The 2012 NFL Coaching Carousel

[Dutch]

Since I don't see a scenario where Raheem Morris keeps the Bucs job, I'm very curious about what the options are as of right now. The Bucs in particular are looking for a coach that works well with youth and has a big rebuild task in front of him...but might find a few gems to get started with ths Bucs squad.

But not to make the Bucs-centric, here is the list of "names" for consolidation...which one(s) are going to make great head coaches?

From Sports Illustrated (Behold!) The List of Candidates most likely to be interviewed for Head Coaching Positions.



The most-sought after class


• Jon Gruden -- Could still pull a 180 and get back into the game, but
I can't find anyone who thinks he will, barring a ridiculous contract offer of
landmark porportion. Seems content to stay in TV and provide all the
answers.


• Bill Cowher -- As one league source told me this week, the longer
he's out, the more he's likely to stay out. Only team that might make a big
offer would be the Dolphins, but Cowher isn't likely to bite on that bait given
Miami's front office structure.


• Jeff Fisher -- Still young enough at 53 to coach for quite a while,
Fisher stands out in a crowd this year, even though his .538 career winning
percentage and one Super Bowl trip in 17 years isn't the stuff of Canton.


Second tier but maybe first choice


• Mike Sherman -- He had one bad year out of six in Green Bay, and it
cost him his job. Sherman has a good track record with quarterbacks, has been around the block in both the NFL and major college football, and his four playoff trips and three division titles with the Packers gives him instant
credibility. In this market, he will get interviewed, and very well could have
more than one team interested.


• Brian Billick -- He would listen to any interested teams, and might
surface as a strong Plan B option in places like Miami, San Diego, Tampa Bay or Jacksonville, where teams are likely to be looking for a hire with an offensive pedigree. But he too is happy with his TV career and won't jump at just any opening to get back on the sideline.

• Rob Ryan -- His brother's success with the Jets helps him, and his
brother's style with the Jets hurts him, too. Not every team is willing to hire
a Ryan brother. If his Cowboys make the playoffs, his candidacy might start
getting more oxygen.

• Mike Zimmer -- The Bengals defensive coordinator is not a
self-promoter, but he's widely respected within the game and has more than paid his dues. It's a year where so many teams are looking for an offensive-minded coach, but Zimmer will make someone glad they gave him a chance some day.

• Jay Gruden -- He's only been a coordinator in the NFL for one year,
but what a year it was for him in Cincinnati, helping the Bengals to the cusp of a playoff berth despite being led on offense by a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton and a rookie receiver in A.J. Green. Gruden, the kinder, gentler brother of Jon Gruden, is smart, a quick study, and he knows quarterbacking, having been a star at the position in both college and the Arena League.

• Mike Mularkey -- The former Bills head coach has been the offensive
coordinator for the Falcons during the most successful era in franchise history. He went 9-7 in his first season in Buffalo, no small feat as we have since learned.

Other names to know

• Todd Bowles -- The Dolphins interim head coach has done nothing but
enhance his reputation since taking over for Tony Sparano, winning big at
Buffalo, and dominating the Patriots in the first half last week in Foxboro. A
win at home against the Jets this week should make him a factor in Miami's
search.

• Brian Schottenheimer -- His star might be a bit dimmed at the moment
due to the Jets' underachievement, but New York's offensive coordinator is
bright and has those good NFL coaching bloodlines. He may have gotten more out
of Mark Sanchez in the past three years than anyone had a right to expect.

• Karl Dorrell -- Miami's quarterbacks coach is a former UCLA head
coach, and he has a very powerful ally in his corner in Bill Parcells, who
brought him to Miami in 2008. Dorrell helped quarterback Matt Moore re-invent his NFL career this season, and for teams looking for that particular help, he'll warrant an interview.

• Tom Clements -- Packers quarterbacks coach helped groom Aaron
Rodgers, and might have another starter-in-waiting in free-agent-to-be Matt
Flynn. If you can teach quarterback play in this league, you'll never go
unemployed for long.

• Tom Cable -- Has drawn good reviews for his first-year work in
Seattle, where he helped Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks running game become a force by the second half of the season. Has some baggage, but Cable has his fans within the league and Hue Jackson has essentially coached the team he took to 8-8 last year in Oakland to the same record so far.

• Joe DeCamillis -- The Cowboys special teams coordinator is the kind
of outside-the-box head coaching hire that once would never have been
considered. Then Baltimore hired John Harbaugh, another long-time special teams assistant, and it hasn't missed the playoffs since.

• Jerry Gray -- The Titans defensive coordinator has risen and fallen
over the years on the "hot'' coordinator list, but he's still someone NFL teams keep on their radar screens and is seen as a future head coach.

• Rob Chudzinski -- His work as Carolina's offensive coordinator this
season has been noticed. Getting Cam Newton ready to play as a rookie didn't happen magically.

• Mike McCoy -- He's only 39, and the league is swinging back away
from the ultra-young head coaching trend, but McCoy is the Denver offensive coordinator who justifiably has earned plaudits for helping Tim Tebow get ready for his starting shot this season. Changing offensive schemes in midseason is no picnic, but McCoy has pulled it off in Denver.

• Steve Spagnuolo -- No, the Rams head coach won't be someone else's
head coaching candidate once he's let go in St. Louis, but he will instantly be
the most sought-after defensive coordinator commodity in the league. I wouldn't be surprised if he out-distances the contracts of a couple of the NFL's lower-paid head coaches next season. Philadelphia and the Giants are both distinct possibilities, but he might have even more options to consider than those. Keep in mind a couple things: Spagnuolo still owns a home in Philly, and it's where his wife is from. And he and Andy Reid parted on good enough terms, as he did with Tom Coughlin in New York. Spagnuolo might even surface as the natural heir apparent for both the Eagles and Giants, whenever Reid and Coughlin are done.

Read more: Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Jim Caldwell in danger of losing jobs - Don Banks - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/12/29/black.monday.primer/index.html#ixzz1i7MXyUvs)

[BillJasper]

I'll never understand why the Raiders fired Tom Cable, I thought they were on the cusp of something special there.

After the Bills' collapse, I could see them shopping for a new head coach. I think Mike Sherman could be a fit there and Fitzpatrick could be a beautiful fit for the West Coast offense.

[miami_fan]

While I really would like a more offensive minded head coach, I would not be too upset if the Dolphins hired Mike Zimmer. Everything I have heard about him in the past has been positive and he seems to handle himself with class.

[CU Tiger]

I'll never understand why the Raiders fired Tom Cable, I thought they were on the cusp of something special there.

After the Bills' collapse, I could see them shopping for a new head coach. I think Mike Sherman could be a fit there and Fitzpatrick could be a beautiful fit for the West Coast offense.


Agree on both accounts....and I think SPiller would shine with someone other than Chan at the helm.

[RedKingGold]

I get the feeling Don Banks is close friends with Mike Sherman. Is he really going to be a HC candidate after flaming out in Green Bay and Texas AM? I especially laugh at him supposedly being a candidate for the Colts job, I'm sure that would thrill Peyton or Oliver Luck.

[Dutch]

While I really would like a more offensive minded head coach, I would not be too upset if the Dolphins hired Mike Zimmer. Everything I have heard about him in the past has been positive and he seems to handle himself with class.

I don't know much about Zimmer either, but yes, I'm only reading positive articles about him.

[Matthean]

If I'm an owner, I would grab somebody like Zimmer with Clements as an OC since he's only a QB coach now and call it a day. Depending on where I'm drafting, getting somebody like Kellen Moore would fit my need for a QB.

[Swaggs]

Isn't Sweatervest Tressel supposedly a possibility in Indianapolis?

[Bearcat729]

May the Browns please hire a good OC so that our coach doesn't look like he is in way over his head next year. I'm getting tired of the never ending cycle of suckiness.

[Blackadar]

Assuming that the Glazer's are willing to spend money, I think the Bucc's job is potentially the most promising. It's a young team with a lot of promising talent, including a guy who could be (and was last year) very good at the QB position. Like any 4-11 team, they need help at some positions (OL, WR, LB and DB), but they have the makings of a very good team already. They should wind up with pick #5 or #6 and the way the draft is shaking out they're going to have a chance to pick up the BPA at a couple of positions - OT (Kalil, Reiff), DB (Claiborne) or WR (Blackmon).

If I'm Jeff Fisher, this is the gig I'm looking at closely. Then again, the Glazer's have a history of not spending big on the Buccs, so that could be out the window...

[Ksyrup]

Saw a tweet this morning that Fisher was spotted at the Bucs hotel.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Lot Falcons fans hope you're right about Mularkey being a candidate for somebody.

[Dutch]

Down goes Raheem Morris and the entire Bucs coaching staff! Time to straighten this mess out.

[hoopsguy]

While I really would like a more offensive minded head coach, I would not be too upset if the Dolphins hired Mike Zimmer. Everything I have heard about him in the past has been positive and he seems to handle himself with class.

Yep, contrast what that guy has done as a defensive coordinator compared to a boob like Rob Ryan. Honestly, I have a hard time taking the quoted article seriously when they suggest Ryan and Zimmer in the same tier of candidates.

[Grover]

Someone please hire Jon Gruden. Give him whatever he wants. Anything to get him off of Monday Night Football.

Awesome quotes on Gurden from Mike Pereira.

