Speculation: My Own Thoughts for Now

[Hostile]

All evidence seems to be pointing at Norv Turner. Not an exciting hire, but I can live with it. I understand that the thinking here is to truly push Tony Romo to the next level, which in my book is elite. One hell of a story. Norv and Garrett can get the kid there. With most of the coaching staff defections being on the Offensive side of the ball perhaps it has become more urgent a need.

My personal feeling is to just let Garrett be the HC and let's move on, even through some rough water. But realistically with the team this close I know this isn't going to happen.

That leaves me wondering what will be done about the defense because that is the unit that failed so miserably last year. Phillips made the most sense because he's a 3-4 guy. It now doesn't look like they will interview Rex Ryan after all.

I wish they'd interview Greg Manusky like the 49ers are doing. That interview has me curious. Are they looking at him for DC? If so, what happens to Assistant HC/DC Mike Singletary? Are they expecting him to leave? I think so because they also want to interview Campo. If he's leaving, is it with Norv? It would make Norv's hiring more palatable for me if they did. Not going to get my hopes up, but I would love it. Then again I'd love to just get Manusky as the DC right now. I do figure it is Bowles' job. No matter whose job it is, they need to prove a point, which means an aggressive D is coming in 2007.

Oh, and I've seen the Campo speculation and I don't buy it. He is a good DC, but I don't believe he'd be coming back.

I won't be at all shocked if the 3-4 goes away. Against Detroit we ran a 4-3 and Ware was unstoppable. It won't surprise me to see him and Ellis at DE next year with Spears and/or Canty inside next to Fergy as DTs. Perhaps this makes Hatcher and Ratliff the backup DEs. Or Canty stays at DE and Ratliff moves to DT. I think they like Hatcher, and why not? He's huge and has a great motor. Not sure he's ready to start yet, but I'd be in favor of it.

What to do at LB then? I can easily see Carpenter moving to WOLB, or Burnett there if they keep Carpenter at SOLB. Ayodele played SOLB at J-ville so him starting there wouldn't shock me. Bradie is probably more suited to MLB than Ayodele at this point.

No matter what scheme we employ I have a feeling that on both sides of the ball players are going to be turned loose. I call that make the other team react to what you are doing instead of reacting to what they are doing.

I know people aren't done wringing their hands over this whole process yet. Hell, I'm not either. I'm keeping Maalox in business. I guess ultimately I see the direction that Jerry is trying to take us and I'm okay with it. Is it the sexy hires I want? No, and I won't pretend that it is just to put on the homer sunglasses and drink the koolaid. I also can't say I'm opposed, which I guess is a good thing since it looks more likely than ever. If we get Tony Romo to the next level it can only mean great things for this team. I'm okay with that.

 

[dbair1967]

Campo already interviewed in SF...depending on what you believe, he was either told last week they werent interested or after interviewing withdrew from consideration...of course that happened right after it was learned Turner was a HC candidate here

David

 

[Hostile]

Campo already interviewed in SF...depending on what you believe, he was either told last week they werent interested or after interviewing withdrew from consideration...of course that happened right after it was learned Turner was a HC candidate here

David

I was speculating on the fact they were looking at DC at all David. Why would they unless they think Singletary might leave? Maybe they think he'd be offered the Bears DC job is Rivera leaves?

I don't know. It is just curious to me that they have a DC yet are seeking to interviews others for the job.

 

[stealth]

Campo isn't coming back, is singletary's contract in SF up? and if not I don't see him coming with norval. That would be a decent coaching staff though.
What about deion coming in as a DB coach, he has expressed an interest in coaching and maybe Newman needs a guy like that to get his game into the playmaking level most fans seem to want. I don't think deion will happen either though, I was just intrigued when he mentioned he would love to coach.

 

[DipChit]

I wish they'd interview Greg Manusky like the 49ers are doing. That interview has me curious. Are they looking at him for DC? If so, what happens to Assistant HC/DC Mike Singletary?

Singletary isnt their DC right now though. A cat named Billy Davis was this past season but they let him go. Thats why they're looking at Campo/Manusky.

