Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. Don't be totally surprised if Todd Haley is let go in KC...or if he and GM Scott Paoli settle on a buyout of his contract. Paoli cannot be happy that Charlie Weis prefers the Florida OC gig to his OC gig in KC. Now there's speculation that Paoli would replace Weis with Josh McDaniels (another Patriot connection)...and if you recall Haley refused to shake McDaniels' hand following the Chief's blowout loss in Denver.
When Paoli hired Haley, it seemed like the wrong match to begin with. Paoli has such an ego that it would seem very likely that he is attributing the Chief's success this year to his personnel decisions and his decision to hire Weis as the OC and Romeo Crennel as the DC.
One might imagine that Haley began to see the writing on the wall last year.
2. When the New Orleans Saints had a subpar season two years ago and failed to make the playoffs, HC Sean Payton---an offensive guru---and the Saints' FO---decided to go all-out and hire Gregg Williams as the DC.
One can make a strong argument that it was this move more than any other that led the Saints to last year's Super Bowl victory. The Saints under Payton always were in pretty good shape offensively---but less so on defense. Well, Williams took care of that in a hurry, didn't he?
Which leads us to the question of whether Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals' FO would do the same---as in go all-out to try to hire a big name DC like Wade Phillips or John Fox.
The two possible stumbling blocks for such a move?
(1) The FO's reluctance to spend big on assistant coaches (but, if Russ Grimm heads off to Carolina, they will have his salary as a starting point---yet it will take more than his salary to land a big name DC).
(2) Whisenhunt's own reluctance to hire outside his own personal comfort zone.
3. Perception. It's a bigger thing in the NFL than some people realize---especially to the players of a team.
Take the Cardinal players last year. Imagine the perception they had when they learned that the answers to replacing Kurt Warner were naming Matt Leinart the starter (a player that some of them considered soft and unworthy) and signing Derek Anderson (a player who was so bad last year in Cleveland that the fans cheered when he got hurt).
Take the Cardinals' defensive players. In the aftermath of Dansby's and Rolle's defections, Darnell Dockett was so excited the Cardinals signed Joey Porter that he vowed to attend the OTAs. And in trading for Kerry Rhodes and drafting Williams & Washington #1/#2, the percetion was, hey the FO is really trying to upgrade the defense.
So why wasn't the defense that much better this year?
The problem likely goes back to a perception that originated two years ago---when following their first Super Bowl appearance and the subsequent releasing of Clancy Pendergast as DC, there was all kinds of buzz about who the new DC would be. When Whisenhunt elected to promote the LB coach instead---the perception was that Whiz and the FO went cheap and took the easy way out. Essentially the message to the players was: more of the same.
And that's exactly what it's been---more of the same.
What do you think the Saints' players perception was when Payton and their FO hired Gregg Williams as DC?
Hirings like this create a level of anticipation---and gives the players a sense that they will have a new edge on the competition.
Look at what Mike Martz has done with what was a horrible QB and offense in Chicago last year. Martz might be the MVC in the NFL this year, especially if the Bears advance deep into the playoffs.
As poor as Jay Cutler was---the hiring of Mike Martz was a signal that help was on its way. Cutler is a totally different player this year...and this Bear offense is suddenly explosive.
4. As for perceptions...I don't think there is any question that a move to acquire QB Donovan McNabb would have the whole Cardinal team buzzing. McNabb can still throw the ball 60 yards from his back foot...and following this year's disappointment in DC, McNabb should be all the more eager to re-establish himself as a perrenial Pro Bowl caliber QB.
This move would certainy delight Larry Fitzgerald...and it could have a huge impact on whether he and Steve Breaston decide to re-sign with the team.
The siginings that would change all the perceptions: QB Donovan McNabb or QB Michael Vick (imagine if the Cardinals actually outbid the Eagles for him, wow) and SOLB LaMarr Woodley (if he doesn't get the f-tag...which likely he will, although with the Steelers you never know) or ILB David Harris (the Jets have some serious cap issues if a new cap is imposed).
A trade for QB Kevin Kolb would bring great excitement as well...but the price tag might be too steep...and Kolb is more about potential still, as he really hasn't played enough to be considereda sure thing.
5. Great Fits in the Draft:
1. LT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College. Tall, agile, athletic and smart---a modern day LT for a passing team.
2. ILB Greg Jones, Michigan State. Tackling machine. What a tandem he would make with Daryl Washington.
3. OLB Justin Houston, Georgia. If he declares...this kid would move right in at OLB and provide exceptional athleticism and pressure off the edge.
4. Marcell Darreus, DE, Alabama. He should declare and if the team hires John Fox, for example, and wishes to revert back to a 4-3 base, imagine a front 4 of Darreus, Dockett, Williams and Campbell.
5. TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame. Another junior who may declare. Tall and sure handed---can split the seams.
6. G Mike Pouncey, Florida. Plays with bounce and good leverage. Very good pass protector.
7. C Chase Beeler, Stanford. Super smart, athletic, competitive.
8. RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh. With all the turmoil at Pitt, he could declare. This kid is lightning in the bottle and plays tough.
