MattFancy
Footballguy
Thought this was pretty good: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/rg3-sacks-redskins-linemen-help-tom-brady-peyton-manning/Hang 10 said:
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***Official*** Washington Redskins 2014 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sebowski
- Start date
Sidewinder16
Footballguy
Sidewinder16
Footballguy
Bruce Allen following the "Al Davis Approach"
While Allen's tenure with the Raiders was pretty much the most success they've had in the past 20 years, there is a lot of correlation with Jon Gruden and that success, as well. I'm not sure which one is the chicken and which is the egg. One way or another, I'm not sure I feel all that comfortable with any Al Davis model of operations* being employed here.
*At least, not from his waning years.
:X
While Allen's tenure with the Raiders was pretty much the most success they've had in the past 20 years, there is a lot of correlation with Jon Gruden and that success, as well. I'm not sure which one is the chicken and which is the egg. One way or another, I'm not sure I feel all that comfortable with any Al Davis model of operations* being employed here.
*At least, not from his waning years.
dgreen
Footballguy
If it's simply a "Cast a wide net" philosophy, I don't have a problem with it, regardless of who else has used that philosophy. I think what matters more is WHY you are casting a wide net.
One common fear I've heard expressed, and probably aligns with what Davis liked to do, is that Allen/Snyder are just trying to find a HC that they can manipulate and be a puppet for them. Obviously, I think that would be a problem.
But, I can see many beneficial approaches to casting a wide net. For starters, I think it can be dangerous to fall in love with someone before doing due diligence and going overboard for that person. I think that's potentially what happened with Spurrier and Shanahan (and probably Gibbs, but who can blame him...amiright?). Snyder wanted them and was likely unwilling to consider anyone else. Doing a lot of interviews can be a sign that they aren't just targeting one person with blinders on to everyone else. Don't fall in love with an individual; fall in love with a philosophy/approach and find the people who match that approach.
Also, interviewing some of these extras now can give you ideas for guys in the future for multiple positions. Where I work, it is very popular to interview for promotions before you are ready and even for jobs you don't really want because it puts you in front of a "higher up" and you are then on their radar for the future even if it won't work now. This interview process could include someone who is hired in the future (or for a different job now) because they know more about that person going into the next search. In other words, the Redskins need to do some positive networking, especially if their organization is bad-mouthed around the league. Of course, they could just be making themselves look worse to these candidates.
While it's a sad state of affairs, it does give the Redskins insight into how other organizations might do things as Polian suggests. There's no excuse for them not knowing how to put together a good team, but anything they can learn from these interviews should be another positive.
Long story short, I'd be more worried if they continued with their searches the same ways they have in the past. I'm more encouraged that they are doing something different than they have. At least I assume they are doing something different. It could all just be covering up for a big Cowher announcement (no, I don't think that will happen) or they are just trying to find the right puppet.
If they aren't done with interviews by the end of this week, then I'll be pretty concerned. Whether they can officially hire someone this week or not, I really hope they know who they want and have started discussions with that person.
One common fear I've heard expressed, and probably aligns with what Davis liked to do, is that Allen/Snyder are just trying to find a HC that they can manipulate and be a puppet for them. Obviously, I think that would be a problem.
But, I can see many beneficial approaches to casting a wide net. For starters, I think it can be dangerous to fall in love with someone before doing due diligence and going overboard for that person. I think that's potentially what happened with Spurrier and Shanahan (and probably Gibbs, but who can blame him...amiright?). Snyder wanted them and was likely unwilling to consider anyone else. Doing a lot of interviews can be a sign that they aren't just targeting one person with blinders on to everyone else. Don't fall in love with an individual; fall in love with a philosophy/approach and find the people who match that approach.
Also, interviewing some of these extras now can give you ideas for guys in the future for multiple positions. Where I work, it is very popular to interview for promotions before you are ready and even for jobs you don't really want because it puts you in front of a "higher up" and you are then on their radar for the future even if it won't work now. This interview process could include someone who is hired in the future (or for a different job now) because they know more about that person going into the next search. In other words, the Redskins need to do some positive networking, especially if their organization is bad-mouthed around the league. Of course, they could just be making themselves look worse to these candidates.
