Gate 21

Theories about Lane Kiffin’s jab at Urban Meyer…

February 6th, 2009 |

Author: lawvol

Rusty over at RTT has offered up 5 theories for Lane Kiffin‘s (a/k/a the Blackjack General) barb to Urban Meyer yesterday. They are worth a read. Rusty’s theories started a rather interesting discussion on the subject.

Anyway, here are my two cents worth, which I originally posted over on RTT as a comment (with the addition of the video and image):

The comment on Meyer is simply a comment made to a closed group being taken out of context. That is, Kiffin said “cheating” in the sense of “man, that’s some slimy stuff” but is was taken as “violation of codified NCAA and SEC rules and regulations.” In other words, he was speaking like a normal person and not like some degenerate lawyer (I can say that, I are one).

In the big picture, I think that there is a method to Kiff’s madness. I think he realizes that the Tennessee fans need something to help rally them to “the flag,” which a little controversy will accomplish.

Furthermore, I think — rightly or wrongly — he perceives a belief among the fans that Tennessee has been the “nice guy fuddy-duddy” type for a long time and have never really stood its ground the way it could (See Charlie Brown). I think that there is a definite feeling of this sort among many in the Big Orange fanbase.

I also think he believes that the opposite it true — that other coaches (especially Urban Meyer) have gotten used to walking on Tennessee and now feel an entitlement of sorts. I think this is also true. I think Kiff realizes that he has to stop that, and that the fans will gladly support him in this.

I also think — given who he has attacked and who he hasn’t (See Mark Richt, Houston Nutt, Rich Brooks, Les Miles, etc.) — that it is a calculated move to agitate those who simply cannot stand being agitated and love to agitate constantly. Steve Spurrier was the master of this in the 1990s — and it was very effective. Kiffin wants to try and begin to get in the heads of others who believe themselves to be mighty, but has notably spared the friendly sorts. (Oh, and for the record, Spurrier can take being agitated. In fact it often seems to make him respect others more. Plus, he was pretty affable in response to the whole recruiting test discourse.)

I think Kiff probably understands that the team might not fare well at first, but he is showing that he’s not willing to be pushed around now. It’s the proverbial “knock me down, and I’ll get back up and say it again, so you can knock me down, so I can get up and say it again, till I get strong enough that you can no longer knock me down” approach (man what a run-on).

I also think that Kiffin is simply not the kind of guy who shirks from a challenge, and the staff he has assembled bears that out. (Compare Mr. Edward Orgeron and … the World) Call me crazy, but he almost has me believing that he can pull it off as well.

To be able to win, you have to first believe that you can win. To take on the invincible, you have to believe you are invincible. (See This is Sparta)

Video: 300 – “This is Sparta“

Of course, I also believe that Elvis Presley is living in Vonore, Tennessee under the assumed name “Leyland T. Vegas” and that Plate Tectonics is all part of some nefarious Communist conspiracy…

Viva, Baby... Viva!

At its basic level, however, Kiffin is accomplishing something — getting the fans and team ready for a fight and getting the media interested enough to show up and document it all.

• HT to / via: Five theories about Lane Kiffin’s jab at Urban Meyer | Rocky Top Talk

I suppose it all comes down to Jules Winnfield / Samuel L. Jackson’s statement: “Oh, well allow me to retort…“

At any rate, the conversation has been interesting over there, and is worth a look (and perhaps a comment).

Image Courtesy of: Elvis Impersonators Blog

About the Author: "Lawvol" -- I'm just a guy living in North Carolina who has an unnatural fascination with the color orange. Just because I'm a Tennessee alum and die-hard Volunteer fan doesn't mean that I can't poke a little fun at the Big Orange and anybody else for that matter. Feel free to complain all you want. >> Read more from this author

Posted in Bulletin Board Material, Cheating, College Football, Headlines Links & Lies..., News & Notes, SEC Football, Sound Bites, Video |

Tags: Agitators, Blackjack General, Cheating, Communists, Conspiracy, Elvis, Elvis Imitators, Elvis Presley, Florida Gators, Gamesmanship, Gate 21, Houston Nutt, incognito, Jules Winnfield, Lane Kiffin, Les Miles, Links, Mark Richt, Plate Tectonics, Pulp Fiction, Rich Brooks, Samuel L. Jackson, SEC, Sports Media, Steve Spurrier, Tennessee Football, Tennessee Volunteers, This is Sparta, University of Tennessee, Urban Meyer, Vonore, Whiners, Whining

7 Responses to “Theories about Lane Kiffin’s jab at Urban Meyer…”

Rusty

says:

6 February 2009 at 4:29 pm

Thanks for the linkage! I thought your commentary was spot-on, except that I believed Kiffin was serious. Or at least — unlike some folks on that thread — that someone doesn’t have to be stupid or blind to think he was being serious.

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Home Sweet Home

says:

6 February 2009 at 4:32 pm

first, 300 is a BAMF movie, so I liked that video..

second, talk about giving the program a little shot in the arm. media outlets everywhere (top story on ESPN.com’s CFB page, SportsCenter/PTI talked about it, Rivals message boards everywhere are a twitter) are mentioning Tennessee. granted, most of it is bashing and ridicule, but we needed an attitude change here in Knoxville, and we got it with Lane and this staff. I would say he shouldn’t have said Urban “cheated,” but I’m all for the jab and the “sincere” apology. where was Slive when Spurrier took the recruiting test shot at Lane when he was hired?

also to point out, he hasn’t gone after Les Miles yet, but LSU fans seem to hate us nonetheless, with how the whol Jackson thing went down (they’re just bitter, really)

finally, screw Florida/Meyer/Foley all of them…we ain’t scared anymore!

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Home Sweet Home

says:

6 February 2009 at 4:32 pm

/ mini-rant

apologies…haha

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lawvol

says:

6 February 2009 at 5:48 pm

You know, he may have meant it in the sense that he thought it wasn’t allowed, but I question how seriously anyone can take the whole “reporting him now” given the context and way it was said. It’s hyperbole meant to strike two nerves: inflame Vol fans and enrage the Gators.

In both cases it worked.

Still, it does make things interesting.

Oh, and HSH, as editor, it’s my perogative to now require you to apologize to Florida. There is no SEC rule against Coach Meyer being a jerk to everyone in the SEC. Mike Slive sent me an email asking that I reprimand you. lol!

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Voljunkie

says:

7 February 2009 at 12:41 am

Hey Lawvol, First off I love the new banner for coach Summit, Second I love the reference to 300 and Sparta, I really think you should photo shop a pic of Lane the Train, kicking Urban Cryer into that Well. It would go Viral in a heartbeat ..about the whole Incident, like I said in my post whats next recorders and monitors in the locker room?

Hey Rusty if you read this I liked your post too

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