****OFFICIAL**** 2008 Washington Redskins Off Season Thread! (2 Viewers)

[Ripleys]

Just read that Saunders is out in Washington... that seems a little crazy. Didn't this guy help turn the Skins around? What are your thoughts 's on Saunders' tenure?

Actually it seems Williams did a better job than Saunders, at least from what I could tell. Considering how many play makers that offense had (Portis, Santana Moss, Cooley, and to a lesser extent this year, Randle El) it seems that offense SHOULD have put up more points. But Williams took a banged up D (Rogers out on IR, Taylor's death) and made it one of the best this year. I think they miss Williams more than Sanders.

 

[redman]

Just read that Saunders is out in Washington... that seems a little crazy. Didn't this guy help turn the Skins around? What are your thoughts 's on Saunders' tenure?

His grade is Incomplete. In his two years there, he had to work with:2006 - a washed up QB in Brunell, followed by a first-time starter in Campbell who they protected by running the ball a lot, very successfully as it turned out with Betts and an o-line that gelled nicely late in the season; and2007 - backups playing on the right side of the line from week 2 onward, Santana Moss' worst season as a pro, a slow start by Portis as he worked into game shape, and continued pressure from Gibbs to have a more run-oriented offense. Campbell seemed to develop under him, but I think Saunders was so restricted by others - especially Gibbs' preferences as to how to run the offense - that we never really saw Saunders' full offense. Ironically, the closest we came to seeing it was when Todd Collins, a career backup who hadn't started in 10 years, came in and showed his mastery of the reads and quick releases that the offense requires. I wanted Saunders to stick around for at least one more year and to be allowed to run his full offense now that Campbell would be entering his third season as a starter.

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

Just read that Saunders is out in Washington... that seems a little crazy. Didn't this guy help turn the Skins around? What are your thoughts 's on Saunders' tenure?

His grade is Incomplete. In his two years there, he had to work with:

2006 - a washed up QB in Brunell, followed by a first-time starter in Campbell who they protected by running the ball a lot, very successfully as it turned out with Betts and an o-line that gelled nicely late in the season;

and

2007 - backups playing on the right side of the line from week 2 onward, Santana Moss' worst season as a pro, a slow start by Portis as he worked into game shape, and continued pressure from Gibbs to have a more run-oriented offense.

Campbell seemed to develop under him, but I think Saunders was so restricted by others - especially Gibbs' preferences as to how to run the offense - that we never really saw Saunders' full offense. Ironically, the closest we came to seeing it was when Todd Collins, a career backup who hadn't started in 10 years, came in and showed his mastery of the reads and quick releases that the offense requires.

I wanted Saunders to stick around for at least one more year and to be allowed to run his full offense now that Campbell would be entering his third season as a starter.

Not to mention third season in the same offense, which would have been a first for him going all the way back towards college. I don't know (do any of us?) what kind of offense Zorn will bring in, but if it is from the Holmgren school it would be in the WCO tradition which is fundamentally different than the vertical passing game favored by both Gibbs and Saunders. Of course who knows if he will even be installing an offense, since we don't know if the head coach will be bringing an offense with him.

 

[thayman]

Just read that Saunders is out in Washington... that seems a little crazy. Didn't this guy help turn the Skins around? What are your thoughts 's on Saunders' tenure?

His grade is Incomplete. In his two years there, he had to work with:2006 - a washed up QB in Brunell, followed by a first-time starter in Campbell who they protected by running the ball a lot, very successfully as it turned out with Betts and an o-line that gelled nicely late in the season; and2007 - backups playing on the right side of the line from week 2 onward, Santana Moss' worst season as a pro, a slow start by Portis as he worked into game shape, and continued pressure from Gibbs to have a more run-oriented offense. Campbell seemed to develop under him, but I think Saunders was so restricted by others - especially Gibbs' preferences as to how to run the offense - that we never really saw Saunders' full offense. Ironically, the closest we came to seeing it was when Todd Collins, a career backup who hadn't started in 10 years, came in and showed his mastery of the reads and quick releases that the offense requires. I wanted Saunders to stick around for at least one more year and to be allowed to run his full offense now that Campbell would be entering his third season as a starter.

Pretty good overview, however I was a bit more dissapointed. My opinion of the 700 page playbook when it came out his first year was one of: "Ok so long as Saunders is going to be around for 5+ years it will be worth it." But knowing the Redskins I knew this was not very likely.

 

[fatness]

It seems more like a job that would appeal to a failed veteran coach, or to a first-time coach who actually picked those coordinators behind the scenes. Fassel, Schwartz, Meeks.