While it's a sad state of affairs, it does give the Redskins insight into how other organizations might do things as Polian suggests. There's no excuse for them not knowing how to put together a good team, but anything they can learn from these interviews should be another positive.
Long story short, I'd be more worried if they continued with their searches the same ways they have in the past. I'm more encouraged that they are doing something different than they have. At least I assume they are doing something different. It could all just be covering up for a big Cowher announcement (no, I don't think that will happen) or they are just trying to find the right puppet.
If they aren't done with interviews by the end of this week, then I'll be pretty concerned. Whether they can officially hire someone this week or not, I really hope they know who they want and have started discussions with that person.
fatness
Footballguy
I get the sense that this go-round of interviews is different, that it's more a "talk to people we feel are qualified and then make the best choice for the team" approach. Otherwise there's no need for the scouting guys to be involved in the interviews (which they have been). If they're just looking for a puppet Snyder would have been at all interviews after flying people into town left and right.
I like the way they're doing it. I think it'll result in 2 or 3 "second interviews" and then they'll choose. I'm not sure of the time frame though, since they do want to talk to 2 or 3 coordinators still in the playoffs.
For the record, I don't think Jay Gruden will be the next coach. Just a hunch, based on Dalton's bad showing in the playoff game and Gruden preferring to draft Dalton over Kaepernick.
fatness
Footballguy
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
MattFancy
Footballguy
Here's my take on the interviews; there is a method to their madness.
Think it's interesting we're talking to the coordinators of Wilson and Kaepernick. Why not pick their brains and see what they think about RG3. They both have similar style QBs, so see if they see something different in RG3. Then you have Caldwell who worked with Peyton Manning. See if he thinks RG3 is capable of being a film nut like Manning. Maybe Caldwell could offer some insight to how Peyton does things.
Interesting talking to 2 current coaches of teams in our division in Basaccia and Fewell. Why not see what the teams in our division currently think of our roster. Fewell can offer an interesting perspective of how he prepares for our offense.
Maybe they did all those other interviews to gather as much info about the team as possible. Also helps to see if Brown/Campbell like the same guys as the coaches we've brought in. I like everything the new FO has done so far.
dgreen
Footballguy
I believe they can talk to Whisenhunt, Roman, and Fangio this week. Can't sign them, but they can interview them and make a decision.
I guess that should play into somewhat, but I wouldn't put a lot of weight on that. Gruden should be judged on his overall body of work and there shouldn't be overreaction to one game.
fatness
Footballguy
Allen had dinner with Jay Gruden last night, which reportedly isn't unusual for people flying in for interviews. Snyder wasn't there. Gruden's interview is today at Redskin Park I believe, and Snyder will be there.
edit: added link
Matt, that's some interesting thinking, thanks.
edit: added link
Matt, that's some interesting thinking, thanks.
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fatness
Footballguy
John Keim about Perry Fewell. Sounds fairly good but not the kind of person who's going to seize the job after one big interview.
fatness
Footballguy
Swing 51
Footballguy
Hopefully Vinnie stops by the icy Potomac for a dip
fatness
Footballguy
If this coach fizzles out like all of Snyder's other head coaches I think they should let the group of us conduct the interviews for the next one in one of our yearly topics here.MattFancy interviewing Caldwell: "So Mr. Caldwell, do you think RG3 is capable of being a film nut?"MattFancy said:
Caldwell: umm...wtf?
It would be great fun, and it couldn't work worse than what Snyder's done so far.
