Woody Paige: "Go Get Shanahan Right Now..."

[Beast_from_East]

So, will Shanahan be the defensive coordinator as well, because if you fire Phillips, you're going to need one of those too.

We are currently 26th in the league in total defense after 4 games, how much worse can somebody else do???

 

[masomenos]

and he was in charged of EVERYTHING, so there's no one else to put that blame on.

There's not any real blame to be put on Mike Shannahan, despite his rough record over the past 10 years. The simple truth is that winning consistently in the NFL is a very difficult thing to do and winning in the playoffs is even more difficult. Take the Colts under Tony Dungy as an example; Since 2002, no team has had as much success as the Colts. However, even though they've won more games than anyone in that time AND they have a winning record in the playoffs, they still only have one SB appearance.

It's hard to dispute the claim of putting the Colts as the second best team of the decade and yet they lost in their opening playoff game four times in seven years. People were saying that Peyton wasn't clutch and that Dungy couldn't win the big games, but it just wasn't true. Success in the NFL is difficult to come by, even with future HoFs on the roster.

The best way to think about it is like this, the NFL's goal of parity works. Most teams are so even in talent level (both players and coaching) that the outcome of a game is no less random than the flip of a coin. Saying that a certain coach or a certain player is or isn't clutch is ridiculous because it assumes that they have a greater chance of suceeding in tough situations than their peers. In reality, they have an equal chance, the breaks just haven't gone their way.

Shannahan doesn't deserve any blame for the Bronco's having marginal success after the SB wins. He's a good coach, he prepared his teams well and he made solid adjustments during games and put his team in a position to win. That's all you can ask of a coach.

 

[masomenos]

We are currently 26th in the league in total defense after 4 games, how much worse can somebody else do???

We could be 26th in total defense after 16 games, that'd be a lot worse.

 

[DeaconBlues]

First, if any coach was brought in mid-season, all they would do is tweak the existing O and D systems. They would not be able to bring in new coaches, because firing the entire staff would cause chaos. If there was a young, up and coming coach on the staff, then I could see it. Additionally, Jones could not hire any coach currently employed - so he's limited to the assorted talking heads or an interim coach. All of which are reasons to stay with Wade until the end of the season.

As for the off-season, I agree with RW. No way Jones trusts an unknown when he needs to fill the stadium for the next several years.

My first choice would be Gruden - he's still young enough and ornery enough to get the players attention, and they would be tougher, if nothing else. But Gruden can't manage QBs. He would not only need an experienced QB coach, but he would also need to be smart enough to pick one up himself - outside of the special teams coach, and Dat, I don't know if Gruden would hold over anyone else on the team, and those two only under pressure from Jones.

I thing Holmgren's going to Washington. The offense is in place, and the owner is willing to spend $$$, if unwisely. He can make do with a vet QB, draft a new guy and bring him up to speed quickly.

Dungy's not coaching again, and I get the feeling Cowher isn't, either. I think he enjoys the studio too much, and isn't too eager to get back into the rat race short of a huge contract; I'd question whether his heart would be in it.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Should of hired SHanahan before the Season started...now I want Gruden instead...or Holmgren but that should wait untill the end of the Season, the problem is IF you fire Wade, Jason Garrett cannot keep this team together by himself.

 

[bysbox1]

my problem with this plan is the Gruden playbook vs Garrett's is like speaking English for 3 years and then getting plays through the headset in Japanese.

Mind you the coaches that are mentioned here . . . Gruden, Shanahan, Holmgren (Cowher is the exception) . . . all run pure West Coast Offenses.

You can not change to a WCO over such a short period of time. For some it's too complicated to learn over one season.

Plus any of these guys would want to bring in their own staff. And I don't see any of the guys retaining the existing coaching staff (with the exception of Ray Sherman and Bruce DeCammillis).

While I would like any of these coaches to come here (I personally think Holmgren has the inside track) I think we are stuck with what we have until the end of the season.

 

[bysbox1]

If I was in charge, I'd certainly go that way. I'd hire a young, up and coming HC, and stick with him through thick and thin. Get back to how this franchise was orginally founded: GM - Player Personnel - Head Coach. Three different people who can work together but would not step on the other's role.

Since I'm not in charge and the Jerrathor is, here's why I disagree with your premise somewhat.

He needs that stadium filled at least through the next two years before he can begrudgedinly admit we're going to start rebuilding. Bringing in a new guy is not going to turn this particular team around because it's best players are at a career stage where they're not young guys anymore ( they're not old either ) therefor, they're not going to be as " open minded " as they were when Tuna started all of this. In other words, the fear of losing their jobs is gone.

