Black Monday Prep: Coaching talent on the move

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Merlin

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So the madness is already starting up a bit in the media with guys like Foolio drawing parallels between Demoff and Bruce Allen, and rumors around the league of who is going to be out of a job. All I can say at this point is there are potentially some talented coaches who might be on the move, and these are the life blood of the NFL and part of the reason (along with talent) that fortunes rise and fall every season.

Who will the Rams have their eyes on? Well here's my guess fwiw.

1. Bill Callahan. Possible Roles: OL Coach, OC and/or Run Game Coordinator. The Redskins connection is going to be real I think. McVay and Callahan were very tight on that staff in their gameplanning, and that is something I am sure he is looking for given the dropoff in offensive scheme this year. Two areas I have noticed this the most is in their run blocking assignments (a lot of bizarre assignments that look very difficult for the given run call as well as reach blocks), and their route combinations in the passing game (way too many down/distance tendencies with defenses all over the routes). Bill wouldn't fix both things, but he would give Sean a run game buddy he trusts and enjoys gameplanning with.

2. Doug Marrone. Possible Roles: OC and/or Run Game Coordinator. The situation in Jax is a bit nuts so who knows if Marrone will be fired. But I think if he is, and if the Rams bring him in, his pairing with a passing game mind like McVay would be an ideal situation. This is a coach with a strong knowledge of blocking schemes and he is a good gameplanner in all things OL from protections to the run blocking. In the event Callahan is not brought in, or if he is offered more money or responsibility elsewhere and things don't work out, Marrone is a very nice backup plan.

3. Jason Garrett. Possible Roles: OC. I don't feel like this is likely or anything but it is possible. Garrett is a smart dude who has ten years of experience and needs a break from owner micromanagement, and in return he's under an offensive mind who can help recharge him while he also helps McVay get his offense back on track. This would be the obvious "experienced OC" hire and McVay might be ready for that who knows. Like with Richards it seems like there's a chance Jerry Jones doesn't want to leave his comfort zone (he's got a head coach who will entertain his BS unlike some other more proven types) but if they don't make the playoffs I think he hits the streets. And I don't think they're going to beat Philly we'll see though.

Now one thing that is very noteworthy is that there will be some 4-3 DCs on the market this offseason. But I don't like any of them, at least not the ones I've been looking at. Richards (Dallas Passing Game DC) is too steeped in the Seattle way with the long CBs and cover 2 style of play. Wilks (Browns DC) converted a solid 3-4 defense to a 4-3 in Arizona and never did restack the personnel correctly resulting in his firing in large part. Quinn (Falcons HC) oversaw a five year window of mediocrity and a defense that cost them a championship. In the event Wade is out, and this is just my opinion, the Rams need to stay the course with the 3-4 because we don't have the DEs nor do we have the draft capital to restack things.

So I am going to keep looking at the DCs, that's an effort in progress. But I do have one guy I'd really like to bring in: Steve Belichick. Now I know some will think I'm nuts here, but he comes with a lot of advantages that warrant an interview. First, he has worked for the best DC in the history of the game for the past eight or so years (not all meaningful positions, granted, but he has intimate knowledge of how his father does his thing). Second, he took over the secondary this season with excellent results. And I'll add here that I feel like Belichick isn't the kind of guy who will give his kid a raise until he's more than earned it, and obviously he was ready. Third, I believe the most critical element in today's game, and the heart and soul of what Belichick does, is the secondary and stifling the passing game. And lastly, the dude has the greatest DC ever a phone call away to help him navigate the minefield of coordinating a defense.

Anyway, Black Monday is almost on us so interested in hearing what your options are or who you think we're going to get after. (y)
 

Mackeyser

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Interesting about Steve Belichick. Hadn't thought about him.

Also, I think Coach B's admiration for McVay would maybe help in that regard. Cuz you know that Coach B doesn't like or admire all coaches and so it's unlikely he'd recommend that his son take a position at a place he wouldn't endorse.

I dunno. I think next year is gonna be good. I think the new stadium, the new West Coast for the NFL offices and NFL Network studios will need a pretty strong year from the Rams to really kick things off right.

With the collapse of the Chargers, there's no way that the NFL wants to see a self-financed venue start out like Levi did because the teams in it are mediocre in a tough entertainment market.
 

Loyal

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If we attached ourselves to Jason Garrett in any capacity, what a massive fail.
 

sjm1582002

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All aboard on Callahan, other two OC possibilities meh

Also, I'd bring in a new "screen game coordinator".

Seemed like more often than not, ours went nowhere.
 

Ramstien

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I really like the idea of possibly getting Callahan on board.
 
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den-the-coach

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If we attached ourselves to Jason Garrett in any capacity, what a massive fail.

That won't happen IMHO, he will be somebody's OC or Assistant HC/Offense I could see him working with Ron Rivera or if Marvin Lewis comes back.
 

den-the-coach

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I really like the idea of possibly getting Callahan on board.

I think everybody does, give him the title of Offensive Coordinator and I do believe he could work with Kromer, but Callahan will be in high demand and many teams with deep pockets will come calling.
 

1maGoh

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Had anyone considered the possibility that Bill is only training Steve so that he can have an inside spy on a rival? I bet that kid (I know he's probably 10 years older than me, no clue what his age is) only goes to an AFC annual playoff contender.

