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Tag: Nick Saban

  • Michigan Holds On To Beat Alabama In The 2025 Reliaquest Bowl

    Michigan Holds On To Beat Alabama In The 2025 Reliaquest Bowl

    The Michigan Wolverines got off to a quick start and lead against the Alabama Crimson Tide by going up 16-0 in the first quarter and held on to win 19-16 at Raymond James Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

    The stadium was packed with fans from both sides and they stayed throughout a deluge of rain in the first quarter and were then treated to a beautiful Florida afternoon once the rain subsided.

    The Wolverine’s defense was stout all day holding the Crimson Tide and their quarterback Jalen Milroe who opted to throw his hat into the upcoming NFL Draft ring, to 260 total yards and 21:48 in time of possession.

    Edge Derrick Moore was a beast all day for the Wolverines defense with 4 solo tackles and 2 sacks and a fumble recovery and kicker Dominic Zvada could have been the MVP with 4 field goals but RB Jordan Marshall took home the trophy.

    Michigan also forced a season-high three turnovers in the first quarter and held Bama to -2 yards. Offensively, Michigan was led by the aforementioned Jordan Marshall with a career-high 100 yards on 23 carries and Frederick Moore with 3 catches for 37 yards. Quarterback Warren Davis went 9-12 for 73 yards and was injured in the third quarter and was replaced by Alex Orji.

    Warren told fans that he looked forward to being back on the practice field with his teammates, while revealing the devastating injury he suffered in the bowl game. “Celebrating a win and so proud of the way the boys finished the season!”

    Warren wrote. “I unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in the bowl game. Thanks to the Michigan faithful for all the support this season. “Can’t wait to battle to be back on the field with my guys in AA and go blue!” 

    The second quarter was much better for the Crimson Tide as they were able to get 10 points on the board and get it to a six-point game going into halftime.

    TE Robbie Ouzts caught a 25 yard TD pass from Milroe to cut the score to 16-7 late in the second quarter and kicker Graham Nicholson hit a 24 yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the half to tighten the score at 16-10.

    That felt like a major win after the way the first quarter went, but the Michigan defense was absolutely smothering in the second half.

    Alabama did a good of keeping Michigan from scoring, but they weren’t able to get anything going offensively in the second half. Neither team scored in the third quarter, and then the Wolverines kicked a huge field goal to make it a two-score game with a little over seven minutes remaining in the contest.

    Milroe had a chance to lead the Crimson Tide to victory with a last-second drive but couldn’t punch it in as the Wolverines stopped them on 4th down with 56 second to go to hoist the Reliaquest Bowl trophy.

    The Crimson Tide (9-4) finish the 2024 season with four losses, the first time it reached that total since 2007, when it lost six games in Nick Saban’s first season. It’s a tough loss for Alabama, as Michigan was playing without most of its top players, who opted out to prepare for the 2025 NFL draft.

    For Michigan, it was a positive ending to a tough season but one the players could hang their hat on as the youngsters who played in this game will only get better in the future and will compete next year to get back into college football’s playoff system.

  • Bulls Play Their Hearts Out But Fall To The Alabama Crimson Tide 17-3

    Bulls Play Their Hearts Out But Fall To The Alabama Crimson Tide 17-3

    Coming into Saturday’s game with the Crimson Tide, no one except the Bulls thought they could stay with them for 4 quarters. Well the USF Bulls proved everyone wrong as they were in the game until late in the forth quarter when Bama Quarterback Ty Simpson punched it in from the 1 yard line to give Alabama a 17-3 lead late in the game.

    The Bulls fought all game long and weathered a hour rain delay in from of over 65,000 fans. It was the most fans I have see in the stadium for a Bulls game since I started covering them 15 years ago. It was also great to see Alabama fans worry about losing the game as their team struggled.

    Bulls QB Byrum Brown was great with 23 carries for 92 yards but struggled mightily with his accuracy and finished by going 14 for 28 for 87 yards and 1 costly pick as the team was moving the ball in the forth quarter trying to tie the score at 10.

    Bulls fans, the coaches and the national media could not say enough about the Bulls defense who held Alabama QBs to 107 yards in the air with Buchner and Simpson throwing for a combined 10 for 23. The Bulls defense was led by Daquan Evans who had 8 tackles with 4 for loss, 3 sacks and 1 pass deflection. He was in Bama’s backfield all day long and had an amazing game.

    Other Bull players who stood out in Saturdays contest were linebacker Jhalyn Shuler, who led all players with 11 tackles; receiver Sean Atkins (six catches, 42 yards); and running Nay’Quan Wright, who rushed 15 times for 62 yards and ignited the entire stadium with an early bull-dozing run of an Alabama defender.

    With 6:54 left in the third and the game tied at 3, Alabama got things going as expected late in the game. Taking over at their own 16, the Crimson Tide went 84 yards on 6 plays with Roydell Williams diving in from the 1 yard line.

    After Alabama scored, The Bulls got momentum and drove into Bama territory.  On 1st and 10 at the Alabama 41-yard line, Golesh decided to go for a bomb towards the end zone. Brown threw a corner post route but the receiver ran a middle post and Malachi Moore intercepted the pass to thwart USF’s comeback attempt.

