Come on Lane, gimme a break...
by Paragon SC on Oct 7, 2010 5:46 AM PDT
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PrintI understand the culture of change that is happening at USC.
The NCAA's sanctions and their aftermath had one purpose and one purpose only...to knock a program back a good five years. That is the minimum that USC will struggle before 'SC will be competitive like we expect them to be.
It is a daunting task.
The chess match of juggling depth, developing talent and bringing in new players will challenge Kiffin and his staff for as long as they are here.
As I have said before, I like Lane Kiffin, he has my support and under the circumstances he was the best coach we could have hired to guide us through this. He is not the favorite of many pundits, bloggers or fans. He has been criticized for numerous things whether they are legitimate or petty really doesn't matter. Kiffin is a lightning rod and accepts his role as such.
But for all that I like about him, for all the support he has from me as well as others in the USC camp and for all the promise I think he can deliver to USC one thing stands out that I can't accept...
His constant negative attitude about what we see on the field with regards to poor play, a lack of discipline, etc.
I realize that he can't live the Pete Carroll credo of "Win Forever" or "Always Compete", not with how the team has been handicapped by the NCAA but I would be happier if just made vanilla statements that really offered nothing for the press or the haters that they could run with or twist for their own gain. He obviously can't say no comment or ignore the press but for someone who was calculating in comments at UT Lane is shrewd enough to not give his detractors anything to use against him.
Knowledgeable fans know that the secondary is inexperienced, we know the linebacker depth is at nightmarish proportions and that the kicking game is bad but we don't need to constantly hear about it.
We see it first hand every week with little improvement.
I get it...Lane isn't a sunshine pumper. He isn't wired that way and I don't expect him to be something he is not but a little public support for the team could a long way.
In this day in age kids don't play for pride anymore...we have lost that identity as a society years ago. For the most part professionals play for pride because they are now old enough to understand the ramifications of not giving it 100%. I am not saying that our guys aren't giving it 100%, but it for the majority of 18-21 year old's they are more worried about the here and now.
If Kiffin wants to change the culture at USC he has to find away to build this team up in the face of the NCAA's death blow. He has to publicly support this team even when it looks bad and not give ANYONE the ammunition they are looking for to further rip this team.
I can accept Lane's honesty but sometimes a non-answer is better than the truth. I know of no successful person that has motivated a group of people to improve their level of performance by constantly pointing out the bad publicly.
Lane Kiffin has the opportunity to not keep his dream job but to forge his own legacy at USC instead of being perceived as a care taker coach to guide the program through the sanctions only to be replaced after the hard work is done . But I have hard time seeing peoples opinion of Kiffin change if he keeps the current attitude in place.
Who would want to play for a guy that constantly rips the team?
Just an observation...
</rant>
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors.
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One Question that needs to be Answered by Lane Kiffin
Since his arrival and for the most part after each game, win or lose, he has demonstrably chided every component of the team, from the QB to the O line/D line Secondary…
So, Mr. Kiffin, the question, when you arrived at both UT and USC, which team had the better talented Players?
This one question might give some enlightenment as to why Kiffin has such a dour, stoic presence and cause for his negative comments regarding the team.
As an aside, I am completely without faith in the Elder Kiffin’s capabilities…Period
What is the problem with this team, players with no talent, coaches that can’t coach, schemes that are old hat and not productive? There is something missing, it’s more than just the sanctions, though horrendous, there is no synergy in the program.
Haden, for sure has to keep his antennae up!
With all due respect
I don’t think your question if answered would benefit this team in any way. Monte is struggling with his defense; but his abilities should not be questioned.
I agree with you and Para, Lane needs to lighten up. We’re 5 games into this thing, it’s a little early to be drawing any conclusions.
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
Lev and Maya kinda touched on this.
They seem to think there still is a culture of entitlement among the players, coaches and fans, and that said alleged culture is hampering development and improvement. I really can’t comment on that since I am not around the players or coaches. As for fans, well, I’m not going to get into that since I’m trying not to be considered as a “troll”. Anyway the answer to that questions depends on who you talk to.
Anyway, it does beg the question: Is there a method to Kiffin’s madness? He is a very hard read, I can’t tell if he says the things he says as part of longer-term plan, i.e., breaking them down to build them up, or if Kiffin sincerely believes that the 22 players USC lines up on offense and defense are championship-level players and he believes that they are severely under-performing and in essence he is calling them out, or if there really is no method and he just says whatever comes to his mind, consequences be damned.
