Your Head Coach preference?

[Chris]

Hey Aaron- change of plans. Since Ben is no longer interested in our open HC position we would like you to come to see us.

We’re sure you can understand.

But, in the event that Mike, Bobby, and Dan also bow out…

 

[Canadian Hog]

Can we call Ron back and take a run at Johnson or Slowik next year after they meet in the Super Bowl?
🤦

 

[DieselPwr44]

I don't know why we don't interview Vrabel.

If you're really doing a "Process" and serious about due diligence.....even if you don't hire him,wouldn't you want to add another voice to what candidates think about the team/players?

Seems odd to me.

 

[Chris]

If they really want Macdonald or Quinn, I only have 3 words…

 

[Boone]

I believe Adam Peters and Ran Carthon (Titans GM) are very close. Carthon and Vrabel apparently were at odds in Tennessee. Carthon claims he had nothing to do with Vrabel's firing, but that doesn't pass the smell test. I think there's bad blood there.

And Vrabel is one stubborn (and reportedly infllexible) MFer. I don't think he's the kind of guy Harris is looking for.

 

[Chris]

Vrabel was pissed about the AJ Brown trade. Perhaps he wants roster control.

 

[Boone]

All scheduled interviews are over. You have to believe they are negotiating with an agent as we speak.

 

[tshile]

They’re gonna go Quinn HC
EB as OC
And I’m going to throw up

 

[Boone]

I think anything other than nabbing Macdonald at this point will be seen as ineptitude whether that's fair or not.

I guess in the abstract, what fans think doesn't matter, but I think in this situation where you are starting over and trying to build some belief, it may matter more than usual. If they don't get Macdonald, they are going to be surprised at the fan backlash.

If it works out, it won't matter. But it won't be an ideal way to start the new era off.

 

[burgold]

I think anything other than nabbing Macdonald at this point will be seen as ineptitude whether that's fair or not.

I guess in the abstract, what fans think doesn't matter, but I think in this situation where you are starting over and trying to build some belief, it may matter more than usual. If they don't get Macdonald, they are going to be surprised at the fan backlash.

If it works out, it won't matter. But it won't be an ideal way to start the new era off.

It's funny. With the exception of Harbaugh, pretty much every NFL hire this cycle would probably be considered a B hire. None of the A's have been landed so far.

 

[burgold]

I'm not envious of Canales, Morris, or Mayo. Pierce and Harbaugh were the only "big" hires and Pierce was only a big hire for the Raiders.

 

[Boone]

Macdonald would be an 'A' hire imho. Best young defensive coordinator in the NFL and it's not close.

 

[Canadian Hog]

Macdonald would be an 'A' hire imho. Best young defensive coordinator in the NFL and it's not close.

And he worked for Harbaugh which earns him points from my perspective as well. 😉

In all seriousness though, people need not to freak out right now. Put it in perspective - we haven't lost our on any candidates yet. Jim Harbaugh was never coming here, Johnson and Slowik didn't want head coaching roles quite yet. Ultimately, the perceived targets were never in the cards. A lot of Washington fans are standing on the ledge right now for no reason. If MacDonald heads to Seattle and takes that job instead of ours, then I would say we missed out. Until then, we are doing our due diligence with the candidates in front of us. That all being said, if what we now perceive as being a well-rounded and sound group of decision makers select Quinn over MacDonald, then he is checking off more boxes they perceive as being critical in comparison to MacDonald to get this operation kickstarted. How many times did the buffoon Snyder trick is into believing we found our guy, whether on the field or managing the sideline? Adults are in the building. Say it with me - adults are in the building.

 

[burgold]

Macdonald would be an 'A' hire imho. Best young defensive coordinator in the NFL and it's not close.

I agree. I'm just underwhelmed by most of the hires other teams made. Who knows how they'll work out ultimately, but few feel inspired.

I think Johnson and MacDonald and Harbaugh were probably the A's of this cycle.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

The reality is that this is like many other market-based purchases, like stocks or real-estate; timing is everything. They happen to be looking for an HC right now. The availability IS the availability. Even if they were very limited by a bad rep (which I don't think they are), the availability would still be the availability (to them); meaning, we would have to say "man it sucks their rep is bad, but... (insert various thoughts on how they did/did not do the best given the cards they must play)." Heck, that last is what we ALL have been doing for 20+ years now. So, right now, we all need patience, and we need to understand some simple truths:
1) this HC may not be a home-run. That's also because it's so unpredictable. The secret sauce; there isn't an actual recipe. That's why you get so few dynasties, that's why things can turn on a dime. We all know this.
2) this HC may even need to be replaced
3) Hopefully, this GM will not need to be replaced; but, who knows? Maybe.

What we have to judge all of them on is how they each perform in the roles they have (and SHOULD have). Hopefully the HC will be able to pick his staff. Hopefully the GM will be able to pick the HC and help him to find the right players and build up the right org (scouting, etc.). At each level of responsibility, hopefully they hold people ACCOUNTABLE for their actions. If they fail, they should be given some notice and an opportunity to fix it, or they are sent packing in a reasonable amount of time. No little complaints about Scott not running enough, and then waiting 3 years to fire him, only to hire another guy who doesn't run enough (basically Ron's words except for the last one, but pretty sure he felt that way).

If we see the right process being followed, we should hope results will EVENTUALLY happen. The secret recipe is hard to get right, but a good process should get us there. That was *NEVER* possible before now. Simply; NEVER (meaning with Snyder at the top, of course).

 

[tomwvr]

Quinn will be a disaster if they hire him, I have no problem with EB as the OC if the new HC wants him.

 

[Bulldog]

I don’t want EB as part of any coaching formula.

I don’t see anything he did in 2023 that recommends him.

For some reason this guy has developed cult status around here because he carried the clipboard for Andy Reid for 5 years.

He didn’t call plays though so in terms of game day experience he is where Slowik is.

He’s 55 years old in a job where most candidates are 20 years younger and more relatable to today’s players.

If he was such a great mind Reid would have given him play calling responsibilities at some point as Don Coryell did with Joe Gibbs.

 

[burgold]

I think there is something wrong about a hiring cycle where the Senior Bowl takes place before the Super Bowl.

The most annoying thing about not having a coach yet is that we are missing these evaluation opportunities. Yes, Peter’s and company should be available, but it’s harder to properly evaluate players when you don’t know what your coaches prioritize

 

[Om]

Yep. Part of the annual strangeness/difficulty for teams transitioning to new HC's. Nothing Harris/Peters could have done differently w/o making a very quick decision on who they wanted to interview, and it not including coaches on teams still alive deep in the playoffs. Which would be malpractice of course.

One hopes/assumes Peters is fully aware of the situation an has taken any and all steps he can to have football people on the ground in Mobile this week taking notes.

 

[Bulldog]

The one guy in this hiring cycle that I think has an outside chance of being the best hire is Raheem Morris.

He wasn't one of the favorites or most heralded of the candidates but he did a very good job in LA under McVay and his unit was excellent in 2021 and perhaps more importantly in 2023 when LA was integrating several rookie and first year starters on D and they came on and made the playoffs.

His first HC experience was in his early 30's so he's still young and has learned some hard lessons, but I think able to bounce back from them given a second chance.

McVay certainly thought he was a good coach and that counts for a lot in a league where guys like Josh McDaniels and Brandon Staley were able to get HC gigs.