Meeks Gets Second Interview

We've confirmed a report that Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Ron Meeks will get a second interview for Washington's head coaching vacancy.

According to a league source familiar with the search process, Meeks, the Colts' defensive coordinator, is tentatively scheduled to meet with owner Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, executive vice president of football operations, on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Meeks first interviewed with Snyder and Cerrato on Jan. 17 at Snyder's home.

edit: Also reported on ESPN

 

[fatness]

More clown show episodes:

Yesterday the team confirmed that Lazor was fired, then un-confirmed it a few hours later, saying the next coach could pick his QB coach. As of this morning no one had the courtesy to tell Lazor one way or the other. The Redskins have trouble keeping things straight. Does Cerrato control the roster or doesn't he?

I feel bad for Al because he was always handcuffed here by Gibbs and his long-time assistants. Team sources said Saunders was not even a part of some planning meetings and there were very much two factions within the offensive staff, players and coaches said, with Saunders, his son Bob and Lazor often the outsiders. Gibbs and his guys set the table and had strong feelings about offensive philosophy that did not always mesh with Al's system ... yet Al was the guy calling the plays.

And Al did call the plays, but Gibbs made it clear what he believed in, with the heavy emphasis on the run game in certain game plans, etc. Gibbs also picked the Qbs, etc.

the practices were not nearly catered enough to a young QB, players and coaches said, as I wrote about in the paper late in the season. That's on Gibbs - was his domain - and no one else. The special situations late in games, going live in those pressure situations in practice and focusing on what was crushing the team late in games was not emphasized nearly enough, numerous players and coaches said.

Link

 

[fatness]

Jim Schwartz has supposedly just signed a 2-year extension as the Titans' defensive coordinator.

 

[Lowen1]

Who? What? Why?

Campbell named Redskins' director of player personnel

Updated: January 27, 2008, 7:03 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Redskins, still without a head coach, promoted Scott Campbell to director of player personnel Sunday.

Campbell, who has spent the past seven seasons with the Redskins, will oversee scouting at both the college and professional levels. He had previously led both college and professional recruiting.

"I am excited about the future of this team," Campbell said.

Campbell spent the 2000 season as director of pro personnel for the Chicago Bears, where he worked with Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache. Before that, Campbell spent time in Atlanta and Kansas City.

The move comes after the Redskins dismissed assistant coaches Gregg Williams and Al Saunders on Saturday. The Redskins also promoted Blache to lead the team's defense and said a head coach would not be in place before the Super Bowl.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

 

[Swing 51]

Long post from La Canfora's blog - right to the point it speculates on Mariucci as the HC. This was posted tonight around 9:45pm.

