Morning Reading: Lane Kiffin Just Can’t Keep His Mouth Shut
As if you didn’t know that.
• There’s something broken in Lane Kiffin’s head. Something that doesn’t allow him to filter what he says before it comes out. We all know people like that, but luckily most of them don’t have the ability to become national news. Watching Kiffin is like seeing a train wreck in slow motion. Can’t look away.
During Thursday’s Pac-10 media event, Kiffin just couldn’t resist. When asked about the lawsuit filed by the Tennessee Titans against him, he said “I think it has to do with the location of the team.” Yeah that’s exactly it Lane. The only reason the Titans are coming after you is because of their proximity to the school you ditched after one season. It has nothing to do with the fact that you hired away one of their coaches. Nothing at all.
One day we’ll find out if Kiffin can really coach. Until them we have to sit back and watch the train.
• David Tyree made one spectacular catch we’ll all remember forever. Other than that, he caught a grand total of 55 passes in seven NFL seasons and is only 30 years old. That second sentence is what makes him signing a one-day contract with the New York Giants so he can retire as a member of that franchise a joke.
I believe it’s marginally stupid when superstars do this. I believe is over the top pointless when someone an average player does it. There’s only one thing that could rival it. The fact that Tyree will hold a conference call today to announce his retirement.
Apologies to Tyree who I’m sure is a stand-up individual, but signing with a team for one day simply so you can retire doesn’t make you a part of that team. Not at all. It makes the whole thing a show about you and only you. Go out gracefully Tyree. We want to remember your catch. Not this.
• Have a player you think might have some maturity issues? Hire his high school coach as an assistant to keep him in check. That’s exactly what the Sacramento Kings have done.
Before and after DeMarcus Cousins was drafted, question marks were attached to the former Kentucky star. Many wondered if he was mature enough to handle the NBA and truly become the superstar he was expected to be. To help Cousins with his development and hopefully keep him on track, the Kings have hired Otis Hughley as an assistant. Cousins played under Hughley at LeFlore in Mobile, AL.
• Chris Bosh claims he didn’t mail it in last season when playing for the Toronto Raptors. In fact, he says: “On the back of my jersey it says ‘Bosh’…The Boshes are hard workers. We have a lot of pride in what we do, in our jobs and in life.” Damn right.
• The front page of ESPN.com’s college basketball page had the following on it this morning: “Purdue’s title hopes rest on Robbie Hummel’s health.” Purdue? Title worthy? Really? I really must not know as much about college basketball as I used to.
• If Ilya Kovalchuk really wants that 17-year deal, he might just get it. There are rumors the KHL might be willing to match the deal he agreed to with the New Jersey Devils if Kovalchuk would consider switching leagues. It would be a big blow to the NHL to lose one of its brightest stars in his prime.
• And finally, some baseball team acquired a big-name pitcher.