    You could feel the air come out of the stadium and many fans departed after the play. Golesh said “Because we were moving it, we were chunking down the field on that drive. That was a critical drive in the game for us to make it 10-10 and I don’t know if I got impatient as much as I saw an opportunity. … In every imaginable way that’s my fault, and I told Byrum that and I told (the receiver) Michael Brown-Stephens that.”

    With Alabama having 4-5 star players for backups, its tough for a club like the Bulls to keep up with SEC powerhouses when backups have to get rotated in. Its just a size situation but keeping with Alabama for the whole game, the talk of moral victory was said by many but Bulls Head Coach Alex Golesh wasn’t having it.

    “Valiant efforts are for losers,” he said. “Moral victories are for losers. Winners win. So there are no moral victories. … You can say that’s an SEC team. You can say the No. 10 team in the country. You can say whatever you want. They’re on our schedule. They are playing us at home. We’ve got to go win football games. I’ll own it. We weren’t as good as we had to be tonight to win.”

    Nick Saban after the game said he was most proud of how the team competed. Says they didn’t play great but kept answering the bell and was his happy with how team competed.

    Up next for the Bulls, their conference schedule kicks in with a home game against Rice at 4pm.

  • NFL HOT SEATS

    hot seatCould we be on the verge of the largest purge of NFL Head Coaches? As it stands right now I can count 11 possible coaching vacancies after the season is over. 9 on the seat, 2 already gone and possibly more to come… this makes my job fun. I’ve been watching and writing about the coaching carousel for years and I can’t think of a more unstable time to be a Head Coach.

    I’ll start with the teams that have already have openings and go from there.

    Miami Dolphins:

    Many think Dan Campbell, the interim coach, will keep the job… I am not one of those

    (Steve Mitchell / US PRESSWIRE)
    (Steve Mitchell / US PRESSWIRE)

    people; I don’t think he will do enough to prevent the team from interviewing other candidates. Don’t get me wrong, he will make a fine Head Coach someday; this just isn’t the time for him to take over a team that needs to make the leap to the playoffs.

    Possible replacements:

    Mike Shula: Yep bring in another Shula to make the Dolphins great again. Mike is has the Panthers Offense hitting on all cylinders right now and seeing how the Panthers are undefeated Shula will be getting offers from more than one team, Miami should be the first team to offer him a job.

    Sean Payton: A lot of rumors are going around that the Saints will let Payton walk (dumb idea) but hey if he has a chance to leave why not offer him a job in Sunshine State.

    Kevin Sumlin: Ryan Tannehill would love to have college coach; Sumlin is one of handful of college coaches that could make the jump the NFL and pairing him with a QB that already knows his system will make the transition even easier.

    Honorable Mention: Dan Campbell.

    Tennessee Titans:

    (USA TODAY Sports / Aaron Doster)
    (USA TODAY Sports / Aaron Doster)

    Whisenhunt didn’t pan out, his team was flat and ineffective so they canned him, who could come in and run a system that Marriota would thrive in? Oh man I just can’t thi…. Oh wait, just wait!

    Possible replacements:

    Chip Kelly: Chip is pretty much done in Philly and Chip wanted Marcus just as much as Marcus wanted Chip.

    Art Briles: He is another college coach that could make that jump to the NFL. His offense is up-tempo and that would suit Marcus and the rest of the offense very well.

    Adam Gase: Gase’s name will be thrown around a lot this offseason, I’m not sure the Titans will go with a guy with no HC experience but he might be a guy worth the gamble.

    Todd Haley: Haley has the experience the Titans may be looking for, his offense has been pretty impressive to watch this year and with the weapons he will have it could make a match made in heaven.

    San Francisco 49ers:

    Let me say this… Jim Harbaugh should still be the Head Coach here. The 49ers are not going anywhere any time soon with their current situation. Dumb and Dumber… York and Baalke are going to send the 49ers right back to the bottom. They need to have a coach that demands and get the best out the players, a coach that understands the NFL and a coach that has NFL HC experience. Tomsula, he might be a good line coach but not a very good head coach.

    Possible replacements:

    Dom Capers: His defense is doing well in Green Bay, he has HC experience and the players will work hard for him.

    Jim Mora: He turned the program at UCLA around and I think he is very deserving of another shot in the NFL.

    Josh McDaniels: You can’t deny that what Josh has done in New England is anything short of spectacular; he has truly redeemed himself from the disastrous time in Denver.

    Hue Jackson: Raiders should have kept him, Bengals have thrived with him as the OC and I would think that he would do wonders with Carlos Hyde.

    Philadelphia Eagles:

    What did Chip think was going to happen? Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez are your QB’s, he traded away all the talent and speed he had on offense and is now left with the fact that he actually made the team worse.

    Possible replacements:

    Sean McDermott: Sean has a lot of history with this organization and after Andy Reid fired him I think there was some bad blood there. Now that McDermott coaching one of the best defenses in the NFL I think the Eagles will reach out to him.

    Kyle Shannahan: Somebody has to offer him a HC job; it might as well be the Eagles.

    David Shaw: The Chip Kelly experiment didn’t turn out all that great, maybe they go with another College guy.

    Hue Jackson: Hue is one coach that EVERY team should look at, as I stated before he should have never been fired from the Raiders.