Something To Chew OnThe Redskins say it will be at a least a week until he tells us who the new head coach is and I know that's way too long for you all to spend dissecting the coaching career Jim Fassel. How about we take a moment to examine someone whose names has not been publicly linked to the job yet.Ready?You sure?Steve Mariucci.Remember four years ago owner Daniel Snyder danced with a lot of coaches but all the while the Joe Gibbs recruitment was guarded with great secrecy? What if it's happening again? How would that go over?Hear me out for a few paragraphs now, then let me know what you think,. Maybe I'm crazy. But connecting the dots, talking to various people with ties to Mariucci and the West Coast Offense family tree, other unrelated NFL execs, top agents, former players of Mariucci's ... this is a theory at least worth chewing over with my RI peeps.I got Mariucci's agent, Gary O'Hagan, on the phone ever so briefly yesterday and after he peppered me with rapid-fire questions about the Redskins' coaching search I tried to pin him down on whether there had been contact between the Redskins and Mariucci and all he'd say is: "No comment." Mark Maske, our NFL reporter, ran into Mariucci in the media center for the Super Bowl in Phoenix, asked the former coach of the 49ers and Lions if he had talked to the Redskins regarding their opening: Mariucci seemed a little taken aback and said: "I'm working for the NFL Network right now, and that's all I'm doing."Wonder if the "right now" part of that sentence turns out to be the key?The Redskins are not commenting on any part of their coaching search. So I have no firm confirmation of contact, though one former Mariucci associate told me that Mariucci has been calling some of his former coaches recently, and that the Redskins are definitely possibility, with Oakland perhaps as well (assuming the Raiders work out whatever is going on with current coach Lane Kiffin. (Steve is a San Fran guy - via Iron Mountain, Michigan- and one of his former assistants told me Mariucci's wife would prefer to stay in a warmer locale.So let's peel back this onion, shall we?It certainly is unusual - though hardly unprecedented - that Snyder would hire his coordinators before his head coach. And league sources said that Jim Zorn was Jim Fassel's top choice as OC, and that he was very comfortable with Greg Blache running his defense as well. That all adds up. Snyder told Fassel on Wednesday night that while he was delaying a decision until after the Super Bowl that Fassel remained a top candidate. I buy all of that and no doubt whatsoever Fassel is in this thing and has a good chance of getting it. But Snyder also could have gone ahead and hired him this week, even though he was unable to get his top choice defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan.Now, the Redskins have let it be known they have interest in coaches involved in the Super Bowl, with league sources saying Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo is of particular interest. But it would take some serious covert ops/tampering for any team to be talking to Spagnuolo now, especially to the degree to put together a staff around him. And would any coach take his first job walking into a virtually set staff of which he has no ties? Same goes for Ron Meeks, the Indianapolis DC who will have his second interview with the team this week. And again, they could have already made that hire, but instead we're having second interviews with Fassel.Several league sources said they doubted a defensive coach would get this job now after Blache being promoted, and with the Redskins prizing the development of QB Jason Campbell, whom they have invested so much in, during this process (one of the primary reasons Fassel is an attractive candidate).Okay, so let's see, Jim Zorn, West Coast Offense coach, directly from the Mike Holmgren tree. Well, what do you know, so is Mariucci. Very strong ties there. Perhaps he would not have been Mariucci's top choice as OC, but they come from the same system, Holmgren is their mentor (Zorn spent the last six seasons as Holmgren's QB coach). They run essentially the same system. Zorn has no previous experience as an NFL OC, but with an offensive minded head coach and another hire or two, your set. Also, Zorn will be working heavily with Campbell, and Mariucci goes back to Brett Favre in the developing QBs department.What about Blache, you say?Well, Blache is another West Coast guy, worked with Mariucci under Holmgren in Green Bay for a few years. In 2004, when Blache was leaving Chicago after 5 years as the Bears DC, Mariucci tired very hard to get him on his staff with the Lions. The Redskins ended up beating him out for that hire, but there was major interest from Mariucci, multiple league sources said.Want another connection? Executive vice president Vinny Cerrato. Cerrato worked with Mariucci in SF and as the Redskins put in a press release about Cerrato's promotion last week, he is very influential in this process. Cerrato "loves" Mariucci, two NFL sources said. (Mariucci may have some concerns about Washington's current personnel structure, according to two of his former assistants, but no job is perfect and in the end money talks).Mariucci has been under contract to the NFL Network, but all those deals have out-clauses to pursue coaching gigs. Also, in recent weeks the plane Snyder has used to conduct the coaching searches has been tracked multiple times to LAX, neat the NFL Network set, and then later to cities still involved in the playoffs, in some cases where the NFL Network was using a live set with Mariucci included.The Redskins could have had lengthy conversations with him in recent weeks, and Cerrato would have been the perfect point man to set it all. He could have easily signed off on the decisions. And, like we said, those two coaches also work for Fassel. So that's a win-win."Those are hires I think Mooch would be very comfortable with," said one of his former assistants. "That makes perfect sense. And I know Steve wants to get back into coaching, because this is the last year of his Detroit contract (Mariucci was fired with two years left on his deal with Detroit, earning $11 million from the team in the process). That makes perfect sense."One NFL GM, after studying the consecutive hires of Zorn and Blache said: "It all points to Mariucci. It's like you're starting a Washington branch of the West Coast family. Look at the coordinators. Then you've got Vinny who could put it together. That's viable. That's something I think you could sell."He's a likeable guy, he's had success, been to the playoffs, you can trace him back to Bill Walsh. I think you could sell that package to the fans and everybody's comfortable. That's what I think he's trying to pull off."Another former player of Mariucci's, who also has ties to the Redskins, said: "Mooch can talk the talk. He knows how the sell this. He could interview his (backside) off."One of Mariucci's former assistants who goes all the way back to their college coaching days, said: "Steve's personality, the out-going manner, the way he interacts with people, that would be a perfect fit for Snyder."A league source who has interacted significantly with Snyder and Mariucci said: "I know he would be very attracted to Steve. Steve's got that big smile, he loves to (BS). He's the kind of guy Snyder could put his arm around and buddy around with."Two of Mariucci's former players also pointed out the similarities between the teams he had in San Fran and this Redskins team. Both have lots of veteran leadership and have a playoff pedigree, and, like Gibbs, he puts a lot of trust in his players. With the 49ers he ran a "Dirty Dozen" of 12 player representatives that met with him weekly and had a significant say in setting up routines, practices, chemistry issues, etc. Sounds an awful lot like Gibbs's Leadership Counsel right there (look at that Skins, I'm doing some homework for you. You can add this the whole "continuity" vibe should you unveil Mooch as coach someday).Then, let's think about the word the Redskins made clear again yesterday in their press release about no coach until after the Super Bowl. Well, sure they can, and likely will, interview some coaches involved in the game, but Mariucci is contractually obligated to work that game as well - he's out in Arizona working for the NFL Network right now - so there's another connection.Hey, this could be a wasted exercise for all of us. All these weeks chained to my keyboard and Blackberry surely warped me in many ways. Fassel is certainly a guy they are behind, and who knows if they pull a trump card like Pete Carroll or Bill Cowher out at the last second, but I highly, highly, highly doubt that.So, what do you guys think?By Jason La Canfora | January 27, 2008; 9:47 PM ET

