(Editor's Note: Drew Kiper picked the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl.)
Sorry to all of you True Story Readers who had to deal with my insufferable employer's picks the last few months. However, I am pleased to announce (or regret to inform you) that Drew Kiper Jr is back from an extended vacation.
With the Super Bowl over (my only regret is that I didn’t bet on the numbers I had. . . .would’ve made a killing), my favorite time of the year nears: Draft Weekend! Therefore, Drew Kipe will be giving you a lowdown on everything happening and hopefully a few semi-accurate mocks.
A team’s Head Coach can alter their draft philosophy greatly. And with 11 new head coaches in the league this year, I figured I should give you the low down on the new men at the helm, in comparison to the coach they are replacing. This year promises to give you as many Jim Harbaughs and Tony Sparanos as Rod Marinellis and Bobby Petrinos. And without further adieu:
San Francisco 49ers: Out: Mike Nolan, In: Mike Singletary – Mike came as a bright, defensive mind that was supposed to give toughness to a team lacking an identity. Unfortunately that statement is true for both coaches; however, Singletary is already proving that he will do whatever it takes to motivate his players to win. The key will be if Singletary can get more from his defense, especially his young LBs (Willis, Brooks, Lawson, Green, and Haralson). All were highly touted in the draft and only Willis has come close to meeting expectations. The talent is there, except for in two places: QB (the most important position on offense) and NT (the most important position in a 3-4 defense). If Singletary wants any success in his first season, he’ll have to fix this.
Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks: Out: Mike Holmgren, In: Jim Mora Jr – This was the year that legends will be replaced with 3 Hall of Fame coaches leaving the game (the verdict is still out on Jon Gruden). Also, it was a year where two coaches were already hired for this upcoming season before last season began. Jim Mora is one of the few head coaches getting a second go-around. Nowadays, teams want bright young minds in hopes of hitting it big with a potential stabilizer for years to come. Jim Mora Jr, son of infamous Colts Head Coach Jim Mora, finally has his dream job of coaching in Seattle (remember he was fired from Atl for saying he wanted to coach at the University of Washington). Mora does have a career winning percentage over .500, but just barely (.542) and his final two seasons in Atlanta were very disappointing. Personally, I don’t know if he has anything left and an aging and untalented roster isn’t helping his case. There were/are better options out there (last year and this year). However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the ‘hawks actually win some games this year and pull out a near 8-8 record
Grade: C-
St Louis Rams: Out: Scott Linehan, In: Steve Spagnuola – Scott Linehan came to the Rams as a bright offensive coordinator that had major success everywhere he went. He just wasn’t head coach material. Spags is a tough edge coach that relies on fierce play and pressure blitzing schemes. In other words, he is head coach material. Whereas I don’t think he’ll be a Hall of Famer, he will definitely bring everything that the Rams need and should improve their defense right away.
Grade: A-
Detroit Lions: Out: Rod Marinelli, In: Jim Schwartz – Rod Marinelli came as a strict tough d-line coach from Tampa. However, nothing was gonna save him or Detroit last year. Marinelli was a good coach but at times appeared worn down (who came blame him?). Unless the roster has a major overhall, Jim Schwartz will be the same way in two years. Out of the entire roster, I’d only want Ernie Sims and Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson on my roster.
Grade: Doesn’t Matter
Tampa Bay Bucs: Out: Jon Gruden, In: Raheem Morris – This is the one firing that doesn’t make much sense to me. Gruden definitely isn’t the nicest coach to ever play and he can be hell to quarterbacks; however he gets the job done. His biggest fault was his personnel decisions, which Morris will have to correct. Billed as the next Tony Dungy/Mike Tomlin, Morris has a lot of hype to live up to and will need to produce results if he wants his coaching career to last longer than his stint as defensive coordinator
Grade: Firing – D Hiring – B+
Cleveland Browns: Out: Romeo Crennel, In: Eric Mangini – Crennel had simply grown stale in Cleveland. Mangini is the perfect guy though. He can keep the 3-4 intact, while getting improved production from the offense. A major roster overhaul will be needed, but Mangini can keep this team competitive while that rebuilding begins. However, this team needs to start building through the draft. Cleveland has had huge success in the draft so far with superior players like Kamerion Wimbley, Travis Wilson, Charlie Frye, Jeff Faine, William Green, Andre Davis, Gerard Warren, Quincy Morgan, and James Jackson (1st, 2nd, or 3rd picks all within the last 8 years). Clearly their scouting department needs to get to work.
