Steve Spagnuolo – not Jason Garrett – is the Pick for Rams Head Coach

January 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
spags

On Friday night, there were indications that Jason Garrett could be the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

After all, he was in town with his wife and checking out the Rams’ facilities, with a garment bag in tow. He was the only one of the finalists believed to be in town at the time.

Rams Choose Steve Spagnuolo to be Next Head CoachBut the Rams perfectly pulled off an end around. Steve Spagnuolo is now the new coach of the Rams. The Post-Dispatched reported that the New York Giants defensive coordinator agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth close to $12 million.

It bears noting that Spagnuolo has known Rams general manager Billy Devaney for some time. Spagnuolo was an intern with Washington when Devaney was there during the Redskins’ Super Bowl runs. Spagnuolo was also a scout in San Diego when Devaney was working in the personnel department.

Spagnuolo, 49, was a defensive coordinator for two seasons with the Giants after a seven-year run as an assistant at Philadelphia from 1999-2006, where he worked under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. This is the first head coaching position for Spagnuolo at any level.

The pulse of Rams fans is positive with news of Spagnuolo’s hiring. The masses were up in arms when word came down that Garrett was in town and considered to be a front-runner for the position vacated by Scott Linehan and now Jim Haslett, the team’s interim head coach for the last 12 games of the season.

Spagnuolo is now pressed with assembling a staff quickly. The Senior Bowl activities start next week in Mobile, Ala. and its likely that Spagnuolo will be able to network with some prospective assistant coaches down in Alabama. In a perfect world, the Rams would have loved to have their coaching staff in place and on the same page as the scouting department in time for Senior Bowl week.

One coach to keep an eye on is Sean McDermott, the Eagles’ secondary coach and one of Johnson’s prized pupils. Spagnuolo and McDermott worked together in Philadelphia. McDermott has served in a variety of capacities with the Eagles since 1998 and it is only a matter of time before he becomes a defensive coordinator.

Another possibility for defensive coordinator is Giants secondary coach Peter Giunta. He’s a coach that Rams fans are familiar with as Giunta was on Dick Vermeil’s staff from 1997-2000 and was co-defensive coordinator at one time here.

It’s hard to gauge what type of offensive philosophies Spagnuolo has or who he might want to bring along to flesh out his offensive staff in St. Louis. It’s unknown if he will keep offensive coordinator Al Saunders, quarterbacks coach Terry Shea or offensive line coach Steve Loney, all of whom have contracts for 2009. Spagnuolo was a collegiate wide receiver at Springfield (Mass.) College from 1978-1981.

Spagnuolo won’t have the benefit of players like Justin Tuck, Antonio Pierce or Osi Umenyiora to work with in St. Louis. Much rebuilding has to be done, especially on the defensive side of the ball. There are also several issues on offense, where Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and Orlando Pace appear to be on the downside of their careers.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: coaching carousel, St. Louis Rams, steve spagnuolo

Herm or no Herm? That is the Question for Scott Pioli and the Chiefs

January 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Herman Edwards

Candice CrawfordIn the first From the Sideline, I broke down the three major decisions that Scott Pioli will have to make as the Kansas City Chiefs’ new General Manager, starting with whether or not to keep or fire head coach Herm Edwards.

Herm once said, “You play to win the game,” but somehow those words haven’t translated well with the Kansas City Chiefs, who started the 2008 season losing 11 out of their first 12 games and finishing with a 2-14 record. But is this so surprising? He had only mild success with the Jets before he made his way to the Midwest and was fought over as though he held all the answers for the Chiefs.

ESPN reported last week that Scott Pioli’s decision to keep or release Herm Edwards, would be final by the end of this week. Herm Edwards is a good coach and has had some success in the NFL, but somehow he has not been able to execute with the prosperity that he and Kansas City had hoped he would have.

Scott Pioli is going to have to decide whether or not Edwards had lost the team’s, for lack of a better word, “respect.” I believe that his players respect him as a coach and as a person, but there is only so much defeat you can take emotionally and mentally as an athlete. I would know, I played sports my entire life; and from experience, when it comes to a point where you and your team are accustomed to losing, you don’t care if you like the coach or not, you just want something to change, something that brings enthusiasm back to the game. If Herm Edwards is to come back next year are they going to have enthusiasm to come out every Sunday and “Play to win the game?” It’s hard to compartmentalize a 2-14 season.

