press was based on his knowledge/relationship with his guys; I am betting he wanted to light a fire under them as they get ready for Nebraska.

by Defender90 on Sep 12, 2006 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs