Your Head Coach preference?

[Chris]

That may very well be true. Schefter never said his source(s) were from within the organization.

 

[Bulldog]

Over time I have noticed that Schefter is the king of the 'intermediate' sourced quote - that is a quote that is not signifying a definitive action that will take place but rather an observation on an action that is 'likely' or 'possible' to take place.

This particular slender slice of information is something that Schefter can never be called out on because it's indefinite - if Johnson IS hired by Washington Schefter simply says 'well, in those last several days after the Lions season was over the team brain trust coalesced around Ben and he BECAME the unanimous choice'.

Now, we can look at what Florio said and what Boomer said and hold them to it because they are coming out and stating outcomes not nuances.

Adam does have posts where he predicts outcomes based on sourced material but that is only about 50% of his schtick.

It's also a reason he has been able to stay in this competitive media business for as long as he has and maintain credibility.

The others not so much.

 

[Primus Porcus]

and that's one reason I take Schefter's (and Rap sheets) information with more credence than Florio. Schefter is simply reporting information, and the reader can interpret it however he chooses... Florio is trying to create clicks and drive web traffic on Pro Football Talk. He got what he wanted with that article... media coverage.

Schefter heard this from somewhere.. It could simply have been from one of the agents of one of the candidates. I would imagine that Quinn isn't going to the in-person interview with out at least SOME level of confidence that the position is available. Initial interview? Sure, but to go back for seconds? Quinn isn't dumb either, i imagine he (or his agent) likely posed the question if Johnson was the guy no matter what. Harris and Co. may have come to the conclusion that Johnson is the primary target, but until pen meets paper, anything is possible... just ask the Colts and Josh McDaniels.

Again this likely diminishes some level of the reporting, but the reporting is the reporting, there's a reason he said it.

 

[Bulldog]

Yeah, but it's minimally helpful to those of us (or any other sports fans) gleaning from the tea leaves

Washington hasn't interviewed Johnson in person yet and there won't be a hire until that happens, same goes for MacDonald.

It would be ironic though after all of these other coaching hires were made by these various teams both Washington and Seattle were waiting around until February 10th or whatever to INTERVIEW their candidates.

 

[Chris]

Washington doesn’t have to wait no matter what happens today.

 

[Primus Porcus]

 

[Canadian Hog]

 

[Canadian Hog]

If we in fact hire Ben Johnson, I think one of the more fascinating stories this offseason will be how we approach the fix along the offensive line. Detroit is so impressive up front and it is so very obvious that everything they do offensively is driven by what they do up front. Can't wait to give that unit the emphasis it deserves. I get the sense that Johnson would not allow shortcuts to be taken along the offensive line.

 

[Bulldog]

The Lions remind me of the 1999 Rams.

This team is FAST. All of the receivers are 4.3 guys and Gibbs the running back is lightning quick.

No wonder LaPorta is open all the time.

The offensive line is excellent and the only weakness this unit has is Goff’s inability to side step the rush and avoid sacks that other mostly pocket passes do regularly.

Johnson is a great coordinator but the GM of the Lions should be the executive of the year.

This year’s draft produced 4 quality starters 😀

 

[burgold]

How our prospects did (updated after the third week of playoffs:

Harbaugh: Won College National Championship
Johnson: Won playoff game 1 against Rams. Won game 2. Lost in an impressive effort against the 49ers
Slowik: Annihilated Browns playoff game 1. Embarrassed by Ravens D in game 2.
Quinn: Lost to Greenbay at home. Slaughtered.
Vrabel: Fired and sitting at home.
Belichik: Fired and sitting at home.
McDonald: Very impressive defensive effort in playoff win. Lost in a very impressive effort against the Chiefs.

Based on the playoffs, both McDonald and Johnson were the most impressive. McDonald pretty much neutralized playoff Maholmes, but got too little offensive help. Johnson dominated the 49ers D especially in the first half and was undone by drops and fumbles. Every playoff game, their side of the field stood up. Both would be great prospects. Surprisingly, I might tilt slightly towards McDonald just because it's been forever since we've had even a middling defense. I know statistically JDR had some pretty good defenses, but in real on the field terms those D's always folded when we needed a stop or a turnover. I don't know that we've had a D that offenses have had to specifically plan to stop since Gregg Williams. On the other hand, Goff's resurrection has been impressive and the Lions look so damn legit.

So either of those two.

Say "no" to Quinn and Vrabel please.

 

[Om]

Echo that, BG.

The idea that by all accounts we're going to get one of this years' "it" guys to coach our team, under new ownership, at the direction of this years' "it" GM, with all kinds of draft and cap capital with which to start building ... still puts that little Mona Lisa smile on my face a couple times a day. Going to enjoy every single step along the journey.

No soup please.

 

[Neophyte]

I think we are down to Johnson, McDonald, Slowick, Glenn, and Quinn - and I don't really think Quinn is a serious contender.

And I think we will have our guy by Wednesday - Friday at the latest.

 

[Boone]

With all remaining interviews scheduled to be completed by EOD Tuesday, you have to believe, we get news about the new HC on Wednesday.

 

[Chris]

King Peter has chimed in-

 

[Chris]

Schefter taking a stand-

 

[Chris]

If Quinn is going to Seattle, it would have happened by now, right? 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Kel Varnsen]

If Quinn is going to Seattle, it would have happened by now, right? 🤷🏻‍♂️

You would think so. Unless they were waiting for Johnson, McDonald, or someone else. A lot of coaching candidates just freed up.

 

[Bulldog]

The Seattle pick is wrong - MacDonald will end up in Seattle not Quinn.

So, that is the one IMO that the media has wrong.

 

[Om]

Finally looked at the poll results for this thread. I have to admit I'm a little surprised Macdonald only got one vote.

With the obvious caveat that all I know about any these candidates is what the media machine has told me, heading into this final day of interviews my preference is basically Johnson at 1, and Macdonald at 1A. If it turns out to be either of those guys I'm going to be pretty happy.

I do understand the idea that having an offensive head coach suggests a greater possibility of long-term stability in terms of needing to find/retain good offensive coordinators--that's why I have Johnson at 1. It makes sense in an all-things-being equal vacuum. But I'm also really intrigued with Macdonald. Mostly because he is kicking the league's collective offensive ass, but also because from what little I can hear and see, he seems to exude a certain ... something ... that intrigues.

If Harris and Peters are to be taken at face value, their ultimate goal with their first HC hire is about leadership. And that unfortunately is something those of us not in the room for the interviews can really have no way to judge. Here's hoping they find either of those gents the right man for the job after being the in the room with both.

 

[Chris]

This is exactly where I sit for all of the same reasons.