 

[Sidewinder16]

If nothing else, it's a very interesting game of connect-the-dots.

It seems viable, at least. Not sure I like a Mariucci hire any more than a Fassel hire, though.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I'd love Mooch as our HC, especially considering the other options. I'm now hoping that it is true and that JLC has found the true mystery canidate.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Just read that Saunders is out in Washington... that seems a little crazy. Didn't this guy help turn the Skins around? What are your thoughts 's on Saunders' tenure?

His grade is Incomplete. In his two years there, he had to work with:2006 - a washed up QB in Brunell, followed by a first-time starter in Campbell who they protected by running the ball a lot, very successfully as it turned out with Betts and an o-line that gelled nicely late in the season; and2007 - backups playing on the right side of the line from week 2 onward, Santana Moss' worst season as a pro, a slow start by Portis as he worked into game shape, and continued pressure from Gibbs to have a more run-oriented offense. Campbell seemed to develop under him, but I think Saunders was so restricted by others - especially Gibbs' preferences as to how to run the offense - that we never really saw Saunders' full offense. Ironically, the closest we came to seeing it was when Todd Collins, a career backup who hadn't started in 10 years, came in and showed his mastery of the reads and quick releases that the offense requires. I wanted Saunders to stick around for at least one more year and to be allowed to run his full offense now that Campbell would be entering his third season as a starter.

You're much nicer than I would be, if I were the one handing out the final grade. I thought I offense was crap w/ him running it. My only problem is that hearing that he was handcuffed, makes me wonder was much of the crap him, them or both that bogged down our play? Regardless, he's one that I'm not sorry to see go.

 

[redman]

If nothing else, it's a very interesting game of connect-the-dots.It seems viable, at least. Not sure I like a Mariucci hire any more than a Fassel hire, though.

 

[phrozen]

what a

I wouldn't be outraged if Mooch is named the HC espically since we have Zorn as the OC. Mooch and the WCO go hand in hand.

Still I am very concerned that Danny and Vinny have returned to pre-Gibbs shenanigans. Whenever I think of those two making decisions for the team I hear the Three Stooges theme music playing in the background. What a couple of boobs these guys are.

 

[fatness]

From PFT:

As new names and possibilities emerge for the head-coaching job in Washington, there's a certain high-profile name that quietly hit owner Dan Snyder's radar, before moving on.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that USC coach Pete Carroll recently met with Snyder in St. Louis. Per Schefter, Carroll listened, but he declined to further pursue the option.

One of the problems is that Carroll is widely believed to be interested only in returning to the NFL if he will be able to run the show. In Washington, Vinny Cerrato is firmly entrenched as the guy with the keys to the roster, and Snyder also wants to stick his finger in the pot from time to time.

That's why the coach who ends up with the job will be someone who can work with Cerrato (like Steve Mariucci) or who'll simply be so happy to have a job that he won't try to grab power (like Jim Fassel).

 

[dgreen]

This morning, John Clayton said he still thinks it will be Fassel. He said they'll interview Meeks again and one or two people from the SB next week, then Fassel will probably be announced Tuesday or Wednesday. Clayton's opinion is that Zorn and Blache are both people Fassel likes.

 

[fatness]

I don't think they'll hire Fassel. I think it'll either be a surprise big name, or a new guy whom they can say "blew them away in the interview process". If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week. The negative reaction around the league and among Redskin fans in particular really caught them off guard, and for some reason they're paying attention to fan reaction in the hiring process (probably not a good idea).

I have no clue who the #### they'll hire, but I don't think it'll be Fassel.

 

[dgreen]

If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week.

That's my feeling was well. Clayton's only response to such a question would be that Snyder wanted to go through a certain process before making a decision and that's what he's going to do.

 

[phrozen]

I don't think they'll hire Fassel. I think it'll either be a surprise big name, or a new guy whom they can say "blew them away in the interview process". If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week. The negative reaction around the league and among Redskin fans in particular really caught them off guard, and for some reason they're paying attention to fan reaction in the hiring process (probably not a good idea). I have no clue who the #### they'll hire, but I don't think it'll be Fassel.

good thoughts here as usual fatness. I also do not think it will be Fassel. The hiring of the assistant coaches before the head coach has thrown me for a loop. I know some other teams have done it but it just makes no ####### sense to me. Whoever Synder brings in will be a well trained dog with little influence over decisions outside of the coaching realm.

 

[redman]

I don't think they'll hire Fassel. I think it'll either be a surprise big name, or a new guy whom they can say "blew them away in the interview process". If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week. The negative reaction around the league and among Redskin fans in particular really caught them off guard, and for some reason they're paying attention to fan reaction in the hiring process (probably not a good idea). I have no clue who the #### they'll hire, but I don't think it'll be Fassel.

good thoughts here as usual fatness. I also do not think it will be Fassel. The hiring of the assistant coaches before the head coach has thrown me for a loop. I know some other teams have done it but it just makes no ####### sense to me. Whoever Synder brings in will be a well trained dog with little influence over decisions outside of the coaching realm.

x2

 

[buster c]

I always liked Mooch as a coach and he does good work on the NFLN.

Danny, you punk-azx-betch, if you're reading this, you've got my green light to hire him.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I don't think they'll hire Fassel. I think it'll either be a surprise big name, or a new guy whom they can say "blew them away in the interview process". If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week. The negative reaction around the league and among Redskin fans in particular really caught them off guard, and for some reason they're paying attention to fan reaction in the hiring process (probably not a good idea).

I have no clue who the #### they'll hire, but I don't think it'll be Fassel.

good thoughts here as usual fatness. I also do not think it will be Fassel. The hiring of the assistant coaches before the head coach has thrown me for a loop. I know some other teams have done it but it just makes no ####### sense to me. Whoever Synder brings in will be a well trained dog with little influence over decisions outside of the coaching realm.

I don't know if that is completely true. Though it appears that they are walking in to much that has been decided for them (hiring Zorn). If it is Mooch or even Fassel, Zorn is a thumbs up for both. If we play along and say it's Mooch and Snyder/Vinny have been talking to him many times...they could just be carrying out his desires or their combined wish list. I tend to agree that if it had been Fassel, then just as w/ GW before...he would have been hired already IMO. I just think it's an easy assumption to think the HC will have little influence, but not necessarily true.

 

[redman]

I was just thinking - is there a WCO that is run with smaller WR's than we have?

Brace yourselves for the remake.

 

[dgreen]

Why is everything such a secret? Don't get me wrong, I have fun here and at other boards speculating and tracking airplanes and trying to figure out what's going on, but why in the world does it have to be top secret? Why was Fassel a mystery candidate for so long? Why is it a mystery whether Snyder has talked to Mooch?

 

[dgreen]

I was just thinking - is there a WCO that is run with smaller WR's than we have?

Brace yourselves for the remake.

But Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, and Randy Moss aren't small.

 

[DCThunder]

Why is everything such a secret? Don't get me wrong, I have fun here and at other boards speculating and tracking airplanes and trying to figure out what's going on, but why in the world does it have to be top secret? Why was Fassel a mystery candidate for so long? Why is it a mystery whether Snyder has talked to Mooch?

Come on, dgreen, you know the answer to your question. It's because Danny got his rocks off big time with the secret hiring of Gibbs and the late night plane flights to bring in Williams and the trade of Bailey to Denver for CP. He wants that same feeling of being the "ONLY" one in the know on this most important decision. It's better than Internet pron to him. And he also likes to think he's 007 as well, except it's his franchise that he's licensed to kill.

 

[redman]

Why is everything such a secret? Don't get me wrong, I have fun here and at other boards speculating and tracking airplanes and trying to figure out what's going on, but why in the world does it have to be top secret? Why was Fassel a mystery candidate for so long? Why is it a mystery whether Snyder has talked to Mooch?

See, when you do things Top Secret, it means you're vewy, vewy important.

 

[phrozen]

I don't think they'll hire Fassel. I think it'll either be a surprise big name, or a new guy whom they can say "blew them away in the interview process". If they were going to hire Fassel it would have been done last week. The negative reaction around the league and among Redskin fans in particular really caught them off guard, and for some reason they're paying attention to fan reaction in the hiring process (probably not a good idea).

