Cbz40
The Grand Poobah
- Messages
- 31,387
- Reaction score
- 39
Notebook: Two masterminds will prowl sidelines in Denver
« Back · 1 · 2
When it comes to offense, Shanahan has it, which might be why he's so looking forward to this game.
Advertisement
"It's always a great challenge coaching against Bill," Shanahan said. "He is a great coach, and I was saying that before he got the job."
Belichick offered high praise back.
"They continue to be successful on a very consistent basis," he said. "So I think you have to really compliment Mike and his staff and the entire organization on that because year in and year out, week in and week out, they're playing at a very high level for a long period of time."
In Denver, though, the critics want to know when and if he can win a Super Bowl without Elway. Shanahan has taken a lot of heat from the local media in recent years, sometimes with a lot of venom. The reality is he sometimes brings it on himself, with his I'm-in-the-king-seat attitude. Didn't you know he invented the game?
That aside, the guy knows football. He can turn me into a 1,000-yard rusher. He can take a so-so lineman, put him in his scheme and they become good players.
Hasn't he turned Jake Plummer into a different quarterback?
Even his personnel moves have worked out this year. He made the decision to bring in those Cleveland Browns castoff defensive linemen and all of them have made impacts, even Gerard Warren, who most thought was a big, fat bust. He drafted rookie corners Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth in the second and third rounds, and they've both been a big part of the defense this season.
Maybe this is the year his team isn't a playoff flop. In the past two seasons, the Colts blew them out in the playoffs. That led to talk that Shanahan's time had come, that he was no longer the offensive wizard he once was. We even called him the Teflon Coach in this space, seeing how the criticism always seemed to roll off his back.
Never, though, did we doubt his ability to coach. So when the Broncos take the field to face the Patriots, don't forget about the guy coaching on the Denver sidelines.
He may be The Other Coach when the game starts, but by the end of it his offense might be making you think otherwise.
Around the league
The hiring of Mike McCarthy as head coach by the Green Bay Packers may surprise some, but McCarthy is a guy we've liked in this space for a long time. McCarthy was the offensive coordinator under Jim Haslett for the Saints and did a heck of a job at times making Aaron Brooks a decent passer. McCarthy doesn't pull any punches, which is 'a nice' in a league full of coaches who won't say much. Let's hope he stays that way. It's funny how things can sometimes turn out. If McCarthy had not left the Saints after the 2004 season -- a move that both sides wanted to make -- he might not be in this position. He'd probably be wondering if he would be working at all next season. As it is, he goes to San Francisco as offensive coordinator and then gets the interview with the Packers. He impressed in his interview and then gets the job. That's a heck of a change in a year. The doubters will wonder if McCarthy was the right choice. Don't worry. He has a capable football background and a type of demeanor teams want from their coach. McCarthy has a West Coast offense background, so expect the Packers to run that offense. Whether it's Brett Favre running it is still to be decided. It will be interesting to see if McCarthy keeps defensive coordinator Jim Bates on staff. Bates did a nice job with the Green Bay defense last year and interviewed for the head-coaching job.
The worst-kept secret in the league is that the Texans will hire Gary Kubiak as their head coach once the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs. Kubiak, the Broncos offensive coordinator, has flirted with leaving in the past, but he's set to finally do so. The interesting thing there is that Kubiak interviewed with the Texans when Dom Capers landed the job back in 2001. The word was owner Bob McNair wasn't impressed by Kubiak's interview. Now five years later, he must have liked something. There will be a lot of pressure in Houston for the Texans to use the first pick on Texas quarterback Vince Young. If they're smart, they'll stay away from that. Keep David Carr, let Kubiak work with him and then draft Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush. I still think Carr can be a heck of a quarterback if there is talent around him.
