David Blough and the Offensive Staffing Thread

[Voice_of_Reason]

As far as approaching Ertz for a coaching job, TEs tend to make good offenseive coaches because outside of QB, they have to know all the piece-parts of the offense:

1. They are involved heavily in pass protection
2. They are involved in run blocking
3. They are weapons in the pass game.

So they have to know the protection schemes, run blocking assignments and route tree. No other group apart from QB has to know all that. Which is one reason it takes TEs longer to develop than other positions. There's a ton to learn.

If Ertz was willing to be a coach, fine. He'd have to start, like everybody else, as an assistant TE coach or something like that.

I don't know if he'd want to. Maybe.

He also has a family and a ton of money, so he could choose to do something else. He could be good in media, or he could literally just do nothing.

I still think we should try out his wife for kicker. I'm sure she'd be better than a number of the schlubs we've had here over the years. (For those that don't know, Julie Ertz was a member of the US Women's Soccer National Team, won 2 world cups and an Olympic bronze with the team.) There could be an argument in the Ertz household which of them is the more decorated athlete.

 

[Riggo44]

My thoughts on why they moved on Blough quickly: the options for OC are thin and they saw that. Probably not "realistic" because it's positive, but the OC search for well-run, winning teams like the Eagles is as shotgun blast scattered as our DC...

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I swore that I've seen interviews with numerous players and coaches talking about how helpful Ertz has been with the other TE's. And yes, There was talk of how intense his mental and physical training and studying is which also rubs off on the people around him.

Well, I haven't seen that he avoids others or is really standoffish, but one article (and some side comments/inferences I made from those) didn't show his prep work to be very collaborative at all. In fact, it seemed very private. Which is fine - a lot of players are like that - but they aren't guys you end up learning from. I don't know which one Ertz is, I just never saw anything indicating he was the "teacher type" or at the very least he didn't lean that way.

I would say, the lack of growth in the TE room (I don't really think any of them have grown significantly since he's been here) would also indicate that too, potentially. Not sure.

What I read wasn't really specific but I hadn't read about him sort of syncing up with the rest of the TEs - a significant thing when you are clearly the elder statesman of the group. Significant age/experience gap with him and the rest of the room.

 

[HTTR]

The thing is, Lovie Smith was actually a really good hire for the Texans, because he brought stability and allowed them to clean house and reset the deck. Anthony Lynn is 10 years younger than Lovie. He'd be younger than Lovie was when he took the Texans job.

If that's what you want, to just go in and manage the team while it implodes to re-set, that's fine if it's literally your last coaching gig. If Lynn wanted to do that and retire, great, one last good pay day.

If he actually wants to succeed and keep coaching, it's a really bad idea.

I really don’t think not succeeding in Cleveland will be as big a strike against him as you are saying. He’ll still be able to work as an assistant coach. And honestly, if he just got that team looking respectable like a 500 record it would probably be seen as a positive. The bar is not very high coaching the Browns and it shows a lot of confidence in himself if he’s willing to take it on.

 

[Riggo44]

I'm beginning to think Lynn will end up in Cleveland, or someone like him. What an utter train wreck.

 

[HTTR]

My thoughts on why they moved on Blough quickly: the options for OC are thin and they saw that. Probably not "realistic" because it's positive, but the OC search for well-run, winning teams like the Eagles is as shotgun blast scattered as our DC...

This is true. I think there’s been a rush to judgment on our hiring process on both sides of the ball. I’m going to continue to patiently wait for the process to play out.

 

[HTTR]

I'm beginning to think Lynn will end up in Cleveland, or someone like him. What an utter train wreck.

Please hire him Cleveland! We need those picks!!

 

[Riggo44]

Please hire him Cleveland! We need those picks!!

They'd be nice, but replacing Lynn will not be easy, either. Plus, he's the most experienced coach on the offensive side, so that would be a pretty big loss too.

