Thoughts on Callahan and Pollack from over on the Asthmafield

[Doc50]

I think Callahan was a heckuva O-Coordinator at Oakland. Their performance metrics indicate that and I don't think they were a loaded team by any means. Him calling the plays here just didn't work out. 2 different offenses and 2 different things we are trying to accomplish.

I hate to see him go to Washington. It's kind of funny how revered he is as an O-Line coach because he doesn't have a ton of experience on the pro level, but I do think he's one of the best.

With that said, we did draft 3 first rounders to help fill this void. We also took Leary who had a 3rd round grade if it weren't for his knee. The Jets didn't do well with Callahan so I don't think the Skins are likely to do well unless they start drafting some early round picks on the O-Line.

The problem with the Skins is that they love to finger point and blame coaches. It didn't really work out well with Callahan his 1st year here either, but we stuck with him and gave him higher round picks to work with and things started to come along. If the Skins are terrible next year, I wonder if they'll keep Gruden which could mean an entire upheaval at the coaching position.

The good part is that from what I've been told, Pollack really coached the O-Line in 2013 and that's when we made the leap. It seemed that Pollack also played a role in this year's O-Line and Callahan did more of scripting run plays to use.

The question is if Pollack can give quality input on who to draft. As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't exactly hate it if the Cowboys drafted another guard or a right tackle in the first 3 rounds. We utilized the O-Line to our advantage in a league where the defenses are designed to stop short, quick passes. I'm not too high on Parnell, Free is probably gone and Leary still has a questionable knee. It just depends if we can find the right player to fit Pollack's coaching.

I think it was a good hire by the Skins and I do believe that position coaches are very critical to success (they have the most interaction with the player and figure out how to improve their performance). But, I don't think we are left without a quality O-Line coach and there's more to creating a good O-Line than have a good O-Line coach.







YR

Callahan may end up being Gruden's successor.

Snyder's obvious ignorance is one big reason that JJ has toned his own influence down a bit (seeing his failed antics), and that has enabled JG to shape the roster.

I don't see the deadskins recovering anytime soon.

 

[Risen Star]

Callahan may end up being Gruden's successor.

Snyder's obvious ignorance is one big reason that JJ has toned his own influence down a bit (seeing his failed antics), and that has enabled JG to shape the roster.

I don't see the deadskins recovering anytime soon.

I think you're being unfair to Dan Snyder. He's at least trying to employ a legitimate GM now and be less involved in personnel. That is progress for him and hope for Commanders fans.

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[AsthmaField]

I think you're being unfair to Dan Snyder. He's at least trying to employ a legitimate GM now and be less involved in personnel. That is progress for him and hope for Commanders fans.

I don't disagree with that. At least he's trying a different, more mainstream way of doing it. Good thing for him too because fans were just about to start jumping ship. The natives (no pun intended) were very restless.

They're still nervous because the Skins always win the offseason.

 

[Fletch]

I agree with everything in the OP regarding Garrett's system and how we'll be able to plug in another OL coach and not miss a beat.

I think it extends even higher than that. Garrett is the first coach to find the happy medium in dealing with JJ.

Wade was a pushover whereas JJ saw Jimmy as a threat/competitor.

You can look around the rest of the league and find all consistently successful teams (NE, GB, PIT) have owners and coaches who preach the same system, values, and strategies.

For the first time, the FO and the coaching staff in Dallas are moving in lock-step with one another. And that's something to be excited about.

Well said. "Lock-step". Mmm. Mmm. Like the sound of that!

 

[Idgit]

Jerry brought in Houck in 2008. He "retired" after a year with Garrett as coach. Jason got rid of him like he got rid of Leonard Davis, Flozell Adams, and Andre Gurode.

I know you hate Garrett, so I never expected you to agree with any of this. If Garrett's performance this year didn't convince you then I sure can't.

Yeah, I recall when Houck left the locals covering Valley Ranch were hinting that he might have some less-than-flattering things to say about being asked to retire. As far as I remember, though, he always took the high road publicly. There's no doubt, though, that they wanted to go in a different direction and broth in Callahan specifically to do that.

For my part, I think Callahan was the one piece that sort of didn't fit perfectly in the staff we had. Well, not including Uncle Kiffin. Mostly because he was way too qualified for the role we had available and was interested in calling plays on his own. But he's a really, really smart dude, a great coach, and it's a shame to lose him--especially to a division rival. Not a guy to get all that excited about in terms of his personality, but his resume speaks for itself.

Pollack, though, was reportedly basically running the OL himself during 3/4 of the season last year when Callahan was play calling. Not too worried overall that we don't have good OL coaching between he and Linehan and Garrett next season. Our offensive staff is pretty great.