The Jaguars have some maturity issues to deal with. Not only did receiver Reggie Williams get popped this week for a having marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, but sources indicated that several players hit the town hard last week in Providence, R.I., the night before their playoff game with the New England Patriots. The word is a limo was involved and players had a big time, pushing the curfew envelope. Jack Del Rio has always treated his players as men -- which is something we like -- but this team might need to be reeled in a bit. There is talent on this team, but it might be going to waste if the want to win isn't strong enough to keep players in their rooms the night before the team's first playoff game since 1999. Del Rio is pushing for a contract extension -- which he should get -- but these latest instances of off-field problems can't be making owner Wayne Weaver too happy. Del Rio might not get the money he wants, but could be forced to take some incentive-laden deal. One more thing about the Jaguars: Don't be shocked to see Fred Taylor playing somewhere else next season. This coaching staff has never warmed to Taylor and there is talk of friction stemming from Taylor's injury troubles. They don't think he's tough enough. If Taylor were let go, the perfect landing spot for him would be Indianapolis. The Colts probably won't bring back Edgerrin James and Taylor would be a cheaper alternative. Taylor would go to his first Pro Bowl if he wound up playing in that wide-open Colts offense.
All those teams out there hoping to make a deal to get Philip Rivers from the Chargers might want to look elsewhere for quarterback help. San Diego general manager A.J. Smith told the media this week that he would not be trading Rivers. It's probably a wise move since Drew Brees recently had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brees won't be throwing for four months, but anybody who has watched Chad Pennington try to come back from shoulder surgery knows it might be longer than that. The Chargers are making a wise move in keeping Rivers. I think the kid has a chance to be a special quarterback and you don't just go out and trade that away. With Rivers off the market, it could help Jacksonville backup David Garrard. The Jaguars have indicated Byron Leftwich is their quarterback, so if some team were willing to part with a third-round pick they might be able to get Garrard, giving him his chance to start. Miami maybe?
The loss of defensive end Renaldo Wynn last week with a broken arm is an injury that will be felt by the Commanders. Wynn isn't a great player, but he is solid against the run and he gives an all-out effort all the time. Wynn makes the most of his abilities and he's a good teammate. His injury last week led defensive end Phillip Daniels to get emotional and nearly break down and cry after the Commanders beat the Bucs. Wynn's loss will be felt in the locker room, too. The media will feel it as well. Wynn is one of the good guys in the league. Here's hoping he has a fast rehab.
If the Bucs are to improve on offense they have to get better on the offensive line. Right tackle Kenyatta Walker is an unrestricted free agent, and he wants a long-term deal. Whether the Bucs give him one is questionable since he's been a major underachiever. Left tackle Anthony Davis is just a guy, which means that position has to be upgraded. The best lineman this year was rookie left guard Dan Buenning. The Bucs have to look to the draft and free agency with an eye on upgrading that line. Center John Wade also struggles with big people on his nose. Against the Commanders last week, Wade had trouble getting a push against Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a in the run game.
The Chiefs signed former TCU and Florida A&M quarterback Casey Printers this week. Printers comes down from Canada where the played for the British Columbia Lions. Printers had a huge year in 2004 for the Lions, throwing a league-high 35 touchdown passes and winning CFL MVP honors, but backed up Dave Dickenson for most of this season, playing when Dickenson was injured. Printers has a big arm and he's mobile, which is something a lot of NFL teams liked about him. Printers could be the Chiefs quarterback of the future? Then again, he could be another CFL quarterback who comes to the NFL and flops.
I like the move by Chiefs coach Herman Edwards to retain defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. He did a nice job improving the Chiefs defense this season. Edwards has a defensive background and he does come from the Tony Dungy school of defense, which means a lot of Cover-2. Cunningham has been more aggressive in his style, so that will be something to watch as they prepare to build a system of defense. The Chiefs need to find a speed pass rusher and they need help in the secondary. The pass rusher would help offset the secondary issues.
We keep hearing more and more that Al Davis plans to hire an offensive-minded coach again. Why? So he can run the defense, of course.
The more you watch the Patriots play the more you come away impressed with rookie corner Ellis Hobbs. The rookie has shown poise and good cover skills. He will also come up and tackle for a smaller corner. Once again, the Patriots have found a gem that didn't come in the first two rounds. Hobbs was a third-round pick last April. At 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, some teams thought him to be too small. What they didn't measure was his toughness. Props to the Patriots for drafting him.