The Cowboys are going through a similar stint with Wade Philips. Philips has no control anymore of his team and his softened persona gives players, Tony Romo in particular, the freedom to laugh and smile on the sidelines like they are up 44-6 with two minutes left…except wait, that was the Eagles who were up 44-6. Herman Edwards - Will He Be Fired by Chiefs?

And while I’m on the subject, the fashion shows that Romo has during the press conferences are creating quite a lot of animosity among the fans. Someone needs to tell him that after yet another loss, coming out in a beret only shifts the focus from how you completely lost the game to how you have completely lost your mind. The Cowboys went from Bill Parcells the General to Wade Phillips the Grandpa and it’s not working.

Pioli is going to have to decide for himself whether or not the Chiefs have a Wade Philips on their hands or if Edwards can be the man to turn the team around like Bill Cowher did with the Steelers in 1992, taking them from a 7-9 record the previous season to an 11-5 record and winning home advantage in the AFC.

If Scott Pioli believes in miracles and keeps Edwards around, I think it would be only because he might have more hiring options at the end of the 2009 season. Who knows — Tony Dungy might be restless after a year of retirement.

I think Pioli is going to look to greener pastures A) because that is what most GM’s do, they like to bring in their own people; they want to be responsible for the success or failure of the team they are running, and B) because the Chiefs need a fresh start. They are getting a new GM, a newly remodeled stadium and need a new head coach to go with the equation.

But then who does Pioli hire? Would he dare try to hire Mike Shanahan, the ex-head coach of the Chiefs’ arch-rival, Denver Broncos? That could be an excellent fit, as Mike Shanahan is known for producing thousand yaMike Shanahan to the Chiefs?rd backs and if they keep Larry Johnson, which they should, those two together could be detrimental to their opponents in the 2009 season. Not to mention the tutelage Shanahan could provide to the Chiefs’ young and undersized offensive line, a staple of Shanahan’s zone blocking schemes.

The Chiefs also have a quarterback, Tyler Thigpen, whose mobility and arm strength bear resemblance to current Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, and Shanahan-favorite, Tony Romo. Just think about it: Shanahan’s offensive success was based around John Elway, Terrell Davis, and Shannon Sharpe, and the Chiefs have those pieces in place with Tyler Thigpen, Larry Johnson, and Tony Gonzalez.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Herm Edwards is great person, a well respected coach and has done all he can for the Chiefs; but I think we can all agree that it is time for a new beginning for the Chiefs and that their fans deserve it.

———-

Candice Crawford is a Featured Author for Midwest Sports Fans and regularly provides her unique perspective into the sports world in her column “From the Sideline.” A native of Dallas, Texas, Candice will graduate from the University of Missouri in May of 2009 with a degree in journalism. You can email Candice with questions or comments about her “From the Sideline” features at candice@midwestsportsfans.com.

Filed Under: Featured Column, From the Sideline, NFL, Uncategorized Tagged With: coaching carousel, herm edwards, Kansas City Chiefs, mike shanahn, scott pioli

Gruden out at Tampa Bay, likes Notre Dame Victory March

January 17, 2009 By 3 Comments
jon-gruden

Jon Gruden Fired by Tampa Bay - to Notre Dame?Jon Gruden was hit from his blindside Friday when the Glazer family gave him the pink slip as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s too early to determine what precipitated this stunning development, weeks after the conclusion of the regular season, although the fact that the Buccaneers faded drastically down the stretch and fumbled away a wild card berth they seemingly had in their grasp a few weeks earlier might have had something to do with it. But this has “power struggle” written all over it.

Also being shown the door was general manager Bruce Allen, the son of the legendary George Allen. Allen and Gruden worked together in Oakland and after Gruden was “traded” to Tampa Bay, he suggested to the Glazers that they hire Allen as the Bucs’ GM after the 2003 season.

Gruden won a Super Bowl during his first season at the helm in Tampa Bay and that made him the youngest coach ever to win the Super Bowl. Gruden’s Bucs beat his former team, the Raiders, in San Diego in that game.

What’s next for Gruden? Radio personalities and chat rooms in St. Louis are already clamoring for Rams GM Billy Devaney to inquire about Gruden as the team’s next head coach.

If Devaney were to pick up the phone and call up Gruden’s agent Bob LaMonte (who also happens to represent Steve Spagnuolo, a finalist in St. Louis), I have a hunch that Gruden and LaMonte might say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Why? I have two words for you.

