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Childress Has Earned Chance to Finish Job With Vikings

Thomas George — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:00 EST

"We made a lot of cultural changes. You don't come in with everything already firm. I thought this would be one of those rare chances. I didn't think I would be like (Bill) Parcells or (Dick) Vermeil where I was going to get multiple chances and shots.''

-- Vikings coach Brad Childress, reflecting on his 2006 hire in Minnesota

******

When Brad Childress said that last Thursday at the Minnesota Vikings complex, he was already inching toward securing multiple chances with the Vikings. Now that Childress and the Vikings have connected -- his contract, scheduled to end after the 2010 season, has been extended through the 2013 season -- Childress can breathe.

That is a good spot for him.

He is "chilly'' when he can breathe.

Childress arrived in Minnesota in 2006 as part of a 10-coach hiring binge across the NFL. Six of those coaches have been fired. Childress, Gary Kubiak (Houston Texans), Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints) and Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers) remain.

Contract extension talks between the Vikings and representatives of Childress intensified over the past two weeks. Here is, in essence, what the exchange consisted of:

CHILDRESS: "The franchise had not won a division title since 2000. We won it last year.''

MANAGEMENT: "Well, with the talent we have given you, you should have won more.''

CHILDRESS: "Our victories have gone in four seasons here from 6 to 8 to 10 and now an 8-1 record. Any way you slice it, that is ascending.''

MANAGEMENT: "Well, you inherited a team that had finished 9-7 the season before. So, it took you three seasons to surpass that victory total.''

CHILDRESS: "Of the four coaches remaining from my class of '06, my record is better than Kubiak's (22-26) and compares with the other two (Payton is 34-23 with a 1-1 playoff record and McCarthy is 32-25 with a 1-1 playoff record). I have brought in quality coaches -- a coach from my staff (Mike Tomlin/Pittsburgh Steelers) has gone on elsewhere to win a Super Bowl.''

MANAGEMENT: "With the talent we have given you, you should have won more.''

CHILDRESS: "This franchise is on pace to win consecutive division titles for the first time in 31 years. I brought in Brett Favre.''

MANAGEMENT: "That's a good one.''

******

Landing Favre has, thus far, helped the Vikings become one of the NFL's elite.

He can breathe now.

He did that last summer when he nabbed his new quarterback.

"We broke training camp and I took a breather,'' Childress recalled. "Who are we? What are we? I took that breath to answer those questions. And I realized you can't get a hit unless you swing the bat. So, I picked up the phone and called Brett. And pretty soon he was asking if he could play on that Friday. He came in, ate lunch, signed a contract, took his physical and went to practice. No meetings. How many guys and how many instances can you come up with where it would be like that?

"He knew our system and we knew him. All I did was give him an opportunity to one more time tell me no.''

Childress also tilted his Vikings future his way in the process.

"We broke training camp and I took a breather. 'Who are we? What are we?' I took that breath to answer those questions. And I realized you can't get a hit unless you swing the bat. So, I picked up the phone and called Brett. ... All I did was give him an opportunity to one more time tell me no."
-- Brad Childress Favre has become a spark for the 8-1 Vikings, a team that ranks second in points scored per game (30.1) and first in sacks (34). The Vikings, who host Seattle on Sunday, know they are of championship caliber.

But Vikings management asked a question that they needed to ask: Does Minnesota have a championship-caliber coach?

One way to answer that was to let the man breathe -- give him a jolt in security and see if he can create more magic.

What also worked in Childress's favor in extending his deal is the fact that starting over with a new coach meant starting from scratch with new schemes and dead money on the books -- with a possible strike looming in 2011. The Vikings wanted no part of that.

So, the Vikings viewed the direction Childress has taken them. They examined his shelf life in message and teaching. They measured his zenith.

They are giving him a shot to better answer all of that.

Childress, 53, is in his 32nd year of coaching and 12th in the NFL. He traveled from his hometown of Aurora, Ill., to play quarterback and wide receiver at the University of Illinois. He later graduated from Eastern Illinois and returned to Illinois in 1974 to begin his coaching career.

That career includes four colleges and three NFL teams -- among them, a stop coaching for Barry Alvarez at the University of Wisconsin (1991-1998), and one working for Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2005).

"I'm a Midwestern guy,'' Childress said. "I understand Midwestern values. I grew up around the Big Ten. I used to coach in the Metrodome when it was considered an eighth wonder of the world; now they want to dynamite it. People want instant gratification. They had their version of the greatest show on turf here with Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper and the most points in the league and people got stuck on that.

"When you make a coaching change, it is because where you are is not where you want to be. Every one of our players, I have sat and talked to eye-to-eye. They are good people as well as good football players. There is a strong fiber that runs through them and this team.''

Childress' extension nearly doubles the coach's $2 million salary. This is a good time for Childress and for the Vikings. Both are ascending.

"I grew up in the barber shop,'' Childress said. "My dad was a barber. When I acted up, my mom would send me down there for some leather. That was discipline you remembered. I have a healthy respect for change.''

And for trust.

Childress was the first coach hired in that wave of 10 NFL coaching hires in 2006. He is still standing with the Vikings. And he may do so longer than them all.

Childress Has Earned Chance to Finish Job With Vikings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Injuries, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

One could forgive Cleveland wide receiver/return man Josh Cribbs if he was upset with the Browns coaching staff for extending Monday night's game against Baltimore long enough to land him on a stretcher, despite the fact that the Browns were down 16 points with just seconds to play.

But Cribbs, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer by way of PFT, has a different account of the final play of the game: the decision to keep the ball alive was made by Brady Quinn (as opposed to head coach Eric Mangini).

"It was a call at the line,'' said Cribbs. "It wasn't a call that came in from the coaches. Brady had let us know to keep the ball alive, that he was going to throw the slant to me at the line and to keep the ball alive. He gave the signal to keep it alive, but it wasn't a call that came in from the sideline.''

Cribbs added that Mangini apologized to the team -- he did call a pass -- but pointed out that he wasn't upset, which is a pretty impressive stance to take from a guy who was wheeled off the field and straight to the hospital.

"He told me it wasn't personal and he did apologize to the team,'' said Cribbs. "It wasn't nothing like he needed to apologize to me personally. It's football and injuries happen in football.''

Now, Cribbs could just be playing nice, but for some reason, he just seems to have no issue being the lone bright spot on an absolutely abysmal Browns team with no real hope of improvement. So, good for him. I guess.

As for the decision, given that Mangini was somewhat cleared (there was still no reason to keep passing when a knee would have been the healthy and most prudent play-call), if he can apologize, so can I -- I'm sorry I called for you to be fired based on your final play-call, coach.

There are probably a number of other reasons why it's justifiable, but on this one, I guess you're kind of safe.

Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Shanahan a Candidate in Buffalo?

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

Mike Shanahan has been contacted by the Buffalo Bills as a potential candidate to fill the tiny shoes of Dick Jauron, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter -- although the report indicates that Shanahan was not the only candidate contacted.

Among those additionally listed as possibilities are former NC State offensive coordinator and current CFL coach Marc Trestman, as well as Jim Haslett, who simply refuses to disappear from any coaching search, and Giants OC Kevin Gilbride. Schefter did indicate, however, that interim head coach Perry Fewell would be given an "every opportunity" to secure the full-time gig.

Shanahan's inclusion, of course, should be no surprise -- he's one of the biggest names on the market in terms of availability and is highly regarded by the majority of NFL personnel, even if some people tend to believe his multiple Super Bowl victories in Denver has left him overrated.

Buffalo's move is likely to gauge his interest; previous reports of Shanahan talking to the Redskins indicated that he would be unlikely to take over a team midseason. But by opening talks with the former Broncos coach, the Bills organization can at least find out if he's a potential candidate to take over should Fewell be unable to turn the team around.

Mike Shanahan a Candidate in Buffalo? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belichick Defends Decision to Go for It

FanHouse Newswire — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Coaching

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Bill Belichick defended his decision to go for it on fourth down as criticism mounted Monday of the call that led to the New England Patriots stunning loss. The coach hailed as one of the NFL's best was a target of columnists, talk radio callers and two of his former players. Why, they all wondered, did he gamble with a six-point lead and just over two minutes to go against the Indianapolis Colts?

The gamble failed and the Patriots lost 35-34 after leading by 17 points in the fourth quarter Sunday night.

"The same thing I said after the game," Belichick said at his regular Monday news conference. "I thought it was our best chance to win. I thought we needed to make that one play and then we could basically run out the clock. We weren't able to make it."

An average punt would have left Peyton Manning about 60 to 70 yards from the end zone, a long distance but one Manning has traveled before with little time left.

But when the Patriots gained 1 yard on fourth-and-2, his task became much easier. Manning got the ball at the New England 29-yard line and four plays later he threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds left. Matt Stover's extra point was the winning margin.

Belichick was noncommittal Monday when asked if he would make the same decision again.

"You only get one chance," he said.

When that chance ended, the second guessing started.

NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, a safety for Belichick for six years who retired before this season, called it "the worst coaching decision I've ever seen Bill Belichick make."

ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi, who retired this year after 14 seasons as a Patriots linebacker, said, "The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks. ... I would look at this decision as a lack of confidence in our ability as a defensive unit to come up with a big play to win the game."

The loss dropped the Patriots to 6-3, three games behind the unbeaten Colts, and hurt their hopes for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs and for avoiding a game in the first round. They're home against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Belichick has made plenty of aggressive calls that worked. He's led the Patriots to three Super Bowl wins this decade. Might it be unfair for critics to pounce when one gutsy call doesn't pan out?

"Everybody's entitled to their opinion out there," he said. "I respect that."

Not everyone piled on.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell, the beneficiary of Belichick's decision, held off.

"I just think that every situation is different," Caldwell said, "There are things that you have to weigh, you have to take into account, and things that are not readily available to the public, so I'm not going to question anybody's decision, especially someone who has won more Super Bowl championships than most people dream about."

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New England Patriots Photos

New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk (33) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) on fourth down during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Indianapolis won 35-34. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FR123854 AP

New England Patriots Photos

New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick reacts as he speaks about his decision not to punt late in their 35-34 loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts, at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick reacts at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 where he spoke about his decision not to punt late in their 35-34 loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick walks from the podium after speaking about his decision not to punt late in their 35-34 loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts, at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick speaks at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 in the aftermath of Sunday's 35-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick steps from the podium after a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 where he spoke about his decision not to punt late in their 35-34 loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

It was hardly a spur of the moment decision. Belichick said he "pretty much" decided before the third-and-2 play that he would go for it on fourth down.

But when Tom Brady threw an incompletion toward Wes Welker on third down, some members of the punt team went on the field, some offensive players walked off, and the Patriots called their final timeout.

"We had a little miscommunication on that as to whether we were going to go (for the first down) or punt it," Belichick said. "That wasn't cleanly handled. Again, I'll take responsibility for that."

The Patriots had used their other two timeouts in the second half to sort things out.

Welker called the first with 12:46 left in the third quarter when he spotted the team in the wrong formation, a decision Belichick agreed with. The second came with 2:23 left in the game after a Colts kickoff because "we were heading into a series there and we just wanted to make sure that everything was right," Belichick said.

So with no timeouts left, he couldn't challenge the spotting of the ball a yard short of the first down when Kevin Faulk was tackled after bobbling, then catching, Brady's fourth-down pass.

"I think he had the first down when the ball hit his hands," Belichick said, "and then where it was finally marked and all was a little bit short."

But, he said, "it doesn't really matter" if he disagreed with the spot.

Then the defenders returned to the field, defenders who may feel their coach lacks confidence in them.

"I tell the team, and I think they believe, that I do what I feel like is best for our football team to win every game," he said. "I put the team first and I put those decisions first. I would hope everybody understands that."

What will Belichick's message to them be when they return to practice Wednesday?

"We'll start getting ready for the Jets," he said. "That's what we do every week, start turning the page and we move on."

By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Belichick Defends Decision to Go for It originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nothing Wrong With Belichick's Gamble

David Whitley — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Coaching, NFL Analysis

According to Internet polls, phone surveys, insulted ex-players and media analysts, Bill Belichick just sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees.

His decision to go for it on fourth down against the Colts was the dumbest move in Boston, if not world history.

"Belichick Gaffe Unrivaled" declared the Boston Globe.

Call me stupid, but I'd still rank it below the Red Sox selling Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000. And with all due respect to those who think Belichick should be involuntarily committed, I wouldn't even call what he Sunday night did a gaffe.

It was the right move for the simplest of reasons.

Mariotti: Belichick Goes From 'Spygate' to 'Stupidgate'
More: Roundtable Discussion | Precedent for Belichick Blunder

"I do what I think is best for our football team to win," Belichick said Monday.

That has proven quite hard for Tedy Bruschi and plenty of others to comprehend. To them the call wasn't merely controversial, it was indefensible.

"The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks," said Bruschi, the Pats' linebacker legend now retired to ESPN.

You'd think Belichick just traded Tom Brady for JaMarcus Russell. No doubt, it was surprising to watch Brady line up in the shotgun on fourth-and-two with a little more than two minutes left Sunday night. In case you haven't seen one of the 24,693 replays, Kevin Faulk bobbled the catch and the play gained approximately 1.99 yards.

"Bill Belichick sent a message to his defense," Bruschi said. "He felt that his chances were better to go for it on his own 28-yard line than to punt it away and make Peyton Manning have to drive the majority of the field to win the game."

You know why Belichick felt his chances were better, Tedy?

They were.

A conversion on 4th-and-2 is successful 60 percent of the time. A team needing a touchdown to win or tie in final two minutes gets it 53 percent of the time. Going for it gave the Patriots a 79 percent probability of winning. That was higher than any other option Belichick had with 2:08 remaining and a 34-28 lead.

Belichick feared the Colts would score if they got the ball anywhere. That may offend the sensibilities of his current and former defensive players, but you know what? Tough.
I failed high school Algebra, so please don't ask me to extrapolate further. I got this from a New York Times statistical analysis, and I still have enough faith in the Times to get such things right.

I know what you're saying. Math Schmath!

The more turf between Manning and the end zone, the better. But the way the game was going, it wouldn't have mattered if the Colts got the ball on New England's 28 or in the Lucas Oil Stadium parking lot.

The Patriots' defense was on fumes, and Indy had plenty of time and timeouts. The best way to lock up the win was to keep the ball away from Manning.

The odds said New England's fourth-down play should have done that. The fact it didn't does not make Belichick a self-absorbed ignoramus.

"Hubris" was the operative phrase with the Monday Morning QBs. The fact is Belichick truly is the smartest guy in the NFL room. That's irritating to those of us who don't particularly like grumps who look like they sleep under a bridge, but I've learned to channel my resentment toward Randy Moss.

Belichick's made plenty of unorthodox decisions over his career. Some have worked, others haven't. But on balance, who would you rather have making the calls for your team?

"As a former defender on that team, I would've cared less about the result of that fourth-down attempt," Bruschi said. "I would look at this decision as a lack of confidence in our ability as a defensive unit to come up with a big play to win the game."

Rodney Harrison chimed in on NBC that it was "the worst coaching decision I've ever seen Bill Belichick make."

But after a slow start, Manning had just torched the Patriots with two quick 79-yard drives. His biggest concern after getting the ball was scoring too soon and leaving Brady enough time to win.

One last Bruschi Blast: "Right now, every member of the defense is wishing they had the chance to stop Manning and the Colts."

Hey Tedy, they did.

You could make the argument that Belichick showed more faith in his defense by going for it. The Colts still needed 29 yards to win, and he figured his defense was up to the task.

You could make that argument, but you'd be wrong. Belichick feared the Colts would score if they got the ball anywhere. That may offend the sensibilities of his current and former defensive players, but you know what?

Tough.

If guys like Bruschi and Harrison hadn't gotten old and retired, Belichick probably would have punted.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinion out there," he said.

Should Belichick be second-guessed?

Of course.

Would most other coaches have done it?

No way.

Would he do it again?

"You only get one chance," Belichick said.

And he took the right one, even if it turned out wrong.

Nothing Wrong With Belichick's Gamble originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL FanHouse Roundtable: Examining Belichick's Decision

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Patriots, NFL Coaching

It seems everyone has an opinion about Sunday night's incredible finish in Indianapolis. Usually untouchable Patriots coach Bill Belichick is getting grilled by many (including a former Patriot) for his decision to go for it on a fourth-and-two inside the Patriots' 30 late in the game. The NFL FanHouse crew put their heads together Monday for a debate on the topic.

