Annual NFL Coaching Carousel

[Morning Woodhead]

I'm going to be curious to see how this shakes out.  As others have said, he turned the Bengals into a pretty good offense.  It all comes down to RG3 anyway.  If you get the RG3 of his rookie year, all of a sudden Gruden will look pretty good.  If you get the RG3 of last year, he'll get run out of town by Snyders henchman. 

 

[mauf]

FO has consistent rated Andy Dalton as roughly a league-average QB during his three years in the NFL. Few of us think Dalton is better than that; a lot of us think he's worse. And with apologies to any BJGE fans in the house, the Bengals might have the worst RB situation in the league. I can't find fault with Gruden's work in Cincinnati. And he's had at least half a dozen HC interviews over the past couple years, so it's not like Snyder is the only guy who thinks Gruden is HC material.
 
I think Ken Whisenhunt would be a better choice -- he did a great job with Philip Rivers this season -- but he's likely to have better options than working for Dan Snyder.

 

[coremiller]

The quote I saw was not that Cinci thought Dalton fit their offense better than Kaepernick, but that they thought Dalton was much better prepared to start right away while Kaepernick would be a long-term developmental project.  In that respect Cinci was probably right but extremely short-sighted.

 

[86spike]

FO has consistent rated Andy Dalton as roughly a league-average QB during his three years in the NFL. Few of us think Dalton is better than that; a lot of us think he's worse. And with apologies to any BJGE fans in the house, the Bengals might have the worst RB situation in the league. I can't find fault with Gruden's work in Cincinnati. And he's had at least half a dozen HC interviews over the past couple years, so it's not like Snyder is the only guy who thinks Gruden is HC material.
 
I think Ken Whisenhunt would be a better choice -- he did a great job with Philip Rivers this season -- but he's likely to have better options than working for Dan Snyder.

 
Gio Bernard put up a nice rookie season coming off the bench (695 yds rushing, 4.1 per carry, 514 yds rec, 9.2 per reception, 8 total TDs).

 

[mascho]

Watching Gruden's introduction presser. Can't tell if he is the perfect guy for the job, or is completely out of his element to deal with the DC shitstorm he is waking into.

The more he talks, however, the more it seems like the former.

 

[mascho]

EDIT: double post

 

[RedOctober3829]

Mike Vrabel is leaving Ohio State to join Bill O'Brien's staff in Houston.

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1596088

 

[fawstahcu]

The interesting thing about this hire to me is that it is neither spectacular, shocking or expensive -- Snyder trademarks.  Keeping Hazlett, if they keep him, may be very intelligent and stunningly perceptive by Redskins' standards.  There are two guys on that D that you would want starting for you.

 
Which of these was the Jim Zorn hire?

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Mike Vrabel is leaving Ohio State to join Bill O'Brien's staff in Houston.

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1596088

 
Forever grateful for Vrabel
 
 
...for bringing Ebner to NE.

 

[dcmissle]

 
Which of these was the Jim Zorn hire?

Shocking. That year they waited a long time for Spagnulo, who turned them down. There was no Plan B

 

[jsinger121]

I love the staff that Bill O'Brien is building in Houston especially if he can land Romeo Crennel as DC. I think that team will win 10 games next year even if they brought Schaub back just because of a change in attitude and philosophy.

 

[RhaegarTharen]

Mike Zimmer a hot commodity right now as well. Titans apparently had him in for an interview, on the heels of Rotoworld indicating he might be a "favorite" for the Vikings opening.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9294/mike-zimmer

 

[dcmissle]

Bengals certainly have accumulated a lot of valued assets for an organization so long regarded, and probably rightly so, as weirdly idiosyncratic and cheap.  We've heard it for years: they don't want to pay anyone, their facilities are poor, their scouting staff is a skeleton of what other NFL teams bring to the table.  Yet they have made the playoffs for 3 straight years, their coordinators are in demand and almost everyone loves their personnel.  Who there knows what he's doing?

 

[Rudy's Curve]

Bengals certainly have accumulated a lot of valued assets for an organization so long regarded, and probably rightly so, as weirdly idiosyncratic and cheap.  We've heard it for years: they don't want to pay anyone, their facilities are poor, their scouting staff is a skeleton of what other NFL teams bring to the table.  Yet they have made the playoffs for 3 straight years, their coordinators are in demand and almost everyone loves their personnel.  Who there knows what he's doing?

 
They've slightly beefed up their scouting staff (although still not to acceptable NFL levels) and to his credit, Mike Brown has ceded control to Lewis and Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin who have nailed the past few drafts. They've also had a ton of continuity on the roster and the coaching staff. I don't think Dalton will ever be good enough to carry them far, but if they can surround him with enough weapons and a good running game (hello Hue Jackson), there's certainly enough talent to get it done.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I love the staff that Bill O'Brien is building in Houston especially if he can land Romeo Crennel as DC. I think that team will win 10 games next year even if they brought Schaub back just because of a change in attitude and philosophy.

 
Winner winner chicken dinner.
 
