Your Head Coach preference?

[Boone]

I voted Ben Johnson, primarily because of 2 reasons:

1. He's an offensive guy who has called plays and made Goff look good, which I think is harder than it might appear.
2. His personality is more energetic than Slowik, and I worry Slowik as a HC might be another Norv. (That might be entirely unfair, we'll see.)

I want an offensive guy because if we're getting a QB at #2, I don't want the offense to change every year. Stroud might be on offense #2 in his second year. If you get a defensive coach, and things work, the OC gets a HC job, and you start over with another OC. If you're planning well, you promote somebody, but that's tough to predict.

I will say, I think Ben Johnson runs the ball too much at times and gets into a run-run-run-run-run rut especially when things are not going well, and they end up punting a lot and have a tough time coming back. That's been a theme in their losses.

However, in their wins, they run the ball effectively, and have an extremely dynamic, efficient offense.

So, something to keep an eye on. But I like Ben Johnson as the #1.

If you could guarantee OC stability, I'd probably go Vrabel who I think is an exceptional coach, or one of the Ravens guys at #2 behind Johnson.

Running too much. That's a problem that I honestly wouldn't mind having

On a side note, glad you are posting more Voice_of_Reason - you're pretty great at it!

 

[Boone]

Anyone else a little surprised Vrabel was let go?

I don't know enough about the prime candidates to get passionate about any of them, but I hope Harbough is not in the mix. There is too much drama and he seems like a guy just designed for a short shelf-life in the pros.

I would assume it's because the owner is incredibly impatient. Doesn't make a lot of sense from most NFL fan perspectives, does it?

 

[Neophyte]

Slowick is kinda making a statement right now - against the best defense in the league this year.

 

[Boone]

2023 NFL Playoffs Thread

Chat about the teams actually IN the 2023 NFL Playoffs here :)

www.bgobsession.com

 

[Chris]

 

[Boone]

Great article with some insights on Ben Johnson.

 

[Knightingale]

I think the one big thing that stands out to me in that article, is how much value Johnson places on the Oline. If he comes here I’d be surprised if it doesn’t become a point of focus. (Which we all know it should!)

 

[Boone]

That and how he has coached numerous different positions and has experienced multiple systems so he reportedly has a very broad level of experience. He isn't from any specific coaching 'tree'. And he's a detail-freak/perfectionist like Bienemy.

 

[DieselPwr44]

A guy that understands the importance of an Oline and run game? What a novel concept !

Guess he didn't get the memo about it's a passing league? /snark

Definitely a huge plus on the Pro side of my Pros and Cons list.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I picked Slowick, and admittedly that's a little bit of Zagging while everyone else Zigs. I also know that it's a little cheap as he just hung 40 on the Browns in a playoff game last night.

That said, what Stroud has accomplished can't be valued enough. Legitimate OPOY / MVP type season, and runaway ROY. Some of the best prospects in the league don't have a season like that, and even less have a 'passing' season like that. RG3 had an awesome rookie year, in an offense geared toward his athletic ability, Stroud did it with passing being the overwhelming focus of his game.

Johnson should get similar kudos, as he's seemingly resurrected Jared Goff's career, and I love what he's saying about an emphasis on the O-line.

I guess Johnson may be the better pick, but a small part of me loves a little poetic about bringing back a guy that was previously in our building after watching so many other ones get away.

 

[Boone]

Lot of folks love Slowik so perfectly reasonable to favor him. Truth is, none of us know who the right pick will be. Johnson is the favorite because we've been told he's the favorite best HC candidate this year. We know other things about him that we like and can point to, but the #1 reason most believe he's the most talented candidate is because we've been told he is over and over.

A few factors for me on Slowik that give me hesitation, not reasons 'I don't want him', just considerations...

a) He's got less experience than Ben Johnson
b) People assume that he's 'made' CJ Stroud. But sometimes really good QBs make OCs look like really good OCs, not the other way around. Stroud wasn't valued as a top pick, so when he lights it up as a rookie all the experts say 'incredible coaching!'. That's because the alternative is that the talent evaluators missed and Stroud was a top pick talent. Possible it's been 99% Stroud and it wouldn't have mattered much who the OC was.
c) The prior time in DC isn't and shouldn't be a factor imho, I know you weren't arguing that, just that from a sentimental standpoint it would be cool.

None of those factors may mean dick and Slowik could be the next great HC. I'm glad I'm not making the decision. I think one thing to consider is that a new ownership group trying to turn things around for a beleagured fanbase is probably more likely to zig than zag. If it doesn't work, no one is going to blame them for going with the guy EVERYONE thought was the best candidate in the league at the time, vs. making a bold high risk/high reward choice. I think that's why Ben Johnson has a huge leg up (and if they are envisioning a choice between Howell and Drake Maye, he's a huge asset in making that determination.

 

[Chris]

Both Johnson and Slowik are at the top of my list for two reasons: their ages and their body of work to date. Macdonald is a close third for the same reasons but I prefer an offensive lead for the same reasons that have been previously opined by so many; extended stability on that side of the ball.

The one thing that I just don’t know is which is more ready to excel at the added responsibilities that will be laid upon them and which one is a more inherently skilled leader of men. Therefore, I will trust the ownership group and it’s ‘advisory committee’ to make the right selection.

Ultimately I just think that it is easier to find a talented DC than a young, innovative offensive wizard.

 

[Bulldog]

It seems MacDonald is being interviewed for ALL of the 7 coaching vacancies 🤪

 

[Boone]

Hmmm... 'a top' I guess I could see. But not sure he's 'the top'...

 

[burgold]

He's done an amazing job turning around Dallas' defense, but no. If we want D let's go with McDonald. No retreads and no Cowboys.

 

[Primus Porcus]

This is totally irrational, and I know that.... but.....

I'm gonna tell myself that Bobby Slowik and Ben Johnson are putting forward their best efforts because they wanna be the HC here

 

[Solitary Man]

I think it’s safe to say after they performance tonight that Quinn will not be the next hc in Dc

 

[Miles Monroe]

Voted for Johnson... Really want Harbaugh, but it doesn't seem realistic as he seems to want a team he doesn't have to build

 

[Boone]

It was reported that they spoke to Harbaugh's agent, but I haven't seen anything indicating they are going to interview him.

 

[Bulldog]

Harbaugh seems to want to be on the West Coast. He is interviewing for the Chargers and has been linked to the Raiders.

He had some real issues dealing with the 49ers GM Trent Baalke before he exited SF.

So, the question is whether a guy coming in with this level of visibility is going to be a 'team' player and work with Peters or whether at the first sign he isn't getting his way is going to start leaking to the media?

I think for that reason alone Washington decides to go with a younger, hungrier head coach who owes his advancement to Peters and Harris and has loyalty to the organization first, rather than his next gig if things don't work out.