Anyway, if there really is an entitlement culture, I’m not sure what the point is of the Belichick/Parcells/NFL-esque constant criticism. I would think that a 20 year old with a sense of entitlement would, instead of looking at himself, would instead tune out his coaches and play for the scouts in attendance, and not for his team. Self-reflection and soul-searching is not the provence of most 20 and 21 year olds I know, especially elite-level athletes who have been told almost all of their lives that they are rockstars.
Personally, I would like to see more of the Pete Carroll circa 2001, early 2002 attitude of “They are playing hard and we are just going to keep on coaching them up as hard as we can and we will get better.” But perhaps you can’t do that with a group of kids who were told, when they were recruited, that they were “first-round draft choices.”
I don't get this...
As for fans, well, I’m not going to get into that since I’m trying not to be considered as a "troll". Anyway the answer to that questions depends on who you talk to.
Say what you think and let the chips fall where they may.
I have never thought your take was trollish…I cannot and will not speak for others but I would be interested in hearing it even if I disagree with it.
Sometimes its the message sometimes its the delivery…or as I always say…if the shoe fits.
"What have they figured out?" "NOTHING." Lane Kiffin
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Ok, here it goes.
I think USC fans, especially those who post on fan sites, are spoiled and delusional. There is this residual idea that once a player dons the USC laundry, he is an all-american in waiting, and if he isn’t, then the coaches are at fault.
Really so your saying I am spoiled and delusional, you are so wrong.
Tell me Desmo how long have you followed USC sports anyway, personally I have been since 1965 FB and baseball and since 1969 for Basketball and tennis. So know I am not either one of your BS categories, I am a fan that just watches the teams and pulls for them. Also I really don’t care if they win national championships, but you go right ahead believe your BS analogies.
Wow the SEC is sooooooooooooo Bullshit
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 7, 2010 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
See Paragon, this is why!
Old man Paul wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and gets cranky.
Just feel that you think you know it all----Plus I have never and I mean NEVER read a positive post from you.
OK let me explain what was wrong with your Post——“I think USC fans, especially those who post on fan sites, are spoiled and delusional.” You are saying ALL fans yes there are fans like you speak and then there is others and please don’t refer to me as old I only 58 and I’ll bet I can whip your butt in any sport you chose———DESMO
Wow the SEC is sooooooooooooo Bullshit
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 8, 2010 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
It's Fair
there are SOME fans that fit his description. When he says USC fans, he can’t mean ALL USC fans.
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
Ok, here it Goes II
zoulou, somewhat of a broad brush you’re using…Huh?
On some site’s you may have the zealous Rah,Rah fan, however here, the conversations are a wee bit more grounded, for instance, the tolerance of outsiders like yourself.
Spoiled you say, if you look back at the years 2002 to 2008 in all honesty, those who are fans of USC football have every right to be, feel spoiled. Our team had one of the greatest unmatched runs in collegiate football…ever! so yes, many of us are spoiled by that achievement.
Delusional, I dare say not! Hopeful and supportive, Yes, but not delusional.
By laundry, you must mean the Cardinal and Gold, a hallowed hallmark of a TROJAN.
If you have paid any attention to the last eight years of recruiting by USC you will see the numerous nationally ranked 4 and 5 star players that have committed to USC, that ranking alone causes the faithful to expect, if not demand that they are all-american level players. It doesn’t always happen but none the less those are the school and coaches expectations.
If a player fails to meet those expectations, one can only guess as to why, However, let there be no mistake in your thinking, a football player comes to an institution for training and further instruction to enhance his talents, no different than any undergraduate student, they are there to learn the finer points of the discipline.
They either fail by their own undoings or lack of proper instruction…and yes, proper instruction is where our concern is at the moment, we are not throwing our coach to the wolfs…he’s simply entered a period of deep evaluation.
Thank you for joining our little conversation.
Son, I was posting here when the site first got started
So don’t give me that lecture.
Well. . . . HE JUST DID!
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 8, 2010 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions
PLUS ONE from the OLD Man
Wow the SEC is sooooooooooooo Bullshit
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 8, 2010 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
I somewhat agree with zoulou
I think there are a lot of fans out there that are delusional. The sense of entitlement to an undefeated football program every year is delusional. I remember having to defend John David Booty for going 11-2 and winning the Rose Bowl. Yes JDB wasn’t as good as Leinart or Palmer, but why isn’t that good enough?
I don’t think its coaching that’s the problem. I don’t think we have the talent at linebacker, and we are missing Sedrick Ellis in the middle of the D-line. The bottom line is the D-line is getting pushed around and the linebackers can’t plug up the holes in the running game. That coupled with the fact that we can’t seem to cover too well in the secondary is making the defense and Monte Kiffin look really bad.