 

[Riggo44]

No one wants to go to Philly

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I really don’t think not succeeding in Cleveland will be as big a strike against him as you are saying. He’ll still be able to work as an assistant coach. And honestly, if he just got that team looking respectable like a 500 record it would probably be seen as a positive. The bar is not very high coaching the Browns and it shows a lot of confidence in himself if he’s willing to take it on.

Very, very, very few coaches get a third shot at HC. Sure he could go back into the position coaching ranks. Probably. But he's getting up there, he'll be close to 60 after this experiment fails. Would he get a position coaching job? Or would most teams look for younger up-and-comers to use in those roles who can develop?

And would you really want to take a HC job you know you're going to fail at?

Again, unless it's the Lovie Smith situation where you do that and then retire.

It's really a terrible feeling to be captaining a sinking ship. And especially in the public eye. I've had to do it once, but it was private, and it was miserable. Now, for $5m/year, I could probably get over it. But if you're getting somewhat well paid, it's just not really worth it.

 

[Riggo44]

Another one down...

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Another one down...

Down for what position? We already have an OC. I thought he was interviewing for the Eagles OC position? EDIT: I see that you are posting about the Eagles OC search. While that is interesting to some extent, let's at least try and relate it to the thread topic, or post it in the NFC East forum somewhere.

Btw, interesting little comparison, the Eagles, who made the playoffs and won the SB 2 years ago, are also struggling to find an OC. And they have quite a pile of talent on offense.

In some regards, I'm really happy we just picked Blough and didn't have to wade through the OC and DC searches some of the other teams are.

 

[DWinzit]

No one wants to go to Philly

Maybe sees a better future in Chicago

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Please, let's take the Eagles talk to either the Eagles thread (Eagles #1 enemy) or NFC East Random Thoughts threads.

Please. We have 66 pages of Commanders OC gum chewing, we don't need to go down the rabbit hole for another team in this thread.

Please and thank you.

 

[DWinzit]

Well, I haven't seen that he avoids others or is really standoffish, but one article (and some side comments/inferences I made from those) didn't show his prep work to be very collaborative at all. In fact, it seemed very private. Which is fine - a lot of players are like that - but they aren't guys you end up learning from. I don't know which one Ertz is, I just never saw anything indicating he was the "teacher type" or at the very least he didn't lean that way.

I would say, the lack of growth in the TE room (I don't really think any of them have grown significantly since he's been here) would also indicate that too, potentially. Not sure.

What I read wasn't really specific but I hadn't read about him sort of syncing up with the rest of the TEs - a significant thing when you are clearly the elder statesman of the group. Significant age/experience gap with him and the rest of the room.

In Sinnotts first year there were numerous reports that he was not doing well blocking or separating. He now is known as a very good blocker, especially move blocking.

By the end of 2024 Bates became known as one of the best blockers in the NFL.

Neither was given many chances as receivers due to Kliffs play calling. Who knows, maybe DQ insisting on always playing Ertz like it seemed to be on the defense with Wagner and Luvu receiving all the play time. Hopefully Sinnott has the opportunity to shine in the coming year allowing more growth. Either way I don't know if Ertz would be a good coach other then I stipulated

 

[HTTR]

Very, very, very few coaches get a third shot at HC. Sure he could go back into the position coaching ranks. Probably. But he's getting up there, he'll be close to 60 after this experiment fails. Would he get a position coaching job? Or would most teams look for younger up-and-comers to use in those roles who can develop?

And would you really want to take a HC job you know you're going to fail at?

Again, unless it's the Lovie Smith situation where you do that and then retire.

It's really a terrible feeling to be captaining a sinking ship. And especially in the public eye. I've had to do it once, but it was private, and it was miserable. Now, for $5m/year, I could probably get over it. But if you're getting somewhat well paid, it's just not really worth it.

I guess where we disagree is you seem to think he’s got other options. I really don’t think any good situations are going to hire him now or in the future. If he wants another shot at head coach, this is probably it. Even Cleveland is only considering him because they are desperate.