I have no clue who the #### they'll hire, but I don't think it'll be Fassel.

good thoughts here as usual fatness. I also do not think it will be Fassel. The hiring of the assistant coaches before the head coach has thrown me for a loop. I know some other teams have done it but it just makes no ####### sense to me. Whoever Synder brings in will be a well trained dog with little influence over decisions outside of the coaching realm.

I don't know if that is completely true. Though it appears that they are walking in to much that has been decided for them (hiring Zorn). If it is Mooch or even Fassel, Zorn is a thumbs up for both. If we play along and say it's Mooch and Snyder/Vinny have been talking to him many times...they could just be carrying out his desires or their combined wish list. I tend to agree that if it had been Fassel, then just as w/ GW before...he would have been hired already IMO. I just think it's an easy assumption to think the HC will have little influence, but not necessarily true.

I have had similar thoughts along this line as well. It did occur to me that Synder hiring Zorn could be a result from his talks and negotiations with Mooch. Snyder could be getting everything in place before he names Mooch the coach. Getting to dgreen's last post if Snyder is working behind the scenes with this "mystery" coach and is getting things lined up they want. Why not just name the coach and end this :trainwreck:. It seems the rational thing to do. But then again this is Snyder we are talking about so rationality is not his strong suit.

 

[fatness]

I'm going to go offtopic for a rant here. Bear with me.

How this whole coaching search is being conducted is a prime example of how, in today's world, money and/or power can insulate people like Dan Snyder (and countless others) from taking responsibility for their actions. Secrecy, misinformation, planting rumors, breaking promises, silence instead of communication --- those all serve no purpose but cushioning those making the decisions. In my business I'm the one who says "Yes, that was my decision, that was my responsibility, that was my mistake" and there is no need to hide from that if one is a man. Using money and power to insulate oneself from it is using money and power to help remain a boy, not a man. While boyhood is fun and we all wish we could have it back, as an adult we should indulge in it in leisure activities like recreation, family get-togethers, etc., and not in the workplace where we're directly affecting the livelihood and morale of other adults. Dan Snyder, and countless others in today's world, behave like boys in situations in which they should be behaving like men.

That needs to be said out loud.

End rant.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

Long post from La Canfora's blog - right to the point it speculates on Mariucci as the HC. This was posted tonight around 9:45pm.

"Those are hires I think Mooch would be very comfortable with," said one of his former assistants. "That makes perfect sense. And I know Steve wants to get back into coaching, because this is the last year of his Detroit contract (Mariucci was fired with two years left on his deal with Detroit, earning $11 million from the team in the process). That makes perfect sense."

The part in bold would also help explain why they are not hiring anyone until next week. To avoid compensating Detroit (or maybe to keep him from having to repay some of his salary), they probably need to wait until his contract expires, which is likely the day after the Super Bowl.

 

[phrozen]

Long post from La Canfora's blog - right to the point it speculates on Mariucci as the HC. This was posted tonight around 9:45pm.

"Those are hires I think Mooch would be very comfortable with," said one of his former assistants. "That makes perfect sense. And I know Steve wants to get back into coaching, because this is the last year of his Detroit contract (Mariucci was fired with two years left on his deal with Detroit, earning $11 million from the team in the process). That makes perfect sense."

The part in bold would also help explain why they are not hiring anyone until next week. To avoid compensating Detroit (or maybe to keep him from having to repay some of his salary), they probably need to wait until his contract expires, which is likely the day after the Super Bowl.

I didn't see this before - thanks for pointing that out Mungo. It sheds some light of why they are being so secretive with Mariucci.

 

[dgreen]

Long post from La Canfora's blog - right to the point it speculates on Mariucci as the HC. This was posted tonight around 9:45pm.

"Those are hires I think Mooch would be very comfortable with," said one of his former assistants. "That makes perfect sense. And I know Steve wants to get back into coaching, because this is the last year of his Detroit contract (Mariucci was fired with two years left on his deal with Detroit, earning $11 million from the team in the process). That makes perfect sense."

The part in bold would also help explain why they are not hiring anyone until next week. To avoid compensating Detroit (or maybe to keep him from having to repay some of his salary), they probably need to wait until his contract expires, which is likely the day after the Super Bowl.

I didn't see this before - thanks for pointing that out Mungo. It sheds some light of why they are being so secretive with Mariucci.

But it doesn't explain the whole Fassel charade.Screw it, I'm not going to try to figure all this out.

 

[DCThunder]

Somewhere over the weekend I also read where Kirk Olivadotti, the LB coach was re-signed to an extension. Keeping him and Blatche give me some confidence that the defense will stay strong and that guys like London Fletcher and Rocky Macintosh will continue to develop and anchor the team.

