Coaching Carrousel

[RLakin]

The coaching carrousel will start winding down. I would expect Jim Fassel to take the first opening next week in either Buffalo or Washington. Washington seems to be the favorite, but Buffalo is probably the better fit and can win immediately. After a quick meeting with Nick Saban, I think the Cards will make an offer to Denny Green. He’ll turn them down and turn to either Oakland or Washington, if the latter doesn’t get Fassel. Oakland seems to make sense now that executive assistant Bruce Allen seems to on his way out. Despite his recent comments, Green still wants power (it’s very evident when researching his track record) and Oakland seems to have some to give. He could also have some here, but the lure of running one of football’s most successful organizations vs. the least speaks for itself, logistically speaking. Where this leaves the Cards, I’m not really sure. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a Marvin Lewis floating around and it’s doubtful Nick Saban would leave one of the best programs in college for the worst in the NFL. My guess would then be the guy who doesn’t get the job in Atlanta (Jim Mora/Lovie Smith) or Romeo Crennel. Crennel will probably be a finalist in NY along with Tom Coughlin, whom my friend Ron Wolfley thinks would be the best fit out here. I would agree from a coaching standpoint, however it’s doubtful Coughlin would have the patience to deal with the plodding nature of the Graves-Bidwill regime in AZ. Judging by the fact that he hasn’t been mentioned as a candidate suggests that they realize this too. The curious timing of Dick Vermeil’s 1 year extension coupled with Al Saunders’ turning Nebraska down leads me to believe that a deal to take over in KC is already in place. So here’s the way I think things will shake out:

Wash - Jim Fassell
Buf - Charlie Weis
Atl - Lovie Smith
NY - Tom Coughlin
Oak - Dennis Green
Chi - Nick Saban
AZ - Romeo Crennel

 

[pinnacle]

I could see that happening...I would say that Dennis Green ending up in Oakland would be a fit in some ways - but I doubt it is a total fit. One could argue Al Davis is about the most meddling owner in Football. The other strike against a fit in Oakland could be $$...I am not sure Al Davis would pay Dennis green the $3.5 - $4.0 million per year he wants (Al will tell you he is what makes the Raiders run..not some coach!)....I could almost see the Cardinals paying him more than the Raiders...But - green may have interest in Oakland due to a) their history as a winner b) it is in California (green lives in San Diego and coached at stanford) and c) Davis and Green could in some way be partners as both are seen as being anti-establishment guys (obviously green less so).

By the way..I would be OK with Romeo..

 

[RLakin]

Originally posted by pinnacle
I could see that happening...I would say that Dennis Green ending up in Oakland would be a fit in some ways - but I doubt it is a total fit. One could argue Al Davis is about the most meddling owner in Football. The other strike against a fit in Oakland could be $$...I am not sure Al Davis would pay Dennis green the $3.5 - $4.0 million per year he wants (Al will tell you he is what makes the Raiders run..not some coach!)....I could almost see the Cardinals paying him more than the Raiders...But - green may have interest in Oakland due to a) their history as a winner b) it is in California (green lives in San Diego and coached at stanford) and c) Davis and Green could in some way be partners as both are seen as being anti-establishment guys (obviously green less so).

One interesting aspect of the Davis-Green thing, is that Davis protégé Jerry Jones finally relented and was rewarded with a playoff berth. Lets face it, Davis isn't getting any younger and Al needs one more Super Bowl before he retires (willingly or not). Given this along with some available power in the front office and another apparent failure of Al's assistant promotion model (much like the Suns) and I think the stars really line up.