2010 NFL Coaching Firing/Hiring Thread

[miami_fan]

Mangini is gone.

[JPhillips]

Hopefully the Bengals keep Lewis. I don't think he's a great coach, but if he stays he'll have gotten Mike Brown to commit to changes in scouting and personnel that are long overdue. If he leaves the next coach will have no power and it will look like the Shula years again.

[Ksyrup]

You know your organization is a pile of shit (Cincinnati) when a coach coming off a 4-win season that included a 10-game losing streak says that changes are going to have to be made for him to consider staying. Damn.

Just sayin'.

[MacroGuru]

You know your organization is a pile of shit (Cincinnati) when a coach coming off a 4-win season that included a 10-game losing streak says that changes are going to have to be made for him to consider staying. Damn.

Just sayin'.

This is the entire reason he didn't sign the extension offered to him last season. He wants the changes to happen. I don't think they do and I see him leaving.

[BillJasper]

I know reports have Sparano staying another year in Miami (which I support as a Dolphins fan)... but I wonder if Ross is now reconsidering after the whuppin' the Patriots gave them yesterday?

[panerd]

You know your organization is a pile of shit (Cincinnati) when a coach coming off a 4-win season that included a 10-game losing streak says that changes are going to have to be made for him to consider staying. Damn.

Just sayin'.

Eh... it's kind of like the Maryland debate over in the other thread. If this were the Patriots or Colts Lewis would have a pink slip. However Cincinnati is not an elite franchise and has a terrible owner. Lewis has managed to win two division titles for a franchise that missed the playoffs for like 15 years in a row. If Parcells or Gruden or Cowher were waiting in the wings I say "See you later" since it will probably be the DC Zimmer (we saw how well that worked with Dick LeBeau) or some other retread I say stick with Lewis. get rid of TO and Chad Johnson and build around a strong defense with a good running game.

[miami_fan]

I know reports have Sparano staying another year in Miami (which I support as a Dolphins fan)... but I wonder if Ross is now reconsidering after the whuppin' the Patriots gave them yesterday?

I think Sparano is staying but if the Dolphins make a move, they have to find some 21st century offense. They have not had a top ten offense in terms of points scored since 2001. Before that, it was 1995. At no point this season, did I expect the Dolphins to score.

[RomaGoth]

I think Sparano is staying but if the Dolphins make a move, they have to find some 21st century offense. They have not had a top ten offense in terms of points scored since 2001. Before that, it was 1995. At no point this season, did I expect the Dolphins to score.

I keep waiting for Marino to announce his return to the NFL.....

[CleBrownsfan]

Let the coach Mike Holmgren begin in Cleveland...

[Pumpy Tudors]

Some insiders told me that Missouri head basketball coach Mike Anderson is in the running to take the Kansas City OC position.

Yes, this post is pointless.

[Suicane75]

Pumpy, come sit on my lap and tell me all your troubles and woes.

[AFShadow]

Sounds like Fisher is going to be out most likely in Ten but it also sounds like the 49ers are interested as well if he is available.

[Honolulu_Blue]

So long as nobody in this thread hires Jim Harbaugh, I am fine with anything that happens here.

Carry on.

[QuikSand]

I think the Browns, right now, are a really fascinating study in having certain well defined elements to work with, and gaping holes elsewhere. That team doesn't seem to have the capacity to complete a 15 yard pass, period. It doesn't look like there's anyone on that roster who could be part of such a thing. At the same time, though, they seem to be able to run the ball, even against 8 or 9 man fronts. Not every game, and not with dominant force, but that's a reasonable accomplishment, all things considered.

For those who profess to love the grind-it-out, build-your-team-up-front style, it just seems like a really intriguing sandbox. You apparently have the left tackle, and at least a couple other linemen that are worthy of "build around" status, along with an intriguing freak show of young receivers, Josh Cribbs, and Colt McCoy. On defense, I'm not really sure what they actually have... but they don't seem to have a pass rush to speak of. I honestly don't know what I'd do there with a top ten draft pick.

Of course, if you're inspired to open this up in FOF, you'll just end up signing Sidney Rice for a few million bucks and PROBLEM SOLVED. Not sure that's the plan in the real world "Lake Erie Challenge," though.

[Ksyrup]

Man, talk about a career on a downward slope - Jeff Jagodzinski was fired as coach of the UFL Omaha team. And I'm gonna guess it had nothing to do with wanting to interview for the Browns position.

[kingfc22]

So long as nobody in this thread hires Jim Harbaugh, I am fine with anything that happens here.

Carry on.

His phone is going to blow up in a few hours.

[JonInMiddleGA]

That team doesn't seem to have the capacity to complete a 15 yard pass, period. It doesn't look like there's anyone on that roster who could be part of such a thing.

Okay, let's stipulate that I don't watch much Browns football,m'kay? Further, I'm not trying to give you a hard time about this statement or anything else. Further, I've got no compelling interest in the Browns, McCoy, Wallace, or anyone else involved in the quoted snippet. It was simply one of those specific things that catch my eye occasionally & make me curious, so I went & looked at the numbers.

Pass Thrown: 11-20 yds.
McCoy 28-44, 490 yds, 63.6% comp, 11.14 YPA

By comparison, a few benchmarks
Brady 50-97, 889 yds, 51.5% comp, 9.17 YPA
P.Manning, 69-138 yds, 50.0% comp, 8.11 YPA
Rogers 55-101 yds, 981 yds, 54.5% comp, 9.71 YPA

Okay, that brings me to my question: Did you mean that anyone other than McCoy couldn't throw the short-intermediate passes? That even McCoy's numbers were skewed because they were playing from behind so often? Because otherwise, I'm confused about the perception vs the numbers here, confused enough to ask for clarification.

[DaddyTorgo]

Man, talk about a career on a downward slope - Jeff Jagodzinski was fired as coach of the UFL Omaha team. And I'm gonna guess it had nothing to do with wanting to interview for the Browns position.

Happy to hear this.

[DaddyTorgo]

Jon wins.

[QuikSand]

I'm perfectly open to being shown wrong. I am under the general, possibly unfounded but certainly not unshared impression that the current team doesn't really throw downfield much, nor was that a meaningful part of McCoy's game in college. Not sure what we learn from 44 attempts, but on the surface that snippet suggests they have been fairly effective with the middle distance stuff, even if it's relatively infrequent (and I can't tell from that selection whether that's true).

Setting aside the overall stats, I don't think there's much of any doubt that if you assembled an "all things equal " style question asked of well-informed football viewers/writers/coaches, and asked something like "you have 90 seconds to march 70 yards for a TD, what NFL offense do you want?" that you'd see the Browns ranked very very low on that list.

In any event... if it turns out that the real Browns pick their spots with throwing midrange stuff and do okay (or better) with it, I'll take back my explicit critique on that front.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm perfectly open to being shown wrong. I am under the general, possibly unfounded but certainly not unshared impression that the current team doesn't really throw downfield much, nor was that a meaningful part of McCoy's game in college. Not sure what we learn from 44 attempts, but on the surface that snippet suggests they have been fairly effective with the middle distance stuff, even if it's relatively infrequent (and I can't tell from that selection whether that's true)

Well, both Wallace (50% on 22 att) & Dellhomme (32% on 31 att)were noticeably worse at it, which is what made McCoy's numbers standout more to me as a "maybe it was the other QB's" kind of thing. The distance was around 1/4th of total pass attempts for all three of them.

Again, just for comparison's sake, that's about the same ratio as Rivers had in SD. About a quarter of his attempts went 11-20 (76-131, 58% comp, 10.63 YPA)

[TroyF]

I'm perfectly open to being shown wrong. I am under the general, possibly unfounded but certainly not unshared impression that the current team doesn't really throw downfield much, nor was that a meaningful part of McCoy's game in college. Not sure what we learn from 44 attempts, but on the surface that snippet suggests they have been fairly effective with the middle distance stuff, even if it's relatively infrequent (and I can't tell from that selection whether that's true).

Setting aside the overall stats, I don't think there's much of any doubt that if you assembled an "all things equal " style question asked of well-informed football viewers/writers/coaches, and asked something like "you have 90 seconds to march 70 yards for a TD, what NFL offense do you want?" that you'd see the Browns ranked very very low on that list.

In any event... if it turns out that the real Browns pick their spots with throwing midrange stuff and do okay (or better) with it, I'll take back my explicit critique on that front.


I think the reason they are that good on the 11-20 yard pass is because of how well they run the ball. As you said, they go up against 8-9 man fronts a lot. That leaves room in play action for the 11-20 yard type of play either over the middle or to CB's laying off the fast WR core.

I would have to look, but my guess would be a majority of those completions from McCoy came on 1st or 2nd down when the threat of the run is still there.

On first down and 10, he averaged 7.90 yards per attempt with 45 completions in 76 passes. I'd be willing to bet a lot of his 28 completions in the 11-20 yard range came on those first down throws.

[TroyF]

Well, both Wallace (50% on 22 att) & Dellhomme (32% on 31 att)were noticeably worse at it, which is what made McCoy's numbers standout more to me as a "maybe it was the other QB's" kind of thing. The distance was around 1/4th of total pass attempts for all three of them.