More Coverage: Mariotti: Bill Blunderchick | Bozo and the Belichick Precedent

Bruce Ciskie: Am I the only one who thinks he is getting somewhat unjustly killed over this?

David Goldberg: No, you're not. What would we be saying if he'd made it? Best coach who ever lived?

Will Brinson: I actually liked it. Frankly, as insane as it looked last night, if they had gotten the first down, we would have been hearing announcers say stuff like, "That's why he's got those rings!" and "It's his signature -- going for big fourth downs and getting them. That's why people consider him a genius."

Michael David Smith: The bonehead move the Patriots made was wasting all three timeouts. I don't have a problem with going for it on fourth down, but I have a huge problem with using all your timeouts without any strategic clock management reason for any of them.

Knox Bardeen: I have an emphatic problem with him going for it on fourth down, especially from somebody who preaches smart decisions and field position like Belichick does. I understand that there were many reasons that the Patriots lost the game last night, MDS gave a good one already. But, had the Pats punted, they most likely win by six and we're talking about a completely different AFC playoff landscape.

Josh Alper: I don't know how you can kill a guy for wanting Tom Brady to decide whether he won or lost rather than Peyton Manning. You can quibble with the way he did it, especially without having any timeouts, but my first thought was that it didn't much matter where Peyton got the ball since he was scoring anyway.

Also, I agree with Brinson here. It's the same kneejerk stuff either way and can guarantee that Dungy and Rodney wouldn't have been saying Belichick's a dope who got lucky if Faulk converts right there. To me, the "that's why he's got those rings" part is doing something unconventional because he thought it gave his team a better chance to win.

Stephanie Stradley: I don't know. Going for it on 4th down, seems to me to be the ultimate insult to your defense. I know they were depleted, but by making it all about Brady making the play, you are saying that you can't trust your defense to stop Manning on a long field.

Bardeen: A touchdown, an interception, and a pass interference-aided drive capped by an Addai TD were the Colts three 4th quarter drives prior to the game decider. Is it really a given that Manning could have driven the Colts the entire length of the field if the Pats had punted?

Adam Gretz: I'm all for coaches being more aggressive in fourth down situations (for example, I hate seeing teams kick field goals on fourth and goal from the one), but there's a time and a place for it. Not every fourth down situation is created equal. Given that situation (up six, two minutes left, inside your own 30), I just can't see the justification for going for it. That was fourth and close to three yards. I don't like the call, and I don't like how they managed the timeouts. The last four minutes were a total train wreck for New England.

Brinson: Not to cite Bill Simmons here, but he's the biggest Belichick schlobber on the planet and even he thought this was going to happen -- his rationale on it is 100% correct. Peyton Manning is unstoppable and they had more than two minutes against a heavily depleted (as Steph noted) defense.

I feel worse agreeing with Merrill Hoge than Josh does agreeing with me, but good gravy, if you step on the throat of your biggest rival, give them the first loss of the year and all of a sudden give you justification for being the best team in the AFC, you're getting praised left and right this morning.

J.J. Cooper: I can't claim this as my idea, but let me ask you: if you were a Colts fan, were you cheering or scared when he decided to go for it? In my mind, I would have been frightened. I want the ball in Peyton Manning's hands even if he has to go 65 yards. Even if it's a 50/50 possibility that the Colts could stop the Patriots there (although the actual odds are 60/40 that they'd make it), the chance that they could run out the clock is scarier to me than anything.

It's definitely an unconventional call, one that very few NFL coaches have the confidence and the job security to make, but I think it's much closer to a toss-up on whether it was the right call than most TV pundits wanted to make it out to be.

Dan Graziano: Just a thought here, but if you are going to go for it on 4th (and I really do think it was a huge mistake), why not throw deep? If you really want the game in Brady's hands instead of Manning's, why not bring Superman Randy Moss into it too?

Worst-case scenarios include:

-- The thing that happened.

-- An interception downfield, which would have roughly equated to a punt.

-- An interception returned for a TD, which would have given the Patriots the ball back with enough time to get into FG range, which they didn't have once Manning finally did score.

Brinson: I think it's also worth asking, "Why Kevin Faulk?" In my mind, a toss-up to Moss or a quick crossing route with Welker are both better options. If you're dead-set on getting that fourth, get in a stacked I-formation, make the Colts stack the line while thinking you're just trying to draw them offsides and roll Brady out left. You'd get two yards that way easy.

Matt Snyder: I live in Indy and I kind of like the Colts. So I'll admit I was rooting for them.

I was mad because I felt like it deprived us of seeing if Manning could go the length of the field. It would have been a thing of beauty to watch that two minute drill.

My wife is a Colts fan, so I wanted them to win. Knowing that, I was scared when I saw the Pats decided to go for it because I thought they'd make it.

I still think you have to punt there, but I guess my fear should illustrate it's not necessarily as bad a decision as many are saying.

Ciskie: I've never favored using the video game argument, nor do I really like the "He'd be a genius if it had worked" argument.

The Patriots have struggled on defense. Manning is awesome. They had plenty of momentum. The Patriots' best players are arguably all on offense, and you should usually want to live or die by your best players.

Not only that, but if you feel a Colts score was somehow inevitable, no matter their field position, aren't you better off giving them a short field? Odds are higher that you're going to get the ball back after a quick score.

Gretz: I think the assumption that Peyton Manning was just going to drive it 70 yards and score without a fight from the Patriots defense is just a little bit flawed, seeing as how he threw an absolutely dreadful interception about six minutes prior to all of the insanity starting. You have to trust your defense a little bit.

Again, I think there are many fourth down situations worth going for (fourth and goal from the two or three, for example), this, to me, was not one of them.

Ciskie: Fair enough, but if you're Belichick, and you've danced this dance before, aren't you thinking that you can run a play for two yards, given how well Brady had been throwing?

A bit overaggressive? Probably. But I think a lot of the criticism is really off base, given how the media has worshipped this guy for all these years.

Snyder: I still can't shake two things, though:

Does the end really justify the means? Meaning, if the Pats did get the first down, wasn't it still a stupid decision -- one from which the Pats escaped?

Also, why does his coaching acumen gain him a free pass? If this was Norv Turner or Jim Zorn, no one would be wanting to stick up for them. A bad decision is a bad decision. Everyone makes them. The best CEO in the world, the best salesman in the world, the best quarterback, etc. You can't just say it was a good one because of track record. Smart people make dumb decisions sometimes.

Graziano: The important thing to remember is that this isn't second-guessing. It was first-guessing. Nobody who was watching the game could believe he was really going to do it. You punt in that situation, whether you're a transcendent innovative genius or a high-school coach. It's more than twice as hard to drive 70 yards for a TD than it is to drive 35, whether you're a Hall of Fame QB or a Pop Warner QB. We can hammer this from every direction, but the man should have punted.

Ciskie: You can say that, but it comes back to whose hands you want the game to be in. All things equal, and you can play all the mental games you want with your own defense, there isn't a person alive that would argue that Belichick is better off putting the game in Tom Brady's hands than Peyton Manning's.

Especially when you have this environment involved, one where Manning is still -- inconceivably -- trying to prove himself to a certain extent.

Graziano: If they're at midfield, I agree. But by going for it there, you bring in the very real possibility that all Manning has to do to win the game is go the college-overtime distance. At home. Why allow that possibility to even enter the picture? All these coaches preach field position all the time like it's gospel. The location of the ball on the field at that time should have been the deciding factor, Brady vs. Manning notwithstanding. All due respect, it DOESN'T come down to whose hands you want the game to be in. It comes down to how far away from your own goal line you want the ball to be.

Brinson: But is 70 yards out really twice as hard as 35 yards out? It's twice as far, but I would argue that at home, with 2:14 to go, 70 yards is a comical distance for Peyton to travel against a beat up, young and less-than-stellar defense.

If you're Bill Belichick and you want to GUARANTEE a win -- and if you're the coach of that team, isn't that you job? -- the only way to do so is to get the first down there.

