2014 NFL Offseason

[FiddySicks]

Lovie would be perfect for Detroit. They're a talented team who to this point have had their heads up their asses. Lovie would remove their heads from their asses. I don't know who Jeff Tedford is, but if he's Lovie Smith's hand-picked offensive coordinator, chances are he has an IQ of like 12. Any hiring of Lovie would have to come with the proviso that his offensive staff be hired for him.

JEFF TEDFORD?!?!

What in the blue hell? He was the Cal coach for about a decade, including the time that Aaron Rogers was there, and he basically rode the coat tails of ONE good season his entire tenure in Berkeley. He's known more for offensive ineptitude than anything else as far as I know.

[The_Admiral]

I still don't get the Lovie Smith adoration.

He's a good coach who at the very least will run a solid defense, treat his players like adults, and generally prevent the bottom from dropping out. This is valuable to teams like Detroit and Tampa Bay, less valuable to teams who might like to win the Super Bowl. But take Tampa, which at present is a smoldering plane crash. He'll restore discipline and dignity, and win either seven or eight games. That's not good enough for most places, but it's good enough for them.

[drdougfresh]

Yeah Tedford breaks the deal for me -- no matter how "great" Lovie would be for us. Between him and Whisenhunt, I just look at how both teams they coached last ended up, and I don't see how either is an upgrade from Schwartz.

I'm way higher on the sexier picks like Zimmer, Roman, or Shaw. Probably less jaded as coaches to this point.

RE: Stafford, I think last year was his last getting a pass from local media at least -- he's been under a lot of heat this season. I've always stood up for him because of either injury or complete lack of a run game, but this year neither was an issue, and he had one of his worst seasons yet. Dumping Linehan will help, I think, but I hope he gets some extra coaching attention this offseason. He needs it.

[NJTank]

I will be shocked if Lovie Smith does not end up in Tampa.

[dfwabel]

RE: Stafford, I think last year was his last getting a pass from local media at least -- he's been under a lot of heat this season. I've always stood up for him because of either injury or complete lack of a run game, but this year neither was an issue, and he had one of his worst seasons yet. Dumping Linehan will help, I think, but I hope he gets some extra coaching attention this offseason. He needs it.

But hasn't he refused to take the main leadership position in the past? And I mean even before the contract extension?

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/6/28/4471110/matthew-stafford-detroit-lions

I understand he is only 25, but he is now on his second huge contract and just now he wants to take a role as a vocal leader?

More importantly, he doesn't win games.

[Cujo]

Detroit fans can relax and set their sights on bringing back Wanye Fontes....

Lovie Smith has agreed to become the new head coach of the Buccaneers.

[FiddySicks]

I will be shocked if Lovie Smith does not end up in Tampa.

I wouldn't mind that. He has a history in Tampa and is known as a pretty solid defensive coach. Tampa's defense is basically a competent coach away from being one of the best in the league, and hell, they've NEVER had a good offense so what does it even matter if they have Special Ted derping it away for field goals all game long? And plus, despite his Vinny Del Negro view of the other side of the ball, he DID still get the Bears to a Super Bowl. That's better than can be said about the last two idiots who led the team.

But really now, we all know he won't end up in Tampa. Malcolm Glazer is gonna find some way to :censored: this up, scare him away, and they'll end up with some old JV high school towel boy as the head coach.

[dfwabel]

I will be shocked if Lovie Smith does not end up in Tampa.

I wouldn't mind that. He has a history in Tampa and is known as a pretty solid defensive coach. Tampa's defense is basically a competent coach away from being one of the best in the league, and hell, they've NEVER had a good offense so what does it even matter if they have Special Ted derping it away for field goals all game long? And plus, despite his Vinny Del Negro view of the other side of the ball, he DID still get the Bears to a Super Bowl. That's better than can be said about the last two idiots who led the team.

But really now, we all know he won't end up in Tampa. Malcolm Glazer is gonna find some way to this up, scare him away, and they'll end up with some old JV high school towel boy as the head coach.

As I was there on Monday, some in Tampa still believe that Rich McKay will return to be GM since he seems to have little football operations role with the Falcons.

[drdougfresh]

Rapoport and Glazer reporting that Lovie Smith is headed to Tampa. Good fit, and more importantly, he won't be in Detroit.