    Detroit Lions:

    What can I say here? The Lions have all the offensive weapons to make them a top notch team, they need help on defense so I think they should go the route of a Defensive minded coach and rebuild that side of the ball.

    Possible replacements:

    Mark D'Antonio after winning the 2012 Outback Bowl with Michigan St. (Travis Faliey/RSEN)
    Mark D’Antonio after winning the 2012 Outback Bowl with Michigan St. (Travis Faliey/RSEN)

    Mark Dantonio: Why not? I know he loves being a Sparty, but he could easily take that step into the NFL ring… His schemes would work well and he would have tons of hometown love.

    Teryl Austin: From everything I hear he is the one guy the Lions players love to play for and be coached by. If they keep it in house he is the only guy worthy of the job.

    John Harbaugh: Why not get both Harbaough boys coaching in Michigan? I think the Ravens would be idiots to let him go, but this season has not been pretty for the Ravens. If he is in fact let go the Lions make the most sense.

    David Shaw: Shaw and Sumlin are two names that keep popping up as far going to the NFL.

    New York Giants:

    Every year I think the Giants will make a coaching change and every year I’m wrong… I’m not giving up. I think if a few names are out there and Giants miss the playoffs (which they shouldn’t) they will be forced to make the change.

    Possible replacements:

    Sean Payton: He wins games and he has a way with QB’s.

    Nick Saban: Time to redeem? Saban would only leave Bama for 2 or 3 teams, the Giants being one of them.

    Brian Kelly: I think this is the only team Kelly would leave ND for.

    Todd Haley: Haley will get tons of calls this offseason, his system is thriving and the Giants need somebody that can help spice up their offense.

    Baltimore Ravens:

    Ray Rice (PR PHOTO)
    Ray Rice (PR PHOTO)

    This team is a mess, it all started when Ray Lewis retired, and then they gave Flacco one of the most ridiculous contracts I’ve seen, then Ray Rice, now Flacco is hurt.. FLUSH…….. yep that’s the sound of this season for the Ravens. Is it enough for them to fire Harbaugh? I wouldn’t but crazier things have happened.

    Possible replacements:

    Mike Shula: Shula should be getting a few calls this offseason after what he has done in Carolina.

    Hue Jackson: Boy his name keeps popping up and for a good reason; this guy is a hell of a coach.

    Jim Mora: Defense is what won the Ravens a Super Bowl and Defense is what Mora lives by.

    Nick Saban: Saban and Ozzie go way back to the Browns days and I think Saban will be ready to try the NFL again after this season.

    New Orleans Saints:

    Since their Super Bowl win things have been on the decline in the Big Easy, maybe it’s

    Drew Brees (PR Photo)
    Drew Brees (PR Photo)

    time to break away from Payton and get some new blood in Cajun country. I think the Saints need more help on defense but for some reason I think they hire another Offensive minded guy.

    Possible replacements:

    Josh McDaniels: I have never been a fan of McDaniels but my eyes don’t lie, he is destroying defenses with the help from Brady.. Brees may be getting older but under Josh I think he would excel.

    Adam Gase: Another QB guru… he did wonders for Manning in Denver and has actually done a good job with Plummer in Chicago, Brees would thrive in his system.

    Kyle Shannahan: Another Offensive guy that understands the division and would help prolong the career of Drew Brees.

    Sean McDermott: Like I said I think he is a hot commodity with how well he has done in Carolina, plus I mentioned the Saints need all kinds of help on the defensive side.

    San Diego Chargers:

    Phillip Rivers to Antonio Gates (PR PHOTO)
    Phillip Rivers to Antonio Gates (PR PHOTO)

    Mike McCoy has not done a very good job for the Bolts, they might be moving cities and if they do they will be looking for a new HC.

    Possible replacements:

    Josh McDaniels: Let’s not pretend that watching Rivers in a McDaniels system wouldn’t be amazing.

    Adam Gase: See the routine here? Rivers getting matched with guys that have worked with elite QB’s is a very smart move.

    Art Briles: Hell why not!

    Todd Haley: Again, Rivers in this offense would thrive.

    Dallas Cowboys:

    DALLAS COWBOYS
    DALLAS COWBOYS

    I don’t know how much longer people can say that Romo and Garrett are the best guys for the job. Romo is made of glass and Garrett must be a sadist the way he throws Romo to the Wolves week after week.

    Possible replacements:

    Sean Payton: he should have had the job years ago.

    John Harbaugh: He is used to winning without a top tier QB.

    Art Briles: Keeping it in State.

    Nick Saban: I think this is the most likely to happen.

    Cleveland Browns:

    browns_gone1Pettine and staff are Horrible at best, Farmer makes worse decisions than homeless crack head looking for a fix and Manziel is still a nasty drunk midget. So where do they go from here?

    Possible replacements:

    Todd Haley: I would love the idea of the Browns stealing Haley away from the Steelers.

    John Harbaugh: Again, stealing away a great coach from a division rival.

    Josh McDaniels: At some point a Belichcik disciple has to work out for the Browns…right?

    Kevin Sumlin: Screw it, keep Manziel and see how things go with his old College coach calling the shots.

    The Jags and the Rams are on the fence in my book, they could go either way… I’ll be sure to keep you updated as time goes on.