Nothing Belichick does is on the up and up. Training his son is no different.
 

PressureD41

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Could a dude w/ a true Mullet, survive living in LA. I could get behind Steve to be honest:whistle:
 

Riverumbbq

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Everyone seems to be ruling out someone in-house, in 3 years has Wade Phillips been mentoring no-one ? I'd prefer to stick with our current 3-4 hybrid and let the new DC tweak it rather than adopt an entirely new defensive philosophy. jmo.
 

fearsomefour

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All aboard on Callahan, other two OC possibilities meh

Also, I'd bring in a new "screen game coordinator".

Seemed like more often than not, ours went nowhere.
I think that is more execution by the OL and timing than needing a coach for screens.
It also seems other teams (SF, Seattle) run some pretty creative screens. Our screens seems pretty generic and not disguised all that well.
I like what Callahan has done with an injured and depleted Redskins OL in the running game.
 

fearsomefour

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Everyone seems to be ruling out someone in-house, in 3 years has Wade Phillips been mentoring no-one ? I'd prefer to stick with our current 3-4 hybrid and let the new DC tweak it rather than adopt an entirely new defensive philosophy. jmo.
If the Rams switch their approach many of the players have to be replaced. The young LB talent we have is mostly voided.
Going to a 4/3 (when we have 2 starting quality DL now) would be a bad move and likely would keep the team in the 8 to 9 win range for a couple of years.
Any scheme can work.
You need a coach to implement it. You need the players that fit the scheme to execute it.
4/3, 3/4....there is not a “better” scheme.
Just good and bad designs and good and bad execution. I prefer the 4/3....but who really cares? The team needs to build on what is there now instead of scrapping it and starting over.
 

Merlin

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Everyone seems to be ruling out someone in-house, in 3 years has Wade Phillips been mentoring no-one ? I'd prefer to stick with our current 3-4 hybrid and let the new DC tweak it rather than adopt an entirely new defensive philosophy. jmo.
Who on our staff would you have in mind?
 

Riverumbbq

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Who on our staff would you have in mind?

Good question. I don't know who has been working closest to Phillips or whether he's truly mentoring any of the assistants, although I'd be dishonest if I didn't mention Chris Shula due to his personal closeness to McVay and his coaching bloodline. Of course, that closeness may also be a disadvantage, hard to say. Being a similar age to McVay and going to college together, they've watched each others development closely, seems they may have more in common than not, ... whether that means Phillips has taken Shula under his 'wing' these past few years, I just don't know.
As our OLB coach, Shula has done well with our personnel, not sure how much input he may have had with Snead/Phillips/McVay in attracting Fowler & Matthews or building such solid depth, but some credit must fall his way ...
jmo.
 
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Merlin

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Good question. I don't know who has been working closest to Phillips or whether he's truly mentoring any of the assistants, although I'd be dishonest if I didn't mention Chris Shula due to his personal closeness to McVay and his coaching bloodline. Of course, that closeness may also be a disadvantage, hard to say. Being a similar age to McVay and going to college together, they've watched each others development closely, seems they may have more in common than not, ... whether that means Phillips has taken Shula under his 'wing' these past few years, I just don't know.
As our OLB coach, Shula has done well with our personnel, not sure how much input he may have had with Snead/Phillips/McVay in attracting Fowler & Matthews or building such solid depth, but some credit must fall his way ...
jmo.
Shula is intriguing, no doubt. But is there enough for the Rams to consider him to run the whole show? Running the edge rushers probably doesn't prepare you for calling gameday coverages and run fits.
 

Riverumbbq

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Shula is intriguing, no doubt. But is there enough for the Rams to consider him to run the whole show? Running the edge rushers probably doesn't prepare you for calling gameday coverages and run fits.

Likely not, ... really depends on his relationship with Wade & McVay, and how much he's learned, but if McVay respects his opinions, finding an equally young voice as the HC and the creativity of Phillips could make a difference if McSnead aren't all that impressed with the outsiders who will soon be coming available. Chances are we'll be looking for experience and a proven track record, so i'm really just throwing this at a wall to see what may stick, but we just might have a few options to going outside the organization if it means not changing the entire defensive scheme. jmo.
 
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Merlin

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Likely not, ... really depends on his relationship with Wade & McVay, and how much he's learned, but if McVay respects his opinions, finding an equally young voice as the HC and the creativity of Phillips could make a difference if McSnead aren't all that impressed with the outsiders who will soon be coming available. Chances are we'll be looking for experience and a proven track record, so i'm really just throwing this at a wall to see what may stick, but we just might have a few options to going outside the organization if it means not changing the entire defensive scheme. jmo.
If the Rams think Shula or another member of Wade's group has that potential I could see them coming to agreement with Wade for him to transition to whichever chosen replacement he and the team agree on. And I'd be ok with that because I remain in Wade's corner and we can keep him around a bit longer.

Best option of all IMO is they keep Wade and get him some better pieces on defense. The secondary is close, but that front seven has a lot of holes and key decisions if they want to see a top unit.

My fear is they pick Barry. Who I like btw just not as DC.

Oh and btw on the offensive side how about Wes Phillips taking on more of a role? He's done a very nice job with his unit (this is his first year as Rams' TE coach). Maybe that TE production we saw in Washington had something to do with him eh?