Again, just for comparison's sake, that's about the same ratio as Rivers had in SD. About a quarter of his attempts went 11-20 (76-131, 58% comp, 10.63 YPA)

I'd really love to see the ratio of those types of passes converged with down and distance. My hypothesis would be Cleveland could excel on 1st and 10 in those situations, but fall apart when it got to 3rd and 10. I'd believe Rivers would be more steady over all downs and distances in throws of that length.

The problem is I have what the QB did on 1st and 10 and what they did with yardage, but I don't have a way to combine the numbers. At this point that's my only explanation. Before looking at the stats, I'd have bet Cleveland was horrible in that range of passes.

Go figure.

[Warhammer]

Sounds like Fisher is going to be out most likely in Ten but it also sounds like the 49ers are interested as well if he is available.

If Fisher is out in TN, he is the first off the bench in one of the new jobs if he wants it. I could see him as a good fit in SF, unfortunately.

[RainMaker]

I've always wanted Fisher in Chicago. Good coach who had an owner who undermined him.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm not sure how Jeff Fisher lasted in Tennessee as long as he did. Every ice age, he'd put together two great years in a row, and then the team would fall apart. Sure, people have loved to say that injuries were to blame, but a lot of fans would find the numbers cringeworthy. Since the Titans made the Super Bowl 11 years ago, they have a 2-5 playoff record. I'm not saying that he's a bad coach, but these days, few coaches get the chance to miss the playoffs three years in a row and then get embarrassed in the playoffs when they finally make it back.

I firmly believe he had some kind of dirt of Bud Adams. Hell, he could probably take a massive dump on Bud's desk, spit in Bud's lunch, and then kick Bud square in the face. Upon confrontation, Fisher would just say that he lost a quarterback and two linebackers to injury last month and all would be forgiven. I'd like to have that job, because nobody really lets me get away with spitting in the owner's lunch right now.

Well, they let me get away with it once, but I got warned.

[stevew]

I probably watched 5 Browns games this year. To me, they lost several winnable games. The first Ravens game in particular. McCoy looked pretty good before the injury. Cribbs continues to not be utilized enough on offense. With no established QB to grumble, he should have been in the wildcat 10-15 snaps per game. He was also hurt. The defense lacks playmakers.

McCoy was sacked 23 times in 7 starts. He really finished the year poorly, throwing 6 interceptions in the last two games.

When Hillis is rolling, he's a fucking beast. I'd be doubtful that he can repeat his performance from this year cause he got hurt too much.

[Honolulu_Blue]

If Fisher is out in TN, he is the first off the bench in one of the new jobs if he wants it. I could see him as a good fit in SF, unfortunately.

Please go to SF, Mr. Fisher. It's a perfect fit. Make it so!

[Warhammer]

Let's not forget with Fisher that he never wanted VY. He was given VY, was told to play him and twice the guy imploded when things didn't go right. Even when VY went to the Pro Bowl he didn't set the world on fire.

[TroyF]

Let's not forget with Fisher that he never wanted VY. He was given VY, was told to play him and twice the guy imploded when things didn't go right. Even when VY went to the Pro Bowl he didn't set the world on fire.


What I was going to say. I will agree that a lot of excuses are made for him.

[MrBug708]

I bet Fisher resigns, goes to the booth for a year, and tries to rectify the mess that Garrett left at USC

[Chief Rum]

I bet Fisher resigns, goes to the NFL, and tries to rectify the mess that Garrett left at USC

Yu... wai...huh?

[Crapshoot]

Please go to SF, Mr. Fisher. It's a perfect fit. Make it so!

Harbaugh is gonna stay in town. :D

[MrBug708]

Yu... wai...huh?

haha...that was bad wasn't it?

Fixed

[SteveMax58]

I always wanted Fisher or Cowher as the Giants coach. Now that both are available...they seem to be sold on Coughlin.

In my limited view of him I've always thought Fisher managed to do well despite a tightwad owner that wouldnt keep good talent around. Couple that with basically filler-QBs the past years since McNair left and it really shows you how hard it is to win without a legitimate starting QB. Not to be confused with a QB who happens to start, mind you.

[kingfc22]

Harbaugh is gonna stay in town. :D

:D

[kingfc22]

Ok Jed....Back up the Brinks truck.

[MrBug708]

I cant imagine Michigan not outpaying the NFL

[Crapshoot]

I cant imagine Michigan not outpaying the NFL

Huh? The top paid college coaches are in the $4-5M range - the top paid NFL coaches are almost double that. I'm not saying the 49ers are looking to pay Harbaugh $5M, but in what universe can college compete with the NFL?

[Swaggs]

Huh? The top paid college coaches are in the $4-5M range - the top paid NFL coaches are almost double that. I'm not saying the 49ers are looking to pay Harbaugh $5M, but in what universe can college compete with the NFL?

There is a bit of disparity at the top (looks like the top three are Belichick at $7.5-million and Shanahan and Carroll at $7-million), but it isn't as great as you might think. Saban makes about $6-million (+ up to $700K more in bonuses), Mack Brown makes about $5.2-million (+ up to $800K), and Stoops makes about $4.4-million (+ up to $819K).

Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhut, who met in the Super Bowl a couple years ago, each make/made between $2-$2.5-million, which is less than what most SEC coaches earn.

I believe the three highest paid NFL guys listed above all serve as GM and/or President, as well as head coach. If Harbaugh is named head coach only, I would guess that he could expect $4-5-million in the NFL or around $4-million at Michigan.

[Crapshoot]

Wisehunt signed a deal paying him $5.5M to $6M - Cardinals extend contracts of coach Ken Whisenhunt, GM Rod Graves (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2010/02/25/20100225-ken-whisenhunt-rod-graves.html)

I did not realize Saban was the highest paid coach at $6M - heck, why bother? The NFL isn't an option for him, and I don't think there's any other college / football factory that would pay that much.

[molson]

Edit: Oops, wrong thread.

I should say something here about NFL coaching instead....Bellichick RULES!

[miami_fan]

Gary Kubiak gets to keep his job but sacrifices his defensive staff to do so. Jack Del Rio keeps his job but gives up defensive play calling duties.

[miami_fan]

I keep waiting for Marino to announce his return to the NFL.....

I wish it was just the QB that was the problem. The entire offensive philosophy needs to change. I am hoping that now that Parcells is gone they could actually open the offense a bit. There definitely need to be some changes to the staff.

[Bearcat729]

Please Cleveland stay away from John Fox as a head coach.

[RedKingGold]

Even if Harbaugh flames out in the pros, college teams will still lineup for him three years from now to be their head coach. Conversely, if Harbaugh struggles at Michigan, he becomes much, much less immediately attractive to NFL teams as a head coach. He would probably have to be a coordinator for a bit or re-establish himself substantially at the college level (national championships) to generate this type of interest again. Lastly, didn't Michigan pass up Harbaugh for RichRod only a few years ago? Harbaugh seems like the kind of guy who would take that slight personally.

For all those reasons, I have to think Harbaugh is going pro. As a 49er fan, I really hope he goes to San Francisco, however, I think Miami might be a dark horse here. I'm not sold on Denver at all, as I think they'll go for a defensive minded coach.

[Ksyrup]

Problem #496 with drafting Tim Tebow - why would a pro offense coach want to take over a team with him as the high-paid QB? I can't imagine Harbaugh would want his future tied to the outcome of the Tebow Experiment. And I think Denver's already thrown away too many draft picks to just cut their losses and start from scratch, unless moving up a spot for Luck is the plan. But that would take some coordination between hiring the coach and making a deal with Carolina that if I was Carolina, I'd pretty much ask for the Ditka/Ricky Williams Draft Special.

[RedKingGold]

Detriot Free Press reporting Harbaugh "highly unlikely" to take Michigan head coaching position if it becomes available and, if staying in college, he'd stay at Stanford.

[bhlloy]

Problem #496 with drafting Tim Tebow - why would a pro offense coach want to take over a team with him as the high-paid QB? I can't imagine Harbaugh would want his future tied to the outcome of the Tebow Experiment. And I think Denver's already thrown away too many draft picks to just cut their losses and start from scratch, unless moving up a spot for Luck is the plan. But that would take some coordination between hiring the coach and making a deal with Carolina that if I was Carolina, I'd pretty much ask for the Ditka/Ricky Williams Draft Special.

A very interesting subplot is the fact that you have arguably the best QB prospect to come out of the draft in a very long time and 2 teams at the top of the draft that both drafted first round QB's and gave them a good amount of playing time this year. I think Carolina is a lot more in love with Clausen than a McDaniels-less Denver team is with Tebow (duh), but whether they like him enough to completely pass on Luck is another story.

Carolina's best plan might well be to see what the value of that #1 pick is, and if some team does want to dangle Luck as a package deal for Harbaugh they might well get into Ricky Williams territory. Would take a lot of co-ordination and I'm not sure if any team in the NFL is that stupid any more but it's not unthinkable IMO

[Logan]

Clausen was a 2nd rounder.