Now why Singletary himself isnt the DC, I dont know.

 

[superpunk]

Nolan said he wants Singletary focused on the Asst. HC duties, rather than being led off to DC, whatever that means. I don't know the responsibilities, so that's all I got.

I just can't see any scenario where bringing Norv in makes sense. What is he going to teach Garrett? X's and O's? Sparano is our coordinator, for all intents and purposes. Is he going to teach him to fail at being a HC? Count me out. I think with you that if Jason is the plan (IF), he should just be the head coach right now. It's not like Norv has some reputation for making teams better and getting good teams over that hump.

I like what Ware has been as a all-round LB, but I wouldn't be opposed to him moving to DE in a 4-3. I like the turn em loose plan, whoever ends up running the show, at least go down swinging. I don't feel like we did that late last season, for whatever reason, until the playoff game.

 

[theogt]

Nolan said he wants Singletary focused on the Asst. HC duties, rather than being led off to DC, whatever that means. I don't know the responsibilities, so that's all I got.

I just can't see any scenario where bringing Norv in makes sense. What is he going to teach Garrett? X's and O's? Sparano is our coordinator, for all intents and purposes. Is he going to teach him to fail at being a HC? Count me out. I think with you that if Jason is the plan (IF), he should just be the head coach right now. It's not like Norv has some reputation for making teams better and getting good teams over that hump.

I like what Ware has been as a all-round LB, but I wouldn't be opposed to him moving to DE in a 4-3. I like the turn em loose plan, whoever ends up running the show, at least go down swinging. I don't feel like we did that late last season, for whatever reason, until the playoff game.

Translation from coach-speak: "I need an excuse for not making him DC and this is the only babble I could come up with at the time."

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I won't be at all shocked if the 3-4 goes away. Against Detroit we ran a 4-3 and Ware was unstoppable. It won't surprise me to see him and Ellis at DE next year with Spears and/or Canty inside next to Fergy as DTs.

The one glaring thing that troubles me here is Ellis being able to come back from the Achilles injury. A younger, and arguably better athlete in Kevin Smith couldn't. It's a tough, tough injury to rehab from apparently, and it won't surprise me at all if Ellis' career is done for all practical purposes.

 

[Hostile]

Singletary isnt their DC right now though. A cat named Billy Davis was this past season but they let him go. Thats why they're looking at Campo/Manusky.

Now why Singletary himself isnt the DC, I dont know.

Good info thanks.

I'd love to get Manusky instead of them. Especially if we are staying with the 3-4.

 

[fortdick]

Well said Hos! You put what I have been thinking into words. I like the idea of Turner turning this offense loose. I also like your idea of how to man the 4-3.

In fact, I am curiously attracted to you now.

 

[wileedog]

I won't be at all shocked if the 3-4 goes away. Against Detroit we ran a 4-3 and Ware was unstoppable.

Against an O-line of stiffs and backups. Peterman, who couldn't even stay on our offensive line challenged roster, started that game for them.

Plus even with unstoppable Ware we managed to give up 400+ yards.

I don't think that particular game can be used as a benchmark for one defense over another.

*disclaimer* I don't really care which defense scheme we use, and quite frankly I don't understand why people get so worked up about going back to a 4-3, but just throwing this out there.

 

[Hostile]

Nolan said he wants Singletary focused on the Asst. HC duties, rather than being led off to DC, whatever that means. I don't know the responsibilities, so that's all I got.

I just can't see any scenario where bringing Norv in makes sense. What is he going to teach Garrett? X's and O's? Sparano is our coordinator, for all intents and purposes. Is he going to teach him to fail at being a HC? Count me out. I think with you that if Jason is the plan (IF), he should just be the head coach right now. It's not like Norv has some reputation for making teams better and getting good teams over that hump.

I like what Ware has been as a all-round LB, but I wouldn't be opposed to him moving to DE in a 4-3. I like the turn em loose plan, whoever ends up running the show, at least go down swinging. I don't feel like we did that late last season, for whatever reason, until the playoff game.