I am not a fan of Gruden’s. Not today, not yesterday, not when I worked for the NFL and not when I was working on the field as a side judge. He was a loudmouth as a coach who constantly disrespected officials and he is a blowhard in the broadcast booth who spouts off when he doesn’t know what he is talking about.

Monday night during the Falcons-Saints game, in the second quarter alone, Gruden butchered two plays regarding hits on defenseless receivers.

Gruden didn’t know the difference between the two hits. Well, let me help. Lofton’s was helmet-to-helmet, while Jenkins’ hit was shoulder to back. Duh!

Gruden said he doesn’t understand how games are being officiated? Correctly and consistently in this case. But that’s OK, Jon. Just throw the officials under the bus when you don’t know the rules.

Other thoughts: I'd hate for Cincy to lose Mike Zimmer, but his time is definitely up. If not this year, certainly next year, he's too good of a coordinator to not get a shot at a head coaching position.

I can't see anybody hiring Rob Ryan. Mostly because of the loud-mouthed Rex, but also because of how awful the Cowboys defense looked at times this year.

If the rumor about Jeff Fisher at the Bucs hotel is true, I think he'd be an excellent choice for the team.

[JPhillips]

Spagnuolo should go back to NY as the DC.

[sabotai]

Spagnuolo should go back to NY as the DC.

Should and I'd love it if that happened, but the Giants won't fire Fewell now that they've made the playoffs, and teams that haven't made the playoffs and will be cleaning house on their defensive side while the playoffs are going on will have first crack at him (like maybe the Eagles....)

[Logan]

Yeah I read that even if the NYG DC job was open, Spags was planning on going to Philly.

[korme]

I'd be upset to see either Zimmer or Gruden go. Zimmer's been through so much with the club, he means almost as much to this franchise as Marvin. And Jay Gruden has brought so much to the table, part being Dalton's decision making, but those years with Carson and Bob Bratkowski were so terrible

[JPhillips]

Spags in Philly would be bad news for the Giants.

I can see Zimmer getting a job, but I just don't think Gruden has enough experience. I think he did a very good job, but his offense was still ranked in the bottom third and they failed to beat a single winning team. In a few years I'd look at him, but he's a huge risk right now.

[rowech]

I'd be upset to see either Zimmer or Gruden go. Zimmer's been through so much with the club, he means almost as much to this franchise as Marvin. And Jay Gruden has brought so much to the table, part being Dalton's decision making, but those years with Carson and Bob Bratkowski were so terrible

Zimmer has been the most important coach the Bengals have had since Wyche.

[rowech]

Spags in Philly would be bad news for the Giants.

I can see Zimmer getting a job, but I just don't think Gruden has enough experience. I think he did a very good job, but his offense was still ranked in the bottom third and they failed to beat a single winning team. In a few years I'd look at him, but he's a huge risk right now.

I assume people are talking about John Gruden, not Jay. I don't think Jay is going anywhere unless it's to coach under his brother.

[DeToxRox]

Mort is reporting that Indy gutted everything; Both Polian's gone and the coaching staff.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

Mort is reporting that Indy gutted everything; Both Polian's gone and the coaching staff.
regardless of the future this was the smart move.

[JPhillips]

I assume people are talking about John Gruden, not Jay. I don't think Jay is going anywhere unless it's to coach under his brother.

Jay's name is showing up on all sorts of lists. He's supposedly a candidate for all three FL jobs as he has experience there in the AFL.

[bronconick]

If they did that, I'd expect that they'll try to deal Manning.

[BillJasper]

Mort is reporting that Indy gutted everything; Both Polian's gone and the coaching staff.

About time. They were in total disarray there.

[JPhillips]

Don't the Polian's own the team? They can't be "gone" in any real sense then (although yeah, they could step back from day-to-day involvement more).

No, Jim Irsay is the owner.

edit: DT, Where the hell did that go?

[DaddyTorgo]

No, Jim Irsay is the owner.

edit: DT, Where the hell did that go?

LMAO. I realized after I posted it that Irsay was the owner and not the Polian's, so rather than edit it somehow I just deleted it.

Momentary brain-fart.

[BillJasper]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Tom Clements linked to Indy with Luck coming aboard.

[Atocep]

If they did that, I'd expect that they'll try to deal Manning.

He's pretty much untradable. $28 million roster bonus is due 5 days before the next trade window opens. They could maybe get him to delay that bonus, but that means they'd have to find someone willing to give up something and pay the roster bonus up front.

I have a hard time seeing any scenario where he isn't just released sometime before March 8th.

I think the Jets, Seahawks, and Redskins make the most sense for him.

[BillJasper]

I think Miami may make sense.

He'll have Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall and Anthony Fasano. Plus Jake Long protecting his back side.

Stephen Ross really wants to make a splash and this may be his chance.

[rowech]

He's pretty much untradable. $28 million roster bonus is due 5 days before the next trade window opens. They could maybe get him to delay that bonus, but that means they'd have to find someone willing to give up something and pay the roster bonus up front.

I have a hard time seeing any scenario where he isn't just released sometime before March 8th.

I think the Jets, Seahawks, and Redskins make the most sense for him.

There's no chance he plays in the NFC, let alone in the same division as Eli.

[JPhillips]

Why would Manning want to get into the middle of the mess developing in NY?

I still think Chicago makes a lot of sense.

[Matthean]

Why would Manning want to get into the middle of the mess developing in NY?

I still think Chicago makes a lot of sense.

Of Chicago's issues, I don't think QB play ranks important enough to trade for Peyton. If Cutler can't stay healthy, how is Peyton suppose to?

[cougarfreak]

Doesn't the owner in Indy love Manning? I figured this was a sign he'd be staying........

[Atocep]

Why would Manning want to get into the middle of the mess developing in NY?

I still think Chicago makes a lot of sense.

Cutler is the QB in Chicago and the Bears wouldn't even consider Manning to honest. Plus, putting Manning behind the Bears line would be about as bad of a personnel decision as you could make.

He's going to be 36 next season so the number of teams that have any interest in him is going to be relatively small (smaller than most would probably think considering it's Peyton Manning we're talking about). I doubt any team with a QB in place or a 1st round pick from this past draft will be very interested.

That leaves the Jets, Dolphins, Redskins, Seahawks, Chiefs, Browns, Bills, Rams, 49ers, and Redskins. It's likely his next team comes from that group.

You can probably eliminate the Browns and Rams immediately.

The Redskins are in the discussion because Dan Snyder wouldn't flinch when paying the roster bonus.

Manning probably only has a couple of years left so you're looking for a team that is set to compete now. The Jets are there. The Seahawks are there. The 49ers are there.

His AFC options are weak. The 49ers would be a fantastic fit. The Jets are probably his best option if he wants to stay in the AFC. The Seahawks wouldn't be a bad choice IMO.

[JPhillips]

I think Chicago can compete, but has a small window, because of the age of the defense. They could trade Cutler and recoup a lot of what they give up for Manning. He'll make them instantly at least two games better and that would get them to the playoffs.

San Fran is probably a better fit, if he can work with Harbaugh, but Chicago could work for both he and the team.

[Matthean]

I think Chicago can compete, but has a small window, because of the age of the defense. They could trade Cutler and recoup a lot of what they give up for Manning. He'll make them instantly at least two games better and that would get them to the playoffs.

San Fran is probably a better fit, if he can work with Harbaugh, but Chicago could work for both he and the team.

Peyton with no WRs and a bad OL isn't the fit you are thinking it is.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

Cutler is the QB in Chicago and the Bears wouldn't even consider Manning to honest. Plus, putting Manning behind the Bears line would be about as bad of a personnel decision as you could make.

He's going to be 36 next season so the number of teams that have any interest in him is going to be relatively small (smaller than most would probably think considering it's Peyton Manning we're talking about). I doubt any team with a QB in place or a 1st round pick from this past draft will be very interested.

That leaves the Jets, Dolphins, Redskins, Seahawks, Chiefs, Browns, Bills, Rams, 49ers, and Redskins. It's likely his next team comes from that group.

You can probably eliminate the Browns and Rams immediately.

The Redskins are in the discussion because Dan Snyder wouldn't flinch when paying the roster bonus.

Manning probably only has a couple of years left so you're looking for a team that is set to compete now. The Jets are there. The Seahawks are there. The 49ers are there.

His AFC options are weak. The 49ers would be a fantastic fit. The Jets are probably his best option if he wants to stay in the AFC. The Seahawks wouldn't be a bad choice IMO.
+1 well said. both mannings in ny would be be a marketing coup. and the jets love being the center of attention.

[BillJasper]

I think Chicago can compete, but has a small window, because of the age of the defense. They could trade Cutler and recoup a lot of what they give up for Manning. He'll make them instantly at least two games better and that would get them to the playoffs.

San Fran is probably a better fit, if he can work with Harbaugh, but Chicago could work for both he and the team.

Are you sure that it'd be smart to put a 35 year-old QB with fused vertebrae into a Mike Martz offense with a porous offensive line? Cutler has absorbed alot of hits over the last couple years.

[JPhillips]

I'd expect Martz to be gone if Manning came in. Peyton couldn't work with that strong a coordinator.

[JPhillips]

Peyton with no WRs and a bad OL isn't the fit you are thinking it is.

It worked pretty well that last few years in Indy.

