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Truthfully, our pass defense actually improved... what happened is that our linebackers and offense also improved. Our run defense was still very, very bad, but not as bad as last year. Team's started attacking through the air, and exploited our extremely weak secondary players in Schweigert, Eugene, Routt, and any other nickel back we have. Fabian Washington also didn't make any huge strides either... but we sure do have a lockdown corner in Nmandi.

If we fire Ryan, we're blaming him for terrible personnel decisions. We need a DT in the worst way, and a rotational end as well. After that, a cover safety would be great...

Overall, our needs go like this:

1) Defensive tackle(s)
2) Free Safety
3) Defensive ends
4) Wide Recievers
5) Upgrades at G on the offensive line
6) LOLB
7) Nickel CB/Dime CB

Brilliant personnel move in firing Ryan. Our trademark is firing good coaches and hiring inferior ones...

How long was he on the market? Before news even broke that he was fired he had a new job... idiots.

By the sounds of the interviews, doesnt sound like Kiffin and Ryan were best buds either... maybe someone flexed some muscle.

Ryan hasn't been fired... yet.

In fact the Raiders announced Friday that:

The recent conjecture regarding the removal of Rob Ryan is incorrect and the constant barrage of rumors is irresponsible. The Raiders organization stated that the speculation that Rob Ryan will be relieve of his duties should stop.

Of course they don't say Ryan WON'T be fired, just that he hasn't been.

This could be a real interesting test for Kiffin... if Kiffin wants to hire his own defensive coordinator, and Al Davis is saying "no, you'll get Rob Ryan"... well that's not the ideal situation to find yourself in as a coach.

As much as I wouldn't have imagined such a thing a couple months ago, I'm starting to think Ryan will in fact be fired, but there's just no hurry - they want to find the right guy before letting Ryan go, and don't want to just hand him to the Jets or - god forbid - Broncos.

I like Rob Ryan as a defensive coach, and the players sure seem to like him. Plus there's no good to be had from constant coaching turnover. But no one is safe in this League, and it's undeniable that the defense slipped in 2007. If Kiffin wants to bring in his own guys, though, I think he's entitled (look what Parcells has done in Miami). But that run defense had better improve!

jrhester wrote:and it's undeniable that the defense slipped in 2007.

Oh sure it's deniable... instead running over us like a joke and seeing 2nd/3rd stringers (and crappy HB Dives along with predictable running plays), we saw the best teams had, all season... our defense improved a lot actually. Eugene turned out to be a better safety than Schweigert, Howard and Morrison turned in great seasons, Nmondi proved he was a shutdown corner. Fabian is still decent-good as a starter, Huff is improving in coverage, and our D - line of Richardson / Burgess / Warren played pretty well.

Our OLB Williams and other D-linemen: Sapp, Sands, Kelly, Brayton, Clemens, Robert Thomas... none of them are players that should see the field often. In addition, Howard is more of a coverage LB than a run stopper. It didnt help that Williams/Thomas often played played on the same side as Burgess, our designated pass rusher.

All reports have Ryan staying on, and I haven't heard a thing from my friend in the know... maybe I'll call him and wish him a Happy New Year

Raiders hold on to Ryan - sources say Kiffin wanted him gone

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