[Ksyrup]

Clausen was a mid-2nd round pick, and based on his performance, I can't believe they're in love with him. But given what they gave up for him versus what Denver gave up for Tebow, sadly I'm inclined to believe Denver would feel more obligated to keep trying with Tebow than Carolina with Clausen. But maybe with McDaniels gone and Bowlen paying 2 ex-coaches, he jsut says fuck it and buys out Tebow, too. Or they turn him into a very expensive Chris Cooley/Bo Scaife/wildcat QB.

[bhlloy]

Let me qualify by saying that my college allegiance means I hate Jimmy Clausen probably more than any other player in the NFL right now... but I thought he was OK for a rookie QB. Obviously the stats are pretty ugly, but he was on a trainwreck of a team and when I watched him, he looked like someone who could one day turn into a passable NFL QB. He made a lot of bonehead decisions and throws that you just can't get away with in the NFL - but if he can get past that I think he has the tools to at least be decent.

Tebow on the other hand I just don't see as a conventional QB, ever. Add that to the fact he was McDaniel's pick all the way, I think Denver is slobbering all over the chance to get Luck and either use Tebow exclusively in the Wildcat or see if the Jaguars still want to sell some jerseys.

[Thomkal]

if Luck comes out, I just don't see Carolina passing on him in favor of Claussen. He threw 3 TD's and never had a game with over 200 yards passing. More important, he didn't show much improvement after being given the job by default due to all the injuries at QB they had. Yes I know the situation there at Carolina was bad, but is he really going to be a franchise QB with a better situation?

Trent Dilfer (and take that for what its worth) said this morning he's the best QB prospect to come out of the college ranks since John Elway. Said he has no flaws. How can you not draft somebody like that given their current QB's?

Now if Luck does not come out, then Carolina should trade down a bit and get more picks because they are going to have gaping holes at many positions due to the many contracts that are expiring there.

[miami_fan]

ESPN is reporting that Marvin Lewis will be staying with the Bengals. Despite all we hear about the frugal ways of Mike Brown, his piece of the article really shocked me.

Lewis wants changes in how the organization operates, including more control over roster decisions. He also has lobbied years for a covered practice field -- the Bengals are the only northern NFL team without one. Lewis turned down an extension last season, saying their differences had to be resolved before he would agree to stay.

Really? I thought this had been resolved years ago.

[Ksyrup]

It was resolved years ago. :D

[BillJasper]

ESPN is reporting that Marvin Lewis will be staying with the Bengals. Despite all we hear about the frugal ways of Mike Brown, his piece of the article really shocked me.



Really? I thought this had been resolved years ago.

No. The Bengals still operate like its' the 1960's. :lol:

[miami_fan]

It was resolved years ago. :D

Good point:D . I guess I thought Mike Brown realized that if the other teams around him are doing it (and winning Super Bowls), it probably would be a good idea if the Bengals practiced indoors sometimes too.

[bhlloy]

Ed Rendell approves of the Bengals training facilities

[Ksyrup]

4:30 presser to announce extension for Lewis. Wonder if he actually got anything other than mo money.

[RedKingGold]

As speculated, 49ers officially promote Trent Baalke to the GM position. It's been reported by PFT that Baalke and Harbaugh might not be a good fit, however, Peter King thinks that's overblown and 49ers might still be Harbaughs first choice.

[RedKingGold]

Oh, and Tom Cable is gone in Oakland...likely to be replaced by his offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

[RomaGoth]

Oh, and Tom Cable is gone in Oakland...likely to be replaced by his offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

I am amazed that Al Davis has never just taken over the coaching job himself.

[Danny]

If Cable;s firing means Jackson will be the new HC then I am just fine with the move. Jackson's turnaround of the offense is the biggest reason we went 8-8 and he is getting interest from other teams and reportedly did not get along with Cable and would likely have been gone.

[kingfc22]

As speculated, 49ers officially promote Trent Baalke to the GM position.

I don't mind the Baalke hiring. He did a solid job during the draft after McCloughan left right before the draft.

I just don't like how Jed lied that he was going to search high and low and everywhere in between for a new GM.

[Eaglesfan27]

Looks like Fisher will be staying with Tennessee. ESPN is reporting Tenn. will cut or trade Vince Young.

[Ksyrup]

Good move.

[Ksyrup]

Exhibit #29,853 why football is a better sport than basketball. The inmates don't run the asylum.

[Radii]

The inmates don't run the asylum.

Vince Young disapproves of your choice of words! :D

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross has traveled to the West Coast in an urgent effort to convince Stanford's Jim Harbaugh to become his next coach, according to two sources.

Ross was accompanied by general manager Jeff Ireland and former NFL executive Carl Peterson to make the pitch to Harbaugh to replace Tony Sparano as the team's head coach, the sources said. Ross is willing to make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in the NFL, which would place his salary in the $7-to-$8-million range, the sources said, after receiving a signal from the Stanford coach that he was now willing to listen seriously to the team's presentation.

The meeting between Dolphins and Harbaugh is scheduled to take place Thursday morning, a source said.

Good luck in Miami. Would have loved to see you in Maize & Blue.

[RedKingGold]

Good luck in Miami. Would have loved to see you in Scarlet & Gold

Edited for my regrets.

[Swaggs]

I kind of like the idea of Harbaugh going to the 49ers and being in the same division with Sneaky Pete again. :)

[Ksyrup]

If I was Tony Sparano and felt comfortable that I could land on my feet somewhere, and the Dolphins ultimately lose out on Harbaugh, I'd wait until some really bad time to quit as coach just to fuck them up as much as possible. And if there's a lockout, I don't do it (since I believe head coaches will continue to get paid) until the lockout is resolved and you've got like 3 weeks until the season starts. Don't make it obvious that you're doing it for spite, just say that as the off-season has progressed, you don't feel like the team's moves or desire to win are compatible with your style of coaching, etc.

I just think it's absurd that the Rooney Rule people are publicly commenting on holding the Dolphins' "feet to the fire" about interviewing a minority candidate given their pursuit of Harbaugh, all the while the team still has a head coach. That's just awful.

[Logan]

Maybe this is just coming from me as a Niner fan...but if you're deciding between the Dolphins and the Niners, you have two teams with solid rosters overall but glaring weaknesses at QB, so you're basically in the same boat. I would think the SF job would be preferable just based on the division and not having to go against Belichik, not to mention not needing to move your family.

[RomaGoth]

Maybe this is just coming from me as a Niner fan...but if you're deciding between the Dolphins and the Niners, you have two teams with solid rosters overall but glaring weaknesses at QB, so you're basically in the same boat. I would think the SF job would be preferable just based on the division and not having to go against Belichik, not to mention not needing to move your family.

Word is that Harbaugh would get a kick out of working with Henne in Miami.

[Logan]

Yeah, watching Henne play QB is quite comical.

[TroyF]

Some quick thoughts:

1) PFT is reporting the Niners backup plan is Josh McDaniels. I'll just let that one stay there.

2) I don't understand the rush to get a replacement for Tim Tebow some people are making. This is a team that finished worst in the league in points and yards allowed. They finished 31 in run defense and 30 in passer rating against. They were also last in the league in rushing offense before Tebow ran for 200 yards the final three games to push them up to 26th. (by the way, Tebow was the second leading rusher for the Broncos this year)

This team is garbage talent wise and needs a complete makeover. They have a decent WR core, a young offensive line that might get better and that's about it. If they had the number one pick and took Luck, I'd be fine with it. But to give up assets for him or to grab a QB other than him? That's psychotic.

Go into next year with Tebow as your number one. See how he plays over 16 games and decide if you think he can or can't be the man. Either way, this team is winning 3-5 games next year and is going to be back in the top 10. Figure out the overall talent level at that point and make your call on Tebow and others.

I'm not a frothing at the mouth Tebow fan who thinks he's going to pro bowls. But we gave up critical assets for him and whether we see what he's made of or not, we SUCK. It doesn't cost us a damned thing to see how he ends up.

FWIW: I think Tebow looked better in his first three games than Josh Freeman did last year and that seemed to work ok. I'd take Tebow right now over Jimmy Clausen. It's not like he looked so pathetic in his three games that everyone can be convinced he's pure garbage.

3) How many garbage coaches who were kept rather than fired scares the hell out of me. It looks to me like a lockout is a near certainty now.

[stevew]

Agreed on the coaches being retained thing.

[Ksyrup]

I guess if I'm the next Broncos coach and you want me to give Tebow a fair shot, then I'm asking for a 5 or 6 year deal, minimum. I really don't know much about the 2012 draft, but let's say everyone comes out that's supposed to this year - who's available to draft in 2012?

[Ksyrup]

Or are you hoping McDaniels gets the 49ers job, Harbaugh comes to Denver, McDaniels pisses off Luck the day after he drafts him, and he forces a trade to Denver for Tebow? Because I could get behind that... :D

[RomaGoth]

It's bullshit what the Dolphins are doing to Sparano.

[JediKooter]

I would trade Tebow for Norv Turner.

