It's hard not to like Rob Ryan. As frustrating as the Raiders defense has been at times throughout his stay as Defensive Coordinator, the guy projects well. He looks and acts the part of Raiders coach. There's something about his presence that makes me want to place my faith in him. Those qualities are overshadowed now. The larger issue is he is showing why he isn't head coaching material by ranting to the media. Maybe this type of approach explains why Rob Ryan was not promoted to Raiders head coach.
He interviewed for the job at least once but maybe twice for the job in the past and Al decided not to give it to him. To most team decision-makers if you have head coaching aspirations you can't risk a guy making undisciplined statements to the media.
If Al had this notion in mind though, he had no way of knowing Kiff would end up the way he has. Lane still hasn't even tried using coachspeak to not be so accurate in statements to the press. By doing so he apparently made Rob Ryan upset who in turn tells us to "put it on me."
Ok then, the main questions about the defense have not been answered. Mainly: Why you are transparent in your tactics and formations. Other teams have the book on your defense because there is no variation from year to year- or at least none detectable enough to fool anyone.
Sure, we agree, it's just one catastrophic game to be 0-1 on the season. It is hard to just flat out admit "I was schooled" so we'll give credit/sympathy where it is due. We have no choice but to move past the Monday Night game even though the topic will remain unanswered for eternity. Just like so many other Oakland Raider issues, comings and goings. Or maybe things stay just as bad and then we really have some problems.
As far as acquiring coachspeak the Raider way, learn from the downfall of Bill Callahan. Bill did ok until he went off the deep end a little bit with his dumbest team in America comment. He let the pressure get to him and he cracked. You have to have a thick skin in that line of work. A lot of people are down on Jon Gruden. I think he's one of the best head coaches in the NFL based on his incredible commitment to the game and the fact that he is wired to go on hardly any sleep so he is hours ahead of everyone all day. Even with no sleep, you would have to admit Gruden's coachspeak is pretty good.
Give him the players and the full authority as far as staff and complete game planning he will be successful. I have no doubt if he was given that latitude he would have won Super Bowls with the Raiders.
Anyway, for future coaching gigs around the NFL, Kiff and Ryan have done themselves a disservice thus far in their working relationship as "head coach" and defensive coordinator. It must be hard for Kiff to stand there with his hands in his pockets. I bet he did not envision his role as head coach would be to "oversee" everything as he stated today.
You have to show some awareness of your situation and maturity to the media. You don't have to be guarded and salty but your mission really should be not to stir up controversy on your own team.
Anyway, for future coaching gigs around the NFL, Kiff and Ryan have done themselves a disservice thus far in their working relationship as "head coach" and defensive coordinator. It must be hard for Kiff to stand there with his hands in his pockets. I bet he did not envision his role as head coach would be to "oversee" everything as he stated today.
You have to show some awareness of your situation and maturity to the media. You don't have to be guarded and salty but your mission really should be not to stir up controversy on your own team.
Notice, it's not the players rocking the boat. The last thing you want to see are your coaches getting on each other which is what is happening right now. It's hard dealing with the media but you need it as part of the coaching skill set. Otherwise, you don't look real good to the fans.
This article is also featured on
Al's Wingman Blog
11 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
Excellence from top to bottom with this article AW.
Somebody needs to take Kiff, soB and Al behind the woodshed and get this thing thrashed out.
Hmm, that would make a great PPV 8^D
Edit Comment Cancel
Paul Kotch 10 months ago
Callahan was spot on with his "dumbest team in America" comment. If Davis backed him up, it may have sparked the team. Callahan's unfortunate mistake was coaching his worst game in the Superbowl in which he lost his starting center - a fact that many underestimate. While a solid back-up, the Raiders were not able to run well between the tackles without Robbins.
Too many forget what a great job Callahan did during the course of that season.
I give Kiffin credit for his candor. While I wish he was more positive, why should he be the whipping boy for Al Davis when he has so little say in personnel and defensive alignments - particularly when he has alluded to the fact that he was promised a certain degree of autonomy when he was hired?
As the saying goes - player's play - coaches coach - and owners own. If Al wants to coach - then get on the sideline.... if not, "own" and hire a staff that you have faith in, and let them work. Does he think this perpetual changing of staffs is going to help "Just Win Baby"?
Al has done a lot of great things - not just for the Raiders, but for the league. He was instrumental in the AFL/NFL merger. He helped lead a team to five Superbowls in five different decades. But with each passing year he is pissing on his own legacy.