NFL FanHouse Roundtable: Examining Belichick's Decision originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bozo the Coach, Andy Reid and the Belichick Precedent

Dave Goldberg — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Patriots, AFC East, AFC South, NFC East, NFC North, NFL Coaching, NFL Analysis

What Bill Belichick did Sunday night has happened before. It justifiably earned Barry Switzer the nickname "Bozo The Coach'' for failing TWICE on fourth down in the late stages of a tie game. And the Eagles' Andy Reid did the opposite of the New England coach on Sunday, eschewing fourth-and-short twice to kick field goals in what turned out to be an eight-point loss.

Switzer's mistake didn't prevent Dallas from winning its third Super Bowl in four seasons in the early '90s, but it left Switzer at the top of the oft-debated list of worst coaches to win a title.

On Nov. 15, 1995, the Cowboys were playing in Philadelphia and faced a fourth down and 1 on their own 29 with the game tied 17-17 and just over two minutes left. Switzer decided to go for it and sent Emmitt Smith left over the massive Nate Newton.

Jay Mariotti: Spygate to Stupidgate: Belichick Blunders

He was stopped but it didn't count. The officials blew the whistle for the two-minute warning. No problem. The Cowboys tried again. Same play. Stuffed again. Three plays later, Gary Anderson kicked a 42-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 20-17 win.

Headline in the New York Post the next day: "Bozo The Coach.''

The result brought the Eagles to within a game of the Cowboys in the NFC East with two games to play. But Dallas won its next two games, won the division, won both its playoff games and beat Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl -- the one in which Larry Brown ended up as the MVP on a team that featured Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders.

But it was the end of an era. The Cowboys beat the Vikings in a wild-card game the next season, then lost next week to second-year expansion team Carolina. That win over Minnesota was the last postseason victory they've had.

Reid?

In Sunday's 31-23 loss in San Diego, the Philadelphia coach decided to kick a field goal trailing 14-0 in the second quarter with the ball perhaps six inches away from the Chargers' goal. In the third quarter, trailing 21-6, he had fourth and one at the San Diego 7 and had David Akers kick again. The Eagles lost, 31-23.

"There was too much time," Reid said of his decision on the first, the most obvious. "I thought it was important to come out of there with points."

That was four points. The second fourth-and-one kick was four points.

The Eagles lost by eight.

Bozo the Coach, Andy Reid and the Belichick Precedent originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Discipline Unlikely for Tom Cable

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Coaching

It's been a rough season for the Oakland Raiders. Not only is the team as bad as, well, usual, but head coach Tom Cable has found himself stuck in a controversy himself.

After he was cleared of any criminal charges after an assistant coach accused him of assault, an ex-wife and ex-girlfriend accused Cable of physical abuse. It appears Cable is going to catch another break on this latest issue.

Mariotti: Pull the Plug on Cable Guy, Commish

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Cable is not likely to face discipline from the NFL over the abuse allegations.

However, the league has directed Cable into a clinical evaluation process to determine whether further action is necessary due to conditions such as anger management or substance abuse.

There have been no criminal charges filed by either accuser, so while the league reserves the right to investigate and punish independently of the authorities, it seems like they're going to stay away from Cable.

Of course, none of this could mean anything at the end of the season. Certainly, the team is bad enough to justify another coaching change, and owner Al Davis simply has to decide if he can drum up enough evidence to fire Cable and not pay the rest of his contract.

Report: Discipline Unlikely for Tom Cable originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vince Now Young in Name Only

Nancy Gay — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Coaching, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL Analysis

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Did someone know what they were doing with Vince Young in Tennessee?

Apparently so. There's no doubt that Young is a different quarterback as a starter in 2009 than he was in 2007 and during that infamous opening week game of '08, when the former Titans' No. 1 draft pick sustained a career and emotional breakdown and was benched for Kerry Collins.

NFL players grow and mature as athletes, leaders and men differently. A rare few come out of the draft as impact players. Of those, fewer still are quarterbacks, the most visible and important member of an NFL franchise.

So while Titans coach Jeff Fisher enjoys some breathing room now that his once maligned and winless team is revitalized following a two-game winning streak, perhaps it's time to give the NFL's longest-tenured head coach some credit: making Young a sideline protégé in 2008 and half of '09 has turned this fourth-year quarterback into a new player.

A very impressive player.

"This experience has been good for him," Fisher said Monday after the Titans defeated the 49ers 34-27 in San Francisco, Tennessee's second consecutive victory which has coincided with Young's second game this season as a starter. "He's approaching things professionally. He's focused. He's not distracted and he's excited about each and every play. He wants to do more, which is where he should be."

The former University of Texas star and marquee player of the 2006 Rose Bowl victory that gave the Longhorns a national title, Young was praised and prized for his great feet and athleticism. It was truth, hype and stereotype, all at once. As a rookie, Young wore and marketed a T-shirt that proclaimed "I Am A Quarterback," to remind everyone that he was more than a playmaking running back who could throw.

As the NFL performances failed to match the expectations, Collins replaced an increasingly volatile Young last season, and went on to lead the Titans to a 13-3 regular season record. Rather than rebel, Young watched a seasoned pro at work -- Collins, who excelled as a true team leader -- and he learned from it.

"I'm just trying to continue to get better and better and play with my teammates, continue to earn their confidence back as well as the coaches' confidence," said Young, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 172 yards -- including two impressive throws to Justin Gage for 49 and 33 yards -- against the 49ers and did not throw an interception for the second game in a row. "It's not all about Vince. It's all about all of us. We're doing a great job, period.

"I would say I'm being more patient. I'm taking what the defense gives me. I'm not going to force it if it's not there; I'll check the ball down, or use my God-given talent by running the ball."

This is not just a sound bite or politically correct talk. Veterans such as center Kevin Mawae can see a real difference in Young and he's impressed by the transformation.

That benching, Mawae said, could have been a negative or a positive experience for Young. Thankfully, Young remained engaged, focused and eager for redemption during his time as a No. 2.

"It could shatter the confidence of a young quarterback. I've seen it happen myself. But Vince handled it," Mawae said. "He had some troubled times last year dealing with some things and he overcame it. It's a matter of patience and that's what this league's all about. If it's not your time now, it's going to be sooner or later. You have to be ready when it's your time to step up and he's done that."

Chiefs Wavered on Larry Johnson

Despite the public protests and the obvious disconnect between troubled, disgruntled running back Larry Johnson and the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, that organization did not make the decision to cut the one-time NFL rushing leader lightly.

Releasing him had nothing to do with performance (or lack thereof); it had nothing to do with money, and the fact the Chiefs would still be on the hook for the remainder of Johnson's $4.55 million guaranteed base salary, which came out to $2.275 million.

The dilemma, according to numerous Chiefs' insiders: If Johnson was released after questioning coach Todd Haley's qualifications and making gay slurs, would the franchise be sending the wrong message to Johnson and other trouble-making players by granting them their wish -- a release and the freedom to sign elsewhere?

In Denver, first-year head coach Josh McDaniels wanted to avoid a similar precedent by refusing to trade or release insubordinate wide receiver Brandon Marshall after the two famously butted heads in training camp.

In Kansas City, no one wanted Johnson to walk away thinking he had won the fight.

"We didn't want to make an example of this player for all the wrong reasons," a well-placed Chiefs source told FanHouse.

Clearly, Johnson could not play for Kansas City again. But given the choice between deactivating him on game days and outright releasing him, the Chiefs braintrust determined that a divorce was the best solution.

"There was nothing to be gained by keeping him here. Nothing but more distractions and problems. Enough was enough," the Chiefs source said.

Considering Johnson still hasn't found a new team after clearing waivers, it's clear the rest of the NFL is considering whether the risk vs. reward factor that accompanies this once-productive running back is worth it.

Vince Now Young in Name Only originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Larry Johnson Cut by Kansas City

Will Brinson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

Larry Johnson's time in Kansas City is apparently over as the Chiefs announced Monday that they have released the oft-troubled running back into the ether of NFL free agency.

Johnson was, of course, fresh off a suspension based on his recent social media activity and attitude towards reporters, although the official release from the Chiefs doesn't really indicate why he's gone (though it should be obvious):

The Kansas City Chiefs released RB Larry Johnson on Monday. In 75 games (55 starts) with Kansas City, Johnson rushed 1,375 times for 5,996 yards (4.4 avg.) with 55 touchdowns. He also registered 151 receptions for 1,369 yards (9.1 avg.) with six TDs. He concluded his Chiefs career with 30 100-yard rushing games and also added two 100-yard receiving games.