[Ksyrup]

If that's true about McDaniels and the 49ers, then I think that's a sure sign they are supremely confident Harbaugh is on his way. Even if you like the guy and think he'll ultimately be a great head coach, you almost can't hire him this quickly after the disaster in Denver, can you? Even if he flat-out admits he needed a real GM and the 49er s say they've taken care of that. I would think that would be a PR nightmare, but...

[Logan]

Some quick thoughts:

1) PFT is reporting the Niners backup plan is Josh McDaniels. I'll just let that one stay there.

I'd be absolutely shocked if that offer was for anything more than the OC job. He would have some value with his QB development ability too.

[spleen1015]

It's bullshit what the Dolphins are doing to Sparano.

I completely agree. Harbaugh looks even worse since he is talking to a team that still has a head coach about being their head coach.

[TroyF]

Or are you hoping McDaniels gets the 49ers job, Harbaugh comes to Denver, McDaniels pisses off Luck the day after he drafts him, and he forces a trade to Denver for Tebow? Because I could get behind that... :D


They aren't getting an A+ coaching candidate right now anyway. Get a retread coach who is known for working with young players (Fassel works well in this regard) Wait until you are finished paying Josh and Shanahan. If the team doesn't take a jump up in the 2012 season, you can can everyone and have the money to get the next Harbaugh.

There will ALWAYS be good QB prospects coming out. Next year you could look at Barkley or Landry Jones as possibilities if Tebow bombs.

It's a low risk, high reward scenario. Tebow and the coach don't work out, we'll still have upgraded the talent level of the roster to make it enticing for a top name coach to come in. If they work out, you don't have to waste the top ten pick next year on a QB and can continue to move forward.

Again, I'm not sold that Tebow is going to be a complete failure. For all the hatred, he was not nearly as bad as people made him out to be in the final three games. I think he has a chance to prove all of us wrong.

[Chief Rum]

I completely agree. Harbaugh looks even worse since he is talking to a team that still has a head coach about being their head coach.

I agree the Dolphins look bad. Don't see how Harbaugh looks worse, though. He can't control if the Dolphins fire their coach or not. I don't think a position needs to be open for it to be discussed either. If Michigan's AD had believed in that, maybe he wouldn't have just started his "national search" just yesterday.

[RomaGoth]

I would trade Norv Turner for Tebow.

Fixed :D

[JediKooter]

Fixed :D

Sounds like a win/win situation to me. :)

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I don't have so much of a problem with the coach - sometimes teams don't necessarily want to fire the current guy but are interested in pursuing an upgrade, and there's only one way to find out if the guy is interested - but if I was the coach, I'd ask the Dolphins to not be so open about it if they aren't going to fire the guy before the interview.

[Big Fo]

As a Dolphins fan I agree that the front office/ownership isn't looking too classy with how they've handled this. And it's going to look even worse if Harbaugh turns them down.

I'm not sure Sporano is the problem either, I think the offensive coordinator and quarterback were the biggest problems this season. And as well as Harbaugh has done at Stanford I remember what happened the last time we got a highly rated college coach. Not that I think Harbaugh would be a failure in Miami, I'm just iffy on guys without a lot of NFL coaching experience.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dan LeBatard is reporting that Harbaugh has accepted Miami's offer to take over the HC job.

[molson]

How many mega-hyped college coaches succeed in the NFL?

Maybe there's some insider accounts of his genius, but I see one great college season, where he had one of the great college QBs of the last 10 years. Good for him for cashing in and taking advantage of the Dolphins' desperation, if that's where he's going.

[Logan]

How many mega-hyped college coaches succeed in the NFL?

Maybe there's some insider accounts of his genius, but I see one great college season, where he had one of the great college QBs of the last 10 years. Good for him for cashing in and taking advantage of the Dolphins' desperation, if that's where he's going.

You could argue that he has better NFL experience than his brother had prior to taking the Balt HC job, and he had plenty of success in a tough situation at San Diego prior to Stanford.

[Chief Rum]

Dan LeBatard is reporting that Harbaugh has accepted Miami's offer to take over the HC job.

I hope this is true. Stanford is a lot less dangerous with Harbaugh gone, even with Luck back. The inevitable issues such a late change in a coaching staff can have, along with Stanford's stringent academic admissions, can lead to a number of current recruits or potential recruits who will then look elsewhere for a more stable situation.

[Matthean]

Dan LeBatard is reporting that Harbaugh has accepted Miami's offer to take over the HC job.

So when are they going to tell Sparano?

[Logan]

I never realized how much money Carroll got with the Seahawks ($6.7MM). Gotta say I don't have a problem with Harbaugh breaking $7MM in that case.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I still am holding on to a slim sliver of hope that the boosters in Ann Arbor say "Whatever it takes. Match it, beat it. Guarantee a 10 year deal." They can afford it.

[Arles]

The problem with Michigan for Harbaugh is he has to use "spread option" players (esp OL) for the next 2-3 years when he really wants to run the pro style system he did at Stanford. And, given the crazy expectations he will have (esp at that salary), there's a pretty low chance at success for the first 2-3 years. If he goes 4-8, 6-6 and 7-5, he's going to take a big hit and be similar to Rich Rod in the criticism.

If I were him, I'd go to an owner that will spend (ie, Miami, SF or Denver) in the NFL and he'd have a better chance at success.

[Jon]

Dan LeBatard is reporting that Harbaugh has accepted Miami's offer to take over the HC job.

I heard on ESPN that any offer made today wouldn't be valid since Miami never filed a statement that the team was in compliance with the Rooney Rule.

[TroyF]

The problem with Michigan for Harbaugh is he has to use "spread option" players (esp OL) for the next 2-3 years when he really wants to run the pro style system he did at Stanford. And, given the crazy expectations he will have (esp at that salary), there's a pretty low chance at success for the first 2-3 years. If he goes 4-8, 6-6 and 7-5, he's going to take a big hit and be similar to Rich Rod in the criticism.

If I were him, I'd go to an owner that will spend (ie, Miami, SF or Denver) in the NFL and he'd have a better chance at success.

His options all come with risks though.

He has no QB in Miami or SF. He has Tebow in Denver.

Wherever he goes, it's a 2 to 3 year project at a minimum.

[miami_fan]

As a Dolphins fan I agree that the front office/ownership isn't looking too classy with how they've handled this. And it's going to look even worse if Harbaugh turns them down.

I'm not sure Sporano is the problem either, I think the offensive coordinator and quarterback were the biggest problems this season. And as well as Harbaugh has done at Stanford I remember what happened the last time we got a highly rated college coach. Not that I think Harbaugh would be a failure in Miami, I'm just iffy on guys without a lot of NFL coaching experience.

Agreed. At this point I think I would rather Stephen give $2 mil to Michigan to help pay Harbaugh's salary there and spend the rest on restructuring the Dolphin organization.

[kingfc22]

As much as I wanted to Niners to get Harbuagh, there is no way I'd pay him $8M a year.

I'd like to see them go after somebody like Billick.

[BillJasper]

I just don't understand Ross going this hard for Harbaugh, the Dolphins last two 'make a splash hires' (Johnson and Saban) have blown up in their face.

To me this team would probably make far more progress by retaining Sparano and bringing in someone like Josh McDaniels to run the offense and tutor Chad Henne. Though Sparano and Ireland may not be able to work together going forward... evidently Ireland threw Sparano 'under the bus' to save his own job.

EDIT: The second part of my frustration, is that you're keeping Sparano from interviewing replacement candidates for the retiring Dan Henning. By the time Ross is done playing footsie with Harbaugh, Sparano will have fewer quality candidates to choose from.

[miami_fan]

Will any of those high powered coaches (Cowher, Gruden, Billick etc.) get a job this year?

[bhlloy]

I'm not sure any of them want any of the openings. Carolina might have been intriguing to a QB guru like Gruden if Luck was on the table with the #1 pick, but otherwise you have teams that are pretty devoid of talent and I don't see any of them coming back for these openings. I think Billick might be done for good, Gruden has a good thing going on with MNF and Cowher is only going to come back for a situation that fits his family perfectly.

[RomaGoth]

Will any of those high powered coaches (Cowher, Gruden, Billick etc.) get a job this year?

Saw a blurb regarding Cowher being interested in the Miami job, but he wanted total control, including hiring his own GM. Obviously that wasn't going to happen with Ireland still there.

[BillJasper]

Will any of those high powered coaches (Cowher, Gruden, Billick etc.) get a job this year?

Only Denver, San Francisco and Carolina are truly open jobs at this point? I honestly don't see Baalke bringing someone into Frisco that will undermine his authority and probably the same thing holds true for Elway in Denver. The odds are probably against Jerry Richardson paying a coach $7 million a year after doing nothing but cutting costs the last two years.

So... no. I don't think any of these guys end up with jobs this year.

[Matthean]

The problem with Michigan for Harbaugh is he has to use "spread option" players (esp OL) for the next 2-3 years when he really wants to run the pro style system he did at Stanford. And, given the crazy expectations he will have (esp at that salary), there's a pretty low chance at success for the first 2-3 years. If he goes 4-8, 6-6 and 7-5, he's going to take a big hit and be similar to Rich Rod in the criticism.

