DP:UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was on the show yesterday, and he said he called you to ask about hiring [offensive coordinator] Norm Chow. Is that standard procedure? JF: Yeah. We're talking about two separate issues here. In the National Football League, we have by-laws. We have inches and inches of paperwork that spells all this out, when a position coach or a coach or employee moves from organization to organization. As far as the potential to move from the NFL to a university or institution, there's a protocol that you follow. Now, we're talking about two different things, and I'll paint this picture for you. When you have a coaching vacancy and when the season is over in January, you're going to get a bunch of calls, you're going to sort it out, you're going to interview and you're going to do things like that. Any head coach who has a vacancy knows that for every vacancy, you're going to get hundreds of applicants. They're going to swarm in within 30 or 40 minutes, or two or three hours.
This is what happens to me last Saturday night, three weeks before we're going to have a preseason game. The situation and the time is certainly different, but there's a protocol. I mentioned too in my comments last weekend that there's a courtesy call. There's a, “Hey, I was wondering…,” or, “How would you feel if…” Those kinds of things. That's happened. It happens all the time. In this particular case, it did not happen.
DP:Did Lane Kiffin go behind your back in hiring offensive coordinator Kennedy Pola? JF: Yes. I was informed by Kennedy that he was taking the job on Saturday at probably 10 a.m., and then I got a phone call 30 to 45 minutes later from Lane.
DP:Pola was under contract. Why didn't you just say no to this? JF: When you have a situation where a coach contacts you and says, “Hey, this is what's going on. I'm really interested in it,” and then comes back and says, “Hey, I'm going to take it,” clearly you don't have an interest in retaining that coach. For whatever reason, that coach decides he doesn't want to be there. Coaches are going to change their minds. Coaches are going to have opportunities to go on and pursue different things in their careers and have different aspirations. We all understand that. When you get a phone call three weeks before training camp, you're certainly going to question the commitment. That's all I can really say about that.
DP:Are you in favor of this lawsuit against Kiffin and USC? JF: I really can't comment on the lawsuit. Certainly, it's between the Titans organization and the University of Southern California. I'm confident that things will get worked out.
DP:How does this play with your fan base? Kiffin is on record saying that he thinks the lawsuit has more to do with the location of the team in the lawsuit. JF: I think that's absolutely ridiculous. I think what he has done is because of his previous experience with the University of Tennessee, he's grouping those kinds of things together. That's absurd.
DP:What do you want from Lane Kiffin and USC? JF: The organization has a position that it has taken, and it's spelled out in the lawsuit. I really can't comment publicly on it.
DP:What would satisfy you in this situation, though? Do you want blood? Money? An apology? What would be good? JF: Again, I think that will be spelled out. The attorneys on both sides will sit and sort those things out. I've moved on. I've promoted a quarterbacks coach to assistant head coach who's very, very willing to help get us out of a difficult situation. And I've promoted two young, up-and-coming coaches. We've moved on, and I think we're probably better off this way than we were when we started back in February with it.
DP: Does it hurt more that it's your alma mater? JF: I think you have to separate that. I think those out there understand that this is a business, and we're trying to conduct a business and win football games. I understand they are as well. I think you just have to separate it. It could have happened with any institution.
DP:What is the conditioning test that players keep failing? Is it different for specific teams? JF: Yeah, it is different. Different clubs require different things when players report. We're doing the same thing that the Redskins do, based on some of the reports I read. The players come in, and they'll be required to run a 300-yard shuttle from the goal line to the 25-yard line and back. You do that six times, and you have a time in which you have to finish it, based on positions. For example, the skill guys will be right around 60 or 65 seconds. The bigger and the heavier they get, the more time you have to finish it. Then you have a rest and recovery period, and then you go out and you do it again. That particular test is something we've been doing for years. We have a baseline. The players are ready for it. They come in and it's not a big deal. We will allow players that have participated in a [good] percentage of the offseason program—say they make 80 percent of the workouts—they don't have to test, because we assume they're in good shape. But teams do different things. I remember some of the clubs I was with had the players run an 880. That's an interesting test, because when are you going to run an 880 on the football field? What happens there is that players start training for the 880, and they stop training for football and they start running in a straight line and around tracks. The day the 880 is over, you come out to practice and you pull hamstrings and groins, because you're not in football shape. There are all different types of tests that have taken place over the years.
DP:Could you pass the conditioning test today? JF: Absolutely. I need a little bit more time.
DP:What happened to Albert Haynesworth's desire? JF: It's hard to say. Albert had some productive years here. He had some difficulty early in his career adjusting. He did not make an adequate commitment to our offseason program early in his career. As he matured and came on and became a better teammate, he understood it, he had fun and he enjoyed working here. I can't comment on [what happened in Washington]. Only those that were a part of [the Redskins'] locker room or that organization know what happened last year. Certainly, he's off to a rough start this year.