  • OUCH! Power 5 Hot Seat

     

    There are only two weeks left in the 2015 college football season and there are already 14 coaches who have either been fired or resigned.  Most recently, Paul Rhoads of Iowa State and Scott Schafer of Syracuse became members of the fired coaches club.  There will more than likely be more coaches to join these 14 when these season ends on December 5.

    So, let’s take a look at one coach from each of the Power 5 Conference who could be looking for a new home come January 1, 2016.

    SEC:

    (photo Travis Failey)
    (photo Travis Failey)

    Les Miles (LSU):  Apparently going 110-23 in 11 seasons is not good enough for the Bayou Bengals faithful.  They want the Tigers competing for National Championships year after year.  Despite averaging 10 wins in his 11 season, Miles biggest downfall has been his inability to develop a quarterback and adapt his offense.  Also, his 3-7 record against Nick Saban does not help.

    ACC:

    Virginia Cavaliers
    Virginia Cavaliers

    Mike London (Virginia): In 6 seasons at UVA, London is 27-45.  He was brought in to replace Al Groh and replicate his success at FBS School Richmond, where he won a national title.  Since taking the Cavaliers to the Peach Bowl in his second season, he has gone 15-32 including a 2-10 season in 2013.

    Big 10:

    purdueDarrell Hazell (Purdue): 6-29 in 3 seasons including 2-21 in conference.  Most coaches wouldn’t survive this record, especially when your Athletic Department announces a $60 million renovation of Athletic facilities, but a hefty $6.6 million buyout could be helping Hazell stick around West Lafayette, IN.

    Big 12:

    Dana Holgorsen (West Virginia): The transition to the Big 12 has not been easy for

    (USA TODAY Sports)
    (USA TODAY Sports)

    Holgorsen and the Mountaineers.  After going 10-3 his first season, Holgorsen is 24-24 with only one bowl win in 3 appearances.

    Pac 12:

    Mike MacIntyre (Colorado): Like WVU, the transition to a new conference has not been easy for the Colorado Buffaloes.  Since joining the Pac 12 in 2011 the Buffaloes have gone 30-68, including 26-47 under current head coach Mike MacIntyre.

  • Sorry-Ass Heartbreak in C-Town

    browns_gone

    Let me run some numbers by you… 16 years, 8 Head Coaches, 7 General Managers, 3 Owners, 20 picks in the 1st round, 6 of which made it to the Pro Bowl, and 1 playoff game. At this point I could do a Mic drop and exit the stage… FORGET ABOUT THIS SORRY ASS TEAM!!! No I just can’t quit this team, I want to, I want to forget all about them and never look back, but they are my team, have been my team and no matter what they will be my team.

    Of all the Head Coaches the Browns have hired only Eric Mangini had previous Head Coaching Experience in the NFL and Butch Davis and Chris Palmer had previous HC experience in the College ranks. I’m not saying that the Browns need to hire a coach that has HC experience but I can’t see the harm in it.

    With that being said I can fix it, I’ve offered my help in the past and it has fallen on deaf ears. Maybe…just maybe this time will be different, maybe somebody will actually hear me and understand that my ideas, my thoughts and my vision would work… It couldn’t make matters worse that’s for damn sure.

    In the past I’ve given a blueprint to use as a guide, not this time, this time I’ll cover all the bases, I’ll provide many options to select from and so in depth that even the Browns couldn’t mess it up. I will make this so easy even a Steelers fan will understand it. I’m doing this for you, the die-hard DAWGS that bleed Orange and Brown and have been with the team since as far back as they can remember. I’m doing this for me as well, it’s a type of therapy, I can put my ideas down, see what could have been and what could be.

    List of Possible GM’s to replace Ray Farmer:

    Nick Caserio: Patriots Director of Player Personnel (4 Super Bowls)

    Omar Khan: Steelers Director of Football and Business Administration (2 Super Bowls)

    Khai Harley: Saints Director of Football Administration (1 Super Bowl)

    Kevin Abrams: Giants Assistant General Manager (2 Super Bowls)

    Eliot Wolf: Packers Director of Player Personnel (1 Super Bowl)

    If you look what I’ve done here I’ve offered the job to guys that have been on the job for a good amount of time, have learned from some very knowledgeable football minds and they come from teams that have a dedication to winning.

    List of Possible Head Coaches with NFL HC Experience:

    Brian Billick (Highly doubtful)

    Bill Cowher (If Khan was the GM it might happen but chances are just over .001%)

    Hue Jackson: Fired too soon from the Raiders, excellent Offensive mindset and tough coach.

    Nick Saban: His stint with the Fins was a disaster but he deserves a 2nd chance in the NFL.

    Wade Phillips: He has failed as HC in the past but damn it I love this guy.

    Josh McDaniels: I know… I know… He failed in Denver and ran back to New England, but he is a local boy that has the pedigree to win via his bloodline and his coaching tree.

    Todd Haley: Haley has made the Steelers offense one of the hardest to stop; he’s made it a dynamic force and has a history of developing top tier talent.

    List of Possible HC’s with College HC experience.

    Art Briles: OFFENSE!! OFFENSE!! OFFENSE!!!

