Kiffin To Tennessee — Both Of Them?

November 25, 2008 at 04:49pm by Scott

I just heard from one of my good friends in Knoxville that a Lane Kiffin to Tennessee deal is done and will be announced next week. He also says that Monte Kiffin will be following Lane there. I have no other verification other than this person, but he’s usually right about things like this and is in a position to get inside information. If it’s true, I’m happy for the Volunteers to get the premier defensive mind in football, and I implore the Bucs to get Raheem Morris under wraps real fucking fast. Like now. Just throw a shit-ton of money at him for a five year deal and secure the future of this team’s defense.

Let’s face facts. Jon Gruden is good for this team and is an excellent football coach. But he is not the offensive miracle worker that his reputation led us to believe he was back in 2002. The offense is currently ranked #12, but from 2002 – 2007, the offense has mostly been spinning its wheels. Flashes of brilliance here and there, sure — but a consistent offensive threat? When I think of scary offenses, I think of the 2007 Patriots or the 1999 Rams or the 1998 Vikings, not the Bucs during the last several years. My point (and I do have one) is that the Bucs win with defense. They’ve been doing it for the 13 years that Monte Kiffin has been the defensive coordinator and everyone knows what he means to the team. If you replace Kiffin with a non-Kiffin disciple, you completely change the dynamic of this winning team and quite possibly set the Buccaneers back for two to three years.

Morris is young, energetic, smart and already well-respected by all the players. If the Bucs don’t promote him after Kiffin leaves (if he leaves), some other team will quickly snatch him up and make him their defensive coordinator. Bruce Allen, find out if this rumor is true. If it is, get Morris signed as the 2009 Bucs D.C. before the news hits the wires. You know I’m right about this.