[BillJasper]

I'd expect Martz to be gone if Manning came in. Peyton couldn't work with that strong a coordinator.

Doesn't change the fact that their offensive linemen resemble five turnstiles. :D

[DeToxRox]

Bills fired their DC and replaced him with Wannstash.

[DaddyTorgo]

It worked pretty well that last few years in Indy.
:lol:

[BillJasper]

Bills fired their DC and replaced him with Wannstash.

Needed to fire Gailey and get it over with.

[SunDevil]

Bills fired their DC and replaced him with Wannstash.

So that means that Wannstedt will be the future head coach in the next year or two, correct? Can't say that the Bills and Wannstedt seem like a match made in heaven.....

[Ksyrup]

Posted this in week 17, but I guess it goes here.

JasonLaCanfora (http://twitter.com/#!/JasonLaCanfora) Jason La Canfora
Jerry Angelo is out as Bears GM. The team's football staff was informed of the development this morning. More on NFL Network

[Autumn]

I've never heard anything but huge praise for Polian. I don't follow Indy closely, but other than their trainwreck of a season, what was it that got him fired? Is he not as good as his reputation suggests?

[ISiddiqui]

I think this season showed that the Colts had a LOT of flaws, but Peyton covered them up by his amazing play.

[JediKooter]

Why is it Tuesday and Norv Turner is not fired yet? Seriously Spanos, what is there to think about? Pull the trigger already.

[Logan]

Pretty terrible drafting for a number of years. Peyton masked the issues for a long time.

edit:

I think this season showed that the Colts had a LOT of flaws, but Peyton covered them up by his amazing play.

Whoops, didn't realize we were on page 2.

[Ksyrup]

Why is it Tuesday and Norv Turner is not fired yet? Seriously Spanos, what is there to think about? Pull the trigger already.

Granted this homework should have already been done, but as a couple of college coaching searches proved just a few weeks ago... if you don't have a plan for the replacement hires, don't go firing anyone yet.

[BillJasper]

Why is it Tuesday and Norv Turner is not fired yet? Seriously Spanos, what is there to think about? Pull the trigger already.

I have a bad feeling you're getting another season of the Norv Turner experience. :lol:

[Rizon]

Why is it Tuesday and Norv Turner is not fired yet? Seriously Spanos, what is there to think about? Pull the trigger already.

http://i.imgur.com/SOK3k.jpg

[JediKooter]

Why do I feel like I just got gang raped in prison? Not that I actually know what that's like, but, this seems like this is what it would be like.

[JediKooter]

Granted this homework should have already been done, but as a couple of college coaching searches proved just a few weeks ago... if you don't have a plan for the replacement hires, don't go firing anyone yet.

Can totally see that. However, Spanos only needs to know two names:

1. Jon Grueden
2. Bill Cowher

Those are the only two guys that will be able to get the current players to gel into a championship caliber team.


I have a bad feeling you're getting another season of the Norv Turner experience. :lol:

Spanos would do that. Heck, it took him way too long to get rid of Mike Riley and Bobby Bethard. :banghead:

[Ksyrup]

It's a 2-way street, though. They have to want the job.

Plus, if he's also firing the GM, that person would probably want some input on the coach, and the coach would want to know who he's working with before committing.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

bring schottenheimer back. they ran him out of town because he couldn't win the big one and they haven't sniffed it since.

[Ksyrup]

I was talking to someone here at work about that this morning. How in the world could you settle on Norv Turner as the guy to replace Marty as the coach to take you to the next level? It's almost comical.

[Blackadar]

Can totally see that. However, Spanos only needs to know two names:

1. Jon Grueden
2. Bill Cowher

Those are the only two guys that will be able to get the current players to gel into a championship caliber team.

I doubt either of those guys wind up in Miami. First of all, the Dolphins job isn't that attractive. There's no franchise QB and the team has many holes. There are other jobs far more attractive - Tampa, possibly San Diego, St. Louis, etc. - because those squads have good QBs and top talent.

Besides, I don't think Gruden is the coach for that team. The Dolphins are probably going to need to develop a young QB and Gruden has never been able to do that due to the complexity of his system. Cowher has already said that he would want a good, young QB to mold if he took over another coaching gig and Miami doesn't have that. Cowher wants GM control as well (whether direct or indirect).

I think that recent years have shown that "going young" with a coach doesn't work too well in most cases. So I think there will be a bunch of retreads this year. As such, if you're talking name coaches, I think the best fit for Miami is Brian Billick. He's interested in the job, has a good enough pedigree and could be pretty effective.

Among the young guys, Joe Philbin, Green Bay's offensive coordinator, is another good bet. I think he'll get too much credit for GB's offensive success, but he'll be on the radar. Given that Matt Flynn is a Free Agent, I could see that combo winding up in Miami. Rob Chudzinski from Carolina could also be a candidate after his work with the Carolina offense and Cam Newton this year.

[Logan]

I can't believe Turner is going to keep his job.

[mckerney]

Why is it Tuesday and Norv Turner is not fired yet? Seriously Spanos, what is there to think about? Pull the trigger already.

I'd like to know why it's Tuesday and the Vikings front office still has a job. :(

[mckerney]

Wait, what? I just saw Rick Spielman got promoted. FUUUUUUUUUCCKKKKKKKKKKK! :banghead:

[Coffee Warlord]

Martz is also gone for the Bears.

Though I find it moderately annoying that whoever the Bears sign as a new GM will apparently not have the authority to fire Lovie (seeing as they've already announced he is staying).

[DaddyTorgo]

Come hell or high-water hoodie will be there on the sideline for the Pats come next year. Comforting thought.

Although I find it amusing that this guy who is the Offensive Coordinator is getting interest from teams apparently - how'd that work out for Denver, or Notre Dame or Cleveland?

[RendeR]

Romeo will get the chiefs job and succeed there. I don't blame Romeo for Cleveland. That job almost ruined your beloved coach too. Don't forget that. =)

[Ksyrup]

What is it about Norv Turner?

[JediKooter]

Welp...here's to another non Super Bowl season in 2012. :banghead:

[JediKooter]

What is it about Norv Turner?

He's a team killer. He's soft. He lacks the killer instinct a head coach needs to put opposing teams away. He's predictable (1st down = run). Can't win when it counts. There's absolutely no consistency with his teams.

His win/loss record is extremely deceiving. His teams benefit from having a weaker schedule than the year before. 8-8 this year, so the Chargers will play a 8-8 schedule next year. Which means they'll probably go 11-5. Once they get the harder schedule for 2013, they'll drop back down to 8-8 again.

At least with Marty, you had consistency and the team played tough. Granted, there were some issues in the playoffs, but, those weren't all Marty's fault.

I'm sure there's more, but, that's all I can think of before lunch. I'm actually surprised that I'm hungry after reading that Norv and AJ are returning for the 2012 season.

[DaddyTorgo]

Romeo will get the chiefs job and succeed there. I don't blame Romeo for Cleveland. That job almost ruined your beloved coach too. Don't forget that. =)

Fair enough. Good point.

[mckerney]

His win/loss record is extremely deceiving. His teams benefit from having a weaker schedule than the year before. 8-8 this year, so the Chargers will play a 8-8 schedule next year. Which means they'll probably go 11-5. Once they get the harder schedule for 2013, they'll drop back down to 8-8 again.

Only two games in the schedule are determined by record, and it's not even record but where you place in your division. So the matchups decided by the record this year will be playing the Jets and the Titans.

[Grover]

Norv and AJ keeping their jobs. Wow. My first reaction to seeing that was "holy shit!" I was convinced they were done.

[tucker rocky]

What is it about Norv Turner?

Welp...here's to another non Super Bowl season in 2012. :banghead:

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTY5NDEzMTk0OF5BMl5BanBnXkFyZXN1bWU@._V1._SY314_CR4,0,214,314_.jpg

[JediKooter]

Only two games in the schedule are determined by record, and it's not even record but where you place in your division. So the matchups decided by the record this year will be playing the Jets and the Titans.

Looking at the standings, I thought for sure the Chargers ended up in 3rd place. Didn't realize it was 2nd place. So, looks like it will be another 8-8 season at best for them in 2012.

[BillJasper]

Congratulations JediKooter!

[spleen1015]

The loveable Bob Kravitz is saying he thinks that the Colts are already talking to Jeff Fisher. Man, I hope so. I like that dude as a coach.

[Atocep]

Martz is also gone for the Bears.

Though I find it moderately annoying that whoever the Bears sign as a new GM will apparently not have the authority to fire Lovie (seeing as they've already announced he is staying).

Rumor is they're leaning toward hiring McKenzie from the Packers and since he's close friends with Lovie they know Lovie would be safe.

Angelo and Martz both needed to go but I have zero faith in the Bears getting this right. It sounds like Tice is in line for promotion to OC and Lovie seems convinced the offense is fine and that it's the defense needs rebuilt.

I fully expect them to continue to try to run a 90s offense and talking about how big of a deal it is to rush for 2k yards as a team while 6 teams have QBs that throw for more than 4,500 yards.

The Bears are going to be a mediocre organization until the McCaskies sell.

[Atocep]

After listening to the Bears press conference I'm 99% sure the next GM is Reggie McKenzie.

I'm also pretty sure Lovie has been adopted as a McCaskey. He'll be in Chicago until he retires.