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MattFancy
Footballguy
Whatever you wanna call it lolMattFancy interviewing Caldwell: "So Mr. Caldwell, do you think RG3 is capable of being a film nut?"MattFancy said:
Caldwell: umm...wtf?
fatness
Footballguy
southeastjerome
Footballguy
Caught Ian Rapoport on the NFL Network, he said Morocco Brown is on the Bucs short list for GM. I really don't understand why Bruce is not team president and Morocco is GM. Of course there is a lot we are not privy to, but Brown was considered for a GM job before and it is well known that football decisions are not Allen's forte.
southeastjerome
Footballguy
I am with you. I don't have a problem with them casting a wide net. Bill Polian had speculated they were doing it to not only meet the candidates, but to also get a feel for how other successful organizations operate. I can see how that might hurt their relationships with other teams, but otherwise see no harm in it. I doubt they would line up all these interviews in order to find someone they can control. They might be able to achieve that in one or two interviews and wouldn't necessarily have to line up all these other people in advance. And from what I've read about Mike Zimmer, he's definitely not a guy who they would be able to control. If anything, just the opposite with him.
southeastjerome
Footballguy
fatness
Footballguy
I think this sets Morocco Brown up either to be a GM for the Bucs or for a hefty increase in both salary and in defined responsibilities with the Redskins. Hopefully the latter.
If Brown left I'm guessing Bruce Allen will feel all alone on a raft for awhile --- no HC, no OC, no DC, no pro personnel guy.
MattFancy
Footballguy
Played and coached in the AFL for awhile. Won 2 titles as a coach in the AFL. Also was a really good AFL player.
Been with the Bengals since 2011 and has produced the 6th, 12th and #18th ranked offenses. Improvement every season which is always a nice thing to see.
Dad was a former NFL assistant and scout and of course we all know about Jon. Looks like football runs in the family.
Was arrested for a DUI in 2005.
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MattFancy
Footballguy
They played the Hard Knocks one on the Junkies this morning. Definitely a guy you would want to run through a wall for. Does that mean he'll be a good HC? No idea.
My favorite line from the HK clip: "This isn't some Mickey Mouse horse #### football"
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
I don't know enough about any of these guys to say if they are good or bad for this team. Heck, none of us know anything other than their records, stats, and what media/fans have said. I do like the process they are using. My guess is out of these 10+ names they've interviewed, there are 5+ that have no shot at the job and are just for informational purposes. There are probably a couple that haven't even been disclosed. As long as it's a coach that is current with the game and can deal with players and people well, I'm fine with it.
Gruden, McDermott, Wisenhunt, Caldwell, Zimmer...all seem fine from the outside looking in. Hopefully Allen makes a good decision.
In the end it's all about players. Whether you are coaching little league baseball, high school basketball, college wrestling, or the NFL, if you don't have the players you will not win. Systems do not overcome talent deficiencies like the Redskins have right now.
Gruden, McDermott, Wisenhunt, Caldwell, Zimmer...all seem fine from the outside looking in. Hopefully Allen makes a good decision.
In the end it's all about players. Whether you are coaching little league baseball, high school basketball, college wrestling, or the NFL, if you don't have the players you will not win. Systems do not overcome talent deficiencies like the Redskins have right now.
dgreen
Footballguy
I wouldn't say it's "all about the players". I don't know what the % break down is, but I think coaching players a larger % in football than any other sport. I think coaching is VERY important in football.
Ted Mullins
Footballguy
Jay Gruden is official now.
fatness
Footballguy
dgreen
Footballguy
RGIII HTTR
Footballguy
RGIII HTTR
Footballguy
Some insiders say Haslett will stay and be the DC, some say the R. Morris will be the DC. McVay is to be the OC.
Milkman
Footballguy
OK Jay Gruden! Welcome to the family!
Really the Skins are an attractive team for a coach. Tons of cap space and a young QB that has shown flashes of being great. No first round pick but that cap space is probably worth more than a 1st round pick.
Now we need to draft a WR early for RG3.
If Kelvin Benjamin or Allen Robinson fall into the second round the skins need to snap one of them up.
Really the Skins are an attractive team for a coach. Tons of cap space and a young QB that has shown flashes of being great. No first round pick but that cap space is probably worth more than a 1st round pick.
Now we need to draft a WR early for RG3.
If Kelvin Benjamin or Allen Robinson fall into the second round the skins need to snap one of them up.
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