    Mark D'Antonio after winning the 2012 Outback Bowl with Michigan St. (Travis Faliey/RSEN)
    Mark D’Antonio after winning the 2012 Outback Bowl with Michigan St. (Travis Faliey/RSEN)

    Mark Dantonio: learned from Earl Bruce, Jim Tressel and Nick Saban.

    Bob Stoops: Ohio born, 1 National Championship 8 Big 12 Championships… NFL Ready?

    Les Miles: Ohio born, not going to the team up North, always has a high powered offense.

    Dabo Swinney: I just want to be able to scream our YABBA DABO DO!!

    List of Possible HC with NFL experience but not as a HC

    Winston Moss: Packers Assistant HC/Linebacker coach. I’ve said it for years this guy should be a HC.

    Adam Gase: Broncos to the Bears, the Browns? Keeping in the B’s here.

    Harold Goodwin: Cardinals OC. Have you seen what he has done with Palmer and Johnson? Nuff said.

    Frank Reich: Chargers OC, Chargers have the most potent offense in the NFL right now.

    Matt Patricia: Patriots DC, I know the past few coordinators from New England haven’t panned out well for the Browns but Patricia looks like he belongs in Cleveland.

    Player movement:

    Release:

    Dwayne Bowe

    Trade:

    Joe Haden

    Johnny Manziel

    Barkivious Mingo

    Justin Gilbert

    Joe Thomas

    A fire sale is needed in Cleveland, they aren’t winning and they aren’t showing any improvement, I do believe a lot of the issues rest on the shoulders of the coaching staff but guys like Joe Thomas getting called for false starts game after game and Joe Haden unable to perform to the standards he has already set are a clear indication that they don’t have their heart in Cleveland any longer. It’s time to move on from them and nab some draft picks. The problem with obtaining draft picks is you need to scout and draft the right players, which Cleveland hasn’t done in forever and a year. Having the right front office that drills winning into the brains of every coach, player, scout, and assistant from the second they become a Cleveland Brown should be Mission One. Winning is a mindset, it can be taught, it can be coached and it can be radically contagious.

     “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” – Vince Lombardi

    The Browns have been on the losing end of that habit for far too long, it’s not just time a small change it’s time the ultimate change in culture around the organization, it’s time to start winning and to accomplish that mission they must, unfortunately do a lot of house cleaning, stability in the front office and coaching staff makes everything easier but I’d rather they move on now than think that this staff will get any better… not gonna happen.

    Let me take a few steps back, I want to get back to the Front Office and coaching staff. I think that is really were the Browns problems all start. So since I’ve mentioned so many options above I’ll break down a few options that are my favorite.

    Scenario 1:

    GM: Omar Khan

    HC: Todd Haley

    OC: Randy Fichtner

    DC: Pepper Johnson

    This would be a dynamic West Coast Offense with a nasty Defensive attitude. Haley didn’t work out well in KC but I love his fire and I really respect what he has done for the Steelers. Fichtner has done wonders working with Big Ben and he knows Haley’s system. Why Pepper Johnson hasn’t had a shot at DC blows my mind. His players take on his mentality and disposition, they become that crazy bully and they channel his nastiness on each and every snap of the ball.

    Scenario 2:

    GM: Nick Caserio

    HC: Josh McDaniels

    OC: Ben McDaniels

    DC: Mike Vrabel

    I’ve said it many times in the past that the Patriots Coordinators don’t make good head coaches, but there is a lot of Championships being won there and maybe the Browns should give it a shot. It didn’t work with Mangini or Crennel but the 3rd time’s a charm!

    3rd Scenario:

    GM: Eliot Wolf

    HC: Winston Moss

    OC: Joe Philbin

    DC: Kevin Green

    Moss should have been a Head Coach years ago; he is an intelligent, hard-nosed coach that has spent years learning the ins and outs of coach and player development. Joe Philbin was a disaster in Miami but his years in Green Bay can’t be a fluke.

    There you have it… I’m pretty tired of writing about what could be, I’d much rather be writing about what is. The Browns organization is 24 hour buffet that serves sadness, madness and frustration, I don’t see any bright lights at the end of this tunnel of unhappiness and unless a regime change is made nothing will get better.

  • Can Houston get some Lov-ie?

    HOUSTON TEXANS

    Why the Houston Texans want interview Bill O’Brien is a mystery to me, he has no NFL Head Coaching experience, he only has 2 years of Head Coaching experience in his entire career and that is 2 years at Penn State. He didn’t lead the Nittnay Lions to the Promised Land, he didn’t turn around the program, although he did clean up the showers, so why does he get the interview? Oh it’s because he is another Bill Belichick disciple. Let’s look back at how the other branches from the Belichick coaching tree have panned out.

    Romeo Crennel: Romeo led the Browns to a staggering 24-40 with a .375 winning percentage. After he was fired he went on to be the defensive coordinator for the KC Chiefs, and then interim coach and then Head Coach, he did, believe it or not, much worse in KC than he did in Cleveland. 4-15 with a .337 winning percentage. GREAT JOB!!

    Al Groh: Not a bad record but decided that head coaching in the NFL wasn’t for him, he coached 1 season for the Jets and left them with a 9-7 record before heading off to his Alma Mater.

    Josh McDaniels: 11-17 for the Bronco’s that’s a .393 winning percentage… That’s better than Romeo but that’s not saying much.