[Matthean]

I fully expect them to continue to try to run a 90s offense and talking about how big of a deal it is to rush for 2k yards as a team while 6 teams have QBs that throw for more than 4,500 yards.

The run based offense isn't what kept you guys from the playoffs.

[JediKooter]

Congratulations JediKooter!

Thanks. Someone has to be 2nd or there would be no first.

[Atocep]

The run based offense isn't what kept you guys from the playoffs.

The last time the Bears had an offense that ranked in the top HALF of the league in weighted DVOA was 2001.

The run-first philosophy is dated. It might not be what kept the bears out of the playoffs, but considering the resources put into the QB position rushing for 2k yards as a team shouldn't be the primary goal on offense.

The bears have been running a dated offense for years now because Lovie knows absolutely nothing about the offensive side of the ball. The offense this year ranked near the bottom of the league yet again with Forte and Cutler healthy and Lovie considered it a success because of the 2k rushing yards.

Lovie is a good coach and if he admitted he doesn't know anything about offense and let someone else make the hires on that side of the ball I'd be fine with him. However, we're stuck with an offense that has been in the bottom 3rd of the NFL for years now and if Tice is promoted I don't see that changing.

[BillJasper]

Thanks. Someone has to be 2nd or there would be no first.

Hey, I live vicariously through those second place finishes. I'm a Dolphins fan after all. :lol:

[JediKooter]

Hey, I live vicariously through those second place finishes. I'm a Dolphins fan after all. :lol:

Nice! I like the Dolphins as well. Some good games between the Chargers and Dolphins...many years ago.

[BillJasper]

Nice! I like the Dolphins as well. Some good games between the Chargers and Dolphins...many years ago.

An added bonus is that it ensures we don't hire Norv as our next head coach. :D

My Dad loved the Chargers back when they had Fouts, Winslow and Joiner. I've kept one eye on them ever since.

[JediKooter]

An added bonus is that it ensures we don't hire Norv as our next head coach. :D

My Dad loved the Chargers back when they had Fouts, Winslow and Joiner. I've kept one eye on them ever since.

That is very true. I wouldn't wish Turner as head coach on the Raiders, but, that's already happened. However, I would recommend him as Offensive Coordinator. Which I think he held that position in Miami?

Ah yes, the golden era of Air Coryell. The era where you didn't need a defense because your offense would score 45 points every game (except in the playoffs). Fouts, Winslow, Joiner, Chandler, John Jefferson, Chuck Muncie, Gil Byrd, Gary 'Big Hands' Johnson, Rolf Benirshcke and of course, intrepid back up to Fouts...Ed Luther.

[k0ruptr]

I think the Bears might of been a WC if Cutler and Forte hadnt gone down

damn 1-5 in there last 6 games. I didn't realize the collapse was that bad. When your 2 best offensive weapons go down thats what happens.

[gstelmack]

His win/loss record is extremely deceiving. His teams benefit from having a weaker schedule than the year before. 8-8 this year, so the Chargers will play a 8-8 schedule next year. Which means they'll probably go 11-5. Once they get the harder schedule for 2013, they'll drop back down to 8-8 again.

This keeps coming up, but the reality changed when they went to 8 divisions years ago. Only 2 games each year are affected by the finish the year before. You still play 6 against your division, 4 against a division in the same conference, 4 against a division in the other conference, and 2 that match you up with the same place finisher in a different division (I believe it's the other 2 divisions within the conference, but not 100% sure). Those last 2 games are the only ones affected by your finish the year before.

[RendeR]

You're right about that, but when you consider the someone in the AFC west in 3rd place will get the dolphins and Bengals while the 1st place team will get the Patriots and Ravens, I think it makes a huge difference. They might win 1 or both in 3rd place. They're not guaranteed winning either game in 1st place.

2 games where you go in hoping to not get killed and make a game of it is far worse than two games where you go in thinking you can take these guys.

And if you think 2 games can't change a season go talk to Philly, San Diego, or Tennessee, the Jets, raiders, chiefs etc etc.

[JediKooter]

This keeps coming up, but the reality changed when they went to 8 divisions years ago. Only 2 games each year are affected by the finish the year before. You still play 6 against your division, 4 against a division in the same conference, 4 against a division in the other conference, and 2 that match you up with the same place finisher in a different division (I believe it's the other 2 divisions within the conference, but not 100% sure). Those last 2 games are the only ones affected by your finish the year before.

You don't watch many games where Norv Turner is the head coach of any given team do you? Trust me, with any other coach, your point is more than valid. With Norv, throw it all out the window. He's a great 3rd or 4th place schedule coach. He's great when the games don't matter. Not so much with those 1st place schedules and big games.

[JediKooter]

Perfect title for this article linked below:

Norv Turner, A.J. Smith kept on by Chargers in baffling decision - Don Banks - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/01/03/norv.turner/index.html?xid=cnnbin)

[TRO]

And if you think 2 games can't change a season go talk to Philly, San Diego, or Tennessee, the Jets, raiders, chiefs etc etc.

The Chiefs 2010 1st place schedule earned them the right to play the 2011 Colts.

[Samdari]

You're right about that, but when you consider the someone in the AFC west in 3rd place will get the dolphins and Bengals while the 1st place team will get the Patriots and Ravens, I think it makes a huge difference. They might win 1 or both in 3rd place. They're not guaranteed winning either game in 1st place.

2 games where you go in hoping to not get killed and make a game of it is far worse than two games where you go in thinking you can take these guys.

And if you think 2 games can't change a season go talk to the Jets, raiders, chiefs etc etc.

Raiders won their two position based games, as did Tennessee. Chiefs went 1-1, but would have lost tiebreakers if they had gone 2-0. The two games based off finish kept none of those teams out of the playoffs - their poor play did. Also, the Chargers won their two games based on place of finish, even beating #2 seed Baltimore.

As a Jet fan, I can tell you that THE game that kept them out of the playoffs was the Denver game. Have a lead with two minutes left, facing a high school quarterback. You've got to win. Jets went 1-1 in their two "place" games, but I would point to the 2-2 record against a terrible AFC West as the real reason they did not make it, not having had to play Baltimore. Their 2nd place finish also got them a game with Jacksonville, so it hardly doomed them.

Similarly, while Philly's two first place games were somewhat tough, and they lost both, like 4 other games, they had 4th quarter leads in both of those games. Was it their inability to hold those leads or their schedule that doomed them?

And, as TRO points out, these games don't always give you a tougher schedule. The 2010 NFC North championship earned the Bears games vs Philly and Seattle. Second place GB got New York and St. Louis, Third place Detroit got Dallas and San Francisco. I am not thinking the first place schedule doomed Chicago here.

I really think this "first place schedule, last place schedule" is the most overrated and overdiscussed things in the NFL. Play well, win games. Play poorly, lose games. Lose key players, your season tanks. Stay healthy, win games.

Also, in regard to who the teams in the NFC West will face, it is almost a certainty that one of the games you think will be easy will prove hard, and one that you think will be difficult will be easy. In other words, either Cincy will prove a tougher game than Baltimore, or Miami will prove easier than New England. I am confident in this because it happens every year.

[DeToxRox]

Schefter just tweeted that Jeff Fisher has said he will choose between STL and MIA next week if he decides to coach at all in 2012.

[miami_fan]

I am sure there is a good reason but looking at Jeff Fisher's body of work, I am struggling to see why he is the #1 free agent coach this offseason. Six winning seasons in 17 years as a head coach. One and done in three out his six playoff appearances.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I am sure there is a good reason but looking at Jeff Fisher's body of work, I am struggling to see why he is the #1 free agent coach this offseason. Six winning seasons in 17 years as a head coach. One and done in three out his six playoff appearances.
I've been banging that drum for years, but people basically told me to screw myself and just admit that Jeff Fisher is an awesome coach.

[Coffee Warlord]

Annnnnd....Bears promote Tice to OC.

Le Sigh.

[Atocep]

Annnnnd....Bears promote Tice to OC.

Le Sigh.

And it looks like they missed out on hiring both McKenzie and Decosta. Shocking that people are passing on that job when you're handcuffing them from the start.

At least we get to watch more 90s football with power running and low percentage, down the field passing.

[miami_fan]

I've been banging that drum for years, but people basically told me to screw myself and just admit that Jeff Fisher is an awesome coach.

I never really paid that much attention to him or the Titans so I don't know. He may be a great coach who was hamstrung by poor personnel men and a crazy owner. Now that may make him perfectly qualified to work for the Dolphins. I just don't what make him so much more desirable than other potential coaches. Maybe the NFL has soured on the"hotshot" coordinators and have decided to go back to recycling previous head coaches.

[Dutch]

Should I feel bad or wrong for starting to think that Mike Sherman is a good fit for Tampa?

[Matthean]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/10spot-wildcard/impatient-owners-allow-coaches-develop--adam-schefter-10-spot

Interesting to read the top part of the article and think about a guy like Kubiak who in his 6th season finally got the Texans to the playoffs.

[stevew]

McDaniels to the Pats.

[Atocep]

Rumor is Tim Ruskell is now the front runner for the Bears GM job.

Are they even trying?

[SFL Cat]

My post season thoughts...

Dan Marino is almost 100% convinced that Bill Cowher won't be coaching in the NFL next season.

Jon Gruden is also 100% serious about not coaching in the NFL next season...well, at least 99.6% anyway...

