APIf any NFL general managers or coaches want to know what USC Lane Kiffin thinks of quarterback Matt Barkley, Kiffin is eager to offer a ringing endorsement.
Kiffin, who knows something about the NFL from his stint coaching the Raiders, told ESPNLosAngeles.com that he knows Barkley has all the tools needed to be a great NFL quarterback.
“I think he’s going to be a great starting quarterback in the NFL, and the film shows it,” Kiffin said. “The plays he makes, all the throws he’s made here, the leadership qualities.”
So why was USC such a disappointment in Barkley’s final season? Barkley’s NFL stock seemed to slip as USC fell from No. 1 in the preseason to unranked at the end of the season, but Kiffin says that’s the fault of USC’s defense.
“I’ve said this before: If Matt Barkley had the defense that Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer had, Matt Barkley would have won the Heisman Trophy just like they did. He would have had the winning records they had,” Kiffin said.
Kiffin openly slamming the USC defense may make things awkward at the next Kiffin family dinner, as USC’s defensive coordinator last season was Kiffin’s dad, Monte Kiffin. It also may have Cowboys fans concerned, considering that Kiffin is now the defensive coordinator in Dallas.
But Kiffin stands by that, saying that people need to remember how Barkley and USC almost beat Stanford and Andrew Luck in 2011.
“Andrew threw an interception for a touchdown and, their very next drive we stop them, and [safety] T.J. McDonald gets called for a head-to-head personal foul that keeps the drive alive,” Kiffin said. “Is that Matt Barkley’s fault? If that flag’s not thrown and we stop them right there, you go, ‘Man, Matt just beat Andrew Luck.’ When I remember Matt, I think of all that stuff.”
Barkley would love it if NFL scouts think of him as the guy who could have beaten Andrew Luck. Unfortunately, NFL teams are a lot more likely to look at what Barkley did last season than they are to listen to Lane Kiffin’s opinion.
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I will believe that if the Cowboys go after him. Otherwise he is just trying to to fool a team into thinking he can coach.
The thing is Mr. Kiffin no one can predict how Matt Barkley or any prospect for that matter will adjust to the NFL. You never know who might be the best player to come out of that class.
Yeah, cause Lane Kiffin is the pillar in which all trustworthiness needs to be judged.
JaMarcus had ‘potential’ too.
Like Lane Kiffin has anything to lose by doing this. Barkley has the potential to do a Ryan Mallet style fall in this draft.
This guy Kiffin has no credibility. Look at this cowardly, unimpressive body of work. Not saying anything about Barkley here, because what he will do remains to be seen. But, Kiffin on the other hand. His opinion is about as dependable as his loyalty.
Has anyone lost more credibility in the last few years than Lame Kiffin? This personal vouch means about as much as his commitment to the Univ of Tenn.
Lane Kiffin is a pretty good recruiter. Nice play.
Lance Kiffin is a donkey.
Well, that settles it then. Lane Kiffin’s word is as good as …. whoa, wait a minute! I am sure Barkley is thrilled with this endorsement.
Lane Kiffin is a scumbag.
Yeah, and Russell Wilson’s “too short”.
How does Lane Kiffin remain employed as a football coach?
Drafting is just an overrated educated guess, you pick who you want & let History play out, this isn’t Madden. People do remember Joe Montana was a 3rd round pick right? At the end of the day who really knows who’s gonna be good or not, geez.
That’s like applying for a job and having charles manson as a character reference.
Good enough for me.
The only person less trustworthy than Lane Kiffin is Pete Carroll.
LOL what happened to the other two times Barkley faced Andrew Luck?? Also USC was full of blue chippers can’t say the same thing about Stanford when Barkely lost 3 straight to them.
Barkley can play, but comparing him to Luck in any shape form or fashion is ludicrous.
I wouldn’t even let Lane vouch for my next lunch spot
Said the guy who had Seabass try a 75 yard field goal.
Whew!!! That should make Matty feel better!!
Kiffin your word sucks i think if you would of stayed at Tennessee you cld of built a winner there but you stabbed them in the back an now you can’t do jack crap at USC.
This whole thing about one QB beating another is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. QBs don’t play against one another. It may give a QB a little incentive knowing that there is another great player at the same position on the other team, but they don’t compete against one another in any way. To say otherwise is just stupid meatball talk.
By watching lane coach in the nfl. It’s easy to see he knows nothing of what it takes to succeed in this league.
In other news, Big Al Haynesworth personally vouches for Lane Kiffin’s character and work ethic.
And lane is qulified to make nfl judgements because………..?
Ouch. Kiffen may have just sunk the Barkley ship.
yep, and I remember what nick saban had to say about Rolondo McClain before the draft.