    Eric Mangini: Mangini went 23-25 with the Jets and 10-22 for the Browns with a winning percentage of .413.

    Nick Saban:  Nick could have built a decent team in Miami but after a few months of lies he darted out town to take over Alabama. He left the Dolphins with an overall record of 15-17.

    Jim Schwartz:  Let’s see you have the best Wide Receiver in the NFL, a Quarterback that can make just about any throw on the field and a defensive line that attacks like a cackle of Hyenas but you can only go 29-50?

    So explain to me where, why and how Bill O’Brien is going to be any different than the other low hanging branches off the Belichick coaching tree? If the Texans do make the mistake of hiring Bill O’Brien they will be on the prowl for another Head Coach within 3 years.

    The Texans have the 1st pick in the draft, they have a lot of work to do and hiring a guy that has no idea how to build a team is grave mistake, I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again Lovie Smith should be the guy they hire, if they pass on Lovie for anybody else that person better have NFL Head Coaching experience.

    Lovie Smith (photo USA Today Sports / Mike Carter)

    NOTE TO ALL NFL TEAMS: BILL BELICHICK DOES NOT CREATE GREAT COACHES!!!  Stop hiring his assistant coaches.

    While I am on the topic of the Texans let me continue with how they should work this draft and their Number 1 pick… Like I said they need help all over the field so I am always one for trading the 1st pick in the draft. Bridgewater does not impress me enough to say he is the FUTURE of the organization so if I am running the Texans I trade that 1st pick, I just hope it’s not a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

    If they are dead set on keeping the 1st pick in the draft I would take Anthony Barr OLB from UCLA or Sammy Watkins from Clemson, both are guys that will greatly improve their side of the ball. Barr will add more pass rushing skills than Brooks Reed has shown and the left side with Barr and Watt will be nearly hold up against…without holding, chop blocks and illegal hands to the face.

  • Ott to be a Coaching Change

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ten NFL teams could be looking at hiring a new Head Coach after this season, it may be more, but I doubt it’s less.  I’m going to list the teams that I think will be letting their coaches go, telling you why they should be let go and who should be looked at to replace them. These are speculations and other than using my twisted brain I have no inside information…. Or do I?

     

    Cleveland Browns:

    Pat Shurmur should be fired, let’s not kid ourselves, he will be fired. A new owner, a new President and tons of talent tell me he is as good as gone.  He was hired by Holmgren, but I still have not found a reason as to why him over …. Let’s say …. Anybody. Really, he might be a decent QB coach, but Offensive Coordinator is even reaching for his ceiling.

    So, who should the Browns look at? Well the Rumors are Saban, Chip Kelly and even a Gruden whisper here and there. Truth be told, I doubt its Saban, I actually hope it’s not, he was given the chance to run a team in Miami and not only did he fail he left them the 1st chance he had. Chip Kelly, is an offensive innovator in Oregon, but he has ZERO experience in the NFL. Gruden may sound like the guy, but again I doubt it. He will be offered a ton of gigs and I don’t think Cleveland is where he wants to be, if he does coach again I think he wants GM and Head Coaching duties.

    So with those names out where does that leave us? Well I think that still leaves the Browns with a chance of landing a coach that can have the team playing top notch football. They go by route of the Old Eagles and the current Steelers. I think they hire a Coordinator with no head coaching experience but that is well respected by their players.

    –          John Mitchell- Defensive Line/Assistant Head Coach – Steelers

    –          Rick Dennison- Offensive Coordinator-  Texans

    –          Vic Fangio- Defensive Coordinator – 49ers

    –          Winston Moss – Linebacker Coach/Assistant Head Coach- Packers

    –          David Shaw- Head Coach – Stanford

    Philadelphia Eagles:

    Andy Reid had held this job since 1999 and He is as good as gone, I think he checked out a few years ago and nobody has noticed he just doesn’t care anymore.  The Eagles are known for being loyal but this has gone on much too long, I think they look at Reid’s past years and realizes he is not the same coach he was a few years ago. I doubt they stick with anybody that is with the team right now either, I think they go out and get Coach that can handle the insanity that goes along with Philadelphia  Eagles head coach, this place is nuts for football and along with Cleveland and the Raiders has one of the most hungry fan bases for a championship. So who can turn things around, handle the fans, revamp the staff and be ready for Season?

    –          Herm Edwards- Retired Head Coach

    –          Sean Payton – soon to be ex-Saints head coach.

    –          Steve Mariucci- retired Head Coach

    –          Perry Fewell- Defensive Coordinator- Giants

    –          David Shaw- Head Coach- Head Coach

     

    Dallas Cowboys:

    Jason Garrett is a joke, this guy is the reason Wade Phillips was canned and he cannot do any better himself. Garrett and his kin have taken up residency in Dallas in hopes to win a Championship, but the problem is, he is not a good coach. He wasn’t a good OC and he hasn’t proven to be any better as the Head Coach. Jerry Jones needs to find his next Jimmy Johnson, he needs to give up being the GM and either hire a coach that will do both or hire a GM and a new coach.

