And the NFL Carousel is off and running
Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are out in Chicago
Brian Flores is out in Miami
Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman are out in Minnesota
Joe Judge is fired and GM Dave Gettleman 'retires' in NY
On the Hokies front, Jags OL coach Tyler Bowen makes it official as our new Offensive Coordinator under Pry.
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Very surprised by the Flores firing, seems like a good coach.
Same thing that's getting Fangio...can't find a QB.
Isn't that the GM's responsibility?
Eh... I wouldn't say that. The Dolphins offense has the worst (not hyperbole, actually the worst) pass blocking OL in the league, AND they can't run the ball. They had two games all season where they ran the ball somewhat effectively. Tua being able to execute an offense where he is asked to pass the ball 40+ times a game with no running game to complement him and zero time to execute anything deep because of pass pro is a testament to his and the staff's adaptability to a bad situation. They need to find some dudes on the outside to complement Waddle (pre-Waddle their 2020 WR corps ranked dead last in WR separation per Sharp Football). They also need to fix that OL, and fast.
I think if there is any similarity between Fangio and Flores it's that they are defensive coaches, and both tended to prefer game states that reflected that. They tried to win low scoring, close games on an almost weekly basis. Both put a ton of attention and reliance on their defenses. However, Fangio IS squandering a great crop of young skill talent on his offense that only needs a QB. Flores has one of the worst WR and RB rooms in the league, possibly the worst, and a bad OL to work with.
Overall, I'm pretty shocked by the Flores firing. The only justification I can think of is whether HE was the reason their OL, WR, and RB rooms were in such bad shape. If that wasn't the case, it seems they are just firing him to scapegoat very poor roster management/construction.
edit: If anyone thinks I was being hyperbolic, here is PFF's assessment after week 15 grading the NFL's offensive lines. Unsurprisingly, Miami slotted in at 32.
Only the dolphins front office and maybe the giants would fuck up a move that bad. I dont know who they think they can get that will be better but odds are they wont get a better coach. Flores will go somewhere else easily after his work in Miami.
Don't forget Jacksonville and LV are open.
Although they're probably going to remove the interim tag off Bisaccia In LV.
Maybe. But apparently Harbaugh was well thought of by Al Davis and also has a good relationship with Mark Davis. I am thinking that if Jim is serious about returning to the NFL that LV is his landing spot. But who knows with a wild card like Harbaugh.
ESPN reporting Fangio is out at Denver
What in a the actual fluck is Miami doing? As a pats fan I'm stunned they fired him unless there is something behind the scenes that we dont know about this move makes zero sense.
Apparently it was either Flores or GM Chris Grier
Ownership chose to keep Grier
Still makes no sense he is a damn good coach. Odds are if none of the vacant teams hire him he will go back to NE for a season then back to another gig next year but that would really surprise me.
I'm also curious if it's a Watson/Tua drama thing too. All the rumors of Watson do the Fins, but then also the coaches never really sticking up for Tua when they could've said "This is our guy", at least publicly.
I mean I couldnt blame Flores for not riding Tua to me he just isnt that good and with Watson they would have a bonafide NFL QB with real arm talent and he can run as well. Tua just looks like a russel wilson with less arm talent and I dont see where he can take his game unless he learns to read defenses better and start making better throws. Watching the two QB's play yesterday in the Miami vs NE game if it was all anonymous players no jerseys no names you wouldnt have thought tua had been in the league a few years and Mac the rookie. Now all that said they need better weapons for Tua but those are tough to come by with limited cap space and if they go for watson they will use up all the cap they have.
I'm not necessarily saying that Tua is the answer, but to not even give the dreaded vote of confidence to the QB at least publicly isn't going to help the relationship. We know at this point that you're only going so far as your QB can carry you most of the time, so at least fake it publicly.
Watson is just a whole different can of worms, which I can see why a coach, while appreciating the talent, would not want to touch him with a 10 yard stick.
Tua has probably the worst supporting cast in the NFL. Way too soon to judge him harshly, especially considering he is somehow managing to win games with no time to throw and no running game to complement him at all. He was an excellent downfield passer in college, but they don't have time OR the outside WR's to execute any kind of downfield passing game (Parker has been hurt more often than not for Tua's two years). Worst pass blocking OL in the league, bottom 3 in run blocking OL, dead last in 2020 in WR separation (better this year with Waddle), and their RB room is a combination of guys you've never heard of, or guys who were career backups become the guy late in the year (Duke Johnson).