Notre Dame.Jon Gruden Fired - Could Go to Notre Dame

If the Fighting Irish don’t improve drastically under Charlie Weis’ watch in 2009, you can bet Gruden’s name comes up as a candidate, so it makes sense for Gruden to take a year off. Gruden’s father Jim was an assistant coach under Dan Devine at Notre Dame in the 1970s and Jon Gruden is fond of his formative years spent in South Bend, Ind.

Gruden once told Playboy magazine in an 2003 interview: “I lost my virginity to the Notre Dame fight song,” he said. Playboy asked, “There was a band?” Gruden replied, “No, not even music. But it was in my mind.”

As for Gruden’s replacement in Tampa? The Glazer family must have someone in mind to make this drastic of a move this late in the game. Raheem Morris, only 32 years of age and recently elevated to defensive coordinator, is thought to be a rising star in the coaching ranks and could be tabbed to keep some continuity.

Another possibility is Mike Shanahan. Since Allen was also fired, the Bucs could also give Shanahan the final say in all football matters and allow him to bring in his own general manager or personnel man.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: coaching carousel, jon gruden, NFL, notre dame fighting irish

Why not Jason Garrett as the Head Coach of the St. Louis Rams?

January 15, 2009 By 4 Comments
jason-garrett

Rams Wrap Up Interviews for Head Coach - Why Not Jason Garrett?The St. Louis Rams apparently have wrapped up their interviews Thursday with their five finalists when New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talked with the team in Los Angeles.

Now, let the speculation begin as to which one of that group — Spagnuolo, Leslie Frazier, Jason Garrett, Jim Haslett and Rex Ryan — gets the nod as the new head coach.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is already reporting that Haslett has been told he’s no longer in the running. Haslett, the interim head coach after Scott Linehan’s firing, could land on his feet in Green Bay as the Packers’ new defensive coordinator.That leaves us with four candidates.

So why not Jason Garrett? The mere fact that he has made it to finalist status might be a shock to some and if he was to be hired as head coach, could be termed a stunner around the league after Dallas’ mediocre showing this season on offense.

Maybe Garrett was undeservedly assessed too much of the blame for the Cowboys’ struggles this season after a stellar 2007 campaign — Garrett’s first as an offensive coordinator. After all, it wasn’t Garrett’s fault that Tony Romo got hurt and missed time at midseason. Not many teams lose their starting quarterback and continue to pile up points at record pace. Garrett was also faced with the unenviable task of implementing wide receiver Roy Williams into the offense during the season after Williams’ acquisition from Detroit. Inserting Williams into the mix without the aid of a full offseason or training camp isn’t easy, especially when a guy named Terrell Owens is on the other end of the line of scrimmage wanting the ball. Also, top running back Marion Barber was hobbled down the stretch with a toe injury.

By all accounts, Jason Garrett appears to be an astute football man. He’s a Princeton grad and his father Jim has been a collegiate coach and worked in the NFL as an assistant coach and scout. His brothers, John and Judd, both work for the Cowboys as well.Why Not Jason Garrett As St. Louis Rams Next Head Coach?

Just last year, Garrett was offered the head coaching jobs at Atlanta and Baltimore, but came back to Dallas as the league’s highest-paid assistant coach at $3 million per year, possibly looking to become the Cowboys’ next coach some day. Garrett suddenly didn’t forget to coach in one year.

Too often we look at offensive and defensive numbers when trying to judge if a coordinator will make a head coach when in fact, owners and general managers are looking at qualities such as character, leadership, discipline when they are doing their appraisals.

If Garrett has displayed those qualities during his interviews, then it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him as the Rams next head coach.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: coaching carousel, NFL, St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams Short List: Coaching Search Down to Five

January 12, 2009 By 2 Comments

St. Louis Rams Coaching Short ListThe St. Louis Rams’ coaching search is in the home stretch.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that five candidates are finalists for the head coaching position. They are, in alphabetical order:

–Leslie Frazier, Minnesota defensive coordinator

–Jason Garrett, Dallas offensive coordinator

–Jim Haslett, Rams interim head coach

–Rex Ryan, Baltimore defensive coordinator

–Steve Spagnuolo, New York Giants defensive coordinator

Haslett has already interviewed with the Rams’ brass in Los Angeles and Ryan was interviewed by general manager Billy Devaney on Sunday in Baltimore. Frazier is slated to be interviewed on Thursday in L.A. Spagnuolo and Garrett have yet to be interviewed, but it appears meetings have been set up with both of them. The P-D reports that the finalists will meet with Devaney and Rams ownership in L.A.