Johnson established an NFL single-season record with 416 rushing attempts in 2006 when he set a franchise single-season mark with 1,789 rushing yards. He originally entered the league as the Chiefs first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Penn State.

In all likelihood, the Kansas City front office will discuss this further at some point, but the reality is that this had to happen. Not only is the Chiefs' season all but over at this point, but Johnson was playing the role of the proverbial "team cancer" and simply could not get along with the new regime.

More: Redskins Interested in Trouble-Making Running Back?

Additionally, fans had gone so far as to create an online petition asking general manager Scott Pioli and Co. to make sure that Johnson did not pass Priest Holmes as the team's all-time leading rusher, based simply on his behavior. Add in the lack of any real production from Johnson this year and it's pretty clear that the Chiefs made the right move in cutting bait.

Larry Johnson Cut by Kansas City originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mike Holmgren on Browns' Radar

Matt Snyder — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, AFC North, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

With a bevy of big name coaches likely ready-for-hire heading into the 2010 season, in addition to a lot of really poor NFL teams in 2009, we can expect rumors to be swirling all over the place for the rest of this season and on into the offseason. Thus, it's not surprising to see Mike Holmgren mentioned as a possibility. Of course, most thought he'd have to at least wait until next season to get involved.

According to Adam Shefter of ESPN, Holmgren may not have to wait. Shefter reports that the Browns want to hire Holmgren as their vice president of football operations -- similar to the role Bill Parcells has with Miami -- and that the job is immediately Holmgren's for the taking.

The only real question is if Holmgren wants to take the desk job, just for the sake of having a job in football as soon as possible, or if he wants to wait for a head coaching gig. Obviously, if Holmgren did take this job, it would be possible to fire Eric Mangini and take over as the Browns' head coach, but Browns owner Randy Lerner is reportedly content to give Mangini a chance to prove himself as the head coach. It would be a pretty bold move for Holmgren to take over and immediately fire the head coach.

If Holmgren doesn't take the VP job on the table, three others are reportedly being considered for the job: former Giants' GM Ernie Accorsi, Falcons president Rich McKay and former Packers GM Ron Wolf.

The Browns (1-7) have a bye this week and will host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.

Report: Mike Holmgren on Browns' Radar originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bears Love Lovie, Even if Fans Don't

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, NFC North, NFL Coaching

Lovie Smith has a 49-38 record as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. In his first five seasons, he guided the Bears to two division titles and one Super Bowl. The Bears are currently in the 2009 playoff race at 4-3. Yet, among fans and Chicago-area media, Lovie is just as maligned as the pathetic offensive line.

The complaints range from Lovie's penchant to avoid showing any emotion on the sideline to his not properly preparing players for games to his almost scripted non-answer answers in press conferences. Regardless of the reason, Lovie is not particularly loved, at present, in Chicago ... except by his Bears.

"I was here when coach Smith wasn't here," veteran defensive end Alex Brown said. "So, I remember how it was. Not to say anything bad about coach (Dick) Jauron, but it's a lot different now.

I agree with that, but is it really a great vote of confidence to say someone is a better coach than Jauron? The only winning record of Jauron's career came in the fluky 2001 season where the Bears received more gifts than a spoiled toddler at Christmas. If you toss out that season, Jauron is an abysmal 31 games under .500 ... in nine seasons! That's some futility. Anyway, I digress. There is more support for Lovie Smith in the locker room from Desmond Clark and Charles Tillman.

"Lovie, as a coach, is what this team needs," Clark said. "We need that steadying force. ... To have that steadying voice with the same message coming every week is good for this team."

"The thing about coach Smith is that I trust him," Tillman said. "I trust his decisions. I have faith in him, I have confidence in him."

I don't doubt that one bit. You can tell the players all have the utmost respect for Smith as a coach and as a man. And that's important, because -- in theory, at least -- it should mean the players will always do whatever it takes to win for their coach. Look at the Browns with Eric Mangini as the antithesis of this theory.

But the Bears didn't appear to play hard in Cincinnati. They've made tons of mental mistakes in losses to the Packers and Falcons. They weren't sharp at home against the hapless Browns, in a game following the embarrassing loss to the Bengals. The Lions played with them, in Solider Field, mind you, for a half.

This is why many of the fans are clamoring for someone who shows a little fire on the sidelines. To some, Lovie Smith just seems too nice to be a great football coach. These are fans who haven't seen real fire from their head coach since Mike Ditka (Dave Wannstedt and Jauron were the others between Ditka and Smith), a man still legendary in Chicago for his leadership of the 1985 Super Bowl Shufflin' Crew.

Smith doesn't have to behave on the sidelines like "Iron Mike" would have (I mean, could you ever picture Lovie doing this?), but he does need to win. No one was calling for his job following the 2006 season, after he led the Bears to two straight NFC North titles and their first Super Bowl since Ditka's '85 crew. Since then, though, the Bears are only one game above .500 and haven't really capitalized on all the expectations for the new Jay Cutler-era.

As far as the fans are concerned, you can't rest on the laurels of the 2005-2006 seasons. There is no time like the present for Lovie Smith, for as much as his players might love him, the only thing the fans -- and management -- love are wins. A few more important losses and the cries of fans begin to become much more intriguing to the front office, especially with such a talented crop of head coaches waiting in the wings for 2010.

If the players love Lovie so much, they'll start playing better, because missing the playoffs for the third straight season just won't cut it. Not for fans, not for the media, not for Jerry Angelo and most certainly not for Lovie Smith.

Bears Love Lovie, Even if Fans Don't originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Larry Johnson Petition Pretty Clear Proof How Much Chiefs Fans Hate Him

Will Brinson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors

Larry Johnson is a mere 80 yards away from passing Priest Holmes as the all-time leading rusher in KC history, but if the fans who put together an online petition have their way, he won't get there.

You see, it turns out that LJ's recent actions -- tweeting at coach Todd Haley, calling reporters homophobic names, being suspended by the team -- combined with his past transgressions -- police problems, being suspended by the team (again) -- have created a sort of pent-up anger within the fanbase.

You can read the entire (and quite lengthy) petition here: petitiononline.com/StopLJ, but for those of you who don't care to parse through (deservedly) bitter, Midwestern ranting, here's the skinny: fans of the Chiefs are loyal, which is true, and they care deeply about and want to support their team, even when the Chiefs stink.

The petition seems to insinuate they realize that 12-win seasons aren't happening every year and they're not around the corner -- meaning they're cool with GM Scott Pioli rebuilding -- but that allowing Johnson to permanently etch his name atop a pretty important team record is simply unacceptable.

And you know what? I completely agree with them, at least in the sense that if I were a Chiefs fan, I would have wanted Johnson gone a long time ago, and I would be none too happy (particularly considering his production this season, which they cite in the petition) if he were still on the team despite his repeated efforts to not be a part of it.

Additionally, I salute these fans for taking a stand that doesn't involve eBay or craigslist -- as much as I would enjoy seeing Johnson up for purchase online, it's pretty inspiring to see a downtrodden group of fans take a stand on a moral level.

Larry Johnson Petition Pretty Clear Proof How Much Chiefs Fans Hate Him originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spagnuolo, Rams Enter Bye With Rare Feeling During Rebuilding Season

Matt Snyder — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFC West, NFL Coaching

Steve Spagnuolo is going through a rough season in his first as an NFL head coach. He had the unenviable task of taking over a roster which was left in disarray by the previous administration. No real effort had been done to bridge the gap from The Greatest Show on Turf to the next wave of players, with the notable exception of drafting studly running back Steven Jackson before Marshall Faulk was retired.

The results to this point have hardly been surprising. Poor Spags and his troops endured seven losses, including several blowouts, before finally earning their first victory this past Sunday against the Lions. While he's cherishing this first win, Spagnuolo realizes it's the first step of many.

"We're not going to be blinded by one game: We're 1-7″ going into the bye week, he stressed. "There are a lot of good things we've got to look at and get right. That's what we're going to try to do the better part of this week ... "

"It's great to win; don't get me wrong now. I don't take that for granted. It's hard to win in this league. Players know that, coaches know that. So when you win, you should enjoy it. But after that enjoyment's done, 12 hours or whatever you get, it's back to the job."