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10278147/romeo-crennel-houston-texans-defensive-coordinator

 

[Reardon's Beard]

 
JANUARY 12, 2014

THE INFINITE MERCY OF BILL BELICHICK
Though I’m not privy to Josh McDaniels’s reading list, I believe it’s safe to say that he hadn’t consumed much Sophocles or Aeschylus prior to beginning his star-crossed tenure as the Denver Broncos’ head coach in 2009. Clearly unversed in the harsh consequences of hubris, McDaniels greatly angered the football gods in his fifth game at the helm in Denver, when the New England Patriots came to town. He had previously served as Bill Belichick’s offensive coördinator, so there was an unavoidable master-versus-pupil narrative to the affair. When the Broncos won with a field goal in overtime, the then thirty-three-year-old wunderkind made the inexcusable mistake of showing genuine emotion—he pumped his fist with vigor before the cheering throng, to Belichick’s obvious disgust. Anyone familiar with football instantly knew that a harsh comeuppance was in store, as coaches are not allowed to crack a celebratory smile until Week Fifteen, at the earliest. [click here to continue the full article at the New Yorker]

 

[ifmanis5]

Yeah that brilliantly conceived and executed San Diego offensive game plan yesterday really would make me want to be in the Ken Whisenhunt business.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Titans hire Ken Whisenhunt per Mort.

 

[Stitch01]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m
Lions have spent day in talks with Ravens HC Jim Caldwell and Detroit has been focusing on him, via @mortreport and me.

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m
Lions have spent day in talks with Ravens HC Jim Caldwell and Detroit has been focusing on him, via @mortreport and me.

Talk about a whiff on the coaching search if this happens.

 

[Tony C]

Yeah that brilliantly conceived and executed San Diego offensive game plan yesterday really would make me want to be in the Ken Whisenhunt business.

 
No kidding. I also had to wonder during the Seahawk game if their OC Bevell's rumored hire by Minny might get derailed by virtue of how flat and unimaginative Seattle's offense has been for much of this season.

 

[Dgilpin]

If Caldwell is the best the Lions can do ... Being a Lions fan got a lot more depressing

 

[soxfan121]

I'm excited to get to work in Detroit. Look at my face. Excited.

 

[Tony C]

I know he's a punchline because of his sideline demeanor, but I actually think Caldwell would be a good choice -- who the hell knows what goes on during practices, but certainly seems to be a good tactitian in game and the Lions could use some of his, er, "stolid professionalism," shall we say. Better than the joker they just got rid of.

 

[Granite Sox]

Boy... I don't know about that. He may be very strong tactically, but from a leadership, strategy, and development standpoint... Guh.

Cleveland, Minny, and Detroit are throwing up all over themselves with their coaching searches.

Or they are just stalling while waiting for the Final Four coaching staffs to open up.

 

[Stitch01]

I know he's a punchline because of his sideline demeanor, but I actually think Caldwell would be a good choice -- who the hell knows what goes on during practices, but certainly seems to be a good tactitian in game and the Lions could use some of his, er, "stolid professionalism," shall we say. Better than the joker they just got rid of.

He was an awful in game manager in Indy and his team got markedly worse every year that he coached them (yeah, obviously Manning got hurt the third season, but the team completely fell apart on him in a way I wouldnt expect to happen with a good coach)
 
He might be an upgrade over Schwartz, and coaches can obviously lose and improve, but pretty uninsipiring hire.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

I'd prefer Caldwell to Jerry Glanville or Art Shell.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I'd prefer Caldwell to Jerry Glanville or Art Shell.

I'd also prefer himover Dick McPhearson or Adolf Hitler. /statingtheobvious

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

If Caldwell is the best the Lions can do ... Being a Lions fan got a lot more depressing

I feel for you man. I just texted my brother in law in Detroit and told him he needs to organize a protest while there's still time. Even people in Indianapolis found him bland and lifeless.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

I'd also prefer himover Dick McPhearson or Adolf Hitler. /statingtheobvious

Say what you want about his politics, but Hitler could give a hell of a halftime speech.

 

[DanoooME]

It also could be Caldwell is just getting a lot of attention because of the Rooney rule too.
 
I think he'd be a disaster in Detroit, just because that team desperately needs some discipline.  Cleveland too.

 

[Dgilpin]

It also could be Caldwell is just getting a lot of attention because of the Rooney rule too.

I think he'd be a disaster in Detroit, just because that team desperately needs some discipline. Cleveland too.


He'd be a disaster in Detroit bc he's a crappy coach ... But the Lions interest in him seems legitimate

 

[E5 Yaz]

I'm excited to get to work in Detroit. Look at my face. Excited.

 
 
The irony of Patriots fans mocking the deadpan sideline demeanor of an opposing coach is rich

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

 
 
The irony of Patriots fans mocking the deadpan sideline demeanor of an opposing coach is rich

Belichick is deadpan in press conferences, but he's pretty demonstrative on the sidelines. He curses, scribbles with his little pencil, yells at officials, makes the bad smell face, and occasionally does some back patting.

