Another coach is claimed in the carousel that is the 2010 NFL Season. The reasoning behind the firing plus a look at some possible replacements. One of the biggest injuries to shape a playoff race that no one is talking about right now and a look forward at some of Sunday’s great matchups.
Don’t you love December football?
**Well it looks like Spygate II finally caught up to Josh McDaniels. After Broncos owner Pat Bowlen spoke out publicly saying that McDaniels would return for the 2011 season, he was promptly released only a couple days after prompting the fact that you just can’t trust owners or team higher-ups to give you a straight story about a coach’s stability in a franchise.
Jerry Jones said the same thing about Wade Phillips earlier in the season, stating that he’d survive the 2010 season but made no promises for 2011. Only a couple weeks after that statement, Wade was watching the Dallas games at home on his couch.
The Wilf family released statements that former Vikings coach Brad Childress was safe and that they were standing behind him. After an absolute shellacking at home by the rival Green Bay Packers, the Wilfs had seen enough and had to make the decision.
The fortunate thing for both Dallas and Minnesota is that they have suitable replacements on their current coaching staff. Jason Garrett was considered one of the most sought after coaching prospects after Dallas’s 13-3 season in 2007. Leslie Frazier’s been a hot prospect for the past couple years because of the dominance of the Vikings defense.
Both guys got their chances and so far, are making their owners look like they made the right move with both teams a combined 4-1 since the interim coaches taking over. (Remove a Roy Williams fumble against the Saints on Thanksgiving, and they’d be a perfect 5-0.)
In the Broncos situation, they have Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville as the interim replacement. While it’ll get them through the rest of the season, it would take something in the ballpark of a miracle for him to retain that job. I believe he was given that job because they don’t have any other real head coaching options there.
Bowlen and the Broncos organization were put in a weird spot thanks to McDaniels handling of the taping of the San Francisco 49ers walk-through in London.
Had McDaniels reported this to the Broncos administration and the League office protocols were followed as directed, than this would be a moot point and McDaniels would still be employed today. However, his knowledge of the situation and his total mishandling of it resulted in not only a $50,000 fine for McDaniels, but the organization as well.
Bowlen likes knowing that the organization has a reputation of being a competitive yet morally sound group. Having something like this happen, Bowlen was afraid this would ruin the reputation of a proud franchise. With organizations like the Raiders and the Lions that have become the laughing stock of the NFL, he was afraid that the Broncos would be lumped into that mess of a group.
Regardless how bad the records got and even though the fans were growing intolerant of the losing, they would not tolerate tarnishing their reputation.
It took a drastic move to show that they don’t tolerate unfair competitive actions like that. McDaniels made some very questionable personnel decisions and I think that was just another blemish to add to his firing. Getting rid of their franchise QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall were 2 shaky moves, but drafting one of the most questionable prospects in the 2010 draft while giving up 3 other pick to get him might have been over the edge.
So where do they turn now? I don’t believe they have a capable replacement on staff to take the Broncos where they’d like to be. With a load of high profile coaches on the market, it is going to take something to revitalize the Broncos fanbase again. Outside of your typical Bill Cowher, John Gruden, or Brian Billick, who else could we see?
Looking around the league, you can make a case for John Fox. He’s basically just riding his time out in Carolina. He’s not going to ask for a ton of power, which the Broncos are not going to be willing to give up after the McDaniels debacle.
I think another name you’re going to hear tossed in the mix is Stanford Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. With his brother having success in Baltimore, plus making Stanford such a power to deal with in the NCAA, Harbaugh’s stock is rising all over the place on the pro level. Plus with Harbaugh’s prized QB Andrew Luck possibly coming out this year in the draft, it might be a good time to walk away and get your professional resume started.
Last name which might be a dark horse would be Jeff Fisher. This season at Tennessee has turned into a total meltdown and an issue is forcing owner Bud Adams to look between his favorite draft pick, Vince Young or his veteran Coach Jeff Fisher. The Titans coach is the longest tenured coach in the league and has kept Tennessee competitive during his time, including 1 Super Bowl appearance in 1999.
Another big issue going to be standing in the way of bringing a big name into the Mile High area? The Collective Bargaining Agreement. If there is an unsure labor situation, it’s going to be very risky to pay a coach’s salary when he’s not able to meet his players and instill his system with this group.
However it turns out, Denver’s already back to a rebuilding phase shortly after starting one just a couple years ago. It’s going to be a long couple years in Denver again.
**One of the biggest injuries that have escaped the public discussion this weekend is Chiefs QB Matt Cassel. While everyone has been focused on whats happening to San Diego in the AFC West, the Chiefs are quietly solidifying their spot to win the divison.
Well now, there might be a huge wrench in their plans.
Cassel had to have an emergency appendectomy to remove part of his appendix which will most likely have him out of Sunday’s matchup. With him out, this changes the dynamic of what Kansas City has developed. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs WR, has become one of the biggest impact players in the league this season. With Brody Croyle under center, the aerial assault that Kansas City has been effective with Cassel (23 TD’s, 4 INT’s) will certainly suffer.
One thing you can’t do is let Phil Rivers and that San Diego team get rolling in December. They just suffered their first loss in December since 2005. I’m certain they’ll be rolling and ready to go this week.
**With me going 3-1 last week (Dallas can thank Peyton for the 4 int’s and essentially the win), we’re gonna see if we can go a perfect 4-0 this week. There’s a lot of great football this weekend, so I’ll try and pick the best 2 games that we can but you can bet you’ll see a lot of good games regardless where you turn.
SCREAMERS!!!!!
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
Two division leaders, one plays great offense, the other plays great defense. The Pats are dismantling good defenses by using the “small ball” game, dump off passes underneath coverages and getting mismatches against linebackers and then forcing defenses to sink in. Chicago is a fast moving defense who’s linebackers can help keep this smaller passing core in check. The X Factor? A guy named Danny Woodhead. If the Bears can prevent the Pats from getting any kind of running game or underneath game going, they can win this game. The problem, is that they’re playing against Tom Brady having an MVP season and he won’t let this one get away.
Patriots win a tight one in a low scoring battle 21-17.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday Night football, primetime lights, in big D, can’t give a divisional rivalry a much better setting than that. Dallas looks revitalized, they’re playing good right now. They’re 3-1 since having Jason Garrett take over. Philadelphia has the Human Highlight Film in Michael Vick under center. Both defenses are skeptical, but the one advantage goes to Philadelphia, who’s +15 on the turnover ratio. It won’t take but 1 mistake to turn this game. Expect a hard fought, well played game, with one John Kitna mistake to swing this game the wrong way.
Philly pulls off a tight win on the road 34-31.
Sleepers…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins
Tampa Bay wins the games that they’re expected to win. Redskins win, well no they don’t really win much at all. They are a hot mess right now. They’re injury riddled, McNabb has no supporting cast, plus this whole Haynesworth situation just continues to plague this franchise. Tampa Bay will win this one in a boring game, mostly controlled by the Pewter Pirates.
Tampa pulls off a road win in cold D.C. 24-14.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Carolina might just be sabotaging themselves so they can get Andrew Luck in the draft. It’d be hard not to pass a guy like that up in the draft if you’re sitting with the first available pick in 2011. Atlanta is the hottest team in the NFC. I’ve been down on the Falcons for most of this season because they don’t do anything great, but they do everything good. In this season of wildness, consistency is the key to making a deep playoff run. Atlanta stays consistent and Carolina stays horrible.
Atlanta gets to 11-2 and looks closer and closer to a lock for the NFC representatives 31-14.
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