Packer fans seem to be very dismal this year... I just can't figure it out.Sincerely,
A Packer Fan
Agreed 100%. I think Shanahan deserves Exec of the year for his front-office work, though. Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers, Gerard Warren, Ian Gold, Ron Dayne, Darrent Williams, and Dominique Foxworth have all been HUGE parts of Denver's success this season, and all were gotten very cheaply. Restructuring Trevor Pryce's contract, picking up Plummer's option bonus (remember when people thought Denver should cut Plummer last offseason?) and resigning Hamilton were all big, as was letting Kenoy Kennedy and Dan Neil leave rather than overpay for them (knowing Nick Ferguson and Cooper Carlisle were capable of taking over). Most importantly, Denver just went through the most painless cap purge in the history of the National Football League. Seriously. You don't hear about it, but Denver spent the last two seasons clearing ALL dead money from their salary cap- about $30+ million in total- and they've managed to go 22-9 and secure two playoff berths (and 1 first round bye) while doing it. Not too shabby.I don't really think it could be anyone else other than Lovie.
Being a Bronco fan I do miss Kenoy Kennedy though, seems like Ferguson made a ton of mistakes this year. Kennedy could hit too. On the offensive line though, it seems like they didn't even miss a beat.Restructuring Trevor Pryce's contract, picking up Plummer's option bonus (remember when people thought Denver should cut Plummer last offseason?) and resigning Hamilton were all big, as was letting Kenoy Kennedy and Dan Neil leave rather than overpay for them (knowing Nick Ferguson and Cooper Carlisle were capable of taking over).I don't really think it could be anyone else other than Lovie.
I came away with exactly the opposite impression. I felt like a Denver safety earned a pro bowl trip, and it wasn't Lynch. Apparently, Dominique Foxworth agrees with me, because as soon as he got his AFC West Champions hat, he wrote "Pro Bowl #25" on it.Kennedy laid some bigger hits, but Ferguson is just as sure of a tackler (although not quite so violent), and much better in coverage. His 5 INTs attest to that. In fact, he finished tied for 11th in the league in INTs, with guys like Cato June, Ronde Barber, and Charles Tillman. Only Darren Sharper and Greg Wesley, two of the biggest ballhawks in the past decade, finished with more INTs from the safety position.Being a Bronco fan I do miss Kenoy Kennedy though, seems like Ferguson made a ton of mistakes this year. Kennedy could hit too. On the offensive line though, it seems like they didn't even miss a beat.Restructuring Trevor Pryce's contract, picking up Plummer's option bonus (remember when people thought Denver should cut Plummer last offseason?) and resigning Hamilton were all big, as was letting Kenoy Kennedy and Dan Neil leave rather than overpay for them (knowing Nick Ferguson and Cooper Carlisle were capable of taking over).I don't really think it could be anyone else other than Lovie.
I have noticed that, too. Guys like Shanahan and Belichick are proven winners, so they will likely get overlooked. Coach of the Year always seems to go to the coach of a team that did much better than most thought they would do, like the Bears this year.Why is it a requirement in most people's mind that the coach of the year cannot come from a team that is supposed to win?
Because there can only be 16 poll answers to choose from so realistically I didn't add the worst 16 teams in the NFL by their record.How does Nick Saban not make this list?
How does Nick Saban not make this list?
So does this 8-7 season make him coach of the year material?How does Nick Saban not make this list?Schottenheimer and Mora's team have underachieved greatly this season and make the list, but Saban has his team at 8-7 in Year 1 of rebuilding and isn't even an option? That doesn't make any sense to me.
He'll win it next season after the Dolphins make the playoffs.How does Nick Saban not make this list?
It makes him worthy of being in the discussion. And it definitely puts him above guys like Mora and Schottenheimer. Quick question...if you had to rank Mora, Schottenheimer and Saban in order of who has done the best coaching job this season, what order would you put them in? My order would be:So does this 8-7 season make him coach of the year material?How does Nick Saban not make this list?Schottenheimer and Mora's team have underachieved greatly this season and make the list, but Saban has his team at 8-7 in Year 1 of rebuilding and isn't even an option? That doesn't make any sense to me.
How in the world does Gibbs only get 3 votes? I guess everyone forgot just how bad this team was supposed to be and how bad it's O was supposed to be. I would rank them:
1a. Lovie
1b. Gibbs
2. Saban
3. Dungy
Maybe he does to deserve to be on the list, but doesn't deserve the title.It makes him worthy of being in the discussion. And it definitely puts him above guys like Mora and Schottenheimer. Quick question...if you had to rank Mora, Schottenheimer and Saban in order of who has done the best coaching job this season, what order would you put them in? My order would be:So does this 8-7 season make him coach of the year material?How does Nick Saban not make this list?Schottenheimer and Mora's team have underachieved greatly this season and make the list, but Saban has his team at 8-7 in Year 1 of rebuilding and isn't even an option? That doesn't make any sense to me.
Saban
Schottenheimer
Mora
No.. no... no.. I didn't say which coach deserves to coach pee wee football for the rest of their life!Dom Capers.