If I were him, I'd go to an owner that will spend (ie, Miami, SF or Denver) in the NFL and he'd have a better chance at success.

I don't see them going 4-8. I can see some kind of minor down swing, but 4-8 seems extreme. For one, there would be none of this 3-3-5 defense bull crap. Forcier would be the most logical starter until he brings in a pro style QB unless he likes Gardner enough and I think Forcier can hold fort until the switch comes. One of the issues that offense has is the QB has to do so much of it. I think it's what hurt both QBs. If they were off even a little, the offense was sunk. Add in the needed pieces and a defense that doesn't give up 30-40 points a game and suddenly the QB isn't carrying the weight of the team on their shoulders. And let's be honest, all the new coach has to do is beat the lesser teams, which should be way doable, and he matches what RR did and build from there.

Harbaugh would definitely need two years before I would think the team becomes decent enough to really expect much. Year 3 is when expectations would be legitimate. Hoke would have lesser expectations and I think you add a year for real expectations kicking in.

Harbaugh might not want to deal with Tebow being less of a pro style QB. SF is a mess in terms of QBs. At least with Miami he has a Michigan QB from the time where that at least meant something. Even if Henne sucks, he figures it is the lesser of the evils and it is the best for him to work with. Granted, I wouldn't pick a team solely based on their QB. 7-8mil to live in Miami and if I bomb I can still crank out 20+mil for my time? Hell yeah I would be interested in that.

[RomaGoth]

I don't see them going 4-8. I can see some kind of minor down swing, but 4-8 seems extreme. For one, there would be none of this 3-3-5 defense bull crap. Forcier would be the most logical starter until he brings in a pro style QB unless he likes Gardner enough and I think Forcier can hold fort until the switch comes. One of the issues that offense has is the QB has to do so much of it. I think it's what hurt both QBs. If they were off even a little, the offense was sunk. Add in the needed pieces and a defense that doesn't give up 30-40 points a game and suddenly the QB isn't carrying the weight of the team on their shoulders. And let's be honest, all the new coach has to do is beat the lesser teams, which should be way doable, and he matches what RR did and build from there.

Harbaugh would definitely need two years before I would think the team becomes decent enough to really expect much. Year 3 is when expectations would be legitimate. Hoke would have lesser expectations and I think you add a year for real expectations kicking in.

Harbaugh might not want to deal with Tebow being less of a pro style QB. SF is a mess in terms of QBs. At least with Miami he has a Michigan QB from the time where that at least meant something. Even if Henne sucks, he figures it is the lesser of the evils and it is the best for him to work with. Granted, I wouldn't pick a team solely based on their QB. 7-8mil to live in Miami and if I bomb I can still crank out 20+mil for my time? Hell yeah I would be interested in that.

While I love your positive outlook, I have to wonder what you are smoking. With the mess that is Michigan right now, I can't imagine some of these guys even being around next year, and the defense isn't going to magically get better all of a sudden.

Whomever comes in as coach in Ann Arbor has a clusterfuck to fix, and it will take longer than 3 years. That had to enter the mind of Harbaugh, and anyone else even remotely interested in that job.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

While I love your positive outlook, I have to wonder what you are smoking. With the mess that is Michigan right now, I can't imagine some of these guys even being around next year, and the defense isn't going to magically get better all of a sudden.

Whomever comes in as coach in Ann Arbor has a clusterfuck to fix, and it will take longer than 3 years. That had to enter the mind of Harbaugh, and anyone else even remotely interested in that job.

The defense and special teams really must improve. There is NO way they could be any worse. Even if they went out with nobody to kick or punt the ball and played with 8 men on D it couldn't really be worse.

I think a good coach could implement schemes that allow a transition on offense back to a pro-style offense while implementing some of the things that have been done the last few years. The best coaches find a players strengths & work with them.

I still think 6 or 7 wins is possible next year, even with the transition.

[Arles]

The problem is the OL, QB and WR spots on offense. He has to basically replace each of these with "his" guys to run a pro style offense (and that's not even looking at FB and TE). You could luck into 1-2 decent JC OL, but the rest of the squad won't be ready for atleast 2 seasons.

After what just happened with Rich, Harbaugh could face a ton of national scrutiny if he treads water in 11 and 12 - which would be quite a feat given the state of the defense. No one would expect him to win 9-10 games in the pros for year 1 or 2 - but they will at Michigan (esp if he's paid big bucks).

[BillJasper]

Looks like Miami is now keeping Sparano:

hxxp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/06/glazer-fins-keeping-sparano/

:lol:

[Kodos]

What a joke. Teams attempting to get Harbaugh sure are looking foolish.

[bronconick]

Brett Favre thinks Jim Harbaugh is an attention whore.

[Ksyrup]

Actually, I thinnk Harbaugh has done just what he needs to do - stay the heck out of dodge until a decision's been made. I don't know how teams/schools making their pursuit of him so visible and public is a reflection on him. Other than a good one, that he is in such demand.

[RedKingGold]

As much as I wanted to Niners to get Harbuagh, there is no way I'd pay him $8M a year.

I'd like to see them go after somebody like Billick.

I still don't understand why Billick doesn't get more play.

[Ksyrup]

It must be the video of him on The Dating Game.

[Logan]

Match Game!

[Ksyrup]

Sorry, my 70s TV gameshows run together.

[spleen1015]

Billick is an arrogant asshole. That's why.

[Honolulu_Blue]

At this point, unless Harbaugh for some reason decides to come to Michigan, I hope he falls on his face. Yes, this would be partially sour grapes, but this whole thing has been irritating.

[wade moore]

At this point, unless Harbaugh for some reason decides to come to Michigan, I hope he falls on his face. Yes, this would be partially sour grapes, but this whole thing has been irritating.

Like others have said, I don't understand why anyone has ill-will towards Harbaugh.

What exactly has he done wrong besides not choose your favorite school?

[Honolulu_Blue]

What exactly has he done wrong besides not choose your favorite school?

First, I pretty clearly admitted that most of this was sour grapes, i.e., not picking my (and his) alma mater to coach.

I am also getting the sense that he is attention whoring this whole thing. It's only a sense, but I trust my instincts. I am more often right than wrong.

[Lathum]

Slighted Michigan fans aside why on earth does anyone think Harbaugh has done anything wrong?

[RomaGoth]

Actually, I thinnk Harbaugh has done just what he needs to do - stay the heck out of dodge until a decision's been made. I don't know how teams/schools making their pursuit of him so visible and public is a reflection on him. Other than a good one, that he is in such demand.

Agreed. Harbaugh hasn't come out and said a damn thing to anybody in public yet. I don't get the hate here for him, what exactly has he been doing that warrants the "attention whore" label? :confused:

[BillJasper]

Like others have said, I don't understand why anyone has ill-will towards Harbaugh.

What exactly has he done wrong besides not choose your favorite school?

He has interviewed for a job that technically wasn't open in Miami, which is just bush league.

[Ksyrup]

I guess it's possible he's in on the leaking of information (or his agent is), but I haven't seen that.

Honestly, these guys can't win - Saban comes out and chastizes a reporter for asking if he's leaving Miami, then bolts a week later and we rightly give him shit about it. Now a coach purposely says nothing but doesn't appear to be hiding the fact that he's going to listen to offers (so he doesn't commit either way and/or outright lie), does what seems to me to be an excellent job of keeping his own possible distractions away from his team's preparation for a big game (compare him with Les Miles a few years ago when the Michigan job came up, and his team was playing for a national title no less!), and now we want to find fault with him for being an attention whore? I don't get it.

[Ksyrup]

He has interviewed for a job that technically wasn't open in Miami, which is just bush league.

That's on the team more than it is him. This happens all the time. Most of the time, the interviewing team doesn't let it be known so publicly that they are watching him at a bowl game and then flying across the country to interview him for a job that is still filled.

What's he going to say - your chances of hiring me are 40/60, but to even talk to you, you need to fire Sparano? I think that would suck more for Sparano than what's happened, frankly.

[RedKingGold]

Yup, Harbugh didn't go on his whirlwind tour until after Stanford's bowl game, and it's been "team sources" who have been going apeshit reporting Harbaugh's comings and goings.

This has also been pretty good negotiating by Harbaugh. It might be the only time you have this many suitors by the balls, might as well play it for all its worth.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Based on what I can gather.

It appears as if Harbaugh has turned down both the Dolphins (and their alleged whopping $7 - $8 million a year deal) and the Broncos.

He has met with the 49ers, but I haven't heard that he out right rejected their offer.

He has apparently declined the Michigan job.

Other than staying at Stanford, what's realistically left out there for him?

[Ksyrup]

The Browns, Pitt & UConn?

Denver might as well just hire an assistant who is desperate for a job at this point and re-evaluate everything in 2 years. When you're going hard after a guy, and he's been rumored to have taken or talked money with 2-3 teams, and the articles are saying you are still hopeful of getting an interview...yeah, you pretty much suck.

