A New Era-The Coaching Career of Clarke Ainsley

[Clarke_311]

Kiffin Signs with Tennessee, Replaced by Unknown


Lane Kiffin in his model pose

Just two weeks before the start of free agency, now former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has signed with the University of Tennessee Volunteers and will be their head coach. The son of former head coach Montae Kiffin spent twenty games with Raiders, finishing with a poor 5-15 record, and was the youngest head coach of the modern NFL. That's not the most surprising new though. What is more surprising is his replacement.

Kiffin will be replaced by thirty-seven year-old Clarke Ainsley, who has spent time down south with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He started as their quarterbacks coach before moving up to offensive co-ordinator and eventually head coach, where he lead the Eskimos to the 2005 Grey Cup. Raiders owner Al Davis is a big fan of the CFL, and loved the way he worked with his star quarterback Ricky Ray. He is hoping that Ainsley can help his young quarterback Jamarcu Russell develop into a star.

Ainsley will have his work cut out for him however, as the Raiders finished 4-12 last season, bad enough for last in the AFC West. They have lots of big contracts to players that haven't lived up to them, and he doesn't have a lot of talent around him. This team is really terrible all over the board, though they do have running back Justin Fargas, who broke out last year and was a 1,000 yard rusher. Other than that though, they don't look very good. Their defence is awful. They don't have a good offensive line. Their quarterback of the future Jamarcus Russell is overwieght.

Needless to say, this could be a long year in Oakland. It'll be interesting to see how Coach Ainsley handles this situation, as it could be tough for him to adjust to the NFL. It seems werid how Al Davis would hire a coach that has no previous NFL experience, but he liked what he say with Ainsley in the CFL and he must think he can do it in the NFL. This is certainely a surprise move, but we'll have to wait and see how it turns out.

[Clarke_311]

Raiders Press Conference

Al Davis: Hello and I'd like to give a warm welome to our new coach Clarke Ainsley. He seems to be a great coach and he's better than all of our other coaches, so I though, "What the heck???"

Clarke Ainsley: Thank you, Al, it's a great honour to be here. It's always been my dream to coach a NFL team, and Mr. Davis has given me the oppurtunity.

Al Davis: Are there any questions for Clarke or I?

Steven Raczkowski: For Ainsley: Are you afraid that Jamarcus Russell will eat you?

Clarke Ainsley: Nah, talking to Jamarcus, he seems more like a pizza/chips guy, not a meat lover. You never know though.

Steven Raczkowski: What is your plan to make this team not suck anymore?

Clarke Ainsley: I'm gonna do my best to try to re-build this team from the ground up, by getting as many draft picks as I can and bringing in young players with a strong upside.

Steven Raczkowski: For Davis: How much control will you let Clarke have over personnel?

Al Davis: He's the one coaching the team right? He seems like a smart guy, so I'm gonna give him lots of freedom when it comes to the decision-making of the team. I mean, he has to coach them right, so he might as well get the chance to bring in the players he wants to coach right?

Steve Raczkowski: Are you ever gonna die?

Al Davis: I'm Al Davis baby, Al Davis never goes away.

(Crowd all moans)

Matt Parks: For Ainsley: Is Jamarcus Russell your starting QB?

Clarke Ainsley: For sure. I've seen Jamarcus on tape and he seems like he's got all the tools to be a good quarterback, but just needs to bring it together. Hopefully I can help him do that.

Ernie Volpe: How do you plan to rebuild this team? Through the draft or F/A

Clarke Ainsley: I'm a big believer in building through the draft. I think if you can draft the right players you can really build a dynasty, which is what I'm trying to do with this team. I wanna bring back the tradition and success that Raiders fans are used to.

Al Davis: The draft??? He he he, well then....

Kevin Fischer: With a club that has won only 24 contests since the 2002 Super Bowl year, along with six coaching changes that have happened under Owner Al Davis, how confident are you being put up to the task of running the franchise?