Edit Comment Cancel
The_KRAKEN 10 months ago
Paul
The Kraken disagrees with your assesment of Callahan, He rode the season on Grudens Playbook Coat Tails and was too stupid not to change it up for the SB. In that loss I totally blame him to a lesser degree then Robbins who had an physical problem we knew nothing about.
As always
WIN, LOSE, or TIE RAIDERS TILL I MUTHA F$%KEN DIE !!!
VIVA LOS MALOSOS !!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little 10 months ago
Excellent Take, Paul. You are dead on with every take. Several people have underestimated how huge it is to lose your starting center and have to try to play without him in the biggest game of the year. Callahan did a good job that season but as stated coached his worst game in the Superbowl. He should've changed the entire scheme prior to that game the moment it was known who the opponent was.
The old saying is dead on target - player's play - coaches coach - and owners own.
Edit Comment Cancel
J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
Callahan coached the "dumbest team in America", that should make him the dumbest coach in America.
Losing Robbins was a hit, but trying to beat Gruden with his playbook is about as smart as arguing fine points of the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson.
You are right where you say if Al wants to coach he should get on the sideline. His age prevents him from being on the sideline, so he should stop trying to coach.
For decades, having Al as the owner was a fantastic asset. Now it's turned into a liability.
Edit Comment Cancel
EndZoner 10 months ago
Nice article, AW. I am glad that RobRyan has come out and faced the media. While doing so, he took all the heat for what happened Monday night. He deflected all responsibility onto himself and away from the players. I liked that. Also he showed that, yes, all defensive questions are to go through him. Are he and CoachKiffin at odds and at each other's throats like his father and Ditka were in Chicago? Not even close. Now the team just needs to go out and play their game in KC and all will be well in Raider Nation.
Edit Comment Cancel
Maloso Omar 13 10 months ago
We can sit here and criticize both coaches...but in the end it starts and ends with Al Davis....At one time he may have been considered a "genious" or a great football mind...but he continues to make a mockery of the Raiders, fans, the league and most importantly the game of football...What is it going to take for the League and the Comissioner to step in and remove Al Davis from the day to day operations and bring us back to respectability? Al Davis is bad for football...I am forever greatfull to him cause he did give Los Angeles its only Super Bowl World Championship...But like most people say that was a long, long time ago...Are we as fans still living on the Championship history of the Raiders?....cause with the exception of '00,'01 and '02 he has pretty much run this team to the ground....Throughout the years there have been well respected coaches that have been available for jobs, but not to us...that is why he resorts to co-offensive coordinators for head coaches...Until the league steps in or he "passes" away..we will continue to be the3 laughing stock of the NFL
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Little 10 months ago
Excellent Article, AW.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tony from NB 10 months ago
Just read two pieces, and someone is lying about Al's involvement with the "D":
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2008/09/11/ryan-fires-back/
Ryan says:“When I deal with Al Davis, guys, it’s in the offseason. And here’s the thing: Al Davis knows football. And I’ll have four-hour conversations with him in the offseason about everything in this league."
http://www.sacbee.com/raiders/story/1227677.html
Kiffin says:"Rob and the owner are always in communication," Kiffin said. "For the most part, I let Rob do his thing over there. He has a belief in certain things and he has a conversation with the owner about that. So, that wasn't the way the game plan ended up the other night."
This is the real problem with our club...Ryan & Kiffin are not talking. The buck stops with the head coach on every other team except ours.
This is the Adams Family all over again.....
Edit Comment Cancel
J Trejo 10 months ago
Here's my problem with out coach........when will he take responsibility for ANYTHING? It seems everything that goes wrong is someone else's fault. "I don't bring in the free agents" "I don't do the defense" etc etc. BUT, as much as the defense BLEW that game.........why doesn't Kiffin take responsibility for THE OFFENSE????!!!! 14 points? How long did it take to get 7? We could have had 3 if he wouldn't have gone for it on 4th down. Just shut up, quit crying and take responsibility like everyone else BUT Kiffin seems to be doing.
Edit Comment Cancel
FL Raider Girl 9 months ago
OMG, has it come down to this. I am agreeing with everything that Mike49er just said. Kiffin needs not take blame on mostly everything. He didn't choose who to draft, he doesn't have any control of the Defense. We all know that is Al's department anyway. People say he has control over the defense, Do you think he has 100% control? Who knows. Dysfunction city! But I still don't think all of it is true and that is Al's fault. He has Raiders HQ locked up tighter than Fort Knox and doesn't like anything to get out unless it is on his terms.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.