[Swaggs]

Based on what I can gather.

It appears as if Harbaugh has turned down both the Dolphins (and their alleged whopping $7 - $8 million a year deal) and the Broncos.

He has met with the 49ers, but I haven't heard that he out right rejected their offer.

He has apparently declined the Michigan job.

Other than staying at Stanford, what's realistically left out there for him?

It sure sounds like he is and Luck are gearing up for another run at Stanford. Next year, there may be more attractive NFL jobs opening up (Giants? Chargers? Texans?).

[wade moore]

It sure sounds like he is and Luck are gearing up for another run at Stanford. Next year, there may be more attractive NFL jobs opening up (Giants? Chargers? Texans?).

Yup. As soon as Luck announced he was staying, I figured Harbaugh is staying.

[Passacaglia]

Slighted Michigan fans aside why on earth does anyone think Harbaugh has done anything wrong?

Honestly, if the Brett Favre saga has taught us anything, it's that people love to hate fame.

[Logan]

That's on the team more than it is him. This happens all the time. Most of the time, the interviewing team doesn't let it be known so publicly that they are watching him at a bowl game and then flying across the country to interview him for a job that is still filled.

What's he going to say - your chances of hiring me are 40/60, but to even talk to you, you need to fire Sparano? I think that would suck more for Sparano than what's happened, frankly.

Exactly...I hope the people who gave Harbaugh shit about how he "handled" this realize that Sparano would be out of a job if he followed their holier-than-thou approach.

[molson]

Exactly...I hope the people who gave Harbaugh shit about how he "handled" this realize that Sparano would be out of a job if he followed their holier-than-thou approach.

And I don't see what Harbaugh owes to Sparano. That's just weird. If Luck had come out, should he refuse to go to Carolina because he'd be costing Jimmy Clausen a job? Football is competitive on and off the field. You're trying to get jobs and starting positions, which by definition - takes those positions away from someone else. You don't owe anything to someone you beat out for a job or a starting QB spot.

[Lathum]

Cowherd reporting it is down to the Niners or Stanford. I say Stanford.

[Lathum]

He has interviewed for a job that technically wasn't open in Miami, which is just bush league.

Gimme a break, this happens all the time, in sports and the real world. Half the time people train their replacement without even realizing it.

[Matthean]

Other than staying at Stanford, what's realistically left out there for him?

He's already said staying at Stanford is very much an option, so if the SF job isn't so dream job after all, he's staying. I would think a possible run at the Chargers job next year would be very tempting for him.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Harbuagh to 49ers, per Schefter.

[kingfc22]

Harbuagh to 49ers, per Schefter.

5 yrs. Money unknown yet.

[Lathum]

Van Pelt just mentioned it.

[kingfc22]

Niners press conference at 330 PM PST.

[RedKingGold]

w00t! I feel like this is the best thing to happen to the 49ers in awhile.

[Ksyrup]

You know, I have resisted twitter until now because I personally would have absolutely no use for it, but it's getting to the point where I may have to establish an account just to get the latest instant sports news because even having instant access to ESPN.com isn't good enough to get immediate info these days. And they bury the twitter feeds on there. Is there a way to RSS people's twitter feeds without getting a twitter account?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Dammit. I hate the fourty-whiners.

[RedKingGold]

5 yrs. Money unknown yet.

Schefter just tweeted 25 million.

[kingfc22]

Dammit. I hate the fourty-whiners.

He was never going to Ann Arbor so get over it. It was NFL or Stanford.

[RedKingGold]

You know, I have resisted twitter until now because I personally would have absolutely no use for it, but it's getting to the point where I may have to establish an account just to get the latest instant sports news because even having instant access to ESPN.com isn't good enough to get immediate info these days. And they bury the twitter feeds on there. Is there a way to RSS people's twitter feeds without getting a twitter account?

+1

I resisted twitter for the longest time until I got an iPad this Christmas. I'm now convinced its the quickest/most efficient way to get sports news (and other stuff).

Just set up a dummy twitter account and follow guys. Posting updates about yourself when you're nobody is pretty gay.

[Honolulu_Blue]

He was never going to Ann Arbor so get over it. It was NFL or Stanford.

Thanks for the insight, Mrs. Harbaugh.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

How to Follow People on Twitter without Joining Twitter | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_6004469_follow-people-twitter-joining-twitter.html)

I think you have to use the soon-to-disappear "old twitter" to find RSS links, though.

However, it would seem easy enough to great a blank account and follow people through a browser plug-in unless there are firewall/work issues.

Twitter / AdamSchefter (http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/51263592.rss) - Schefter's RSS feed, for instance.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I guess I could sign up and just not use it, but grab all the people I want to follow for breaking sports/music news. I barely touch my FB account as it is.

[molson]

You know, I have resisted twitter until now because I personally would have absolutely no use for it, but it's getting to the point where I may have to establish an account just to get the latest instant sports news because even having instant access to ESPN.com isn't good enough to get immediate info these days. And they bury the twitter feeds on there. Is there a way to RSS people's twitter feeds without getting a twitter account?

If you had Twitter, you have already heard that Harbaugh is confirmed as the next head coach of Michigan, the Dolphins, 49ers, (and he's also staying at Stanford.)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Just set up a dummy twitter account and follow guys. Posting updates about yourself when you're nobody is pretty gay.

I will follow your advice on this. Given all the ass-tasting between you and SkyDog, I consider you one of FOFC's leading experts on what kids these days consider "pretty gay."

I appreciate your insight.

And, yes, I am just lashing out at all 49er fans just because.

And you all can tell your mom to get over it.

[Ksyrup]

The RSS feeds are the best part of the BB Torch I got last August. I didn't even think much of it, and now I'm constantly on it reading articles tailored specificalyl for what I like. But twitter would be easy to set up as part of the social feeds app too.

[kingfc22]

Thanks for the insight, Mrs. Harbaugh.

I think I just heard the bell to end recess. You might want to get back to your third grade class now.

Grow up.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I think I just heard the bell to end recess. You might want to get back to your third grade class now.

Grow up.

:cool:

[RedKingGold]

I will follow your advice on this. Given all the ass-tasting between you and SkyDog, I consider you one of FOFC's leading experts on what kids these days consider "pretty gay."

I appreciate your insight.

And, yes, I am just lashing out at all 49er fans just because.

And you all can tell your mom to get over it.

Good luck with Brady Hoke and call me when Michigan beats Penn State again. ;)

[Ksyrup]

If you had Twitter, you have already heard that Harbaugh is confirmed as the next head coach of Michigan, the Dolphins, 49ers, (and he's also staying at Stanford.)

:D

That's true. But the same is true of the internet in general. I would just be a clueless jackass quicker with twitter.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You know, I have resisted twitter until now because I personally would have absolutely no use for it

Resistance is futile.

Well, actually not, but you're cheating yourself out of free occasional entertainment. I had to start for work purposes but my personal account rarely Tweets but reads quite a bit. The pro wrestlers Tweets alone (almost always OOC) are worth a couple minutes to me every day.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good luck with Brady Hoke and call me when Michigan beats Penn State again. ;)

Thanks! And I look forward to speaking with you in in the year 2015!

[RedKingGold]

Thanks! And I look forward to speaking with you in in the year 2015!

That's a bit optimistic now, don't you think?

[Ksyrup]

I just checked, and the 49ers play in Baltimore next season - assuming there is a 2011 and isn't majorly changed if they go to 18 games.

[Honolulu_Blue]

That's a bit optimistic now, don't you think?

Not with the Hokester at the helm.

[kingfc22]

I just checked, and the 49ers play in Baltimore next season - assuming there is a 2011 and isn't majorly changed if they go to 18 games.

Plus two games against Pete Carroll. :D

[RomaGoth]

Thanks for the insight, Mrs. Harbaugh.

lol. I almost spilled my coffee over this one. :lol:

[M GO BLUE!!!]

He was never going to Ann Arbor so get over it. It was NFL or Stanford.

I would have preferred Stanford.

It will be interesting to see what college he's coaching at in four years though. :popcorn:

[RedKingGold]

The Dolphins are a real circus. They canceled a 4:45 press conference which was meant to announce the rentention of Sparano, and now admit they had an interview set up with Eric Mangini for a "consultant" role.

Way to undo all that stability Parcells brought to that team, Mr. Ross.

[tarcone]

I would have preferred Stanford.

It will be interesting to see what college he's coaching at in four years though. :popcorn:

Michigan.

[Young Drachma]

Maybe it's not too late for Luck to change his mind...

[MrBug708]

What's your deal?

25 million dollars over 5 years.

[Butter]

LOLOLOLOLOL @ Michigan.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

LOLOLOLOLOL @ Michigan.

Um. Yeah. Remember that report that Tressell was leaving? May I quote you if it comes true? I see your laughter being more relief than anything else. Rest assured, one day in the next few years the winged helmet will once again walk off the field victorious over Miss Scarlet.

[Matthean]

LOLOLOLOLOL @ Michigan.

Because he was never going there in the first place?