---

Let's be honest, the Lions staff put WAY too much on Stafford the last few seasons, similar to how the Cowboys lean on Romo. So while it's true he doesn't win all the games he plays in, a lot of that is crappy play calling and asking too much of him. This year it was an even mix of him pressing and Linehan calling garbage. He's own plenty of games that seemed unwinnable, as well (look at Dallas this year). I think a new coach will help disperse that responsibility a bit.

The leadership thing... I don't see where you're going with it. He's been pretty vocal in the past, but PoD wrote an article about it this offseason -- either way he seems pretty lax, so it doesn't surprise me that a lot of people don't see that right away.

To me, his career can be summed up this far by one phrase: "unrealized potential." Whether it be through poor mechanics or bad play calling -- I don't see any reason he can't be a top 5 QB every year with those weapons. We'll see if a new OC will help that.

[dfwabel]

Rapoport and Glazer reporting that Lovie Smith is headed to Tampa. Good fit, and more importantly, he won't be in Detroit.

---

Let's be honest, the Lions staff put WAY too much on Stafford the last few seasons, similar to how the Cowboys lean on Romo. So while it's true he doesn't win all the games he plays in, a lot of that is crappy play calling and asking too much of him. This year it was an even mix of him pressing and Linehan calling garbage. He's own plenty of games that seemed unwinnable, as well (look at Dallas this year). I think a new coach will help disperse that responsibility a bit.

The leadership thing... I don't see where you're going with it. He's been pretty vocal in the past, but PoD wrote an article about it this offseason -- either way he seems pretty lax, so it doesn't surprise me that a lot of people don't see that right away.

To me, his career can be summed up this far by one phrase: "unrealized potential." Whether it be through poor mechanics or bad play calling -- I don't see any reason he can't be a top 5 QB every year with those weapons. We'll see if a new OC will help that.

Contractually and officially, only Schwartz, Linehan, and receivers coach Tim Lippano were fired on Monday. The others are still under contract and can be retained by the new GM and HC.

Regardless, his contract with Megatron and Suh's are going to give them so much less flexibility for the next two years. Then they have to make a decision on Suh and even with a Franchise Tag, that will be over 40% of the cap and it is on three players.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/57755/matthew-stafford-three-cap-friendly-years

In 2014, those three have a cap value of $50.29M, unless they redo Suh.

In terms of the cap, they are slowly becoming the Cowboys because they will have to extend older players with cash to lessen the cap in the future, and since Stafford is just 25, they are going to be with him for a while since you cannot get rid of him at age 27 or 28 (unless he gets a catastrophic injury)/

[dfwabel]

No awful hirings so far. Well, until Snyder hires Lane Kiffin for the Skins new head coach.

In terms of the cap, they are slowly becoming the Cowboys because they will have to extend older players with cash to lessen the cap in the future, and since Stafford is just 25, they are going to be with him for a while since you cannot get rid of him at age 27 or 28 (unless he gets a catastrophic injury)/

Well that's convenient, since Stafford is slowly becoming Tony Romo.

Since you are a fan of the Washington Football Club, name ten players on their current 53 which who are average to good.

...not many, right?

They are worse off post-Shanahan than post-Zorn. The cap penalties are irrelevant as the Shanahan drafts were not good.

[DS729]

No awful hirings so far. Well, until Snyder hires Lane Kiffin for the Skins new head coach.

In terms of the cap, they are slowly becoming the Cowboys because they will have to extend older players with cash to lessen the cap in the future, and since Stafford is just 25, they are going to be with him for a while since you cannot get rid of him at age 27 or 28 (unless he gets a catastrophic injury)/

Well that's convenient, since Stafford is slowly becoming Tony Romo.

Since you are a fan of the Washington Football Club, name ten players on their current 53 which who are average to good.

...not many, right?

They are worse off post-Shanahan than post-Zorn. The cap penalties are irrelevant as the Shanahan drafts were not good.

Hell yes they are better off. Zorn was the most inept coach I've seen coach the Skins, it proves how lucky it is to have a good coach, and when you have one you should cling to him. Joe Gibbs was a great guy, and he definitely went out at the right time when he found out Snyder's stupidity and Cerrato's horrible management of the team, their simply was no way to make than team a Super Bowl contender with that management above him.