DP:What is Vince Young's situation? No suspension from the NFL for his offseason fight? JF: We have not heard specifically from the commissioner's office as of yet. But there have been some reports that say that he will not be disciplined. I think if you look at similar cases, [commissioner Roger Goodell] can probably come to that conclusion. That's behind [Young]. He stood up. I was proud of the way he handled it in front of his teammates—wrong place, wrong time—and I think he's really looking forward to getting started in training camp.
DP:Is everything good with Chris Johnson and his contract situation? JF: Good to go, yeah. We got things sorted out.
Video: Fisher explains his side of Kiffin lawsuit
How will you remember Tebow?
Today's poll was about Tim Tebow's legacy. What will Tebow be most remembered for in 15 years -- NFL, college or off-field activities. Almost 70 percent chose college. I have to agree, even though he could be more effective than people think this year with the Broncos. But it's hard to top all that Tebow achieved at the University of Florida.
Quote of the Day I
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's sort of like a closer from when they get to the 10-yard line and in. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have an integral role in that respect." -- NFL Network's Rich Eisen
Quote of the Day II
"I just hope for his sake and the Yankees sake he gets this thing done quickly." -- MLB Network's Billy Ripken
From the Locker Room
Join the debate at the DanPatrick.com chat room
I'm confused...why is it ok that Roy Oswalt, under contract to the Astros, asks to be traded to a contender; is traded and it's fine...but Chris Paul, under contact to the Hornets says he MIGHT want to be traded to a contender, and he's a villian..how dare those basketball players do such a thing...what a friggin double standard!!! | souvien
NFL players aren't out to hurt Tebow. Just because you don't like him doesn't mean Ray Lewis doesn't either. All of these guys are friends, this isn't Jack Tatum's NFL. | dougwalker
this is BS about Arash Markazi. This was a public event, LeBron was paid to host a couple of parties. This was advertised. On top of that, Arash got the wristband access to the special areas in the clubs with LeBron. Who did they think he was? He's been around the block more than once as a writer for SI and ESPN, you think he tried to disguise who he was? Hard to do if you look at him. His face is on his column page, etc. | sportsd
I agree with Dan, 100%. When I read the story, I just thought "LeBron is doing what anyone would do with his fame/money/at his age." ESPN is absolutely protecting their "Stock". As much as they hype LeBron (have hyped over the previous 7+ years), they can't show him in a situation that could give the perception of anything less than exemplary. | SnapTheJap101
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DP Show Daily: Jeff Fisher explains why he's upset with Lane Kiffin
A daily recap of the Dan Patrick Show ...
Q&A with Jeff Fisher
DP: UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was on the show yesterday, and he said he called you to ask about hiring [offensive coordinator] Norm Chow. Is that standard procedure?
JF: Yeah. We're talking about two separate issues here. In the National Football League, we have by-laws. We have inches and inches of paperwork that spells all this out, when a position coach or a coach or employee moves from organization to organization. As far as the potential to move from the NFL to a university or institution, there's a protocol that you follow. Now, we're talking about two different things, and I'll paint this picture for you. When you have a coaching vacancy and when the season is over in January, you're going to get a bunch of calls, you're going to sort it out, you're going to interview and you're going to do things like that. Any head coach who has a vacancy knows that for every vacancy, you're going to get hundreds of applicants. They're going to swarm in within 30 or 40 minutes, or two or three hours.
This is what happens to me last Saturday night, three weeks before we're going to have a preseason game. The situation and the time is certainly different, but there's a protocol. I mentioned too in my comments last weekend that there's a courtesy call. There's a, “Hey, I was wondering…,” or, “How would you feel if…” Those kinds of things. That's happened. It happens all the time. In this particular case, it did not happen.
DP: Did Lane Kiffin go behind your back in hiring offensive coordinator Kennedy Pola?
JF: Yes. I was informed by Kennedy that he was taking the job on Saturday at probably 10 a.m., and then I got a phone call 30 to 45 minutes later from Lane.
DP: Pola was under contract. Why didn't you just say no to this?
JF: When you have a situation where a coach contacts you and says, “Hey, this is what's going on. I'm really interested in it,” and then comes back and says, “Hey, I'm going to take it,” clearly you don't have an interest in retaining that coach. For whatever reason, that coach decides he doesn't want to be there. Coaches are going to change their minds. Coaches are going to have opportunities to go on and pursue different things in their careers and have different aspirations. We all understand that. When you get a phone call three weeks before training camp, you're certainly going to question the commitment. That's all I can really say about that.
DP: Are you in favor of this lawsuit against Kiffin and USC?
JF: I really can't comment on the lawsuit. Certainly, it's between the Titans organization and the University of Southern California. I'm confident that things will get worked out.
DP: How does this play with your fan base? Kiffin is on record saying that he thinks the lawsuit has more to do with the location of the team in the lawsuit.
JF: I think that's absolutely ridiculous. I think what he has done is because of his previous experience with the University of Tennessee, he's grouping those kinds of things together. That's absurd.