Clarke Ainsley: I think I'm pretty confident to do this. I'm taking it as a challenge to try to bring success to the Raiders and hopefully be here for a long time to come.

Kevin Fischer: Also, with attendance starting to decline over the last few years, how much importance are you placing on catering to the fans, and do you believe your club can be competitive for the upcoming season?

Clarke Ainsley: I think the best way to cater to the fans is to make a winning team. If you're winning, you'll always have fans in the stadium. Right now, I don't know if we can be competitive, but I think we can do some stuff this off-season, and hopefully be a playoff contender come the start of the season.

Mitchell Shinderman: When are you going to get rid of that disgusting home you call Mcafee Stadium?

Al Davis: Excuse me sir, my stadium is not digscustin, it is a beautiful football stadium. Sure it's not that big fancy Cowboys Stadium that ******* Jerry Jones made, but it's a great stadium.

Mitchell Shinderman: Also, why do you think your boss chose to hire you over many other more experienced professionals?

Clarke Ainsley: I think he saw some potential in me, and the way I work with my players. I know not everyone believes it, but I think I'm capable of doing this job.

Mitchell Shinderman: Last but not least, will Dany Heatley be hated upon in this chise?

Clarke Ainsley: You mean that ***hole hockey player that plays for the Sharks? Sure, why not?

Al Davis: Thank you for all your questions!!

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Quote: Originally Posted by Clarke_311

Raiders Press Conference Steven Raczkowski: For Ainsley: Are you afraid that Jamarcus Russell will eat you? Clarke Ainsley: Nah, talking to Jamarcus, he seems more like a pizza/chips guy, not a meat lover. You never know though. Steven Raczkowski: What is your plan to make this team not suck anymore? Clarke Ainsley: I'm gonna do my best to try to re-build this team from the ground up, by getting as many draft picks as I can and bringing in young players with a strong upside. Steven Raczkowski: For Davis: How much control will you let Clarke have over personnel? Al Davis: He's the one coaching the team right? He seems like a smart guy, so I'm gonna give him lots of freedom when it comes to the decision-making of the team. I mean, he has to coach them right, so he might as well get the chance to bring in the players he wants to coach right? Steve Raczkowski: Are you ever gonna die? Al Davis: I'm Al Davis baby, Al Davis never goes away.

LOL funny stuff. Good luck dealing with all the Raiders signing bonuses

[Clarke_311]

Starting Head Coach Information

First Name: Clarke
Last Name: Ainsley
Offensive Playbook: Kiffin Pass Attack
Defensive Playbook: Raiders Rover
Overall Skill: 13
Special Skills: 4 out of 44
Personality: Commandor
Career Start: Off-Season

[Clarke_311]

Team Philosiphies

Coach Hire

Posistion Coach Hire Control-Give up some control
Trainer Hire Control-Give up a little control
GM Hire Control-Give up no control
OC Hire Control-Give up no control
DC Hire Control-Give up no control

Trade

GM Draft Trade Philosiphy-Trade Down
GM Future Draft Picks-Overvalue Future Draft Picks
Trade Frequency-Neutral
Trading Philosiphy-Normal

Draft

Draft Philosiphy-Draft Biggest Team Needs
Workouts Scouting Philosiphy-Scout Best Avalible Players
Reg. Season Scouting Philosiphy-Big School Focus

Contract

Counter Offer Philosiphy-Normal
Franchise Tag Philosiphy-Normal
GM Salary Cap Philosiphy-Prefers 5MIL in Cap Room
GM Re-Sign Philosiphy-Re-Sign Based on Talent
GM RFA Philosiphy-Normal
GM Spending Philosiphy-Distribute Money Evenly
General Negotiation Philosiphy-Very Flexible

QB

QB Philosiphy-Strong Arm/Tools QB
QB Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
QB Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
QB Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
QB Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
QB Roster Minimum-3