    –          Sean Payton – Soon to be ex-Saints head Coach

    –          Bill Cowher- Retired Head Coach (Also have GM duties)

    –          Brian Billick- Retired head Coach

    –          Nick Saban – Head Coach- Alabama

    –          Chip Kelly- Head Coach- Oregon

     

    Kansas City Chiefs:

    Romeo is a nice guy, he is liked by his players and he is a hell of a Defensive Coordinator, but he is not a Head Coach, he failed in Cleveland and he is failing in K.C. as well. The Chiefs should fire him and Scott Peoli as well. I think the Patriots 2.0 trial failed, so it’s time to move on.

    –          Chip Kelly – Head Coach- Oregon

    –          Andy Reid- Head Coach – Philadelphia

    –          Rick Dennison – Offensive Coordinator – Texans

    –          Vic Fangio- Defensive Coordinator- 49ers

    –          Jon Gruden- Retired Head Coach (He would also have GM Duties)

     

    Buffalo Bills:

    Chan Gailey cannot win in the NFL, so why keep thinking he can? This guy was a decent College coach, but not all College coaches can make that jump. The Bills need to fire him and look for a long term replacement.  Here is the problem, if you think Cleveland was a hard job to fill with a top tier coach The Buffalo gig will be even harder. They don’t have a player you can build around on offense, and the weather is horrible.

    –          Dave Wannstedt – Defensive Coordinator- Bills

    –          Mike Sherman- Offensive Coordinator – Dolphins

    –          Eric Mangini- Retired Head Coach

    –          Rob Ryan- Defensive Coordinator – Cowboys

    –          Brian Schottenheimer- Offensive Coordinator – Rams

     

    Detroit Lions:

    Jim Schwartz has let his players get arrested, kick players on the field and pretty much do what they want. He has tons of talent on both sides of the ball and he still finds himself at the bottom of his division. His Lions are currently worse than the Vikings and that is a bad place to be. Luckily for the front office, the players and the fans it’s a team that is loaded with talent and will possible snag a decent draft pick as well. Finding a new coach will not be an issue, they just need to find the right guy.

    –          Les Miles – Head Coach – LSU

    –          Vic Fangio – Defensive Coordinator – 49ers

    –          Rob Chudzinski – Offensive Coordinator – Panthers

    –          Brian Billick- Retired Head Coach

    –          Perry Fewell – Defensive Coordinator – Giants

     

    New York Jets:

    Rex needs axed, his show has played out and the ending is a bad as an M. Night Shyamalan film. He made promised he never kept, he made a trade for Tebow and has not used him once, he loves feet, and he has no chance of making it into the offseason. By this account he is done in the New York, he may land a gig elsewhere, maybe working for his brother. The Jets need an overhaul with the Roster and the coaching staff, especially at the QB spot.

    –          Rick Dennison – Offensive Coordinator- Texans

    –          Wade Phillips- Defensive Coordinator – Texans

    –          Mike Nolan  – Defensive Coordinator – Falcons

    –          Jay Gruden – Offensive Coordinator – Bengals

    –          Bruce Arians- Offensive Coordinator – Colts

     

    San Diego Chargers:

    Norv Turner has somehow managed to keep his job about 4 year longer than he should have, after another failure of season he should finally get the pink slip. The Chargers have the weapons to win but they act like they forget how to win when the games matter most and because of that the Chargers will look for a change.

    –          John Pagano- Defensive Coordinator- Chargers

    –          Bruce Arians – Offensive Coordinator- Colts

    –          David Shaw – Head Coach – Stanford

    –          Andy Reid – head Coach – Eagles

    –          Winston Moss – Linebacker/assistant Head Coach- Packers

     

    Arizona Cardinals:

    Ken Wisenhunt has pretty much done….nothing.. He can go back to being a coordinator somewhere but Head Coaching is not his cup of tea. The Cards have gone round and round with the Quarterbacks and all while having one of the Best Wide Receivers in the NFL.

    –          Bruce Arians- Offensive Coordinator- Colts

    –          David Shaw – Head Coach Stanford

    –          Mike Nolan – Defensive Coordinator – Falcons

    –          Eric Mangini- Retired Head Coach

    –          Mark Richt – Head Coach- Georgia

     

    New Orleans Saints:

    When the Saints voided Sean Payton’s contract it pretty much sealed his fate with the team. They could actually just let Brees coach from the field but I think they move on from Bounty-Gate by hiring a coach that had nothing to do with it.

     

    –          Les Miles – Head Coach – LSU

    –          Nick Saban- Head Coach- Alabama

    –          Rick Dennison- Offensive Coordinator – Texans

    –          Perry Fewell – Defensive Coordinator – Giants

    –           Eric Mangini- Retired Head Coach

    Only time will tell who goes where and who stays and who goes but these 10 teams are stagnant and are in dire need of change. Some teams more than just a coaching change, they need a front office overhaul and possibly an owner change, but we will just enjoy the changing of the guard in the coaching ranks for now.

  • The 2012 Ottski Awards

    My friends, you’ve seen the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys and the ESPYs, but you have not seen the Ottski Awards. Don’t feel left out or uncool, this is the 1st annual Ottski Award presentation, so you are still “in the know”, now relax and read.

    CAPTAIN CLASSY AWARD

    The “CAPTAIN CLASSY AWARD” is presented to Person that through all negativity and harassment rose above the rest and stayed Classy.