Grade: B+
New York Jets: Out: Eric Mangini, In: Rex Ryan – As perfect as Mangini is in Cleveland, he was not meant for New York. He couldn’t handle the media. He couldn’t handle his players. He couldn’t handle Belichick. Rex Ryan is the son of legend Buddy Ryan who created the 46 defense. Ryan Jr. is a perfect candidate. He can get more out of his young defense and is apparently already handling the media with ease. In general, the Jets now only have one or two holes to fill and a young innovative coach who has worked with some of the games’ best.
Grade: A-
Oakland Raiders: Out: Al Davis (unfortunately, that’s not true) Lane Kiffin, In: Tom Cable – There’s not much to say except for Lane Kiffin will return to the NFL someday after a fairly successful stint at Tennessee. Who the hell is Tom Cable??? Don’t get too acquainted. After another 4-12 black hole season in Raiderland, he’ll be another unknown. How many times do you think Davis has asked Madden to come back? Twice?? Three times?
Grade: Doesn’t Matter
Denver Broncos: Out: Mike Shanahan, In: Josh Daniels – Mike Shanahan is a great coach and a future HOFer, but he needed to go. Current handball player (and former Bronco QB) Jake Plummer states that Shanny’s message was getting stale and he needed to go. That probably is true; however, the big problem with Shanny was that he was both the GM and coach. He could never get the talent needed to get to the Super Bowl again. Daniels has a similar background as a young bright offensive coordinator. He should be able to get the most out of Cutler, Marshall, and Royal. If he finds a RB, then this offense could be very good. If the defense plays adequate, they could be dangerous next year.
Grade: B+
Kansas City Chiefs: Out: Herm Edwards, In: Todd Haley – After an improbable Super Bowl run led by Kurt Warner, the Cardinals’ coaches suddenly became the best head coaching prospects, especially offensive coordinator Todd Haley. In my view, Cardinal O-line coach Russ Grimm will make a better head coach one day. However, the Chiefs don’t feel the same and are looking to get a high explosive offense in the Show Me State. However, this is new GM Scott Pioli’s team, meaning that it will be built on defense. Haley will eventually have more success than Herm, but it will take a few years to get there.
Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts: Out: Tony Dungy, In: Jim Caldwell – Caldwell replaces another legendary coach. Dungy was a class act in every sense of the word. Caldwell was his long time assistant. His hiring will keep the team together and give them another run at a Super Bowl for the next 3-5 yrs. After that, the team will have to go through major rebuilding. Personally, I see Caldwell having a tough time to duplicate the success of his predecessor. I would have hired one of the guys mentioned below and let their energy feed the defense and let Peyton take control of the offense, while slowly rebuilding the team. Caldwell will win games, but I don’t think he’ll ever win the big one.
Grade: B
Quick Hits:
o How does Ron Rivera not have a head coaching job? The guy oversaw the great Bear’s defenses a few years back and San Diego’s defense last year. Whoever hires this guy is gonna get a real winner.
o Ex BC head coach Jeff ‘Jags’ Jagodzinski, Cardinal O-line coach Russ Grimm and Vikings DC Leslie Frazier are other guys that will be instant winners when they become head coaches.
o The A11 Offense has become prominent throughout high-school football. I don’t know how much I like it, but I toast to the creativity of the formation.
o How many more years will Cris Carter get snubbed by Hall of Fame voters???
That’s all I got for now. Barring another sabbatical, a free agency review will be coming soon.
True Story.