Once again, I believe the Jerrathor is going to bite his tongue and give up some power in order to bring a vet coach who could bring back the disciplined that has been eroding since Tuna left. I'm not saying bring Tuna back, that bridge has already been burned and even if he wanted to coach again ( which he doesn't ) his threats would fall on deaf ears. Somebody like Cowher ( who should be the first choice ) or even Holmgren, signed to a 3 - 5 years contract at roughly 7 - 10 millions with SOME personnel power. Somebody who has enough sand in their saddle bags to get in this players faces when they make stupid penalties. Somebody who will toughen this bunch up, mentally and physically. Starting with the QB. Even if most of the tough guy act it's just perception and not reality.

Jerrathor has way too much money invested on that stadium, and this team for that matter, to turn it over to an inexperienced guy. He needs the name AND reputation.

I totally agree here. And that's why (among other reasons) I don't think Garrett will be considered for the HC job.

Jerry needs a name to keep the seats filled in the new stadium. Gruden, Cowher, Holmgren, or Shanahan will do that.

 

[Randy White]

Shannahan doesn't deserve any blame for the Bronco's having marginal success after the SB wins. He's a good coach, he prepared his teams well and he made solid adjustments during games and put his team in a position to win. That's all you can ask of a coach.

Not today, you don't. The NFL is a bottom line league and even though you don't win the SB every year, at the very least you have to put yourself in possition to contend for one. Shannahan hasn't done that AE ( After Elway ).

Now, perhaps the added burden of carrying GM duties, as well as HC and OC, was way too much for him and that affected his strength, which is ( like you said ) prepare his offenses well. If he's willing to accept a way lesser role as a HC and OC then yes, by all means, because he didn't become stupid all of the sudden. However, if he starts demanding personnel power, I'd pass in a heart beat.

Can his ego accept not being in charge of everything ?

 

[Randy White]

Mind you the coaches that are mentioned here . . . Gruden, Shanahan, Holmgren (Cowher is the exception) . . . all run pure West Coast Offenses.

You can not change to a WCO over such a short period of time. For some it's too complicated to learn over one season.

Plus any of these guys would want to bring in their own staff. And I don't see any of the guys retaining the existing coaching staff (with the exception of Ray Sherman and Bruce DeCammillis).

While I would like any of these coaches to come here (I personally think Holmgren has the inside track) I think we are stuck with what we have until the end of the season.

And guess which possitions on the field ( other than QB ) the WCO places the highest burden on ?

Yup, that'd be wide receivers

It takes years for receivers to get the offense down, not just one training camp or one off season worth of OTAs.

Not to mention also the O-line issue. This current group is signed long term and should be together at least another 2 seasons. Now, Holmgren and Chucky's respective systems might be more adaptable to this current group because both worked with big linemen in their respective cities, but Shannahan's system does not fit at all. Shannahan would have to adjust it extensively in order to fit this guys' strength.

 

[Randy White]

I totally agree here. And that's why (among other reasons) I don't think Garrett will be considered for the HC job.

Jerry needs a name to keep the seats filled in the new stadium. Gruden, Cowher, Holmgren, or Shanahan will do that.

I was a firm supporter of Jason throught this off-season, but now, speaking as a realist, the only way he'd be considered for the job is if he performs a miracle and the Cowboys offense ( and consequently the team ) go on a tear that produces at least 1 playoffs victory and stats similar to that of '07.

Chances of that happening ?

I won't hold my breath.

 

[JBond]

How about Dan Reeves? No nonsense guy. Solid coach. Ex player.

 

[Randy White]

sailed a few months ago.. I don't think is coming back .

 

[Randy White]

y'all, if you look at it from an outsider's point of view, taking everything into consideration, especially the personnel angle, the best fit is Cowher.

He's not an X's and O's guy, so the players won't need to be changed much to fit any particular system. His preferences ( strong O-line, strong running game, 3-4 defense with at least one good pass rusher ) fit this team perfectly.

 

[pancakeman]

Right now, I'd take a one-toothed donkey with 3 legs over Wade Phillips. So, needless to say, I'd be on board with Shanahan.

Just say no to Chucky because he is the best MNF analyst we have had in years. If he becomes our coach who's next? Wilbon on MNF?

 

[Hook'em#11]

Great, so then Dallas could be even more of a gutless team with the WCO with ratboy leading.