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The Hog Blog: So What Will Happen Next? |
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Written By: Ryan Nash
NFLSpot.com
01/10/08 |
The Hog Blog: So What Will Happen Next?
by Ryan Nash
I woke Tuesday morning, and the routine was the same as usual. Got my bowl of cereal, and then got on the computer for a little bit, since I didn't immediately have to be at work. And what do you know, a friend of mine instantly contacts me. "Joe Gibbs has resigned". I had to clarify that he indeed retired, not resigned, like an extension. No grammatical errors on his part, this team was indeed without a head coach now. While it's been rumored for years now, I still didn't think that Gibbs would leave his contract early. Citing family reasons, Gibbs will ride off into the beautiful sunset that he has created. So who will replace the legend?
Since day one of his return, it was former Bills head coach that was hand-picked by Gibbs, Gregg Williams. A defense that was atrocious during the Spurrier mistake, he instantly turned it around into a top-five defense in 2004, which gave him a lot of head coaching consideration again. Returning for 2005, Gregg Williams once again had assembled a fantastic defense, which was finally complemented with some offensive attack, and the team returned to the playoffs. But something happened in 2006. Players were missing assingments, adjustments were not made, and turnovers were not created. 2007 saw a mixture of 05 and 06. While the playoffs were reached, and the defense was attacking, Williams seems to lack the luster required to be a good head coach. His play-calling was very suspect, allowing teams to come back in games that should have been easily won. For these reasons, I'm not sure I want Williams to become the next head coach. Even if his players are vouching for him.
Al Saunders is another very likely candidate. He also had a previous stint as head coach, and has been with the team for the last two seasons. It would be extremely beneficial to Jason Campbell and co. to have his offense in tact for a third season. But like Williams, he could leave if not getting the promotion. I belive Saunders came here to learn from Gibbs, assuming that Williams would have left for another head-coaching gig. But because of 06, things haven't panned out that way. Of course, Saunders isn't any more of a sure thing than Williams. And he hasn't exactly shown the potential to be the next Bill Belichick, the guy who flops in their first head-coaching gig, to become a walking icon in their next. So it may come down to an outsider....
Which brings me to one name being heavily thrown around, Bill Cowher. The Chin for the Skins? Personally, I'd think it would be a terrible fit. I don't believe Cowher has the fire in his belly to win another Super Bowl. He already got a ring, then promptly retired a year later. Plus, he'd have to clean house on the defense, making it fit for the 3-4. So what happens if Snyder pays him barrels of money, and things just don't work out? The move is more likely to set the franchise back by five years, in my opinion. So good riddance to Cowher.
Russ Grimm is a very intriguing prospect. Success seems to follow him everywhere, even in the lost desert of Arizona. Although it has been reported by the AZ Central that Grimm has not been contacted by the Redskins about its vacant head-coaching job, I would not rule it out. A former player under Gibbs 1.0 and then as an assistant coach from 1992-2000, Grimm has very strong ties to the organization and the fanbase. He has exceptional knowledge of how Gibbs liked to coach, and how to coach in today's NFL. And where are the minority candidates? Current defensive coordinator Greg Blache should receive consideration. He's been with the team the last four years, and has been a major reason that the defense line has played exceptionally well during that time.
Another name that fans are bringing up is Mike Singletary of the San Fransisco 49ers. Overlooked for the Baylor position several years ago, he's had a strong tenure in the NFL as a coach, after a stellar career as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He could be a great addition to the organizaton. When it's all said and done, it can only be hoped that Dan Snyder will hire somebody that can continue that success that Gibbs has brought to this organization for a second time.
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