Who says that's a requirement? Lots of winners come from teams with great records. However, if someone told you before the season that Chicago would be the #2 team in the NFC and a legitimate SB contender, and that Indy would be the #1 team in the AFC and the SB favorite, which would have been more surprising? I also think big turnarounds are also strong points in the favor of the coach, as long as he's turning around someone else's mess.My list:Why is it a requirement in most people's mind that the coach of the year cannot come from a team that is supposed to win? Of course some will say that if Tony Dungy were to win it, it would be a sentimental thing because of the death of his son. I think he deserves it because of how he has handled this team. This team is far and away better than the Colts teams of the recent past. Mr. Dungy has a lot to do with that success. I vote for Dungy.
That proves my point.Also, for the record, Chicago doesn't have a chance in hell to win the SB with that offense. Oh yeah, and before anyone brings up the Ravens, at least Dilfer had control of that team longer than Grossman has in Chicago. Now I like Grossman long term, and I certainly like him more than Dilfer, but IMO he hasn't played enough this year.Who says that's a requirement? Lots of winners come from teams with great records. However, if someone told you before the season that Chicago would be the #2 team in the NFC and a legitimate SB contender, and that Indy would be the #1 team in the AFC and the SB favorite, which would have been more surprising?Why is it a requirement in most people's mind that the coach of the year cannot come from a team that is supposed to win? Of course some will say that if Tony Dungy were to win it, it would be a sentimental thing because of the death of his son. I think he deserves it because of how he has handled this team. This team is far and away better than the Colts teams of the recent past. Mr. Dungy has a lot to do with that success. I vote for Dungy.
I respect what the colts did, but to me losing to the Chargers at home, late in the season, with the Chargers sandwiching a home loss to Miami, and a road loss to KC around the Colts defeat, is a huge mark. I would still have him 3rd.
Except that this isn't an award for what someone has done of the last 2 years. It's all about this year. They've done well, but he doesn't make my short list.PS: GB another poll without an "other" optionSecond has to go to Marv Lewis. All his decisions over the last 2 years have panned out to win the division.
Thats a bit misleading because it ignores the fact that for a while there(and maybe still, but a little less so now that they've lose two), we were talking about Indy as potentially the greatest team of all time.However, if someone told you before the season that Chicago would be the #2 team in the NFC and a legitimate SB contender, and that Indy would be the #1 team in the AFC and the SB favorite, which would have been more surprising?
Actually I think the Skins were a very underachiving team last year like Seattle so why give them credit for something they should of already done. To me I would of like to see Saban on the list. WHo would of thought the Dolphins would of .500 or better in the AFC East before the season started. And he got Ricky to play with out any problems.Who deserves Coach of the Year?
Atlanta Falcons - Jim Mora, Jr. [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Carolina Panthers - John Fox [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Chicago Bears - Lovie Smith [ 42 ] [47.73%]
Cincinnati Bengals - Marvin Lewis [ 9 ] [10.23%]
Dallas Cowboys - Bill Parcells [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Denver Broncos - Mike Shanahan [ 2 ] [2.27%]
Indianapolis Colts - Tony Dungy [ 9 ] [10.23%]
Jacksonville Jaguars - Jack Del Rio [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Kansas City Chiefs - **** Vermeil [ 0 ] [0.00%]
New England Patriots - Bill Belichick [ 4 ] [4.55%]
NY Giants - Tom Coughlin [ 2 ] [2.27%]
Pittsburgh Steelers - Bill Cowher [ 2 ] [2.27%]
San Diego Chargers - Marty Schottenheimer [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Seattle Seahawks - Mike Holmgren [ 4 ] [4.55%]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jon Gruden [ 4 ] [4.55%]
Washington Redskins - Joe Gibbs [ 6 ] [6.82%]
Total Votes: 84
In all seriousness, has Lovie Smith really outcoaches Joe Gibbs by that large of a margin this year?
Check out this thread: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=173078
The Skins are just as much of a surprise as the Bears, and they played in a much harder division. While Smith has the Bears playing great, he didn't have any real tough decisions other than to bench Orton for Grossman while he got back. Gibbs made two huge decisions(bench Ramsey and to trade for Moss) that were widely critisized at the time, and have turned out great.
I'm not saying Gibbs has done better, but I think its a lot closer than the vote shows.
Well, we're still talking about Chicago as potentially the best defense of all time, so it's not THAT misleading.Welcome to the 21st century media. Everything has to be an all-time something, because they assume the audience is too stupid to read about a team that's simply the best THIS SEASON. Case-in-point, ESPN's asinine "fantasy football" thing comparing USC to the 11 best college teams of all time and trying to see who would win each game.Thats a bit misleading because it ignores the fact that for a while there(and maybe still, but a little less so now that they've lose two), we were talking about Indy as potentially the greatest team of all time.However, if someone told you before the season that Chicago would be the #2 team in the NFC and a legitimate SB contender, and that Indy would be the #1 team in the AFC and the SB favorite, which would have been more surprising?