No, he doesn't. He has a reputation of improving offensive stats for individual players. Can that add wins? Sure. I have yet to see where he inspires teams to win. That is my consternation about looking at him as our HC.

 

[Hostile]

Against an O-line of stiffs and backups. Peterman, who couldn't even stay on our offensive line challenged roster, started that game for them.

Plus even with unstoppable Ware we managed to give up 400+ yards.

I don't think that particular game can be used as a benchmark for one defense over another.

*disclaimer* I don't really care which defense scheme we use, and quite frankly I don't understand why people get so worked up about going back to a 4-3, but just throwing this out there.

DEs do not go against Guards, so Ware wasn't schooling Peterman.

I'm not worked up over the 4-3 or the 3-4. I never have been. I like both schemes, I just want us to play one of them aggressively. My speculation of a return hinges olely upon who we might get at DC at this point. I don't see a lot of 3-4 guys available if we pass on Wade. JMO.

 

[Hostile]

The one glaring thing that troubles me here is Ellis being able to come back from the Achilles injury. A younger, and arguably better athlete in Kevin Smith couldn't. It's a tough, tough injury to rehab from apparently, and it won't surprise me at all if Ellis' career is done for all practical purposes.

Gotta agree with this. In fact I'd prefer he come in only on obvious pass rush downs. If he does make it back.

 

[Hostile]

Well said Hos! You put what I have been thinking into words. I like the idea of Turner turning this offense loose. I also like your idea of how to man the 4-3.

In fact, I am curiously attracted to you now.

I'm taken.

 

[DipChit]

Good info thanks.

I'd love to get Manusky instead of them. Especially if we are staying with the 3-4.

Me too.

Not to say Bowles might not be fine but it just seems to me that if you want an up and comer, why not pick the one thats been studying under a guy for 3 years that already runs the type of defense so many people want to run.

Bowles has been most recently studying under those that we dont like. I'm not sure suggesting he'd simply be "more aggressive" end's the debate.

But I guess Jerry is just defaulting to the "familiarity" card. Norv, JG, Bowles.. perhaps Campo.. yada yada

 

[Hostile]

Me too.

Not to say Bowles might not be fine but it just seems to me that if you want an up and comer, why not pick the one thats been studying under a guy for 3 years that already runs the type of defense so many people want to run.

Bowles has been most recently studying under those that we dont like. I'm not sure suggesting he'd simply be "more aggressive" end's the debate.

But I guess Jerry is just defaulting to the "familiarity" card. Norv, JG, Bowles.. perhaps Campo.. yada yada

On top of this DC I wasn't all that impressed with our secondary, now we want to reward him with more responsibility?

Strange thinking.

 

[DipChit]

Well I'm still sticking with my short term answer of the Reeves/JG-Sparano/Manusky, plan.

At least til the word "Reeves" is made into a cuss word and comes out ****** to where it wouldnt pay for me to type it anymore.

 

[superpunk]

On top of this DC I wasn't all that impressed with our secondary, now we want to reward him with more responsibility?

Strange thinking.

Can you honestly fault the secondary coach for the performance of the defense as a whole? For instance, he may have coached the heck out of that secondary, does that make it his fault that we couldn't generate a pass rush? That our LBs couldn't cover backs in the flats out of the backfield? Not IMO.

We saw the foolishness of equating a unit's performance to the qualifications of their position coach with Sparano. I would really like Bowles to be promoted. If there's anyone who understands the need for pressure at all costs, it's the guy whose unit has been suffering from that lack for years.

 

[theogt]

Can you honestly fault the secondary coach for the performance of the defense as a whole? For instance, he may have coached the heck out of that secondary, does that make it his fault that we couldn't generate a pass rush? That our LBs couldn't cover backs in the flats out of the backfield? Not IMO.

We saw the foolishness of equating a unit's performance to the qualifications of their position coach with Sparano. I would really like Bowles to be promoted. If there's anyone who understands the need for pressure at all costs, it's the guy whose unit has been suffering from that lack for years.

Bowles wasn't making the same simple coverage calls over and over in games either.

The problem with Bowles isn't that he's performed or not, it's that we have no idea what he's capable of -- he's a complete unknown.