The final list looks attractive. Spagnuolo, even with Sunday’s loss in the NFC Divisional playoff round, has built a vaunted defense in New York with the Giants. The same could be said for Ryan, whose defense has carried the Ravens to the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh this weekend. Ryan, though, can’t be hired until his team is eliminated from the playoffs. That could hinder his chances of landing a head coaching job this season. Teams might not be willing to wait until February to hire a coach because many prospective assistant coaches could be snatched up by then.

Frazier, like Spagnuolo and Ryan, has built a reputation as a top-tier defensive mind. In fact, Spagnuolo and Frazier were on the same staff together in Philadelphia from 1999-2002 learning their craft under Jim Johnson.

Haslett is the only one of the five to have any head coaching experience, having been the head coach in New Orleans before coming to St. Louis as the defensive coordinator under Scott Linehan. But Haslett had 12 games to impress the Rams and his team went just 2-10 under him to finish the season.

Garrett was a hot commodity last season after directing Dallas’ explosive offense. But he cooled this season when things in the Dallas offensive huddle became, well, explosive. Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Co. never could get on the same page and as a result, the offers for Garrett’s services weren’t as frequent as they were last season when they forced owner Jerry Jones to bump Garrett’s pay to keep him in Big D.

The Rams figure to face some fierce competition if they choose to hire someone other than Haslett. The remaining four have interviewed elsewhere and reportedly Ryan and Spagnuolo are finalists for the New York Jets’ opening.

Under normal circumstances, I could see the Rams getting the loser of the Jets sweepstakes — Ryan or Spagnuolo, who apparently has known Devaney for years, but also had a lengthy interview with the Jets. Yet I also can’t see the Rams waiting on Ryan if the Ravens make it to the Super Bowl.

So expect the Rams to wait for the AFC Championship game to be in the books before settling on their head coach.

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: coaching carousel, NFL, St. Louis Rams

Tony Dungy Retirement Rumors Escalate – Bob Kravitz Column Way Off Base

January 5, 2009 By 5 Comments
sports15

Tony Dungy Retirement Rumors EscalateI actually have to get back to day job today, so updates will be a little more sparse. However, I’ve seen some news this morning regarding the escalating rumors of Tony Dungy’s possible retirement.

I have already gone on record as saying that I hope Tony Dungy does not retire. Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star obviously disagrees with me; and from the looks of the comments section of the article, he disagrees with about 99% of the Colts fan base as well.

An email exchange I had with a major sports blog earlier today summed it up the best. I emailed them a link to Kravitz article as a tip, hoping they would post it so sports fans around the world could view Kravitz’s drivel and realize what sports fans in Indy have to put up with. Their response: “What a buffoon.” I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

One line in particular stood out to me in Kravitz’s article about Tony Dungy: “As much as we all respect and like the man, the numbers cannot be ignored.” Kravitz then follows this up by discussing Dungy’s disappointing playoff record. The truth though is that Kravitz is right, the numbers cannot be ignored, he was just right for a reason in opposition of his main point. Tony Dungy’s record as Colts head coach, the numbers, make it implausible for any Colts observer to say the franchise is better off without him. Six straight 12-win seasons, a plus-.750 winning percentage, a Super Bowl championship — the numbers are in Dungy’s favor, not working against him.

And, of course, Bob Kravitz seems to contradict himself by essentially saying that Colts fans would be stuck Indianapolis Star Columnist Bob Kravitz off base as Tony Dungy retirement rumors escalatewith Jim Caldwell, and that “the Colts should understand turning to Caldwell will be a tough sell.” Why then is it in the team’s best interest for Tony Dungy to go? If the already determined successor is “Tony Dungy Lite” and would prove a tough sell, how does the franchise improve by Tony Dungy leaving?

Is Bob Kravitz confusing anyone else? If I’m off base here, please tell me. My head was spinning after reading the Kravitz column because it just did not seem to make any coherent sense.

Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk has an interesting take on the issue, while claiming that sources around the Colts say its about 70-30 that Dungy will, in fact, retire:

In a city where the Colts often keep the primary newspaper in town on a choke chain, Kravitz (in our view) wouldn’t be sliding out onto that specific limb unless he already knows what Dungy is going to do.

Of course, there’s also a chance that Kravitz has gotten a nudge from G.M. Bill Polian, who might want to use the transition to a new head coach as cover for the team’s looming struggles in the last capped year under the current CBA, which for the Colts will be the day of reckoning after years of pushing cap dollars into future seasons.

I suppose a gentle nudge from Bill Polian might explain what I consider to be a pretty nonsensical article by Bob Kravitz, but I am having a hard time believing that would be true. Of course, Florio has posted some pretty unflattering remarks about Bill Polian in the past, much to the dismay of some Colts supporters. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t know enough about the situation to accurately comment; but the notion that a GM would give a “nudge” to a local columnist to write a negative article about the most successful coach in franchise history is, well, interesting. I’ll put it that way.

The Colts obviously have some questions heading into 2009, none more important than the status of their current head coach and if he will be there next season. As the Tony Dungy retirement rumors continue to escalate, I just hope we do not see any more stories like the one penned by Bob Kravitz. Tony Dungy deserves far more respect, and not just because he is a good and decent man; but because he is without the question the best person to lead the Colts as head coach for next season. Colts fans and interested observers like myself are anxiously awaiting his final decision, and hopefully we don’t have to sift through any more Kravitzesque drivel while keeping up with the latest Tony Dungy updates.

What do you think? Is Bob Kravitz off base in his criticism of Tony Dungy?

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Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL, Uncategorized Tagged With: bill polian, bob kravitz, coaching carousel, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, tony dungy

Browns Head Coach-GM Update: Eric Mangini Reportedly the Clubhouse Leader

January 3, 2009 By 1 Comment

Browns: Eric Mangini the Front-Runner to Become Head Coach of the Cleveland BrownsLast week, I wrote a lengthy diatribe imploring Browns owner Randy Lerner not to hire Eric Mangini. My reasoning had nothing to do with Mangini being a terrible coach, and everything to do with the exigence of Randy Lerner making a hire that gives Browns hope and a sense of optimism heading into next year.

Hiring a recently fired coach who has the same New England coaching pedigree of our own recently fired coach is not my idea of renewing hope. Plus, I just don’t see Mangini’s aloof arrogance playing well in Cleveland, no matter how brilliant of a football tactician he may be.

Well, it looks like Randy Lerner does not pay attention to Midwest Sports Fans when deciding who to hire as head coach. (And, honestly, let’s all thank the good Lord for that.)

The latest report today from Chris Mortensen at ESPN is that Eric Mangini is now the leading candidate to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, Mort’s report says that Mangini could be hired as part of a package deal with a GM whose name is not Scott Pioli:

The Browns have continued their search process, interviewing other candidates, but sources say Mangini had a “compelling” interview and owner Randy Lerner is fascinated with him.

If Mangini gets the job to replace the fired Romeo Crennel, the favorite to become the team’s general manager is George Kokinis, who is the director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens, the sources said.

Kokinis and Mangini each were members of the Browns organization when Bill Belichick was coach. Mangini formally joined the staff as an assistant coach in 1995. Kokinis was a scout from 1991 to 1995 before moving with the team to Baltimore.

This is obviously a very fluid situation, with new candidates seeming to emerge by the day and purported deadlines coming and going with now decisions ultimately being made. Thus, I don’t want to waste time speculating anymore on who the next Browns head coach and GM will be. I have made my feelings about Eric Mangini known, as well as my preference for Scott Pioli, even if it means Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz becomes the Browns’ new head coach. I think it’s now time to just sit back and see how it all shakes out before I waste my time typing about it anymore.

However, if you want to know all of the latest reports, here are some recent links for you to check out:

Mangini is the leader, but beware of unnamed sources in Browns head coach/GM search – (Pro Football Talk)

Is Pioli taking a page out of father-in-law Parcells’ book by maximizing leverage? – (Pro Football Talk) – Interesting post in which Florio echoes what I’ve been saying: that Browns fans are not going to want Mangini (nor another former Ravens personnel guy as GM) because we’ve been there, done that.