[Logan]

Did the Dolphins just give a pity extension to Sparano at $3 million per for two?

[Matthean]

Reading a Harbaugh interview and I think the only reason he even did interviews at other places was based on he wanted to make sure the 49ers gave him an honest offer. It was Stanford, or the 49ers all the way due to Walsh being a huge idol for him while growing up.

[Butter]

Um. Yeah. Remember that report that Tressell was leaving? May I quote you if it comes true? I see your laughter being more relief than anything else. Rest assured, one day in the next few years the winged helmet will once again walk off the field victorious over Miss Scarlet.

I am sure one day that Tressel will leave and that Michigan will win yet again.

Until that day comes, I am having more fun that one should be allowed to have watching their rival flail about in the dark.

[Ksyrup]

FYI, just saw on Deadspin that Dan Shanoff created a new site called quickish.com, where he congregates twitter-type news/quotes/comments and posts them. Sounds like something that might tide me over without having to resort to getting on twitter.

[spleen1015]

Jim Caldwell should be fired.

[Ksyrup]

I think Caldwell was guilty of the "whatever the other guy wants to do, we have to do the opposite" way of thinking. You see it from time to time, like when a team purposely takes a penalty and the other team refuses it. He saw that the Jets wanted to run the clock down and kick the FG, so he foolishly thought that what was best for the Colts was disrupting what the Jets wanted to do. The fallacy is in thinking that the other guy's decision is right and/or in his team's best interest - and also in allowing your own decisions to be dictated by doing the opposite of what he does.

That's a pretty stupid/narrow-minded way of viewing a strategy decision. Especially when the other guy decides to change his strategy thanks to your move.

[spleen1015]

He did the same thing in the game against the Jags, where they kicked a 59 yard FG to win. The Jags were sitting on the ball, content to go into OT and Caldwell called a TO that let them run another play and get into FG position.

Not to mention he challenged that first punt return and it was obvious Holmes didn't touch the ball.

There were lots of mistakes made by the Colts at the end of the game, but this was the worst I think. The Jets went from kicking a 50 yard FG to a 31. It was just plain stupid.

[Ksyrup]

Looks like Ron Rivera to Carolina.

[AFShadow]

John Fox new Head Coach of Broncos.

[Logan]

Sounds like a good fit.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Sounds like a good fit.
Yeah, at this point, we Broncos fans will take a guy who can pump out a 7-9 or 8-8 season year after year.

I hate everything. :(

[RedKingGold]

Yeah, at this point, we Broncos fans will take a guy who can pump out a 7-9 or 8-8 season year after year.

I hate everything. :(

Bah, Fox had the Panthers from 1-15 to almost winning the Super Bowl in two years. Orton now is better than Dehlomme in his prime and with the second overall pick, the Broncos are guaranteed a defensive line stud like D'Quan or Fairley. Finally, your division has clueless Norv, Matt Cassel, and the Raiders.

With a fourth place schedule, Broncos are an early dark horse to win the 2011 AFC West IMO.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Bah, Fox had the Panthers from 1-15 to almost winning the Super Bowl in two years. Orton now is better than Dehlomme in his prime and with the second overall pick, the Broncos are guaranteed a defensive line stud like D'Quan or Fairley. Finally, your division has clueless Norv, Matt Cassel, and the Raiders.

With a fourth place schedule, Broncos are an early dark horse to win the 2011 AFC West IMO.
The Broncos will not win the AFC West unless they upgrade almost every starter on their defense. They're pretty much terrible. In any case, good for John Fox for getting the Panthers to a Super Bowl two years after they went 1-15, but it's hard to get excited over a coach who has 3 winning seasons in 9 years. For much of that time, the NFC South was considered a fairly weak division, so I'm just not amped. At least he has experience under his belt, which is far more than we could say for McDaniels when the Broncos hired him.

I don't think it's a bad hire, and I don't really know if they had a shot at anybody better, so it's fine. My initial comment was just grabbing the low-hanging fruit of seeing the dude going 7-9 and 8-8 a whole bunch.

[AFShadow]

The Broncos will not win the AFC West unless they upgrade almost every starter on their defense. They're pretty much terrible. In any case, good for John Fox for getting the Panthers to a Super Bowl two years after they went 1-15, but it's hard to get excited over a coach who has 3 winning seasons in 9 years. For much of that time, the NFC South was considered a fairly weak division, so I'm just not amped. At least he has experience under his belt, which is far more than we could say for McDaniels when the Broncos hired him.

I don't think it's a bad hire, and I don't really know if they had a shot at anybody better, so it's fine. My initial comment was just grabbing the low-hanging fruit of seeing the dude going 7-9 and 8-8 a whole bunch.

I like the pick much better than anyone else they brought including Dennison. He is know for tough nosed defenses that average over his first 8 years about 18.6 points on defense which pretty good. Also, he is going to put in a power two back system here and get back to more of the running and defense know for in the SB Denver teams of the late 90s.

[AFShadow]

Bah, Fox had the Panthers from 1-15 to almost winning the Super Bowl in two years. Orton now is better than Dehlomme in his prime and with the second overall pick, the Broncos are guaranteed a defensive line stud like D'Quan or Fairley. Finally, your division has clueless Norv, Matt Cassel, and the Raiders.

With a fourth place schedule, Broncos are an early dark horse to win the 2011 AFC West IMO.


Orton will be traded anytime for a draft pick it sounds like from all indications here in Denver maybe a late 2nd or high 3rd. Also, there is talk to trade the LT Clady for a 2nd and move beadles to LT which I am fine with. I think the Broncos can trade one of the wideouts maybe Royal or Gaffney for a 3rd rounder since it is unlikely with the deepest WR corp in the NFL they are going to need them all with Fox's type of offense.

[Lathum]

the deepest WR corp in the NFL they are going to need them all with Fox's type of offense.

You really think the Broncos have the deepest WR core in the NFL?

[AFShadow]

Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, Jabbar Gaffney, Demarius Thomas, Eric Deckard and Matt Willis. It has to be near the top. If they had a better o line they may have been more successful.

[BishopMVP]

Orton will be traded anytime for a draft pick it sounds like from all indications here in Denver maybe a late 2nd or high 3rd. Also, there is talk to trade the LT Clady for a 2nd and move beadles to LT which I am fine with. I think the Broncos can trade one of the wideouts maybe Royal or Gaffney for a 3rd rounder since it is unlikely with the deepest WR corp in the NFL they are going to need them all with Fox's type of offense.I'm not sure what's more absurd - giving away Ryan Clady for a 2nd or thinking Gaffney is worth a 3rd.

[Lathum]

Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, Jabbar Gaffney, Demarius Thomas, Eric Deckard and Matt Willis. It has to be near the top. If they had a better o line they may have been more successful.

Other than Lloyd who has had one good season it seems like a collection of underwhelming guys and one young, unproven talent.

Off the top of my head I would say the Bengals, Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Cards, Ravens, and Steelers all have better corps.

[AFShadow]

I'm not sure what's more absurd - giving away Ryan Clady for a 2nd or thinking Gaffney is worth a 3rd.


Not saying I agree complete on Clady and he seemed to be playing hurt but he looked like shit this year. He got run over this year by everyone. I agree gaffney would not merit a 3rd and I would rather keep him but Royal they are not really using him enough to warrant keeping a very good player like him on the bench.

[RedKingGold]

You had me at Jabar Gaffney.

[BishopMVP]

Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, Jabbar Gaffney, Demarius Thomas, Eric Deckard and Matt Willis. It has to be near the top. If they had a better o line they may have been more successful.A head case on his 4th team in 6 years who finally had 1 above-average season, a guy with less than 1000 yards the last 2 seasons combined, a guy the Patriots released in favor of Kelley Washington, a guy who was a question mark because he played his college ball in a triple option scheme and has a career line of 22-283-2, and 2 guys with a combined total of 8 catches in 4 NFL seasons. I think you vastly overestimate the trade value, if not ability of all those guys.

[AFShadow]

Other than Lloyd who has had one good season it seems like a collection of underwhelming guys and one young, unproven talent.

Off the top of my head I would say the Bengals, Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Cards, Ravens, and Steelers all have better corps.

I would give you the Giants, Ravens, Bengals and that is it but not worth arguing with. Thomas when he wasn't hurt looked very good and Royal was great until McDaniels came in and turned the franchise into a dumpster fire. I am not a Broncos fan but just think Fox will be a very good coach for what they need. He is suppose to be not calling the shots on draft picks but instead will have equal voice with the GM and Elway. That is good because Fox's drafts were crap in Carolina other than Peppers.

[AFShadow]

A head case on his 4th team in 6 years who finally had 1 above-average season, a guy with less than 1000 yards the last 2 seasons combined, a guy the Patriots released in favor of Kelley Washington, a guy who was a question mark because he played his college ball in a triple option scheme and has a career line of 22-283-2, and 2 guys with a combined total of 8 catches in 4 NFL seasons. I think you vastly overestimate the trade value, if not ability of all those guys.


I guess it is a good thing neither of us is scout or in professional football as a personel guy;)

[RedKingGold]

Yes, because Fox was in charge of player personnel and made those bad draft picks during that time.