« Back · 1 · 2
When it comes to offense, Shanahan has it, which might be why he's so looking forward to this game.
Advertisement
"It's always a great challenge coaching against Bill," Shanahan said. "He is a great coach, and I was saying that before he got the job."
Belichick offered high praise back.
"They continue to be successful on a very consistent basis," he said. "So I think you have to really compliment Mike and his staff and the entire organization on that because year in and year out, week in and week out, they're playing at a very high level for a long period of time."
In Denver, though, the critics want to know when and if he can win a Super Bowl without Elway. Shanahan has taken a lot of heat from the local media in recent years, sometimes with a lot of venom. The reality is he sometimes brings it on himself, with his I'm-in-the-king-seat attitude. Didn't you know he invented the game?
That aside, the guy knows football. He can turn me into a 1,000-yard rusher. He can take a so-so lineman, put him in his scheme and they become good players.
Hasn't he turned Jake Plummer into a different quarterback?
Even his personnel moves have worked out this year. He made the decision to bring in those Cleveland Browns castoff defensive linemen and all of them have made impacts, even Gerard Warren, who most thought was a big, fat bust. He drafted rookie corners Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth in the second and third rounds, and they've both been a big part of the defense this season.
Maybe this is the year his team isn't a playoff flop. In the past two seasons, the Colts blew them out in the playoffs. That led to talk that Shanahan's time had come, that he was no longer the offensive wizard he once was. We even called him the Teflon Coach in this space, seeing how the criticism always seemed to roll off his back.
Never, though, did we doubt his ability to coach. So when the Broncos take the field to face the Patriots, don't forget about the guy coaching on the Denver sidelines.
He may be The Other Coach when the game starts, but by the end of it his offense might be making you think otherwise.
Around the league
The hiring of Mike McCarthy as head coach by the Green Bay Packers may surprise some, but McCarthy is a guy we've liked in this space for a long time. McCarthy was the offensive coordinator under Jim Haslett for the Saints and did a heck of a job at times making Aaron Brooks a decent passer. McCarthy doesn't pull any punches, which is 'a nice' in a league full of coaches who won't say much. Let's hope he stays that way. It's funny how things can sometimes turn out. If McCarthy had not left the Saints after the 2004 season -- a move that both sides wanted to make -- he might not be in this position. He'd probably be wondering if he would be working at all next season. As it is, he goes to San Francisco as offensive coordinator and then gets the interview with the Packers. He impressed in his interview and then gets the job. That's a heck of a change in a year. The doubters will wonder if McCarthy was the right choice. Don't worry. He has a capable football background and a type of demeanor teams want from their coach. McCarthy has a West Coast offense background, so expect the Packers to run that offense. Whether it's Brett Favre running it is still to be decided. It will be interesting to see if McCarthy keeps defensive coordinator Jim Bates on staff. Bates did a nice job with the Green Bay defense last year and interviewed for the head-coaching job.
The worst-kept secret in the league is that the Texans will hire Gary Kubiak as their head coach once the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs. Kubiak, the Broncos offensive coordinator, has flirted with leaving in the past, but he's set to finally do so. The interesting thing there is that Kubiak interviewed with the Texans when Dom Capers landed the job back in 2001. The word was owner Bob McNair wasn't impressed by Kubiak's interview. Now five years later, he must have liked something. There will be a lot of pressure in Houston for the Texans to use the first pick on Texas quarterback Vince Young. If they're smart, they'll stay away from that. Keep David Carr, let Kubiak work with him and then draft Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush. I still think Carr can be a heck of a quarterback if there is talent around him.