 

[Fletch]

I don't disagree with that. At least he's trying a different, more mainstream way of doing it. Good thing for him too because fans were just about to start jumping ship. The natives (no pun intended) were very restless.

They're still nervous because the Skins always win the offseason.

Didn't they supposedly have a legit GM before this legit GM?

We'll see.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yeah, I recall when Houck left the locals covering Valley Ranch were hinting that he might have some less-than-flattering things to say about being asked to retire. As far as I remember, though, he always took the high road publicly. There's no doubt, though, that they wanted to go in a different direction and broth in Callahan specifically to do that.

For my part, I think Callahan was the one piece that sort of didn't fit perfectly in the staff we had. Well, not including Uncle Kiffin. Mostly because he was way too qualified for the role we had available and was interested in calling plays on his own. But he's a really, really smart dude, a great coach, and it's a shame to lose him--especially to a division rival. Not a guy to get all that excited about in terms of his personality, but his resume speaks for itself.

Pollack, though, was reportedly basically running the OL himself during 3/4 of the season last year when Callahan was play calling. Not too worried overall that we don't have good OL coaching between he and Linehan and Garrett next season. Our offensive staff is pretty great.

Pollack coaching for 5 years under Alex Gibbs and then two years under Callahan should make him extremely qualified to coach in this system.

I really hope his assistant is Marc Colombo because that guy played nasty and mean and his influence on the OL could do nothing but help. The only reason I hated to see Marc retire is because I loved his attitude and mean streak. His body was done but his intangibles were off the chart.

 

[AsthmaField]

Didn't they supposedly have a legit GM before this legit GM?

We'll see.

Here is what a Commander fan said about that (when I asked him that question) on another board:
______________________________________

No, he hired a name [Allen] as team president, gave him a fake GM title, and then let Shanny be the coach and final say on players.

So no, this is not nearly the same.

This is the first time he has had a real traditional set up IMHO.
______________________________________

So, Allen was just for salary cap matters and Shanahan was really the GM, lol. It isn't that Allen failed as GM... it is that he never tried it.

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

Here is what a Commander fan said about that (when I asked him that question) on another board:
______________________________________

No, he hired a name [Allen] as team president, gave him a fake GM title, and then let Shanny be the coach and final say on players.

So no, this is not nearly the same.

This is the first time he has had a real traditional set up IMHO.
______________________________________

So, Allen was just for salary cap matters and Shanahan was really the GM, lol. It isn't that Allen failed as GM... it is that he never tried it.

Shanny picked the players, Allen found a way to sign them.

In the 2014 offseason Allen had final say on players in FA and draft. Besides Baushad Breeland, it was a disaster. DJax just happened to fall in his lap

Going into 2015 thru 2019, GM Scott McCloughan has final say on the players, which is a major upgrade considering his track record vs Allen.

Allen is still team President and is responsible for the fall harvest fest and helping the team "win off the field"

This is the first time since summer 1999 the Commanders have had a legitimate GM suited for the role.

Scot McCloughan is the best talent evaluator the team has had since 1989, which was Bobby Beathard's last year in DC.

I have no idea how it will work out, but these are substantive moves that make the org better

1) Firing Haslet
2) Hiring Scot M and giving him the General manager duties along with final say on players
3) Bringing in Callahan
4) Hopefully bringing Fangio as DC

Now Scot M needs to go draft some players and Snyder/Allen need to give it time to work (at least 4 years)

 

[AsthmaField]

Shanny picked the players, Allen found a way to sign them.

In the 2014 offseason Allen had final say on players in FA and draft. Besides Baushad Breeland, it was a disaster. DJax just happened to fall in his lap

Going into 2015 thru 2019, GM Scott McCloughan has final say on the players, which is a major upgrade considering his track record vs Allen.

Allen is still team President and is responsible for the fall harvest fest and helping the team "win off the field"

This is the first time since summer 1999 the Commanders have had a legitimate GM suited for the role.

Scot McCloughan is the best talent evaluator the team has had since 1989, which was Bobby Beathard's last year in DC.

I have no idea how it will work out, but these are substantive moves that make the org better

1) Firing Haslet
2) Hiring Scot M and giving him the General manager duties along with final say on players
3) Bringing in Callahan
4) Hopefully bringing Fangio as DC

Now Scot M needs to go draft some players and Snyder/Allen need to give it time to work (at least 4 years)

I would submit that number 1 and 4 are the same thing. Still, I would agree with you for the most part.

Looking back at McC's drafts, I'm not so sure that he is that great at picking talent but I do think he's better than Allen at it. IOW it was a step in the right direction.

 

[Doc50]

I think you're being unfair to Dan Snyder. He's at least trying to employ a legitimate GM now and be less involved in personnel. That is progress for him and hope for Commanders fans.

Yes, I am -- he's made a few moves that seem logical, but he's never been able to keep his fingers out of the pie.