Mike Shanahan puts off Browns for two weeks, candidacy likely over in Cleveland – (Plain-Dealer)

Josh McDaniels and Mel Tucker make their case to become Browns head coach – (Plain-Dealer)

Browns like Mangini and Pioli; Can they get both? – (Plain-Dealer)

Latest News and Rumors on the Browns coach/GM search – (Orange and Brown Report – pay for the premium service, by the way. It’s worth it.)

Rumor of package deal with Ferentz makes Scott Pioli not look like such a good choice – (Dawg Pound Daily)

So there you go. I have heard from a few different sources that something will be happening with Scott Pioli imminently, and of course nothing has happened yet. I am going to watch the IU-Iowa game, and then the Colts-Chargers game, and try not to worry about the frustrating roller-coaster ride that has been Randy Lerner’s search for a new GM and head coach. Of course, if something definitive actually happens, I’m sure I’ll hop on here and get you updated.

All I know “for sure” is this: Eric Mangini definitely appears to be front-runner for the Browns head coaching job, and I don’t like it any more today than I did earlier this week. And if it precludes the Browns from getting Scott Pioli, I like it even less.

But it’s time to stop worrying at this point — and just start waiting. Randy Lerner wants to get something done quickly, so hopefully it will.

Weren’t things much more tidy and exciting when everyone was assuming Bill Cowher would be coming to town? Oh the good ‘ol days…

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: Cleveland Browns, coaching carousel, eric mangini, mike shanahan, NFL, randy lerner, scott pioli

Cleveland Browns Want to Interview Mike Shanahan

December 31, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Thanks to Midnight Writer for the tip on this one.

The Plain-Dealer is reporting today that the Cleveland Browns and owner Randy Lerner want Browns Interested in Interviewing Mike Shanahanto interview recently fired former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan. From the report by Tony Grossi:

The Browns will seek to interview fired Denver coach Mike Shanahan, said a source with knowledge of the situation.

“How can you not?” said the source.

According to Grossi’s report, Lerner and Browns president Mike Keenen are in New York today conducting interviews with Scott Pioli and Eric Mangini. As Grossi points out, the interviews are separate. And he makes it sound like the meeting with Mangini is more of a convenience thing than anything else, saying “[Lerner] decided to hook up with Mangini, recently fired as Jets coach, to get a feel for him before proceeding with other planned interviews.”

Sweet. So perhaps that means that Mangini is not necessarily near the top of the list of potential head coaching candidates. I have made my feelings about Eric Mangini known, and known loudly. So without any shame for being completely redundant, let me say it again: do NOT hire Eric Mangini!

Scott Pioli, however, is just fine by me, a point with which Don Banks of SI.com obviously agrees.

The news that the Browns are interested in interviewing Mike Shanahan comes on the same day that the Plain-Dealer also reported that the Browns will interview former Browns scout and current Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

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As far as Mike Shanahan goes, I think that Randy Lerner should absolutely seek to interview the former Broncos coach. The man has won Super Bowls, he is a genius when it comes to designing and executing the running game, and no one disputes Shanahan’s overall offensive acumen.

However, I do not buy into the perception that Mike Shanahan is any type of slam dunk candidate.

First off, you have to assume that Mike Shanahan would want a similar level of control to which he was used to in Denver, where he was the Vice President of Football Operations and had final say over the 53-man roster. This is obviously problematic if the Browns were to hire Scott Pioli. And in my opinion, I would rather have Scott Pioli as our next GM, even if it means ending our chances of landing Shanahan.

The Broncos have only won one playoff game in the last ten years since John Elway retired, and Shanahan has proven unable to establish any sort of continuity on the defensive side of the ball. While his running game would fit perfectly in the AFC North, his inability create toughness and identity on the defensive side of the ball, or to find a coordinator who can, would be a huge problem.

One Browns fan I talked to said what about Pioli as GM, Shanahan as head coach, and Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator. Honestly, it sounds pretty damn good to me. I don’t think it’s very plausible, but at the very least it is a flight fantasy worth considering…for a moment.

I don’t pretend to know what Mike Shanahan’s intentions or desires are, but if he can find a place where he will have GM-level control, I am sure he will end up there. Based on how the last ten years went in Denver, I do not want to see him get such a position in Cleveland. If he is only going to be the head coach, then we can start talking.