Edit: Apparently "press ers" defaults to Press Conferences. I am an idiot.

 

[soxfan121]

 
 
The irony of Patriots fans mocking the deadpan sideline demeanor of an opposing coach is rich

 

 

[RhaegarTharen]

Zimmer back in Minnesota for a second interview.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Who knows how good Caldwell is? He inherited Manning and all was great and then Manning was hurt, and he was done in by Polian top heavy roster construction. He certainly got a lot out of Flacco last year.

 

[Stitch01]

Jim Caldwell's greatest hit.
 
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/09/jim-caldwells-timeout-explanation-doesnt-make-sense/

 

[Shelterdog]

An even-keeled coach might not be a bad thing for the Lions defense.

 

[mauf]

Yeah that brilliantly conceived and executed San Diego offensive game plan yesterday really would make me want to be in the Ken Whisenhunt business.

 
He coaxed an MVP-caliber season out of Philip Rivers. If you saw that coming a year ago, you're pretty much the only one. He also coached a future Hall of Fame QB (Warner) in Arizona. 
 
The Titans need to get dramatically better at QB -- either by hoping Jake Locker stays healthy and lives into his potential, or by starting anew with someone else. Either way, I can see why Whisenhunt was an attractive option. Given the Titans' horrid personnel situation (the Jaguars are the only NFL team with a bleaker near-term outlook, imo), I'm kind of surprised he took the job.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
He coaxed an MVP-caliber season out of Philip Rivers. If you saw that coming a year ago, you're pretty much the only one. He also coached a future Hall of Fame QB (Warner) in Arizona. 
 
The Titans need to get dramatically better at QB -- either by hoping Jake Locker stays healthy and lives into his potential, or by starting anew with someone else. Either way, I can see why Whisenhunt was an attractive option. Given the Titans' horrid personnel situation (the Jaguars are the only NFL team with a bleaker near-term outlook, imo), I'm kind of surprised he took the job.

"Bleakest near-term outlook" would be a fun discussion thread. Who else are candidates? Oakland? Buffalo?

 

[Stitch01]

Pittsburgh is a darkhorse

 

[Tony C]

 
He coaxed an MVP-caliber season out of Philip Rivers. If you saw that coming a year ago, you're pretty much the only one. He also coached a future Hall of Fame QB (Warner) in Arizona. 
 
The Titans need to get dramatically better at QB -- either by hoping Jake Locker stays healthy and lives into his potential, or by starting anew with someone else. Either way, I can see why Whisenhunt was an attractive option. Given the Titans' horrid personnel situation (the Jaguars are the only NFL team with a bleaker near-term outlook, imo), I'm kind of surprised he took the job.

 
Given his success with QBs, it's interesting he didn't choose the seemingly more attractive Detroit job. Stafford certainly seems like Jay Cutler II -- golden arm, tin-headed, and I wonder if not wanting to work with him had something to do with it. Otherwise it seems like a natural fit.
 
The need to eleveate the QB is another reason why Caldwell is a good fit for Detroit, though. His work with Manning and Flacco (for which both QBs give him a ton of credit) has been stellar over the years, and aside from being a good emotional fit for the team his expertise seems spot on -- both in re the QB position and in terms of up-tempo offenses in general. The success he's had and his overall track record is being seriously underrated (not that there's any explanation for that time-out call) --  particularly for a club that is both somewhat out of control/undisciplined but could also be on the verge like Detroit, I'd take Caldwell well above college guys/coordinators that might be the next hot thing.

 

[Stitch01]

My guess is it will be by far the worst head coaching hire of the offseason (although I should probably temper that by waiting to see who the Browns hire). He'll be canned and the Lions in a full blown rebuild in two years.

 

[tims4wins]

I'm with stitch on this one

 

[Shelterdog]

"Bleakest near-term outlook" would be a fun discussion thread. Who else are candidates? Oakland? Buffalo?

 
It's really hard to tell because there are a bunch of teams that have tons of cap space (Cleveland, Oakland, Jacksonville) but we don't know how much of that money the teams are actually going to spend. 
 
It also looks like a rather poor free agent class.  I suspect any team that goes wild in free agency is going to overpay, perhaps even more than teams normally overpay given the soft market and large number of teams with cap space.
 
EDIT:  I also think Caldwell will be a bust.  People forget he was a college head coach for 8 years, and my god he was terrible.

 

[Corsi]

Caldwell to Lions official.

 

[soxhop411]

“@AdamSchefter: Detroit Lions are hiring Jim Caldwell as their head coach, per a league source.”

 

[jsinger121]

Laughable that he got another job. I can't see him last more than 2 years there.

 

[Morning Woodhead]

Wow.  Sucks to be a Lions fan.  I love that they hired a coach, only after another former coach (Dungy) came in and vouched for him.   I'm sure thats a good sign. 
 
Also, addition by subtraction for the Ravens too.  I'm curious to see who they hire as OC.