As the 2007 season ended, fans of the Green Bay Packers were witness to the end of an Era. Hall of Fame gunslinger, Brett Favre officially retired. The last remaining player from that Super Bowl win a dozen years or so ago, and easily the greatest Packer to put on a uniform since the Lombardi Days was hanging 'em up.
Favre had polarized fans and critics alike as, during previous offseasons, he had waffled between retiring and coming back - creating an almost circus-like atmosphere. No one knew what to do, when to do it, or how to do anything to get ready for the Packers post-Favre. The old regime decided to go all-in for one last chance at glory, knowing their futures hung in the balance.
What resulted was a darn good 13-3 year, but playoff disappointment yet again. When Brett's retirement became official, Packers ownership knew the only way forward was in a new direction. There was already too much pressure on the old staff and GM from multiple playoff failures to think they were going to be ready to start over without their iconic QB. With a clear mind, but heavy heart, the Packers began the seach for a new coach.
Enter Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln.
Lyle Lincoln, the thrower with a catchy name, was an all-pro quarterback for four years at Youngstown State as the 70s passed into the 80s. A prototypical QB, with an iron jaw and a fiery red head of hair that matched his on the field demeanor, Lincoln wasn't drafted in the 1980 draft. He was a bit of a party animal, and a drunken brawl led to an arrest and injured knee. Youngstown itself was in a bit of trouble, and Lyle decided to remain in Youngstown as an assistant coach - his local celebrity helped Youngstown steal some recruits from bigger schools who wanted to play under, and party with, the madman from Youngstown.
Coach Lincoln remained at Youngstown for 20 years, working his way up the ladder to head coach after his tenth year there, and guiding the Penguins to the school's best seasons. At 42, Coach Lincoln took the position as Offensive Coordinator at Southern Methodist University - a far cry from Youngstown, but a place trying to recover from terrible NCAA penalties and sanctions who was willing to let Lyle call the offense he wanted, the way he wanted. Sadly, success was short-lived at SMU, and it was apparent the AD was ready to clean house. After finding out he wasn't going to get considered for the Head Coaching position, Coach Lincoln headed home to Youngstown to figure out his next move and watch the NFL season head into the playoffs. Naturally most of the talk was about Green Bay Packers' qb Brett Favre and if this was indeed his swan song. It was, and in the media frenzy that followed, it was secondary to the networks that Green Bay also removed it's head coach and GM. It sure wasn't secondary to Coach Lincoln. He immediately started making calls, and miraculously was able to line up a short meeting with Packers top team officials a week later at a Denny's in Cleveland. He turned that meeting into three more, culminating with a job offer days later.
Coach Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln was just what the Packers wanted, and needed, to soften the blow of Favre's retirement. Full of passion, piss and vinegar, Coach Lincoln vowed to find a quarterback to lead this team back to the Super Bowl, whether he was on the team currently or not. there were no "maybes" with Coach Lyle. He needed a QB, who like Favre, was a bell to bell competitor, a gunslinger who never quit on a game. Was he out there? When asked what he was looking for, he said, "The lovechild of Lamonica and Layne."
{Going to go way opposite of my Cardinals to give the reader, and myself, a different style of franchise. Keeps me from franchise burnout too, but will probably spawn even more franchises from me!
Coach Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln (coach appearance 9, Lone Wolf)
QB readiness and Game Film Analysis
Chem 2, playcall 3, strat 2, perf 3
QB skills at 3, 4, 3
500 points left.
Overall Skill 14
Coach Lyle loves linebackers - it might take a season or two to get everyone up to speed, but he'll be installing the 3-4 Pressure defense. Also, he'll be bringing his Youngstown Firebomb offense (using Mike Martz's playbook - for "story" I'm just renaming it here.")
We'll be starting in the offseason (saving my first try at preseaon starting for my next Raiders franchise - never tried it before.)
Favre had polarized fans and critics alike as, during previous offseasons, he had waffled between retiring and coming back - creating an almost circus-like atmosphere. No one knew what to do, when to do it, or how to do anything to get ready for the Packers post-Favre. The old regime decided to go all-in for one last chance at glory, knowing their futures hung in the balance.
What resulted was a darn good 13-3 year, but playoff disappointment yet again. When Brett's retirement became official, Packers ownership knew the only way forward was in a new direction. There was already too much pressure on the old staff and GM from multiple playoff failures to think they were going to be ready to start over without their iconic QB. With a clear mind, but heavy heart, the Packers began the seach for a new coach.
Enter Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln.
Lyle Lincoln, the thrower with a catchy name, was an all-pro quarterback for four years at Youngstown State as the 70s passed into the 80s. A prototypical QB, with an iron jaw and a fiery red head of hair that matched his on the field demeanor, Lincoln wasn't drafted in the 1980 draft. He was a bit of a party animal, and a drunken brawl led to an arrest and injured knee. Youngstown itself was in a bit of trouble, and Lyle decided to remain in Youngstown as an assistant coach - his local celebrity helped Youngstown steal some recruits from bigger schools who wanted to play under, and party with, the madman from Youngstown.
Coach Lincoln remained at Youngstown for 20 years, working his way up the ladder to head coach after his tenth year there, and guiding the Penguins to the school's best seasons. At 42, Coach Lincoln took the position as Offensive Coordinator at Southern Methodist University - a far cry from Youngstown, but a place trying to recover from terrible NCAA penalties and sanctions who was willing to let Lyle call the offense he wanted, the way he wanted. Sadly, success was short-lived at SMU, and it was apparent the AD was ready to clean house. After finding out he wasn't going to get considered for the Head Coaching position, Coach Lincoln headed home to Youngstown to figure out his next move and watch the NFL season head into the playoffs. Naturally most of the talk was about Green Bay Packers' qb Brett Favre and if this was indeed his swan song. It was, and in the media frenzy that followed, it was secondary to the networks that Green Bay also removed it's head coach and GM. It sure wasn't secondary to Coach Lincoln. He immediately started making calls, and miraculously was able to line up a short meeting with Packers top team officials a week later at a Denny's in Cleveland. He turned that meeting into three more, culminating with a job offer days later.
Coach Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln was just what the Packers wanted, and needed, to soften the blow of Favre's retirement. Full of passion, piss and vinegar, Coach Lincoln vowed to find a quarterback to lead this team back to the Super Bowl, whether he was on the team currently or not. there were no "maybes" with Coach Lyle. He needed a QB, who like Favre, was a bell to bell competitor, a gunslinger who never quit on a game. Was he out there? When asked what he was looking for, he said, "The lovechild of Lamonica and Layne."
{Going to go way opposite of my Cardinals to give the reader, and myself, a different style of franchise. Keeps me from franchise burnout too, but will probably spawn even more franchises from me!
Coach Lyle "the Fire" Lincoln (coach appearance 9, Lone Wolf)
QB readiness and Game Film Analysis
Chem 2, playcall 3, strat 2, perf 3
QB skills at 3, 4, 3
500 points left.
Overall Skill 14
Coach Lyle loves linebackers - it might take a season or two to get everyone up to speed, but he'll be installing the 3-4 Pressure defense. Also, he'll be bringing his Youngstown Firebomb offense (using Mike Martz's playbook - for "story" I'm just renaming it here.")
We'll be starting in the offseason (saving my first try at preseaon starting for my next Raiders franchise - never tried it before.)
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