[Lathum]

I would give you the Giants, Ravens, Bengals and that is it but not worth arguing with. Thomas when he wasn't hurt looked very good and Royal was great until McDaniels came in and turned the franchise into a dumpster fire. I am not a Broncos fan but just think Fox will be a very good coach for what they need. He is suppose to be not calling the shots on draft picks but instead will have equal voice with the GM and Elway. That is good because Fox's drafts were crap in Carolina other than Peppers.

Eagles- JAckson, Avant, Macklin

Cowgirls- Miles, Bryant, Williams

Easily better than lloyd and co, just my two cents.

[AFShadow]

Eagles- JAckson, Avant, Macklin

Cowgirls- Miles, Bryant, Williams

Easily better than lloyd and co, just my two cents.


Agree on Cowboys forgot about Bryant since he was out most of the year. Disagree on Eagles most because of Avant and Vick made those receivers better than a guy like Orton did in Denver with McNumbnuts play calling and offense game plan or lack of one actually.

[BishopMVP]

I guess it is a good thing neither of us is scout or in professional football as a personel guy;)Eh... you can phrase it as you will. I've only seen limited clips of Thomas, Decker (in college), even Royal (who I actually do like), and have admittedly never even heard the name Matt Willis before now. But Jabar Gaffney I do know quite well... and if he's your #2, or even your #3, then no, you do not have a good receiving corps, let alone one of the best in the game. I won't say he's practice squad fodder, but he's the NFL equivalent of a AAAA player/min-sal JAG.

[AFShadow]

He would be the fourth receiver on this team but after I looked at his stats not as good as I thought except for the last year or two.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Can we at least all agree that Denver's defense is shit?

[AFShadow]

Can we at least all agree that Denver's defense is shit?


Absolutely terrible. They really need to find a way to sign Champ Bailey and get Perrish Cox out of jail or soon to be in it, then draft that safety out of UCLA, trade out of the #2 pick overall and see if they can stock pile some more picks in the 1st or 2nd round 2nd round and get a DT or two early as well as a a pair of LBs ....oh and get another RB to complement Moreno. Geez they are f@#$ed!

[Chief Rum]

You really think the Broncos have the deepest WR core in the NFL?

Actually, I agree with him that it is deep, in that you could replace one of the top guys with a backup and get darn near the same performance. The problem is the performance. ;)

[Thomkal]

Sounds like a good fit.

Having been witness to all of John Fox's career here at Carolina, I can tell you to get ready for a conservative, at times ultra conservative run first offense, at times frustrating playcalling on third and long where they will run the ball more than most teams, or short pass plays not close enough to the first down marker.

He's not a good evaluator of draft talent-look at the long line of WR's including the current ones at Carolina for that-made horrible trades on draft day and then chose a QB in the second round with their first pick of the draft when they had gaping holes and Matt Moore already on board. Okay so Moore turned out to suck, but no one was thinking that he would be this bad at the time of the draft.

On the defensive side of the ball, his teams usually are pretty good, so you should probably expect the same with Denver.

I am surprised that out of all the "big-name" former coaches looking for jobs this off-season, he's the one that got hired. I think he really needed a season off to recharge his batteries after a tough couple seasons in Carolina where he was a lame duck coach just waiting for his contract to run out.

[Matthean]

Having been witness to all of John Fox's career here at Carolina, I can tell you to get ready for a conservative, at times ultra conservative run first offense, at times frustrating playcalling on third and long where they will run the ball more than most teams, or short pass plays not close enough to the first down marker.

He's not a good evaluator of draft talent-look at the long line of WR's including the current ones at Carolina for that-made horrible trades on draft day and then chose a QB in the second round with their first pick of the draft when they had gaping holes and Matt Moore already on board. Okay so Moore turned out to suck, but no one was thinking that he would be this bad at the time of the draft.

On the defensive side of the ball, his teams usually are pretty good, so you should probably expect the same with Denver.

I am surprised that out of all the "big-name" former coaches looking for jobs this off-season, he's the one that got hired. I think he really needed a season off to recharge his batteries after a tough couple seasons in Carolina where he was a lame duck coach just waiting for his contract to run out.

And the offensive issues can be dealt with via an OC. Fox also doesn't need to have so much control over personnel decisions either. With Elway there, my guess is he's going to try and make sure the offense succeeds.

[gstelmack]

I am surprised that out of all the "big-name" former coaches looking for jobs this off-season, he's the one that got hired. I think he really needed a season off to recharge his batteries after a tough couple seasons in Carolina where he was a lame duck coach just waiting for his contract to run out.

Denver was getting desperate having been turned down so much. And I think a lot of the "big names" are waiting for the labor situation to figure itself out.

[Arles]

I'd put up Jennings, Driver, Jones and Jordy (you could even add in Finley for next season) above most teams - esp Denver.

[Eaglesfan27]

Pete continues his old patterns firing Jeremy Bates and bringing in Morton from USC to coach in Seattle.

[JediKooter]

What does zombie Al Davis have to say about all this?

[tarcone]

What does zombie Al Davis have to say about all this?

Brains. More Brains.

[Rizon]

Brains. More Brains.

Nah, I think brains are like kryptonite to Satan Davis.

[BishopMVP]

Pete continues his old patterns firing Jeremy Bates and bringing in Morton from USC to coach in Seattle.Hmm.... does Morton have "RB Dive" and/or "QB Sneak" in the playbook for 4th and 1? Could be an improvement if yes.

[cartman]

Looks like Fisher isn't going to be back with the Titans next season.

Titans, Jeff Fisher parting ways after turbulent offseason - NFL - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/01/27/titans-jeff-fisher/index.html?eref=sihp)

[RedKingGold]

Don Banks reporting that Jeff Fisher is out at Tennessee.

[Lathum]

Does that mean VY stays?

[Eaglesfan27]

Shitty move by Adams to wait to fire him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Does that mean VY stays?

Only if Al Davis ate Bud Adams brain.

[Lathum]

Shitty move by Adams to wait to fire him.

my thoughts as well, no more jobs left.

Moves like this always make me scratch my head, makes me wonder what proven coach would go work for a guy who would operate like that.

[Swaggs]

Fisher might look attractive to USC in another year.

[bhlloy]

Fisher might look attractive to USC in another year.

From where I'm standing he looks attractive right now. Can't think of too many kids who would be pissed if he took over for Kiffin.

[Matthean]

From where I'm standing he looks attractive right now. Can't think of too many kids who would be pissed if he took over for Kiffin.

If I were him, I would want to see what the final ruling is on scholarships.

[Eaglesfan27]

From where I'm standing he looks attractive right now. Can't think of too many kids who would be pissed if he took over for Kiffin.

Kiffin and staff are recruiting extremely well. I wouldn't take Fisher over Kiffin plus this staff right now. I would love Fisher if he keeps all of the staff except the 2 Kiffins.

[Rizon]

Wow

[miami_fan]

The owners are so pissed off at the players that they are taking it out on the coaches.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Ok, who saw this coming at this point?

[RainMaker]

Would love to have Fisher in Chicago.

[RedKingGold]

I think there will be another surprise firing or two, possibly targeted at getting Fisher.

[RainMaker]

Fisher would probably be smart to sit out the year and see where the chips fall in the offseason. Praying that the Bears don't give Lovie an extension. The Giants job could be open too for him.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I think there will be another surprise firing or two, possibly targeted at getting Fisher.

He'd have been a top target of the 49ers. Harbaugh out? :lol:

[RedKingGold]

My first thought is that Fisher could go to Miami. Ireland has already thrown Sparano under the bus, might as will finish the job.

[AFShadow]

Shitty move by Adams to wait to fire him.


Sounds more like a mutual parting of ways. Fisher is getting a 4-5 million buyout to not come back. It is being reported he wanted to bring his son on to the staff as some kind of entry level coach-quality control who set up drill sand do some very basic stuff below the other position coaches. Adams has a strict rule about nepotism in the organization and rejected Gregg Williams coming back as the Defensive coordinator since he wanted his son as a coach to be part a deal Adams killed that deal.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Sounds more like amutual parting of ways. fisher is getting a 4-5 million buyout to not come back. It is being reported he wanted to bring his son on to the staff as some kind of entry level coach-quality control who set up drill sand do some very basic stuff below the other position coaches. Adams has a strict rule about nepotism in the organization and rejected Gregg Williams coming back as the Defensive coordinator since he wanted his son as a coach to be part a deal Adams killed that deal.

Guess that rules Marty Schottenheimer out. (although it would be a perfect excuse... "Um, you see son, Bud's got this rule..."

[cuervo72]

I think there will be another surprise firing or two, possibly targeted at getting Fisher.

Norv!!!

[Izulde]

My first thought is that Fisher could go to Miami. Ireland has already thrown Sparano under the bus, might as will finish the job.

I still don't think Ireland should have gotten an extension, but I'd take Fisher over Sparano any day.

[Butter]

Bengals FINALLY get rid of offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. That guy hasn't been any good since the Carson Palmer knee injury season.