HB

HB Philosiphy-Speed HB
HB Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
HB Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
HB Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
HB Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
HB Roster Minimum-3

FB

FB Philosiphy-Blocking FB
FB Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
FB Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
FB Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
FB Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
FB Roster Minimum-1

WR

WR Philosiphy-Speed WR
WR Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
WR Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
WR Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
WR Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
WR Roster Minimum-5

TE

TE Philosiphy-Playmaker TE
TE Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
TE Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
TE Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
TE Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
TE Roster Minimum-2

OL

Guard Philosiphy-Size/Strength/Mauler Guard
Center Philosiphy-Size/Strenth/Mauler Guard
Tackle Philosiphy-Pass Block Specialist Tackle
OL Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
OL Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
OL Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
OL Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
Center Roster Minimum-1
Guard Roster Minimum-4
Tackle Roster Minimum-4

DL

DT Philosiphy-One Gap Penetrator DT
DE Philosiphy-Undersized Speed Rusher DE
DL Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
DL Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
DL Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
DL Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
DT Roster Minimum-3
DE Roster Minimum-5

LB

OLB Philosiphy-Pass Rusher/3-4 Blitzer OLB
MLB Philosiphy-3-4/Tackler MLB
LB Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
LB Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
LB Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
LB Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health
MLB Roster Minimum-3
OLB Roster Minimum-4

DB

CB Philosiphy-Man Coverage/Ballhawk CB
FS Philosiphy-Centerfield FS
SS Philosiphy-Blitzer/Run Support SS
DB Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
DB Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
DB Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
DB Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health

K/P

K Philosiphy-Big Foot/Distance K
P Philosiphy-Big Foot/Distance P
Game Fatigue Status-Sub Player at Heavy Fatigue
Game Health Status-Sub Player at Low Health
Practice Fatigue Status-Practice at Moderate Fatigue
Practice Health Status-Practice at Moderate Health

Evaluation

Team Building Philosiphy-Build Through NFL Draft
Player Roadmap Evaluation-Ravours Upside

Playcall

Blitz Philosiphy-Blitz Heavy
Pass Coverage Philosiphy-Man Coverage
Defensive Playbook Control-Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Scheme-3-4
Defining Moment Philosiphy-Aggressive
No Huddle Philosiphy-Balanced
Offensive Playbook Control-Head Coach
Offensive Scheme-Power Running

Depth Chart

Bench Media Complainer-Prefers to Bench
Bench Skip Practice-Prefers to Bench
Bench Player-Balanced
Start Rookie QB-Balanced
Start Rookie HB-Prefers To

Injury

Injury Playing Status-Aggressive

[Clarke_311]

Raiders Tag Unhappy Asomugha



It cost a lot, but the Oakland Raiders managed to keep star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in Oakland for at least another season. The Raiders used their franchise tag to sign Asomugha to a one year, $8.28 million deal. It was a lot of money to give up, but he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and a vital part of the Raiders organization.

However, according to NFL inside Adam Schefter, Asomugha was not happy being tagged as he wants to play for a winning team. According to Raiders personal, they will not trade Asomugha, and will try to get a team good enough to compete in hopes or re-signing him next off-season.

Although Asomugha has struggled the past two seasons (only two interceptions in the past two years), he is still capable of the eight interceptions he got in the 2006 season. Plus, he is one of the top cover men in the league, meaning opposing quarterbacks rarely throw his way.

Meanwhile, now that Asomugha has been tagged, that means leading wide receiver Jerry Porter will become a free agent and won’t re-join the Raiders next season.

There is no telling how this dispute will end, but it’s a shaky start for Raiders new head coach Clarke Ainsley. Maybe Ainsley can convince Asomugha to stay, although that looks unlikely. It does seem likely that the Raiders will live with his anger for now, though unless the Raiders start winning quickly, it doesn’t look like Asomugha will want to stay in Oakland for much longer.

[doseyclwn]

I'll be interested to see how you build this team.

[Mike3207]

What skills did you pick for your coach to start out; I see you had 4 special skills.