DP: What do you want from Lane Kiffin and USC?
JF: The organization has a position that it has taken, and it's spelled out in the lawsuit. I really can't comment publicly on it.
DP: What would satisfy you in this situation, though? Do you want blood? Money? An apology? What would be good?
JF: Again, I think that will be spelled out. The attorneys on both sides will sit and sort those things out. I've moved on. I've promoted a quarterbacks coach to assistant head coach who's very, very willing to help get us out of a difficult situation. And I've promoted two young, up-and-coming coaches. We've moved on, and I think we're probably better off this way than we were when we started back in February with it.
DP: Does it hurt more that it's your alma mater?
JF: I think you have to separate that. I think those out there understand that this is a business, and we're trying to conduct a business and win football games. I understand they are as well. I think you just have to separate it. It could have happened with any institution.
DP: What is the conditioning test that players keep failing? Is it different for specific teams?
JF: Yeah, it is different. Different clubs require different things when players report. We're doing the same thing that the Redskins do, based on some of the reports I read. The players come in, and they'll be required to run a 300-yard shuttle from the goal line to the 25-yard line and back. You do that six times, and you have a time in which you have to finish it, based on positions. For example, the skill guys will be right around 60 or 65 seconds. The bigger and the heavier they get, the more time you have to finish it. Then you have a rest and recovery period, and then you go out and you do it again. That particular test is something we've been doing for years. We have a baseline. The players are ready for it. They come in and it's not a big deal. We will allow players that have participated in a [good] percentage of the offseason program—say they make 80 percent of the workouts—they don't have to test, because we assume they're in good shape. But teams do different things. I remember some of the clubs I was with had the players run an 880. That's an interesting test, because when are you going to run an 880 on the football field? What happens there is that players start training for the 880, and they stop training for football and they start running in a straight line and around tracks. The day the 880 is over, you come out to practice and you pull hamstrings and groins, because you're not in football shape. There are all different types of tests that have taken place over the years.
DP: Could you pass the conditioning test today?
JF: Absolutely. I need a little bit more time.
DP: What happened to Albert Haynesworth's desire?
JF: It's hard to say. Albert had some productive years here. He had some difficulty early in his career adjusting. He did not make an adequate commitment to our offseason program early in his career. As he matured and came on and became a better teammate, he understood it, he had fun and he enjoyed working here. I can't comment on [what happened in Washington]. Only those that were a part of [the Redskins'] locker room or that organization know what happened last year. Certainly, he's off to a rough start this year.
DP: What is Vince Young's situation? No suspension from the NFL for his offseason fight?
JF: We have not heard specifically from the commissioner's office as of yet. But there have been some reports that say that he will not be disciplined. I think if you look at similar cases, [commissioner Roger Goodell] can probably come to that conclusion. That's behind [Young]. He stood up. I was proud of the way he handled it in front of his teammates—wrong place, wrong time—and I think he's really looking forward to getting started in training camp.
DP: Is everything good with Chris Johnson and his contract situation?
JF: Good to go, yeah. We got things sorted out.
Video: Fisher explains his side of Kiffin lawsuit
How will you remember Tebow?
Today's poll was about Tim Tebow's legacy. What will Tebow be most remembered for in 15 years -- NFL, college or off-field activities. Almost 70 percent chose college. I have to agree, even though he could be more effective than people think this year with the Broncos. But it's hard to top all that Tebow achieved at the University of Florida.
Quote of the Day I
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's sort of like a closer from when they get to the 10-yard line and in. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have an integral role in that respect." -- NFL Network's Rich Eisen
Quote of the Day II
"I just hope for his sake and the Yankees sake he gets this thing done quickly." -- MLB Network's Billy Ripken
From the Locker Room
Join the debate at the DanPatrick.com chat room
I'm confused...why is it ok that Roy Oswalt, under contract to the Astros, asks to be traded to a contender; is traded and it's fine...but Chris Paul, under contact to the Hornets says he MIGHT want to be traded to a contender, and he's a villian..how dare those basketball players do such a thing...what a friggin double standard!!! | souvien
NFL players aren't out to hurt Tebow. Just because you don't like him doesn't mean Ray Lewis doesn't either. All of these guys are friends, this isn't Jack Tatum's NFL. | dougwalker
this is BS about Arash Markazi. This was a public event, LeBron was paid to host a couple of parties. This was advertised. On top of that, Arash got the wristband access to the special areas in the clubs with LeBron. Who did they think he was? He's been around the block more than once as a writer for SI and ESPN, you think he tried to disguise who he was? Hard to do if you look at him. His face is on his column page, etc. | sportsd
I agree with Dan, 100%. When I read the story, I just thought "LeBron is doing what anyone would do with his fame/money/at his age." ESPN is absolutely protecting their "Stock". As much as they hype LeBron (have hyped over the previous 7+ years), they can't show him in a situation that could give the perception of anything less than exemplary. | SnapTheJap101