The Jaguars have some maturity issues to deal with. Not only did receiver Reggie Williams get popped this week for a having marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, but sources indicated that several players hit the town hard last week in Providence, R.I., the night before their playoff game with the New England Patriots. The word is a limo was involved and players had a big time, pushing the curfew envelope. Jack Del Rio has always treated his players as men -- which is something we like -- but this team might need to be reeled in a bit. There is talent on this team, but it might be going to waste if the want to win isn't strong enough to keep players in their rooms the night before the team's first playoff game since 1999. Del Rio is pushing for a contract extension -- which he should get -- but these latest instances of off-field problems can't be making owner Wayne Weaver too happy. Del Rio might not get the money he wants, but could be forced to take some incentive-laden deal. One more thing about the Jaguars: Don't be shocked to see Fred Taylor playing somewhere else next season. This coaching staff has never warmed to Taylor and there is talk of friction stemming from Taylor's injury troubles. They don't think he's tough enough. If Taylor were let go, the perfect landing spot for him would be Indianapolis. The Colts probably won't bring back Edgerrin James and Taylor would be a cheaper alternative. Taylor would go to his first Pro Bowl if he wound up playing in that wide-open Colts offense.
All those teams out there hoping to make a deal to get Philip Rivers from the Chargers might want to look elsewhere for quarterback help. San Diego general manager A.J. Smith told the media this week that he would not be trading Rivers. It's probably a wise move since Drew Brees recently had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brees won't be throwing for four months, but anybody who has watched Chad Pennington try to come back from shoulder surgery knows it might be longer than that. The Chargers are making a wise move in keeping Rivers. I think the kid has a chance to be a special quarterback and you don't just go out and trade that away. With Rivers off the market, it could help Jacksonville backup David Garrard. The Jaguars have indicated Byron Leftwich is their quarterback, so if some team were willing to part with a third-round pick they might be able to get Garrard, giving him his chance to start. Miami maybe?
The loss of defensive end Renaldo Wynn last week with a broken arm is an injury that will be felt by the Commanders. Wynn isn't a great player, but he is solid against the run and he gives an all-out effort all the time. Wynn makes the most of his abilities and he's a good teammate. His injury last week led defensive end Phillip Daniels to get emotional and nearly break down and cry after the Commanders beat the Bucs. Wynn's loss will be felt in the locker room, too. The media will feel it as well. Wynn is one of the good guys in the league. Here's hoping he has a fast rehab.
If the Bucs are to improve on offense they have to get better on the offensive line. Right tackle Kenyatta Walker is an unrestricted free agent, and he wants a long-term deal. Whether the Bucs give him one is questionable since he's been a major underachiever. Left tackle Anthony Davis is just a guy, which means that position has to be upgraded. The best lineman this year was rookie left guard Dan Buenning. The Bucs have to look to the draft and free agency with an eye on upgrading that line. Center John Wade also struggles with big people on his nose. Against the Commanders last week, Wade had trouble getting a push against Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a in the run game.
The Chiefs signed former TCU and Florida A&M quarterback Casey Printers this week. Printers comes down from Canada where the played for the British Columbia Lions. Printers had a huge year in 2004 for the Lions, throwing a league-high 35 touchdown passes and winning CFL MVP honors, but backed up Dave Dickenson for most of this season, playing when Dickenson was injured. Printers has a big arm and he's mobile, which is something a lot of NFL teams liked about him. Printers could be the Chiefs quarterback of the future? Then again, he could be another CFL quarterback who comes to the NFL and flops.
I like the move by Chiefs coach Herman Edwards to retain defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. He did a nice job improving the Chiefs defense this season. Edwards has a defensive background and he does come from the Tony Dungy school of defense, which means a lot of Cover-2. Cunningham has been more aggressive in his style, so that will be something to watch as they prepare to build a system of defense. The Chiefs need to find a speed pass rusher and they need help in the secondary. The pass rusher would help offset the secondary issues.
We keep hearing more and more that Al Davis plans to hire an offensive-minded coach again. Why? So he can run the defense, of course.
The more you watch the Patriots play the more you come away impressed with rookie corner Ellis Hobbs. The rookie has shown poise and good cover skills. He will also come up and tackle for a smaller corner. Once again, the Patriots have found a gem that didn't come in the first two rounds. Hobbs was a third-round pick last April. At 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, some teams thought him to be too small. What they didn't measure was his toughness. Props to the Patriots for drafting him.