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

 

[redman]

I'm going to go offtopic for a rant here. Bear with me.How this whole coaching search is being conducted is a prime example of how, in today's world, money and/or power can insulate people like Dan Snyder (and countless others) from taking responsibility for their actions. Secrecy, misinformation, planting rumors, breaking promises, silence instead of communication --- those all serve no purpose but cushioning those making the decisions. In my business I'm the one who says "Yes, that was my decision, that was my responsibility, that was my mistake" and there is no need to hide from that if one is a man. Using money and power to insulate oneself from it is using money and power to help remain a boy, not a man. While boyhood is fun and we all wish we could have it back, as an adult we should indulge in it in leisure activities like recreation, family get-togethers, etc., and not in the workplace where we're directly affecting the livelihood and morale of other adults. Dan Snyder, and countless others in today's world, behave like boys in situations in which they should be behaving like men.That needs to be said out loud.End rant.

Very I'd only add that we've gotten a front row seat to the consequences of a powerful person being immune from the consequences of his ineptitude and mistakes.

 

[redman]

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

Bugel returned because Gibbs returned, so I expected him to retire too. The fact that it hasn't has surprised me a little. Suffice it to say that he'll make his own decision, and IMHO the team will go with whatever he wants.

 

[DCThunder]

I'm going to go offtopic for a rant here. Bear with me.How this whole coaching search is being conducted is a prime example of how, in today's world, money and/or power can insulate people like Dan Snyder (and countless others) from taking responsibility for their actions. Secrecy, misinformation, planting rumors, breaking promises, silence instead of communication --- those all serve no purpose but cushioning those making the decisions. In my business I'm the one who says "Yes, that was my decision, that was my responsibility, that was my mistake" and there is no need to hide from that if one is a man. Using money and power to insulate oneself from it is using money and power to help remain a boy, not a man. While boyhood is fun and we all wish we could have it back, as an adult we should indulge in it in leisure activities like recreation, family get-togethers, etc., and not in the workplace where we're directly affecting the livelihood and morale of other adults. Dan Snyder, and countless others in today's world, behave like boys in situations in which they should be behaving like men.That needs to be said out loud.End rant.

Very I'd only add that we've gotten a front row seat to the consequences of a powerful person being immune from the consequences of his ineptitude and mistakes.

We've also had a front row seat for this (albeit 30 miles away) for 10+ years with the Orioles and Peter Angelos and 7+ years with George Bush.

 

[TeddyKGB]

The connect-the-dots with Mooch is pretty compelling, I'd say. I just think if it was Fassel, it'd have been done by now. Snyderrato deferring the spotlight to the Super Bowl? Not in a million years.

 

[redman]

I'm going to go offtopic for a rant here. Bear with me.How this whole coaching search is being conducted is a prime example of how, in today's world, money and/or power can insulate people like Dan Snyder (and countless others) from taking responsibility for their actions. Secrecy, misinformation, planting rumors, breaking promises, silence instead of communication --- those all serve no purpose but cushioning those making the decisions. In my business I'm the one who says "Yes, that was my decision, that was my responsibility, that was my mistake" and there is no need to hide from that if one is a man. Using money and power to insulate oneself from it is using money and power to help remain a boy, not a man. While boyhood is fun and we all wish we could have it back, as an adult we should indulge in it in leisure activities like recreation, family get-togethers, etc., and not in the workplace where we're directly affecting the livelihood and morale of other adults. Dan Snyder, and countless others in today's world, behave like boys in situations in which they should be behaving like men.That needs to be said out loud.End rant.

Very I'd only add that we've gotten a front row seat to the consequences of a powerful person being immune from the consequences of his ineptitude and mistakes.

We've also had a front row seat for this (albeit 30 miles away) for 10+ years with the Orioles and Peter Angelos and 7+ years with George Bush.

And for 40 years with Ted Kennedy in MA; and for 10+ years for Michael Jackson and OJ Simpson; and decades upon decades in St. Louis and Phoenix with the Bidwells; and on, and on, and on . . .It definitely pays to be rich, just as it always has.

 

[TankRizzo]

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

Bugel returned because Gibbs returned, so I expected him to retire too. The fact that it hasn't has surprised me a little. Suffice it to say that he'll make his own decision, and IMHO the team will go with whatever he wants.

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that he'll stay on as O-line coach.

 

[redman]

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

Bugel returned because Gibbs returned, so I expected him to retire too. The fact that it hasn't has surprised me a little. Suffice it to say that he'll make his own decision, and IMHO the team will go with whatever he wants.