It's good that Spagnuolo realizes this is a long road and is keeping his eye on what is important. The Rams seem to have some semblance of positive direction on their team, unlike some of the other dreadful teams out there this season -- like the Browns, Bucs and probably even the Raiders.

They have a strong-willed, well-spoken head coach who is determined to take his time righting the ship his way. They have a superstar in Jackson. They have good building blocks on the offensive line in first round pick Jason Smith and potentially Pro Bowl-caliber free agent signee Jason Brown. Despite a slow start to the career of Chris Long, there is still promise he'll form a potent front along with veteran Leonard Little and rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis. O.J. Atogwe and James Butler are a good pair of safeties as well.

There are a few more areas with a bit of promise, but most other areas are lacking to some degree -- other than kicker and punter, which can't do much for an awful team -- which is why the Rams will find wins rare the rest of the way in 2009, just like they did in the first half of the season. The headaches will begin after the bye week when the Rams have to deal with the mighty New Orleans Saints in Week 10. In fact, it's probable the Rams don't win another game in 2009 (the best bets for a win would be against Seattle at home or at Tennessee).

That won't make the season a failure, though. They need to continue to build and that all starts through the draft. A real question will be if they draft a quarterback with their early first-round selection, but that's far from being determined at this point. For now, it's time to continue building with the players they have.

Fans need to take a page from the head coach and just watch the growth of the nucleus as they hope for a turnaround to begin in 2010 and come to fruition in 2011. Anything quicker than that is just gravy.

For 2009, savor the victories without overdoing it. It's all part of the rebuilding process. One that should have started three years before it actually did.

Spagnuolo, Rams Enter Bye With Rare Feeling During Rebuilding Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Case Against Mike McCarthy

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Packers, NFC North, NFL Coaching

Editor's Note: Bruce Ciskie, a lifelong Packers fan, opines about the state of his beloved team.

High expectations greeted the Green Bay Packers in August, as the team arrived at training camp. Practices -- held across the street from Lambeau Field -- were very physical, as the Packers tried to show they wouldn't be bullied around like they were far too often in 2008.

That 6-10 season, we all were told, was a memory. It was a fluke. It wasn't how things would be conducted in Green Bay. Bad tackling, soft defense, poor special teams play, and stupid penalties were going to be a thing of the past.

Or not.

As much as fans would like to warm up to fourth-year head coach Mike McCarthy, it's becoming difficult. The team he is leading couldn't possibly be more insanely inconsistent. They've shown time and time again that they have character, that they won't quit, and they play to the whistle.

Unfortunately for them, those traits aren't enough to win games.

General manager Ted Thompson has given McCarthy talented players to work with. Receiver Donald Driver is one of the top veterans in the game, and youngsters Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson are all high draft picks. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has done what so many before him have failed at, in that he has stepped in to a position once held by a future Hall of Famer, and he's played exceptionally well.

On defense, Al Harris and Charles Woodson are still top one-on-one cornerbacks who are useful in run support. Linebackers A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett are former first-round picks, and lineman Aaron Kampman has been to multiple Pro Bowls.

The talent is there. What's gone wrong?

For starters, the Packers can't run the ball. McCarthy leans on Ryan Grant at times, but tends to give up on the run way too quickly, sometimes at the first sign of trouble. It allows defenses to tee off on Rodgers, which only makes his job all the more difficult.

McCarthy has preached the importance of running the ball better, but his words ring hollow, because for every game like the easy win over Cleveland in Week 7, where the Packers ran it 41 times for over 200 yards, there are multiple games like Sunday, where Grant spends more time on the sideline or on pass routes than he does carrying the rock.

The Packers used screen passes with great efficiency in the earlier game against Minnesota. Against the same team Sunday, the Packers didn't run any, outside of an attempted screen pass on a two-point play that was batted down.

In the end, however, the biggest issue with McCarthy -- and one that could cost him his job come January if he's not careful -- is discipline.

The Packers have become a penalty-plagued team during his time. In 2005, the final year under Mike Sherman, Green Bay was in the middle of the pack in penalties assessed. McCarthy's first year actually saw them improve, as they were near the upper third of the league in fewest penalties. However, the 2007 team -- one that finished 13-3 -- was fourth in the NFL in penalties, finishing second in penalty yards. The Packers were second in penalties and first in yards marked off in 2008. 2009 isn't looking too much better. So far, they're second in total penalties and third in yards.

Virtually every Monday when he addresses the media, McCarthy talks about how they're going to fix the penalty problem, and the special teams problem. Then, almost on cue, the same issues plague this team every Sunday.

Yes, it can be pinned on the players. Surely, McCarthy isn't telling them to commit dumb penalties, and he and his special teams coaches aren't telling guys to forget about their lanes and blow even the simplest kick coverages. The players aren't doing what they're told.

However, there comes a point where the problem comes back to the coach. When the head man talks a good game about improvement in certain areas, and nothing improves, it has to fall back at his feet. Why can't this team avoid taking dumb penalties, like the one on defensive lineman Johnny Jolly that prolonged a Vikings drive Sunday and turned a likely field goal into a touchdown?

How is it that even players good enough to start on defense can't practice the simple concept of lane discipline when covering a kickoff? Virtually any decent kick returner just has to make one cut against the grain against the Packers, and he's got 35 yards easily.

While the Vikings are clearly better than Green Bay, the most stunning difference between the two teams is the quality of their coaching. The Vikings make mistakes (everyone does), but they rarely make the same error twice in a game. They don't beat themselves with bad penalties, and they are able to make big plays in every phase of the game.

When the 2007 season ended, there wasn't a Packer fan alive who would have traded McCarthy for Brad Childress, and there wasn't a Viking fan around who would turn that same trade down. Childress was about as popular in Minnesota as Favre was. Oh, how things change over time.

Now Childress has to be close to getting his coveted contract extension with the Vikings, and Packer fans are asking serious (and valid) questions about the coach they have in McCarthy.

Blame Thompson for the Brett Favre fiasco all you want, but it wasn't all his fault. Not only that, but no team worth anything is going to fire a general manager who hasn't had a chance to make at least one coaching change. Even Matt Millen got to make coaching changes before being shown the door. Thompson might be the problem, but there should be more fingers pointing at McCarthy at this point. There is still a lot of football to be played.

McCarthy has talked before about constant improvement. While you can't argue that his 4-3 team is much better than they were at the start of the year, there are still nine games left. If this team improves and becomes a true playoff contender, much of this will be forgiven and/or forgotten.

The Case Against Mike McCarthy originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eric Mangini's Job Somehow Safe

Matt Snyder — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:55:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, AFC North, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

After yet another embarrassing beatdown for his Browns -- this time a 30-6 loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears -- Eric Mangini received a vote of confidence, at least for the remainder of this season. Randy Lerner, owner of the Browns, indicated he isn't willing to dismiss Mangini right now, but admitted to the Associated Press that he is "sick" about the state of his franchise.

Even if Mangini's safe, Lerner did express interest in making one change -- he wants to bring in a football-tested authority figure to help run the franchise. The way he's phrasing everything, it sounds like he wants to hire someone in the Bill Parcells-in-Miami mold.

"There's absolutely no question about that," he said. "The highest priority that I have is a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way. I can maybe defend decisions by saying I've sought advice and I've brought people in, and we've gone to see people -- and I think my highest priority is to have a stable figure that represents the voice that explains the decisions."

Update: Browns Fire GM George Kokinis

Lerner also admitted the Browns' quarterback situation isn't even remotely close to working.

No matter how they proceed, it's obvious some serious changes need to happen in Cleveland. The Browns are 1-7 and the franchise is currently in as bad of shape as any other team in football. The game in Chicago was just another in a string of embarrassments for the Browns -- as they turned the ball over five times and even missed their only extra point attempt. This was a 30-6 beatdown from a team that lost 45-10 to the Bengals last week.

They don't seem prepared and have no real general direction. The personnel is pretty awful, too.

The Browns have a bye next week, but will face the Ravens at home in Week 10. They likely have three more realistically winnable games left on the schedule. They travel to Detroit in Week 11, go to Kansas City in Week 15, and host the Raiders in Week 16.