Miami -- interviewed the Packers O Coordinator -- If he's hired, would Matt Moore become the next Matt Flynn? Even more intriguing, if he is hired, would the Dolphins make it a priority to go get Flynn during the offseason? I know one former Dolphins player/sportscaster who didn't like the idea of going after Flynn and said so on the air...Joe Rose.

San Diego -- I'm thinking Norv Turner must have some nekkid pictures of Spanos hidden away in a vault somewhere. The dude has never impressed as a HC...not at Washington, not at San Diego. I think just about any other COMPETENT HC would have had the Chargers in at LEAST one Super Bowl during the past five years.

Dallas -- With Jerry as GM, it doesn't matter who is on the sidelines...this team will ALWAYS underachieve. That said, not sold on Jason Garret...DEFINITELY not sold on Rob Ryan, and losing patience with Tony Romo.

Tampa Bay -- From runner up Coach-of-the-Year to the Outhouse ... oh what a fickle mistress fate can be.

Indianapolis -- Polians getting the axe is no surprise. They've been coasting on their reputation and Peyton Manning's arm for years.

Kansas City -- Sounds like they'll be choosing between Josh McDaniels or Romeo Crennel...Really?

St. Louis -- Looking like Jeff Fisher will be the man.

Tampa Bay and Jacksonville -- Hey...it's FLORIDA!!! Doesn't anyone want to coach in these places?

[cubboyroy1826]

Rumor is Tim Ruskell is now the front runner for the Bears GM job.

Are they even trying?

I sure hope this is a false rumor. Ruskell is definitely not what the Bears need. Angelo brought him in so isn't that guilt by association?

[Atocep]

I sure hope this is a false rumor. Ruskell is definitely not what the Bears need. Angelo brought him in so isn't that guilt by association?

Les Snead from the Falcons and Marc Ross from the Giants are the other candidates I've seen.

Here's a quote that made me a bit less than happy.

Lovie Smith -- who will have a hand in this process -- isn't necessarily searching for one of the big-name prospects as much as he's looking for someone he's comfortable with


I think Lovie Smith has become an adopted McCaskey.

[ColtCrazy]

Personally a little upset that Irsay didn't clean house on Caldwell so we would have a shot at Jeff Fisher. Now that's not an option.

Intrigues today to hear that CFL Alouettes GM Jim Popp is on the list of final candidates for the Colts GM spot.

[cubboyroy1826]

The whole let Lovie have a say in the process of hiring his boss is just ridiculous. If the Bears rely on Lovie who has had numerous assistants during his tenure, to pick a GM we are just doomed.

[Ksyrup]

So I see the Buccs are going to interview Dick Motta and Kevin Loughery, er...Wade Phillips and Brad Childress for their head coaching vacancy.

[Coffee Warlord]

The whole let Lovie have a say in the process of hiring his boss is just ridiculous. If the Bears rely on Lovie who has had numerous assistants during his tenure, to pick a GM we are just doomed.

Hell, let's just look at the Defensive Coordinator position to sum up Lovie's judgement on hiring people.

He ran Ron Rivera out of town after the Super Bowl (and let's not forget how dominant the Bears D was under Rivera), and proceeded to promote his best buddy Bob Babich, who proceeded to suck. Moving on, he hires...himself as DC (not firing Babich mind you, just demoting him back to LB coach), before ceding the DC job to Rod Marinelli the following year.

[JonInMiddleGA]

(also posted this in the college coaching thread, it's kind of news for both, not sure how much crossover there is between the two threads)

Atlanta Falcons' Brian VanGorder named Auburn's defensive coordinator | al.com (http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/atlanta_falcons_brian_vangorde.html)

[Rizon]

LOL ... Raiders can Jackson.

Al Davis still running this team from the grave!

[spleen1015]

With Al Davis RIP, who is the mastermind in Oakland now?

[Rizon]

With Al Davis RIP, who is the mastermind in Oakland now?

The Ghost of Al Davis

[stevew]

Hue Jackson deserved to be shitcanned. He grabbed the power reigns and made a questionable trade for Palmer. How he was able to have the juice to pull off a move like that is only explainable by the fact that he worked for the Faiders.

[bulletsponge]

zombie davis, which is a slighty worse smelling living davis

[BillJasper]

Saw this coming as soon as the Raiders hired McKenzie. Jacson always reminded as a snake looking out for solely his best interest. Good to see him canned and someone like Moss get a shot.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Saw this coming as soon as the Raiders hired McKenzie. Jacson always reminded as a snake looking out for solely his best interest. Good to see him canned and someone like Moss get a shot.
Wait, the Raiders brought Randy Moss back? YAY, THE BRONCOS ARE GOING TO WIN THE DIVISION AGAIN NEXT YEAR!!!

Edit: Oh.

[JediKooter]

I actually liked Jackson. Hearing him on the radio giving interviews, he sounded like he knew what he was doing. A much better interview than say, Mike Singletary, that's for sure.

Not much he can do about injuries and I don't think the Palmer pick up was that bad. It wasn't like he traded draft picks for David Carr or someone like that.

[BillJasper]

I actually liked Jackson. Hearing him on the radio giving interviews, he sounded like he knew what he was doing. A much better interview than say, Mike Singletary, that's for sure.

Not much he can do about injuries and I don't think the Palmer pick up was that bad. It wasn't like he traded draft picks for David Carr or someone like that.

We had him here in Cincy here for a while, pretty underwhelming figure.

[JediKooter]

We had him here in Cincy here for a while, pretty underwhelming figure.

Oh ok cool. Didn't realize he was there in Cincy. Explains the Palmer trade a little more.

[RendeR]

Underwhelming eh? Someone doesn't pay attention to the receivers in Cincy.

Jackson is an excellent coach who follows the best practices of any number of elite coaches. he's not done in this league. The Raiders seriously fucked the pooch on this one.

Jackson took what was at best going to be a 5-6 win team and had them fighting down to the wire for a playoff spot DESPITE massive injuries to his best players which would have left other teams looking like the Buffalo Bills.

Reggie McKenzie is the mistake. Someone record this so we can revisit it!

[Grover]

McKenzie's presser explaining his decision was pretty underwhelming and unconvincing.

[RendeR]

Frankly I'll be impressed if McKenzie doesn't have a heart attack and keel over before the draft gets here. Guy is NOT well.

[Blackadar]

Jackson took what was at best going to be a 5-6 win team...

Except the Raiders were an 8 win team last year as well, so that throws that out the window. I'm not saying the firing was a good idea, but don't exaggerate.

[JediKooter]

I don't know. The Raiders had the division in their hands when the injury bug started biting everyone on the team. Heck, it killed Al Davis.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

With Al Davis RIP, who is the mastermind in Oakland now?
isn't it his kid? checks wiki... 'the davis family'

bodes well.

[Danny]

Raiders hired Reggie Mckenzie to be their GM, one of the top brains from the Packers organization. Raiders were a 10 win team this year, but bad defensive coordinating and too many stupid penalties like always lost them a few games. Raiders need a coach who can actually instill some discipline in the team. Jackson's fate was sealed when he sold out his players following the week 17 loss to the Chargers. You just dont do that as a coach.

Edit that was my initial reaction, but the Raiders would likely have been better off just removing his GM duties like they did and hiring a better DC. I guess we will find out who they hire

[Danny]

That said, Jackson was a fantastic OC and it's too bad his ego and power tripping got in the way as he could have been a very good HC

[Danny]

The downside is of course how many coaches the team has gone through, but I'm willing to bet Hue did not want to give up all his decision making power from being GM himself and that struggle with the new GM is the main reason he was fired.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Source -- Jacksonville Jaguars hire Mike Mularkey as coach - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7448807/source-jacksonville-jaguars-hire-mike-mularkey-coach)

[stevew]

I predict that Hue never gets decision making power again.

[Matthean]

Source -- Jacksonville Jaguars hire Mike Mularkey as coach - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7448807/source-jacksonville-jaguars-hire-mike-mularkey-coach)

So, addition by subtraction for Atlanta?

[Danny]

I predict that Hue never gets decision making power again.

I doubt it as well. I am optimistic about the Raiders right now because for the first time in 40 years they have a real GM and one with an excellent pedigree.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So, addition by subtraction for Atlanta?

One would think so.

Meanwhile, I wonder how Jax fans feel about having the mastermind of the sparkling offensive performance against the NYG take over their team.

[Danny]

But was Mularkey at fault? He has a declining RB and perhaps a QB who is vastly overrated. He was pretty succesful with their offense overall outside of that playoff game

[Arles]

I doubt it as well. I am optimistic about the Raiders right now because for the first time in 40 years they have a real GM and one with an excellent pedigree.
Yeah, I'm feeling like a lot of Packers coaches/front office guys will be heading to Oakland. Good for the Raiders, but not great for the Pack.

[cubboyroy1826]

At least the Raiders were smart enough to give their new GM the power to fire the current coach. The Bears on the other hand are going to go on the cheap and hire Eddie Haskel or Ruskell to be their OC and things will stay the same for the next two years. Ugh I hate Ted Phillips and the McCaskey clan who cannot see to figure out how to run a team.