Lame Kiffin is a snake. Don’t trust this man
Well I’m sold………
Personally, I’d want someone more competent than Lane Kiffin vouching for me.
Fortunately for NFL GMs, Lane Kiffin is known for his honesty and credibility. None of them are likely to notice that having a QB go high in the 1st round would help Kiffin’s recruiting efforts.
Let me get this straight. USC defense gets a pick-six, and Barkley is going to get credit for the win. Then USC defense commits a personal foul, allowing Stanford to keep the drive alive and score, and now the USC defense gets the blame for the loss? Okay, thought so. That is impeccable logic…
Wow, I’m sure that’s really going to change the way 25+ teams approach the upcoming FA period and the draft, not!
Kiffin’s the first person I’d call if I needed someone to vouch for me……..not
A Lane Kiffin endorsement is about as valuable as a … Lane Kiffin endorsement.
Why would Kiffin sabotage Barkley like that?
And who is willing to vouch for Kiffin?
Hmmm, I didn’t think Lane Kiffin’s word meant much to most folks.
Immediately after this – we will have the AD of Univ of Tennessee on – who will personally vouch for Lane Kiffin’s character and integrity.
Is that supposed to impress me?
Weeden beat luck and RG3 in 2011
And I will personally vouche for lane kiffen by saying he has psychological problems.
Didn’t Mike Shanahan bet his entire reputation on John Beck?
The endorsement should drop him a couple more spots.
I couldn’t think of a WORSE person to get an endorsement from.. also I believe Al had film on Jamarcus being a ‘good quarterback’ and Lane (and the rest of the world) was supposed to ‘get over it’.
Who will vouch for Lane Kiffen’s ability?
The next time two people are arguing about how much credit the quarterback should get for winning a game or whether it’s logical in any way to say “such-n-such QB beat so-n-so QB,” I hope Lane’s comments enter the fray. This guy is a moron.
Does Kiffin have compromising pictures of the President of the United States or something?
How is this dope constantly put into lucrative positions of authority.
Sure. Mr. Expert.
USC QB’s have stunk recently.
NoobTubeTV says: Feb 28, 2013 10:20 AM
JaMarcus had ‘potential’ too.
—————-
Kiffin didn’t think so. Have to give him credit for that, at least.
Way to throw your old man under the bus. An endorsement from Lane should mean absolutely nothing.
I’ve worked around my father all my life – 3rd generation architects. There is NO WAY a son could have any effective control over his father – NO WAY. When I realized this was the case, I couldn’t beleive they would even try to work under those conditions. That may say a lot right there.
USC’s head coach isn’t who they think it is.
Barkley just dropped to the 7th round/free agent level.
Barkley gets a endorsement from Layne, but who is vouching for Layne?
I wouldn’t take a restaurant recommendation from Lane Kiffin, let alone a franchise legacy recommendation
Pat Haden will ride it out with Kiffin during the sanctions then start fresh.
But who will vouch for Lane Kiffin?
Lane Kiffin isn’t qualified to vouch for anyone. There is already a movement by the alumni, to have him removed. He will not be the coach of USC for the start of the 2015 season.
harrisbarton
The only person less trustworthy than Lane Kiffin is Pete Carroll.
And you all said Carroll was wrong about Sanchez leaving early and did it only to keep him winning at USC. You’re a joke.
I can’t believe that Kiffin has the gall to give someone his endorsement with as little credibility as he has! Obviously all the criticism about him last year went right over his head and he still thinks he’s God!!!!
I can’t believe someone would ask for his opinion!!!!! How dumb do you have to be?!?!
I would rather listen to a fruit bat fart than listen to Kiffen.
Why is Kiffen bashing his defense so much just for the sake of 1 guy’s draft stock? and it’s not like it’ll help his draft stock anyway. Most of those guys that were on their D are still going to be there for the next year or two. That should be an awkward next two years for Kiffen.
West Virginia’s D I’m sure gave up a lot more points than the USC D, but believe it or not teams actually look at the player not his team in evaluating which players to draft. Geno Smith is a 1st round talent, and Barkley isn’t.
Kiffen’s words aren’t going to magically give Barkley a stronger arm or change the fact he wimped out at the combine.
Poor kid’s draft status just plummeted after kiffen endorsement.
Does anyone in the country other than teenage football players believe anything LK says?
Oh boy last person I would want touting my skills. @footballady52 🏈
Kiffin’s going a bit far in trashing his Dad’s defense, but what’s a coach to say about a star player who delayed declaring for the draft? Got to pump them up or everybody bails first chance, eh? I doubt NFL evaluators even bother to read his opinions. Film on the season speaks for itself, no doubt. More depends on the team situation he is put in afterwards, regardless of where he is drafted, as with Russell Wilson.