9. WR Julio Jones, Alabama. Might declare, probably will. Played with a broken hand and still excelled. Has the total package and the toughness.
10. WOLB Adrian Robinson, Temple. Young, under-rated speed rusher who may declare due to coaching change.
When Paoli hired Haley, it seemed like the wrong match to begin with. Paoli has such an ego that it would seem very likely that he is attributing the Chief's success this year to his personnel decisions and his decision to hire Weis as the OC and Romeo Crennel as the DC.
One might imagine that Haley began to see the writing on the wall last year.
2. When the New Orleans Saints had a subpar season two years ago and failed to make the playoffs, HC Sean Payton---an offensive guru---and the Saints' FO---decided to go all-out and hire Gregg Williams as the DC.
One can make a strong argument that it was this move more than any other that led the Saints to last year's Super Bowl victory. The Saints under Payton always were in pretty good shape offensively---but less so on defense. Well, Williams took care of that in a hurry, didn't he?
Which leads us to the question of whether Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals' FO would do the same---as in go all-out to try to hire a big name DC like Wade Phillips or John Fox.
The two possible stumbling blocks for such a move?
(1) The FO's reluctance to spend big on assistant coaches (but, if Russ Grimm heads off to Carolina, they will have his salary as a starting point---yet it will take more than his salary to land a big name DC).
(2) Whisenhunt's own reluctance to hire outside his own personal comfort zone.
3. Perception. It's a bigger thing in the NFL than some people realize---especially to the players of a team.
Take the Cardinal players last year. Imagine the perception they had when they learned that the answers to replacing Kurt Warner were naming Matt Leinart the starter (a player that some of them considered soft and unworthy) and signing Derek Anderson (a player who was so bad last year in Cleveland that the fans cheered when he got hurt).
Take the Cardinals' defensive players. In the aftermath of Dansby's and Rolle's defections, Darnell Dockett was so excited the Cardinals signed Joey Porter that he vowed to attend the OTAs. And in trading for Kerry Rhodes and drafting Williams & Washington #1/#2, the percetion was, hey the FO is really trying to upgrade the defense.
So why wasn't the defense that much better this year?
The problem likely goes back to a perception that originated two years ago---when following their first Super Bowl appearance and the subsequent releasing of Clancy Pendergast as DC, there was all kinds of buzz about who the new DC would be. When Whisenhunt elected to promote the LB coach instead---the perception was that Whiz and the FO went cheap and took the easy way out. Essentially the message to the players was: more of the same.
And that's exactly what it's been---more of the same.
What do you think the Saints' players perception was when Payton and their FO hired Gregg Williams as DC?
Hirings like this create a level of anticipation---and gives the players a sense that they will have a new edge on the competition.
Look at what Mike Martz has done with what was a horrible QB and offense in Chicago last year. Martz might be the MVC in the NFL this year, especially if the Bears advance deep into the playoffs.
As poor as Jay Cutler was---the hiring of Mike Martz was a signal that help was on its way. Cutler is a totally different player this year...and this Bear offense is suddenly explosive.
4. As for perceptions...I don't think there is any question that a move to acquire QB Donovan McNabb would have the whole Cardinal team buzzing. McNabb can still throw the ball 60 yards from his back foot...and following this year's disappointment in DC, McNabb should be all the more eager to re-establish himself as a perrenial Pro Bowl caliber QB.
This move would certainy delight Larry Fitzgerald...and it could have a huge impact on whether he and Steve Breaston decide to re-sign with the team.
The siginings that would change all the perceptions: QB Donovan McNabb or QB Michael Vick (imagine if the Cardinals actually outbid the Eagles for him, wow) and SOLB LaMarr Woodley (if he doesn't get the f-tag...which likely he will, although with the Steelers you never know) or ILB David Harris (the Jets have some serious cap issues if a new cap is imposed).
A trade for QB Kevin Kolb would bring great excitement as well...but the price tag might be too steep...and Kolb is more about potential still, as he really hasn't played enough to be considereda sure thing.
5. Great Fits in the Draft:
1. LT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College. Tall, agile, athletic and smart---a modern day LT for a passing team.
2. ILB Greg Jones, Michigan State. Tackling machine. What a tandem he would make with Daryl Washington.
3. OLB Justin Houston, Georgia. If he declares...this kid would move right in at OLB and provide exceptional athleticism and pressure off the edge.
4. Marcell Darreus, DE, Alabama. He should declare and if the team hires John Fox, for example, and wishes to revert back to a 4-3 base, imagine a front 4 of Darreus, Dockett, Williams and Campbell.
5. TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame. Another junior who may declare. Tall and sure handed---can split the seams.
6. G Mike Pouncey, Florida. Plays with bounce and good leverage. Very good pass protector.
7. C Chase Beeler, Stanford. Super smart, athletic, competitive.
8. RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh. With all the turmoil at Pitt, he could declare. This kid is lightning in the bottle and plays tough.
9. WR Julio Jones, Alabama. Might declare, probably will. Played with a broken hand and still excelled. Has the total package and the toughness.
10. WOLB Adrian Robinson, Temple. Young, under-rated speed rusher who may declare due to coaching change.