I was hesitant to even discuss Shanahan-to-the-Browns yesterday, but with today’s report that the team is interested in interviewing him, the topic is now relevant. I just see Mike Shanahan coming in as precluding us from getting Scott Pioli, and personally, I think Pioli should be priority #1 for the Browns.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: Cleveland Browns, coaching carousel, mike shanahan, randy lerner

Memo to Randy Lerner: Say No To Eric Mangini | Browns Will Also Interview Spagnuolo, McKay

December 31, 2008 By 7 Comments
belichick-mangini

Cleveland Browns to Interview Eric Mangini, Steve Spagnuolo, Rich McKayYesterday, I went into a pretty detailed description of Scott Pioli, the much decorated Vice President of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots who is reportedly the #1 choice of Browns owner Randy Lerner to replace Phil Savage as GM. My initial take? Do whatever it takes to get Scott Pioli.

There were a few new developments today, so let’s run them down real quick.

First, the Plain-Dealer reported that Randy Lerner will also interview former Atlanta Falcons GM Rich McKay for the Browns GM position. McKay was fired in Atlanta after the Michael Vick debacle tore the franchise apart. Florio floated a few interesting hypotheses about the Browns’ “interest” in Rich McKay over at PFT. One of these hypotheses is that the Browns willingness to bring Rich McKay in for an interview may have more to do with a desire to gain leverage in negotiations with Scott Pioli than anything else. Seeing as how Rich McKay’s reputation took a pretty big hit after the Atlanta debacle, I’m not so sure Florio isn’t onto something here.

Either way, I want Scott Pioli. If we can get him for perhaps less money, more power to Randy Lerner. But just get him.

Second, word also broke today that the Browns will be interviewing both Eric Mangini and Steve Spagnuolo for the head coaching spot vacated by Romeo Crennel’s firing. As reported by Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are also currently trying to get permission to interview Josh McDaniels, Jim Schwartz, and Jason Garrett. Cabot makes special mention of the fact that there has been no word regarding the Browns’ potential interest in recently fired former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan.

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I will admit that I do not know a whole lot about Steve Spagnuolo and Jim Schwartz, except that they have both been very successful as defensive coordinators for the Giants and Titans, respectively. The Cleveland Frowns have endorsed Jim Schwartz for the job, and their reasoning is pretty sound.

I also do not know much about Josh McDaniels, but obviously his candidacy would seem to Browns to Interview former Patriot coach Eric Manginibe strengthened greatly if Scott Pioli is ultimately the choice as GM. If Pioli were to choose McDaniels, a great possibility considering their familiarity with eachother in New England, based on Pioli’s sterling record as a personnel man, McDaniels would certainly have my endorsement. Of course, Pioli’s success has been with choosing players, not coaches; so perhaps any endorsement would be jumping the gun a bit. Oh yeah, and there’s that little thing about former Patriots coaches not doing so well after they leave Bill Belichick. Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini.

(And for the record, in that picture to the right, does anyone else think it looks like Mangini is ready for the ‘ol lean-in-and-hope first kiss technique? Ah the good old days, before Mangini became a rat and turned Belichick in for cheating).

What a nice transition into my main point.

I want to go on record right here, right now with a little memo to Randy Lerner: stay away from Eric Mangini. There are a few primary reasons why I say this:

  1. Going to back to the point I just made regarding Josh McDaniels, former Patriots coaches under Bill Belichick have not done well once they leave. Eric Mangini only went 23-25 with the New York Jets, including this year’s total collapse after the team started 8-3. That’s not really very inspiring.
  2. I do not think that Eric Mangini’s personality is a good fit for Cleveland. He is obviously a very smart guy, and some might even say too smart for his own good. He has that same arrogance and aloofness of Bill Belichick, but without the Super Bowl titles to back it up. I really believe that in the AFC North you need a fiery, intense guy to succeed and set the proper tone for the battles against the Steelers and Ravens. Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin, Brian Billick, John Harbaugh…all are very fiery guys who were the emotional leaders for their teams. And in Baltimore, you have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed who are the true emotional leaders to supplement what comes from the coach. Well, the Browns don’t have any leaders on the field who set the tone with their attitude. And Mangini’s personality is not going to help that. Additionally, after four years of the laid back Romeo Crennel, I think Browns fans are starving for a coach who shows emotion and fire. Mangini’s arrogance may fly on the East Coast, but I don’t see it going over well in Cleveland unless he is going 14-2 every year.
  3. I hate Eric Mangini’s facial expressions. Play after play this past weekend during the Jets loss to the Dolphins, Mangini would have this look of arrogant disgust on his face like, “If these assholes would just do exactly what my genius plan dictates, we’d never lose.” Who knows, maybe he’s right. But I wanted to smack him in the mouth.
  4. Is there any lingering effect of the whole SpyGate thing? I suppose Eric Mangini did the “morally right” thing by turning in Bill Belichick for cheating. But it does raise the question of whether or not Mangini is a guy that you can trust. I think that Vinny Tresselini of Flash Sports Tonight summed it up best when reported “the real story” behind the Spygate Scandal:

Look, Eric Mangini is probably a very talented coach. From what I have heard, he is outstanding as a secondary coach and has a brilliant football mind. And the Browns apparently wanted Mangini back when they hired Crennel, but the Patriots would not allow permission to talk to him. Plus, Mangini got his first NFL job with the Browns, so he has roots. But I just think, especially at this particular time, Mangini would be a terrible decision.

And while all of the reasons stated above are important reasons why I think this, here is the main reason: hiring Eric Mangini, a coach who just got fired yesterday, would create about as much buzz as a dead Memo to Randy Lerner: Say No to Eric Mangini!bumblebee. We would go from a former New England assistant who was fired to…a former New England assistant who was fired. And Browns fans are supposed to be excited about that?

Randy Lerner, please. Say no to Eric Mangini. Or, more accurately said, do not offer any contract to Eric Mangini. Bring him in for an interview, turn over every possible stone, that’s fine. But do not punish Cleveland fans by trying to sell us on getting excited about a coach who wasn’t even good enough for the Jets.

Ideally, I’d like to see Scott Pioli take over as soon as possible and lead the coaching search himself. I realize Lerner needs to start interviewing coaches to draw from the biggest possible pool, before any good ones get snatched up, but he also needs to avoid any temptation to make a quick, hasty decision. If the Browns have learned anything from the Pittsburgh Steelers over the years it should be that stability in the front office and at head coach are the bedrocks of a consistent organization. If Randy Lerner makes good decisions over the next few weeks, he could set the Browns on a course towards consistent success.

Of course, if he doesn’t, the same old cycle of sucking and sadness will continue in Cleveland. I’m afraid that choosing Eric Mangini would not only lead the Browns in a bad direction, but it wouldn’t even offer any immediate hope of a turn around.

We’ll “wait till next year” Randy, but at least give us some hope to hold onto. If you pick Eric Mangini you’ll be pulling a Braylon Edwards: dropping the ball.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: Cleveland Browns, coaching carousel, eric mangini, jim schwartz, josh mcdaniels, scott pioli, steve spagnuolo

Mike Shanahan Out In Denver – Could He Be a Candidate in KC or Cleveland?

December 30, 2008 By 3 Comments
mike-shanahan

As a Chiefs fan I am happy, but as a football fan I am utterly shocked. I realize the Broncos choked in a big way and had their asses handed to them by San Diego on Sunday night for the Division Title, but by no means did I expect Mike Shanahan to lose his job be fired by Denver.

I mean come on, when you think of Denver, you think of John Elway, and then who?

Mike Shanahan Fired in DenverMike Shanahan.

This guy has been a spectacular NFL head coach over the past 14 years in Denver, which includes back to back Super Bowl titles in 1998 and 1999. Mike Shanahan has compiled a record of 146 – 89 over his tenure at Denver and has been a contender in the West it seems like every year.

I don’t have much more to say here other than WOW, and that the firing of Mike Shanahan definitely opens the door for some teams that are currently looking for a head coach.

Now that Mike Shanahan has been fired by Denver, would he be a potential fit in Cleveland? How about Detroit? Or wait, what about the Jets? Or, no way, what would it be like if the Chiefs let Herm go and Shanahan takes over in Kansas City! That would be sweet!!

This offseason is really getting interesting and as a Chiefs fan I have always hated the Broncos, but I can’t deny the fact that Shanahan has always had my respect as a Coach for what he has been able to accomplish year in and year out.

Merry Xmas to the next team that lands Mike Shanahan as their new head coach.

coop92 is a contributing author to Midwest Sports Fans, as well as the editor at Midwest Sports Junkies. Check out his site for additional analysis of the St. Louis Cardinals, the BCS, and Missouri Tigers football.

Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: coaching carousel, denver broncos, mike shanahan, NFL