[Danny]

That was a legitimate question regarding Mularkey btw. They aren't TV very often out here and I missed their playoff game, so I know little outside of knowing their players have been productive fantasy guys the last few years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

But was Mularkey at fault? He has a declining RB and perhaps a QB who is vastly overrated. He was pretty succesful with their offense overall outside of that playoff game

There's a general sense that Mularkey gets a lot of the blame because the team was so schizo offensively. Here's something from an AJC writer (http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/01/09/caught-in-between-the-falcons-wound-up-going-nowhere/)that probably explains it better.

After the Falcons thrashed Tampa Bay to close the regular season, a buoyant Michael Turner cast an eye toward the postseason and told reporters, “We just have to go out and play Falcons football.”

Question: What now constitutes “Falcons football”?

Power running? (Sometimes, but not all the time.) The hurry-up offense? (Sometimes, but not all the time.) Strict attention to detail? (In previous seasons, but not this.) The capacity to extract the best from a cadre of gifted players? (Not even close.)

The 2011 Falcons got caught in between — they weren’t the grind-it-out bunch of old, but they weren’t the squadron of turbojets Thomas Dimitroff envisioned when he made his bold move to draft Julio Jones. The rookie receiver did his bit, but it was as if the Falcons never knew what to make of him. Sometimes they’d put him to work, but the Julio graft seemed forced. (Fun fact: Of the five plays that gained the most yardage in Sunday’s playoff game, all were made by the Giants.) ... Mularkey did fine work with a rookie quarterback and modest resources back in 2008, but the Falcons are no longer that team. Used properly, Matt Ryan is among the NFL’s 10 best at his position, but he needs a better offensive line, and he needs a system that can actually allow the offense to hurry, as opposed to standing at the line for 30 seconds with everybody making amusing hand gestures. (The Falcons ran the only no-huddle offense capable of dulling the senses.)

For all Dimitroff’s good work, the general manager hasn’t built up his O-line. Drafting Sam Baker in Round 1 was a pick made from the need to give the rookie Ryan a chance, but after four seasons Baker still isn’t a left tackle of the first rank, and the rest of the line is no longer forceful enough to sustain a power attack. Like Mularkey, Paul Boudreau’s best work came three seasons ago, and Dimitroff’s incredulity at his team’s failures on fourth-and-inches mightn’t augur well for the line coach. ... From the first, Dimitroff has insisted he and coach Mike Smith are “simpatico” in their approach. This was the first season in which in-house agendas seemed to diverge. Dimitroff drafted Jones because he envisioned his team being able to win games 35-31, but the Falcons rarely played that way. They were caught in a transition.

It’s time now to become what they were supposed to be. (It’s time to find a high-tech offensive mind — Mike Martz springs to mind, though his ego grates — to make this offense, as Roddy White boldly suggested over the summer, the Greatest Show on Turf.

[ISiddiqui]

Martz would definitely be interesting.

[BillJasper]

Sparano the front runner for the Jets OC job? Why would you bring him in when the biggest problem the offense has is that your QB has hit the wall developmentally? Not like Miami was shining at the QB position when Sparano was shown the door.

[Samdari]

The Raiders seriously fucked the pooch on this one.

In so many ways.

I kind of understand the Raiders giving Hue Jackson control over the 53 man roster during the season after Al died, there being noone else there to do it. But, seriously, how do you give a coach the power to trade that many future draft picks unless you are sure he is going to be there in that future?

They should have either not let Jackson make that trade, or hired a GM who wanted to work with him.

I am not sure that either the Palmer trade or the Jackson firing is the worst example of mismanagement I have ever seen by an NFL team, but the two together are just brutal.

[spleen1015]

Well, looks like the Colts have a GM. Can we get him in here so that he can fire Caldwell and talk to Fisher before he decides please?

[BillJasper]

They should have either not let Jackson make that trade, or hired a GM who wanted to work with him.



But what GM would actually want to work with him after he traded away a pair of high-draft picks for an aging QB and then throwing the team under the bus after missing the playoffs?

[Danny]

But what GM would actually want to work with him after he traded away a pair of high-draft picks for an aging QB and then throwing the team under the bus after missing the playoffs?

Yep, I have no doubt the Raiders hired the right GM. He was my first choice by far.

[Rizon]

Since moving back to Oakland, the Faders have had 3 times as many head coaches as they've had winning seasons.

[Danny]

That is sad, but not as sad as the fact that Art Shell as Head Coach of the Raiders personally won twice as many playoff games as the Lions have in the last 50 years.

[JediKooter]

So on KNBR yesterday evening, they said that it was Mark Davis that wanted Jackson gone and that the new GM was willing to work with Jackson. This was during an interview with Mike Silver.

[Julio Riddols]

They should keep someone, anyone, for the sake of continuity. I mean damn, how many different coaches' systems have the Raiders learned in the last 10 years? I feel the worst for Jason Campbell in all this. Dude deserves to go somewhere with some damn stability. He would probably be a better QB (Top 10?) by now if he had the chance to learn a system for more than a year at some point in his career.

[JediKooter]

Jason Campbell or Alex Smith? ;)

[Julio Riddols]

I'd rather have Campbell, hands down.

[Danny]

Campbell is a half decent QB, nothing more

[BillJasper]

So on KNBR yesterday evening, they said that it was Mark Davis that wanted Jackson gone and that the new GM was willing to work with Jackson. This was during an interview with Mike Silver.

This was probably after Jackson made it known to the whole world that he should be involved in picking the next GM. Not good form to show up and demand power from an owner that didn't hire you to begin with.

[BillJasper]

They should keep someone, anyone, for the sake of continuity. I mean damn, how many different coaches' systems have the Raiders learned in the last 10 years? I feel the worst for Jason Campbell in all this. Dude deserves to go somewhere with some damn stability. He would probably be a better QB (Top 10?) by now if he had the chance to learn a system for more than a year at some point in his career.

Campbell is a free-agent. So if he can find a stable situation he can go for it.

[JediKooter]

This was probably after Jackson made it known to the whole world that he should be involved in picking the next GM. Not good form to show up and demand power from an owner that didn't hire you to begin with.

That's very possible. If I remember correctly, Silver was putting two and two together with some of the stuff he was saying. Part of what I remember from the interview was: Mark Davis only interviewed one person for the GM job and decided to hire him after only meeting for 6 hours. Davis admitted to not being very knowledgeable to a lot of the ins and outs of running a NFL organization. I wish I could remember more, but, it really sounded like Davis was behind Hue being let go and not the GM, even taking Hue's comments out of the equation and the information that Silver had, he was shocked/surprised when Jackson was let go.

[BillJasper]

See I wasn't surprised.

Jackson made a very public power play on the whole GM deal. I felt that unless Mark Davis really liked him, he was going to be let go.

[JediKooter]

See I wasn't surprised.

Jackson made a very public power play on the whole GM deal. I felt that unless Mark Davis really liked him, he was going to be let go.

I guess they can bring in Brian Schotentakermimer now. :)

[BillJasper]

I guess they can bring in Brian Schotentakermimer now. :)

Schottenheimer better hope his Daddy gets the Tampa Bay job.

The moral of the Jackson story is don't pick a fight with the owner, because your going to lose.

[JediKooter]

Schottenheimer better hope his Daddy gets the Tampa Bay job.

The moral of the Jackson story is don't pick a fight with the owner, because your going to lose.

No kidding. I think Marty would definitely bring Brian on if he gets that job, now that he doesn't have to worry about AJ Smith firing him for trying to bring his son onto the coaching staff.

Yup, pretty much. Or at the very least, don't try to interject yourself into a process you weren't invited to.

[spleen1015]

Saw a tweet from I think Schefter earlier today that said Brian wouldn't follow his daddy, that he liked to do his own thing and not rely on daddy.

[spleen1015]

Dola,

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
If Marty Schottenheimer were to land the Bucs HC job, Brian Schottenheimer would not join as his OC. Brian prefers own path, other opps.

[BillJasper]

I guess the question is: who was the actual problem with the Jets, Sanchez or Schottenheimer?

My luck, Henne will follow Sparano to New York and they'll win multiple Super Bowls there. :lol:

[RendeR]

No worries of that. Jets won't win a SB with that freak for a head coach.

[bhlloy]

So clearly the Colts looked at the Eagles personnel moves last year and thought "we have to have this guy as our GM"?

[Matthean]

So clearly the Colts looked at the Eagles personnel moves last year and thought "we have to have this guy as our GM"?

I would lay the blame on the coaching staff and players well before the GM. The pieces are there, and I'm not sure how excited other teams will be to play them next year since they seemed to start to put it together towards the end of the season.

[Julio Riddols]

I do love Mr. Davis' haircut. He looks stunning.

[Kodos]

Not excited about the Jeff Fisher option. Can't we get Jon Gruden to come to Miami? PLLLLLLLEASE?

[Blackadar]

Not excited about the Jeff Fisher option. Can't we get Jon Gruden to come to Miami? PLLLLLLLEASE?

Be careful of what you ask for, you just may get it. Since winning the Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's players, Gruden's Tampa teams posted records of 7-9, 5-11, 11-5, 4-12, 9-7 and 9-7. That's 45-51 in 6 seasons, two playoff trips, no playoff wins. That's not great football.

To be fair, Fisher's last 7 seasons weren't any better at 54-58 with two playoff trips and no playoff wins. But I'd still give the edge to Fisher because I think he's a better fit for the youth movement that's needed in Miami.

[Kodos]

True. But he was almost .600 coaching in Oakland. I tend to think he will stay in the booth anyhow.