We are young and inexperienced on defense, especially in the secondary. That’s the problem, and Monte can’t coach experience and talent. Its going to take time to get these guys to work well together. Don’t expect any miracles this first year.
Pete spoiled us. Every team but us had a couple of years like this, and the sanctions are going to make this down period even worse.
Yeah...long time ago!
"What have they figured out?" "NOTHING." Lane Kiffin
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
That was the "Way Back Machine" for sure, frak
And I was “tapoutstylist”.
Craziness.
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 9, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Re: the Bandwagon
During the pre-Carroll years I sat in a half filled Coliseum for many games, “everyone” loves a winner, especially in the land of LA. Many of the “new” members of USC Football knew nothing of the tradition or history of the program, but it was a happening party and they were climbing on for the ride.The only difference between USC football and the Hollywood “A” list party scene was the absence of red velvet ropes.
The following excerpt is from Forbes magazine,
From 2004 to 2009, average attendance at the L.A. Coliseum was 87,765. In stark contrast to Pete Carroll’s 9 year tenure at USC, average football attendance during the 9 years preceding Pete Carroll from 1992-2000 was 59,531. Hence, USC’s football attendance saw an annual boost of 28,234 fans during the last 6 years as compared to the 90s.
"Understanding is a virtue, hard to come by"
J. Airplane
Yep and if I lived in california at those slow years I would have come but I lived in vegas
most of the new people were probably as desmo says bur still you can’t stereo type everyone you just can’t.
plus i don’t really think desmo is a true usc fan
I love national championships it make me feel superior to others, my who place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 9, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Well lets not try to figure out who is or who isn't a true fan...
we all go the beat of our own drum…
"What have they figured out?" "NOTHING." Lane Kiffin
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
You make him out to be Bobby Knight
I understand where this perspective is coming from, but I disagree with it. Fortunately, the players seem to have much thicker skins than the fans.
‘Chide" is simply not an accurate description, IMO. I view it is direct, honest, candid feedback, which is a basic tenet of many of the most successful business managers.
Plus, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but from what I have read, the players like Lane quite a bit. You call it ripping the team. I call it tough love. No different than Pete’s Tell the Truth Tuesday.
The bottom line is that Lane Fkng Kiffin does not give a sh*t what the world thinks about him. He was hired to win, and he is willing to die with his boots on in an attempt to lead USC back to the promised land. I will admit that Lane will likely soften a bit as he matures. I doubt that Bill Bellichick was a warm, cuddly love muffin at 35 yrs old either. Lane is driven to succeed, perhaps more than any coach that USC has ever had. He is a very complicated guy for sure.
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Death to the NCAA!
Hmm...
You call it ripping the team. I call it tough love. No different than Pete’s Tell the Truth Tuesday.
But Tell the Truth Tuesday was behind closed doors not out in the open. I am fine with tough love but do it in the locker room or film room etc. not out in public…there is a diplomatic way to do it.
that’s what I would prefer…but like you said its not like he cares what I think…
"What have they figured out?" "NOTHING." Lane Kiffin
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
True, Pete was extremely diplomatic, almost to a fault
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Death to the NCAA!
yah you should take a lesson from him
I love national championships it make me feel superior to others, my who place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 9, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Coach Kiffin has been so controversial for one reason or another since he was hired...
in Oakland. As an LSU fan, I remember being taken aback some with how he approached the UT job right after he was hired by making statements about beating UF right away and other things. It was not that I disliked him for it—I would want my coach to say the same things, but it is not how most coaches start things off. That being said, when he did come over to SC, he explained how that is exactly what UT needed right away and it did help in recruiting right away and on the field as they played well throughout the season—Janzen Jackson from La. was a verbal with LSU and decided for the Vols instead for example. Janzen played very well for the Vols on Saturday—Mother Fucker! That was not directed at Jackson but was me letting out what I thought was out my system, out of my system.
Coach Kiffin is a smart guy and maybe he is overly critical of his team because he knows that is exactly what they need right now. These are young guys and impressionable and are up against the sanctions, new coaches, the weight of past expectations, ect. and he does not want them to let up—not a bit even in the face of all that. This is just a thought, and being an outsider trying to look at things objectively, I am impressed with LK so far. SC is getting back to power running which I think is very important in college football. We will see how the D plays out and this week will be a very good challenge with Stanford. Hope Coach O is doing well—great guy.
Thanks...
just thanks, for sharing your perspective. I hope your right about CLK just doing what the team needs. I agree with your thoughts on the running game, and Coach O.
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
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