And you can’t just assume the Cleveland is going to continue to suck. Bad teams get better all the time, and they do have a decent amount of talent on that roster. If he gets things moving in the right direction, they can get past the Watson disaster in a couple years and then who knows.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I guess where we disagree is you seem to think he’s got other options. I really don’t think any good situations are going to hire him now or in the future. If he wants another shot at head coach, this is probably it. Even Cleveland is only considering him because they are desperate.

And you can’t just assume the Cleveland is going to continue to suck. Bad teams get better all the time, and they do have a decent amount of talent on that roster. If he gets things moving in the right direction, they can get past the Watson disaster in a couple years and then who knows.

I don't know if he's going to have better options or not. Probably not. But I still wouldn't take a job I knew I was going to fail at.

There is absolutely no chance whoever they hire now is going to be around when they get through the Watson mess. If that was the case, they should have kept Stefanski. Because he's a good coach and even he couldn't deal with the disaster he was dealt with.

Whoever they hire now is going to basically just be there to be part of the tear down so they can start over with the next guy.

If my option was to do that vs. stay as a position coach or assistant coordinator, I'd do the latter. That's me. I get there might be more money in being the HC, and there is the deal where you are the HC. But if you already know you're playing down 1/4 of a salary cap for 2026, how is that remotely appealing?

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

In Sinnotts first year there were numerous reports that he was not doing well blocking or separating. He now is known as a very good blocker, especially move blocking.

By the end of 2024 Bates became known as one of the best blockers in the NFL.

Neither was given many chances as receivers due to Kliffs play calling. Who knows, maybe DQ insisting on always playing Ertz like it seemed to be on the defense with Wagner and Luvu receiving all the play time. Hopefully Sinnott has the opportunity to shine in the coming year allowing more growth. Either way I don't know if Ertz would be a good coach other then I stipulated

Not sure that Bates grew much there, I don’t remember ever hearing Bates struggling at blocking, but for Sinnott yes- my thing is if Ertz is having an influence, wouldn’t it be in his bread and butter? That’s not blocking at all, that’s receiving, and there was no growth there. But you are right, Sinnott developed in blocking.

Yes KK may also muddy the waters. It is unclear how much opportunity Sinnott should have or have not gotten.

 

[method man]

They'd be nice, but replacing Lynn will not be easy, either. Plus, he's the most experienced coach on the offensive side, so that would be a pretty big loss too.

But they have a Pro Bowl rookie QB

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Not sure that Bates grew much there, I don’t remember ever hearing Bates struggling at blocking, but for Sinnott yes- my thing is if Ertz is having an influence, wouldn’t it be in his bread and butter? That’s not blocking at all, that’s receiving, and there was no growth there. But you are right, Sinnott developed in blocking.

Yes KK may also muddy the waters. It is unclear how much opportunity Sinnott should have or have not gotten.

I think the Sinnott pick was actually, in hindsight, just a bad match pick and evidence of a first time GM not quite knowing what they are doing.

It's year 1, they have Kliff as the OC. Everybody has to know what his offense is like. ** This is different than what a lot of people THINK it is like, but you have to expect the GM to know what it is really like.

What Kliff's offense needs is:
1. A lot of speed. Everywhere.
2. Players who can do multiple things
3. Get on the move, because almost everything is meant to space a defense out

In picking Sinnott, they said he was somewhat similar to Kyle Juszczyk, who's more of a fullback. That type of player is just not a fit in Kliff's offense. So why pick him?

Now, he might be more of a fit in whatever Blough runs. Who knows.

When the GM picks a player which doesn't fit the scheme, and then expects the OC to change the scheme, that's generally not great. Flip side, the OC should mold the offense around players you have.

But philosophically, Kliff doesn't use FBs. He already had the primary blocker on the team in Bates. A better pick would have been another TE with speed who can stretch the defense vertically down the middle. That creates the spacing Kliff's offense is based on.

Instead you have old, slow Ertz, blocker Bates, and tweaner Sinnott.

It just never fit right.