[Danny]

The problem with Gruden is his ego. He was a very good coach, but after having success and winning a SB, his Ego was his downfall.

[Kodos]

I think he has figured out that being a commentator is a better gig for your health than coaching is.

[JediKooter]

Same barber?

[spleen1015]

Peter King is tweeting Fisher to the Rams.

[Dutch]

Yup. I think the Dolphins make a play for Mike Zimmer now. Bucs need to make a move soon and it's reported they are going to interview Zimmer and Chud (Carolina OC) soon.

If the Bucs don't make a play for Zimmer, expect them to go Sherman or Marty Schottenheimer. I'm jumping on the Zimmer bandwagon.

[Matthean]

Peter King is tweeting Fisher to the Rams.

Too bad for them. They will improve by default, but I don't see him as a long term solution.

[MizzouRah]

Jeff Fisher to coach St. Louis Rams, source says - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7459236/jeff-fisher-coach-st-louis-rams-source-says)

[gstelmack]

Jeff Fisher to coach St. Louis Rams, source says - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7459236/jeff-fisher-coach-st-louis-rams-source-says)

ESPN still sticking with calling the reports that break a story (Peter King in this case) "sources", huh. Glad I don't have to watch them anymore and avoid their website like the plague. Closest I come to ESPN these days is any sports that happen to be on ABC.

[Ksyrup]

I've noticed on twitter over the past month or two that guys from places other than ESPN bend over backwards to acknowledge who broke stories. I think the industry has decided to separate themselves from the way ESPN conducts business.

[BillJasper]

At least Fisher will be able to see, everyday, the only Super Bowl trophy he ever came close to winning as a coach.

[Kodos]

The Dolphins need an owner who has some clue. Dreading to see who they will stick us with this time.

[MizzouRah]

ESPN still sticking with calling the reports that break a story (Peter King in this case) "sources", huh. Glad I don't have to watch them anymore and avoid their website like the plague. Closest I come to ESPN these days is any sports that happen to be on ABC.

haha.. yes.. I actually had my "source" call me with the news.. :lol:

[Matthean]

With Indy just now getting a GM, I wonder if they even make a coaching switch.

[BillJasper]

With Indy just now getting a GM, I wonder if they even make a coaching switch.

I think they have too. Caldwell showed that he didn't have a clue.

[Sweed]

Too bad for them. They will improve by default, but I don't see him as a long term solution.

I guess we'll see. As a Rams fan of over 40 years I'm glad to see them get an established guy rather than the hot OC or DC. Been down that road with absolutely no success.

Hell, when they got rid of Martz I was hoping they would go after Marty Shottenheimer. I hope he gets a job and wins. Not sure at this stage though that I would want him with the Rams but only due to age, knowing it would be a few years at best and you'd be looking again for a coach.

[Matthean]

Martz is set to retire.

[tarcone]

Greg Williams as Rams DC and Brian Schottenheimer as the OC.

This is going to be a solid coaching staff.

[spleen1015]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Colts announced they fired Jim Caldwell.

[JediKooter]

What did Caldwell do? Break Peyton's neck?

[Rizon]

What did Caldwell do? Break Peyton's neck?

I broke a chicken's neck last night. Just FYI.

[MacroGuru]

I broke a chicken's neck last night. Just FYI.

Was it so you could hit a curveball?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NwMmft2Mlzg/SjkAkc_ONdI/AAAAAAAABAU/ODdSpUOdKUc/s320/pdvd_004bmp-724091.jpg

[tucker rocky]

Greg Williams as Rams DC and Brian Schottenheimer as the OC.

This is going to be a solid coaching staff.

Gregg Williams is like a gypsy, going from team to team, selling his wares. :D

[tucker rocky]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Colts announced they fired Jim Caldwell.

Who might be the candidates to replace?

Last I looked, not much out there.

If that's the case, let Peyton be HC/OC. :D

[JonInMiddleGA]

Who might be the candidates to replace?

I'm gonna go out on a limb & say that Lane Kiffin won't get an interview ;)

[JediKooter]

I broke a chicken's neck last night. Just FYI.

But were you fired after doing it?

[Grover]

via the Miami Herald

The Dolphins liked Zimmer’s rèsumè, and he and general manager Jeff Ireland have a good relationship. But one source said he might have been too blunt and honest for the Dolphins’ liking. Zimmer can be outspoken at times, including calling former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino a “gutless b--tard” for leaving the job without telling any of his assistants.

Pot, meet kettle. You're both black. I suppose Ireland wasn't being too outspoken when he asked Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute.

[ISiddiqui]

And Zimmer is 100% correct on Petrino.

[bhlloy]

Hearing Jeff Ireland crying about Fisher not taking the Miami job was absolutely awesome given how he treated Sparano last summer. I like to think that had a big role in Fisher's decision just for karma's sake even if it didn't.

Not sure how that guy has a job, but I guess I can root for more bad things to happen to him along the way before his inevitable firing. Sorry Dolphins fans.

[JPhillips]

Zimmer's problem has always been a poor interview. He's not one to sugarcoat anything. I could see why a GM wouldn't want to deal with him.

[Ksyrup]

Especially in a city like Miami, the fans are only going to respond to a TV personality-type head coach. Zimmer would have been a debacle. Good for Cincy, though.

[gstelmack]

If that's the case, let Peyton be HC/OC. :D

I've been waiting for Peyton to retire then head to New England to be QB Coach followed by OC to Brady :devil:

[spleen1015]

Who might be the candidates to replace?

Last I looked, not much out there.

If that's the case, let Peyton be HC/OC. :D

There's lots of shitty names being thrown around in the local media, but I don't think they know WTF they are really talking about.

Wade Phillips
Marty Mornhinweg
Bill Cowher
Jon Gruden
Marty Schottenheimer
Brad Childress

Other than Cowher and Gruden, I don't believe any of those choices are worth a damn.

If they pick someone that was once a head coach that wasn't worth a damn, then I will be disappointed. Phillips, Mornhinweg, Schottenheimer, and Childress would be terrible choices. I want them to go find an up and coming coach that will make an impact, find the next Mike Tomlin.

I don't think Irsay is that dumb though.

[Blackadar]

I want them to go find an up and coming coach that will make an impact, find the next Mike Tomlin.

A lot of teams tried this after Tomlin's success and very few succeeded. Look at who got hired in 2009:

Mangini (Cleveland)
McDaniels (Denver)
Schwartz (Detroit)
Haley (KC)
Ryan (NYJ)
Cable (Oakland)
Singletary (SF)
Spags (Rams)
Morris (TB)

Many of those guys (with the exception of Rex Ryan) are the type of "young guns" you were talking about and only one of the young guns (Schwarz) has survived 3 seasons.

Gruden is NOT the right coach for a new QB, so he doesn't belong in Indy assuming they're selecting Luck. Cowher would fit, but I don't know if he'll take another coaching job. I think a guy like Brian Billick might be a good transitional guy who can bring some toughness to that team.

[RendeR]

Wait...you think BILLICK is going to bring toughness? The guy is an offensive guru, he's shyte with defenses. His teams had amazing defenses because he had Marvin Lewis and Marvin's assistants handling every aspect of the defense.

Billick won't bring toughness to a team, nor discipline. He will bring a fantastic learning and development atmosphere to a team, thats what he does, he teaches.

[spleen1015]

No way I want to see Billick and his ego get the job.

Gruden has already said he was staying in the booth and I think Cowher wants to be a GM and coach.

I honestly have no idea who a good choice would be. I just don't like the idea of bringing in someone that has already not done very well. I would rather give someone who hasn't been a HC a chance.

Dungy was an awesome coach, but I don't want another guy like him and Caldwell. I agree with Blackadar that this team needs to learn some toughness and I want a coach that will light a fire here.

[Ksyrup]

I guess I knew this, but hadn't seen it written:

MileHighReport <S>@</S>MileHighReport <SMALL class=time>9m (https://twitter.com/#!/MileHighReport/status/159655181531877376)</SMALL>
<SMALL class=time></SMALL>9 of the 11 Head Coaches hired in 2009 have already been canned... Only Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan remain..

[spleen1015]

I guess I knew this, but hadn't seen it written:

MileHighReport <S>@</S>MileHighReport <SMALL class=time>9m (https://twitter.com/#!/MileHighReport/status/159655181531877376)</SMALL>
<SMALL class=time></SMALL>9 of the 11 Head Coaches hired in 2009 have already been canned... Only Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan remain..

Schefty mentioned that yesterday. I'm not surprised I guess. There's always lots of coaching turn over.

[RomaGoth]

I guess I knew this, but hadn't seen it written:

MileHighReport <s>@</s>MileHighReport <small class="time">9m (https://twitter.com/#%21/MileHighReport/status/159655181531877376)</small>
<small class="time"></small>9 of the 11 Head Coaches hired in 2009 have already been canned... Only Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan remain..

Schwartz will be the last one standing if the Jets miss the playoffs again.

[BillJasper]

Schwartz will be the last one standing if the Jets miss the playoffs again.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schwartz shown the door if the Lions were to miss the playoffs next year.

[Matthean]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schwartz shown the door if the Lions were to miss the playoffs next year.

You haven't been introduced to the Ford family have you?

[BillJasper]

You haven't been introduced to the Ford family have you?