I don't know who this 'we' is, but I never thought Indy was the greatest team of all time or even one of the best. Even if they win it all this year, I would be hard-pressed to even put them in the top 5 if I had to rank Super Bowl champions since I started watching the NFL in the mid 80's.Thats a bit misleading because it ignores the fact that for a while there(and maybe still, but a little less so now that they've lose two), we were talking about Indy as potentially the greatest team of all time.However, if someone told you before the season that Chicago would be the #2 team in the NFC and a legitimate SB contender, and that Indy would be the #1 team in the AFC and the SB favorite, which would have been more surprising?
A month ago you had the right to look at the Pats and say, as I did, that they weren’t playing or coaching well enough and the injury excuse was a crutch. The truth was that some people weren’t doing their jobs very well.
It’s different now. Adjustments were made (Hobbs for Starks; Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi for Beisel and Brown), the coaches got after it (Belichick apparently chewed out the players in the locker room in Kansas City) and now the Patriots finally resemble the team we’ve come to know. They’ve now used 44 different starters, surpassing the record injury numbers they put up in 2003 and 2004 — and still they’re standing.
The bottom line is this: There isn’t another roster in the NFL that could lose players like Bruschi, Harrison, Seymour, Light, Koppen, Dillon, Kevin Faulk and Ted Johnson and be in the mix on the eve of the playoffs. There isn’t another staff that could lose seasoned, respected game-planners like Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel and still have opponents guessing in December. There isn’t another head coach in the league who could lose all of that, in addition to suffering some profound personal losses, and still claim 10 (going on 11) victories with his team primed and ready when it counts the most. The past month has only affirmed Belichick’s greatness.
The Pats played the Dolphins, Bills, and Jets for 6 games. The Colts and Jags got Houston and Tennessee for four games. Your argument is lame. The Bears lost their starting quarterback during preseason, but overcame that. As anybody can see, Grossman makes a noticeable difference in that offense. Lovie has that team believing.Before we get too googoo over Lovie's accomplishments, let's remember he coaches in the NFC(Weak) and North Division(a joke). He got the likes of Green Bay, Detroit, and Minny for 6 games!
He has done a nice job, but this #2 seed stuff is a little silly since they wouldn't make the playoffs if they were in the AFC. Put them into any AFC Division and tell me how they get in?!
I'd take the Colts, Pats, Broncos, Stillers, Bengals, Jags, Chargers, Chiefs, as better teams than the Bears.
Lovie has benefited from a weak conference and weaker division.
The Colts are 13-2 with 2 meaningless losses. The NFC is weak, period!The Pats played the Dolphins, Bills, and Jets for 6 games. The Colts and Jags got Houston and Tennessee for four games. Your argument is lame. The Bears lost their starting quarterback during preseason, but overcame that. As anybody can see, Grossman makes a noticeable difference in that offense. Lovie has that team believing.Before we get too googoo over Lovie's accomplishments, let's remember he coaches in the NFC(Weak) and North Division(a joke). He got the likes of Green Bay, Detroit, and Minny for 6 games!
He has done a nice job, but this #2 seed stuff is a little silly since they wouldn't make the playoffs if they were in the AFC. Put them into any AFC Division and tell me how they get in?!
I'd take the Colts, Pats, Broncos, Stillers, Bengals, Jags, Chargers, Chiefs, as better teams than the Bears.
Lovie has benefited from a weak conference and weaker division.
Bingo. Belichick is being HUGELY underrated because he's a victim of his own success: as someone else noted, people are sick of the Pats and Belichick the "genius" -- although if you read Halberstam's book on him you'd see that he is nothing short of a football savant, along with Ernie Adams, and has been his entire life, breaking down film as well as seasoned college/pro coaches when he was NINE. He really is the next descdendant in line from Paul Brown, Lombardi, Landry, Walsh, and one of, if not THE greatest coach in NFL history.Lovie, Saban, Gibbs would also get my votes this year, but Belichick is my top choice considering how he's steadied a ship that could have easily gone down after all those injuries, that brutal non-division schedule )albeit a weaker division), IMO.Belichick gets my vote. He's overcome more than anyone.
Today's Boston Herald
A month ago you had the right to look at the Pats and say, as I did, that they weren’t playing or coaching well enough and the injury excuse was a crutch. The truth was that some people weren’t doing their jobs very well.
It’s different now. Adjustments were made (Hobbs for Starks; Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi for Beisel and Brown), the coaches got after it (Belichick apparently chewed out the players in the locker room in Kansas City) and now the Patriots finally resemble the team we’ve come to know. They’ve now used 44 different starters, surpassing the record injury numbers they put up in 2003 and 2004 — and still they’re standing.
The bottom line is this: There isn’t another roster in the NFL that could lose players like Bruschi, Harrison, Seymour, Light, Koppen, Dillon, Kevin Faulk and Ted Johnson and be in the mix on the eve of the playoffs. There isn’t another staff that could lose seasoned, respected game-planners like Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel and still have opponents guessing in December. There isn’t another head coach in the league who could lose all of that, in addition to suffering some profound personal losses, and still claim 10 (going on 11) victories with his team primed and ready when it counts the most. The past month has only affirmed Belichick’s greatness.