My money on Harbaugh to Da Bears.
Now we just need Ted Phillips to be fired as well. I'd be OK with Harbaugh.
It makes sense... But, he's had that pro experience with the 49ers and knows what he'd be getting into, and Chicago appears to be more dysfunctional. After seeing his demeanor after the Big 10 championship I think he's quite happy where he's at and is bought in to the community at Michigan.
Not shocked at all with the Vikings moving on from either. Their combined efforts have cash-strapped the team, totally f'd the defense, and somehow always being able to play down to the level of the opponent. My only concerns are who is out there that can do better.
Early reports suggesting an elite offensive mind by the name of Chad Bronelson expert of the jet sweep
And his sidekick QB whisperer who remains unnamed until now will get the best out of Kirk Cousins and his potential will finally be unlocked.
Lifelong Vikings fan here, who admittedly has followed them less intensely the past 3ish years (having kids will get after your sundays), but feel like the Zimmer/Speilman efforts were designed for a 4-5 year run at a super bowl that ended up seeing our most talented defense hamstrung by an inconsistent offense or killed by missed field goals (cough cough 19 yarder cough). Once signing Kirk didn't work out as they wanted in year 1/2, the defense got old, players got expensive, and the highs that looked promising the first few years couldn't keep up with the direction the league has moved the path few years.
Feel like the Dennis Green/Mike Tice/Zimmer coaching stints have basically been identical to each other. Missed kicks (1998), dumb playoff losses to inferior teams (2000 vs giants and tons since), and holding on to talented players a little too long after their prime (AP, bringing back Moss, Brad Johnson at QB, Harrison Smith and other players on the current team) is basically The story the past 20-25 years.
To kick myself while I'm a bit down, just remembered the Vikings losing a week 17 gimme against a terrible cardinals team on the last play of the game because of the old force out rule on passes....ugh
It's been really difficult to care the last few seasons as it feels like we are wasting a good crop of defenders and skill talent. I was adamantly against the Kirk Cousins signing from the outset, and we got exactly what he always was, the great deceiver. It's been tough to care the last couple seasons in particular having no faith that Kirk will get it done in our most important games or when it matters the most. Such a bizarre character. He is simultaneously clearly a good and capable NFL QB, while also being completely unreliable in the spotlight or any important game.
how on earth did you wind up a vikings fan
How did any Vikings fan end up a Vikings fan?
their dad
My Dad.
I can't help but wonder what could've happened if Bridgewater didn't blow-out his leg in the preseason.... If he had stayed healthy there (probably) wouldn't have been a discussion about Cousins, and there may have been some very deep playoff runs for a few consecutive years (maybe)
I have a vague understanding that post injury Bridgewater isn't the same as pre injury Bridgewater, but this Broncos fan can't help but to lol at the idea of Bridgewater being responsible for very deep playoff runs.
And of course, one of the few coaches who should be fired today will somehow keep his job because of.... reasons.
Yes, I'm talking about Matt Rhule in Carolina, and its not because the owner can't afford it, because Tepper is literally the wealthiest owner in the NFL.
Carolina is interesting I;m not shocked if he stays. Who had the say on bringing in Darnold though as that was a really bad move and even a blind man couldve seen that coming?
They may have a GM, but Matt Rhule is calling the shots in Carolina. He is the one who wanted Darnold.
Now that changes things and I wouldnt blame them then as going for darnold was a massive mistake. Kind of like Rivera at washington Rivera is calling the shots and thats part of the reason I feel hes being so trigger shy on a QB as he knows whoever he goes with will determine if he lasts long or not in DC.
Truth be told, Darnold didn't start looking bad until a week or so McCaffrey went down. It's almost as if an offense built upon one non-QB player looks like trash once that player is lost. Opponents figured that out, and now here we are.
The lack of adaptation in preparation goes back to the coaching staff and whoever has a hand in designing the offense. (I feel like we've had this conversation recently about another team...)
I still can't understand how Gettleman and Judge still have jobs. Both should've been fired yesterday before they had a chance to get off the field.
Well you're half in luck...
Looks like my luck just improved! The new GM and coach have a lot of work going forward. The Giants are a complete mess right now.