    The Nominees are:

    -Tim Tebow

    -Jeremy Lin

    -Ron Burgundy

    And the winner is: Ron Burgundy- Nobody will ever out class the classiest.

    AL DAVIS AWARD

    The Al Davis Award is presented to the owner that has no business being an owner.

    The Nominees are:

    -Malcom Glazer

    -Michael Jordan

    -Mike Brown

    And the winner is: Michael Jordan- His judge of talent is simply horrible. Great player, not a good owner.

    HUGGIES AWARD

    The Huggies Award is presented to the person that just couldn’t stop being a cry baby.

    The Nominees are:

    -Dan Gilbert

    -Blake Griffin

    -Lebron James

    And the winner is: Blake Griffin- This guy finds something to whine about after every single play.

    JOHNNY BE GOOD AWARD

    The Johnny Be Good award is presented to the college football coach that is the strongest recruiter in the nation.

    The Nominees are:

    -Nick Saban

    -Lane Kiffin

    -Urban Meyer                                               And the winner is: Urban Meyer- O-H-   ….. You know the rest!

    (photo by: US PRESSWIRE/Greg Bartram)

    BARRY BONDS AWARD

    The Barry Bonds Award is presented to the person that has tons of talent but loved the drug.

    The Nominees are

    -Ryan Braun

    -Manny Ramirez

    And the winner is: Manny Ramirez- Manny also received the Dumb and Dumber Award earlier tonight.

    Manny Ramirez and his short Rays career – Rocket Sports & Entertainment file photo

    NATE NEWTON AWARD

    The Nate Newton Award is presented to the individual that thought they were above the law.

    This year the award is presented to Sam Hurd, NFL wide receiver and suspected drug kingpin.

    Counterfeit Award

    The Counterfeit Award is presented to the person certainly appears to be one thing, but in the end has zero value.

    The Nominees are:

    -Kwame Brown

    -Greg Oden

    -Tim Tebow

    And the winner is: Kwame Brown- Kwame signed a 1 year 7 million dollar contract and played 9 games before his season ending injury. His entire career is joke.

    JERRY MAGUIRE AWARD

    The Jerry Maguire Award is present to the sports agent that is able to trick teams and make something out of nothing.

    The Nominees are:

    -Tony Dutt – Agent for Rashard Lewis

    -Mike Conley Sr. – Agent for Greg Oden

    -Mark Bartlestein – Agent for Kwame Brown

    And the winner is: Mike Conley Sr. Very close on all counts, but Oden has never even been a contributor for his team, and he still was able to sign an extension this past offseason.

    OLD YELLER AWARD

    The Old Yeller Award is presented to the individual that just can’t learn to quiet their tone, no matter what the reason they feel the need to yell.

    This year the award is presented to Stephen A. Smith, even with the T.V. on mute I can hear his loud mouth flinging phrases of complete nonsense.

    (photo by PR Photo)

    IRON MAN AWARD

    The Iron Man Award is presented to the individual that through pain and injuries continues to play and at a top level.

    This year the award is presented to Kobe Bryant. Kobe has played through a nasty wrist injury and has not missed a game all while leading the NBA in scoring.

    DEAD WRONG AWARD

    The Dead Wrong Award is present to the person that just can’t seem to get it right.

    photo by PR Photo

    This year the award goes to ANYBODY THAT THINKS LEBRON IS BETTER THAN KOBE.

    Worst Fans Award

    The Worst Fans Award goes to the team that has the overall worst group of fans.

    This year the award goes to the fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, if you come to a Dodgers game wearing a jersey other than a Dodgers jersey you will be beaten, not figuratively either, literally you will be in harms way.

    RICOLA AWARD

    The Ricola Award is presented to the individual that did more choking in big moments than anybody else.

    This year the winner is: Lebron James……. I’ve just been informed that due to this being the 9th year Lebron has won; the Award is no being called the LBJ Lifetime Achievement Award.

    THE P.O.S. AWARD

    The P.O.S. Award is given to the individual that has truly excelled at being a worthless P.O.S. (I’m sure you have figured out the acronym is by now)

    This year after beating up his baby mama, slapping the face of a nightclub doorman, sucker punching a defenseless fighter, spouting off racist slams and threatening his children with bodily injury the P.O.S. award is given to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

    MASSENGILL AWARD

    The Massengill Award is given to person that rules the world of Doucebags.

    The Nominees are:

    -Kanye West

    -Floyd Mayweather Jr.

    -Sean Avery

    -Lebron James

    And the winner is: We have a tie; we have a 4 way tie. The levels of absolute Douchery  with this group cannot be put in highest to lowest; they just are what they are. They are the Kings of Douche in their own way.

    EYE CANDY AWARD

    The Eye Candy Award is given to the person that is worth spending time, any amount of time, looking at.

    Allison Stokke (photo: USPRESSWIRE / Kirby Lee

    The Nominees are:

    Kate Upton (photo: USPRESSWIRE / Jerry Lai

    -Kate Upton

    -Allison Stokke

    -Leryn Franco

    -Malia Jones

    -Lokelani McMichael

    And the winner is: They all win; they are all hot and worth looking at. Trust me; go check them out if you haven’t. Oh and do it alone……. just take my word for it.