Maybe he'll learn from JJ.

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

I would submit that number 1 and 4 are the same thing. Still, I would agree with you for the most part.

Looking back at McC's drafts, I'm not so sure that he is that great at picking talent but I do think he's better than Allen at it. IOW it was a step in the right direction.

If 4 turns out to be "Hire Joe Berry" then it isn't an upgrade at all. Hence the 2 points about it.

McCloughan was a part of very good foundational drafts in San Fran (2005-2009) and again part of Schneider's staff in Seattle until he sat out the 2014 season and ran his consulting service.

That 2013 NFCCG had his finger prints all over it on both sidelines, which again doesn't guarantee any future results, but is a significant upgrade from the status quo

 

[AsthmaField]

McCloughan was a part of very good foundational drafts in San Fran (2005-2009)

Have you really looked at his SF drafts?

 

[khiladi]

You are really fighting the Garrett tide here man.

Houck came back to the team in 2008, Garrett's 2nd year as OC. He was still fairly new and I don't believe had the power to single-handedly hire his OL coach. Houck worked for the team in the glory days that Jerry was still fond of, and he probably tried to bring that back. Let's just say I don't think that decision was 100% Garret's, maybe he had input but not likely.

Even so, at the time Houck was hired (2008) we had a mauler OL that included Leonard Davis who was in the second year of a massive contract, Gurode on the second year of a huge extension, and Hotel Flozell just signed to a massive extension. That's a line signed and built for power-blocking. Garrett wasn't controlling those contracts to OL, he had to work with what he was given, so Houck wasn't a bad choice. Turned out pretty good - 2009 team won the Division. The team had to follow through on Parcells' work in that time frame.

Once the rebuild started, Garrett was able to bring in the pieces he was given. That didn't truly start until 2011 when everyone realized Parcells roster wasn't going to get it done.

Cool story bro..

Houck was coaching at Miami with Garrett as well. Garrett's offense and those he worked under always relied on it.

Wade wanted Solari, a HOF and a zone-blocking guy.

 

[khiladi]

Jerry brought in Houck in 2008. He "retired" after a year with Garrett as coach. Jason got rid of him like he got rid of Leonard Davis, Flozell Adams, and Andre Gurode.

I know you hate Garrett, so I never expected you to agree with any of this. If Garrett's performance this year didn't convince you then I sure can't.

Keep the spin alive.

Houck was coaching with Garrett in Miami too, under the same offense type of offense Garrett ran here.

Houck coached here for three seasons and retired. He was not fired.

We know you love Garrett, but no need to belittle Callahan. The latter is the one with the track record for OL coaching and building. Garrett doesn't.

 

[khiladi]

BTW, sixty percent of the OL
was cut before Houck's last year. So much for all the theories about Garrett wanting a zone scheme from the get-go.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011...owboys-rebuilding-offensive-line-hudson-houck

 

[AsthmaField]

Keep the spin alive.

Houck was coaching with Garrett in Miami too, under the same offense type of offense Garrett ran here.

Houck coached here for three seasons and retired. He was not fired.

We know you love Garrett, but no need to belittle Callahan. The latter is the one with the track record for OL coaching and building. Garrett doesn't.

Yeah, with Linehan as the OC. I'm sure the quarterbacks coach chose who the OL coach was.

Jerry was being Jerry in 08 when he hired Houck, going with who he personally knew. Garrett couldn't get rid of him fast enough.

Not fired? They "retired" him out of respect for him. That's already been discussed in this thread. Either you're not reading it all or you're ignoring it and saying he "officially" retired, which would be naive, and disingenuous at best.

Maybe you should re-read the original post because I said several times that Callahan is a good OL coach. What I said was the the head coach is what drives the team and assistant coaches will come and go.

Like Carroll having a good defense under Bradley and Quinn, and Belichick doing well no matter who his coordinators are. Remember?

There are many, many cowboy fans who now love Garrett. I just loved him before most of them.

 

[AsthmaField]

BTW, sixty percent of the OL
was cut before Houck's last year. So much for all the theories about Garrett wanting a zone scheme from the get-go.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011...owboys-rebuilding-offensive-line-hudson-houck

LOL, what does that show? That Garrett cut the fat overpaid OL before he "retired" the OL coach?

And so? Did you want to do it all in his first season?

 

[CCBoy]

Asthma, I would have to even extend 'ol Jerry Jones a hand in the developments. Since Jimmy Johnson left, he has worked steadily to improve upon the whole coaching group, each and every time that the wagons were circled trying to arrive at a direction with the Dallas staff. Bill Parcells was the turning point, and even Phillips had the star of the future when Jerry brought in Jason Garrett in to grow as the future of the Cowboys.

I really enjoyed your OP. And this has been a good thread to sit in upon...thanks.