I can't wait to see the excuses Mara makes if Judge is retained. Gettleman being allowed to "retire" is a farce too. Should have just locked him out of the building.
So Lane Kiffin going to the NFL (new rumor this morning) could start a major coaching carousel in the college ranks. Harbaugh too, but I see Michigan hiring from within. Can't do that at Ole Miss with Lebby gone.
Hawaii could still open too.
Lane kiffin is a rolling stone if that's true.. sheesh
You mean
(Godfrey has correctly called a bunch of coaching changes this year and implies Lane Train to the north here)
If rumors become fact, I would refuse to be shocked if Kiffin was hired by Washington to get his ass kicked on a whole new level. It's the type of no-brain move I could see Snyder making.
The rumor isn't him to DC though, is it?
I'm seeing Vikings.
It's not, but I'm saying that's the depths of stupidity of Snyder. I bet he's envious of the attention Shad Khan's getting.
If Kiffen bolts does this open up a Hugh Freeze - Ole Miss reunion?
Not sure if sarcasm, but Cushy job, big pay, lower expectations? I don't think Freeze leaves that. Also this way Freeze doesn't have to reveal his public phone records.
I love my Giants, but I am totally numb to anything that the organization does any longer.
I'm glad DG is gone, but retaining JJ is baffling to me. I love him as a authoritarian coach, but it seems like the locker room has checked out on him.
I can say, that the pursuit of the Bills assistant GM is a ray of sunshine in a dark DARK sky of subpar performances.
I thought some of VT's playcalling was laughable this year but the qb sneaks against washington were holy fuck this guy is an idiot moments.
The problem is he projects ultimate confidence like he's the smartest guy in the room in his press conferences, but on the field he coaches scared and not to lose. It's bonkers
He gone! And there was much rejoicing
We got one of the guys I really wanted, the Bills assistant GM, now we need to close the deal and get Daboll the OC from the Bills, and I'll feel a lot better about this upcoming offseason.
And Sean Payton just quit the Saints
Good riddance. There is just something about the guy I don't like. And its not even the Bounty Gate stuff (although that was bad).
Perhaps he just sees the writing on the wall, they are going to be in QB purgatory for awhile.
oh no he's 100% a douche
So who bites on him next maybe Green bay fire laflunk to try and get Rodgers to come back?
If you don't think Jerry Jones isn't gonna try to spend something ridiculous on Payton to try and go all in on winning a super bowl before he croaks, you're silly!
Dont rule out dan snyder hes just as foolish and loves to waste money
Its only a matter of time before Dave Tepper in Charlotte starts doing the same. Richest owner in the NFL who.... well, look at the moves the Panthers have made since he took over. Yuck
Looks like Jerry decided to stay with McCarthy.
I meant to post this earlier but forgot..... Payton already worked for Dallas as a coordinator before he went to the Saints...
It'll happen next year after Payton does a year on TV... Cowboys had a deal worked out with Nawlins for Payton post-Garrett, but the Bensons squashed it because they didn't wanna trade Sean Payton and Anthony Davis away from their franchises in such quick succession and decided to put the fans first.
Looks like the broncos are hiring Green Bays Offensive coordinator, this looks like peyton all over again and I feel like theyre gonna push like hell for Aaron.
Shad Khan going to screw up this hire so badly.
With Hackett going to Denver all eyes are now squarely upon Rodgers and Adams.
I would not be surprised in the least to see A A Ron to Denver. There was already a good amount of speculation to that effect before this hire.
Good defense
Good young running backs
Good if not great set of WRs
Play Herbert and Mahomes each twice a year
A lot of reasons for Rodgers to want to play for Denver, and this just adds another. Adams moving on is another issue only because the Pack can franchise him if they really want to.
Bills OC Brian Daboll to NYG is official
So hyped about this GGC. This pairing of GM and coach was my dream pairing. Hopefully this is the turnaround we needed. Big 🔵!
Add on Mike Kafka as the OC. Bro, if Daniel Jones doesn't succeed with this group of coaches then it's time to move on to another QB.
And Wink Martindale as DC. These damn Giants are gonna force me to have a pulse this upcoming season...such a bad relationship we have.
This is literally every Giants fan I know when they have even the smallest amount of optimism.
Don't worry Giants fans, somebody is sure to pull out the rug sometime during the draft or season.