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that he'll stay on as O-line coach.

I guess he just likes this group of guys on the OL. What I'm wondering now is how good of a fit are his blocking schemes with the WCO that will apparently be run?

 

[DCThunder]

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

Bugel returned because Gibbs returned, so I expected him to retire too. The fact that it hasn't has surprised me a little. Suffice it to say that he'll make his own decision, and IMHO the team will go with whatever he wants.

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that he'll stay on as O-line coach.

I guess he just likes this group of guys on the OL. What I'm wondering now is how good of a fit are his blocking schemes with the WCO that will apparently be run?

Better yet, how well do Portis and Betts fit into a WCO? Is Portis another Roger Craig? Of course that would make Jason Campbell another Joe Montana....

 

[redman]

The guy who has not been mentioned at any time in this whole process is Joe Bugel. Does he ride off with Gibbs or what? He's still under contract for another year and wasn't part of Saunders clique, so maybe the old Boss Hogg stays around.

Bugel returned because Gibbs returned, so I expected him to retire too. The fact that it hasn't has surprised me a little. Suffice it to say that he'll make his own decision, and IMHO the team will go with whatever he wants.

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that he'll stay on as O-line coach.

I guess he just likes this group of guys on the OL. What I'm wondering now is how good of a fit are his blocking schemes with the WCO that will apparently be run?

Better yet, how well do Portis and Betts fit into a WCO? Is Portis another Roger Craig? Of course that would make Jason Campbell another Joe Montana....

In fairness, Portis and Betts may be pretty well suited for the WCO. As for Campbell, he supposedly ran a version of the WCO at least one of his years in college and as I understand it looked pretty good doing it.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

I was just thinking - is there a WCO that is run with smaller WR's than we have?

Brace yourselves for the remake.

But Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, and Randy Moss aren't small.

Zorn is from SeattleDJ Hackett 6'2" is from Seattle

 

[fatness]

Rex Ryan just signed a new contract in Baltimore.

Link

 

[dgreen]

I was just thinking - is there a WCO that is run with smaller WR's than we have?

Brace yourselves for the remake.

But Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, and Randy Moss aren't small.

Zorn is from SeattleDJ Hackett 6'2" is from Seattle

No, I'm pretty sure CJ, Roy, and Moss have higher ratings on Madden. Plus, they cost more!

 

[dgreen]

Long post from La Canfora's blog - right to the point it speculates on Mariucci as the HC. This was posted tonight around 9:45pm.

Something To Chew OnThe Redskins say it will be at a least a week until he tells us who the new head coach is and I know that's way too long for you all to spend dissecting the coaching career Jim Fassel. How about we take a moment to examine someone whose names has not been publicly linked to the job yet.Ready?You sure?Steve Mariucci.

An addition to this JLC post:

PS - Forgot to include this in the original post. After Gibbs retired the other teams conducting coaching searches - three at the time - held strategy meetings to see how Snyder's involvement might impact their lists of candidates, timetables, etc. At least one of those three other teams conducted lengthy internal meetings to that end and came away with an organizational belief that Snyder would try to land a "big fish" - I.e. Cowher or Carroll, but that those guys weren't budging for the Washington job and had too many concerns about personnel, etc. So ruling them out this team concluded that Snyder would either hire Gregg Williams or Steve Mariucci. Maybe those guys knew what they were talking about.

 

[fatness]

Cerrato's newly announced control over the roster had players shaking their heads about a return to the bad old days of 2002-03 when Cerrato and Snyder dominated coach Steve Spurrier and the Redskins went 12-20, their worst two-year record since 1993-94.

"Vinny's not a bad person, but he was here when they made some terrible mistakes with the personnel," one player said.

Fox Sports

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

Mooch is 1000x more palatable to me as head coach than Fassell. Can we just put this up for a poll at the Washington Post so Danny and Vinny know what to do?

 

[buster c]

maybe after Fassel gets Snyderized for a 2nd time, HE will form an assassination committee to take out Napolean.

 

[fatness]

PFT

POSTED 1:57 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008NO MOOCH IN D.C.?A source with knowledge of the dynamics in the Washington front office firmly believes that former San Francisco and Detroit head coach Steve Mariucci won't be the next coach of the Redskins. Though both Mariucci and 'Skins executive V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato worked together in San Fran, Mariucci was hired by former Niners owner Eddie DeBartolo and front-office exec Carmen Policy. "Mooch was never a Vinny guy," the source said.Mariucci has been linked to the job via informed speculation from Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post.