My last post dealt with the lack of noise involving the Skins coaching search and a possible rabbit that could be pulled out of a hat. Well, it looks like the surprise could be spoiled if this is to be believed and this is the big secret.
I hate this move if Jim Fassel is to be named head coach, and am equally not as thrilled if he becomes the OC on Gregg Williams' staff. In case anyone forgot to notice, Fassel struggled his last couple of years with the Giants and his time in Baltimore was a nightmare at best. I'm not saying Al Saunders' days in DC have been anything more than mediocre, but Fassel would be a definite downgrade.
I have no problems with looking at tons of candidates and keeping things hushed up so that your fans have something to get excited about once an announcement is made but this is not the right direction. If Dan Snyder is worried about the offense and the growth of Jason Campbell, let get someone who could move Campbell forward, not set him back.
I don't know who is out there that is looking for a move up, but if the Skins want to go unconventional, let's find someone who has a track record better than mediocre. If you want mediocre or someone like Fassel, go after his former boss Brian Billick instead. At least he won the Super Bowl matchup between the two and held on to his previous job longer.
Showing posts with label Al Saunders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al Saunders. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Who will be the next coach?
Now that the media carousel is spitting out tons of names for the vacant head coaching gig, let's take a look at who may actually be on the radar:
1. Jim Schwartz (Tennessee defensive coordinator): The first official interview, I find it hard to believe that while he is one of the hot candidates this offseason he will actually get the job. If Dan Snyder decides to hire a defensive minded HC, I think another former Titan DC will get the job. Which brings us to ...
2. Gregg Williams (Washington assistant head coach-defense): This in house candidate and former head coach seemed to be named the successor to Joe Gibbs the moment Gibbs hired him to run the defense. However, the longer this process drags out and the more big name candidates interview for the job, the less likely it seems Williams has the job locked up.
3. Al Saunders (Washington assistant head coach-offense): Another former head coach in the league, Saunders was brought in two years ago to punch up the offense. Unfortunately, I don't know if the offense was really that much better under his guidance and I don't really see him as a likely choice to succeed Gibbs.
4. Bill Cowher (former Pittsburgh head coach): This is the exact type of big splash Snyder has made in the past and he could do a lot worse than hiring the former Steelers head guy. However, Cowher has repeatedly said he wanted to take two years off before coaching again which would put his return in 2009. But we know from experience that if Snyder wants something bad enough, he will usually throw enough money at it to make sure he gets it. So if Cowher feels the need to get rich again, he will probably have the opportunity.
5. Russ Grimm (Arizona assistant head coach-offensive line): Gibbs wanted to bring his former lineman in to run the offense when he returned but Pittsburgh wouldn't let go of him. One of the fans choices to replace Cowher, Grimm was passed up and followed Ken Wisenhunt to Arizona. It's probably not likely Grimm will be hired but it would be fun to see the old "Hog" take control of a team he helped get to 3 Super Bowls as a player.
I personally still think Williams has to be the favorite to get the job but if Cowher can be swayed out of the booth, the job is his. Either one would be a good choice to run the Skins and have the type of mentality needed to keep this team headed in the right direction.
1. Jim Schwartz (Tennessee defensive coordinator): The first official interview, I find it hard to believe that while he is one of the hot candidates this offseason he will actually get the job. If Dan Snyder decides to hire a defensive minded HC, I think another former Titan DC will get the job. Which brings us to ...
2. Gregg Williams (Washington assistant head coach-defense): This in house candidate and former head coach seemed to be named the successor to Joe Gibbs the moment Gibbs hired him to run the defense. However, the longer this process drags out and the more big name candidates interview for the job, the less likely it seems Williams has the job locked up.
3. Al Saunders (Washington assistant head coach-offense): Another former head coach in the league, Saunders was brought in two years ago to punch up the offense. Unfortunately, I don't know if the offense was really that much better under his guidance and I don't really see him as a likely choice to succeed Gibbs.
4. Bill Cowher (former Pittsburgh head coach): This is the exact type of big splash Snyder has made in the past and he could do a lot worse than hiring the former Steelers head guy. However, Cowher has repeatedly said he wanted to take two years off before coaching again which would put his return in 2009. But we know from experience that if Snyder wants something bad enough, he will usually throw enough money at it to make sure he gets it. So if Cowher feels the need to get rich again, he will probably have the opportunity.
5. Russ Grimm (Arizona assistant head coach-offensive line): Gibbs wanted to bring his former lineman in to run the offense when he returned but Pittsburgh wouldn't let go of him. One of the fans choices to replace Cowher, Grimm was passed up and followed Ken Wisenhunt to Arizona. It's probably not likely Grimm will be hired but it would be fun to see the old "Hog" take control of a team he helped get to 3 Super Bowls as a player.
I personally still think Williams has to be the favorite to get the job but if Cowher can be swayed out of the booth, the job is his. Either one would be a good choice to run the Skins and have the type of mentality needed to keep this team headed in the right direction.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Gibbs to retire
Well, I feel like an idiot. After my late post last night getting on the media for the slew of stories we were about to get about whether Joe Gibbs would return, he goes and decides to announce his retirement today.
Gibbs took on a lot this year and to say his second run wasn't as good as his first is unfair. He was out of football almost completely (he spent a couple of seasons as an in-studio announcer right after his first retirement) and had about 15 years of progress to catch up on. And while he still made some big blunders and had troubles at times adjusting to the "New NFL," he still took us to the playoffs.