Eric Mangini's Job Somehow Safe originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Larry Johnson Suspended Until Nov. 9

Will Brinson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors, NFL Analysis

Larry Johnson has (officially) been suspended, according to a press release from the Kansas City Chiefs. The team's front office and the NFL had previously been investigating whether or not Johnson's behavior (which included antagonizing tweets and rumored inappropriate statements to reporters) was worthy of a suspension.

Judging by the Chiefs' statement, it's probably safe to say it was.

The Kansas City Chiefs have suspended RB Larry Johnson for Conduct Detrimental to the Club effective immediately. Johnson will not be permitted to participate in any team activities or be on team premises until Monday, November 9th. The Chiefs will have no further comment on Johnson's status at this time.

Now, that seems pretty straightforward, but at the same time, there's something a little odd about this whole thing -- why won't the Chiefs talk about this anymore? Why until November 9th (which includes just one game and a ton of practice)?

And perhaps more importantly, why on Earth are they trying to put this guy in what amounts to solitary confinement when he's obviously angry (again) at the team? The smarter thing is to do what Oregon did with LeGarrette Blount and keep him within the team's fold, so to speak, so that he can actually try and become a slightly better teammate.

Of course, this is professional football, so it's a different situation, but if Johnson's behavior in the past has shown us anything, it's that he's not afraid to put on the petulant pouty face and bring the team down.

But, hey, the Chiefs could always be planning to do something more drastic, and decided to use a suspension to get the media off their back. It certainly wouldn't be the craziest thing Scott Pioli and crew have done so far.

Larry Johnson Suspended Until Nov. 9 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jim Zorn Safe Until at Least After Season

Josh Alper — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL Coaching

It looks like we can call off the Jim Zorn Deathwatch. For the next couple of days anyway.

Redskins executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said on his ESPN980 radio show Friday morning that Zorn won't be fired before the 2009 season reaches its conclusion.

"Let me start by making a few things very perfectly clear: Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins, and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future."

Cerrato's hardly an impartial party to this decision. When and if Zorn gets fired and when and if Daniel Snyder brings in the big-name coach everyone expects he'll bring in as a replacement, Cerrato will be the next head on the chopping block.

Think about it. Let's say Snyder is able to convince Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or another of the big names to take on the Redskins job, what's the likelihood that they're going to want to work with Cerrato? They've been in charge of personnel before and if they want someone to help them with the task in D.C. it isn't likely to be the guy who has overseen the construction of this year's flailing bunch.

As for Zorn's immediate future, he's pretty much the head coach in name only at this point. Greg Blache always had the reins of the defense, and now Zorn isn't even calling the plays for the offense that he installed. That makes him responsible for buying birthday cakes around the office and overseeing fire drills, perhaps, but nothing that fits the job description of the other 31 teams around the NFL. The Redskins have already started the process of firing him, they just decided against doing it all at once.

Cerrato also downplayed the idea of any turmoil within the organization, which seems about right. Everything going on with the Redskins this season seems par for the course for the Snyder era.

Jim Zorn Safe Until at Least After Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best and Worst NFL Coaches: The Dirty Dozen Rankings

Dave Goldberg — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Coaching, NFL Analysis

Coaches know their eventual fate the day they are hired. Almost all will be fired within a few years unless they do something very difficult, like win a Super Bowl. Or ride off into the sunset to pursue better causes, as Tony Dungy did.

So maybe Jeff Fisher's time has come.

He is, after all, the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, in his 15th season with the same franchise going back to 1995, when he took over for Jack Pardee with the Houston Oilers. Coaching certainly is a "what have you done for me lately" business -- never mind that the Titans started 10-0 last season and finished 13-3 -- they lost their first playoff game to Baltimore and are 0-6 this year, including that horrendous 59-0 blowout in Foxborough last week.

So folks in Tennessee are upset, including Bud Adams, who founded the franchise in 1960 and has seen enough to know that firing your coach, especially in midseason, doesn't solve much. In fact, the Titans' troubles may stem from the fact that Detroit fired its coach after last season -- Jim Schwartz, Tennessee's former defensive coordinator, now coaches the Lions and Chuck Cecil, his replacement with the Titans, doesn't seem up to the job.

Yet Fisher remains one of the league's most respected coaches, co-chairman of the NFL's Competition committee and a consistent winner -- even with the 0-6 start, he's 128-108 with five playoff wins and a trip to the Super Bowl after the 1999 season.

On the other hand, maybe it's time for him to leave -- voluntarily. Jim Mora (the elder) once suggested that seven or eight years is probably the longest a coach can stick with one franchise. Your message gets stale, he said, the fans get tired of you and so do your players. This was after a midseason public meltdown in New Orleans, where he stepped down in the middle of his 11th season with the Saints after going 93-78 for a franchise that had never won before.

But leaving out Fisher and some of the new guys trying to turn around terrible teams, here's a look at the best and worst of the current coaches.

Top 6

1. Bill Belichick, New England: No brainer. OK, he's not Mr. Warmth. And he's bent the rules. So has almost every successful coach. Does anyone really think that three Super Bowl titles and an unbeaten 2007 regular season were the result of taping opponents' signals? He assumes he's smarter than anyone else and maybe he is -- although on one day in February, 2008, he wasn't as smart as ...

2. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: The kind of old school coach who truly does "play 'em one at a time.'' This week is an example -- after his defense was shredded by Drew Brees and the Saints, he didn't rant. He simply went about trying to fix problems in the secondary. Remember that he had Jacksonville in the AFC title game in its second year as a franchise. And outcoached an overconfident Belichick in the Super Bowl. Even his quizzical looks at officials on the sideline reflect something -- he wins more challenges than almost any other coach. And his self-examination at age 60 when he nearly got fired after the 2006 season was totally against his character. The result showed it worked.

3. Andy Reid, Philadelphia: He's below Coughlin because he hasn't won a Super Bowl. But he's been to five NFC championship games in the last nine seasons. And in his 11th season he's 110-72-1 playing in a very competitive division. The folks in Philly who'd like to see change might change their minds the minute a new coach loses. Besides, Reid is about to get a contract extension. He sometimes seems wed to the pass, but is clearly a solid coach.

4. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh: When Bill Cowher stepped down, Ken Whisenhunt or Russ Grimm was supposed to step up. But this "remarkable young man,'' as Dan Rooney called him then, stepped into the Steelers' office and the search was over. Whisenhunt and Grimm went to Arizona and did fine, but Tomlin, at 36, beat them in a Super Bowl. A "players coach'' who knows exactly when to stop being a players coach -- ask Limas Sweed, whose penchant for dropping important passes got him demoted and then benched. Sure other coaches do it, but it's harder when you're only a few years older than your players.

5. Sean Payton, New Orleans: Always a smart offensive mind, he was done in last season by his defense. So he gave up $250,000 of his salary to help lure Gregg Williams to run the defensive unit. Over six weeks, he has the best team in the NFL. Enough said.

6. Mike Smith, Atlanta: A generic coach with a generic name who was literally unknown when Arthur Blank hired him after the 2007 season? He had no chance at any other job and he stepped into turmoil created by the downfall of Michael Vick. Yes, he had the good fortune to have Matt Ryan left for him in the 2008 draft, but he also had the foresight to start him right away. Like Coughlin, an even-keel guy who might challenge Payton's Saints in the NFC South, and certainly has an excellent shot at his second playoff berth in two seasons as a coach.

6a. Josh McDaniels, Denver: Normally, I'd never put a first-year coach with a six-game track record on a list like this. But the six games are all wins, when the expectations after a chaotic offseason were for just the opposite. Belichick offspring have not been especially successful. He looks like he will be.

Bottom 6

27. Brad Childress, Minnesota: This may be unfair. It probably is unfair. But watching Childress try to "manage'' the game and clock against the Ravens last week was painful. Playing for a field goal with more than two minutes left and one of the best late-game quarterbacks in history on your side? And winning only because the other guys missed a makeable field goal? He always seems insecure, which is why a team which might have the NFL's best talent might not go very far into the playoffs.

28-29. (tie) Wade Phillips, Dallas and Norv Turner, San Diego: There's a reason why Jerry Jones hired Phillips after Turner turned him down after Bill Parcells left -- Jones wants to coach his team. Phillips is a first-rate defensive coordinator and Turner is one of the NFL's better offensive minds. Both are nice guys. There's truth to the adage: "Nice guys finish last.''