They may have gotten rid of Cerrato, and Bruce Allen has been a pretty good GM thus far (with draft picks at least) but the Redskins will never be a consistent Super Bowl contender under Dan Snyder's ownership, that's my firm opinion and I'll keep it up until I see something different. They'll jump out to make the playoffs every couple of years, but then they'll crush your dreams the next season, that's what they just did. Shanahan was far from the right hire, he's a big-name, that was a terrible fit for the team, and worst of all, he clashed with Griffin on just about everything. And then Griffin had to go off and act like a Primma Donna and threw everyone under the bus.

I hope the Redskins go with a smaller name, I heard they interviewed Panthers DC Sean McDermott. I think that would be a good hire, but I doubt they'll take him, they'll go for a big name that has no fit, and that will flame out in 3 years. That's why watching this team consistently isn't healthy. If they hire Lane Kiffin I have a feeling you'll see a bit of this:

Damn, I've taken this to new heights. This is like a CS85-level on NFL bitching.

[FiddySicks]

Well, Lovie Smith has been the head coach of the Bucs for about an hour now and he's already starting to piss me off.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140101-report-dallas-cowboys-lose-key-defensive-coach-rod-marinelli-to-tampa-bay.ece

[The Fixer]

Well, Lovie Smith has been the head coach of the Bucs for about an hour now and he's already starting to piss me off.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140101-report-dallas-cowboys-lose-key-defensive-coach-rod-marinelli-to-tampa-bay.ece

I'm sorry, what am I missing? What's pissing you off?

I'm actually jealous. Between Lovie and Marinelli, that defense is gonna be lights out. Great hire (imo)

[drdougfresh]

Damn, I've taken this to new heights. This is like a CS85-level on NFL bitching.

[FiddySicks]

Well, Lovie Smith has been the head coach of the Bucs for about an hour now and he's already starting to piss me off.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140101-report-dallas-cowboys-lose-key-defensive-coach-rod-marinelli-to-tampa-bay.ece

I'm sorry, what am I missing? What's pissing you off?

I'm actually jealous. Between Lovie and Marinelli, that defense is gonna be lights out. Great hire (imo)

Is it really? It's just reactionary of course, but looking at his track record (0-16 Lions, last years Cowboys) I'm pretty nervous about that. Combine that with the crazy speculation that Tampa is now working on possibly cutting Revis and I'm downright scared now.

[Cujo]

Well, Lovie Smith has been the head coach of the Bucs for about an hour now and he's already starting to piss me off.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140101-report-dallas-cowboys-lose-key-defensive-coach-rod-marinelli-to-tampa-bay.ece

For somebody who has been in the league for years and is pushing the age of 65, Rod Marinelli is accomplished virtually nothing. Aside from riding the coattails of Tony Dungy, he's pretty much been a failure. I get that he knows Lovie's system, but the guy comes off as a total pushover. I wouldn't want him in charge of the entire defense, especially if that's going to be the focal point of the team. If I'm a Bucs fan, I'm more concerned about Marinelli than I am Tedford.

[The Fixer]

I tend to give Marinelli the benefit of the doubt with the 0-16 as head coach thing. The next year he came to the bears and did a great job with their defense. I have always been very impressed with what he's done and getting the best out of players. I think he's going to succeed with the Bucs. If I were a Bucs fan, I would be more happy about getting Marinelli than Lovie. The Bears defense the last few years was incredibly disciplined and performed better than they looked on the page. He and Lovie left and they just fell apart (granted injuries and age played a part)

But that just one guy's opinion. Who knows what the year will bring?

[Cujo]

Lions are apparently interviewing Lovie Smith, who would bring Jeff Tedford along as an OC.

NO. THANKS.

So you would rather have Jim Caldwell or Tom Cable as your head coach? -- 'cause those are Detroit's other two candidates.

ENJOY!

[drdougfresh]

Lions are apparently interviewing Lovie Smith, who would bring Jeff Tedford along as an OC.NO. THANKS.

So you would rather have Jim Caldwell or Tom Cable as your head coach? -- 'cause those are Detroit's other two candidates.ENJOY!

Nope.

There are plenty more names on their list. I highly doubt Tom Cable pans out, as reports came out after he was announced as a prospective option that they're not even interested. Other names that are on their list: Greg Roman, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Zimmer, and Jay Gruden. David Shaw was another one, as well as Sumlin, but I'm pretty sure they're staying put.

I don't think the Lions are going to settle this time -- seems like they're going to go through every candidate they can. Capable would be a terrible hire, and Caldwell is meh. But still an upgrade over Schwartz.