At the very least the AP put it best in their story when they said Gibbs twice rescued the franchise from mediocrity because before his return, we were on our way to becoming the 1990s Bengals.
The obvious replacement has to be Gregg Williams, who it has been rumored was to be the heir apparent when Gibbs finally left, but it could still be a somewhat open position. Al Saunders is also being rumored as a replacement but you have to feel that after he has struggled to get this offense going in two years, he is more of a long shot.
Who do you think will replace Gibbs? Drop a comment saying who you'd like to see as the next head guy for our team.
Gibbs took on a lot this year and to say his second run wasn't as good as his first is unfair. He was out of football almost completely (he spent a couple of seasons as an in-studio announcer right after his first retirement) and had about 15 years of progress to catch up on. And while he still made some big blunders and had troubles at times adjusting to the "New NFL," he still took us to the playoffs.
At the very least the AP put it best in their story when they said Gibbs twice rescued the franchise from mediocrity because before his return, we were on our way to becoming the 1990s Bengals.
The obvious replacement has to be Gregg Williams, who it has been rumored was to be the heir apparent when Gibbs finally left, but it could still be a somewhat open position. Al Saunders is also being rumored as a replacement but you have to feel that after he has struggled to get this offense going in two years, he is more of a long shot.
Who do you think will replace Gibbs? Drop a comment saying who you'd like to see as the next head guy for our team.
Friday, August 10, 2007
2007 Previews: Redskins offense
With the first preseason game fast approaching, I decided it was finally time to give my thoughts on Washington for the upcoming season. But because this is a Redskins blog I have decided to breakdown my Skins preview into 2 parts, an offensive preview and defensive preview.
So for my offensive preview, here are three keys to a successful season on offense.
1. Keep Jason Campbell in a position to play effectively. I know Campbell got quite a bit of experience at the end of last season but he still has a lot to learn and if the Skins are going to win games this year, they need to make sure Campbell only has to manage games and not win them. When the Skins were ahead Campbell proved effective and did a good job of controlling the game. But when they needed Campbell's arm to win, he played like every other first time NFL QB, he forced throws and had a tough time making big plays. Campbell will eventually need to make plays on his own to prove his worth but for right now, he just needs to not lose.
2. Play Redskins football - run the ball. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts make a lethal 1-2 punch, especially with the way Betts performed as the No. 1 guy when Portis was injured last year. The problem though is Al Saunders' vaunted playbook didn't value the smash mouth football Washington has always played. Regardless of what personnel has been on the team or who has been the coach, Washington has only consistently won football games one way - by running it straight at their opponent. It will be no different this year, and if Saunders' system doesn't key in on this right away look for Joe Gibbs to take over playcalling duties again this season.
3. Will the No. 2 WR please stand up? Santana Moss and Chris Cooley have both proven to be capable receivers but Washington's quest for a solid No. 2 still has not produced a unanimous result. David Patten, Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs all have tried to fill the post but none ever had a solid claim to the position. If Moss and Cooley are to remain effective options a second WR will have to step up this season. Lloyd, Randle El and Thrash are all still on the squad and battling for the spot again this year but if none of them are up to the task they could easily find themselves following Patten and Jacobs out of town. A solid No. 2 WR will also greatly assist in the development of Campbell.
Again, defensive keys will be tomorrow night and a preview of the first preseason game against Tennessee will be posted Saturday. Football season is here so let's enjoy it before it's gone again.
So for my offensive preview, here are three keys to a successful season on offense.
1. Keep Jason Campbell in a position to play effectively. I know Campbell got quite a bit of experience at the end of last season but he still has a lot to learn and if the Skins are going to win games this year, they need to make sure Campbell only has to manage games and not win them. When the Skins were ahead Campbell proved effective and did a good job of controlling the game. But when they needed Campbell's arm to win, he played like every other first time NFL QB, he forced throws and had a tough time making big plays. Campbell will eventually need to make plays on his own to prove his worth but for right now, he just needs to not lose.
2. Play Redskins football - run the ball. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts make a lethal 1-2 punch, especially with the way Betts performed as the No. 1 guy when Portis was injured last year. The problem though is Al Saunders' vaunted playbook didn't value the smash mouth football Washington has always played. Regardless of what personnel has been on the team or who has been the coach, Washington has only consistently won football games one way - by running it straight at their opponent. It will be no different this year, and if Saunders' system doesn't key in on this right away look for Joe Gibbs to take over playcalling duties again this season.
3. Will the No. 2 WR please stand up? Santana Moss and Chris Cooley have both proven to be capable receivers but Washington's quest for a solid No. 2 still has not produced a unanimous result. David Patten, Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs all have tried to fill the post but none ever had a solid claim to the position. If Moss and Cooley are to remain effective options a second WR will have to step up this season. Lloyd, Randle El and Thrash are all still on the squad and battling for the spot again this year but if none of them are up to the task they could easily find themselves following Patten and Jacobs out of town. A solid No. 2 WR will also greatly assist in the development of Campbell.
Again, defensive keys will be tomorrow night and a preview of the first preseason game against Tennessee will be posted Saturday. Football season is here so let's enjoy it before it's gone again.
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