30. Tom Cable, Oakland: OK, he may be over his head because Al Davis wants someone who will do what Al Davis wants. And yes, he outcoached Reid in the Raiders' win over Philly last week. But good coaches don't get in fights with assistants (although again, it's the Raiders.) Just part of a long, sad story in the East Bay.

31. Eric Mangini, Cleveland: His record isn't awful -- 24-30. But it's getting worse. Might be a mole planted by the Jets, who fired him last year and let the Browns grab him almost instantaneously. Now he's traded them Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards. He also treats his players like high schoolers -- laps around the field for minor mistakes, as he did last year with Brett Favre when Favre fumbled a practice snap in his first week with the team. Players don't have to always love their coaches (see Belichick and Coughlin) but if they don't, the coaches had better win.

32. Jim Zorn, Washington: Had never even been a coordinator when Dan Snyder hired him to be one two winters ago. When Snyder couldn't get a legitimate candidate to come to Washington, he made Zorn the head coach. Zorn has already been demoted -- Sherm Lewis, who was calling bingo games in Michigan, is now calling plays. Zorn probably will be put out of his misery during the bye week after Monday night's game.

Best and Worst NFL Coaches: The Dirty Dozen Rankings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thriving Denver D Brings Back the Sack

Nancy Gay — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:05:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, AFC West, NFL Coaching, FanHouse Exclusive, NFL Analysis

SAN DIEGO -- Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil set aside any doubts that the 2009 Broncos' astonishing turnaround isn't legitimate on Monday night when he leveled Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers a second time in the contest, helping punctuate a 34-23 division victory that gave undefeated Denver a stranglehold on the AFC West.

With that, Dumervil had his NFL-leading 10th sack, putting him on pace to surpass Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22 1/2.

"It's hard to get to 10 [sacks]," said Dumervil, who was surrounded in the crowded visitors' locker room at Qualcomm Stadium by teammates hooting and calling him the next Strahan. "Every sack guy knows it's hard to get to double digits.

"But this ... it's a new team, a new regime, and everything is new. We're just trying to innovate. We're trying to build a brand of football here, what we want to be as the Denver Broncos."

It's not easy building a 6-0 record -- but it's a lot more feasible with plays like inside linebacker D.J. Williams' fourth-quarter, 11-yard sack of Rivers, and linebacker Darrel Reid's drilling Rivers in the game's final minutes for the team's fourth sack. Rivers lost the ball on both hits.

They've crafted a defensive masterpiece in Denver, and the art of the sack is on full display. The Broncos are tied with the Vikings for the NFL lead with 21 total; in 2008, Denver had 26 sacks the entire season.

It's quite a renaissance from the past few years, when Denver's defensive units were among the NFL's worst. In 2008, Denver's defense surrendered 28.0 points per game (30th overall). Now the Broncos are the league's stingiest team, allowing only 11.0 ppg.

"What you're seeing out there are a bunch of guys just playing for each other," said Williams, one of the three holdovers from last season [along with Dumervil and cornerback Champ Bailey] on a defense that features eight new starters in 2009. "The last few years we weren't successful, for whatever reason it was.

"This year, we changed a lot of things around, our philosophy, our scheme, changed a lot of players. It's working. It's productive. You can't really go against it, because it's working."

Is it as simple as making the head coaching switch from veteran Mike Shanahan to the fresh face and message of Josh McDaniels, 33, and the subsequent hiring of defensive specialist Mike Nolan as coordinator?

"That part of it, but it's so much more," said former NFL personnel executive Michael Lombardi, who spent the 2007 season with the Broncos as an advisor and is now an NFL Network analyst and columnist for National Football Post. "They also changed the scheme and stuck to the 3-4, rather than switching back and forth. They brought in a lot of new players -- smarter guys who understand how to play the game of football. They're just solid players who know what the game is all about and what it takes to be successful."

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Denver Broncos Photos

Denver Broncos linebacker Andra Davis points to the San Diego fans as walks off the field while the San Diego Chargers offensive line leaves the field during the fourth quarter quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

FR59680 AP

Denver Broncos Photos

Denver Broncos receiver Eddie Royal fails to make a third down catch near the San Diego Chargers' end zone during the second quarter, Monday, October 19, 2009, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Colorado Springs Gazette / MCT

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (14) pulls in a five yard touchdown pass in front of San Diego Chargers' Antonio Cromartie to seal the Broncos 34-23 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is wrapped up and sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams during the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Rivers fumbled and Williams recovered the ball. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers losses the ball while being sacked during the fourth quarter of the Chargers 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos recovered. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler dances through the end zone after his 19-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Scheffler had six receptions for 101 yards. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Chris Park)

The San Diego Chargers players hang their head during the fourth quarter of their 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gets ready to walk on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Philip rivers

Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Andra Davis #54 of the Denver Broncos walks of the field after defeating the San Diego Chargers 34-23 at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andra Davis

Getty Images

Newcomers such as veteran safety Brian Dawkins, cornerback Andre' Goodman, safety Renaldo Hill and nose tackle Ronald Fields epitomize these types of intelligent leaders.

When McDaniels was hired last Jan. 12 after spending the past eight seasons with the Patriots -- and rising to become Bill Belichick's trusted offensive coordinator -- he knew the Broncos' pitiful defense was only one of many areas in need of an overhaul.

"There were so many things we weren't doing well, in every phase -- offensively, defensively -- we were bad in a lot of areas," McDaniels said. "It just started with hiring a good staff. That was No. 1 on the list. Mike's [Nolan] obviously done a great job with his staff, and the coaches have done a nice job of getting their players ready and prepared.

"And we made the decision to go to the 3-4 system, which is really my background. Mike, of course, is versed in both or either. We could have gone in another direction, but we just felt like, with where we were at, we wanted to go ahead and make that transition quickly and try to get as far as we could by the time the season came around."

Monday night, the Broncos blitzed Rivers continuously, keeping one of the NFL's strongest and toughest quarterbacks under siege. But a lot of the straight pressure masquerades as blitzing, which keeps offenses off-balance. Denver's swarming attack neutralized the Cowboys' Tony Romo and New England's Tom Brady as well, so it's pretty darn effective.

"I don't know the exact percentage that we're blitzing," McDaniels said, "but we've actually created blitzing without blitzing ... I think that's a combination of good coverage and great effort up front. It isn't every time that we have a free run at the quarterback because we brought one more guy that they can block. That really hasn't happened much all year."

Dumervil, for example, often gets matched up against a blocking fullback or running back in Nolan's scheme and he typically wins that battle. Williams calls the signals for the group. The push up front has made the secondary effective again. And much of what Denver does defensively is just sound tackling and powerful hitting.

In the 17-10 Week 4 victory over the Cowboys, Williams made a crushing fourth-quarter tackle of Dallas receiver Roy Williams that looked like a full-body clothesline hit to the big receiver's midsection. Williams the receiver crumpled to the Invesco Field turf in obvious pain with three injured ribs and cartilage damage. He didn't return.

"Never in my life have I ever been hit like that, from Pop Warner through my six years in the league," said Roy Williams, describing the blow.

Said McDaniels, "D.J. is just a very good linebacker. The weak-side of a 3-4, some people think that the ball runs away most of the time ... but D.J. has some coverage responsibility and he's capable of doing that. We've done a decent job of mixing that up. We've blitzed some and created some problems in the backfield.

"And when he has a chance to run and get to the ball carrier where it's tough for somebody to get a body on him, he usually makes the tackle. And that's the sign of a good linebacker, when somebody is struggling to get onto you and because of that you're making a bunch of tackles, you're a dependable player and that's what he's shown the first four weeks."

A McDaniels/Nolan blitz is not a four-man break. "No, it's five. It's gotta be one more than a four-man rush," McDaniels said.

As they bask in the glow of a 6-0 record and enjoy their bye, the rest of the NFL has to wonder: Can the Broncos continue at this pace defensively?

"I had that same question after Week 1," Nolan, the former 49ers head coach, said with a laugh. "But it's pleasing that we're able to help the football team win, rather than hope the offense can overcome you. Our players take a lot of pride in it -- Elvis Dumervil is doing a good job, as well as many other players. Our secondary is experienced, very professional. Hopefully we just keep this going.

"If you ask me that question again in Week 16, then I'll give you a better answer."

Thriving Denver D Brings Back the Sack originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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