If there anything like the Brown family, I know your pain. :lol:

[Matthean]

They hired Matt Millen. I win? :lol:

[Ksyrup]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schwartz shown the door if the Lions were to miss the playoffs next year.

That's fine, as long as they bring back Wayne Fontes.

[BillJasper]

They hired Matt Millen. I win? :lol:

Mike Brown is our GM, too cheap to hire a real one. Even if they're terrible.

I WIN!!!

[Blackadar]

Wait...you think BILLICK is going to bring toughness? The guy is an offensive guru, he's shyte with defenses. His teams had amazing defenses because he had Marvin Lewis and Marvin's assistants handling every aspect of the defense.

Billick won't bring toughness to a team, nor discipline. He will bring a fantastic learning and development atmosphere to a team, thats what he does, he teaches.

I disagree about the toughness. Indy is and has been a very soft team (IMO). Billick knows from his time in Baltimore what kind of toughness you need to win. I'm not saying he's a taskmaster, but I think he'll put Indy in the right direction without going overboard with a group of players who aren't physically able to handle it.

He's not afraid to turn over the defense to someone who can handle it. Part of the interview process with him would be to ensure that he has someone who can come in and fill that role. He doesn't have to do everything well, he just needs to know who can do it for him.

As you said, he's a great teacher and developer and that's what this team is going to need over the next couple of years. Assuming they grab Luck (pretty safe assumption), the Colts are looking to rebuild. Who better to do so with a good offensive mind who approaches the game with a teaching mentality and also has the credibility of winning a Super Bowl?

You've got a franchise QB leaving (now or within 2 years) and the guy who *has* to be the franchise coming in. You're going to have potential conflict if Manning stays (think Favre/Rodgers), or having to deal with the aftermath if he goes. IMO, it's not the time to gamble on an untested coach who might lose control of the entire team (aka Morris this year in TB). Nor is it time to hire a major taskmaster because the pieces you need aren't even on the roster. That's why I think the Colts could do a lot worse than Billick.

[RomaGoth]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Schwartz shown the door if the Lions were to miss the playoffs next year.

Schwartz could miss the playoffs for the next 5 years and be safe. Take a look at the Lions coaching history here (http://www.detroitlions.com/team/history/all-time-head-coaches.html).

[spleen1015]

NFL.com news: Colts need to think long-term success with next head coach (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8261b2fb/article/colts-need-to-think-longterm-success-with-next-head-coach)

I would love it if they hired Chip Kelly. I doubt it happens, but I would love it.

[Matthean]

Mike Brown is our GM, too cheap to hire a real one. Even if they're terrible.

I WIN!!!

Well, at least we both can talk about going to the Super Bowl...oh that's right. :D

[BillJasper]

Well, at least we both can talk about going to the Super Bowl...oh that's right. :D

:lol:

[JPhillips]

NFL.com news: Colts need to think long-term success with next head coach (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8261b2fb/article/colts-need-to-think-longterm-success-with-next-head-coach)

I would love it if they hired Chip Kelly. I doubt it happens, but I would love it.

That's the kind of outside the box insight that makes NFL.com special.

[mckerney]

Vikings offered DC spot to Colts DB coach Alan Williams. I guess that's what you get when it looks like the whole staff could be fired next year. Dear God let everyone, starting with Rick Spielman, get fired next year.

[Kodos]

I remember the same feelings when Spielman was with the Dolphins.

[rjolley]

Hey RainMaker, you may get your wish and not have Tice as the OC in Chicago: Source - Chicago Bears coordinator Mike Tice to interview for Oakland Raiders head coach job - ESPN Chicago (http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7473785/source-chicago-bears-coordinator-mike-tice-interview-oakland-raiders-head-coach-job)

[JediKooter]

Hey RainMaker, you may get your wish and not have Tice as the OC in Chicago: Source - Chicago Bears coordinator Mike Tice to interview for Oakland Raiders head coach job - ESPN Chicago (http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7473785/source-chicago-bears-coordinator-mike-tice-interview-oakland-raiders-head-coach-job)

Welp. So much for wanting to clean up that teams image...oh wait...never mind.

[Atocep]

Hey RainMaker, you may get your wish and not have Tice as the OC in Chicago: Source - Chicago Bears coordinator Mike Tice to interview for Oakland Raiders head coach job - ESPN Chicago (http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7473785/source-chicago-bears-coordinator-mike-tice-interview-oakland-raiders-head-coach-job)

Lovie has all of the power in the organization now. That just means he'll hire another guy that was known in the 90s to run a dated offense.

The little bit of faith I had in the Bears organization is gone. The Bears are essentially the Bengals with a bigger fanbase so Virginia McCaskey is willing to spend more. The entire family's wealth though is tied to the Bears so there is never any risk taking and there's probably at least 50 family members employed in the organization.

[britrock88]

Maybe he'll bring John Shoop back. :-D

[Izulde]

si.com reporting Philbin 'Phins new head coach:

Dolphins set to hire Packers' Philbin as coach - NFL - SI.com (http://cnnsi.com/2012/football/nfl/01/20/dolphins.philbin.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a4&eref=sihp)

[k0ruptr]

Well that pretty much locks up Flynn to the 'Phins

[BillJasper]

Pretty underwhelming hire.

[Izulde]

I'm more inclined to take a wait and see approach. Honestly I think keeping Ireland pretty much neutered any chance of a great hire.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So, anybody didn't think this was a possibility?

Indianapolis Colts interview Jim Tressel for coach job, reports say - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7486645/indianapolis-colts-interview-jim-tressel-coach-job-reports-say)

[bhlloy]

I'm more inclined to take a wait and see approach. Honestly I think keeping Ireland pretty much neutered any chance of a great hire.

I'd agree with this, when you have a known douchebag for a GM who has screwed over coaches in the past and is completely unwilling to give up any of his power, you can't expect to get the big names to come out of retirement like a lot of people were expecting.

The best you can do is a promising young co-ordinator and I think the Fins got one of the best, solid hire.

[Matthean]

So, anybody didn't think this was a possibility?

Indianapolis Colts interview Jim Tressel for coach job, reports say - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7486645/indianapolis-colts-interview-jim-tressel-coach-job-reports-say)

I had heard he was being interviewed before so this isn't surprising at all.

[sabotai]

Spags hired as defensive coordinator for the Saints.

New Orleans Saints fans are starving for good defense - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com (http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2012/01/awaiting_spagnuolos_defensive.html)

[Dutch]

So, anybody didn't think this was a possibility?

Indianapolis Colts interview Jim Tressel for coach job, reports say - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7486645/indianapolis-colts-interview-jim-tressel-coach-job-reports-say)

Easy call, sweater vests don't work in Florida.

[RendeR]

Anyone else wonder if Tressel has the mentality to handle the NFL game?

[Matthean]

Anyone else wonder if Tressel has the mentality to handle the NFL game?

His biggest issue won't be one in the NFL. I don't know how well he will translate to the NFL. Succeeding at OSU isn't that difficult to do. The biggest difference between him and Cooper was Tressel knew how to beat Michigan. I still have the theory coaches only get so much karma and lose more of it during each move. Nobody can argue against Saban being a hell of a coach, but the NFL wasn't or him. It was for Jimmy Johnson.

[Ksyrup]

Big rumor going around and actually being reported by some Oregon-based news service of some sort that Chip Kelly is finalizing a deal to be the new TB coach. I'll believe it when I see it. But an Oregon beat writer saaid the rumor's been going around all day and is still unconfirmed. Not discounted or denied, though.

[Ksyrup]

Picking up steam now. TB Times now confirming OR report. He apparently interviewed last week. Wow. And what shitty timing, a week before NSD.

[k0ruptr]

I wonder what's going on in Oregon

[Ksyrup]

Yeah gotta think sanctions. Can't imagine it's all due to the recruiting service scandal. Maybe something's gonna break.

[Ksyrup]

Now many sources are reporting they are negotiating and hope to come to deal within 24-48 hours. Man that's totally out of left field.

[k0ruptr]

I really hope not but yea it doesn't smell right. Especially with Thomas declaring early and he might not even get drafted. Odd.

[Ksyrup]

Someone tweeted they might get hammered for Lache Seastrunk.

[dawgfan]

Pretty wild. You'd have to think that Kelly is either leaving to take some heat off of potential Oregon sanctions, or he knows sanctions are coming and wants to get out of Dodge while things are still good.

The other thing I'm interested in is to see how his offense translates to the NFL. I'm in the generation that grew up with the conventional wisdom that option offenses wouldn't work in the NFL, but with the Wildcat and now Tebow in Denver and Cam in Carolina, seems like maybe the NFL is ready for the spread-option to become a legit new trend.

[Ksyrup]

TB would draft RGIII? Maybe that's part of the attraction, having a QB for his system. Speculation is OR would look to Petersen or Patterson, then Belotti.

[dawgfan]

TB would draft RGIII? Maybe that's part of the attraction, having a QB for his system. Speculation is OR would look to Petersen or Patterson, then Belotti.
I'm sure they'll throw money at the first two, and when they are likely turned down, I could see Bellotti as a short-term solution.

[Eaglesfan27]

Lots of smoke that Oregon is going to get hammered with sanctions, so it wouldn't surprise to see Kelly bail.

[Matthean]

Oregon I would likely assume promote from within and then go from there when you have a better chance of a top coach.