Verrrrrry intersting video link of Kiffin's interview also at this link. He talks about Moss, Leinert, Gallery, College coaching, cuts, says there is no starting RB, and various info. I truly like this guy - which I cannot say about a Raider's HC since Gruden. He seems very honest, which I greatly admire. Ends somewhat abruptly, but still informative.
http://www.ktvu.com/sports/11442735/detail.html#
This guy seems to be the real deal. Coler me in the KK camp.
Hope Is Spelled K-I-F-F-I-N In Raiders Camp
POSTED: 4:23 pm PDT March 29, 2007
ALAMEDA -- When Lane Kiffin took over as Oakland Raiders' head coach, one of the first things he told his new players was that he didn't want to dwell on what went wrong last season.
For the players who suffered through a 2-14 campaign that led to the Raiders being the butt of jokes on late-night comedy shows and coach Art Shell being fired, that was a welcome tact.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," offensive tackle Robert Gallery said. "He said it before I even had to. I didn't want to have to talk about it. It's over, we're on to new things."
That was especially true for Gallery and the offense, which had one of the worst seasons in league history. The Raiders scored just 168 points -- fifth fewest in a 16-game season -- had 12 offensive touchdowns, allowed a league-worst 72 sacks and failed to score a TD in their final three games.
Gallery, the No. 2 overall pick in 2004, looked lost at times as he moved from right to left tackle. He said he feels much more comfortable under new assistant Tom Cable's direction than he did under the inexperienced Jackie Slater.
"The system didn't fit the offensive linemen that you had," said new fullback Justin Griffith, who played for the Falcons last season when Cable was the offensive line coach. "I think it was more the system than it was the players."
There is plenty of excitement in Oakland about the regime and a new start as the team tries to rebound from four straight losing seasons.
But this is the time of year for optimism for all teams with new coaches, when everyone hopes the change will lead to success and no one has lost a game yet.
"Right now everybody is happy, the sun is out, everything is good," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "But when adversity hits you never know what you are going to get. Like always, I can't predict the future. I don't know what is going to happen, but right now he has been very positive and seems like a guy that can take control."
Asomugha likes the "vibe" from Kiffin and said it's hard to tell he's the youngest coach in the NFL at 31 when he talks to the team. The only giveaway to Kiffin's inexperience is his youthful look.
Kiffin said more than 90 percent of the players have been at the voluntary workouts, showing up at least four days a week. One notable exception has been disgruntled receiver Randy Moss, who expressed a desire to be traded at various points last season.
"We're looking forward to working with Randy, we're excited about what he potentially can bring to the organization," said Kiffin, who has had one conversation with Moss since being hired in January.
Kiffin and the coaching staff have begun implementing some of the new offense, which will include elements of the West Coast offense that offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has used in the past with some wrinkles Kiffin has brought from Southern California.
But much of the final product will depend on who's playing quarterback, which remains up in the air.
Andrew Walter is the only quarterback with NFL experience on the roster. The team could select quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU or Brady Quinn of Notre Dame with the No. 1 overall draft pick, and also bring in another veteran.
Kiffin has talked with former Houston quarterback David Carr, who was released earlier this month by the Texans. Kiffin was a graduate assistant at Fresno State when Carr was on the team.
But for now, Walter is the quarterback. A third-round pick in 2005, the Raiders thought so highly of Walter that they did not use their first-round pick a year ago on either Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler.
But given a chance to play when starter Aaron Brooks went down with an injury in the second game, Walter struggled last year.
He completed just 53.3 percent of his passes and threw three touchdown passes. He also threw 13 interceptions, lost nine fumbles and was sacked 46 times.
"He was one of the first ones I had to get to," Kiffin said. "He needs to know that doesn't matter anymore. That was a learning experience. Quit focusing on that and just focus on what he has on hand right now."
